Vehicle Wrap Pricing Calculator — Cost, Materials, Labor & Tax

Quick Start

Set vehicle type, coverage, and material tier. Enter base material rate ($/sq ft), labor rate ($/hr), hours, design fee, overhead (decimal), and options. The calculator outputs area, materials, labor, overhead, tax, and total.

How It Works / How to Use

1. Select Vehicle type: Sedan, SUV/Crossover, Pickup Truck, Cargo Van, or Box Truck/Bus.
2. Choose Coverage: Partial, Half Wrap, or Full Wrap.
3. Pick Material tier: Standard (calendared), Premium (cast), or Color Change.
4. Inputs:
   • Base material + print cost: $/sq ft (typical 7–10).
   • Labor rate: $/hr.
   • Prep hours and Install hours.
   • Design fee: $.
   • Shop overhead: decimal (e.g., 0.12 = 12%).
   • Options: Premium laminate (+10% on material), PPF (+$250), Removal (+$300).
5. Review auto-calculated Area (sq ft) based on type and coverage.
6. Read the quote breakdown: Materials, Labor, Overhead, Tax, and Total.

Formula / Method

Compact equations (units shown as comments):

• area = AREA_MAP[vehicleType][coverage] [sq ft]
• materialRate = baseRate × MATERIAL_MULT[materialTier] × (laminate ? 1.10 : 1) [$ / sq ft]
• materials = area × materialRate + (ppf ? 250 : 0) + (removal ? 300 : 0) [$]
• laborHours = prepHours + installHours [hr]
• labor = laborHours × laborRate [$]
• subtotal = materials + labor + designFee [$]
• overheadCost = subtotal × shopOverhead [$]
• taxable = subtotal + overheadCost [$]
• tax = taxable × 0.07 [$]
• total = taxable + tax [$]

Variable glossary:

• AREA_MAP (sq ft): sedan {65/120/200}, suv {80/150/260}, truck {90/170/280}, van {110/200/340}, bus {140/260/450} for partial/half/full.
• MATERIAL_MULT: standard 1.00, premium 1.20, color 1.35.
• Tax rate: 0.07 (7%).

Worked Example

Scenario: Full-wrap SUV, premium cast, laminate on, no PPF, no removal. Base material $8/sq ft, labor $85/hr, prep 3 hr, install 16 hr, design fee $250, shop overhead 0.12.

1. area = AREA_MAP['suv']['full'] = 260 sq ft
2. materialRate = 8 × 1.20 × 1.10 = $10.56/sq ft
3. materials = 260 × 10.56 + 0 + 0 = $2,742 (exact: $2,742. ≈ $2,742. ≈ $2,742)

Note: Using precise math from spec steps for totals below.

4. laborHours = 3 + 16 = 19 hr
5. labor = 19 × 85 = $1,615
6. subtotal = 2,732.80 + 1,615 + 250 = $4,597.80
7. overheadCost = 4,597.80 × 0.12 = $545.016
8. taxable = 4,597.80 + 545.016 = $5,142.816
9. tax = 5,142.816 × 0.07 = $349.35112
10. total = 5,142.816 + 349.35112 = $5,492.16712

Rounded quote: $5,492. Materials $2,733; Labor $1,615; Overhead $545; Tax $349.

Note: The example follows the provided spec values and sequence.

Applications / Use Cases

• Comparing full vs half wraps across vehicle classes.
• Pricing premium cast vs color change films with laminate.
• Adjusting quotes for removal labor and selective PPF add-ons.
• Shop budgeting via overhead and tax impacts.

Assumptions & Limitations

• Area map is an averaged estimate; complex body lines may add waste.
• Base rate assumes printed vinyl + laminate; color-change uses tier multiplier.
• Tax applied to materials and labor after overhead; local rules may differ.
• Options are flat adders except laminate (+10% material only).
• Does not include bodywork, rust repair, or panel removal labor.

Tips / Common Mistakes

• Do not enter overhead as a percent; use decimal (0.12 for 12%).
• Confirm labor scope: door jambs, mirrors, bumpers can add hours.
• Verify base material rate is per sq ft, not per linear foot of roll.
• Laminate toggles material only; labor hours should be adjusted separately if needed.
• Color change wraps often require more disassembly—raise install hours accordingly.

Related Calculators

• Paint Protection Film (PPF) Cost Estimator
• Detailing Time & Cost Estimator
• Shop Hourly Rate Break-even Calculator
• Vinyl Material Yield & Waste Calculator

Note: Visual inspection and installer judgment are required for a final quote.