Tradie Tools calculator
Job Costing Calculator
Estimate the internal cost of a job before you quote it, then add target profit and optional GST to reach a practical sell price.
Why use it
- Useful before quoting because it starts from internal job cost rather than the sell price you hope to charge.
- Overhead allocation helps stop underquoting when labour and materials alone do not reflect the true job cost.
- Target profit is added as a markup on total cost, then GST can be layered on top if needed.
Calculator tool
Use the job costing calculator
Estimate the internal cost of a job before you quote it, then add target profit and optional GST to reach a practical sell price.
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Important note
BizTools.au is designed to make business numbers easier to check, but calculator outputs still need judgment and real-world context.
- Calculator results are general estimates only and depend on the figures entered.
- Examples and summaries are provided for general information, not legal, tax, accounting, payroll, or financial advice.
- Before relying on a result for a real decision, check your assumptions and get qualified advice where needed.
How it works
Understand the formula before you use the result
The calculator uses a simple working formula so you can sense-check the result quickly and explain it clearly inside your business.
Job costing formula
Labour cost = labour hours × labour cost per hour
Total job cost before profit = labour cost + material cost + other direct costs + overhead allocation
Target profit amount = total job cost before profit × target profit markup %
Recommended price ex GST = total job cost before profit + target profit amount
GST amount = recommended price ex GST × 10% if GST is enabled
Recommended price = recommended price ex GST + GST amount
This tool is meant for internal planning. It helps you see the cost base clearly before a final quote goes out to the customer.
Worked example
See the numbers in a realistic scenario
Use the example below as a sense check when you compare the calculator result to a real quote, sale, or pricing decision.
Worked example
Worked example: costing a small install job
A tradie expects 8 labour hours at an internal labour cost of $55 per hour, $350 of materials, $90 of other direct costs, $180 of overhead allocation, and wants a 20% profit markup with GST included.
- Labour hours: 8
- Labour cost per hour: $55
- Material cost: $350
- Other direct costs: $90
- Overhead allocation: $180
- Target profit markup: 20%
- Include GST: Yes
Calculation steps
- Labour cost = 8 × $55 = $440
- Total job cost before profit = $440 + $350 + $90 + $180 = $1,060
- Target profit amount = $1,060 × 20% = $212
- Recommended price ex GST = $1,060 + $212 = $1,272
- GST amount = $1,272 × 10% = $127.20
- Recommended price = $1,272 + $127.20 = $1,399.20
Based on the internal cost assumptions, the job should be quoted at about $1,399.20 including GST.
FAQ
Common questions about the job costing calculator
These are the practical questions operators usually run into when they apply the result to a real business decision.
What is the difference between this and the tradie quote calculator?
The quote calculator starts from the selling side of the job. This tool starts from internal job cost so you can see whether the planned quote actually covers labour, overhead, and profit properly.
Why include overhead allocation?
Without some overhead recovery, a quote can look profitable on paper while still failing to cover vehicles, admin, insurance, rent, or other running costs.
Should target profit markup match my final margin goal?
Not necessarily. Markup and margin are different. This calculator uses markup on cost to keep the costing process simple, but you can still check the final margin separately if needed.
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