Price membranes, sealants, coatings, and flashing with confidence. Adjust for height, repairs, and crew speed. Get clear totals, then export reports for stakeholders today.
| Scenario | Area (m²) | System | Coats | Labor rate | Access | Estimated total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mid-rise façade touch-up | 120 | Polyurethane | 2 | 9.50 / hr | Scaffolding | Varies by inputs |
| Roof coating refresh | 250 | Silicone | 2 | 10.25 / hr | Roof access | Varies by inputs |
| Joint-heavy parapet work | 85 | Acrylic | 3 | 9.00 / hr | Boom lift | Varies by inputs |
Use the calculator to replace “Varies by inputs” with computed totals.
Weatherproofing estimates depend on system selection, substrate condition, access constraints, and production rates. Coatings and membranes vary in unit pricing, but the installed cost is usually dominated by labor when surfaces need extensive preparation or details are dense around penetrations and parapets.
Start with measurable quantities: coated area, number of coats, primer coverage, and linear meters of sealant and flashing. Apply a waste allowance for overlap, roller loss, and touch-ups. The calculator then applies a system factor to represent typical price differences across common systems.
Labor hours are calculated from area divided by productivity (m² per worker-hour), then adjusted by condition and complexity factors. Poor surfaces increase cleaning, grinding, and patching time. High complexity increases cutting-in, detailing, and staging moves that reduce effective output.
Access costs can be minimal on a low roof with ladders, but scaffolds and lifts add daily rental and setup time. Auto-calculated days use labor hours and crew size to estimate rental duration. This helps align budgeting with practical site durations and mobilization cycles.
Example inputs: Area 120 m², polyurethane system, 2 coats, waste 8%, sealant 35 m, flashing 18 m, labor rate 9.50/hr, productivity 3.5 m²/worker-hr, crew size 3, condition fair, complexity medium, contingency 7%, overhead 10%, profit 12%. Review the unit cost per m² to benchmark bids consistently across scopes.
| Input | Value | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Area | 120 m² | Drives materials and base labor hours. |
| Productivity | 3.5 m²/worker-hr | Lower rates increase hours and rental days. |
| Waste allowance | 8% | Covers overlap, loss, and rework. |
| Markups | 7% + 10% + 12% | Aligns estimate with business reality. |
Update the unit rates to match your market and specification.
1) Should I include primer in every job?
Most coating systems specify primer for porous or chalky substrates and for adhesion on metal flashings. If the manufacturer allows primerless application on sound surfaces, set primer cost to zero and keep prep allowance realistic.
2) How do I choose a waste percentage?
Use 5–10% for open areas with simple geometry. Increase waste for textured substrates, frequent starts and stops, or heavy detailing. If you are unsure, start at 8% and refine after a site walkdown.
3) What productivity rate should I use?
Productivity depends on crew experience, weather windows, and surface condition. Use historical job data when possible. For conservative planning, reduce productivity for poor surfaces, many penetrations, or restrictive access and safety setups.
4) Why do condition and complexity affect labor only?
These modifiers primarily represent time impacts from prep, detailing, and staging. Material usage is already captured through coats, unit rates, and waste. If poor condition requires extra repair materials, increase the repair allowance per m².
5) When should I use auto-calculated rental days?
Auto days are useful early in estimating when schedule is not finalized. It links rental duration to labor hours and crew size. For fixed schedules or known rental periods, enter manual rental days and uncheck auto days.
6) How should I handle overhead and profit?
Apply your standard company percentages to keep pricing consistent across projects. If you prefer combined markup, set overhead and profit to zero and enter the combined value under one field by adjusting the remaining percentages accordingly.
7) Does the calculator replace manufacturer specifications?
No. Use it for budgeting and comparison. Always confirm coat counts, primers, curing time, and compatible sealants or flashings from the project specification and manufacturer data sheets before final pricing and procurement.
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.