{
  "slug": "automation-roi-hours",
  "title": "Automation ROI Calculator",
  "heading": "Automation ROI Calculator",
  "category": "other",
  "url": "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/automation-roi-hours",
  "summary": "How long until automating a task pays for itself.",
  "description": "Compare build cost against hours saved. Returns payback period, first-year net saving and the return on the build investment.",
  "formula": "Monthly saving = hours × rate × 4.33 − upkeep. Payback months = build ÷ saving.",
  "dateModified": "2026-09-30",
  "run_url": "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/api/public/calc?tool=automation-roi-hours",
  "inputs": [
    {
      "id": "hoursWeek",
      "label": "Hours saved per week",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 6,
      "unit": null,
      "min": 0.1,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "rate",
      "label": "Loaded hourly rate",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 60,
      "unit": "$",
      "min": null,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "build",
      "label": "Build cost",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 9000,
      "unit": "$",
      "min": null,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "upkeep",
      "label": "Monthly upkeep",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 120,
      "unit": "$",
      "min": null,
      "max": null
    }
  ],
  "outputs": [
    {
      "id": "payback",
      "label": "Payback",
      "format": "decimal",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": true
    },
    {
      "id": "monthlySave",
      "label": "Net monthly saving",
      "format": "currency",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    },
    {
      "id": "year1",
      "label": "Year-1 net",
      "format": "currency",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    },
    {
      "id": "roi",
      "label": "Year-1 ROI",
      "format": "percent",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    }
  ],
  "worked_example": {
    "inputs": [
      "Hours saved per week: 6",
      "Loaded hourly rate: 60 $",
      "Build cost: 9000 $",
      "Monthly upkeep: 120 $"
    ],
    "outputs": [
      "Payback: 6.3",
      "Net monthly saving: $1,439",
      "Year-1 net: $8,266",
      "Year-1 ROI: 92%"
    ]
  },
  "how_to": {
    "title": "How to use this",
    "steps": [
      "Enter hours saved per week.",
      "Enter loaded hourly rate ($).",
      "Enter build cost ($).",
      "Enter monthly upkeep ($).",
      "Read your payback on the right — it updates as you type.",
      "Hit Share to keep the scenario or send it to someone."
    ]
  },
  "scenarios": [
    {
      "name": "Conservative",
      "description": "Lower-end numbers — what if things land soft?",
      "values": {
        "hoursWeek": 3.5999999999999996,
        "rate": 60,
        "build": 5500,
        "upkeep": 70
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "Typical",
      "description": "Defaults — the most common real-world setup.",
      "values": {
        "hoursWeek": 6,
        "rate": 60,
        "build": 9000,
        "upkeep": 120
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "Ambitious",
      "description": "Higher-end numbers — what if things really pop?",
      "values": {
        "hoursWeek": 9.600000000000001,
        "rate": 60,
        "build": 14500,
        "upkeep": 190
      }
    }
  ],
  "limitations": [
    "Estimates assume standard, average conditions — local rules, pricing, and materials vary.",
    "Results are rounded for readability; add a buffer before ordering, booking, or committing.",
    "Double-check anything with a real cost attached against a local quote."
  ],
  "faq": [
    {
      "q": "How does the automation roi calculator work?",
      "a": "Compare build cost against hours saved. Returns payback period, first-year net saving and the return on the build investment. The underlying maths is: Monthly saving = hours × rate × 4.33 − upkeep. Payback months = build ÷ saving."
    },
    {
      "q": "What do I need to enter?",
      "a": "4 values: hours saved per week, loaded hourly rate, build cost, and monthly upkeep. Each field starts with a sensible default, so you can change one number at a time and watch the result move."
    },
    {
      "q": "What does the payback result mean?",
      "a": "It is returned as a decimal number and updates live as you edit the inputs, so you can compare two or three versions of a scenario in a few seconds."
    },
    {
      "q": "Is this calculator free, and do I need an account?",
      "a": "Yes, it's free, and no account is required. Nothing you type is stored on our servers — the maths runs entirely in your browser."
    },
    {
      "q": "How accurate is the result?",
      "a": "It applies the standard formula exactly, so the arithmetic is precise. Estimates assume standard, average conditions — local rules, pricing, and materials vary."
    },
    {
      "q": "Who is this tool for?",
      "a": "It's built for anyone doing everyday planning maths — a quick estimate that would otherwise need four browser tabs and a calculator app."
    }
  ],
  "related": [
    "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/context-switch-cost",
    "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/recurring-meeting-cost"
  ],
  "license": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "citation": "RevenueLab — Automation ROI Calculator (https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/automation-roi-hours)"
}