The difference between material price and total cost of the job
Material is only part of the cost. See what is left off the price tag.
When planning a remodel, it is common to look up the price of flooring, paint and fixtures and think you have a good idea of the cost of the job. But the price of the material is only a part. The total cost includes many other things, and mixing the two up leads to budgets that blow up.
What each concept includes
- Material price. The amount paid for products: tiles, mortar, paint, pipes, fixtures, faucets.
- Total cost of the job. The material plus labor, transport, debris removal, equipment, waste, administration and contingencies.
Criteria for comparison
- Waste and surplus. Tiles have cuts and breakage, and you need to buy an extra margin.
- Labor. Materials that are hard to lay or have finer finishes can mean more expensive labor.
- Auxiliary materials. Mortar, grout, waterproofing, fasteners and smaller items.
- Delivery and unloading. Heavy pieces or large quantities cost to arrive.
- Debris. Demolition generates waste that must be removed.
- Time. Longer jobs can have indirect costs, such as temporary rent or meals away from home.
- Contingencies. Hidden problems appear during the job.
Estimation alternatives
- By item. List each service and material, with quantity and price. This is the most precise.
- By area. Use a per-square-meter value based on quotes for similar jobs in your region. It is faster but less exact.
- Mixed. Estimate by area and confirm with quotes for the larger items.
An example
Remodeling the floor of a 20 m² room, Pedro saw that porcelain tile cost 80 per square meter. He multiplied by 20 and got 1,600. When quoting with a professional, the total was much higher: 10% more had to be bought for waste, mortar and grout added, laying paid for, and the old floor and debris removed. The total cost came out several times the initial amount. The numbers are illustrative.
How to avoid the shock
- Ask for labor quotes separate from material quotes to compare.
- Ask what is included in each amount.
- Reserve a margin for contingencies.
- Compare the total cost, not just the tag.
Decision
Before deciding on a material, estimate the total cost of that finish, including installation and extras. Sometimes a material that is cheaper per square meter ends up more expensive in total, because it requires more labor. The renovation cost estimator below helps with this calculation.