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Contractor Quick-Estimate Cheat Sheet

The rules of thumb behind HandyStack's free calculators, on one 2-page sheet for the truck: waste factors, paint, drywall, deck, fence, hourly rate and a margin-vs-markup table.

Contractor Quick-Estimate Cheat Sheet: both pages

What's inside

  • Waste factors: when to use 5%, 10% or 15%
  • Paint: wall-area formula, coverage per gallon, primer
  • Drywall: sheets, mud buckets, tape and screws
  • Hourly rate: the minimum-rate formula with taxes and billable hours
  • Deck: boards, joists, beams, footings and concrete bags
  • Fence: posts, rails, pickets, hole depth and concrete
  • Job pricing: margin vs. markup table from 10% to 50%

2-page letter-size PDF. Print it or keep it on your phone.

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Preview

Contractor Quick-Estimate Cheat Sheet: page 1
Contractor Quick-Estimate Cheat Sheet: page 2

FAQ

Is it really free if I want it free?Yes. Pay what it's worth to you, or use the "Get it free" link. No signup either way.
Do I need an account?No. After checkout PayPal returns you to the download page.
Want the calculators too?Every number on the sheet comes from our free calculators, which do the math for you.