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Calculator

What does the spreadsheet cost?

Every shop has one: the spreadsheet that runs quoting, or scheduling, or inventory, and the person who spends part of every day feeding it. The spreadsheet is free. The feeding isn't. This page puts a number on it.

Per year

$13,440

384 hours of somebody's time

120
0.5 h20 h
$20$100

2 people × 4 h/week × 48 weeks = 384 hours × $35 = $13,440

A fixed-scope build that removes this runs $5,000–25,000. At $13,440 a year, the midpoint is paid for in 13 months.

Two fair caveats

  1. Software doesn't take the number to zero. Someone still reviews, approves, and handles exceptions. A realistic build removes most of the re-typing and all of the chasing; call it 60–80% of the hours, and judge it against the low end.

  2. If your number came out under a couple thousand dollars a year, keep the spreadsheet. It's the right tool at that size, and the audit would tell you the same thing.

The calculator guesses. The audit measures.

The sliders assume your estimate of the hours is right, and most owners underestimate. For $1,500–3,000 we spend time in your shop, on site or on calls, find where the hours go, and price each fix. The plan is yours to act on yourself or hand back to us. Read more about the automation audit.

Want the real number for your shop?

Start with an audit