Sample workflow

Walk a sample job from measurement to profit

This uses the same calculation engine as the product, with example rates. Your own styles, material costs, labor rates and overhead replace these once you set up your company.

Step 1 · Site measurements

Measured run (ft)

Total length walked on site, gates included.

Gates

Each gate adds one post and hardware.

Gate width (ft)

Removed from the fenced length.

Corners

Each corner needs its own post.

Posts shared with other runs

Junction posts counted once, not twice.

Target margin (%)

Share of the price left after job costs.

Example rates only — not a quote and not a price list.

Step 2 · Takeoff, step by step

Fenced length
130 ft measured − 4 ft of gate openings
126 ft
Sections
126 ft ÷ 8 ft maximum spacing, rounded up
16
Posts
16 sections + 1 end + 1 gate post + 2 corner − 1 shared
19
Rails
3 per section × 16, +5% waste, rounded up
51
Pickets
2.2 per fenced foot × 126 ft, rounded up
278
Concrete bags
2 per post × 19, +5% waste, rounded up
40

Step 3 · Cost and price

Materials: $2,090.74
Installation labor: $1,224.00
Labor burden (22%): $269.28
Allocated overhead (10%): $358.40
Contingency (3%): $107.52
Cost basis: $4,049.94
Price at 35% target margin: $6,230.68
Price per fenced foot: $49.45
Same number used as markup (35%): $5,467.42

Using 35% as a markup instead of a margin prices the job at $5,467.42 and earns 25.9% margin. Margin here is a job contribution figure on the price before tax — it is not net company profit.

Step 4 · Customer proposal

Sample — simulated

Sample Fence Co.

Proposal for: Sample customer

Version 1

Supply and install 126 ft of 6 ft cedar privacy fence with 1 walk gate, including posts set in concrete.

Total before tax

$6,230.68

Your customer sees the scope and price — not your costs or margin.

Step 5 · Crew and materials

Sample — simulated

Crew A · 2 installers · scheduled for 2 days

Posts × 19Picked
Rails × 51Picked
Pickets × 278On purchase order
Concrete bags × 40Picked
Gate hardware kits × 1Picked

Quantities come from the takeoff above. Stock statuses are simulated for the demo.

Step 6 · Estimate vs. actual

Sample — simulated

Actual materials (% of estimate)

Try 115 to see an overrun.

Actual labor (% of estimate)

Recorded hours × your rates.

Cost	Estimated	Actual	Difference
Materials	$2,090.74	$2,174.37	+$83.63
Labor incl. burden	$1,493.28	$1,433.55	-$59.73
Gross profit	$2,646.66	$2,622.76	-$23.90

Gross profit here is price minus materials and labor; it excludes overhead, as in the product.

In the product this comes from a real site assessment, your own catalog, and a proposal you can send and have accepted — with every version kept.

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