Practical guide
Show field-job labor and materials separately
The cost panel is a planning estimate attached to the report, not a replacement for an invoice workflow. Keep each component visible so a reviewer can change one assumption at a time.
Calculate labor from hours
Labor cost is entered hours multiplied by the planning rate. The default visit uses 2 hours at 85 per hour, producing 170 of labor cost before materials, travel, and optional tax.
labor cost = labor hours x labor rate
Add materials and travel
Materials and travel stay as separate inputs. With the default 24 materials cost and 15 travel cost, the estimated total is 209 when tax is set to zero.
estimated total = labor + materials + travel + optional tax
Use the report status intentionally
Draft, complete, and follow-up statuses describe the entered report state. A follow-up note should identify the next action without turning the cost panel into a commitment.
Check your own scenario
Replace the illustrative inputs with measured values and dated specifications.
Open SiteStoryMethod and references
Read the full calculation method and its limits
Method and examples reviewed 2026-09-30. Examples are illustrative; input values and specifications are not independently verified.