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Job Opportunity Scorecard for Tradies

Not every job is worth taking at face value. This scorecard helps you evaluate any job, client or contract across five factors so you can make a faster, better decision — especially when two opportunities land at the same time.

Score each factor from 1 to 5, add up the total and compare. Takes about five minutes per job. The five factors apply across all trades — weight the ones that matter most in your business. Margin and payment terms tend to matter more on larger jobs. Relationship potential matters more in trades with strong repeat client potential.

This scorecard works alongside the article The Most Profitable Job Isn’t Always the Best Job — read that first if you want the full explanation of each factor.

besttradiesoftware.com | Score each factor 1 to 5 | All trades

Job / Client: _________________________________ Date: _____________

Factor 1

Profit Margin

What will you actually net after labour, materials, travel and all job costs? Not the quote — the margin.

circle one

1 = thin or unknown 3 = acceptable 5 = strong margin, well understood

Factor 2

Relationship Potential

Is this a one-off or the start of something bigger? What is the realistic back-end value of this client over 12 months?

circle one

1 = one-off, no referral potential 3 = possible repeat 5 = high-value recurring relationship

Factor 3

Operational Fit

Does this job use your existing team, tools and capacity efficiently? Or does it stretch your resources?

circle one

1 = poor fit, significant stretch 3 = manageable 5 = perfect fit, efficient delivery

Factor 4

Payment Terms

How long until you actually get paid? Can your cash flow absorb the wait without stress?

circle one

1 = 60+ day terms or uncertain 3 = 30 days 5 = payment on completion

Factor 5

Strategic Value

Does this job build reputation, portfolio, market position or referral potential beyond the invoice?

circle one

1 = no strategic upside 3 = some value 5 = significant reputation or market benefit

Total Score Add up your five scores above

__ / 25

How to read your score

5 to 10

Reconsider — low value across most factors

11 to 15

Borderline — check which factors are dragging it down

16 to 20

Good opportunity — worth taking

21 to 25

Strong opportunity — prioritise this one

A low score in Profit Margin or Payment Terms can outweigh a high overall score. Always use your judgement.

Notes

How to use this scorecard

Score each factor honestly from 1 to 5. If you genuinely do not know the answer to a factor — the margin, the payment terms, the back-end value — that is information. A job you cannot score accurately is a job you have not fully evaluated yet.

When two jobs compete for the same time slot, score both and compare. The higher total is not automatically the right choice — a low score on margin or payment terms can be a dealbreaker regardless of the overall number. Use the scorecard to start the thinking, not to end it.

Print this page or bookmark it on your phone. The best time to use it is before you commit to a quote — not after you have already said yes.

Want to understand your job profitability better?

The Job Pricing Calculator helps you work out your actual margin before you quote — not after.

Use the Job Pricing Calculator