This guide will help you to discover how to accurately Estimate Materials for a House. Estimating material costs can be divided into two major steps. The first is performing a material take off and the second is calculating cost. But for an accurate analysis of material cost , it is important to get into the depth of the estimation process. So this article will explain how to calculate cost in a beginner friendly way.
Why Should You Estimate Materials for a House?
Cost estimation of material has several different benefits for the property owner. Such as:
- Streamlines construction projects
- Better allocation of resources
- Increase decision-making skills
- Enhanced clarity on the goals and objectives of the project
- Increase collaboration among stakeholders
- Saves cost
- Prevents time delays
Guide to Material Cost Estimation
Whether you are a contractor or a property owner, the following steps are going to help you to estimate material cost precisely.
1) Choose The Right Construction Materials
Before you start crunching numbers, it is important to choose the right construction materials for your project. Here are some considerations for selecting material:
- Weather Conditions
- Strength and Durability
- Price
- Aesthetic Appeal
- Accessibility
- Maintenance
- Future Family Needs
2) Perform Material Takeoff
After selecting the materials, the next step is to perform a quantity takeoff. This will tell you how much material is needed for the project.
Material Takeoff involves taking accurate measurements of the construction site and using different formulas for calculating the quantity. At the takeoff stage we are only going to be assessing the number of materials needed for the project.
Some common measurements of takeoff include:
- Length: Walls, ceilings, cables
- Volume: Cement, sand
- Area: Roofs, floor
- Count: Fixtures, doors
Professional Material Takeoff Services use advanced takeoff software that increases efficiency. If you are not up to date with recent technology and how to use it, you can seek help from SMA MEP Estimate to perform takeoff calculations for you!
3) Calculate Cost!
After quantifying materials, most of the work is almost done. The next step is to estimate materials for a house. For this step, it’s important to know about the current market conditions and be aware of any recent price fluctuations. If you already have a credible supplier then that’s good. But if you don’t, visit the marketplace to get multiple quotes from different suppliers.
Calculate the cost of materials by pricing one unit and then multiplying it with the quantity. Make sure that you double check the numbers!
4) Transportation Expense
To accurately estimate materials for a house it’s best to include the material transportation cost as well. If you are ordering material from a faraway place then it will cost you more. For a cost-effective house, it’s better to choose materials that are easily and locally available.
5) Contingency Plan
A contingency plan is created in case of any unexpected situation that increases the cost. Estimators and contractors allot 5-15% of the total budget cost as a contingency plan. It helps to prevent cost overruns and time delays.
Best Practices to Estimate Material for a House
1) Use Software
We understand that software can be hard to use. Moreover, they can be expensive for a small company or personal use. Plus, there are different software for different types of estimation. For example, for Electrical Material Takeoff, professional estimators use the Mc Cormick System, Trimble etc. But for a plumbing takeoff, they might switch to FastPipe or FastDuct. So it’s difficult to get access to these advanced technologies but they can increase accuracy by many fold.
If you want a software-based cost analysis, it is better to take help from a cost estimator.
2) Historical Data Analysis
Historical data refers to similar past construction projects and their cost. One can analyze historical data to get a rough estimate of the cost. But do make sure that you don’t depend too much on past construction projects as the prices can change. The key is to use it as a baseline to save time and then create your own estimate.
3) Outsource to Residential Estimating Services
Residential Estimating Services can create a comprehensive cost plan for any type of residential building. Whether it is a home, apartment, townhouse, or dormitory, an estimator is capable of handling projects of all sizes and complexities.
To Conclude
Material cost estimation improves the flow of construction. It helps to prevent rework and saves the property owner from many unnecessary expenses. It can also be said that the best way to build a cost-effective home is by creating a budget. So make sure that you go through each step carefully and not rush anything. A professional cost calculator can help to precisely estimate materials for a house without making any errors. Many contractors, architects, engineers, fabrications etc take help from estimators. They can provide you with spot-on cost projections and you won’t even have to lift a finger!
Author: stevie jackson
Architect
