• Construction Estimating Reference Book
  • 1. Estimating Basics
  • 2. Construction Estimating Tools
  • 3. General Estimating Guides and Aids
  • 4. Assignment Walkthroughs
  • 5. Construction Materials and Process Index
  • Who Hires Construction Estimators?
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  • Framing Estimating Guide

    Basement & Pony Wall Section

    Refer to All About the Framing Phase for any questions regarding construction materials and processes related to this section

    Header Information

    Ensure that the Wall Length (Feet) and Wall Height (Feet) cells for both Bearing Walls and Insulation Walls have pulled correct information from the BasicInfo tab.

    Specifications and information for plates, studs, corners, windows and doors, Windows and Wall Sheathing should be present in the appropriate cells. If it is not present, use Bluebeam to study the plans and enter the missing values.

    Materials Subsection

    Line items in this subsection that require extra consideration outside of the process described in How to Complete Material Estimates:

    • Any Top Plates and Bottom Plates items will use the WallPlates user defined function to calculate quantity.
    • Any Stud items will use the StudCount user defined function to calculate quantity.
    • All other items will use LFQuantity and SFQuantity user defined functions to calculate quantity as is appropriate.

    Labor Subsection

    This is the same process used for estimating labor costs for any other construction task using the NCE.

    1. Ensure that the materials that correspond to each job description are present in the line items in the Materials Subsection.
    2. Use the NCE to look up the CraftHrs, Unit, and Labor for the specific job and material. 
    3. Reference any relevant information in the Header and Material Subsection to calculate the quantity of Labor required for the job.
    4. Ensure the Total cell has calculated the total cost for completing the job.

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    Floor Framing Section

    Refer to All About the Framing Phase for any questions regarding construction materials and processes related to this section

    Header Information

    Ensure that the Square Foot Floor Area cell has correctly pulled information from the BasicInfo tab.

    If the quantities for various girders, joists, etc. are not present, use Bluebeam to study the plans and input the missing values.

    Materials Subsection

    Line items in this subsection that require extra consideration outside of the process described in How to Complete Material Estimates:

    • All items should use LFQuantity and SFQuantity user defined functions to calculate quantity as is appropriate

    Labor Subsection

    This is the same process used for estimating labor costs for any other construction task using the NCE.

    1. Ensure that the materials that correspond to each job description are present in the line items in the Materials Subsection.
    2. Use the NCE to look up the CraftHrs, Unit, and Labor for the specific job and material. 
    3. Reference any relevant information in the Header and Material Subsection to calculate the quantity of Labor required for the job.
    4. Ensure the Total cell has calculated the total cost for completing the job.

    Back to the Top

    Exterior Wall Framing Section

    Refer to All About the Framing Phase for any questions regarding construction materials and processes related to this section

    Header Information

    Ensure that the Wall Length (FT) and Wall Height (FT) cells for Exterior Walls, Garage Walls, and Common Walls have correctly pulled information from the BasicInfo tab.

    If the quantities for the line items in the header are not present, use Bluebeam to study the plans and input the missing values.

    Materials Subsection

    Line items in this subsection that require extra consideration outside of the process described in How to Complete Material Estimates:

    • Any Top Plates and Bottom Plates items will use the WallPlates user defined function to calculate quantity.
    • Any Stud items will use the StudCount user defined function to calculate quantity.
    • All other items will use LFQuantity and SFQuantity user defined functions to calculate quantity as is appropriate.

    Labor Subsection

    This is the same process used for estimating labor costs for any other construction task using the NCE.

    1. Ensure that the materials that correspond to each job description are present in the line items in the Materials Subsection.
    2. Use the NCE to look up the CraftHrs, Unit, and Labor for the specific job and material. 
    3. Reference any relevant information in the Header and Material Subsection to calculate the quantity of Labor required for the job.
    4. Ensure the Total cell has calculated the total cost for completing the job.

    Back to the Top

    Interior Wall Framing Section

    Refer to All About the Framing Phase for any questions regarding construction materials and processes related to this section

    Header Information

    Ensure that the Wall Length (FT) and Wall Height (FT) cells for 2x4 Interior Walls, 2x6 Interior Walls, 2x4 Tall Interior Walls, and Interior Rake Walls have correctly pulled information from the BasicInfo tab.

    If the quantities for the line items in the header are not present, use Bluebeam to study the plans and input the missing values.

    Materials Subsection

    Line items in this subsection that require extra consideration outside of the process described in How to Complete Material Estimates:

    • Any Top Plates and Bottom Plates items will use the WallPlates user defined function to calculate quantity.
    • Any Stud items will use the StudCount user defined function to calculate quantity.
    • All other items will use LFQuantity and SFQuantity user defined functions to calculate quantity as is appropriate.

    Labor Subsection

    This is the same process used for estimating labor costs for any other construction task using the NCE.

    1. Ensure that the materials that correspond to each job description are present in the line items in the Materials Subsection.
    2. Use the NCE to look up the CraftHrs, Unit, and Labor for the specific job and material. 
    3. Reference any relevant information in the Header and Material Subsection to calculate the quantity of Labor required for the job.
    4. Ensure the Total cell has calculated the total cost for completing the job.

