Construction Cost & Budget Estimator – Wanjaaro Material & Cost Calculator
Estimate total project budget with material subtotal, labor rates, GC markup, and contingency. Free, instant deterministic calculations with waste margin, material takeoffs, and contractor cost breakdown.
Category: Cost Estimator
Last Modified: 2026-10-04
Available Building Material Calculators
- Concrete Slab & Footing Calculator – Calculate volume in cubic yards, pre-mixed bags (40, 60, 80 lb), and rebar grid requirements.
- Brick & Mortar Calculator – Calculate total modular, king, or queen bricks, mortar bags (Type N/S), and tons of sand.
- Concrete Block (CMU) Calculator – Estimate standard CMU blocks, core-fill grout volume, mortar bags, and vertical rebar.
- Wall Framing & Stud Calculator – Calculate common studs, double top plates, bottom sill, headers, corners, and board feet.
- Plywood & OSB Sheathing Calculator – Determine 4x8 / 4x10 sheets for walls, subfloors, and roof decks plus framing nail counts.
- Drywall & Sheetrock Calculator – Calculate 4x8, 4x10, 4x12 drywall sheets, joint compound buckets, screws, and tape rolls.
- Paint & Primer Coverage Calculator – Estimate gallons of wall/ceiling paint and primer with window and door deduction.
- Roofing Shingle & Pitch Calculator – Calculate roofing squares, architectural bundles, pitch multipliers, felt, and ridge caps.
- Tile, Grout & Flooring Calculator – Calculate square footage, tile boxes with waste, grout weight (lbs), and thin-set bags.
- Construction Cost & Budget Estimator – Estimate total project budget with material subtotal, labor rates, GC markup, and contingency.
Frequently Asked Questions
What percentage markup do general contractors typically charge?
General contractors typically charge a 15% to 20% overhead and profit markup on residential remodeling and new construction projects, with larger commercial or complex custom jobs ranging from 12% to 25%.
Why should every construction budget include a contingency reserve?
A 10% to 15% contingency reserve covers unexpected site conditions, price fluctuations, structural rot discovered during demolition, and minor owner change orders without halting work.