Estimator Inputs
Example Data Table
| Scenario | Material | Tool | Length (m) | Speed (m/min) | Crew | Blade Cost | Blade Life (m) | Machine (per hr) | Overhead | Profit | Output (example) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | Concrete | Cut-off Saw | 30 | 0.9 | 2 | 35 | 60 | 18 | 12% | 10% | Compare against your site conditions. |
| B | Asphalt | Floor Saw | 120 | 1.8 | 3 | 45 | 220 | 28 | 15% | 12% | Higher rate, faster progress, longer life. |
| C | Steel | Angle Grinder | 18 | 0.35 | 2 | 6 | 25 | 10 | 10% | 8% | Expect higher wear and slower speed. |
Formula Used
ProductiveHours = BaseCutHours + SetupHours
EffectiveHours = ProductiveHours × (1 + Downtime) × ToolFactor
Direct = BladeCost + Machine + Energy + Labor
Overhead = Direct × OH%
Profit = (Direct + Overhead) × Profit%
Tax = (Direct + Overhead + Profit) × Tax%
Total = Direct + Overhead + Profit + Tax
How to Use This Calculator
- Select a calculation mode based on your strongest field data.
- Pick material and cutter type to apply wear and efficiency factors.
- Enter cut length and speed, or enter cutting hours directly.
- Add setup time and downtime to reflect real site conditions.
- Provide consumable cost and realistic life from your past jobs.
- Fill machine, energy, and labor rates with current project values.
- Set overhead, profit, and tax to match your estimating policy.
- Press Calculate, then export CSV or PDF if needed.
Cost Drivers You Can Measure
Cutter work is usually priced from measurable drivers: total cutting distance or net cutting hours, plus setup and unavoidable delays. This calculator converts those drivers into effective hours, then applies rates for labor, equipment, energy, and consumables. The result supports faster bid reviews, consistent internal costing, and cleaner change-order discussions.
Time and Productivity Factors
In length mode, base cutting time is derived from Length ÷ Speed, then converted to hours. Setup time and downtime allowance are added to reflect traffic control, guard adjustments, water supply checks, and repositioning. Tool efficiency factors let you model differences between a grinder, floor saw, or wall saw when the same crew performs the task.
Consumables and Wear Allowances
Blades, discs, and bits are often the largest variable cost after labor. Material wear factors increase consumption for harder substrates such as steel and reduce it for softer materials. If you track consumables by length, enter life in meters or feet; if you track by runtime, switch life to hours for better accuracy.
| Example input | Value | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Concrete length | 30 m | Defines planned cutting scope. |
| Speed | 0.9 m/min | Sets base production time. |
| Blade life | 60 m | Controls consumable quantity used. |
| Crew | 2 workers | Scales labor cost per hour. |
Labor, Equipment, and Energy Rates
Labor cost is calculated from crew size, wage rate, and burden percentage to cover benefits, PPE, and payroll overhead. Machine and energy rates capture ownership, maintenance, fuel, power, water, and dust-control needs. When rates are uncertain, run two scenarios: a low case for planning and a high case for bid protection.
Bid Markups and Reporting
Overhead and profit are applied after direct costs so your pricing aligns with typical estimating workflows. Optional tax can be used for tender requirements or regional sales/VAT handling. Exporting CSV helps you compare scenarios in spreadsheets, while PDF reporting improves approval speed on site and in the office.
FAQs
1) Should I estimate by length or by hours?
Use length when you can measure the cut path and a realistic speed. Use hours when production varies widely due to access, reinforcement, or safety controls. Pick the most reliable data source.
2) What does downtime include?
Downtime covers pauses that still consume paid time, such as repositioning, checking alignment, moving barriers, refueling, swapping blades, and short safety stoppages. It should reflect your site’s typical interruptions.
3) How do I enter blade life correctly?
If you track wear by distance, enter life in meters or feet and choose “Length.” If you track by runtime, enter life in hours and choose “Hours.” Keep the unit consistent with your field logs.
4) Why do material and tool factors change the result?
Harder materials typically increase consumable usage and effort. Different cutters also change effective hours due to productivity differences and handling needs. The factors let you model those impacts without rewriting your rates.
5) What should I include in the machine rate?
Include ownership or rental, planned maintenance, repairs, and depreciation. If your business tracks it separately, add small tooling and service items as well. Keep fuel or power in the energy rate for clarity.
6) How are overhead and profit applied?
Overhead is calculated from direct costs, then profit is applied on the subtotal after overhead. This matches many estimating practices and keeps margins transparent when reviewing costs with supervisors or clients.
7) Can I use this for change orders?
Yes. Save the original assumptions, then rerun with revised length, hours, or downtime. Export the PDF summary to document cost drivers, rates, and markups, making approvals faster and disputes less likely.