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Contractor Quote Estimator

Money & Business

Build a quote from labour, materials and subcontractors, then add contingency, markup, tax and a deposit.

Your inputs

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h
%

Covers surprises such as hidden damage or extra site visits. 5–15% is common.

%

Your profit on top of cost. 15–25% is typical for trades.

%
%

Result

Total quote —
  • Labour —
  • Materials —
  • Subcontractors —
  • Contingency —
  • Markup amount —
  • Tax —
  • Deposit to collect —

Change any input and the result updates instantly.

Formula and rules

  • Labour = hours × hourly rate
  • Base cost = labour + materials + subcontractors
  • Contingency = base cost × contingency %
  • Markup = (base cost + contingency) × markup %
  • Total = (base cost + contingency + markup) × (1 + tax %)
  • Deposit = total × deposit %

Worked examples

Bathroom refit: 24 h at $55

Input 24 h, $55/h, $850 materials, no subcontractor, 10% contingency, 20% markup, no tax, 30% deposit.

Result Quote $2,864.40 with $859.32 deposit; labour $1,320 and markup $477.40.

EU job with 21% VAT

Input 40 h at €45, €1,200 materials, €600 subcontractor, 8% contingency, 15% markup, 21% VAT, 25% deposit.

Result Total €5,410.15 including €938.95 VAT; deposit €1,352.54.

FAQ

What is the difference between markup and margin?

Markup is a percentage added to cost, while margin is profit as a percentage of the selling price. A 25% markup is only a 20% margin, so decide which one your business tracks.

Should contingency and markup be added separately?

Yes. Contingency covers real unknowns and belongs to the job; markup is your profit. Bundling them hides cost overruns and makes the quote harder to defend.

How much deposit should a contractor ask for?

25–30% is common for residential work so materials can be ordered without financing the job yourself. Check local rules: some regions cap deposits or require staged payments.

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Disclaimer: This tool is an estimate based on published rates and common rules. Fees, tax rates and platform policies change often, and the result is not tax, financial or legal advice. Always confirm with official sources or a qualified professional.