Emergency Board Up Service Running Costs: $45K-$60K Monthly

Emergency Board Up Service Running Costs

Expect monthly running costs to range from $45,000 to $60,000 in the first year (2026), driven largely by payroll and material expenses This guide breaks down the seven critical running costs for an Emergency Board Up Service, showing that variable costs (materials, fuel, disposal) account for 270% of revenue The model projects $965,000 in Year 1 revenue, achieving break-even by May 2026

7 Operational Expenses to Run Emergency Board Up Service

#	Operating Expense	Expense Category	Description	Min Monthly Amount	Max Monthly Amount
1	Staff Wages	Payroll/Fixed	Base payroll for 45 full-time equivalents (FTEs) in 2026.	$22,250	$22,250
2	Lumber/Hardware	COGS (Variable)	Materials projected at 180% of revenue (140% lumber, 40% hardware).	$0	$0
3	Facility Rent	Fixed Overhead	Fixed monthly rent for warehouse and office space.	$4,500	$4,500
4	Insurance	Fixed Overhead	Monthly premiums covering General Liability and Vehicle Insurance.	$2,050	$2,050
5	Marketing Budget	Fixed/Planned	Monthly allocation of the $45,000 annual budget targeting a $150 CAC.	$3,750	$3,750
6	Vehicle Expenses	Variable OpEx	Fuel and maintenance budgeted at 60% of total revenue reflecting high service volume.	$0	$0
7	Software/Fees	Fixed Overhead	Fixed costs for dispatch software and professional accounting services.	$850	$850
Total	Total	All Operating Expenses		$33,400	$33,400

What is the total monthly running budget needed for the first 12 months?

The minimum monthly cash requirement for the Emergency Board Up Service starts at $30,250 in fixed costs, plus variable expenses that run at 270% of monthly revenue, which is why understanding your initial capital needs is crucial, as detailed in How Do I Write An Emergency Board Up Service Business Plan?

Fixed Monthly Drain

Base payroll is set at $22,250 monthly.
Fixed overhead runs $8,000 per month.
Total fixed outflow hits $30,250 minimum.
You must cover this before earning a dime.

Variable Cost Structure

Variable costs are calculated at 270% of revenue.
This means costs exceed revenue dollar-for-dollar.
You spend $2.70 for every $1.00 earned.
Scaling operations will defintely increase cash burn fast.

Which recurring cost category poses the greatest risk to early profitability?

The material costs, which consume 180% of revenue, pose the greatest immediate threat to early profitability for the Emergency Board Up Service, making the high fixed payroll secondary until the variable cost structure is fixed.

Material Costs Guarantee Losses

Materials cost 1.8 times what you charge for the job.
This yields a negative gross margin of -80% per service.
You lose 80 cents for every dollar of revenue booked.
This is a fundamental pricing or procurement failure.

Payroll vs. Scaling Trap

The $267,000 annual base payroll equals $22,250 in fixed monthly overhead.
Scaling labor only increases the loss when variable costs are 180% of revenue.
If onboarding takes 14+ days, churn risk rises before you cover fixed costs.
You must resolve material costs before worrying about scaling; see How Much To Start Emergency Board Up Service? for initial investment context.

How much working capital is required to sustain operations until positive cash flow?

You need to secure $713,000 by February 2026 to cover operating losses and initial capital expenditures before the Emergency Board Up Service hits positive cash flow, which is why understanding the initial outlay, like checking How Much To Start Emergency Board Up Service?, is crucial.

Minimum Cash Need

The required runway cash is pegged at $713,000.
This amount must be available by February 2026.
It covers all projected operating deficits until profitability.
This figure defintely includes initial spending on equipment.

Funding Priority

Separate funds for hard CapEx items first.
Operating cash must cover payroll and marketing spend.
Don't mix working capital with long-term assets.
If job density lags behind projections, the runway shortens fast.

If revenue targets are missed, which costs can be immediately reduced without impacting service quality?

If revenue targets for your Emergency Board Up Service are missed, you defintely look at discretionary spending like marketing and non-essential headcount before touching the technicians who guarantee that 90-minute response time; understanding these initial cash requirements is key, just as you would review when planning How Much To Start Emergency Board Up Service?

Trim Marketing First

Marketing spend is a clear lever at $3,750 per month.
Cutting this won't affect the 24/7 rapid response promise.
Pause digital campaigns that show low return on ad spend (ROAS).
This is easier to restart than rehiring core staff later.

Review Non-Essential Roles

Look at the 0.5 FTE Sales Liaison position immediately.
This role supports customer acquisition, not immediate service delivery.
Core operational staff, like technicians, must be protected for quality.
Freeing up salary from this liaison role provides quick monthly savings.

