Worked example
Use 12 electrician-hours at $48, eight helper-hours at $30, $650 materials, $125 permits and inspection, $85 equipment, a 2% material warranty reserve, $100 overhead, 5% contingency and a 30% target margin.
| Result | Calculated value |
|---|---|
| True job cost | $1,882.86 |
| Break-even price | $1,882.86 |
| Target selling price | $2,689.80 |
| Planned profit at target price | $806.94 |
These are fictional defaults for explaining the calculation, not a price or outcome claim.
How the calculation works
This is job-economics planning only. It does not calculate electrical load, conductor size, code compliance or safe installation requirements.
Read the related Serman Tools guide for definitions, limits and another worked example.
Workbook
The free calculator handles one scenario in your browser. Home Service Pricing Workbook keeps the related model in a downloadable workbook.
Frequently asked questions
Does this calculate code-compliant electrical work?
No. It models price inputs only and does not replace design, permitting, inspection or safety requirements.
Why separate electrician and helper hours?
Their true hourly costs and productive roles differ, so a single blended labor input can hide the crew mix.
Is this a local price benchmark?
No. It uses your cost and margin assumptions and does not claim a prevailing local selling price.
Should labor use person-hours?
Yes. Count each worker’s time so crew size and elapsed time translate into total labor consumed.
How should callbacks be handled?
Use a documented reserve based on your own history and do not count the same expected cost in contingency twice.
Can I use the result as a final quote?
Use it as a planning check, then verify scope, taxes, permits, technical requirements and job-specific risk.