Job Quote Calculator

Add up your material costs, multiply your hourly rate by estimated labour hours, add any travel or callout fee, then apply your markup percentage. Finally, add VAT if you are VAT registered. This calculator does all of that automatically.

Most tradespeople apply 15-30% markup on the total job cost to cover overheads and profit. Specialist or emergency work often commands 30-50%. Your markup needs to cover van costs, insurance, tools, downtime between jobs, and profit.

In the UK, you must register for VAT and charge 20% on invoices once your taxable turnover exceeds the VAT threshold (currently 90,000 per year). Below that threshold, VAT registration is optional. In the US, sales tax rules vary by state.

A callout fee covers your travel time and fuel costs to reach the job. Most tradespeople charge 20-50 for local callouts. For jobs further away, charging mileage on top is common. Some trades waive the callout fee if the customer proceeds with the work.

Research local rates for your trade. As a guide: plumbers and electricians typically charge 40-60/hour, builders 35-50/hour, and painters 25-40/hour. Factor in your experience, qualifications, and local demand. Remember this rate needs to cover your wages, tax, insurance, and business costs.

Markup is the percentage added on top of your costs. A 20% markup on a 100 cost gives a 120 price. Margin is profit as a percentage of the selling price. That same 20 profit on a 120 price is a 16.7% margin. This calculator shows both so you can see the true profitability.

List every material with its actual cost. Many tradespeople add 10-20% on top of material costs to cover trips to the merchant, waste, and the convenience of supplying materials. Be transparent with customers about whether materials are at cost or marked up.