Project Cost Estimate Calculator
Base estimate equals hours × hourly rate plus direct expenses. Add the selected percentage of that base as contingency to obtain the modeled project estimate.
Formula & method
Base = hours × rate + expenses; total = base × (1 + contingency/100).Worked example
| Input | Value |
|---|---|
| Estimated billable work | 40 h |
| Hourly rate | 50 ¤/h |
| Direct project expenses | 300 ¤ |
| Contingency on the base estimate | 10 % |
| Result | Value |
|---|---|
| Base estimate | 2,300 ¤ |
| Contingency amount | 230 ¤ |
| Estimate including contingency | 2,530 ¤ |
Compare scenarios
The first input changes while the other example inputs stay fixed. These are arithmetic scenarios, not forecasts.
| Compare scenarios | Estimated billable work h | Base estimate | Contingency amount | Estimate including contingency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| −20% | 32 | 1,900 ¤ | 190 ¤ | 2,090 ¤ |
| Example | 40 | 2,300 ¤ | 230 ¤ | 2,530 ¤ |
| +20% | 48 | 2,700 ¤ | 270 ¤ | 2,970 ¤ |
Assumptions & limits
Contingency is an explicit assumption, not a guarantee of sufficient funding. The percentage applies to labour and expenses together. Tax, profit markups, subcontractor terms and scope changes require separate consideration if they are not already included.
Displayed results are rounded. Calculations use unrounded JavaScript numbers; small floating-point differences are possible.
Works in your browser
The interactive tool runs in a sandbox with network access blocked. ClearByte and the advertising scripts cannot read values inside it. Browser extensions and a compromised device remain outside this protection.
Sources & definitions
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Continue with a related task
Billable Hourly Rate Calculator
Modeled hourly rate equals annual gross earnings target plus annual overhead, divided by billable weeks and billable hours per week. Separate billable work from total time worked.
Target Margin Selling Price Calculator
Required selling price equals unit cost divided by one minus the target-margin fraction. A cost of 60 and a 40% target margin gives a price of 100.
Add a Tax Rate Calculator
Tax amount equals taxable subtotal multiplied by the entered rate divided by 100. A subtotal of 250 at an assumed 8% rate gives tax of 20 and a total of 270.
Gross Margin Calculator
Gross margin is revenue minus included cost of goods, divided by revenue, multiplied by 100. Revenue of 1,000 and cost of 650 gives a gross profit of 350 and margin of 35%.