Project Cost Estimator
Calculate your total project cost by combining materials, labour, and other expenses. Add VAT and profit markup to get a complete quote for your clients.
How It Works
Enter your material costs, labour costs, and any other expenses. The calculator will add them up, apply your desired profit margin, and add VAT to give you a complete project quote.
Cost Components
- Materials Cost: All materials needed for the project
- Labour Cost: Worker wages and subcontractor fees
- Other Costs: Permits, equipment hire, waste disposal, etc.
- Markup: Your profit margin added to costs
- VAT: Value Added Tax (default 20%)
When to Use
- Creating quotes for clients
- Estimating project budgets
- Comparing projected vs actual costs
- Breaking down costs by category
UKUK Building Regulations
References & Sources
Standards Cited
- RICS NRM 1 — RICS New Rules of Measurement 1 — Order of cost estimating and cost planning for capital building works
Provides the standard framework for project cost estimation, including materials, labour, overhead, and markup structures
Formulas Used
- Subtotal:
subtotal = materialsCost + labourCost + otherCosts
Source: RICS NRM 1 - Markup Amount:
markup = subtotal x (markupPercent / 100)
Source: Standard industry markup/overhead practice - VAT Amount:
vat = (subtotal + markup) x (vatRate / 100)
Source: HMRC VAT regulations — VAT is applied to the marked-up amount; default 20% UK standard rate - Total Project Cost:
total = subtotal + markup + vat
Source: RICS NRM 1 - Cost Breakdown Percentages:
componentPercent = (componentCost / totalCost) x 100
Source: Standard accounting
Key Assumptions
- VAT is applied after markup/overhead is added to the subtotal — RICS NRM 1 / HMRC VAT guidance
- Default VAT rate is 20% (UK standard rate) — HMRC
- Markup/overhead is applied as a percentage of the subtotal (materials + labour + other) — Standard industry practice per RICS NRM 1