Overhead allocation worksheet

Overhead Allocation Calculator

Use this overhead allocation calculator as a job costing bridge between total shop overhead, machine-hour assumptions, and the final laser cutting quote. Overhead allocation worksheet: choose the allocation method, send it to margin and laser quote calculators, then return to the quote packet.

Result to use in the quote: allocated overhead per job and overhead rate percent for quote review. Keep the allocation basis visible so the same overhead pool is not counted again inside margin markup.

Best for: multi-machine shops allocating rent, utilities, management, and indirect cost before margin review.

Labor-hour allocation

Best when labor drives indirect cost

Distribute overhead by direct labor hours when workforce mix, supervision, and operator time best explain how indirect cost is consumed.

Machine-hour allocation

Best for capital-intensive laser shops

Allocate by machine hours when depreciation, maintenance, utilities, and floor burden follow equipment runtime rather than headcount alone.

Material-value allocation

Best when handling drives overhead

Use material cost as the allocation base when storage, procurement, handling, and inventory burden correlate with material spend on each job.

Allocation Tool: Results depend on method choice. Different methods suit different operations. Review with your accounting standards and cost structure.

Method choice

Choose the overhead allocation method by cost driver

This overhead allocation calculator can allocate by machine hours, labor hours, material cost, floor space, or equal split. Pick the basis that best follows how indirect cost is actually consumed by the job.

Accounting evidence

Source document to collect before quoting

Use the general ledger, rent or lease bill, insurance invoice, utilities, maintenance records, supervisor time, and machine-hour log as the source document to collect before quoting. Avoid burying those costs in a flat markup.

Next quote step

Move allocated overhead into margin review

After allocation, send the result to the laser quote and quotation margin tools so material, time, gas, labor, overhead, and target margin remain visible in the final quote packet.

Input Parameters

Total overhead costs to be allocated across all jobs

Choose the method that best reflects your cost drivers

About Machine Hours

Allocates overhead based on the proportion of machine hours used by each job.

Best For:

Capital-intensive manufacturing with automated equipment

Caution:

Ensure accurate machine hour tracking for all jobs

Jobs to Allocate

2 job(s)

Job #1

Total machine time

Total labor time

Direct material costs

Space occupied

Job #2

Total machine time

Total labor time

Direct material costs

Space occupied

Ready to Allocate

Enter overhead and jobs, then calculate allocations