The problem
March was fine. April was rough. May was worse. By the time you realize you've had three bad months in a row, you're already behind. And you can't figure out why — was it pricing? Clients? Job type? Season? No way to know without the trend line.
Why we built it
Trend charts let you see change over time, not just where things are today. A declining EHR over three months is a pattern. One bad week is just noise. You can only tell the difference with a trend line.
How it works
- 1
In Stats, tap "EHR trend" or "Profit trend."
- 2
See week-over-week or month-over-month sparklines.
- 3
Tap any data point to see the jobs that drove that period's number.
What changes for your business
Before
See this month's number. No context for whether it's better or worse than the trend.
After
Trend line shows the pattern. Spot the problem before three bad months compound.
Common questions
How do I see if my profit margin is improving over time?
In DIRT Stats, tap the EHR or profit trend view. Sparklines show week-over-week or month-over-month movement. A trending line that is flat or declining over three months is a pattern worth investigating. One bad week is noise; three consecutive months down is a signal.
What does a declining effective hourly rate trend mean?
Usually one of three things: you are taking on more low-rate work, your costs are increasing without a matching rate increase, or jobs are running longer than quoted. The trend line shows when it started — tap the data point to see which jobs drove that period's number.
How far back can I see profit trends in DIRT?
DIRT shows trends for the jobs you have logged in the app. The longer you use DIRT consistently, the more meaningful the trend data becomes. Week-over-week trends show up in weeks; monthly patterns emerge after two to three months of consistent use.
Is there a way to see seasonal patterns in my contractor business?
Once you have six or more months of DIRT data, the monthly view starts to reveal seasonal patterns — which months are stronger, which are slower, when your rate tends to dip. That context is useful for cash flow planning and for deciding when to raise prices.
How do I use trend data to raise my rates?
If your EHR trend has been flat for six months while your costs have risen, your real margin is declining. The trend is the evidence you need to justify a rate increase — to yourself and, if the conversation ever comes up, to clients. DIRT surfaces the number; the decision is yours.
Can I see which months were my best and worst for profit?
Yes. In DIRT Stats, switch to the monthly view. Each month shows its total profit and average EHR. The best months are obvious — so are the worst. Tap a month to see the jobs that made up that period's number.
Start free
Try it free.
Every DIRT plan includes this feature — Solo included. No credit card, no trial that expires. Set up in minutes and use it on your next job from the truck.