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2025
NATIONAL
®

PAINTING COST

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ESTIMATOR

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Edited by Dennis Gleason, CPE
35th Edition
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This manual is also available as a Web app, National Estimator Cloud, that makes it
easy to compile and print estimates, bids and invoices for nearly any type of construction
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project.
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databases. It’s never been easier. No disk and no download needed!

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The author thanks the following individuals and organizations for furnishing materials and information used in the

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preparation of various portions of this book.
Howard Shahan, American Design Painting & Drywall, Poway, CA
American Society of Professional Estimators (ASPE), Wheaton, MD

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Benjamin Moore Paints, San Diego, CA
Gordon H. Brevcort, Brevcort Consulting Associates, Ridgewood, NJ
Luis Anguiano, CSI Paint, Napa, CA
Scott Williams, CSI Paint, San Francisco, and Napa, CA

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John San Marcos, Devoe Coatings, San Diego Marine Hardware, San Diego, CA
Ken Hogben, Dunn-Edwards Paints & Wallcovering, San Francisco, CA
Randy Martin, Dunn-Edwards Paints & Wallcovering, La Mesa, CA
Bob Langbein, East Bay Paint Center, Albany, CA
Hugh Champeny, Kelly-Moore Paint Company, San Carlos, CA
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Eli Dominguez, Kelly-Moore Paint Company, Pleasant Hill, CA
Dennis Cripe, R.W. Little Co, Inc., Sandblasting, San Diego, CA
Chris Rago, Mark’s Paint Mart, Oakland, CA
Bruce McMullan, McMullan & Son Painting, San Diego, CA
Joe Garrigan, Mr. Paints, San Diego, CA
PPG Industries, Inc., Pittsburgh Paints, Torrance, CA
Carlos Jeronimo, PPG Paints, Santa Clara, CA
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Keith Braswell, Rent-X, Pleasant Hill, CA

Richardson Engineering Services, Inc., Mesa, AZ
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Rust-Oleum Protective Coatings, Los Angeles, CA

Squires-Belt Material Co., San Diego, CA
Steel Structures Painting Council, Pittsburgh, PA
John Meyer, U.S. Government, Department of the Navy, Public Works, San Diego, CA
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Miguel Govea, Vista Paint Centers, San Diego, CA

Jerry Rittgarn, Waco-Arise Scaffolding & Equipment, San Diego, CA
Mark Janson, Warehouse Paint, Auburn, CA
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Cover design by: Jennifer Johnson

Sheila M. Scott, Calligraphy

©2024 Craftsman Book Company

ISBN 978-1-57218-403-9 ISSN 1092-6852
Published October 2024 for the year 2025

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Introduction - How to Use This Book......... 5 Part II - Preparation Costs
Acid wash gutters & downspouts............... 296
Part I - General Painting Costs Airblast, compressed air............................ 296
Baseboard..................................................... 43 Burn off paint.............................................. 297

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Beams........................................................... 45 Caulk.......................................................... 298
Bookcases and shelves................................ 48 Cut cracks.................................................. 298
Cabinets........................................................ 52 Fill wood floors........................................... 299

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Ceilings.......................................................... 57 Putty, application........................................ 299
Closets.......................................................... 88 Sand........................................................... 299
Corbels.......................................................... 92 Sandblast................................................... 302
Cutting-in....................................................... 92 Scribing...................................................... 309
Decks............................................................ 94 Strip, remove, bleach................................. 311
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Doors............................................................. 95 Unstick windows......................................... 312
Fascia.......................................................... 118 Wash.......................................................... 313
Fence.......................................................... 123 Waterblast (Power wash)........................... 315
Fireplaces.................................................... 127 Window-protective coating......................... 315
Firewood boxes........................................... 128 Wire brush.................................................. 316
Floors.......................................................... 129
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Garage door backs...................................... 137 Part III - Industrial, Institutional and

Gutters & downspouts................................. 138 Heavy Commercial Painting Costs
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High time difficulty factors........................... 139 Conduit....................................................... 318

Mail box structures...................................... 140 Decking and siding..................................... 326
Masonry....................................................... 140 Doors, hollow metal................................... 330
Molding........................................................ 153 Ductwork.................................................... 331
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Overhangs................................................... 159 Fire escapes............................................... 348

Pass-through shelves.................................. 162 Fire sprinkler systems................................ 349
Plant-on trim................................................ 162 Grates and grilles....................................... 350
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Plaster or stucco......................................... 168 Ladders...................................................... 354

Pot shelves.................................................. 172 Masonry..................................................... 354
Railings........................................................ 173 Mechanical equipment............................... 356
Registers, HVAC......................................... 182 Piping......................................................... 357
Roof jacks................................................... 183 Radiators.................................................... 371
Roofing........................................................ 184 Structural steel........................................... 372
Sheet metal................................................. 196 Tank, silo, vessel, or hopper...................... 400
Shutters or blinds........................................ 201 Walls, concrete, tilt-up................................ 412
Siding.......................................................... 202 Windows, steel factory sash...................... 418
Stairs........................................................... 219
Touchup, brush as required........................ 222 Part IV - Wallcovering Costs
Trellis or lattice............................................ 223 Adhesive coverage..................................... 422
Valances for light fixtures............................ 224 Wallcovering application............................ 424
Walls............................................................ 225 Borders....................................................... 424
Window screen frames............................... 276 Flexible wood sheet and veneer................ 425
Window seats.............................................. 277 Surface preparation, wallcovering.............. 425
Window sills................................................ 277 Vinyl wallcovering....................................... 426
Windows...................................................... 278 Wall fabric.................................................. 430
Window conversion factors......................... 292 Wallpaper................................................... 434
Wine racks.................................................. 293 Index................................................................. 440

