Plan restoration budgets fast with detailed inputs. Adjust severity, overhead, profit, and contingency instantly here. Download reports to share with owners and crews today.
Enter your scope, pricing, and markups. Values are validated and capped to realistic ranges.
These sample values show how the estimate builds from direct costs to a final total.
| Scenario | Area | Labor (hrs × rate) | Direct costs (materials/equipment/disposal/permits/other) | Severity | Markups (OH/Profit/Cont.) | Tax |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moderate water damage | 2,500 sq ft | 120 × 38 | 5,600 / 1,200 / 650 / 300 / 250 | 1.10 | 12% / 10% / 8% | 5% |
| Heavy smoke remediation | 1,600 sq ft | 140 × 42 | 4,800 / 1,400 / 500 / 250 / 300 | 1.35 | 14% / 12% / 10% | 6% |
| Light cosmetic repair | 900 sq ft | 40 × 35 | 1,200 / 250 / 120 / 0 / 80 | 0.95 | 10% / 8% / 5% | 0% |
Accurate restoration budgets start with a clear scope and measured quantities. Record affected areas, elevations, access routes, and any containment needs. Note demolition limits and finishes to be restored. These inputs prevent missed line items and reduce change orders during execution.
Labor usually drives uncertainty because conditions vary across damaged zones. Convert tasks into crew hours using realistic productivity, including setup, protection, and cleaning. Apply a blended rate that reflects supervision, burden, and specialty trades. If overtime or restricted shifts apply, adjust the effective rate accordingly.
Materials, equipment, disposal, and permits should be supported by quotes or recent invoices. Separate reusable equipment from rentals, and include mobilization and standby time. For disposal, document haul distance, tipping fees, and segregation requirements. Clear documentation makes the estimate defensible and easy to review.
Overhead and profit policies differ by contractor and contract type. Apply overhead to cover administration, safety, and temporary facilities. Profit should reflect delivery risk and market conditions. Use contingency for unknowns such as hidden damage, moisture migration, or code upgrades, then apply tax only to eligible components.
After calculating totals, review unit cost per area to compare against benchmarks and prior projects. Validate the severity multiplier with site photos and inspection notes. Share the breakdown with owners, adjust assumptions, and lock exclusions in writing. Export reports to streamline approvals and keep project controls consistent.
When possible, run sensitivity checks by varying hours, severity, and contingency to see how the total moves. This highlights which assumptions deserve field verification. For larger restorations, separate phases such as mitigation, rebuild, and commissioning so tracking aligns with the schedule. Capture lead times for drying equipment and finish materials, and note any downtime costs or occupancy constraints. A structured estimate supports procurement, payment applications, and clearer handover. Review insurance requirements and include documentation labor for photos, drying logs, and meetings.
It adjusts direct costs for hidden damage, access difficulty, cleaning effort, and rework. Use higher values for heavy contamination, structural exposure, or complex containment requirements.
Yes. A blended rate can include payroll burden, supervision, and standard jobsite support. If you track those separately, keep the rate lower and enter the costs as other direct or overhead.
Base it on uncertainty and discovery risk. Early estimates often need more contingency, while well-defined scopes can use less. Increase it if moisture migration, demolition surprises, or code upgrades are likely.
Tax is often calculated on a subtotal after direct costs and markups, but rules vary by location and item type. Adjust the tax percent to reflect what is taxable for your project.
Yes. Unit cost helps compare scenarios across different sizes. Always compare projects with similar severity, finish level, and site constraints so the benchmark remains meaningful.
Use it for mobilization, protection, temporary works, standby, small consumables, or documentation tasks. If an item is required to deliver the scope and is not overhead, it belongs here.
Important Note: All the Calculators listed in this site are for educational purpose only and we do not guarentee the accuracy of results. Please do consult with other sources as well.