Quick answer
- Billable days are the days you can actually invoice, not the total number of weekdays in a year.
- Holiday, sick time, training, sales calls, admin and gaps between projects reduce the billable base.
- A lower billable-day assumption increases the day rate needed to reach the same annual target.
- Many pricing mistakes happen because the rate is built on too many assumed chargeable days.
Contractor Day Rate Calculator
Open this Irish calculator to test your own numbers and compare the result with the guide.
On this page
Common billable-day deductions
| Item | Why it matters | Effect on day rate |
|---|---|---|
| Holidays and public holidays | Time off may not be billed | Fewer invoiceable days |
| Sick days | No employer sick-pay buffer unless arranged separately | Higher risk buffer needed |
| Admin and accounts | Invoices, bookkeeping and client communication take time | Reduces project delivery days |
| Training and CPD | Skills upkeep may be unpaid | Needs to be priced indirectly |
| Contract gaps | Time between projects can reduce turnover sharply | Often needs a commercial buffer |
How to choose an assumption
Use a conservative billable-days number when planning a minimum viable rate. If you later bill more days, that becomes extra margin. If you price from an optimistic number and then lose time to admin or project gaps, your take-home plan can break quickly.
Build billable days from the calendar
Start with the weekdays you could theoretically work, then remove every category that is unlikely to be invoiced. The example below is a planning bridge, not a statutory allowance.
| Calendar bridge | Illustrative days |
|---|---|
| Weekdays in planning year | 261 |
| Annual leave | −20 |
| Public holidays not billed | −10 |
| Sick / personal contingency | −5 |
| Training and administration | −10 |
| Sales and contract gap | −16 |
| Illustrative billable days | 200 |
If a client contract guarantees paid days that would normally be excluded, use the contract terms. If it permits termination at short notice, keep a gap buffer even when the headline duration looks secure.
Rate sensitivity at 200, 220 and 230 days
For a business that needs €88,000 of annual revenue before VAT, the billable-day assumption changes the required rate as follows:
| Billable days | Required day rate | Planning interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| 200 | €440 | More conservative gap and admin allowance |
| 220 | €400 | Central full-year planning case |
| 230 | €382.61 | High utilisation; less room for disruption |
Track utilisation and reforecast
Record invoiced days, non-billable delivery time, admin, sales time and gaps every month. Compare actual billed days with the year-to-date plan. If utilisation falls, update the remaining-day rate and cash forecast early rather than discovering the shortfall at year end.
Frequently asked questions
Are all weekdays billable for contractors?
Usually no. Weekdays can be lost to holidays, admin, training, sickness, sales work and gaps between contracts.
Why does reducing billable days increase the rate?
The same annual target has to be earned over fewer chargeable days, so each invoiceable day must carry more value.
Should I include public holidays?
Include them only if your contract genuinely allows you to bill those days. Otherwise they should normally reduce the chargeable-day assumption.
How many billable days do contractors use in Ireland?
There is no official number. Irish market guidance often uses 210–230 as a planning range, but your own contract gaps, leave, admin and sales time determine the safer figure.
Should admin days be deducted?
Yes if they cannot be invoiced. Bookkeeping, proposals, compliance and client acquisition reduce delivery capacity even though they are genuine work.
How should a short contract affect billable days?
Model only the contracted period, then add a realistic gap before the next engagement. Do not annualise a three-month contract as if work is guaranteed for twelve months.
What happens if I bill more days than planned?
The additional days create extra revenue or buffer, assuming the rate and costs remain unchanged. Recheck workload and sustainability before treating maximum utilisation as the new baseline.
Sources & references
Related calculators
Use these tools for the numbers behind this guide.