Days to Completion (for Budget) Calculator

Days = remaining budget / daily burn rate. Works backward from spend to project schedule.

Inputs

Result

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General calculation reads

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How to use this calculator

  • Enter budget remaining (not total — what's left).
  • Estimate true daily burn from last 2 weeks of invoices.
  • Pick crew's actual workdays per week.
  • Compare workdays of runway to scope remaining.

About this calculator

When a project is mid-flight and overrunning, the question shifts from "what does it cost?" to "how long can we keep going?" Daily burn rate (labor + materials per active workday) divided into remaining budget gives a hard runway. Use this to decide whether to push through, pause for a fresh draw, or trim scope. Be honest about the burn rate — include subcontractor invoices arriving 30 days late, equipment rental, and any owner-paid materials. Runway shorter than the remaining scope = a hard conversation incoming.

Frequently asked

How do I figure my real burn rate?+
Last 14 calendar days: total spent / number of workdays in that window. Don't use early-project burn — it under-estimates.
Why workdays vs. calendar days?+
Crews don't work weekends or holidays. Burn happens on workdays. Calendar days follow from workdays divided by work week.
What if the runway is too short?+
Three options: (1) increase budget — additional draw, second loan, owner cash; (2) reduce scope — defer items; (3) reduce burn — fewer trades on site simultaneously.
How does weather factor in?+
It doesn't reduce burn (you still pay supervisor + minimum crew) but it stretches calendar days. Add 10-20% calendar buffer for outdoor work.
Better metric than days?+
Earned-value: % complete × budget vs. spent so far. But days-of-runway is the visceral check — "am I going to hit a wall?"

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