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Estimating & Business

Overhead and Profit

Understanding Contractor Pricing Components

Overhead and profit (O&P) is the combined percentage added to estimates to cover indirect business costs and intended profit. Overhead includes rent, insurance, vehicles, tools, and marketing.

In practice

CRM Services' monthly overhead equals $15,000 — each bid includes an O&P percentage to ensure those costs are recovered.

Why it matters

O&P calculations are the foundation of financial health for contracting businesses.

Common questions
What expenses count as overhead?+

Everything that supports the business but isn't tied to a specific job — rent, insurance, vehicles, marketing, admin.

What's a typical O&P percentage?+

10-20% for overhead and 8-15% for profit is common in residential contracting.

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