When Fuel Prices Rise, the Best Operators Don’t Flinch

Fuel prices shouldn't distract you from the real margin killer 

When fuel prices spike, it’s tempting to panic and slap an emergency surcharge on your clients. But the data says otherwise. Fuel typically only makes up 2% to 3% of a maintenance business’s total costs. Even a massive 50% jump at the pump only impacts your bottom line by about 1.5%. Meanwhile, labor costs are quietly eating your profits away.

In a recent blog post, we break down how top-tier operators handle cost volatility:

• Stop the bad math: Why arbitrary surcharges destroy customer trust.

• Watch the real margin killer: Tracking labor variance via real-time job costing matters way more than tracking the pump.

• Play offense: How to use your competitors' pricing panic to win over their frustrated clients.