Taplin Systems

Free published guides

Contractor Learning Center

Four practical field guides on estimating, gross margin, labor burden, and change orders. Every guide is published, free to read, and linked to the calculators that put the math to work.

Topic 01

Estimating

Turn scope, quantities, and realistic costs into a complete estimate.

Published guide · Free

Construction Estimating: Build a Complete, Defensible Price

A practical estimating workflow for contractors: define scope, measure quantities, price labor and materials, and recover overhead without confusing it with profit.

What the guide covers (6 sections)
  1. Start with a written scope
  2. Measure quantities with consistent units
  3. Estimate paid labor, not only elapsed crew time
  4. Build the direct-cost subtotal
  5. Worked example: recover overhead and price for the intended margin
  6. Review, issue, and learn from actual costs
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Topic 02

Gross Margin

Set a selling price using the right percentage and cost basis.

Published guide · Free

Gross Margin vs. Markup: Pricing Construction Work Correctly

Understand the difference between markup and gross margin, calculate the right selling price, and keep gross profit separate from net company profit.

What the guide covers (5 sections)
  1. Gross profit is a dollar amount; gross margin is a percentage
  2. Markup divides by cost, not selling price
  3. Worked example: price for a 25% gross margin
  4. Keep overhead and net profit visible
  5. Check margin as costs and scope change
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Topic 03

Labor Burden

Understand employer cost, productive hours, and billing-rate assumptions.

Published guide · Free

Labor Burden: What an Employee Really Costs a Contractor

Go beyond hourly wages with employer payroll costs, benefits, and paid nonproductive time—and avoid counting the same expense twice.

What the guide covers (6 sections)
  1. Define the employer costs included in your rate
  2. Separate wage-based burden from annual benefits
  3. Worked example: annual employer cost
  4. Paid-hour cost and productive-hour cost are different
  5. Choose the right rate for the estimating method
  6. Update the inputs and verify payroll requirements
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Topic 04

Change Orders

Record changed scope, price the difference, and seek written approval.

Published guide · Free

Change Orders: Document, Price, and Approve Changed Scope

A practical process for describing scope changes, showing the cost and schedule effects, and securing approval before changed work begins.

What the guide covers (6 sections)
  1. Identify the change against the original scope
  2. Build the direct-cost breakdown
  3. Worked example: overhead and profit are separate steps
  4. Explain schedule and payment impacts
  5. Seek written approval before proceeding
  6. Close the record and compare actuals
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Keep going

More guides and every calculator.

Browse the full resource library for overhead, labor rates, payment schedules, and concrete estimating, or open the calculator directory to run your own numbers.

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