estimating amount of material for jobs..
I’m doing a dormer remodel on my home and I was wondering how you guys figure out how much lumber you need. Do you have the architect give you a lumber list? Mine wouldnt so I am figuring it out by reading the plans using the scale (1/4 to the foot) I’m figuring on a 45 foot long wall I’m going to buy 45 studs even though I’m installing them on 16 inch centers, I figure I’ll need extra for framing out doubles and triples for headers around windows, etc. Do you guys generally do this? I’m also figuing out common rafter length, multiplying this by the length of the building to get the square footage of the roof then dividing by 32 to get the amount of plywood I need. Is this standard procedure for everyone or do you have an easier way, like a service that figures it all for you and gives you a list or are you all doing it like me? how much percentage do you add for waste?
Replies
The odds are 9 out of 10 that while your architect wouldn't give you a lumber list if you take the plans to a respectable lumber yard they will be able to do the materials take-off for you.
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Bustaduke, in all fairness to Craig, he's come to us admitting he was somewhat green, and has been asking all the right questions since he's become a part of the BT family. I myself have been there, going from a new framer's helper to a framing contractor in a little less than five years.
Now, Craig, estimating the # of studs you'll need for a given project can be done as you described, among other ways. For instance, for a garage, I'd do it 1 for every foot of wall. For a house, OTOH, I'd do it say, 1 pallet for every 1200 or so SF of floor. A lot of it comes down to experience.
Just do it the way that's comfortable for you right now. As you see what kind of over/underage you have on each job, you'll fine-tune your method. And if you have a few studs left over, build some horses!
Lemme know if you need estimating help for anything else framing.
Jason Pharez Construction
Framing Contractor
Sorry my post was ment as a joke that's why I had a :0) after my name, even so I went back and removed my post.
busta
Ah, man, I'm sorry!
I didn't mean to offend ya...I guess the Bud didn't let me see the smileys LOL.
Sorry bout that.Jason Pharez Construction
Framing Contractor
where are you located? maybe I could hire you? Anyway if you dont mind could I pitch you my framing questions as they arise?
what did busta say?
Sorry for taking so long to reply Craig--I've been working OT on the current framing job to catch up due to lackluster help.
Anyways, I live on the southern coast of Alabama...we frame 99% on slabs, mostly spec/semi customs less than 3,000 SF. I'll be glad to share anything with ya I know. There's also Dieselpig and Blue (both of whom have given me some really good advice over the past years).
Busta just made a joke and I didn't get it; it's cool now LOL.Jason Pharez Construction
Framing Contractor
Craig - My only added comment is that it is usually easier to buy extra than it is to run out and pick up a little extra. Especially true if you are buying from Depot or s big box store that will take returns.
That said, I've been working on a project with no storage space, and running in for supplies nearly daily. The other day when I went in for 30 studs (for like the third day in a row) the yard guy looked at me funny. I said to him - Friggen termites are gettin to them before me. He just chuckled and loaded the truck.
It's all in the experience part. Let's see what everybody else says.
Don K.
EJG Homes Renovations - New Construction - Rentals
build it on paper first.
simply start at the bottom and work your way up.
there are easier ways ... but there's only one truely reliable way.
stick by stick.
start at the mudsill ... and "walk" around the building. there's your lin ft mud sill.
now ... U got studs ... 1 per ft will get ya there ... so will length X's .75 for lin ft.
don't forget 3 per corner ...
header material ...
double top plates ...
etc.
now ... add 10 to 15%.
extra is good.
plus ... you'll use most of it for blocking and such. Just "walk" mentally thru, up and around the prints ... with a pencil and a note pad. trimmers and kings around windows and doors ... wall intersections ... figure out first what's gonna take "off center" lumber and look for that as U "walk".
even plywood for floors and decks ... 8x4 = 32 ... for sq ft divided by 32 ... plus extra.
and even with that ... I'll sometimes sketch a quick floor plan to see which way it's gonna run and exactly how much I'll need ... piece by piece. Then ... add extra.
Not so hard ... just take the time and do it right.
rafters? don't forget the overhangs!
Jeff
Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
What Jeff said.......
Plus, I add 4 studs per window or door opening. Also, when I figure header stock, I try to make all of them out of 1 common length, 12, 14s, whatever works for your project. And if I have other people framing for me, I'm sure to tell them (for instance), "18s and 12s are joists, 14s are your header stock". That way, there's less likelihood of the 18 foot pieces getting cut up for small headers. I've seen it happen too many times.
"Hey ... where's that big ...?"
"Son of a B .....!!!"
Like that?
Jeff
Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa