Markup vs. Margin in Estimate

Understanding the difference between markup and margin is essential for accurately pricing projects and evaluating profitability in Ressio. While the two terms are closely related, they represent different ways of calculating and viewing builder profit.

This article explains the difference, shows how each is calculated, and outlines how markup and margin work inside Ressio.

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Table of Contents

1. Markup vs. Margin

2. Managing Markup in Estimate

3. Adjusting Project-Level Markups
   1. Modifying Individual Line Markups
   2. Changing the Builder Profit Dollar Amount
4. Markup vs. Margin for Cost-Plus Projects
5. Markup vs. Margin for Fixed Price Projects
6. Creating Company Markups

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Markup vs. Margin

How Markup Is Used in Ressio

Markup is typically what builders set and apply in Ressio before locking the estimate:

• Applied at the project level

• Adjustable at the individual cost item level

• Commonly used for cost-plus pricing and consistent profit rules

Markup vs. Margin Key Differences

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Managing Markup in the Estimate

Within the estimate, Markup and Margin appear as separate columns under the 'Profit Markups' section.

You can:

• Apply multiple markups to a project

• View and edit project-level markups using the Markups button

• Adjust markup at the individual line-item level

• Enter builder profit as a dollar amount, and Ressio will automatically calculate the corresponding markup percentage

Markup and margin columns can be shown or hidden, just like other estimate fields.

To change your view, you can go to the 'Columns' tab and hide and unhide any columns in the estimate. This includes Profit markups, Markups, Margin and Builder profit.



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Adjusting Project-Level Markups

In the top right hand corner you will find the 'Markup and tax rate' button. When you click there, you have the ability to add the Markup across the entire project. 


Double click into the cell under "Value" and add your percentage. 

Modifying Individual Line Markups

Click into individual lines under markup and change the percentage. 

Changing the Builder Profit Dollar Amount

In addition to adjusting individual lines and percentages, you can modify the dollar amount on the builder profit side.

Ressio will automatically calculate the corresponding markup percentage

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Markup & Margin for Cost-Plus Jobs

For cost-plus projects, markup plays a central role in how builder profit is calculated and invoiced in Ressio.

On cost-plus jobs:

• Markup is applied to actual costs, not a fixed contract total

• Builder profit increases or decreases as costs change

• Markup is typically consistent across cost codes, but can be adjusted when needed

Because pricing is driven by real costs, markup—not margin—is the primary control lever for profit on cost-plus work.

Why Margin Still Matters

Even on cost-plus jobs, margin is still an important reporting and review metric:

• Margin reflects how much profit you retain after costs are billed

• Margin will fluctuate as costs and markups change

• Reviewing margin helps validate that your markup strategy is achieving your profit goals

In other words:

• Markup controls pricing

• Margin validates performance
  
  

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Markup vs. Margin for Fixed Priced Jobs

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Creating Company Markups

If you would like to add Company Markups, please reach out to your Customer Success Coach. 

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If you have any questions or need further assistance, contact our support team at support@ressiosoftware.com. We're here to help!