BIZOMAT Tools · Quoting
Job Cost Estimate
What is the expected total cost of this job?
Estimates the total cost of a job with a contingency allowance and a cost breakdown.
Open the calculatorRuns in your browser. No account needed.
How this tool works
Inputs, units and where to find them
| Input | Unit | Typical source |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $ | Material take-off and supplier prices |
| Labour hours | hr | Labour hours from a task breakdown |
| Loaded labour rate | $/hr | Loaded labour rate |
| Equipment / subcontract | $ | Equipment hire or subcontract quotations |
| Allocated overhead | $ | Overhead allocated to the job |
| Contingency | % | Contingency rate for estimate uncertainty |
What each input means
Open an input to see what it is, its units, the worked example and the common mistakes, with a small diagram.
What this means: Materials
- What it is
- The total cost of materials for the job, from a material take-off priced with current supplier quotes.
- Units and format
- Enter a number in $: an amount of money; use one currency for every money input. The form accepts $0 or more.
- Example
- The form opens with $4000 as a worked example. It is an illustration, not a recommended value: replace it with your own figure.
- Effect on the result
- Adds to the base cost, and contingency is applied on top.
- Get it right
- Include waste, offcuts, fixings, consumables and freight.
What this means: Labour hours
- What it is
- The total labour time for the job, built up from a task breakdown.
- Units and format
- Enter a number in hr: hours. The form accepts 0 hr or more.
- Example
- The form opens with 60 hr as a worked example. It is an illustration, not a recommended value: replace it with your own figure.
- Effect on the result
- Multiplied by the loaded rate to give labour cost.
- Get it right
- Include set-up, travel and handover time, not just hands-on work.
What this means: Loaded labour rate
- What it is
- The full hourly cost of labour: wages plus on-costs such as superannuation, leave, payroll tax and insurance.
- Units and format
- Enter a number in $/hr: money per hour. The form accepts $0/hr or more.
- Example
- The form opens with $50/hr as a worked example. It is an illustration, not a recommended value: replace it with your own figure.
- Effect on the result
- Multiplied by labour hours to give labour cost.
- Get it right
- Use the loaded rate from finance; the base wage understates labour cost.
What this means: Equipment / subcontract
- What it is
- Costs of hired equipment and subcontracted work for the job, from hire rates and subcontractor quotations.
- Units and format
- Enter a number in $: an amount of money; use one currency for every money input. The form accepts $0 or more.
- Example
- The form opens with $1000 as a worked example. It is an illustration, not a recommended value: replace it with your own figure.
- Effect on the result
- Adds directly to the base cost.
- Get it right
- Check subcontract quotes cover the same scope and include their own exclusions.
What this means: Allocated overhead
- What it is
- The share of business overhead, such as premises, supervision and administration, allocated to this job as a dollar amount.
- Units and format
- Enter a number in $: an amount of money; use one currency for every money input. The form accepts $0 or more.
- Example
- The form opens with $800 as a worked example. It is an illustration, not a recommended value: replace it with your own figure.
- Effect on the result
- Adds directly to the base cost.
- Get it right
- Do not include overhead here if the labour rate already carries an overhead loading.
What this means: Contingency
- What it is
- An allowance for estimate uncertainty and unforeseen work, as a percentage added on top of the base cost.
- Units and format
- Enter a number in %: percent: the number is read as a percentage, so type 8 for 8 %. The form accepts 0% to 100%.
- Example
- The form opens with 10% as a worked example. It is an illustration, not a recommended value: replace it with your own figure.
- Effect on the result
- Contingency = base cost × this percentage.
- Get it right
- Type the percentage (10 for 10 %). Do not add contingency for risks already priced elsewhere in the estimate.
Method and formulas
- Base = material + hours × rate + equipment + overhead
- Contingency = base × rate
- Total = base + contingency
Limitations
- Cost only; margin and tax are separate
Typical uses
- Fixed-price job estimates
- Budget requests
Who it is for
- Estimators
- Project and service managers
What you get
- Total job cost
- Cost breakdown and contingency
Interpreting the result
- Use the contingency allowance tool to sense-check the contingency rate
Learn the Concepts Behind This Tool
These BIZOMAT Library readings explain the method this tool uses, with worked examples.
Method explained here · Library collection
Timesheet and labour data for job costing: capturing hours accurately so job profits can be trusted
In Operational Data, Records and Controls
What it covers: Labour is often the largest and least accurate cost in job costing. How to structure timesheet data, calculate loaded labour rates, capture hours reliably and quote better.
Method explained here · BIZOMAT original book
The cost of a metre of cut
What it covers: Build the cost of a metre of cut from time and gas, compare the 1921 costing with modern cost splits, and see when a faster, hungrier setting pays and when it does not.
BIZOMAT tools are screening and decision-support utilities. Verify important financial, engineering, safety, legal or operational decisions using appropriate professional standards and your organisation’s approved data.