Welding Job Cost & Quote Calculator

Build your next welding quote with the costs in front of you.

For mobile welders and small fabrication shops quoting customer work: organize material, labor, machine time, overhead, contingency and target margin in one Excel workbook. After the job, record actual costs in the 100-job log. Compare the estimate with the costs you record after the job, and resolve any input-check messages before interpreting the results.

Digital download: Excel workbook + PDF guide and printable forms. Nothing is shipped. Microsoft Excel 2019 or later is recommended. Google Sheets compatibility is not guaranteed.

See the workbook in 24 seconds

Older V1.2 example walkthrough, shown for illustration. The current V1.3 download retains this workflow and adds input checks and revised completed-job reporting. Gallery previews may also show older workbook versions; they illustrate the workflow rather than certify the current release. Job figures are illustrative; enter and verify your own costs and rates.

How the current workbook is organized

1. Set your costs: replace the example labor, machine, overhead, contingency and target-margin assumptions with your own records.
2. Prepare one estimate: enter materials, operations and other direct costs. Review default rates and any operation overrides before choosing a customer quote.
3. Keep the record: save a separate copy for each quote and manually copy the reviewed estimate into the Job Cost Log.
4. Record the outcome: enter all actual-cost buckets as numbers, the invoiced amount and completed status. Resolve missing-cost, invoice or duplicate-ID checks, then compare estimated versus actual cost and review profit, margin and variance. Use explicit 0 only for a cost that does not apply.

The workbook does not automatically archive quotes, send a customer proposal, create invoices or connect to accounting software. Paper forms do not update the workbook.

What this tool helps you do

• Cost-based quote builder for material, labor, machine, overhead, contingency, and target margin
• Recommended quote, customer quote, estimated profit, and estimated margin
• 100-job estimated-versus-actual cost log
• Dashboard displays quoted value, invoiced value, actual profit and cost variance. Average job margin is an arithmetic average of numeric completed-job margins, not a revenue-weighted margin
• Low-margin completed-job alerts; review input completeness and independently verify the result
• Shop defaults and controlled dropdown lists
• No macros or VBA

What's included

• Blank and example copies of the 5-sheet Microsoft Excel workbook (.xlsx), Version 1.3
• Quick Start Guide PDF
• Four printable companion forms PDF
• Personal / one-business-use license PDF
• Customer README

Who it's for

Welding shops, mobile welders, fabricators, repair operations, and small manufacturers.

Start with the BLANK copy; learn from EXAMPLE. Formula cells are protected without a password to help prevent accidental edits. Inputs remain editable. Unprotect the sheet before sorting an entire table or customizing formulas, then protect it again. Keep dated backups.

Compatibility

Microsoft Excel is required. Excel 2019 or later is recommended. Native Excel open/recalculate/save/reopen and sorting checks have not yet been completed for V1.3. No macros or VBA. Google Sheets conversion is not guaranteed; verify all formulas, validation, charts, and formatting after conversion.

Important

This is a planning and estimating aid, not a guarantee of cost, profit, customer acceptance, tax treatment, contract terms, or job outcome. Verify every rate, quantity, scope item, tax, freight charge, and commercial term.

Digital product: No physical item will be shipped. Because this is a digital download, please review compatibility and the included files before purchase. Your purchase includes a personal / one-business-use license. Resale, redistribution, sharing, sublicensing, and uploading the files are prohibited.

Gather your costs first

Download WSP’s free job estimate input worksheet (PDF) to collect material, labor and outside-cost inputs before preparing a quote. It is a one-page printable record, with no email signup required. Use the paid calculator for cost-based estimates and ongoing job records, and independently verify your inputs and results.

Download and file help

Unzip the download before using the files. For file or download issues, contact Arc Life with the product name, order number and a short description. Do not send confidential customer or payment information. Digital-product terms are in the Refund Policy.