How to Set Markups & Track Job Costs So Every Job Is Profitable

How do you make sure every job is profitable? Know your true cost first, then add markup. Swivl tracks labor, materials, vehicles, equipment and subcontractor costs on each job as they happen, applies a separate default markup to each cost category, and compares estimated costs with actual costs so you can price the next job better.

In this walkthrough, we show you how to set up margins and calculate true job costs inside Swivl, so you can price every job with confidence and actually stay profitable.

Most service businesses lose money not because of lack of work, but because they don’t fully understand their costs. This video breaks down how Swivl helps you track every cost in real time, from labor and materials to vehicles, equipment, and subcontractors, and automatically apply the right margins.

Inside this video, you’ll learn how to:

Set default markup percentages for different cost types Track real-time labor, vehicle, and equipment costs Use AI to capture material costs instantly Build accurate estimates using AI or manual inputs Avoid common pricing mistakes that kill margins Compare estimated vs actual job costs Improve future pricing using real job data

By the end, you’ll have a clear system to price jobs smarter, protect your margins, and build a more profitable service business.