Enter site conditions
Formula used
The calculator converts area to square feet, then estimates time and solution using base rates per 100 sq ft. Multipliers adjust for contamination level, surface porosity, ventilation, access difficulty, application method, and a soil factor from coverage or droppings count.
- Area blocks: blocks = area_sqft / 100
- Soil factor: max(1 + 0.60×coverage, 1 + 0.60×min(count/800, 1))
- Total hours: (prep + HEPA + wipe + bagging + final) × contamination multiplier
- Solution liters: area_sqft × 0.0030 × multipliers × soil factor
- Concentrate liters: solution × (conc_parts / (conc_parts + water_parts))
- Total cost: labor + PPE + concentrate + disposal
How to use this calculator
- Measure the affected work zone and choose units.
- Estimate either coverage percent or droppings count.
- Select contamination level, surface type, ventilation, and access.
- Pick an application method and a dilution that matches labels.
- Enter crew size, labor rate, PPE cost, and disposal fee.
- Press Calculate to see time, solution, waste, and costs.
- Use the download buttons to export your estimate.
Example data table
| Scenario | Area | Coverage | Level | Crew | Solution (L) | Bags | Duration (hrs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Storage room | 300 sq ft | 5% | Light | 2 | ~1.1 | 2 | ~1.3 |
| Ceiling void | 500 sq ft | 8% | Moderate | 2 | ~3.0 | 4 | ~2.8 |
| Crawlspace | 900 sq ft | 20% | Heavy | 3 | ~9.2 | 12 | ~6.9 |
Example values are illustrative. Always follow your safety plan, local requirements, and product labels for mixing, contact time, and disposal.
Contamination assessment and scope
Cleanup scope depends on affected area, visible coverage, and droppings count. This calculator converts notes into a soil factor that can add up to about 60% extra effort for heavier loads. Choose Light for small, scattered findings, Moderate for repeated trails, and Heavy for concentrated zones or multiple rooms. Surface type matters: porous materials often require extra passes.
Work sequencing and crew productivity
Estimated hours combine five steps: staging, HEPA vacuuming, wet wiping, bagging, and final checks. Ventilation and access adjust prep and movement time, which is critical in crawlspaces and ceiling voids. Productivity is reported as square feet per crew-hour to help you compare crew plans and schedules.
Disinfectant mixing and material planning
Solution liters are based on area and multipliers for contamination, surface, method, and soil factor. Concentrate quantity is derived from the selected dilution ratio to support accurate purchasing. For custom products, enter concentrate and water parts exactly as shown on the label.
| Example data | 600 sq ft, 12% coverage, 450 droppings, Moderate, Mixed surface |
|---|---|
| Crew and rate | 2 workers @ $22/hr, Enhanced PPE |
| Estimated output | ~6.9 hrs, ~3.6 L solution, ~0.06 L concentrate, 4 bags, ~$367 total |
Waste handling and disposal allowances
Bag count is estimated from area with added weight for higher coverage and droppings density. Use the disposal fee per bag to reflect local hauling and landfill charges, plus required labeling. When debris volumes are unusually high, treat disposal as a separate line item. Add contingency where access is restricted.
Quality checks and documentation
Closeout time includes pack-down and a final walkthrough for missed pellets and residue. Document pre- and post-conditions with photos, record dilution used, and follow product contact-time guidance. Coordinate access and ventilation with the site safety plan and local requirements.
FAQs
1) What does the “soil factor” represent?
It is a multiplier derived from coverage percent and droppings count. Higher soil factor increases wiping time and solution demand, reflecting extra passes needed to remove residue safely.
2) Should I use coverage percent or droppings count?
Enter both when you can. The calculator uses the higher impact of the two, so your estimate stays conservative when one metric under-reports the true contamination.
3) Why does ventilation change time but not solution?
Ventilation mainly affects staging and movement efficiency, especially in confined areas. Solution is driven more by surface, application method, and soil loading than airflow quality.
4) How does crew size affect duration and cost?
Total labor hours stay the same, but schedule time can drop if tasks parallelize. Labor cost scales with crew size, so add workers only if the workspace supports safe, efficient teamwork.
5) What disinfectant option should I select?
Pick the dilution that matches your product label. If your concentrate differs, use Custom dilution and enter parts. Always follow the manufacturer’s mixing, dwell time, and safety directions.
6) What if my area is in square meters?
Select m² and enter the measured area. The calculator automatically converts to square feet internally so the time and material rates remain consistent across unit systems.
7) Can this replace safety or remediation guidance?
No. It is an estimating tool for planning labor and materials. Use your site safety plan and local requirements for PPE, containment, and disposal, especially where pathogens or dust hazards exist.