THE OWNER’S NUMBERS / ABOUT 5 MINUTES

Project Margin Stress Test

Before this project eats your profit,
find out what needs to change.

Free. No signup. Your entries stay in this page. See my results

Tell us about the job

These are made-up numbers. Change them to match your job.

What’s your project called? (optional)

01 Start with the moneyHow much are you charging?

Full price the client agreed to, in dollars before sales tax. Only count extra work the client has said yes to. Not just what they have paid.

What has the work cost so far? ($)

Include work already done, unpaid bills, and your and your staff’s time.

What other costs are still to come? ($)

Supplies, rentals and hired help still to come. Leave out people whose hours you add below.

Count each cost once. Do not put the same cost in both boxes.

02 Who still has work to do?

Add yourself and anyone else who has work left. Use what their work costs you, not what you charge the client.

Count your time too. Include staff pay and related costs in their hourly cost. Count each person’s cost once.

Add a longer-work plan (optional)

Need help counting hours?

Use the hours left for each person. Two people working 3 hours each means 6 hours in total. Include changes and time spent managing the job.

If a person’s full cost is in “other costs,” do not add their hours here too.

03 Pick your goalFor every $100 you charge, how much would you like left after paying for the work?

Type 30 for $30 out of each $100 (30%). Choose your own goal below 100. The example is not a suggested goal.

Not sure of a number?

Use your best estimate for now. Check a recent bill or ask the person doing the work. You can change it later.

I’m using rough estimates

Results change as you type. Save or print them before you close this page.

YOUR JOB / RESULTS

ESTIMATE

Your project brief

What’s left after the work costs

If work goes as planned

—

After the work costs you entered. A minus sign means the job costs more than you charge. Tax and other business bills may still be due. This is not final profit or cash you can spend.

Your goal

Jacob’s take

An automatic guide from your answers. Jacob has not reviewed this job.

Budget for the hours left

Let’s look at your options

Based on your main plan. Each option works on its own.

A new price needs the client’s OK. Lower costs must still cover the promised work. These are options to check, not promised savings.

See the numbers and math

The whole job
What we count	As planned	More hours

Each person’s cost = their hours left × their hourly cost. Add those costs together. Total work cost = costs so far + other costs still to come + all people’s costs.

Share left (%) = (price − total work cost) ÷ price × 100. Budget for the hours left = price × (1 − goal ÷ 100) − costs so far − other costs still to come. An hours limit is shown only when everyone has the same hourly cost: budget for the work left ÷ that hourly cost.

Price needed = total work cost ÷ (1 − goal ÷ 100). For a 30% goal, use 30 in these formulas. The cost-cut option lowers total work costs. The price option raises the price with no extra work or cost. Neither requires the other.

Pick your next step

What will you do or check next?When will you check this again?

Use a job code if you need one. Leave private names and records out of your notes.

Your saved file includes your numbers and notes. It stays on your device. Nothing is sent to Jacob.

Your numbers

Before you act

Count each cost once, including your own time and work done but not yet paid for. The longer-work plan changes hours only; other costs stay fixed. This tool does not check your records or client agreement, or work out tax, client bills that never get paid, loan costs, refunds or other jobs. Check costs, hours and agreed terms before acting.

Check the numbers before you act.

Count work already done even if the bill is unpaid. Count each cost once. If hired help is in your other costs, do not add their hours too. If the harder case needs more supplies or other costs, change that box and check again. This tool does not check your records or what you promised the client. It does not work out tax, client bills that never get paid, loan costs, refunds or other jobs. A job can have money left after its work costs while the business still loses money.

This tool helps you plan. Check your costs, hours and client agreement before you act. Read your saved file before you share it.

WANT HELP WITH THE NEXT STEP?

Get help checking the job.

Jacob can check your records and up to three choices for the work or price. Get a short report and a 30-day plan. A Project Margin Review starts at $1,500 for an agreed scope.

Discuss a Project Margin Review

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