Project Budget Calculator
Build a whole-project budget from material line items, labor, permits, and contingency percentage.
Assumptions
- Material amounts are lump sums or pre-calculated totals.
- Labor is entered as one total or blended cost.
- Contingency covers unknowns, not planned waste (add waste in material quantities).
- Typical contingency is 10–20% for renovations.
- Does not include financing costs or owner-supplied allowances unless entered.
Materials subtotal = sum of material amounts. Subtotal = materials + labor + permits. Contingency = subtotal × contingency%. Grand total = subtotal + contingency.Materials $3,650, labor $4,000, permits $250, 10% contingency
- Subtotal = 3,650 + 4,000 + 250 = $7,900. Contingency = $790. Grand total = $8,690.
How to measure
Gather material quotes, labor estimates, and permit fees. Use other calculators for quantity-driven materials first, then enter totals here.
Common mistakes
- Skipping contingency on older homes with hidden conditions.
- Double-counting tax if material lines already include tax.
- Separating contractor markup inconsistently between labor and materials.
Frequently asked questions
How much contingency should I hold?
10% for cosmetic work, 15–20% when opening walls or dealing with old plumbing/electrical.
Owner vs contractor budget?
Owners might exclude markup; contractors should include burdened labor and profit in labor totals.
Phased projects?
Run separate budgets per phase or sum phases into one material list.
Include appliances?
Add them as material line items if they are part of the project scope.