Abrasive Blasting, Shot Peening & Surface Prep calculator
Blast Cost per Square Foot Calculator
Blasting quotes often succeed or fail on the cost per square foot assumption. This calculator rolls abrasive, labor, equipment, disposal, and setup into one square-foot cost so estimators can compare work scopes and protect margin.
What this calculator does
- Estimate total surface prep cost and cost per square foot from blast area, variable prep cost, chargeable factor, and fixed setup cost.
- a coating contractor or blast shop estimator needs a defensible cost basis for a surface prep quote
- Returns total blast prep cost and the effective dollars per square foot for the job.
Formula used
- Variable prep subtotal = surface prep area × variable prep cost × chargeable yield factor
- Total prep cost = variable prep subtotal + setup/mobilization cost
Inputs explained
- Surface prep area: undefined
- Variable prep cost: undefined
- Chargeable yield factor: undefined
- Setup/mobilization cost: undefined
How to use the result
- Use it during estimating, change-order pricing, and post-job cost review.
- The result is only as good as the included cost stack; add access, containment, disposal, weather delays, and coating hold-time impacts when they apply.
Common questions
- What belongs in variable prep cost? Include abrasive, direct labor, compressor fuel or power, equipment wear, and disposal that scale with square footage.
- What is chargeable yield factor? Use it to model rework, inaccessible area, or billable efficiency. Keep it at 100% when all square footage is fully chargeable.
- Should mobilization be spread over the area? Yes. The calculator adds fixed setup cost and reports the effective cost per square foot through the result rows.
- Can I use this for coating too? This page is for surface prep. Add coating material and application cost separately unless they are already in your prep cost.
Last reviewed 2026-05-12.