Project Quote Calculator
Build a client quote from estimated hours and rate, then layer on materials, a contingency buffer and your profit markup.
How it works
Base = hours × rate + materials · Quote = base × (1 + contingency%) × (1 + markup%)
A defensible quote starts with labor (hours × rate) plus direct materials, then adds a contingency buffer so that normal scope creep does not erase your profit. The markup is applied last, on top of the buffered cost, so your target profit survives even if the contingency is spent. Quoting bare labor with no buffer is the fastest way for a profitable-looking project to end up in the red.
Worked example
40 hours at $90 is $3,600 of labor; add $500 of materials for a $4,100 base. A 10% contingency lifts it to $4,510, and a 15% markup on that gives a $5,186.50 quote — about $676.50 of profit above the buffered cost.
Frequently asked questions
What is a contingency buffer for?
It absorbs the small overruns that happen on almost every project — extra revisions, a task that took longer than expected, a price that moved. Building in 10–20% means those surprises come out of the buffer rather than your profit.
Should I quote hourly or fixed?
A fixed quote gives the client certainty and rewards you for working efficiently, but you carry the overrun risk — which is exactly why the contingency buffer matters. Hourly billing shifts that risk to the client but caps your upside.
Is markup the same as margin here?
No. This tool applies markup — a percentage added on top of cost. The resulting profit margin (profit as a share of the quote) is always a smaller percentage than the markup.
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Educational estimate, not financial advice.