Why flat-rate software beats per-job fees for service businesses
Per-job and per-payment software fees feel small until they aren't. Here's what they actually cost a 5-truck operator over a year.
Most field service software charges you in one of two ways:
- Flat monthly subscription. $49 or $99 a month, regardless of volume.
- Per-job, per-payment, or per-transaction fees. A small slice of every quote, invoice, or payment runs through the platform.
The second model feels harmless when you're a solo operator doing 10 jobs a month. It compounds aggressively when you're a 5-truck shop doing 800 jobs a year. Here's the math.
What "per-payment" software actually costs
Let's say you're running a 5-truck residential service business. Average ticket size: $400. You run 800 jobs a year, all paid by card.
| Fee model | Per-job cost | Annual cost |
|---|---|---|
| Software with 1% transaction markup on top of card fees | $4 | $3,200 |
| Software with 2% transaction markup | $8 | $6,400 |
| ServiceGrid (flat $49–$99/mo, no markup) | $0 | $0 |
That's $3,200 to $6,400 a year you're paying on top of what your card processor charges. For software you're already paying a monthly fee for.
Why flat pricing tracks reality better
Field service businesses are seasonal. A lawn care operator does 80% of their revenue between April and October. A pool service operator looks similar. A snow-removal operator inverts the curve entirely.
Per-transaction software punishes you exactly when you're peaking — the months you most need cash flow, you're paying the largest software bill. Flat-rate software is the same in February as it is in July.
Where flat pricing breaks down
Flat pricing isn't always the right answer. If you're a very small operator (say, one job a week), per-job software might actually be cheaper. The crossover point is usually around 30–40 jobs a month.
But if you're past that — and most operators reading this are — flat pricing is the obvious math.
What we charge
ServiceGrid is $49/month for Pro (up to 5 admins/techs) or $99/month for Business (up to 25). Workers in the field are $2/seat/month. No per-job fees. No per-payment markup. No transaction skim.
The more you grow, the more you save. That's the bet.
If you're sick of watching a percentage of every payment go to your software vendor, start a free 14-day trial — no credit card required.