Contractor Estimate Calculator
Build a quick, defensible estimate from labor, materials, equipment, subcontractors, overhead, and profit — with optional sales tax and a printable summary.
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Estimate total
$1,306.25
Before tax
Subtotal
$1,306.25
Your profit
$261.25
Estimate breakdown
- Labor$650
- Materials$300
- Overhead$95
- Profit$261
How this calculator works
- Direct cost = labor (hours × rate) + materials + equipment + subcontractors.
- Overhead is added as a percentage of direct cost to get your base cost.
- The subtotal applies your profit margin as base cost ÷ (1 − margin); optional sales tax is added on top.
Worked example
10 labor hours at $65, plus $300 materials, with 10% overhead and a 20% margin, produces a subtotal of about $1,072.50 before any tax.
Assumptions & limitations
- Profit is applied as margin, not markup.
- Sales tax is applied to the subtotal; confirm taxability in your state.
- Use the Print / Save PDF button to keep a copy of the estimate.
Disclaimer
This produces an internal estimate to help you price work. It is not a binding quote or tax advice — verify tax rules for your jurisdiction.Calculator FAQ
Does this replace estimating software?
No — it's a quick pricing check. Dedicated estimating software adds reusable price books, proposals, and e-signatures. See our estimating category to compare options.
How is sales tax handled?
Tax is applied to the subtotal as a percentage you enter. Taxability of labor and materials varies by state, so confirm the correct treatment locally.