Free Pricing Tool
Job Pricing Calculator.
Stop underpricing jobs. Know exactly what to charge based on labor, materials, overhead and profit — so you never lose money again.
Try a Common Scenario
Calculate Your Job Price.
Your Costs
Covers insurance, tools, vehicle, admin costs
Takes 30 seconds • Free forever • No signup required
Your Results
Labor Cost
$0.00
Materials
$0.00
Overhead
$0.00
Total Cost
$0.00
Recommended Job Price
$0.00
Est. Profit
$0.00
Effective Margin
0%
Turn This Into More Jobs.
You just calculated your price. Now make it easy for customers to request it.
Build Your Website FreeLearn How to Price Jobs Right.
What Is a Good Profit Margin for Contractors?
Most successful contractors aim for a net profit margin between 10% and 20%. Some specialized trades or high-demand markets can command 25% or more. Below 10%, you're leaving yourself vulnerable to unexpected costs, slow seasons, and burnout.
Remember: profit margin is different from markup. A 20% markup on your costs only gives you about 17% profit margin. A 25% markup gives you 20% margin. Use the calculator above to see exactly how these numbers work for your specific jobs.
Why Most Trades Undercharge
It's one of the most common mistakes in the industry. Here's why it happens:
- Forgetting overhead: Insurance, vehicle costs, tools, software, licensing — these add up to 15-30% of job costs that many contractors don't factor in.
- Ignoring unpaid time: Driving to jobs, writing quotes, answering calls, bookkeeping — if you're not billing for it, you're losing money.
- No risk buffer: Jobs go wrong. Materials get damaged. Callbacks happen. Without margin, one bad job can wipe out a month of profit.
- Fear of losing jobs: Competing on price attracts the worst customers and locks you into a race to the bottom.
Markup vs. Profit Margin: The Critical Difference
Markup is added to your cost. Margin is a percentage of your final price. They sound similar but produce very different numbers:
- $100 cost + 20% markup = $120 price (16.7% margin)
- $100 cost with 20% margin target = $125 price (25% markup)
The calculator above handles this math automatically — just enter your desired margin and it calculates the right price.
How to Price Jobs Confidently
Pricing jobs correctly is one of the most critical skills for any contractor, plumber, electrician, landscaper, or home service professional. Here's how to do it right:
- Know your true costs: Labor, materials, and overhead (vehicle, insurance, tools, admin time).
- Set a real profit margin: 15-20% is a healthy target for most trades.
- Present quotes professionally: A clear, itemized quote builds trust and justifies your price.
- Stand behind your pricing: Customers who only care about price are rarely worth the headache.
Quality customers understand that professional work costs more. They're willing to pay for reliability, expertise, and peace of mind.
How to Turn Quotes Into More Jobs.
Customers searching for pricing also need to find you online. A professional website with built-in quote request forms makes it easy for them to reach you — and trust you.
Create My Business WebsiteFree to try. No credit card required.
Your Business Toolkit.
Everything you need to price jobs, create quotes, and run your business professionally.