Project Budget Workspace
Combine estimates from multiple ProjectCalcWorks cost calculators—or add your own line items—then apply visible contingency and tax assumptions to one project total.
Project adjustments
Contingency is applied to the line-item subtotal. Tax is then applied to subtotal + contingency. Both start at 0% so the tool never inserts a hidden allowance.
Add a budget item
Project line items
Use a ProjectCalcWorks cost calculator and choose “Add estimate to Project Budget”, or add a manual item above.
| Item | Quantity | Material | Labor | Fixed | Total |
|---|
Use calculator results as budget building blocks
The Workspace does not replace focused calculators. Use a quantity calculator first when you need material amounts, then a matching cost calculator with your supplier or contractor rates. Add the completed estimate to this Workspace and continue to the next project component.
This structure is intentionally transparent: ProjectCalcWorks does not inject a hidden national price database into the combined project total. To choose between alternative bids for the same work without adding both as line items, compare the two quotes on a common scope first.
Useful starting points
- Roofing Cost Calculator for roof-area pricing scenarios.
- Carpet Cost Calculator for carpet, labor, waste and fixed extras.
- Concrete Cost Calculator for cubic-yard project pricing.
- Laminate Flooring Installation Cost Calculator for floor-area budgeting.
- Window Replacement Cost Calculator for per-window scenarios.
Reproduce a complete budget before comparing it to your target
Enter one hypothetical renovation line item containing $1,000 in material, $600 in labor and $200 in fixed extras. That is an $1,800 line-item subtotal. Set contingency to 10% and an illustrative tax assumption of 6%; set your target to $2,000. The Workspace applies contingency to the subtotal, then applies the entered tax percentage to the subtotal plus contingency:
- Items subtotal: $1,000 + $600 + $200 = $1,800.
- Contingency: 10% of $1,800 = $180, bringing the pre-tax estimate to $1,980.
- Hypothetical tax: 6% of $1,980 = $118.80.
- Total: $1,980 + $118.80 = $2,098.80, or $98.80 above the $2,000 target.
Tax limitation: the Workspace's percentage is a simplified budgeting assumption, not sales-tax advice. Real tax rules can differ between products, labor and locations, and contingency may not be taxable in the same way. Enter only a rate that reflects how you intend to model your quote, or leave it at 0% and calculate tax separately from the vendor's actual breakdown. The example values are invented solely to illustrate the formula, not current US market rates.
Keep competing quotes and included charges out of the same subtotal
If a cost calculator already exports a finished paint job including material, preparation and labor, do not add a second manual labor item for that same job. Likewise, Quote A and Quote B for the same work are alternatives, not two project components that should both appear in the total. Compare them separately, select one scope and then add only its intended cost once. Use the note field to record what the supplier included, which assumptions are pending and when the quote was received.
The copied/CSV summary can preserve this planning worksheet, but it does not turn illustrative costs into a contractor contract or approved job budget. Confirm delivery, disposal, taxes, permit duties and scope with the relevant parties before committing money.