Key Takeaways

The estimated monthly running cost for the first year of operation is substantial, ranging between $45,000 and $60,000.
Despite high initial expenditures, the financial model projects achieving break-even relatively quickly by May 2026, just five months after launch.
Direct material costs, particularly lumber and plywood, represent the greatest variable risk, consuming 180% of projected revenue.
A significant working capital buffer peaking at $713,000 is required early on to cover initial capital expenditures and operational losses before positive cash flow is reached.

Running Cost 1 : Staff Wages and Salaries

Payroll Baseline

Your 2026 base payroll commitment for 45 FTEs is set at $22,250 monthly. This figure covers only the salaries before adding in the significant costs of benefits, payroll taxes, and overtime needed for 24/7 emergency response coverage. That's your starting line for staffing expenses, and it's a fixed cost you must cover regardless of immediate job volume.

Payroll Inputs

This $22,250 monthly base payroll is the foundation for your 45 full-time equivalents (FTEs) planned for 2026. To calculate this, you multiply the number of staff by their average base compensation, but it notably excludes employer-side costs. Keep in mind this estimate doesn't account for the extra 20% to 30% typically needed for workers' compensation or health insurance, which are crucial for compliance.

Base payroll: $22,250/month.
FTE count: 45 staff planned.
Excludes: Benefits and taxes.

Manage Staff Cost

Controlling this fixed cost means tightly managing scheduling to avoid excessive overtime, which kills margins fast in a service business. Since this is base pay, watch how quickly you scale headcount versus revenue growth. If you rely too heavily on expensive on-call contractors instead of FTEs, this baseline will defintely shoot up fast, eating into your contribution margin.

Cap overtime aggressively.
Use tiered staffing levels.
Review staffing vs. service volume.

Hidden Staff Costs

Remember, the $22,250 payroll is just the starting point; you must budget for the loaded cost of labor. For US companies, expect benefits, payroll taxes, and mandated insurance to add 25% to 35% on top of this base figure. That means your true monthly overhead for these 45 people is closer to $28,000 before any variable costs hit.

Running Cost 2 : Lumber and Hardware

Material Cost Warning

Your material costs, covering lumber and hardware, are projected to consume 180% of revenue by 2026. This massive Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) means profitability hinges entirely on controlling material waste and negotiating supplier pricing immediately.

COGS Breakdown

This 180% COGS estimate is high because materials are direct costs tied to every board-up job. You need accurate 2026 revenue projections to calculate the dollar amount. The breakdown shows 140% allocated to lumber/plywood and 40% for necessary hardware like screws and fasteners.

Need 2026 revenue forecast.
Lumber/plywood is the main driver.
Hardware is a smaller component.

Controlling Material Spend

Managing 180% COGS requires an aggressive procurement strategy, not just hoping for higher prices. Since this cost is direct, every wasted board or incorrect fastener hits your margin hard. You must lock in favorable terms with lumber yards now.

Negotiate bulk/volume discounts.
Standardize material sizes used.
Track job-specific material usage.

Prioritizing Spend

Given that 180% of revenue goes to materials, your $22,250 monthly payroll for 45 FTEs is secondary. You defintely need to model profitability assuming material costs stay high; if revenue doesn't scale fast enough to cover this, you face immediate negative gross profit.

Running Cost 3 : Facility Rent

Facility Rent Impact

Facility rent is a non-negotiable fixed cost anchoring your operational base for this board-up business. The monthly rent for warehouse and office space totals $4,500. This figure represents a major component of your baseline operating expenses before you even dispatch a truck.

Cost Structure Input

This $4,500 covers the physical footprint needed for staging lumber and administrative functions. It is a key piece of the $8,000 total fixed overhead budget. You need firm quotes based on square footage to estimate this accurately. It's a constant cost regardless of how many jobs you complete.

Covers warehouse and office use.
Part of $8,000 total fixed costs.
Needed for material staging.

Managing Space Costs

Rent is tough to cut once signed, but initial negotiation matters defintely. Avoid signing for space you won't use for at least 12 months. For a service relying on 90-minute response times, proximity to service zones might justify slightly higher rent. Don't overpay for excess office square footage.

Negotiate lease terms upfront.
Avoid long-term over-commitment.
Factor in dispatch proximity.

Break-Even Link

Since rent is fixed at $4,500 monthly, it directly increases the revenue floor you must hit. If your total fixed costs run higher than the budgeted $8,000, you need more jobs monthly just to cover the static base expenses. Keep this line item locked down tight.

Running Cost 4 : Insurance Premiums

Premium Total

Your monthly insurance expense lands at $2,050, covering two main risks inherent in rapid-response field work. General Liability insurance costs $1,200 monthly, protecting against property damage claims during service calls. Vehicle insurance premiums add another $850 monthly for the fleet used in 24/7 emergency response.

Premium Drivers

These premiums are mostly fixed operating costs in the near term. You need firm quotes based on your fleet size and the scope of liability coverage required by contracts, especially when working with adjusters. At $2,050 monthly, this cost is locked in before revenue starts flowing.

