1. Hours worked but not invoiced
Technicians fix extra faults, wait for parts or rework a job and the time never reaches the invoice. Record every hour against a job card and compare hours worked with hours billed each month. The gap is the first number to close.
2. Fixed quotes that ignore the overrun
A fixed price wins the work and the overrun is paid by the workshop. Quote from recorded hours on similar past jobs, state what the price includes and agree in writing how extra work is approved and charged.
3. Parts & consumables at cost
Parts passed on at cost or forgotten altogether remove a margin the business is entitled to. Set a standard markup for parts, include consumables such as fluids & fixings in the job price and check every invoice against the parts issued to the job.
4. Trackside support priced by the day
A day rate for trackside support often leaves out travel, accommodation, setup days, the van and the workshop time lost while staff are away. Price race weekends as a package from the full cost of the weekend.
5. Customers paying late
- Take a deposit before major builds & rebuilds
- Invoice at agreed stages, not only at the end
- Invoice damage repairs as soon as the work is done
- Hold cars or parts until accounts are settled where your terms allow
Where to start
Take the last three months of jobs and compare hours worked, hours billed, parts issued and parts invoiced. That single exercise usually shows which of the five matters most in your workshop. Workshops with quiet winters should also read our guide to off season revenue.