How to price a job when a helper works with you

How do I price a job when I have a helper?

List every cost of the job, then add your profit. The costs are materials, your own time, the helper's time and other costs such as fuel or disposal. The price is what is left after you choose a margin.

Use what the helper actually costs you for the hours they work. How a helper is paid, and the rules that go with it, are outside this guide. Check with the Canada Revenue Agency, your province or a qualified professional.

Worked example: a job with a helper

Example figures only. Your own time is valued at $60 an hour and the helper costs you $25 an hour.

• Materials: $1,000
• Your time: 20 hours × $60 = $1,200
• Helper: 12 hours × $25 = $300
• Other costs (fuel, disposal): $200

Total cost: $1,000 + $1,200 + $300 + $200 = $2,700.

For a 25% margin, price = cost ÷ (1 − 0.25) = $2,700 ÷ 0.75 = $3,600. Profit is $900, which is 25% of $3,600.

What happens if I leave the helper out?

Without the $300, cost looks like $2,400 and the same margin gives a price of $3,200. But the job still costs $2,700, so profit is only $500. That is about 16% of the price, not 25%.

Margin or markup for a job price?

Margin is the share of the price that is profit. Markup is a percentage added to cost. They give different prices for the same percentage, so pick one and keep to it. The markup vs margin guide linked below shows both.

Try it with your own costs

Add the helper's cost to your other costs, enter the total in the Price, margin and markup calculator and choose a margin. It is free to start, you type every figure and nothing is sent.