Free solo-contractor estimating tool · November 2026
Electrician estimate and gross-margin calculator
Build a defensible starting price for a small electrical service job using your loaded labor cost, material cost, trip cost, allocated overhead, contingency, and desired gross margin. It runs entirely in your browser. No customer name, address, or job details are collected or transmitted by this calculator.
Estimated pricing results
Loaded labor cost
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Base estimated cost
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Contingency reserve
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Cost basis including reserve
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Suggested pre-tax price
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Estimated gross profit
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Estimated gross margin
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Results are rounded for display; calculations use unrounded intermediate values. The suggested price excludes sales tax and permit charges unless you entered those costs above. No payment, subscription, or account is required.
How the electrician estimate is calculated
Loaded labor cost = estimated hours × loaded hourly cost. Base cost = loaded labor cost + materials + trip cost + allocated overhead. Contingency reserve = base cost × contingency percentage. Cost basis = base cost + reserve. Pre-tax price = cost basis ÷ (1 − target gross-margin percentage). Estimated gross profit = pre-tax price − cost basis. These are cost-plus planning formulas; the customer price is not guaranteed to be market-competitive.
Worked example: small electrical service job
| Input or result | Illustrative amount |
|---|---|
| 4.5 labor hours × $45 loaded cost | $202.50 |
| Materials at cost | $165.00 |
| Trip/vehicle cost | $25.00 |
| Allocated overhead | $35.00 |
| Base estimated cost | $427.50 |
| 10% contingency | $42.75 |
| Cost basis | $470.25 |
| Target gross margin | 35% |
| Suggested pre-tax price | $723.46 |
| Estimated gross profit | $253.21 |
The example figures are invented to demonstrate the calculation. They are not electrical-industry averages or recommended rates. Replace every default with your own actual costs and local requirements.
Markup and gross margin are not interchangeable
A 35% markup on a $100 cost produces a $135 selling price and a gross margin of about 25.93%. A 35% gross margin on that same $100 cost requires $153.85 in revenue. This calculator uses the second definition: target gross margin. Confusing the two can materially underprice a service call.
Three checks before sending a real electrical estimate
- Scope and code: Confirm site conditions, panel capacity, circuit details, permit and inspection requirements, applicable codes, and whether troubleshooting time is included. An unknown fault should not be represented as a fixed-scope repair without a defined diagnostic allowance.
- Cost completeness: Include loaded labor, travel, disposal, materials, tools, subcontractors, overhead, callback risk, and any nonrecoverable fees. For materials, account for your actual acquisition cost rather than a guessed retail price.
- Quote terms: State what is excluded, how change orders are approved, how long pricing remains valid, when payment is due, and how tax or permits will be handled. Use a written estimate before ordering special materials.
From an estimate to a repeatable one-truck workflow
After pricing the job, compare whether your current calendar, spreadsheet, and invoice process can turn an accepted estimate into a scheduled appointment and invoice without retyping. The minimum-job-price calculator is a separate cost-floor model, while the admin-time calculator estimates the value of time spent on office work.
For job-management software, use the free 15-task trial workbook to test estimates, scheduling, photos, change orders, and invoice handoff. Read the QuoteIQ vs Jobber comparison and Jobber vs Housecall Pro comparison before deciding whether paid software saves enough time to justify its cost. We have not independently tested every vendor feature or verified an active affiliate tracking link.
Frequently asked questions
Does this calculator include sales tax?
No. Tax treatment of electrical labor and materials depends on location and transaction. Confirm your actual obligations and add tax outside the model as appropriate.
Is the loaded labor cost my hourly billing rate?
No. Enter the cost of supplying an hour of labor, including relevant burden. The suggested customer price is calculated afterward using the target gross margin.
Can I use it for diagnostic electrical calls?
Yes, as a cost model for a defined diagnostic visit, but do not promise an unknown repair scope. Separate the diagnostic fee from subsequent authorized repair work when appropriate.
Does this save my customer or job information?
No. Inputs are processed in your browser, are not sent to our server, and are reset when the page reloads. Do not enter personal customer details.
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