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    Door & Window Headers Section

    Refer to All About the Framing Phase for any questions regarding construction materials and processes related to this section

    Header Information

    Review the Window and Door Schedules (or the BasicInfo tab) to identify and count the number of doors and windows that fit each category in the header. Enter the correct values.

    Materials Subsection

    Line items in this subsection that require extra consideration outside of the process described in How to Complete Material Estimates:

    • n/a

    Labor Subsection

    This is the same process used for estimating labor costs for any other construction task using the NCE.

    1. Ensure that the materials that correspond to each job description are present in the line items in the Materials Subsection.
    2. Use the NCE to look up the CraftHrs, Unit, and Labor for the specific job and material. 
    3. Reference any relevant information in the Header and Material Subsection to calculate the quantity of Labor required for the job.
    4. Ensure the Total cell has calculated the total cost for completing the job.

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    Specialty Framing Section

    Refer to All About the Framing Phase for any questions regarding construction materials and processes related to this section

    Materials Subsection

    Line items in this subsection that require extra consideration outside of the process described in How to Complete Material Estimates:

    • n/a

    Labor Subsection

    This is the same process used for estimating labor costs for any other construction task using the NCE.

    1. Ensure that the materials that correspond to each job description are present in the line items in the Materials Subsection.
    2. Use the NCE to look up the CraftHrs, Unit, and Labor for the specific job and material. 
    3. Reference any relevant information in the Header and Material Subsection to calculate the quantity of Labor required for the job.
    4. Ensure the Total cell has calculated the total cost for completing the job.

    Back to the Top

    Stair Framing Section

    Refer to All About the Framing Phase for any questions regarding construction materials and processes related to this section

    Header Information

    Use Bluebeam to study the plans and enter any missing values in the cells that define the specifications for any stairs in the project. 

    Materials Subsection

    Line items in this subsection that require extra consideration outside of the process described in How to Complete Material Estimates:

    • n/a

    Labor Subsection

    This is the same process used for estimating labor costs for any other construction task using the NCE.

    1. Ensure that the materials that correspond to each job description are present in the line items in the Materials Subsection.
    2. Use the NCE to look up the CraftHrs, Unit, and Labor for the specific job and material. 
    3. Reference any relevant information in the Header and Material Subsection to calculate the quantity of Labor required for the job.
    4. Ensure the Total cell has calculated the total cost for completing the job.

    Back to the Top

    Truss Roof Framing Section

    Refer to All About the Framing Phase for any questions regarding construction materials and processes related to this section

    Header Information

    Use Bluebeam to study the plans and enter any missing values in the cells related to the Truss Roof Framing Materials. 

    Materials Subsection

    Line items in this subsection that require extra consideration outside of the process described in How to Complete Material Estimates:

    • n/a

    Labor Subsection

    This is the same process used for estimating labor costs for any other construction task using the NCE.

    1. Ensure that the materials that correspond to each job description are present in the line items in the Materials Subsection.
    2. Use the NCE to look up the CraftHrs, Unit, and Labor for the specific job and material. 
    3. Reference any relevant information in the Header and Material Subsection to calculate the quantity of Labor required for the job.
    4. Ensure the Total cell has calculated the total cost for completing the job.

    Back to the Top

    Stick Roof Framing Section

    Refer to All About the Framing Phase for any questions regarding construction materials and processes related to this section

    Header Information

    Use Bluebeam to study the plans and enter any missing values in the cells that define the specifications for any overbuild roof area in the project. 

    Materials Subsection

    Line items in this subsection that require extra consideration outside of the process described in How to Complete Material Estimates:

    • n/a

    Labor Subsection

    This is the same process used for estimating labor costs for any other construction task using the NCE.

    1. Ensure that the materials that correspond to each job description are present in the line items in the Materials Subsection.
    2. Use the NCE to look up the CraftHrs, Unit, and Labor for the specific job and material. 
    3. Reference any relevant information in the Header and Material Subsection to calculate the quantity of Labor required for the job.
    4. Ensure the Total cell has calculated the total cost for completing the job.

    Back to the Top

    Stick Roof Soffit, Fascia, & Gable Wall Framing Section

    Refer to All About the Framing Phase for any questions regarding construction materials and processes related to this section

    Header Information

    Use Bluebeam to study the plans and enter any missing values in the cells for LF Roof Edge, Soffit Width (In), and SF Gable Walls. 

    Materials Subsection

    Line items in this subsection that require extra consideration outside of the process described in How to Complete Material Estimates:

    • n/a

    Labor Subsection

    This is the same process used for estimating labor costs for any other construction task using the NCE.

    1. Ensure that the materials that correspond to each job description are present in the line items in the Materials Subsection.
    2. Use the NCE to look up the CraftHrs, Unit, and Labor for the specific job and material. 
    3. Reference any relevant information in the Header and Material Subsection to calculate the quantity of Labor required for the job.
    4. Ensure the Total cell has calculated the total cost for completing the job.

    Back to the Top

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