Inputs

Job assumptions

On-Site Hours

Include expected on-site operating, setup, waiting, and cleanup time for the day.

Travel / Load / Setup Hours

Add paid off-site time for loading, securement, round-trip travel, and equipment preparation.

Mobilization / Transport ($)

Enter direct truck, trailer, fuel, permit, and transport cost not included in the hourly amount.

Materials / Disposal ($)

Use job-specific supplier, hauling, disposal, and consumable costs for the planned day.

Operating cost

Loaded Machine + Labor Cost ($/hr)

Combine machine ownership, fuel, maintenance, operator pay, labor burden, and overhead per paid hour.

Profit & protection

Target Profit Margin (%)

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

How this calculator works

Full-day rate = (total paid hours × loaded hourly cost + full mobilization + full entered materials) ÷ (1 - target margin).

The half-day result uses the greater of 60% of the full-day rate or a margin-priced half-day cost built from half the paid hours plus full mobilization and full entered materials. This protects the calendar while keeping job-specific materials visible.

Set a day rate that covers the paid day

Include site work and travel or setup time before adding mobilization, materials, and margin. The half-day result is a planning minimum based on the entered costs and the 60% floor in this calculator; agree actual hours, scope, and delay terms with the customer.

Worked example

The illustrative defaults use 8 site hours + 1 travel/setup hour = 9 paid hours. At $92/hour, time costs $828. Adding $125 mobilization and $0 materials gives $953 direct cost; $953 ÷ 0.75 = a $1,270.67 full-day rate at 25% margin.

The half-day cost test uses half the total time: 4.5 × $92 + $125 = $539, or $718.67 after margin. The calculator compares that with 60% of the full-day rate, $762.40, and displays the higher amount: $762.40. It retains the full entered mobilization and materials in the half-day test.

Build the internal machine-and-operator cost with the equipment cost-per-hour guide. Check travel time and mobilization cost boundaries so the same truck, labor, or fuel expense is not recovered twice.

Define the day before quoting the rate

Do not let a half-day rate become half of a full day if it blocks the calendar.
Include truck, trailer, loading, unloading, and end-of-day cleanup time.
Use a day rate for open-ended work and a job bid for defined scope.
Enter known materials and disposal in full; list uncertain quantities as separate written allowances or unit-price terms.

Common questions

Why is the half-day minimum more than half the day rate?

The model takes the higher of 60% of the full-day price or half the total time cost plus full mobilization and materials, with margin. This is a planning rule, not a universal market standard or a prediction of how much time a second job can use.

Are materials and disposal reduced for a half day?

No. The full amount entered is retained in both cost tests. If the half-day scope requires different quantities, calculate that scenario separately and write the included quantities or allowances into the quote.

Does the day rate include travel and customer delays?

Travel/setup hours are included only to the extent entered, and mobilization is a separate dollar input. Customer waiting, overtime, extra trips, and extended disposal work need agreed scope or rate terms; the calculator does not add unentered time automatically.

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.