Replies

1. 
   frammer52 | Aug 18, 2008 05:42pm | #1

   use R.S.Means

2. 
   cargin | Aug 18, 2008 08:50pm | #2

   Levon

   This is from National Estimator

   Rich

   
1. 
   Levon | Aug 20, 2008 03:44am | #8

   Thanks for the info. Exactly what I was looking for.

1. 
   cargin | Aug 20, 2008 04:31am | #10

   levon

   I was wondering if you were going to come back and read the replies.LOL

   I like the advice that Mike Smith gave.

   When I do an estimate I write all the materials on the left side of a piece of paper and the labor action to install those materials on the right side of the page. Or the steps necessary to do the job.

   I usually do it on a homemade excel worksheet. Reply if you want to see it.

   Add for markup and contingency.

   When i am unsure or i don't have any old jobs to refernce to then i go to National Estimator. I usually set the Labor rate rather high and the markups higher than I do normally, because I don't trust cost books. Either I am slow or they are on a larger scale than me and small jobs with PITA areas take longer.

   But when you don't have a clue the cost books can be helpful. You can download 11 costbooks for $65 at

   http://craftsman-book.com/products/index.php?main_page=cbc_product_software_info&cPath=39&products_id=387

   I was just relaxing during noonhour when I read your post and I did a quick estimate, took about 5 minutes. Not a substitute for your own insight and feel for the job.

   Rich

3. 
   hammer1 | Aug 18, 2008 11:05pm | #3

   There are so many different ways and materials used to build decks and they vary depending on where you live and the frost and ground conditions. It's always a good idea to click on your name and enter your location in your profile.

   Many are supported on poured concrete footings and/or tubes. It can take a few hours or a few days just for the supports. The same can be said for everything, framing, decking, railings, stairs and finishing. Generally, forum members don't comment on labor and costs unless they know all the details. Even then, it would be a guess unless we could visit the site. Without some info to go by, nobody can make a reasonable guess, Levon.

   Beat it to fit / Paint it to match

4. 
   MikeSmith | Aug 18, 2008 11:47pm | #4

   levon..... unless you have historical data from your own crew, it is very hard to estimate

   the way i do it  ( if i don't have data that corresponds )

   is to build it in my head with a spread sheet

   start with mobilization

   demo

   excavation

   footings

   post up

   framing

   decking

   railing

   landscaping

   cleanup

   & de-mobilization

   look at the plans and figure  how long it is going to take YOUR crew to do the tasks

   and... this is a bid.. so figure like a pessimist... cause murphy rules

   and 10' up in the air is lot's harder than 2' off the ground

   if it means you come in with a higher number than someone else.. don't pay it much mind... most of the "someone elses" have no clue what the  numbers are either

   Mike Hussein Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
1. 
   EricPaulson | Aug 19, 2008 02:20am | #6

   Mike,

   I wonder how many guys leave off the mobile/demobilization line................probably a good day for a deck like that.

   Money on the table.............[email protected]

    

    

    

    

1. 
   MikeSmith | Aug 19, 2008 02:34am | #7

   well.... as vintage pointed out.... i left out the staging

   maybe cause i didn't build it in my headMike Hussein Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore

5. 
   vintage1 | Aug 19, 2008 12:55am | #5

   Levon,

   I agree with the above post.  If you don't have the historical data (and I assume you don't since you are asking) you need to take this project and build it in your head and on paper, step by step.

   One thing I would add to Mike Smith's list would be staging.  Especially if you are doing this solo, your gonna need ladders, scaffolding, or something to get all of that heavy, wet, 2x10 or 2x12 treated lumber 10' feet in the air. 

   Now is not the time to be optimistic about how fast you can work.  Estimate it conservatively and cover each of the phases. 

   One last tip, be honest about the hours it will take (or your best guess) for you to do the job, and then apply your hourly rate.  Don't get scared if that number seems high, it's an honest number. 

   A lot of us start out in this business and underprice work just so we can keep going or because we think that our bid number seems too high for our tastes.

   But when you do that the only person you cheat is yourself. 

   Good luck with your project. 

1. 
   Levon | Aug 20, 2008 03:47am | #9

   Good advice ! Thanks

6. 
   MarkH | Aug 20, 2008 04:35am | #11

   Figure 3.5x whatever your calculations for labor hours add up to.

7. 
   dotto | Aug 20, 2008 01:23pm | #12

   I had a deck job last year that I was 2500.00 more than the other guy.  Prior to being awarded the job the owner asked me why.  I put on my sales hat and described the details of how we build a deck.

   I am getting ready to build a deck in two weeks.  The owner told me that a local company builds PT decks for $15.00/sf and composite at $25.00.  The deck is 222sf which includes a 5'x5' landing plus stairs (7' rise) and vinyl railings. 

   My materials were more than $25.00 per sf.  I told the owner, politely, that my numbers are my numbers. 

   I agree with the other posts -- think of every step possible and assign a material and labor cost to it.  Keep records, something I need to improve on, for the next one.

   Don't forget rentals (auger, etc.) and permit fees

   Dave Otto -- Otto Construction -- PA

1. 
   Levon | Aug 21, 2008 05:44pm | #13

   Thanks for the advice. I think I may need to improve my estimating skills. I'm a better mechanic than accountant.