Project cost estimator
"What should I charge for this?" is the question every hobbyist-toward-pro woodworker asks. The right answer is materials + consumables + hardware + finishing + labour + markup. This calculator builds that quote line by line so you can show a client (or yourself) where the money goes.
Estimator
Why overhead matters more than profit
Most new woodworkers leave overhead out of the quote. That's a problem — a table saw costs $1,500, lasts 10 years, and depreciates $150/yr. If you build 50 projects a year, that's $3 of depreciation per project. Add electricity, insurance, sharpening, glue, sandpaper (consumables) and you're easily $20–30/project in overhead. Forgetting it means working for free.
The hourly rate question
Woodworking labour rates vary wildly. Hobbyists charge $0 (or negative, given time cost). Part-timers charge $25–40/hr. Production shops charge $50–100/hr. Master craftspeople $100–200/hr. The right number for you depends on your market and your skill. Don't undersell yourself, but don't out-price your market either.
Why quotes need a margin
Even with the calculator, you'll forget something — a piece you mis-cut, a finish that didn't take, a hinge that's back-ordered. Margin (typically 15–25%) is the buffer for those surprises. Without it, you eat the cost.
Limitations
- Doesn't model commissions / sales tax. Add separately.
- Doesn't account for delivery / installation costs.
- Doesn't include design time (often 20% of total project hours).
- Doesn't capture the cost of failed attempts or re-dos.
Frequently asked questions
Should I charge for materials at retail or wholesale?
Charge at cost + a handling fee (typically 10–15%). You bought the wood; you should recover the cost and a bit for the trip to the lumber yard. Anything more feels like gouging; less and you're subsidising the client.
How do I quote "custom" projects?
A 50% deposit up front protects you. Get the design agreed in writing, the deposit cleared, and the materials on order before you cut wood. Most disputes come from unclear scope, not bad work.
What's a fair markup for custom furniture?
2× to 3× materials + labour is typical for custom commissions; production shops run lower. The right answer is what your market bears. Get quotes from competitors and price yourself in the same band.