Job Pricing Calculator
Create accurate quotes and estimates in seconds. Add labour, materials, overheads, and profit margin to price jobs that keep you profitable.
Job Details
Labour
Materials
Markup & Margins
Covers van, insurance, tools, marketing
Your take-home profit
Your Quote
Quote to Customer
£2123.82
£1769.85 + £353.97 VAT
Quote Breakdown
Profit Analysis
✓ Healthy Profit
34% profit margin is good. This quote covers all costs and leaves healthy profit.
📋 Quote Validity
Add "Valid for 30 days" to protect against material price rises and create urgency.
💷 Payment Terms
50% deposit, 50% on completion is standard. No deposit = no materials ordered.
⚡ Price Confidence
Never apologize for your price. If they push back, explain the value - don't discount.
How to Price Jobs Accurately (Without Leaving Money on the Table)
Most UK tradespeople underprice jobs by 20-40% because they forget to include overheads, underestimate time, or don't charge enough for materials. This calculator ensures you include every cost and build in healthy profit.
🚨 The £15,000 Pricing Mistake
An electrician priced a rewire at £3,200 thinking he made £1,200 profit. He forgot to include van costs, insurance, marketing overhead, and tool depreciation. His actual profit was £180.
Over 50 jobs, this mistake cost him £51,000 in lost profit. Proper job pricing isn't optional - it's survival.
What to Include in Every Job Quote
💰 Direct Costs
- • Labour hours: Actual time on-site + travel
- • Materials: Everything used on the job
- • Consumables: Tape, sealant, fixings
- • Equipment hire: Scaffolding, specialist tools
- • Subcontractors: If you hire help
- • Permits: Building control, parking
- • Waste disposal: Skip hire, tip fees
📊 Overheads & Profit
- • Overhead allocation: 15-25% typical
- • Profit margin: 10-20% minimum
- • Risk buffer: 5-10% for unknowns
- • Payment terms: Cash discount option
- • VAT: 20% if registered
- • Warranty costs: Callback risk
- • Admin time: Quoting, invoicing
The Correct Job Pricing Formula
Step-by-Step Calculation:
1. Calculate Direct Labour Cost
Hours × Your Hourly Rate (including your time value)
Example: 16 hours × £45/hour = £720
2. Add Materials Cost
Total cost of all materials + delivery
Example: £450 materials + £25 delivery = £475
3. Calculate Subtotal
Labour + Materials = Base Cost
Example: £720 + £475 = £1,195
4. Add Overhead Allocation
Subtotal × 20% (covers van, insurance, tools, etc.)
Example: £1,195 × 1.20 = £1,434
5. Add Profit Margin
Previous total × 15% minimum
Example: £1,434 × 1.15 = £1,649
6. Final Quote Price
£1,649 + VAT = £1,979
This includes all costs and healthy profit
Common Job Pricing Mistakes
❌ Forgetting Travel Time
If a job takes 4 hours on-site but 2 hours travel, charge for 6 hours. Your time is your time - all of it counts.
❌ Not Marking Up Materials Enough
Charge cost + 15-30% minimum. You're storing them, transporting them, managing returns, and taking risk if customer doesn't pay.
❌ Pricing Based on Competitors
Your costs aren't their costs. Price based on YOUR numbers. If they're cheaper, they're either faster, cutting corners, or going bust.
❌ No Risk Buffer
Add 5-10% for unknowns. Old houses hide problems. Materials get damaged. Jobs take longer than expected. Budget for it.
❌ Underestimating Time
Most trades underestimate by 30%. Track your actual time on jobs. If rewires take 18 hours not 12, update your pricing or lose money on every job.
Material Markup Guidelines by Trade
| Trade | Material Type | Typical Markup |
|---|---|---|
| Electrician | Cable, sockets, switches | 25-35% |
| Plumber | Pipes, fittings, radiators | 20-30% |
| Plumber | High-value (boilers) | 10-15% |
| Decorator | Paint, wallpaper | 30-40% |
| Builder | Bricks, blocks, cement | 15-25% |
| HVAC | Specialist equipment | 20-30% |
When to Offer Discounts (And When Not To)
✅ Good Reasons to Discount
- • Cash payment: 3-5% (saves card fees + faster payment)
- • Multiple jobs: Bulk discount for repeat customer
- • Quiet period: Fill calendar during slow season
- • Materials already on hand: Pass savings to customer
- • Referral incentive: Customer brings you 3+ jobs
❌ Bad Reasons to Discount
- • Customer asks: "Can you do better?" doesn't mean you should
- • Competitor is cheaper: Let them have the nightmare customers
- • You feel bad: This is business, not charity
- • Customer complains: Stand firm on your pricing
- • To win the job: Cheap jobs attract problem customers
💡 The Response to "That's Too Expensive"
"I understand price is important. Let me break down exactly what you're getting:"
- • [X] hours of qualified labour
- • Quality materials with manufacturer warranty
- • Fully insured work (show them your insurance)
- • [X] year workmanship guarantee
- • Job completed on time, no surprises
"Cheaper quotes usually mean cutting corners. Is that what you want for your home?"
Quote Presentation Tips
1. Break Down the Price
Show labour and materials separately. Customers understand costs better when they see the breakdown. It justifies your price.
2. Explain What's Included
List everything: prep work, cleanup, waste removal, guarantees. The more detail, the more value they see.
3. Set Clear Payment Terms
50% deposit, 50% on completion is standard. Payment due within 7 days unless agreed otherwise. No payment = no materials ordered.
4. Add Expiry Date
"Quote valid for 30 days" creates urgency and protects you from material price increases. After 30 days, you re-quote.
Related Calculators
Hourly Rate Calculator
Work out what your hourly rate should be
Profit Margin Calculator
Check if your pricing gives healthy margins
Helpful Resources
Move from Pricing Spreadsheet to System
Use this calculator to sanity‑check your pricing, then upgrade to a workflow where jobs, quotes, and invoices all share the same numbers instead of separate files.
Try Toolfy FreeFree 14-day trial • No credit card required