Markup & Profit: A Contractor’s Guide Revisited
$28.95 – $47.95Price range: $28.95 through $47.95
This book covers the basics of running a profitable construction business. Also available as an audiobook, you can listen to a sample clip here.
The book is available at a 40% discount if purchased along with the Markup & Profit Intensive class; quantity discounts for the printed format are also available. Discounts will be applied in the cart.
NOTE: Printed books ordered between now and January 14, 2026, will include the eBook for free for immediate reading. Bulk orders will receive one eBook.
If you want a profitable construction business, if you want to succeed in construction, you must price your jobs to recover all labor, material and overhead expenses, and make a reasonable profit. This book explains how to do that, and much more. It covers the basics of construction business management.
The principles outlined apply to general and specialty contractors. They apply whether you are remodeling or renovating, or building new construction, and they apply to both residential and commercial contractors.
You’ll find tried and tested formulas that guarantee profits. There are step-by-step instructions and easy-to-follow examples to help you learn how to make your business a success. You’ll learn how to:
- Calculate your full overhead
- Price your work at the proper markup
- Maintain a stable cash flow
- Figure all your job costs
- Estimate your breakeven point
- Recognize warning signs in your business
- Compute a fair wage for yourself
- Collect on your work
“I attended Michael Stone’s seminar 12 years ago and I got the first book. Thanks to this book and the seminar, I am still in business.” – Lech Kozubek, Kozubek Construction, April 2012
You’ll receive an autographed copy of the printed book. Michael also teaches a six-hour class online as a supplement to the book, and goes in-depth on managing a construction-related business in our twelve-hour class, Making the Numbers Work.
Discounts are available for quantity purchases of the printed book; the discount will appear in the cart.
Audiobook Listeners: Listen to a sample clip here.
The softcover book is autographed, 8-1/2″ x 11″, 336 pages.
All eBooks and Audiobooks are available immediately and are delivered by BookFunnel. Visit this page for information and support. You can read or listen on your desktop or in any mobile device with the free BookFunnel app. You can also read on most eReaders, however these devices cannot access the cloud reader or install the BookFunnel App:
- E-Ink devices, including Kindle Paperwhite, Kindle Touch, Kindle Voyage, Kindle Oasis, NOOK Glowlight, Kobo Aura, Kobo Clara, etc.
- Internet Explorer (use Chrome or Firefox)
- Kindle Fire 1st Gen (2011)
- NOOK Color (2010)
- NOOK Tablet (2011)
- NOOK HD (2012)
Who is the target audience?
We recommend this book for all construction-related business owners. The information pertains to all specialties as well as general contractors, whether doing remodeling or building new homes, residential or commercial. The information is also been valuable for CPA’s and accountants working with construction-related businesses. The focus is on the business, not on production or building jobs.
What about forms?
Forms in the book can be downloaded online – download information is available within the book.
Listed below are forms mentioned in the book, “Markup & Profit; A Contractor’s Guide, Revisited”. The forms are for purchasers of the book only; information on how to download the forms is provided in all formats of the book (printed, eBook and audiobook).
- Chart of Accounts (used by permission, from “Contractor’s Guide to QuickBooks Pro 2012”), pdf format
- Unit Cost Estimating Worksheet (Figure 2-1)
- Overhead Expense Chart, Remodeling (Figure 2-4)
- Overhead Expense Chart, New Home (Figure 2-5)
- Overhead Expense Chart, Specialty (Figure 2-6)
- Quarterly Overhead Review, Remodeling (Figure 2-7)
- Quarterly Overhead Review, New Home (Figure 2-8)
- Quarterly Overhead Review, Specialty (Figure 2-9)
- Sample Notice of Right of Cancellation (Figure 7-1)
- Sample First Page of Contract (Figure 7-2)
- Sample Last Page of Contract (Figure 7-3)
- Sample Demolition and Discovery Agreement (Figure 7-4)
- Sample Subcontractor Contract (Figure 7-5)
- Sample Handyman Agreement (Figure 7-6)
- Job Completion Punch List (Figure 7-7)
- Sample Change Order Form (Figure 8-1)
Sample Insurance Proceeds (Figure 12-1) - Note:All legal forms are samples only, and must be reviewed by your attorney before use to make sure they conform to the laws where you do business. The right of rescission, or right of cancellation form for your area is also available from Craftsman Books
Brian Macuga –
If you own any construction related business, you should read, study, understand and live by the principals outlined in this book. I only wish that I had the fortune to read it when I first opened the doors to my own company.
manpower construction –
ever since coming across this book iv been hooked and i see tremendus change and im having all employees learn now so we all can become better as a team
Thanks Michel greatbook
Victor Lebegue –
When I started my construction company at 24, I had no clue about estimating. I didn’t even know where to begin. Luckily for me I found Mark Up and Profit. This book has been a road map for success for our company along with Michael and the teams advice in general. There are a lot of contractors I meet and talk with and most of them have no clue on how to price their services. Luckily I took the time to read this book and we follow it strictly. We certainly aren’t the cheapest contractor out there but we are here in business to stay.
Ron Elimu –
This is a GREAT book and a MUST have book! It’s a book I wished I had when I started my first business 30 years ago. I’ve own different business in different industries and struggled to survive in each one. The information in this book can be applied to more than the construction industry. It’s about good, solid business practices, period. This IS a book that will help you set up profitable and long lasting business. Thank you, for sharing your hard earned knowledge. I appreciate it!
