Construction Job Profit Calculator
Compare estimated and actual materials, labor, subcontractors, and direct costs. See gross profit, margin, and the overruns behind the difference.
- Materials variance
- $600.00
- Loaded labor variance
- $600.00
- Subcontractors variance
- $0.00
- Other direct costs variance
- $200.00
See where the profit went
Enter job revenue before sales tax, including approved changes. Put budgeted costs next to actual costs for materials, loaded labor, subcontractors, and other direct expenses. Positive cost variances show where spending ran above your bid.
For a finished job, use the final cost records. For a job in progress, include a realistic estimate of the costs still to come so the result is a forecast of the finish, not an inflated profit figure based on unpaid bills.
A $24,000 job, before and after
The sample bid carries $17,000 in direct costs and $7,000 expected gross profit. Actual costs total $18,400: materials are $600 over, labor $600 over, and other costs $200 over. Gross profit falls to $5,600, or 23.3% of revenue.
The $1,400 difference tells you where to look. Was the takeoff short, did the crew lose time waiting for selections, or did a changed scope go unpriced? Update the next estimate with what you learn.
Keep gross profit separate from net profit
Gross profit is revenue minus direct job costs. It still has to pay company overhead and income taxes. Use the same cost categories on both sides and include your own field labor at a consistent cost.
Avoid counting a subcontractor invoice once under subcontractors and again under labor. If revenue is zero, the tool shows the cost as a loss and leaves the margin undefined.
Questions
Can this show a loss?+
Yes. If actual direct costs exceed revenue, gross profit and margin are negative.
Why does the estimate change when I add revenue?+
Both columns use the same current revenue so you can isolate cost differences. For a changed scope, update the budget to include the approved change as well.
Tired of doing this math by hand?
GreenlitBid drafts the whole line-item estimate with AI, turns it into a branded proposal, and collects the deposit — in under 10 minutes. 14-day free trial, no credit card.