Enter project assumptions
How it is calculated
Direct project cost = direct labor cost + other direct project costs. Gross profit = fee revenue − direct project cost. Gross margin = gross profit ÷ fee revenue.
This estimate uses the costs you enter and may omit indirect costs, scope changes, write-downs, collection risk, and contract-specific accounting. General education only, not engineering, legal, tax, or investment advice. Licensed PE judgment and local codes govern engineering work.
Example scenario
A hypothetical civil engineering firm owner enters $100,000 in fee revenue, $60,000 in direct labor cost, and $10,000 in other direct project costs. The calculator reports $70,000 in direct cost, $30,000 in gross profit, and a 30% gross margin. These are hypothetical project inputs, not a benchmark for the firm’s work. The result can help the owner decide whether to review a project’s fee, staffing plan, or direct cost assumptions and can provide a starting point for a project closeout discussion. Before acting, check that the fee revenue reflects the relevant accounting period and that labor and other costs are assigned consistently. Then examine scope changes, write-downs, collection risk, and indirect costs, which this estimate leaves out. A project margin is one operating signal, so compare it with the project record and the firm’s accounting policy.
Method, inputs and limits
Purpose
Estimate gross profit and margin from project fee revenue and direct costs.
Inputs and defaults
Fee revenue: $250,000; direct labor cost: $120,000; other direct project costs: $20,000. Inputs are nonnegative.
Formulas
Direct project cost = labor cost + other direct costs. Gross profit = fee revenue − direct project cost. Gross margin = gross profit ÷ fee revenue, when fee is above zero.
Outputs
Direct cost, gross profit, gross margin.
Test cases, expected values
- Defaults: $140,000 direct cost; $110,000 gross profit; 44% margin.
- $100,000 fee, $60,000 labor, $10,000 other direct costs: $70,000 direct cost; $30,000 gross profit; 30% margin.
- $0 fee, $40,000 labor, $5,000 other costs: $45,000 direct cost; −$45,000 gross profit; margin unavailable.
Disclaimer
Estimate only, subject to omitted indirect costs, scope changes, write-downs, collection risk, and accounting policy. General education, not professional advice. Licensed PE judgment and local codes govern engineering work.
