BCS BuildCostSheets

Estimator toolbox

Construction calculators for faster, more defensible estimates.

Use these free construction calculators to check the numbers that usually make or break a bid: direct cost, labor burden, equipment recovery, markup, margin and concrete quantities.

Updated July 2026. These tools are designed for planning and bid review. Replace the defaults with your own supplier pricing, payroll rates, insurance costs, productivity assumptions and market conditions.

Start with concrete cost Connect this to Excel

Free calculators

Choose the estimating problem you need to solve

Concrete

Concrete Slab Cost Calculator

Estimate slab area, concrete volume, waste, material cost, labor, other direct cost, markup and suggested sell price for flatwork pricing.

 Pricing

Markup vs Margin Calculator

Convert cost, target gross margin, contingency and overhead recovery into a cleaner bid price without confusing markup and margin.

 Labor

Construction Labor Burden Calculator

Build a more realistic loaded labor rate by including payroll taxes, workers compensation, insurance, benefits, paid time off and utilization.

 Equipment

Equipment Hourly Rate Calculator

Estimate equipment recovery from ownership cost, fuel, maintenance, utilization, fixed annual cost and operator assumptions.

Calculator workflow

Do not treat calculator output as a final bid by itself

1. Confirm the scope

Start with a clear scope description, unit of measure and quantity basis. A good calculator cannot fix a poorly defined takeoff.

2. Replace default inputs

Use your own wage, burden, supplier, equipment, waste and productivity numbers. Defaults are examples, not universal rates. For labor, read the burden guide if you need the full logic first. For price conversion, use the markup guide.

3. Move the result into a documented estimate

Keep the calculation, source notes, exclusions, tax treatment and markup logic together so the price can be reviewed later.

What is coming next

Planned calculator expansion

Excavation cost calculator

Volume, productivity, hauling, equipment hours, disposal and markup for simple earthwork pricing.

Foundation cost calculator

Footings, forms, rebar, concrete, labor and waste assumptions for small foundation estimates.

Drywall and painting calculators

Surface area, material yield, labor productivity, waste and crew assumptions for interior scopes.

Change order price calculator

Direct cost, labor burden, equipment, subcontractors, markup, tax, contingency and documentation notes in one flow.

From calculator to workbook

Use the starter pack when one calculator is not enough.

The Contractor Estimate Starter Pack connects project setup, estimate lines, labor rates, equipment rates, markup, tax, change orders and a proposal summary in one Excel workbook.

View the Excel starter pack
Illustrative contractor estimate workbook preview with estimate table, summary cards and cost breakdown

Trust notes

Calculator limitations and assumptions

Local costs vary

Material prices, wage rules, payroll taxes, workers compensation and insurance rates vary by contractor and location.

Tax is separate from profit

Sales tax, VAT or local tax should be shown separately where applicable. Do not treat tax as margin or overhead recovery.