Price per square foot should be a quoting shortcut, not your entire pricing model.
This tool helps contractors express a quote as a rate and test a proposed rate. It does not estimate what a homeowner should pay from a claimed national average.
Direction A: job price ÷ area = implied rate
Choose “Desired revenue.” Enter the price you intend to charge and the measured area. Example: $360 ÷ 1,200 sq ft = $0.30 per sq ft. That division describes your quote; it does not establish whether $360 is profitable.
Direction B: rate × area = proposed revenue
Choose “Check a proposed rate.” Example: $0.25 × 1,200 sq ft = $300 revenue. If job cost is $230 and processing is 3%, the fee is $9 and profit is $61: a 20.3% actual margin.
A 30% target would require $230 ÷ 0.67, or $343.29 rounded up. A $350 minimum raises the required quote further. The square-foot tool shows the economics; use the full pricing calculator to apply your minimum and adjustments.
Check everything behind the rate
- Complete crew time, including setup and pack-up.
- Chemicals, equipment, travel and other direct expenses.
- Allocated overhead and percentage processing fees.
- Your profit target and minimum service charge.
- The condition and access of this specific surface.
For your repeatable costing method, use the contractor pricing guide. Revise the costs when scope changes before reusing a rate.