| Scenario | Workers | Base rate | Reg hrs | OT hrs | Multiplier | Grand total | Incremental OT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small crew, short push | 5 | $28.00 | 40 | 6 | 1.5x | $9,099.79 | $420.00 |
| Night shift with premium | 8 | $35.00 | 40 | 8 | 1.5x | $40,716.16 | $2,560.00 |
| Large crew, double time weekend | 18 | $42.00 | 40 | 12 | 2x | $72,792.63 | $9,072.00 |
- Total regular hours = regular_hours × workers × periods
- Total overtime hours = overtime_hours × workers × periods
- Shift premium per hour = amount OR (percent × base_rate)
- Regular rate = base_rate + premium (if applied to regular)
- OT rate = (base_rate × multiplier) + premium
- Regular wages = total_regular_hours × regular_rate
- OT wages = total_overtime_hours × ot_rate
- Overhead % = fringe% + burden% + payroll_taxes%
- Overhead amount = (wages + optional allowances) × overhead%
- Grand total = wages + allowances + overhead_amount
- Enter your base hourly rate and crew size.
- Select the period type (day or week) and the number of periods.
- Input regular and overtime hours per worker for each period.
- Choose an overtime multiplier, then add shift premium if applicable.
- Apply fringe, burden, and payroll taxes to model fully loaded cost.
- Add allowances for meals, travel, or tools if your policy requires them.
- Click Calculate. Results appear above the form, under the header.
- Use the download selector to export a CSV or PDF summary.
Overtime can turn a tight schedule into a cost spike. This calculator converts hours into fully loaded labor spend by combining base rate, crew count, and the overtime premium. Use it when you accelerate concrete pours, extend shifts for rework, or add weekend coverage to protect milestones. The result helps you forecast burn rate, validate superintendent requests, and communicate impacts to owners and schedulers. Supports owner briefings and claims.
Wage cost is only the starting point. Construction overtime usually carries payroll taxes, insurance, and company burden, plus fringe packages on union or prevailing wage work. By applying separate percentages, the calculator produces a loaded hourly rate that aligns with job-cost reports. It also shows how small percentage changes compound across many workers and weeks. and aligns with monthly cost-to-complete forecasts.
Overtime multipliers reflect policy and labor law, commonly 1.5× after a threshold and 2.0× for double time. Shift differentials or night premiums add a fixed amount per overtime hour. When both apply, premium stacking can change totals, so model the exact rules used on your project. Include allowances only when they are paid per shift.
Overtime often reduces productivity and increases supervision, safety risk, and equipment wear. The calculator includes an overtime efficiency factor that inflates hours to reflect fatigue, congestion, and higher QA/QC effort. Pair this with field data or time studies so your estimate captures the real labor effort, not just timecard hours. If productivity drops, resequence work or add manpower.
Use day or week periods to compare options: add one extra hour daily versus a full Saturday shift, or extend a trade for two weeks instead of hiring additional manpower. Export the CSV or PDF to document assumptions, support change orders, and standardize approval workflows across teams. Capture who approved the premium, what scope it protects, and the date range.
1) Does the calculator show the overtime premium only?
It shows total overtime spend and the incremental premium versus regular pay for the same overtime hours. Use the premium view when comparing schedule acceleration options or negotiating who carries the added cost.
2) Which multiplier should I use for construction overtime?
Use your policy or contract rule. Many crews use 1.5× after a daily or weekly threshold, and 2.0× for double time. If rules vary by day, model each day as a separate period.
3) How do fringe, burden, and taxes affect the result?
These percentages increase the loaded hourly cost above the wage rate. Enter values that match your payroll setup and job-cost coding, including insurance and employer taxes. Separate entries make audits and change-order support easier.
4) What is the overtime efficiency factor?
It adjusts hours upward to represent reduced productivity from fatigue, congestion, and added supervision. For example, 90% efficiency means 10% more hours to produce the same output. Use field history to pick a realistic factor.
5) Can I calculate for multiple crews or trades?
Yes. Run the calculator once per crew or trade with its own rate, headcount, and hours. Combine exported CSV files in a spreadsheet to build a project-level overtime forecast.
6) What is included in allowances and premiums?
Allowances are fixed costs you pay in addition to wages, such as meals, travel, or tool stipends. Shift premium is a per-hour add-on for nights or special shifts. Enter only items your contract requires for overtime periods.