Discover the intricacies of material cost estimation in construction, including understanding the nuances of different units of measurement for purchasing and installation. Gain insights into the pricing of various materials, and learn how to effectively evaluate the cost per unit for purchasing versus labor requirements.
Key Insights
- The pricing of materials in construction is not always straightforward as some materials, like concrete and lumber, are purchased by different units of measure than they are installed. For example, concrete may be purchased by the cubic yard but installed by the pound.
- Understanding the pricing of materials is crucial to effectively estimating project costs. For instance, painting is priced by the gallon but installed by the square foot, requiring a clear understanding of the cost per square foot for all required coats.
- In cost estimation, it's essential to consider the differing quantities required for purchasing materials versus labor. This understanding is key in the estimating process when pricing out material cost quantities against labor cost quantities.
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Estimating material costs. So let's talk about how materials are priced. Although materials may be installed by a given unit of measure, it may need to be purchased with a different unit of measure.
And here's some examples. Concrete, ready mixed by the pound in various size sacks, or you can have it pre-mixed and have it purchased by the cubic yard. Lumber.
Lumber pricing is ultimately established in board feet, even though you may be purchasing 1,000 feet of 10 foot studs. To define what a board foot actually is, it's one inch by 12 inches by 12 inches, and that equals one board foot. Board feet, or BF, is a volume unit of measure.
Gypsum board. It's purchased by the square foot per sheet size increments and installed by the square foot. Plaster.
Plaster is purchased by the pound in various sack sizes, and it's installed by the square yard. Painting is priced by the gallon and installed by the square foot. It's important to know when you look at your painting, is understand what the absolute cost is per square foot for all required coats.
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So to recap on material costs, make sure that you understand clearly what's required for purchasing, including the unit of measure and the unit sizes required for individual purchases. You also need to understand that purchasing materials is going to require different quantities compared to your labor. We'll talk about that more as we move on into the estimating process of how to price out your material cost quantities versus your labor cost quantities.
