BurdenCalc: fully loaded labor rates without the spreadsheet maze

2026-07-22 · construction estimating · open source

A $32 journeyman is not a $32 cost. FICA, unemployment taxes, workers’ compensation for the class code, health and pension, PTO accrual, and small tools routinely push fully loaded labor past 50–70% of wage. Bid with wage alone and you donate margin. Bid with a stale burden factor from three years ago and you either lose work or lose money.

Spreadsheets work until someone edits the wrong cell. ERP modules work if you already pay for them. Estimators still need a clear, private place to stack burdens by craft and see the loaded rate immediately.

BurdenCalc is live sybilgambleyyu.github.io/BurdenCalc · Source

What you get

Percent-of-wage and flat $/hr burden lines
Multiple scenarios (carpenter vs laborer vs operator)
Optional markup on loaded cost → sell / bill rate
Printable worksheet · JSON backup · sample data · local-only storage

Honest limits

Not tax or insurance advice. Does not look up WC class codes. Confirm rates with your accountant and carrier.

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