PROJECT COSTS / COMPARE THE WHOLE SCOPE
Build a transparent project budget and compare written quotes without pretending that the lowest bid is the best.
Calculated in your browser. Enter a scenario, see the math and compare the trade-offs. Example values are not live data.
PROJECT COSTS / COMPARE THE WHOLE SCOPE
Build a low-to-high project budget using unit prices you enter from written estimates. No local price database is assumed.
Editor's note: Preset numbers illustrate the formula; they are not current market prices, offers or forecasts. Change the inputs to match your own scenario. All money amounts are USD.
Enable JavaScript to use the interactive inputs. The calculation method and limitations remain available below.
Low total = [quantity x (low material + low labor unit cost) + fixed costs] x (1 + reserve / 100). The high total uses the high unit costs. The display range and arithmetic midpoint round to the nearest $50; the breakdown retains cents.
All default prices are illustrative, not 2026 market averages, contractor quotes or ZIP-adjusted estimates. Region and project do not modify unit prices. No automatic material-grade or complexity multipliers are used. Include demolition, permits, access difficulties and taxes in the entered amounts without double counting.
Obtain itemized written estimates, verify that all quantities use the same units, and replace every example price before relying on the range.
Privacy: this calculator does not send or save your entries. It uses no OpenAI API, cookies or local storage. Existing site ads, analytics and the site privacy policy still apply. Educational scenarios only; not financial, tax, lending or contractor advice.
PROJECT COSTS / COMPARE THE WHOLE SCOPE
Normalize up to three written quotes by scope and added allowances, then compare totals and price per square foot.
Editor's note: Preset numbers illustrate the formula; they are not current market prices, offers or forecasts. Change the inputs to match your own scenario. All money amounts are USD.
Enable JavaScript to use the interactive inputs. The calculation method and limitations remain available below.
Quoted total = labor + materials + permits + other included charges. Adjusted total = quoted total + your allowance for missing scope. Price per square foot = adjusted total / common area. Difference from average = (adjusted total / entered-quote mean - 1) x 100.
Allowances are your estimates, not contractor commitments. Use the same project area and scope. A sample of two or three quotes is not a local market benchmark. Warranty years are reference information only and are not a quality score. Contractor licensing, insurance and reputation are not checked.
Ask each contractor to confirm the same materials, demolition, cleanup, permits, payment terms and written warranty before treating totals as comparable.
Privacy: this calculator does not send or save your entries. It uses no OpenAI API, cookies or local storage. Existing site ads, analytics and the site privacy policy still apply. Educational scenarios only; not financial, tax, lending or contractor advice.
PROJECT COSTS / COMPARE THE WHOLE SCOPE
Compare one to three totals per measured square foot and see which entered rate is lower.
Editor's note: Preset numbers illustrate the formula; they are not current market prices, offers or forecasts. Change the inputs to match your own scenario. All money amounts are USD.
Enable JavaScript to use the interactive inputs. The calculation method and limitations remain available below.
Cost per square foot = total estimate / measured project area. Each scenario may use its own area. Unit-cost differences compare these ratios, not total scope or project quality.
No price database, location adjustments or surface-area conversion. Roof pitch, waste, openings, access, minimum job charges and fixed fees can change the meaning of a unit-price comparison. A roofing square is 100 square feet; enter square feet, not the count of roofing squares.
Confirm the measured area and unit convention on every written estimate before comparing the calculated rates.
Privacy: this calculator does not send or save your entries. It uses no OpenAI API, cookies or local storage. Existing site ads, analytics and the site privacy policy still apply. Educational scenarios only; not financial, tax, lending or contractor advice.
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