I’m looking for a good project or remodel estimator software. Do you use anything like this in figuring the cost of a possible project? When I get bids for a project I would like an idea of how the contractors are coming up with their associated costs. I’m hoping to find a reliable software program I can use for that.
Estimating is more of an art then a science.
Contractors often develop their own spreadsheets based upon what area of construction they are working.
New construction by far is the easiest to estimate and rehabbing is the hardest simply because of the following:
1. experience of the rehabber
2. unknown variables (hidden termite damage etc.)
3. subs sometimes charge more because the job is so small.
This topic comes up frequently........the best advice that can be given is to get estimates.
Get to know some of the basic prices for various trades / expenses
Get up with a contractor, home inspector or experienced rehabber and of course do quite a bit of reading to gain your knowledge on rehabbing and estimating.
There are hundreds of estimators out their but the best one is the one that you do yourself or your find one you can tweek based upon your local prices.
Estimating a rehab to me is easier than a new construction. I walk through, take pictures and annotate everything and I mean everything that I need to do. Then I measure. After that I call my suppliers for materials costs, contact the subcontractors and estimate number of hours my guys will take for the part we do in house.
Vital things to make sure you are on point: Measure everything, annotate everything you paln to fix, call and get prices on materials and labor from at least 3 places, sketch out what you want to do and most of all - really inspect. Kn ow what you want to do because changing in midstream is a pain and can be expensive. Whatever your total comes to add at least 10% for contingencies
If you see a little rotted wood poke it to check and call the termite inspector.
If the subcontractor tells you it takes 4 weeks, decide it will take 6.
I’m looking for a good project or remodel estimator software. Do you use anything like this in figuring the cost of a possible project? When I get bids for a project I would like an idea of how the contractors are coming up with their associated costs. I’m hoping to find a reliable software program I can use for that.
Eastside,
Estimating is more of an art then a science.
Contractors often develop their own spreadsheets based upon what area of construction they are working.
New construction by far is the easiest to estimate and rehabbing is the hardest simply because of the following:
1. experience of the rehabber
2. unknown variables (hidden termite damage etc.)
3. subs sometimes charge more because the job is so small.
This topic comes up frequently........the best advice that can be given is to get estimates.
Get to know some of the basic prices for various trades / expenses
Get up with a contractor, home inspector or experienced rehabber and of course do quite a bit of reading to gain your knowledge on rehabbing and estimating.
There are hundreds of estimators out their but the best one is the one that you do yourself or your find one you can tweek based upon your local prices.
regards
NC_Yank
Estimating a rehab to me is easier than a new construction. I walk through, take pictures and annotate everything and I mean everything that I need to do. Then I measure. After that I call my suppliers for materials costs, contact the subcontractors and estimate number of hours my guys will take for the part we do in house.
Vital things to make sure you are on point: Measure everything, annotate everything you paln to fix, call and get prices on materials and labor from at least 3 places, sketch out what you want to do and most of all - really inspect. Kn ow what you want to do because changing in midstream is a pain and can be expensive. Whatever your total comes to add at least 10% for contingencies
If you see a little rotted wood poke it to check and call the termite inspector.
If the subcontractor tells you it takes 4 weeks, decide it will take 6.