March 26, 2026 · UteQuote Canada
Winning the job is easy if you're cheap enough. Winning it AND making money takes a method.
Plenty of contractors are flat out and still broke. Usually it's not a work problem — it's a pricing problem. Here's how to price so the work is actually worth doing.
Your rate isn't what you'd like to earn — it's what covers your costs and pays you properly. Add up your annual costs (vehicle, tools, insurance, downtime, admin) and divide by your realistically billable hours. That number, in CAD, is your floor.
You spend time sourcing, collecting and warranting materials — that time has a cost.
A 10–20% markup is standard and fair.
Don't pass materials through at cost; you carry the risk if something fails.
**Every job has surprises.** A small contingency (5–10%) on uncertain work means a hidden problem doesn't wipe out your profit.
There's always someone cheaper. Compete on speed, professionalism and trust — a fast, clear, well-presented estimate justifies a higher price. Tools like UteQuote keep your rates consistent so you're not reinventing the price on every job.
A 10–20% markup is standard for most contractors. It covers your sourcing time, handling and the warranty risk you carry on the materials.
Add up all your annual business costs plus the income you want, then divide by your realistically billable hours — not total hours worked. That gives a rate that actually covers the business.
UteQuote turns a quick voice note into a CRA-compliant estimate or invoice in seconds.
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