Equipment cost per project

Worked example

Price $3,000, resale $600, 4 years: depreciation is $2,400 / 4 = $600 a year. Add $150 of upkeep for $750 a year, then divide by 24 projects: $31.25 per project, or $3.13 an hour over 10 hours. Over its life the kit is used on 96 projects.

How it works

This is straight-line depreciation: the loss in value is spread evenly over the years you expect to use the gear. It is a quoting tool, not an accounting or tax treatment. How you may deduct equipment (capital cost allowance in Canada, depreciation or Section 179 in the US) is set by tax rules; ask an accountant.

Add the result to a project quote as an equipment line, or fold it into your overhead when you work out your hourly rate.

Sources and basis (checked 2026-10-08): arithmetic on the numbers you enter. No published rates, tax rules or benchmarks are built in; any figure described as a rule of thumb is labelled as one. This is a planning estimate, not financial, tax or legal advice.

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FAQ

How do I charge clients for my own equipment?

Work out what the gear costs you per project and add it as a line item or build it into your rate. A $3,000 kit used on 24 shoots a year costs $31.25 per shoot.

What is a reasonable resale value?

Check recent sold listings for the same model at the age you plan to sell it. If you will never sell it, enter 0.

Is this the same as tax depreciation?

No. It spreads the loss evenly for pricing. Tax deductions follow your country's rules.

What if I use it on more projects than planned?

The cost per project falls. Change the projects field to see the effect.