What hourly rate should you charge?
Start from what you want to earn, not from what the next tradesperson charges. Instant result, no sign-up.
What you want to earn
Rough figure — adjust with your actual rate.
What the business costs per year
Insurance, vehicle, fuel, premises, tools, accountant, software, phone, training…
Your time
This is where it all happens: not all your hours are billable.
Quotes, travel, buying materials, chasing payments, paperwork: that time is real but unbillable. For most tradespeople the billable share lands between 60% and 75%.
Margin isn't profit: it funds the unexpected, unpaid invoices and investment.
Hourly rate to charge
52,02 €
excl. tax, per billed hour
The classic mistake
Dividing your costs by hours worked instead of billable hours would give you 31,67 € per hour. That's a shortfall of 17 100,00 € over the year.
The detail
Indicative estimate. Contribution rates are common rough figures, not an official schedule — have your accountant check the result.
How it works
State what you want to earn
We start from your target net pay, not the going rate.
Add your costs and your hours
Insurance, vehicle, tools — and above all the share of your hours that is genuinely billable.
Read your rate
Break-even is your floor. Below it, every hour costs you money.
Frequently asked questions
How do you work out your hourly rate as a tradesperson?
Add up what you must cover over the year: your net pay grossed up for social contributions, plus business overheads (insurance, vehicle, tools, accountant, software). Divide that total by your BILLABLE hours, not your hours worked. Then add your margin.
What's the difference between hours worked and billable hours?
Hours worked include everything: on-site work, but also quotes, travel, buying materials, chasing payments and admin. Only on-site hours get billed. For most tradespeople the billable share sits between 60% and 75% of hours worked.
Why does my calculated hourly rate look high?
Because it includes what usually gets forgotten: social contributions, non-billable hours and fixed overheads. A rate that looks high is often simply a fair rate. Comparing it with a competitor's tells you nothing — they may not know their own break-even either.
Is the calculation different for a micro-entreprise?
The reasoning is identical; only the contribution rate differs — it applies to turnover under the micro scheme, and to income under the standard regime. The tool offers both and the field stays editable.
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