How the Bid or Walk Away Job Checker works
Labor is everyone's hours on the job plus everyone's time in the truck, at your labor cost per hour. Your own time counts, at the rate you want to pay yourself.
We add the truck's cost per mile for the round trip, your materials and your overhead to get the real cost of doing the job.
The lowest price worth taking is the price that keeps your minimum margin, rounded up to the next $5.
Take it means the price meets your minimum. Only at a higher price means you'd make a little but less than you want. Walk away means the job loses money.
Tips from the trade
- Decide your minimum margin before you start quoting, so you're not tempted to drop it on the spot.
- For big material jobs, ask for a deposit that at least covers materials.
- Saying no to a bad job frees up the day for a better one. Busy isn't the same as profitable.
A worked example
Here's the example that's already filled in above, so you can see how the Bid or Walk Away Job Checker works before you enter your own numbers.
- Price on the table$300
- Hours on the job (all workers)6
- People going2
- Labor cost per hour, per person$25
- Drive time, round trip (min)60
- Miles, round trip30
- Truck cost per mile$0.70
- Materials$40
- Overhead10%
- Lowest margin you'll accept20%
- Could it become regular work?One-time job
- Getting paidDeposit or paid upfront
The result: real cost $287; margin at this price 4%; lowest price worth taking $360; verdict Only at $360.
At $300 you'd only keep 4%. Counter at $360 or pass. Watch for: a long drive.
Related free tools
- Truck Cost Per Mile Calculator: what your work truck really costs per mile and per work day, counting fuel, payments, insurance and repairs.
- Handyman Hourly Rate Calculator: the hourly rate that pays you, covers your business costs and taxes, and leaves a profit.
- Quote Follow-Up Text Writer: polite texts to send 2, 5 and 10 days after a quote, so fewer jobs slip away.
When you need more than the free Bid or Walk Away Job Checker
This tool writes one document. Running a business means doing it on every job, with your own rates saved and a quote you can send.
Bid or Walk Away Job Checker questions
How do I know if a job is worth taking?
Work out its real cost, including everyone's drive time, truck miles, materials and overhead, then check what margin the price leaves. If it's below the minimum you've set, counter or pass.
What's a good minimum margin?
Many service businesses aim for at least 15% to 25% after paying everyone, including themselves. Pick a number you're comfortable with and stick to it.
Should I ever take a job at a loss?
Rarely. A small discount on a first visit can make sense if it leads to steady work at your normal price, but a job that loses money usually just loses money.
What's a fair truck cost per mile?
It depends on your truck. Our Truck Cost Calculator works out yours from fuel, payments, insurance and repairs.