BUSINESS
How to Estimate Mobilization Cost
Contractor method for pricing site setup, transport and teardown.
Mobilization is the cost of getting to the job, setting up and tearing down. On a short job it can eat the profit if it is not priced separately.
THE SHORT ANSWER
How do you estimate mobilization cost?
Add round-trip vehicle mileage, travel labor, setup and demob hours, equipment transport and permits. A 30-mile site, one round trip at $0.76/mi, 8 crew hours at $45, $300 equipment and $150 permits totals $855.60.
Price mileage and travel time
Count round-trip miles for the vehicle separately from the crew's driving hours. Multiply each by its own rate so distance and paid time both affect the estimate.
Add setup and teardown
Setup covers tools, ladders, staging and safety. Demob is the reverse. Both are billed in hours at the same crew rate.
- Setup hours
- Demob hours
- Truck and trailer
- Delivery of material
Include transport and permits
Equipment transport and any permits or parking charges are real costs. Add them as fixed lines rather than folding them into an hourly rate.
Total and validate
A 60-mile round trip at $0.76 adds $45.60. Eight total crew hours at $45 add $360, plus $300 equipment and $150 permits, for $855.60. Use the Mobilization Cost Calculator.