General Liability: $1,200
Vehicle Coverage: $850
Fixed monthly expense.

Cutting Premiums

Reducing insurance requires proactive risk management, not just shopping around. Focus on driver safety programs to lower the $850 vehicle portion. For General Liability, increasing your deductible might save money upfront, but watch out for cash flow strain if an incident occurs. Don't skimp on coverage when response time is key.

Implement strict driver training.
Review liability deductibles carefully.
Shop quotes annually, not quarterly.

Overhead Weight

Insurance at $2,050 is a major fixed line item for the operation. Compare this to your $4,500 warehouse rent and $850 in software fees. Honestly, this insurance load represents about 20% of your total identified fixed overhead before wages are factored in. You defintely need to track this closely.

Running Cost 5 : Marketing Budget

Initial Marketing Spend

You're setting aside $45,000 for marketing in 2026, which breaks down to $3,750 monthly. This spend is designed to bring in new customers while keeping your Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC), or the cost to secure one new job, under $150. That's the baseline plan for scaling early.

Budget Mechanics

This $45,000 marketing line item covers all initial customer outreach efforts for 2026. To hit your $150 CAC target, you need to know how many new jobs you need monthly. If you spend $3,750 and your CAC is $150, you must acquire 25 new customers per month just to cover this marketing cost. Honestly, that's the minimum required volume for this defintely planned budget.

Target CAC: $150
Monthly Spend: $3,750
Required New Customers: 25

Cutting Acquisition Cost

Reducing your CAC below $150 requires focusing on high-intent channels, like partnerships with insurance adjusters or first responders, rather than broad digital ads. A common mistake is overspending on low-conversion keywords in search engine marketing. Aim to convert referred business, which often has near-zero acquisition cost, to lower your blended CAC significantly.

Prioritize adjuster referrals.
Track digital channel ROI closely.
Use rapid 90-min response as marketing.

CAC Checkpoint

If your first three months show an actual CAC above $200, you must immediately pause broad spending and renegotiate your digital contracts. Higher CAC eats directly into your slim operating margin before materials and wages are even factored in.

Running Cost 6 : Vehicle Expenses

Vehicle Cost Exposure

Vehicle costs are your biggest variable operational drain, projected at 60% of revenue in 2026. This high burn rate directly tracks the need for rapid, 24/7 deployment across many service calls. You need tight controls on fuel efficiency and maintenance schedules to keep this percentage from ballooning past projections.

Tracking Vehicle Costs

This 60% allocation covers fuel consumed during rapid responses and routine maintenance for the fleet needed to meet the 90-minute guarantee. To model this accurately, you need projected service volume, average miles per job, and fleet MPG. It's a critical variable cost, separate from the fixed $850/month vehicle insurance premium.

Model fuel based on service density.
Track maintenance by vehicle age/mileage.
Separate from fixed insurance overhead.

Controlling Fleet Spend

Since response time is your UVP (Unique Value Proposition), you can't just cut routes. Focus on efficiency. Optimize dispatching software to reduce deadhead miles (empty driving). Implement scheduled preventative maintenance to avoid costly roadside breakdowns. Better routing defintely saves fuel dollars.

Route density per zip code is key.
Negotiate bulk fuel contracts now.
Standardize vehicle types for parts.

Variable Cost Pressure

If your actual service volume exceeds the model's assumption, this 60% expense will immediately eat into gross margin. Every extra mile driven to maintain that 90-minute response time directly reduces profitability unless you successfully pass those variable costs through pricing adjustments.

Running Cost 7 : Software and Fees

Fixed Software Costs

Your baseline administrative overhead for essential software and accounting clocks in at $850 per month. This covers critical functions like dispatching crews and maintaining accurate books for compliance. These are non-negotiable fixed costs you must cover before earning your first dollar.

Admin Cost Allocation

The $350 dispatch software fee ensures rapid response, vital for your 90-minute guarantee. Accounting services cost $500 monthly, handling complex insurance billing. These $850 are part of your total fixed overhead, which sits near $8,000 monthly when factoring in rent ($4,500) and other necessary overhead items.

Dispatch software: $350/month for 24/7 coordination.
Accounting: $500/month for compliance needs.
Total software/fees: $850 monthly commitment.

Managing Tech Spend

You can't skip accounting, but dispatch software pricing varies widely based on features. Don't pay for features you won't use in the first year. If you onboarded 45 FTEs, ensure your $350 tool scales efficiently; upgrading too soon drains cash. Defintely review vendor contracts annually.

Negotiate the accounting service rate now.
Pilot cheaper dispatch tools initially.
Avoid long-term software lock-ins.

Break-Even Impact

Every dollar of these fixed costs directly pressures your revenue targets. If your average job contribution margin is 40%, you need $2,125 in gross monthly revenue just to cover this $850 software and fee commitment. Focus on job density early on.