How to create a Spreadsheet for Estimates
Handydan57
| Posted in General Discussion on
Greetings Earthlings
I am in the process of creating my first estimating spreadsheet in Excel after years of stick and brick counting on paper. I freely admit that I am new at this and as such am open to any guidance or advice regarding the design and use such an estimating approach.
I am also grateful to anyone in advance who might be willing to share their template.
Dan de Angeli
Replies
Do you know how to work with spreadsheets generally? Specify cell types, enter equations, etc? If not, an "Idiot's Guide" sort of book would be good to have.
There's an article at THISisCarpentry
Check out
An introduction to Spreadsheets
I'd suggest keeping things in columns so you can total them up at the bottom. Labor, materials, and sub contractor fees should be separate.
Also - Use one thing to calc another. If you know the area of your roof, reference that number to figure the number of shingles you need. Same with the amount of felt paper.
I used to have a house estimate template, and even posted it on the old BT. It may still be around, but God knows if the search engine could ever find it.
Edited to add: I couldn't find my spreadsheet, but there's an example here:
http://forums.finehomebuilding.com/breaktime/business/simple-excel-estimating-worksheet
You could probably find a lot of estimate temlates online (free ones) and just do some minor editing.
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Same as on paper
The idea of the spreadsheet is to replace your paper and pencil, and automate the arithmetic.
I'd do a workbook, with seperate spreadsheets for each room, or major area.
For columns, I would have one for work item, quantity, hours, materials, and total for each item
Start with that and leanr the ropes, then start making it fancy.
Excel Spreadsheet for General Building Estimate
The attached spreadsheet works for me when we're doing general contracting, but I use another system entirely when bidding cabinets.
Keep in mind that I often change this spreadsheet to fit conditions.
Should also point out that in many areas "community education" or the local community college may offer classes in spreadsheets and the like. These are generally fairly inexpensive, not terribly difficult or time-consuming, and oriented towards the "adult learner".