Material Cost Estimator

What markup percentage should contractors add to materials?

Most Canadian trades contractors apply 15–25% markup on materials. 10% is the floor — it covers procurement time, vehicle costs, and the risk of price changes between quoting and purchasing. Specialty materials, small quantities that require dedicated supply runs, or materials with long delivery times typically warrant 20–30%. If you are buying and storing materials for a client-owned renovation, 25% is standard practice in most markets.

How do I calculate material waste for a job?

Waste factors vary by material and application. Tile typically needs 10–15% for cuts on standard layouts, 20%+ for diagonal patterns. Lumber framing adds 10–15% for cuts, blocking, and defects. Flooring runs 10% for straight runs, 15% for herringbone or diagonal. Drywall needs 10% on standard rooms, 15% on irregular shapes. This calculator lets you set a different waste percentage per line item so your takeoff reflects the actual waste profile of each material.

What should be included in a full material takeoff?

A complete takeoff includes every consumable: primary materials (lumber, tile, drywall), fasteners and adhesives (screws, nails, thinset), finishing materials (caulk, paint, trim), and any rental or disposable items (saw blades, mixing paddles, drop sheets). Contractors who only include primary materials routinely underestimate by 8–12%. The "extras" add up fast on large jobs — build them into your line items rather than absorbing the cost.

How is a material takeoff different from a supplier quote?

A material takeoff is your calculation of what you need — quantities derived from your measurements and plans. A supplier quote is pricing applied to those quantities. You should complete your takeoff first, then use it to get accurate supplier quotes. Doing it in reverse (using a supplier quote as your takeoff) means you are trusting the supplier's assumptions about waste, quantities, and scope — which may not match your site conditions.

Should material costs in the client quote include tax?

In most Canadian provinces, materials purchased for a taxable supply (construction services) are subject to HST or GST + PST at point of purchase. You can charge clients the tax-inclusive cost or show materials at cost and add tax separately — the key is being consistent with how you present your quote overall. If you are a GST/HST registrant, you claim the input tax credit, so your material cost to the client is the pre-tax cost plus your markup, with GST/HST charged on top of the entire invoice.