GENERAL CONTRACTOR

Mobilization Cost Calculator

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.

JOB INPUTS

Enter your numbers

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One-way distance

mi
One-way distance

Number of round trips

Number of round trips

Fuel, wear and vehicle operating cost

$/mi
Fuel, wear and vehicle operating cost

Round-trip driving hours

h
Round-trip driving hours

Crew hourly cost

$/h
Crew hourly cost

Site setup time

h
Site setup time

Truck, trailer and delivery

$
Truck, trailer and delivery

Permits and parking

$
Permits and parking

Final teardown and cleanup

h
Final teardown and cleanup
Results update automatically
CALCULATED RESULTUSD
Total mobilization cost$855.60
Vehicle mileage$45.60
Travel (time)$90.00
Setup$180.00
Demobilization$90.00
Equipment transport$300.00
Permits$150.00
FORMULA USED30 × 2 × 1 × $0.76 + 1 × 2 hr × $45.00 + setup + demob + equipment + permits = $855.60

HOW TO USE IT

How to use the Mobilization Cost Calculator

  1. 1

    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.

  2. 2

    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.

  3. 3

    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.

  4. 4

    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.

THE MATH

Mobilization calculation method

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.

Setup covers tools, ladders, staging and safety. Demob is the reverse. Both are billed in hours at the same crew rate.

PRACTICAL EXAMPLE

Worked example for Mobilization

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.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

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.

What should I verify before using the result?

Mobilization is not overhead. It is a direct job cost that belongs in the estimate.

Is this a final quote or design?

No. Use it as a planning estimate, then confirm measurements, local rates, product requirements, permits and jobsite conditions before bidding or building.