Before you close the plumbing pay period

1. Match the completed work to the job record

Check that each commissionable job appears once, with the correct technician and pay period. Keep a follow-up visit tied to its original job where appropriate so that a return visit is not accidentally treated as a second commissionable sale.

For shared work, record the agreed split or assignment. Do not assume a helper and the primary technician have the same commission arrangement.

2. Separate the invoice total from eligible revenue

The entire invoice may not be commissionable under your plan. Check the treatment of sales tax, discounts, equipment, and other excluded items before applying the rate.

For example, if a job has 1,200 in eligible revenue and the plan pays 8% of that amount, the percentage commission is 96. If the plan instead deducts 350 in agreed costs first, the percentage commission is 68. A different base changes the result.

Check a plumbing job in the calculator →

3. Check parts, bonuses, and callbacks explicitly

• For cost-based plans, verify the parts and other agreed deductions used in the calculation.
• Record a fixed bonus separately so it is visible during review.
• Explain adjustments instead of burying them in a changed revenue amount.
• For callbacks or refunds, follow the shop’s agreed policy and record the reason for any correction.

This checklist does not recommend deductions or changes to compensation. It helps you record and review the terms that apply to your team.

4. Give technicians a chance to ask about the calculation

A useful earnings record shows the job, applicable rule, calculation inputs, and result. Keep questions attached to the relevant job so the owner can review the same facts rather than piecing together texts and screenshots.

5. Preserve what you approved

Before finalizing, confirm that open questions and missing data have been addressed. Preserve the payout details and compare the export with the amounts entering your payroll process.

EarnedCrew gives owners and technicians views of the same commission workflow, with calculation details and finalized payout history. Start by entering a completed job and reviewing its result with your actual compensation rule.