Practical guides on pricing, estimating, and running a profitable contracting business. Every article is paired with a free calculator so you can use the numbers immediately.
The most misunderstood concept in contracting. Learn the difference between markup and margin, how to calculate overhead, and what profit margins to target by trade.
Misunderstanding burden rate is one of the biggest reasons contractors lose money. This guide explains every component, shows typical rates by trade, and walks through the full calculation.
From material takeoff to final quote, a complete walkthrough of how to price a residential deck build — including a worked example for a 20×16 composite deck.
How to calculate concrete for any pour — slabs, footings, columns, and steps. Includes ready-mix vs. bagged cost comparison and a step-by-step example.
What to charge for fence installation — cost per linear foot by fence type, material breakdown, gate pricing, and a full worked estimate for a 150-ft wood privacy fence.
A practical guide to pricing landscaping jobs — mulch installs, cleanup, edging, sod, and planting. Includes sample line-item estimates you can adapt for your own quotes.
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