How much should contractors mark up a job?

Many residential contractors use 35–50% markup, but the right number depends on your overhead and target profit.

Why isn't 50% markup a 50% margin?

Markup is measured against cost, margin against price. A 50% markup yields a 33% margin.

Only if you built overhead into cost first. Otherwise markup must cover both overhead and profit.

Markup Calculator

Markup is added on top of cost. Selling price equals cost times (1 + markup %). A 50% markup on $1,000 of cost sells for $1,500.

Job cost($)

Markup(%)

Your result

Selling price

$1,500.00

Profit$500.00

Equivalent margin33.3%

See your true margin — or set price to hit a target margin.

Total labor cost from crew size, hours and hourly rate.

Total material cost from quantity, unit price and waste.

Gut-to-finish kitchens scoped from a few photos and priced in minutes.

Tile, fixtures and finishes captured from a quick walkthrough.

EstimateVision reads the scope from photos, video and voice, prices it for your area, and sends a signed proposal on the spot.