Free Tool
Free construction bid calculator
Enter your materials, labor, and other costs, add overhead and profit, and get the price to bid plus the margin that price really earns. Free, no signup.
On cost, to cover the business
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Bid the whole cost, not just the parts
Most jobs that lose money were priced on direct cost alone. Materials and labor are the easy part. What sinks a bid is forgetting the cost of running the business, and forgetting to leave a real profit on top.
This calculator adds both. Enter your direct costs, set an overhead percent to cover the trucks, office, and insurance, then set a profit percent for yourself. It returns the price to bid and the effective margin that price earns.
Watch the effective margin. A 15 percent markup on cost is not a 15 percent margin on price, and mixing the two is one of the most common ways contractors quietly underprice. The margin line tells you how much room the job actually has once everything is covered.
Dial the overhead and profit percents until the price feels right for the work and the market. When you win it, the real test is whether the job comes in at the cost you bid.
Questions
How do I calculate a construction bid?
Add your direct costs (materials, labor, equipment, subs), add a percent for overhead, then add a percent for profit. This calculator does the layering and shows the price to bid.
What overhead percent should I use?
It depends on your business, but many small contractors land somewhere around 10 to 20 percent of cost. Use your own annual overhead divided across your work to be precise.
What is the difference between markup and margin?
Markup is figured on cost; margin is figured on the final price. The same dollars are a bigger markup number than margin number, which is why the effective margin line matters.
Is this really free?
Yes. No email, no signup, and nothing you type leaves your browser.
Bid it, then track it
Werx applies your overhead and profit to every estimate, then tracks real cost against the bid so the next one is sharper. 14-day free trial, no credit card.
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Disclaimer: These free tools and templates are provided for general information and estimating purposes only. All results — including quantities, material and cost estimates, load, sizing, and span figures, scores, and any guidance or warnings — are rough approximations that may not fit your specific project, site conditions, local building codes, or current prices. They are not engineering, architectural, structural, legal, financial, or other professional advice, and are not a substitute for a licensed engineer, architect, contractor, or other qualified professional. Always confirm quantities, sizing, and structural, electrical, mechanical, and code requirements with a licensed professional and your local authority having jurisdiction before purchasing materials or performing any work. Werx makes no warranty as to accuracy and accepts no liability for any decision made using these tools. Use at your own risk. See our Terms of Service.