Project Pricing Calculator
Convert your hourly rate and a time estimate into a fixed-price project quote — with a buffer for scope creep and a lean-to-conservative range.
Recommended quote
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Lean quote
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Conservative quote
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Buffered hours
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Buffer amount
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Internal expected cost
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Implied effective hourly rate
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Round client-facing quotes to a practical number — avoid quoting false precision like $2,317.42 for uncertain scope work.
How it works
Formulas used
Buffered hours = Estimated hours × (1 + Buffer%) Labor price = Buffered hours × Hourly rate Project price = Labor price + Direct expenses + Subcontractor cost + Adjustment
Worked example
$100/hr, 20 estimated hours, 15% buffer, $200 direct expenses:
- Buffered hours: 20 × 1.15 = 23 hours
- Labor price: 23 × $100 = $2,300
- Recommended quote: $2,300 + $200 = $2,500
Limitations
The buffer covers scope creep and estimation error — it does not replace a proper change-order process for genuinely new scope.
Related calculators
Frequently asked questions
How big should my buffer be?
Well-defined, repeat work can use 10-15%. Vague or first-time scope often warrants 25%+.
Should I show the client the buffer separately?
Most businesses fold it into a single quoted price rather than itemizing it — but that is a business-policy choice, not a math one.