Job Site Cost Estimator
A detailed pre-bid cost audit. Enter every cost category — labor, materials, equipment, permits, subs, disposal, insurance — and see your total estimated job cost with a full breakdown.
How This Calculator Works
Enter your labor details (hours, rate, crew size), then fill in each cost category that applies to your job — materials, equipment rental, permits, subcontractors, site prep, disposal fees, and insurance or bonds. Set your contingency percentage and optionally enter square footage.
You'll get a total estimated job cost with a visual breakdown showing what percentage of your total goes to each category, plus a contingency buffer and cost per square foot if you entered one.
Use this before you build your bid price. The Bid Calculator adds your markup and profit on top. This tool makes sure you haven't missed any costs underneath.
Enter Job Costs
Labor
Direct Costs
Adjustments
Your results will appear here
Enter your job costs to see a full cost breakdown with contingency.
Don't Leave Money on the Table
The #1 reason contractors lose money on jobs isn't bad work — it's missed costs in the estimate. This tool makes sure every dollar is accounted for.
Every Cost Category Covered
Most estimators only cover materials and labor. This tool includes permits, subcontractors, site prep, disposal fees, insurance, and bonds — the costs that kill your margins when you forget them.
Built-In Contingency
Set a contingency percentage (default 10%) to cover the unexpected — weather delays, material price changes, scope creep, or anything else that eats into your profit.
Know Where Your Money Goes
See a full breakdown showing what percentage of your job cost goes to each category. Find where your money is going and identify the biggest areas to negotiate or save.
Frequently Asked Questions
What costs should I include in a job site estimate?
Include every cost you'll incur on the job: labor (burdened rate, not just base wages), materials, equipment rental, permits, subcontractors, site prep, disposal and dump fees, insurance or bonds, and a contingency buffer. Missing even one category means that cost comes out of your profit.
What contingency percentage should I use?
Most contractors use 5-15% contingency depending on job complexity and risk. Simple, well-defined jobs (like a standard re-roof) can use 5-8%. Complex jobs with unknowns (remodels, commercial work, or jobs with potential hidden damage) should use 10-15%. A 10% contingency is a solid default for most work.
How is a job site cost estimate different from a bid?
A job site cost estimate captures your total cost to complete the job. A bid is your cost estimate plus overhead and profit markup. This tool gives you the cost side. Use the Bid Calculator to add your markup and arrive at the price you charge the customer.
What are the most commonly missed costs in contractor estimates?
Permit fees, dump and disposal costs, labor burden (taxes and insurance on top of wages), travel time, equipment wear and fuel, and the cost of callbacks or warranty work. These individually seem small but can add up to 10-20% of the job cost when combined.
Should I estimate cost per square foot?
Cost per square foot is useful for comparing similar jobs and building reference data for future bids. If you know your last 10 re-roofs averaged $4.50/sq ft in total cost, you can quickly sanity-check a new estimate. This calculator gives you cost per square foot automatically when you enter the job's square footage.
How to Pay Your Crew 20% More and Double Your Profit
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