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Labor Hours Calculator

List each task with its quantity and your productivity rate (how much gets done per hour). The calculator adds up the labor hours, converts them into working days for your crew and, if you enter an hourly rate, the labor cost. 40 sheets at 2 an hour plus 100 m² of painting at 10 an hour is 30 hours, about 1.9 days for a crew of two.

Estimate only. Get written quotes before you commit; prices vary by region, season and site conditions.

Measurements

Units
Tasks

Results

Labour hours

30 h

Working days for the crew

1.9 days

Show the working
  1. Hours per taskHang drywall (sheets): 40 ÷ 2/h = 20 h
  2. Hours per taskPaint walls (area): 100 ÷ 10/h = 10 h
  3. Crew days30 h ÷ (2 × 8 h) = 1.88
Paper and orientation
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How to use the labor hours calculator

  1. Add one row per task with its quantity and your output per hour.
  2. Enter the crew size and working hours per day.
  3. Optionally enter an hourly labor rate for a cost.

How the estimate works

Hours per task = quantity ÷ output per hour. Total hours = the sum of all tasks. Crew days = total hours ÷ (crew × hours per day). Labor cost = total hours × hourly rate.

Worked examples

Drywall and paint. 40 sheets at 2 sheets an hour = 20 h; 100 m² of painting at 10 m² an hour = 10 h. Total 30 h. With 2 people working 8 hours a day: 1.9 days.

With a rate. At 30 an hour, the 30 hours cost 900.

How to interpret the results

Use the result to schedule the work and compare quotes. Add allowances for travel, deliveries, inspections and weather where they apply.

Tips and common mistakes

  • Track your real rates on past jobs; they beat any rule of thumb.
  • Not every task scales with crew size; drying and curing times don’t.
  • Include prep work such as protection, setup and cleanup.
  • Keep units consistent between quantity and rate.

Building your own productivity rates

The best rates come from your own jobs. Note the quantity done and the hours spent for each task, and divide quantity by hours. Keep separate rates for easy and difficult conditions, for example open rooms versus small rooms with many corners, or new work versus renovation. Over time, your rates will make quotes faster and more accurate.

From hours to a schedule

Labor hours tell you how much work there is; the schedule also depends on the order of tasks, waiting times such as drying or curing, deliveries and inspections. Use the crew days as a starting point, then lay the tasks out in order and add those waiting times to get a realistic timeline.

Combine labour hours with materials from the project materials list and prices from the renovation cost calculator to build a complete estimate, then use the contractor quote comparison to check quotes against your own numbers.

Assumptions and limitations

The calculator assumes tasks can be split evenly across the crew and done one after another without waiting time.

Frequently asked questions

How do I estimate labor hours?

Divide each task’s quantity by the output per hour and add the results. The rates should come from your own records or your contractor, because they vary with skill, access and conditions.

Why doesn’t the calculator include standard rates?

Productivity varies too much between crews and sites for one figure to be reliable, so you enter rates that match your situation.

How are crew days calculated?

Total hours ÷ (crew size × working hours per day). It assumes the crew can share the work evenly.

Does it include breaks, setup and cleanup?

Only if your rates include them. Many estimators add a separate line for setup and cleanup.

Can I export the estimate?

Use Download CSV or Print.

Should I add contingency to labour hours?

Many estimators add a percentage for unknowns, especially in renovation where hidden problems are common. Add it as a separate task line so it stays visible.

Can I use it for subcontractor work?

Yes, if you know the subcontractor’s output rates. Otherwise use their quoted price in the renovation cost calculator instead.

Sources