---
title: "HVAC hourly rate calculator for contractors | LocoTap"
description: "Work back from what you need to take home, and the van, insurance and slow months, to your hourly rate and the price of a tune-up or an install day."
url: "https://locotap.com/hvac-software/hourly-rate-calculator"
---

Free tool

# HVAC hourly rate calculator

The rate that pays you, and a price for every job.

[Find my rate](https://locotap.com/tools/hourly-rate/use?work=hvac) [Try the sample](https://locotap.com/tools/hourly-rate/use?kit=hvac)

- Free to try
- Saved only if you choose

Northside Heating & Air (Sample)

Charge at least

120/ hour

Price list

- Service call, first hour 1 hour **120**
- Furnace or air conditioner tune-up 1 hour 15 min **150**
- Install day 8 hours **960**

From 8,000 a month take-home · 25% tax · 70% booked · 26,000 a year costs

HVAC · Hourly rate

## What goes into an HVAC hourly rate

The example above is made up; yours starts with nothing filled in.

[Start yours](https://locotap.com/tools/hourly-rate/use?work=hvac)

1. **Billable hours, not clock hours** The rate counts only the hours you bill, so it pays for driving and quoting too.
2. **The slow season** The weeks you don't work are in the sum, so the busy months pay for them.
3. **Flat prices from one rate** A service call, a tune-up and an install day, all from the same rate.
4. **What every call has to cover** The van, fuel, insurance, licences, phone and software, spread over each hour you bill.

## The papers of one HVAC job

Do plumbing too? [Plumber hourly rate calculator](https://locotap.com/plumbing-software/hourly-rate-calculator)

The same made-up job, every amount before tax.

1. 1 Hourly rate You're here **120.00 / h** worked out once
2. [2 Estimate Next **4,850.00** priced from the rate](https://locotap.com/hvac-software/estimate-template)
3. [3 Invoice **5,110.00** the estimate and a signed extra](https://locotap.com/hvac-software/invoice-template)

[Next in the job HVAC estimate template An HVAC estimate with repair, replace and high-efficiency side by side, priced from your own rate: the unit, the venting and taking the old one away.](https://locotap.com/hvac-software/estimate-template)

HVAC · two techs, two vans · Example

**Before**

The rate copied the firm down the road, and the money ran short.

**Now**

The slow months and the van went in the sum. The rate went up, and nobody blinked.

**+18.00** an hour, on the old rate

## The lesson behind it

- [What should an hour cost?](https://locotap.com/learn/hour-price): Your pay is only part of the price.

## Where it fits

[All tools](https://locotap.com/tools)

1 Before the job

**Hourly rate finder**  This tool

Same step

- [**Calls to return**](https://locotap.com/tools/calls)
- [**Missed call guide**](https://locotap.com/tools/missed-calls)
- [**Rebate finder**](https://locotap.com/tools/rebate-finder)

Gets its work

- [**Estimate & quote builder**](https://locotap.com/tools/estimate-builder)
- [**Flat-rate price book**](https://locotap.com/tools/trade-price-book)

**Every step of a job**

1. **01 Before the job**
   - [**Calls to return**](https://locotap.com/tools/calls)
   - [**Missed call guide**](https://locotap.com/tools/missed-calls)
   - **Hourly rate finder** This tool
   - [Flat-rate price book](https://locotap.com/tools/trade-price-book): Gets its work
   - [Estimate & quote builder](https://locotap.com/tools/estimate-builder): Gets its work
   - [**Rebate finder**](https://locotap.com/tools/rebate-finder)
2. **02 Agree it**
   - [**Renovation contract**](https://locotap.com/tools/renovation-contract)
3. **03 On the job**
   - [**Jobs**](https://locotap.com/tools/jobs)
   - [**Change order**](https://locotap.com/tools/change-order)
   - [**Job photos**](https://locotap.com/tools/job-photos)
   - [**Before and after photos**](https://locotap.com/tools/before-and-after)
   - [**Billable hours log**](https://locotap.com/tools/hours-log)
   - [**Van stock list**](https://locotap.com/tools/van-stock)
4. **04 Get paid**
   - [**Invoice maker**](https://locotap.com/tools/invoice-maker)
   - [**Money chase**](https://locotap.com/tools/money-chase)
   - [**What each job made**](https://locotap.com/tools/job-profit)
5. **05 After**
   - [**Home profile**](https://locotap.com/tools/home-profile)
   - [**Equipment warranty certificate**](https://locotap.com/tools/warranty-certificate)
   - [**Maintenance plan**](https://locotap.com/tools/maintenance-plan)
   - [**Review reply drafter**](https://locotap.com/tools/review-replies)
   - [**QR code maker**](https://locotap.com/tools/qr-code-maker)
6. **06 Back office**
   - [**Customers**](https://locotap.com/tools/customers)
   - [**Tax set-aside**](https://locotap.com/tools/tax-set-aside)
   - [**13-week cash flow**](https://locotap.com/tools/cash-flow)
   - [**Business card maker**](https://locotap.com/tools/business-cards)
   - [**Job post builder & checker**](https://locotap.com/tools/job-post)

## Questions

**Why not just double what an employee earns?**

Your rate pays your holidays, costs and unbooked hours too, so it works from the hours that get paid.

**Why do I type my own tax share?**

It differs from place to place. Last year’s tax over last year’s profit is a good start.

**What about sales tax?**

Type its name and rate, and clients see the price with and without it. Check the rule where you work.

**Where are my figures kept?**

Only where you choose: nowhere, on this device, or in your free account.

**How sure is the number?**

As good as the tax share you type, rounded up. Guidance, not tax advice.

## Free to try.

[Find my rate](https://locotap.com/tools/hourly-rate/use?work=hvac)
