Calculator Inputs
Example Data Table
Use this as a starting point for a small patio setup.
| Item | Category | Material | Qty | Unit price | Discount | Line total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patio chair | Seating | Wicker/Rattan | 4 | 12,000 | 5% | 45,600 |
| Outdoor table | Table | Aluminum | 1 | 22,000 | 0% | 22,000 |
| Sunshade umbrella | Shade | Steel | 1 | 18,000 | 0% | 18,000 |
| Subtotal | 85,600 | |||||
Formula Used
- Line total = Quantity × Unit price × (1 − Item discount%/100)
- Subtotal = Sum of all line totals
- Overall discount amount = Subtotal × Overall discount%/100
- Net after discount = Subtotal − Overall discount amount
- Tax amount = Net after discount × Tax rate%/100
- Contingency = (Net + Tax + Delivery + Assembly) × Contingency%/100
- Upfront total = Net + Tax + Delivery + Assembly + Contingency
- Maintenance total = Net × Annual maintenance%/100 × Lifespan years (optional)
- Lifecycle total = Upfront total + Maintenance total
- Per m² / Per seat = Upfront total ÷ Area or Seats (when provided)
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter your project name and select a currency.
- Add each furniture item, quantity, and unit price.
- Set item discounts, then add an overall discount if needed.
- Enter tax, delivery, and assembly costs from vendor quotes.
- Choose a contingency to cover extras and replacements.
- Optional: include maintenance to estimate lifecycle spending.
- Press Calculate budget to view results above.
- Download CSV or PDF to share your estimate.
Scope and furniture mix
List every outdoor item you plan to buy: seating, tables, shade, storage, lighting, and accessories. Group them by zone and record usable area in m². Add a seating target so the calculator can show cost per seat. Pricing each line item lets you compare a minimal set, a dining-first set, and a lounge-first set using consistent totals. Use category labels to sort spend and identify gaps quickly.
Unit pricing and quantity control
Collect unit prices from at least two suppliers and enter the exact quantity you need, not the quantity in a bundle. Include cushions, protective covers, and anchoring hardware as individual rows. Adjust quantity to see tradeoffs: four chairs plus a side table may meet a six-seat goal when paired with a bench, while a sectional may require extra cushions and covers.
Discounts, tax, and logistics
Apply item discounts when a vendor reduces specific pieces, then use an overall discount for a negotiated project rate. Keep tax separate because rates vary by location and product type. Enter delivery and assembly as fixed costs from quotes, since stairs, packaging volume, and site access can change them. The breakdown shows whether a low unit price is offset by delivery or assembly.
Contingency and replacement planning
Outdoor furniture faces sun, rain, corrosion, and fading. A contingency percentage covers missing parts, spare fasteners, protective covers, and last-minute upgrades like side tables. It also buffers price changes between quotation and purchase. Comparing 5% versus 10% helps you decide how much flexibility you want in the upfront total.
Lifecycle and maintenance budgeting
When maintenance is included, lifecycle spending is estimated as net cost multiplied by an annual care rate over the expected lifespan. This supports material choices: teak and powder-coated aluminum often cost more upfront but reduce repainting and fastener failures. Use lifecycle total for multi-season planning, and use upfront total for purchase approval. If options are close, prioritize comfort, warranty length, and cleaning effort.
FAQs
1) What should I include besides the furniture price?
Add tax, delivery, and assembly from vendor quotes. Include cushions, covers, anchors, and any replacement parts as line items. A contingency helps cover small add-ons and price changes before purchase.
2) How do item discounts and overall discount differ?
Item discounts apply to a single row, such as a chair set on sale. Overall discount applies after all item discounts, useful for negotiated project rates. Using both shows whether savings come from one product or the whole order.
3) What contingency percentage works for outdoor setups?
Many plans use 5% for stable pricing and simple layouts, and 10% when exposure, hardware needs, or customization is high. Increase it for coastal humidity, frequent entertaining, or mixed suppliers.
4) How is lifecycle total estimated in this calculator?
Lifecycle total equals upfront total plus optional maintenance. Maintenance is estimated as net after discounts multiplied by annual maintenance percent and lifespan years. Use it to compare long-term ownership between materials.
5) Why should I enter area and seating capacity?
Area and seats unlock cost per m² and cost per seat. These ratios help you spot overcrowded layouts, justify upgrades, and compare options fairly when the number of pieces changes between plans.
6) Can I export results to CSV and PDF?
Yes. Run the calculation first so totals and line items are generated. Then use the CSV or PDF buttons in the results panel to download a shareable file for approvals, vendors, or record keeping.