Brian Hayes –
This book should be the prerequisite for any contractor. I only wish I had read it sooner! I would’ve saved many hours of toil and frustration if I had just read the first 53 pages BEFORE I opened the business. There are plenty of good reviews for a reason, just get it.
Tim Leary –
This book is credited with me making it to five years in business by myself! I know the numbers are abysmal getting to ten years, but with this book (and the proper markup!!) I don’t see the next five going poorly for myself or my business. I’d recommend this book to anyone who’s thinking about going out on their own, as well as most folks who have been doing it all their lives!
Tyson Hamilton –
Being a new contractor, this book has been a huge help. I had no idea how to go about calculating a reasonable profit before I read this book. It has allowed me to instill a repeatable system to ensure I run a profitable business.
Merle, Cabinet Guy –
Excellent information! Through and detailed road map to success. It is also an easy read for the most average reading abilities. Of course the topic is of the highest interest (or should be) to everyone in business.
Shaun McGookin –
This book has helped us fix so many problems, avoid many problems, and changed the way we run our business. We realized we were doing many things right but now know how to fix many of our struggles. We highly recommend this book!!!
Lex Morgan –
This book does exactly what it claims and much more! I have referred to it often over the last ten or more years. Thank you Michael!
David –
In this line of business, as likely in every business, common sense escapes us, from time to time.
In reading through each and every chapter, you will understand why Michael succeeded, more importantly, what he did to succeed, and what you must do to succeed.
Robert Putnam –
I contracted two other times in Washington State and it did not go so well. I was doing better this time, but was still struggling until I took a class from Michael and purchased this book: Markup & Profit. I haven’t gotten through it all yet, but what I have learned in just a few chapters has made a tremendous difference in my bottom line and my confidence at presenting my estimates and services. I found out that I have been cheating myself all along.
Pete Helseth –
This is common sense management help from one who’s been there. I only wish I’d found it sooner! Thanks Michael.
Roger –
Luckily, I found this resource my first year in business, sadly, it was at the end of that year. I’ve been a construction professional over 30 years and thought I had the experience to run my own firm as well as I can build, but I quickly learned there were many things I didn’t know about the business end. Michael’s book put that it perspective and gave me the tools and language to ask the right questions to the right people in order to make good business decisions. A must have read!
Cory –
This is by far the single best book I have ever read that pertains to running my company. I would go so far as calling it the contractors bible. It is that important. It is one of the key items that has helped take our company to a consistently profitable 7 figure organization. This book should cost 100 times what it does, and even at that price would still be a bargain
Buffie –
Great common sense here. Wish I’d thought of that.
John Cox –
Michael and Devon have done an oustanding job with their books! I refer other contractors to purchase their books, and believe they are the best ever written about specialty contracting. I recommend them with the inclusion “if they do not believe they are the best and cannot help a contractor, i will personally buy them back at the purchase price” This is how much i believe they can help you. I am not being paid anything for doing this by the way. This is how much i believe in them and their products. Thanks Michael and Devon!
John Cox
Henry Kaiser –
When everyone else is lowballing jobs how can you even get work even with a good rep
John Cox –
Michael and Devon,
You have outdone yourself with the new book! A lot of useful and up to date information. I am referring it to a colleage as we speak. Thanks for sharing and helping. I have learned a heck of a lot by reading your book! Keep up the good work.
Sincerely John Cox
Jim Norman –
Most important book you will read this year!
Markup & Profit should be considered the bible of the remodeling industry. You are an absolute fool to not own this book and still consider yourself a contractor. I highly recommend Michael’s book – you will not be sorry!
Ben –
I am excited to read this book. However I do have a few questions. I am the estimator for a natural turf sports field company, before that I estimated for a custom home builder. How well will this book apply to custom construction like sports fields? And does the 1.72 capture depreciation of equipment like large ticket tractors without cutting profit?
Noah Lamont –
Mark Up and Profit – we need this more than ever.
I have had a copy of Mark Up & Profit for more then 4 years. I read it when I bought it, and review parts as I feel the need.
In today’s business environment we need to be careful. It is better to not take on ‘busy work’. Busy Work will damage your business and may kill it if you are unlucky that month. This book will keep us grounded in reality.
Slow down has prompted me to look once again at Handyman marketing as my specialty trade work is down. You can bet I will review this book again.
I came here looking for estimating software and was reminded to first use these lessons. Then plug in my numbers.
Real Person – Noah Lamont Lamont’s Woodbury Glass 651-755-3000
Jeff Farley –
One of the most important books any contractor will ever read, period. This is still on my shelf after ten years and I often use it to teach new employees the lessons Michael shares for financial success in the construction industry.
Natalie Cook –
If you ever wished for a step by step manual for the basis of running a construction business, this book is it!!!!!! Michael is very thorough and clear in his explanation of all the concepts. The form template themselves are worth the price of the book!!
His understanding of the many common mistakes and misconceptions was also comforting considering I had been making a bunch of those mistakes for the first year of my business – yikes!! Anyway, I found the book in time, and am on my way to a more successful business.
Oh, and don’t assume you have to be a fairly new business owner to reap the benefits of this book. I have come across individuals who have been in the business much longer and who still express some of the frustration that the book addresses.
I also have Michael’s “Profitable Sales” book, which is equally as awesome!!!
Bob and Maryanne Ligmanowski –
Helped us understand what we were doing,but mostly why! The book makes it very clear. We refer to it all the time (it’s like having a coach with you at all times).