Estimating Home Building Costs
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Many builders and estimators make the mistake of estimating residential construction costs by the square foot or cubic foot. This method may be all right for a ballpark figure, but the cost of a house can vary by many thousands of dollars without adding one square foot to its size.

This practical handbook takes the contractor through each phase of estimating residential construction, from buying the site and acquiring permits and services, through foundations, superstructure, roofing, wiring, plumbing, insulation, trim and appliances, to overhead, contingency and profit.

Step-by-step instructions, with helpful illustrations, tables, charts and sample calculations show how to figure manhours and arrive at an accurate estimate of labor and material costs.

A cost estimate worksheet at the end of each chapter lists every item in each area of construction and virtually eliminates the risk of an omission. This in itself makes the book a must for every builder who estimates the costs of residential homebuilding.

The Author:

W.P. Jackson, author of the highly successful Building Layout, has over 30 years experience as a builder and developer of quality homes, subdivisions and garden apartments.

Now a consultant on construction operations and a member of the planning commission in his community, Mr. Jackson has refined his estimating techniques, simplified calculations, and identified all the common pitfalls an estimator may encounter. This book is the product of his efforts.

Introduction | Table of Contents | Preview A Chapter