Estimating Home Construction Costs

by Householder, Jerry; Marchive III, Emile

• ISBN13: 9780867186154
• ISBN10: 0867186151
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-11-01
• Publisher: Builderbooks

Summary

The closer you come to completing a job within budget, the less likely you are to waste time and money-and that means more profit. Custom builder Jerry Householder can help you improve your estimating abilities and discover better ways to do a quantity takeoff, whether you prefer to use pen and paper or estimating software. He teams up with builder Emile Marchive III to show you: types of estimates and when to use them, tips and formulas for figuring quantities easily and accurately, procedures for integrating estimating with cost control, purchasing, and scheduling, how computer estimating can enhance your work, how establishing and maintaining a database facilitates your future estimates.

Author Biography

Jerry Householder (above right) teaching residential construction estimating, planning, and scheduling for many years at Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge Emile Marchive III (above left) is an instructor and doctoral candidate at LSU

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	p. xi
About the Authors	p. xiii
Estimating Methods	p. 1
Purposes of Estimating	p. 1
Determine the Price for a Job	p. 1
Establish a List of Materials	p. 2
Use the Estimate to Help in Design and Marketing	p. 2
Scheduling	p. 3
Job Cost Control	p. 3
Communication	p. 3
Types of Estimates	p. 4
Square-Foot Method	p. 4
Component Method	p. 8
Detailed Estimate Method	p. 9
Quantity Takeoff	p. 11
Preliminary Considerations	p. 11
Familiarization with the Plans	p. 11
Site Visit	p. 13
Account for Waste	p. 13
Perform the Takeoff	p. 13
Establish and Use a Checklist	p. 13
Land Costs	p. 14
Site Work	p. 14
Footings and Slabs	p. 19
Batter Boards	p. 19
Formwork	p. 13
Reinforcing Steel	p. 20
Porous Fill	p. 20
Termite and Soil Treatment	p. 20
Vapor Control	p. 20
Concrete	p. 20
Masonry	p. 20
Fireplaces	p. 21
Mortar	p. 21
Metal	p. 21
Framing	p. 22
Roofing	p. 22
Plumbing, Electrical, Heating, Ventilation, and Air-Conditioning	p. 23
Insulation	p. 23
Drywall	p. 23
Interior Trim	p. 24
Paint and Wall Covering	p. 24
Floor Covering	p. 24
Cabinets and Appliances	p. 24
Exterior	p. 25
Other Considerations	p. 25
Cost Division	p. 27
Direct Job Costs	p. 27
Material Costs	p. 28
Labor	p. 28
Equipment	p. 30
Major Equipment	p. 30
Support Equipment	p. 31
Small Tools	p. 32
Trade Contracts	p. 32
Organize Direct Job Costs	p. 33
Job Overhead	p. 33
General Overhead	p. 35
Profit	p. 35
Relationship of Costs	p. 36
Prepare a Detailed Estimate	p. 37
Pricing Direct Costs	p. 37
Pricing Materials	p. 37
Pricing Labor	p. 38
Pricing Equipment	p. 38
Pricing Trade Contracts	p. 38
Accuracy	p. 39
Contingencies	p. 39
Computerized Versus Manual Estimating	p. 39
Manual Example	p. 40
Comparisons	p. 83
Computerized Estimating	p. 85
Advantages	p. 85
Built-in Checklists	p. 85
Accuracy	p. 86
Standardization	p. 86
Alternative Scenarios	p. 86
Report and Document Preparation	p. 86
Select a Computer Estimating System	p. 87
Basic Elements	p. 87
Gather Information	p. 87
Implement Your System	p. 87
Get Started	p. 87
Consultants	p. 88
Establish and Maintain a Database	p. 88
Utilize Your Spreadsheet	p. 88
Advanced Options and Future Trends	p. 89
Digitized Software	p. 89
Sequence	p. 89
On-Line Pricing	p. 89
Integrations with Computer-Aided Design	p. 89
Packaged Programs	p. 90
Summary	p. 90
Common Areas and Volumes	p. 91
Conversion Tables	p. 93
Enlarged Floor Plan	p. 103
Enlarged Front and Rear Elevations	p. 107
Glossary	p. 111
Resources and Recommended Reading	p. 115
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