Job Estimator

Labour hours and labour cost, hourly or per unit, then the price that hits your margin.

Thirteen trades

Labour only, hourly or by the unit. Trade defaults you can override, payroll burden on top, and a margin that divides rather than multiplies.

PaintInterior repaint, walls and ceilings. Production is per coat, so double the area for two coats.PRICED BY SQ FTDrywallHang and finish to level four, taped and sanded ready for primer.PRICED BY SQ FTFlooringFloating LVP or laminate over prepared subfloor, including underlayment.PRICED BY SQ FTRoofingAsphalt tear-off and replace, priced by the square of roof surface.PRICED BY SQUARESSidingLap siding over wrapped sheathing, cut and nailed by the square foot of wall.PRICED BY SQ FTConcreteForm, pour and finish a slab on grade, priced by the square foot.PRICED BY SQ FTFenceWood privacy fence, set in concrete, priced by the running foot.PRICED BY LINEAR FTInsulationBatt insulation friction-fit in stud and joist bays, faced or unfaced.PRICED BY SQ FTDeckingDeck boards fastened to an existing frame, picture-framed edge included.PRICED BY SQ FTTileSet and grout tile over prepared substrate, floors or walls.PRICED BY SQ FTMillworkBase, casing and crown cut and installed by the running foot.PRICED BY LINEAR FTDoors & windowsOpenings set, shimmed, fastened and trimmed, counted rather than measured.PRICED BY OPENINGSFramingWalls laid out, plated, studded and stood, by the running foot of wall.PRICED BY LINEAR FT

The costing model

hours = quantity ÷ production rate base = hours × labour rate (or quantity × per-unit rate) burden = base × burden % cost = base + burden price = cost ÷ (1 − margin)

Two lines are worth staring at. Burden is what a crew actually costs you once payroll taxes, comp and insurance are on — ignore it and every job is quietly underpriced. And to hit a target margin you divide by one minus the margin; multiplying by one plus it gives a markup and a smaller number than you meant to charge. Materials are priced separately in the material calculator, and every price here excludes sales tax.

Related tools

Material CostsThe quantities behind the material line.Profit ToolMargin and markup, side by side.All free toolsEverything MeloDocs gives away.