SERVICE GROWTH LAB · FREE TOOL · NO SIGNUP

Free Service Job Margin Calculator

Check your costs, target quote and expected job profit before you send a price. Built for pressure washing, cleaning, landscaping, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, roofing, window cleaning and other local services.

Estimated job cost$338.00
Target quote before taxes$520.00
Estimated job profit$182.00

Build a target quote using your own job costs and margin goals. For the best result, review the job scope, applicable taxes and other business requirements before presenting a final customer price.

How to price a service job using margin

First estimate your full job cost. Multiply total crew-hours by the labor cost per hour and add materials, fuel, supplies and job-specific overhead. Include the owner's time where appropriate. To price for a target margin, divide the total by one minus the target margin expressed as a decimal. A 35% target margin is not the same as a 35% markup.

Worked example: Six labor-hours at $35 = $210. Add $45 materials, $25 fuel and $58 overhead, for an estimated job cost of $338. At 35% target margin, the target quote is $338 ÷ 0.65 = $520 before tax, leaving $182 before taxes and any omitted expenses.

Use your calculation in a customer estimate

Check the actual job scope and conditions before quoting. For a pressure-washing job, use SGL's more specialized free calculator to review surfaces and supporting cost assumptions. If you need estimate documents or a connected workspace, compare the current products and verified access requirements before purchasing.

Free pressure-washing calculatorExplore business tools

Can educators and business communities share this tool?

Yes. Use it as a free reference tool in an article, newsletter or training resource. See our free tool sharing guide for a ready-to-use description and attribution link. This calculator collects no contact details and requires no account.