Job Cost Calculator
Build accurate quotes that cover your true costs and protect your profit margin. Enter your labor, materials, and overhead to get a quote price instantly.
What you pay workers (not what you charge customers)
Parts, supplies, and equipment for this job
Quote Breakdown
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate the cost of a service job?
Add up three categories: (1) Labor: hours x hourly rate for each worker. (2) Materials: all parts, supplies, and equipment. (3) Overhead: a percentage of each job to cover truck costs, insurance, office expenses, and software. Then add your profit margin (typically 15-30%). Example: 4 hours labor at $45/hr ($180) + $120 materials + 20% overhead ($60) = $360 cost. With 25% margin: $450 quote.
What profit margin should I charge on service jobs?
Most successful contractors target 15-30% net profit margin. Plumbing: 20-30%. HVAC: 15-25%. Electrical: 18-28%. Landscaping: 15-25%. Emergency/after-hours work: add 50-100% premium on top. If your margins are below 10%, you are likely undercharging. Use this calculator to make sure every quote covers your true costs before adding margin.
Should I charge for drive time and travel?
Yes. Options: (1) Include a service call fee ($75-$150) that covers the first 30 minutes of travel. (2) Add drive time into your hourly rate (most common). (3) Charge mileage for jobs beyond a certain radius. Most contractors use option 1 or 2. Do not absorb travel costs they add up to $5,000-$15,000/year for the average service business.
How do I estimate material costs accurately?
Three approaches: (1) Use supplier price lists and add 20-40% markup for handling, waste, and delivery. (2) Build a material pricebook with your actual costs (Business Genie can store these). (3) For repeat jobs, track actual material costs over 10+ jobs and use the average. Always add 10-15% material buffer for unexpected needs. Never quote materials at your cost unless you are itemizing labor and materials separately.
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