Calculator inputs
Fill the fields, then calculate. Result appears above this form.
Example data table
Sample scenarios for quick benchmarking. Adjust rates to match your market.
| Scenario | Nest type | Size | Count | Height (m) | Access | Crew | Estimated total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Facade soffit | wasp | medium | 1 | 4 | ladder | 2 | $430.00 |
| Warehouse bay | bird | large | 2 | 9 | lift | 3 | $1,480.00 |
| Confined ceiling void | unknown | xl | 1 | 3 | ladder | 2 | $1,120.00 |
Formula used
1) Hours per nest
hoursPerNest = baseHours(size) × difficultyMult × heightMult × accessMult × workHoursMult × riskMult(type)
2) Total labor hours
laborHours = hoursPerNest × nestCount × bundleFactor + (0.50 × aftercareVisits)
3) Labor cost
laborCost = max(minCallout, laborHours × crewSize × hourlyRate)
4) Total
total = (directSubtotal + (directSubtotal×riskSurcharge%)) × (1+margin%) × (1+tax%)
How to use this calculator
- Choose nest type and size to set base labor effort.
- Enter height, access method, and difficulty multipliers.
- Set crew size and hourly rate for your labor model.
- Add travel, equipment, rentals, permits, and disposal costs.
- Apply risk surcharge, margin, and tax, then export.
Estimator insights
Labor hours drive most job variance
Base labor starts with nest size hours, then scales with height, access, and risk multipliers. A single medium nest at four meters on ladder access can stay under two crew-hours, while the same nest at ten meters with lift access often exceeds four crew-hours once setup and safety checks are included. Track actual hours by crew size so your hourly rate reflects true labor load.
Risk and access adjustments protect schedules
Wasp or unknown nests typically add a higher risk factor because of stings, re-entry, and exclusion steps. Rope access and lift work add time for positioning, ground control, and clearance zones. Use the risk surcharge to cover unforeseen delays like changing wind, blocked access, or discovery of additional entry points. If multiple nests exist, bundle factors reduce repeat setup without hiding safety time.
Travel, permits, and disposal are predictable adders
Travel is modeled as distance multiplied by a per‑kilometer rate, making it easy to standardize across projects. Permit fees can be kept as a fixed line item when site rules or local regulations apply. Disposal is treated as a base fee with a higher multiplier for hazardous handling and sealed waste requirements. For remote sites, consider adding a minimum travel charge and documenting gate time, site induction, and parking constraints in notes clearly.
Rentals scale by estimated working days
Lift and scaffold rentals are estimated by dividing total job hours by six hours per day and rounding up. This keeps rental planning conservative for construction sites where mobilization, briefing, and cleanup reduce productive time. If your vendor bills by half‑day, lower the daily inputs to match your contract.
Margin and tax finalize a quote-ready total
After direct costs, the calculator applies a risk surcharge, then margin, then tax to produce a quote-ready figure. Keeping margin consistent across jobs helps compare scenarios and control profitability. For tighter bids, reduce risk surcharge first, then verify labor hours and access assumptions before lowering margin.
FAQs
1) What does the risk surcharge cover?
It buffers uncertainty such as additional entry points, longer exclusion work, weather delays, and extra safety controls. Keep it separate from margin so you can adjust it per site conditions without changing your profit target.
2) Why is there a minimum callout?
Small jobs still require mobilization, briefing, PPE, and paperwork. A minimum callout ensures labor pricing covers setup time and keeps short visits economically viable.
3) How are lift and scaffold rentals calculated?
The tool converts total job hours into rental days by dividing by six hours per day and rounding up. Change daily rental inputs if your supplier bills by half-day or weekly rates.
4) Can I quote multiple nests on one site?
Yes. The calculator applies a bundle factor that reduces repeated setup time when nest count increases, while still scaling materials, risk, and disposal appropriately.
5) What should I enter for travel distance?
Enter the total billable kilometers for the trip. If your policy includes round trips, enter round-trip distance; if not, enter one-way and adjust the rate to match your billing rule.
6) Does the total include tax automatically?
Only if you enter a tax percentage. Set it to zero for tax-exclusive quotes, or input your applicable rate to generate an all-in customer total.