Job Price & Profit Calculator for Plumbers, HVAC and Contractors
Enter your labor, materials and overhead. See what to charge to hit your profit margin, or check how much you really make on a price you already quoted.
2 · What to charge
How this job pricing calculator works
The calculator adds up everything the job really costs you, then sets a price that leaves your target profit after all costs are paid.
- Labor cost = labor hours × number of techs × labor cost per tech per hour.
- Overhead = total labor hours × overhead per labor hour.
- Total job cost = labor + materials + other job costs + overhead.
- Recommended price = total job cost ÷ (1 − target margin).
Margin vs. markup: the mistake that costs contractors money
Margin is profit as a share of the price. Markup is profit as a share of the cost. If you add 20% on top of your costs, your margin is only about 16.7%, not 20%. To earn a 20% margin you need a 25% markup. The calculator shows both so you never mix them up.
How to find your overhead per labor hour
Add up one month of costs that don't belong to a single job: truck payments and fuel, insurance, office rent, phones, software, advertising and your own salary if you don't count it as labor. Divide by the number of hours your techs actually bill in a month. That number is your overhead per labor hour.
Pricing tips for plumbers, HVAC techs and contractors
- Price the job, not the hour. Customers compare totals. A clear flat price is easier to say yes to.
- Count drive time and callbacks. If they happen on most jobs, add them to labor hours.
- Re-check your overhead every quarter. Insurance and fuel change. Your prices should follow.
- Follow up on every estimate. A well-priced quote only pays if the customer says yes. Use the free follow-up text generator to send the first text in seconds.
Frequently asked questions
What profit margin should a plumbing or HVAC business aim for?
It depends on your market, your services and your size, so there is no single right number. Use the margin you actually need to cover growth, slow months and your own pay, and adjust it as your numbers come in.
What is the difference between gross and net margin?
Gross margin only subtracts job costs like labor and materials. Net margin also subtracts overhead. This calculator works on net margin, because overhead is included in the total job cost.
How do I calculate my labor cost per hour?
Take the hourly wage and add payroll taxes, workers' comp, benefits and any paid time off you cover. Divide the yearly total by the hours the tech actually works in a year.
Can I use this for flat-rate pricing?
Yes. Run your most common jobs through the calculator once, then use the recommended prices to build or check your flat-rate price book.
Is this calculator free?
Yes. No signup, no email, no limit. Nothing you type is saved.