Construction
Your price per m², based on your real output
Your price per m² is the full cost of the job divided by the area, plus your margin. It all starts from a figure only you know: how many m² your team lays per worker per day.
The formula
Duration = area ÷ (output × number of workers)
Labour = team's daily cost × duration
Daily costs (scaffolding, plant, consumables, travel) = cost per day × days rounded up
Cost price = (labour + materials + job costs) + overheads + contingency
Price per m² excl. VAT = cost price ÷ area ÷ (1 − target margin)
Labour = team's daily cost × duration
Daily costs (scaffolding, plant, consumables, travel) = cost per day × days rounded up
Cost price = (labour + materials + job costs) + overheads + contingency
Price per m² excl. VAT = cost price ÷ area ÷ (1 − target margin)
Worked example
Interlocking tile roof of 180 m², team of 4, output 22 m²/worker/day → cost price €48.70 excl. VAT/m², €59.38 excl. VAT/m² with an 18% margin.
Mistakes that cost you
- Copying a competitor's price per m²: they don't have your team, your output or your costs.
- Paying daily costs on the exact duration: 2.05 days on site means 3 days of scaffolding and 3 round trips.
- Counting the retention as a loss: you get it back at handover, it's a cash-flow delay.
I don't know my output?
Measure it on your last three jobs: m² completed ÷ (workers × days). It's the most profitable figure you can know.
Your situation doesn't look like the example? Do the full calculation with your own figures: it's free, with no sign-up.
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