Maintenance related expenses have usually been divided into direct and indirect costs. In this paper, maintenance related costs are identified and reclassified to reveal maintenance cost factors and highlight its profit. Maintenance profit is defined as the difference between the minimum savings resulted due to performing maintenance tasks during operational planned stoppages and investments in maintenance. The economic losses accumulated due to maintenance impact on production, quality, etc. are expressed as potential savings that could be recovered when a more effective maintenance policy is used. A model for identifying, monitoring and improving the economic impact of using vibration-based maintenance (VBM) is developed. This model provides additional possibility for identifying where, why and how much capital should be invested in maintenance. Further, the model is utilised to develop and use relevant maintenance performance measures, for monitoring cost factors and detecting deviations. The main results achieved, when the model is tested in a Swedish paper mill during 1997-2000; the average yearly maintenance profit achieved by using VBM was at least 3,58 Millions Swedish Krona (MSEK), and the average potential savings was 30 MSEK. It was not difficult to identify problem areas and know where investments should be allocated to eliminate the basic reasons and increase savings. The major conclusion is the better data coverage and quality the more control of maintenance direct costs, savings and more profits in maintenance. Also, it would be easier and more reliable to detect deviations in the maintenance performance and eliminate their causes at an early stage.