Electrical Cost Analysis Calculator

Electrical cost analysis without hidden savings assumptions

This calculator is intentionally conservative. It does not assume a fixed energy-savings percentage or a universal contractor margin. Enter the material cost, labor hours, loaded labor rate, overhead markup, profit markup, utility rate, and annual savings values that apply to the specific project.

Project cost / bid screen

The project-cost mode builds an estimate from direct cost first:

• Labor cost = labor hours × loaded labor rate
• Direct cost = material + labor + equipment/subcontract + permit/inspection allowance
• Overhead markup = direct cost × overhead percent
• Profit markup = cost before profit × profit percent
• Estimated bid price = direct cost + overhead + profit markup

The profit input is a markup after overhead. The calculator also reports gross margin at the resulting bid price so the difference between markup and margin is visible.

Energy cost screen

Energy-cost mode multiplies annual kWh by the entered blended utility rate. Use measured kWh, equipment runtime estimates, or another calculator on the site to build the annual kWh input first.

ROI / payback screen

ROI mode uses the project-cost estimate and the annual net savings you enter. This avoids pretending that every lighting, motor, controls, or service upgrade saves the same percentage. The output includes simple payback, net savings over the period, ROI over the period, and a net-present-value check.

Lifecycle cost screen

Lifecycle mode combines net installed cost with annual energy and maintenance cost. Use it to compare options only when both options are entered with the same boundary: same utility rate method, same labor basis, same included maintenance items, and same analysis period.

After the cost result

Use the result as a decision record, not just a number. Send labor-heavy project estimates to the Electrical Labor Unit Estimate Worksheet so labor units, crew rate, difficulty factor, overhead, margin, exclusions, and review status stay visible. Use the Electrical Cost Estimate Chart when the next step is comparing direct cost, overhead, markup, contingency, and customer-facing exclusions before budget approval.

Example: project cost screen

Use the output carefully

This page is an estimating screen, not a binding quote, tax model, utility tariff analysis, or engineered life-cycle-cost study. Final pricing should use supplier quotes, local labor units, sales-tax treatment, permit fees, prevailing wage rules when applicable, utility bills, and contract risk review.