A simple job costing sheet for trades, and how to fill it in
A job cost sheet is one page per job. It shows what the job cost you, so you can price the next one with confidence.
What goes on the sheet
One sheet is for one job. Put the customer, the address and the date at the top. Then write a line for each cost, in groups.
- Labour: hours for each person, times their cost per hour.
- Materials: what you bought, with the receipt.
- Equipment: rentals, fuel and blades.
- Sub-contractors: what you paid them.
- Travel: trips to the site and to the supplier.
- Extras: permits, disposal and parking.
How to fill it in
- Write the quote price at the top, so you can compare.
- Fill in costs as they happen, not from memory at the end.
- Total each group.
- Add the groups for the total cost of the job.
- Subtract the total cost from what you charged. What is left is what the job made.
Worked example: a small deck (made-up figures)
You quoted $3,600 before Tax A and Tax B. Labour was 22 hours at $40, which is $880. Materials were $1,450. Equipment was $120. A helper was $300. Travel and disposal were $130.
The costs add up to $2,880. $3,600 minus $2,880 leaves $720. That is the amount the job made before your overhead.
If your usual figure is higher, look at which group ran over. A line that ran over this time is a line to raise in the next quote.
Use it to learn from the job
When the job is done, compare the sheet with the quote line by line. Note the group that ran over and the group that came in under. After a few jobs you will see where your quotes are usually too low, and you can fix the habit instead of the single job.
Paper first is fine
A printed sheet in a folder in the truck is a real record. You can type it in later. Keep the receipts with the sheet. If the job changes, write the change on the sheet when it is agreed.
Our guide on what to write down after every job shows what else to note.
Check your figures with the job cost sheet
Type the same figures into the job cost sheet if you want a second check. It is free to start, you type every figure yourself, and nothing is sent. It adds the groups for you and shows the total.
Built in Canada for Canadian rules.
- How to work out what to charge for a job
- What to write down after every job
- Guides for Canadian small business
Estimate, not tax or legal advice. General information for planning. All figures are made-up examples. You type every figure, and you take every tax name and rate from the official source. Nothing is sent.