Operator Tools: Calculators, Checklists & Decision Guides

Browse the tools below, or text PJ if you'd rather talk through your specific situation.

How do I know if a contractor quote is fair in San Diego?

Get three quotes and look at labor hours, not just total cost. For most home service jobs, materials are fairly standard — the spread in bids is usually labor and markup. A quote 40%+ below the others usually means something is being skipped or will be upsold later.

What's the most common pricing mistake operators make?

Underpricing labor because the owner doesn't count their own time. If you wouldn't pay someone else $12/hour to do it, don't price as if your time costs that. The second most common error: forgetting overhead (insurance, fuel, tools, callbacks) in job estimates.

How do I build a simple job pricing checklist?

Start with your hard costs (materials + subcontractors), add labor hours × your real hourly rate (including overhead), add a 15–20% buffer for scope creep, then add your margin. Write it down for every job type you do regularly — the first three jobs you price this way will be eye-opening.