Change Order Profit Calculator
Compare the original job with the real cost of added scope.
Based on your inputs. Review the assumptions below.
Your financial inputs stay in this browser. Results are planning estimates, not guaranteed outcomes or professional advice.
The math, without the mystery.
What this calculator does
Compare the original job with the real cost of added scope. It separates the parts of your estimate so you can examine what changes when a price, cost, or timing assumption changes.
Who should use it
Contractors evaluating a proposed change before approval or tracking an approved change.
How to use it
Replace the hypothetical inputs with figures from your estimate, contract, or business budget. Enter dollar amounts in USD and percentages as whole percentages: enter 20 for 20%. Results recalculate immediately. Use Reset to return to the example and compare a revised scenario.
How the calculation works
Original profit = original revenue − original cost. Revised revenue = original revenue + change revenue. Revised cost = original cost + additional direct costs + overhead + delay cost + expected contingency expense. Incremental profit = change revenue − all additional costs.
A worked example
A hypothetical $50,000 job with $40,000 cost starts at $10,000 profit. A $5,000 change with $3,750 added cost lifts profit to $11,250, but revised margin becomes 20.45%. The change itself contributes $1,250.
Common mistakes
Price the schedule effect as well as materials and labor. A profitable change can still dilute the original contract margin.