Equipment Rate Calc

Job Minimum Charge Calculator

Set a minimum charge for short equipment jobs after loading, travel, setup, cleanup, fuel, admin time, and margin. Results update automatically as inputs change.

Inputs

Job assumptions

Use realistic paid or billable time and keep the unit consistent.

Use realistic paid or billable time and keep the unit consistent.

Use the current loaded business cost, not a rough market guess.

Use round-trip distance and include loading, waiting, unloading, and return time.

Use the current loaded business cost, not a rough market guess.

Profit & protection

Margin is profit divided by the final selling price, not a markup on cost.

Calculations stay in this browser unless you explicitly save or share.

Recommended Minimum0

How this calculator works

Minimum charge = hidden time cost + site time cost + travel mileage + fixed job cost, then divide by (1 - target margin).

Read the methodology and editorial policy

Use the result as a cost checkpoint

Use this calculator to price short jobs that look quick on site but still consume loading, travel, setup, cleanup, messages, invoicing, and scheduling time.

This tool is best for avoiding money-losing small jobs. Its primary decision is the minimum charge needed when hidden time and travel matter as much as on-site machine time. Review one-hour jobs that take half a day, unpaid drive time, multiple messages, dump runs, and blocked scheduling windows before relying on the result.

Worked example

Two hidden hours plus one site hour at $90/hour with $80 of travel and fees can justify a minimum above $450 at 25% margin.

Raise minimums for distant jobs, same-day work, multiple attachments, dump runs, or jobs that block a full-day booking.

Input and quote review

  • Use this on every small job inquiry before giving a quick number.
  • Count admin, photos, site messages, and invoice time.
  • Keep a separate emergency or same-day minimum.
  • Do not waive mobilization unless the job is genuinely near another booked route.

Keep the final scope, assumptions, exclusions, allowances, change triggers, and post-job results with the estimate so future defaults are supported by evidence.

Common questions

Is this the final customer price?

No. It is a planning checkpoint. Walk the site, confirm scope and access, verify current costs, and apply contract, permit, tax, utility, safety, and professional requirements.

Where are saved inputs stored?

Only an explicit Save stores inputs in this browser's localStorage. Share places inputs in the URL hash. The calculator does not send them to Equipment Rate Calc.

Should I copy a competitor's rate?

Use market prices as a reasonableness check after calculating your own cost, scope, utilization, risk, and margin.

Important disclaimerPlanning estimate only. Verify current costs, measurements, production, scope, access, customer requirements, contracts, permits, insurance, taxes, and local rules before quoting or committing money.