---
title: Contract Estimator
description: "The Contract Estimator allows users to easily calculate Estimated Weeks Worked, Total Revenue, Total Cost, and Total profit for each Contract Created. ### Add the Margin Calculator to your Layout To begin using the Contract Estimator you must add the…"
url: "https://learning.pcrecruiter.net/site/docs/timesheets/contract-estimator/"
updated: "2026-09-25"
category: Contractor Timesheets
---

# Contract Estimator

The Contract Estimator allows users to easily calculate Estimated Weeks Worked, Total Revenue, Total Cost, and Total profit for each Contract Created.

### Add the Margin Calculator to your Layout

To begin using the Contract Estimator you must add the Margin Calculator to your Contract Placement Layout.

1. **Place** a Candidate on Contract (Click here to learn about placing a Candidate on a  Contract)
2. Select the **Placements** tab on the position
3. Select **Action** followed by **Edit**
4. In the bottom left corner of the Placement record, select the **Customize Gear Icon**
5. Select **Add Group**
6. Choose **Shortcut (Displays Large Frame)**followed by Done
7. Locate the new **(Select a Field Name)** dropdown towards the bottom of your screen
8. Use the dropdown to select **Contract Estimator**
9. **Drag** the field to your desired location
10. **Save** when finished
11. Upon reloading the Placement or creating a new Contract you will see the Calculator

![](https://learning.pcrecruiter.net/site/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2017/10/Contract-Estimator-1.png)

### Using the Calculator

1. Access the**position** you wish to create a placement for and choose **Placements**
2. Choose **Add Contract/Temp Placement** from the Action Toolbar
3. Select the**Candidate** being placed on Contract
4. Enter the appropriate Contract Placement**Details** including Bill Rates, Pay Rates, and Placement Fee
5. Select**Open Estimator Calculator**
6. You will notice the values have been automatically populated to the calculator from the Contract for the following fields:
   - Standard Bill Rate
   - Over Time Bill Rate
   - Double Time Bill Rate
   - On Call Bill Rate
   - Holiday Bill Rate
   - Standard Pay Rate
   - Over Time Pay Rate
   - Double Time Pay Rate
   - On Call Pay Rate
   - Holiday Pay Rate
   - Placement Fee
   - Daily Per Diem
   - Hourly Per Diem
7. Use the **Time Entry** layout to manually enter the hours being estimated for. As an alternative option you can select Standard 40 Hour Preset from the bottom left corner.
8. Choose if you would like to calculate by **Expenses** or by **Burden Rate**
9. View the **Estimated Fields Preview. **This area will show you the following:
   - **Estimated Weeks Worked:** Hours Per Week and Days Worked
   - **Estimated Total Revenue: Standard Bill Rate x Hours Worked + Placement Fee**
   - **Estimated Total Cost:** Contractor Pay, Expenses, and Per Diem
   - **Estimated Total Profit:**Profit Margin
10. After values are set select **Update Values** to transfer the data to the Placement

The data recorded in this screen can be transferred into [PCR Analytics](https://learning.pcrecruiter.net/site/docs/analytics/using-analytics/) if enabled.