🔨 Contractor Tools
Contractor Job Cost Calculator
Enter labor, materials, overhead, and your target profit margin to get the price you should charge.
Project costs
Plumbers, electricians, or other subs on this job
Trucks, insurance, office (typically 15–25%)
Your target gross profit (10–30% typical)
Enter your job costs to calculate the price you should charge.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should a contractor job cost estimate include?
Direct labor with payroll burden, materials with 5–10% waste, equipment, subcontractors, permits, and disposal — then overhead allocation and profit margin on top. Missing overhead is the #1 way contractors "win" money-losing jobs.
What is the difference between markup and margin on a job?
Markup is applied to cost; margin is measured against price. A 25% markup on $10,000 of cost gives $12,500 — but that is only a 20% margin. Quoting the wrong one costs real money.
How accurate should my estimates be?
Aim for actuals within 10% of estimate. Track estimated vs actual hours and materials on every job — your own history is a better estimating database than any national cost guide.
More Free Tools for Contractors
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Materials Cost Calculator
Materials cost estimator with markup
Profit Margin Calculator
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Markup Calculator
Apply the right markup to any job
Overhead Calculator
Your true overhead cost per project