How Long Has HomeTech Been Publishing The Cost Estimator?

We published our first Cost Estimator in 1966. We have been providing books, software and seminars for professional remodeling contractors for 40 years.

What Are The Major Benefits To Unit Cost Estimating?

Essentially you can compare the methods in unit cost estimating to the way siding and roofing are estimated. Every thing you do is converted to a standard measurement and a cost assigned to it. When you estimate a roofing job you figure squares, and then multiply the number of squares by the cost you have already established for a square. With siding it is a very similar process. For example in our book we have determined what a square foot of bearing stud wall will cost. All you need to know to determine a price is how many square feet of stud wall there will be. You do not need to figure the number of studs, the amount of lumber needed for headers and the cost of nails. This way you do not need to create a material list to bid on a job. You need only create a material list after you have sold the job. You will find the time savings to be tremendous.

In What Way Do You Organize Your Book That Makes It Superior
To Other Estimating Book?

Our unique 25 categories are in the same order the job is built. In this way you can go through the book selecting items for a job while you visualize building the job in your head. This will help prevent leaving items out of your bid. We often tell our customers that they can pay for their book with the money they save not missing items on the first job they bid with the book.

How Do You Gather The Figures To Modify Costs For My Local Area?

Every quarter we call 5 or more full service lumberyards in your area and ask them for material costs. This way when you use the Local Area Modification index to modify the material costs in your book, it's just as reliable as if you called your local lumberyard yourself.


How Would I Modify Your Book For My Local Area?

There's no need to modify your book! The book we send you will have prices printed specifically for your local area. We update this information every quarter so the book you purchase, no matter when during the year, has fresh up-to-date prices for the area you work in. Some other companies offer City Modification Numbers you use to change to grand total on your finished bid. We are the only publishers of cost data that provide such exhaustive data every quarter, all year long!

What Crew Types Do You Use When Determining Labor Costs?

The simple answer is 'all types of crews'. We do not believe that the price for a specific amount of production changes depending on the crew mix. Let me give you an example. One contractor uses an experienced lead carpenter to do framing by himself. Another uses an average carpenter with a helper. The first contractor pays the lead carpenter a total of $30 an hour and he finishes the job in 10 hours. His cost is $300. The second contractor pays his carpenter only $22.50 an hour and the helper $15 an hour and they finish the job in only 8 hours. His cost is also $300. Both companies used different crew mixes but the per unit or per job cost is the same.

We have found that with stable, profitable companies, crew mixes do not substantial change the unit costs. So if you are paying your employees what they are worth, 100 square feet of wall framing should cost you the same whether you use a one or two man crew.