MARK-UP BASICS Price your jobs to cover your overhead and profit if you wish to stay in business By Paul Hentzen When I give talks or attend trade shows, I'm often asked about mark-up, overhead, and net profit. Some people even talk in hushed tones when asking about what percentages our company uses, as if we might be letting out some tightly held secret. From these discussions, I've found that a great many contractors do not understand the concept of mark-up or the difference between mark-up and profit. We seem to be entering the age of the professional remodeler. Consultants are springing up to spread the news about professional business practices, and knowing your numbers. I find it comforting to know that