November Budget Breakdown: Tips for Staying on Track!

Budgeting isn’t just a back-office task — it’s a core skill for running a successful garage door business.

In this episode of Garage Gecko University, we’re pulling back the curtain on our real November numbers so you can see what a healthy budget looks like, where the money goes, and how to stay on track no matter your business size.

Real-World Snapshot: Income vs. Expenses

In November 2023, Garage Gecko brought in $78,902.58 in revenue. From that, we covered the full range of monthly operating expenses — from materials and payroll to tools, software, and gas.

Here’s the breakdown:

• Insurance: $1,760 (business + vehicle)

• Health Insurance: $1,900 (owner + employees)

• Internet: $160

• Phones/Tablets: $310

• Electricity: $200

• Fuel: $1,000 for trucks

• Truck Payments: $1,500

• CRM (Housecall Pro): $680

• Payroll: $15,000

• Advertising: $3,500

• Materials: $24,000

Total Expenses: $52,590
Net Profit (Pre-Tax): ~$22,641
Net Margin: 33.4% — a strong indicator for a service-based business.

Interpreting the Numbers

Margins matter — and so does knowing what’s driving your costs.

Here’s how the expenses shake out as a percentage of revenue:

• Materials: 30.3%

• Payroll: 18.9%

• Everything else (insurance, CRM, utilities, etc.): 17.4%

These are healthy proportions that allow for solid reinvestment and scalability — if you’re managing them intentionally.

Managing Key Costs: Materials + Payroll

📦 Materials: 30.3%

This includes doors, springs, motors, and hardware — everything needed to do the work. Tracking this monthly helps you avoid waste and spot when supplier costs spike.

👷 Payroll: 18.9%

This covers your techs, admin, and support staff — your most valuable resource. Efficient staffing = better service without bloated costs.

Pro Tip: Schedule regular reviews of your material orders and payroll hours. Can you optimize bulk buys? Do techs have downtime that can be reallocated? Small shifts = better margins.

Why Budgeting Matters (and How to Stay on Track)

Your garage door business runs on tight margins. A monthly budget lets you:

• Predict expenses before they hit

• Catch overspending early

• Make informed marketing and hiring decisions

• Set realistic profit goals

What Worked for Us in November:

• Advertising: $3,500 spent deliberately on ads we tracked

• CRM: $680 to keep customer interactions organized (Housecall Pro)

• Fuel + vehicle costs: Budgeted based on service area size and efficiency

Final Thoughts: Know Your Numbers, Own Your Business

A budget is more than numbers on a spreadsheet — it’s a control panel for your business.

Knowing where every dollar goes means:

• No surprises

• Better planning

• More confidence in growth decisions

Whether you’re a solo tech or managing a multi-truck team, building this habit will separate your business from the rest.

Thanks for tuning in to Garage Gecko University — drop your budgeting questions or share your wins with us in the forums. See you next session!