The only estimating calculator you’ll need is already built in.
When 1build hears from the incredible contractors we work with each day, there are a few topics that always come up about how 1build can helped their businesses grow. First is winning more projects. The second is a good resource for those estimating formulas that turn a handful of measurements into a professional estimate. So, rather than switching between your estimating calculator and your bid sheet, 1build made it possible to enter these common conversions and formulas directly into your estimate line item. Then we pull from the latest local cost data for material, labor, and equipment, and you are done estimating before your superintendent turns in for the night.
Below we’ve included specific formulas for trades like framing, demolition, and drywall. We also included all the unit of measure conversions you’ll need to take your 2-D drawings into real life.
Even professional estimators learn one formula at a time. Here we go!
Wood Framing
Type
Calculation
Horizontal Studs: By Count
Count of Horizontal Studs = (Wall Height in Linear Foot / Horizontal Stud Spacing)
Horizontal Studs: By Linear Foot
Total LF of Studs = Stud Count * Stud Length + [WASTE(Total LF of Stud *Waste%)]
Total LF of Studs = Stud Count * Stud Length + [WASTE(Total LF of Stud *Waste%)]
Metal Framing
Type
Calculation
Horizontal Studs: By Count
Linear Foot of Wall * (Height of wall / Spacing of horizontal suds) / Stud Length = Stud Count
Horizontal Studs: By Linear Foot
Stud length * Stud count = Total Linear Foot
Opening Framing
Perimeter of opening in Linear Feet * 2 = Total Linear Feet of Framing Material
Vertical Studs: By Count
Linear Foot of Wall / Spacing of suds in feet = Stud Count
Vertical Studs: By Linear Foot
Stud count * Wall Height = Total Linear feet of Vertical Studs
Top and Bottom Plates
(Linear Foot of Walls * Number of Studs Spec’d to support vertical studs at Ceiling) + (Linear Foot of Walls * Number of Studs Spec’d to support vertical studs at Floor)
Demolition
Type
Calculation
Wiring by Fixtures Count and then LF, and then CFM
Total LF of Wiring = Fixtures Count * Not To Exceed LF Allowance + Homeruns with NTE LF Allowance
Linear Foot of Wire into Spools
Spool Count = Total LF of Wire (by gauge or assumed) / Spool Length (typical 500LF)
Concrete
Type
Calculation
Walls in CY of Concrete
Volume of Concrete = Linear Foot of Wall * Height of Wall * Thickness in Feet
Walls in Concrete Blocks
Total Volume of Concrete in Wall / Block Volume (by specified size) = Approximate count of Blocks + Waste (in %)
Wood Forming: At Above Ground Vertical Concrete
Plywood Forming to plane each wall side in SF = Linear Foot of Wall * Wall Height
Underground Piling
Volume of Concrete per Cylindrical Pile = 1/2 Pile width in feet (radius) squared * Pile Depth (height)
Rebar and Reinforcement
Weight of Rebar = Gauge of Rebar in LF (total from horizontal and vertical equations) X Weight per pound
Horizontal Rebar
LF of rebar = LF of concrete being reinforced * Spacing (in feet) = Stick count * length of concrete being reinforced (to control joint)
Vertical Rebar
LF of rebar = LF of concrete being reinforced * Spacing (in feet) = Stick count (this will be different than the horizontal if the slab is thick enough to need more than one row of reinforcement) * length of concrete being reinforced (to control joint)
Rebar & Reinforcement
Type
Calculation
Rebar and Reinforcement
Weight of Rebar = Gauge of Rebar in LF (total from horizontal and vertical equations) X Weight per pound
Horizontal Rebar
LF of rebar = LF of concrete being reinforced * Spacing (in feet) = Stick count * length of concrete being reinforced (to control joint)
Vertical Rebar
LF of rebar = LF of concrete being reinforced * Spacing (in feet) = Stick count (this will be different than the horizontal if the slab is thick enough to need more than one row of reinforcement) * length of concrete being reinforced (to control joint)
Drywall
Type
Calculation
Drywall: By Sheet
Linear foot of Wall * Wall Height = Total Square foot of one Side of Wall / Drywall Sheet area in square foot = Sheet Count
Electrical
Type
Calculation
Wiring by Fixtures Count and then LF, and then CFM
Total LF of Wiring = Fixtures Count * Not To Exceed LF Allowance + Homeruns with NTE LF Allowance
Linear Foot of Wire into Spools
Spool Count = Total LF of Wire (by gauge or assumed) / Spool Length (typical 500LF)
To convert Square Feet to Cubic Yards:
Total SF * Depth (or Thickness in Lineal Feet) / 27 = Cubic Yards
To Convert Lineal Feet to Cubic Yards:
Total LF * Width (in Lineal Feet) * Height (Lineal Feet) / 27 = Cubic Yards
To Convert Lineal Feet to Square Feet:
Total LF * Height (in Lineal Feet) = Square Feet
TIP: This can be used for things like wall area for drywall & insulation. This can also be multiplied by additional factors for things like double layers, etc.
To Convert Lineal Feet to Each (for studs):
Total LF / Spacing (in Lineal Feet) = Each
TIP:This works best for stud counts and items where you measure a distance, then figure how many items are there from the indicated spacing
To Convert Lineal Feet to Each (for board counts from total LF):
Total LF / Length (in Lineal Feet) = Each
TIP:This works best for board counts and items where you measure a distance, then figure how many items are there from the length of the desired board/material
To Convert SF to Each:
Total SF / SF per piece (think of a 4’x8’ piece of drywall) = Each
TIP: This works best for piece counts for things like drywall or plywood where each sheet covers a certain amount of square feet (e.g. 480 Total SF / 48 SF per sheet (4’x12’) = 10 sheets)
Quick Guide to decimal conversions from Inches to Feet (1-11 inches):
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