Subcontractor Cost Calculator

$—
Labor
$—
Materials & Costs
$—
GC Markup
$—
Trade Total

Cost Breakdown

    Trade Summary

    • Labor$—
    • Materials$—
    • Equipment$—
    • Permits$—
    • Delivery$—
    • Disposal$—
    • Subtotal$—
    • GC markup$—
    • Trade total$—

    Project Cost Breakdown (all trades)

    Project total$—

    Bid Comparison

    Bid A
    Bid B
    Bid C

    —

    Typical Trade Cost (share of project)

    TradeTypical % of project
    HVAC15 – 25%
    Roofing15 – 30%
    Electrical10 – 20%
    Plumbing10 – 20%
    Framing10 – 18%
    Flooring8 – 15%
    Concrete8 – 15%
    Drywall / Paint5 – 10%
    Change orders: Almost every project grows. A surprising share of final budgets end up as the original number plus the things nobody planned for: hidden damage opened up mid-job, an upgrade chosen along the way, or a scope the bid did not cover. Set aside 10 to 20 percent for change orders and get them in writing before work proceeds, because a verbal “while you are at it” is how a tidy budget quietly becomes a larger one.
    Contractor vs subcontractor: The general contractor runs the whole project, hires and schedules the trades, and carries overall responsibility. Subcontractors are the specialists, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and so on, hired by the GC to do a defined scope. The GC markup on this calculator covers the GC coordinating, warranting, and standing behind the subs work, which is why a sub price and the price you pay the GC are not the same number.
    How to compare bids: Compare scope before price. The cheapest bid is not a bargain if it leaves out materials, permits, or cleanup that the others include, so make sure each bid covers the same work. Watch for a bid far below the others, which often signals a missing scope or a problem later, and a bid far above, which may be padded. The middle of three reasonable bids is frequently the safest choice.
    Disclaimer: A planning estimate only, not a quote. Trade rates and markups vary widely by region and project. Always get real bids before committing.

    How Much Do Subcontractors Cost?

    A subcontractor price is built from labor, materials, equipment, permits, delivery, and disposal, with a general-contractor markup on top when a GC coordinates the work. This calculator breaks a single trade into those parts and then rolls several trades into a full project total, turning a vague lump sum into a clear picture of where the money goes. Trades vary widely as a share of a project: HVAC and roofing often run the most, electrical and plumbing land in the middle, and drywall and paint are usually the smallest.

    Labor Pricing and GC Markup

    Subs quote in different ways. Some price by the hour using a rate, crew size, and hours, while others give a single fixed bid, and this tool supports both. On top of the sub cost, a general contractor adds a markup, commonly ten to twenty percent, that pays for coordinating the trades, scheduling, warranty, and carrying the risk of the job. That markup is why the price a homeowner pays the GC is higher than the raw subcontractor cost, and understanding it helps you read a bid correctly.

    Comparing Bids and Planning the Whole Budget

    The strongest use of this tool is seeing the entire project at once. List each trade, add them up, and you have a real construction budget rather than a single guess. When comparing bids for the same trade, compare scope first: the lowest number is no bargain if it omits materials, permits, or cleanup the others include. Build in ten to twenty percent for change orders, because the original budget plus the things everyone forgot is a remarkably common final total.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How much should subcontractors cost? It depends on trade and region; HVAC and roofing run highest, drywall and paint lowest as a share of project.

    What markup should I use? General-contractor markup is commonly 10 to 20 percent, higher for small or complex jobs.

    How do I compare bids? Match scope first, then price; be wary of bids far below or above the others.

    What is the difference between a contractor and a subcontractor? The GC runs the project; subs are specialists hired for a defined scope.

    Related Calculators

    Contractor vs DIY CalculatorDIY Project Budget CalculatorMaterial Markup CalculatorLabor Time EstimatorPermit Cost Estimator
    Scroll to Top

    The calculators and tools on Formula Factory are provided for general guidance and informational purposes only. Results are estimates based on standard formulas and the values you enter — they do not constitute professional engineering, electrical, or architectural advice. Always verify calculations with a qualified professional before making decisions for any safety-critical, code-compliance, or commercial application. Formula Factory makes no representations or warranties as to the accuracy or completeness of any result, and accepts no liability for errors, omissions, or any outcomes arising from reliance on this information.