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Figure Title................................................................................ Page

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1 The basis for cost estimates in this book.................................... 6
2 Customize the tables................................................................... 7
3 Sandblasting pricing table......................................................... 11

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4 Pavement marking pricing table................................................ 12
5 Waterblasting pricing table........................................................ 13
6 Labor productivity categories.................................................... 13
7 Material coverage rates............................................................. 15
8 Material price discounts............................................................. 16
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9 Material prices at 20% discount................................................ 17
10 Material prices at 30% discount................................................ 20
11 Material prices at 40% discount................................................ 23
12 Sundry inventory checklist......................................................... 27
13 Hourly wage rates for wallcovering application......................... 29
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14 Labor burden percentages........................................................ 30

15 Typical equipment purchase and rental prices......................... 33
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16 Risk factors and profit margin................................................... 36

17 Bidding variables....................................................................... 36
18 Sample painting estimate.......................................................... 38
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19 Blank painting estimate............................................................. 40

20 Interior opening count allowance table.................................... 102
21 Conduit/pipe area conversion table......................................... 325
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22 Square corner decking factors................................................ 327

23 Structural steel conversion tables........................................... 391
24 Surface area of spheres.......................................................... 399
25 Sample field production times and rates form......................... 419
26 Blank field production times and rates form............................ 420

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Paint estimating is more of an art than a science. duce consistently accurate painting cost estimates in
There’s no price that’s exactly right for every job and dollars and cents. But it isn’t a substitute for expertise.
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for every bidder. That’s because every painting job is It’s not a simple way to do in minutes what an experi-
unique. No single material cost, no labor estimate, no enced paint estimator might not be able to do in hours.
pricing system fits all types of work. And just as every Instead, this unit cost guide will aid you in developing
job varies, so do painting companies. No two painting
a good estimate of costs for any painting operation on
contractors have the same productivity rates, the same
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any project. Think of this manual as one good estimat-
labor burden, the same overhead expense and the
ing tool. But it’s not (or at least shouldn’t be) the only
same profit requirements.
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estimating tool you’ll use.

The best paint estimates are always custom-made
for a particular job. They’re based on the contrac- For most jobs, I expect that the figures you see here
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tor’s actual productivity rate, material cost, labor cost, will prove to be good estimates. But anyone who under-
overhead percentage and profit expectations. No esti- stands paint estimating will understand why judgment
mating book, no computerized estimating system, no is needed when applying figures from this manual — or
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estimating service can possibly account for all the vari- any other paint estimating guide. It’s your responsibility
ables that make every job and every painting company to decide which conditions on the job you’re bidding
different. Only a skilled estimator using professional are like conditions assumed in this manual, and which
judgment and a proven estimating system can produce conditions are different. Where conditions are different,
consistently reliable estimates on a wide variety of you’ll need good professional judgment to arrive at a
painting jobs. realistic estimated cost.

This manual is also available by subscription on

the Web. National Estimator Cloud includes all ten of
So, Why Buy This Book? Craftsman’s 2025 construction cost estimating refer-
ences. Each of these manuals has about 400 pages of
That’s easy. This is the most complete, authoritative current labor and material costs for construction – all
and reliable unit cost guide ever made available to paint neatly organized and indexed. Use these costs to build
estimators. No matter what types of work you estimate, estimates and bids for nearly any type of project. Your
no matter what your costs are, this book will help pro- work is kept secure on the Web.

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æ Labor Labor Labor Labor Material

Manhour Overhead
cost per burden burden cost plus price Profit
productivity percent
hour percent dollars burden discount

Slow (1P) Low $26.55 24.0% $6.37 $32.92 20% 19.0% 16%

Medium (2P) Average 33.80 28.9% 9.77 43.57 30% 25.0% 12%

Fast (3P) High 41.25 35.3% 14.56 55.81 40% 31.0% 7%

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Notes: These rates are for painters. Hourly rates for wallcovering are different. See page 29. Slow, Medium and Fast jobs are defined
on page 13. Labor burden percentages used in this book are summarized on page 31. National Estimator uses hourly rates in the Labor
cost plus burden column. National Estimator shows productivity rates (Slow, Medium and Fast) and copies the words Slow, Medium or
Fast to your estimate. It also copies the crew productivity code, either 1P (Slow), 2P (Medium), or 3P (Fast) to your estimating form.

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National Estimator allows you to enter any percentage you select for overhead and profit.

Figure 1
The basis for painting cost estimates in this book

How to Use the Tables

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Your decision on the application rate to use (or which
Pr combination of rates to use) has to be based on your
The estimating tables in this book show typical costs evaluation of the job, your painters and your company.
and bid prices for every painting operation you’re likely That’s where good common sense is needed.
to encounter, whether paint is applied by brush, roller,
mitt or spray. Selecting the right cost table and the cor- Figure 1 shows crew codes, labor costs, labor bur-
dens, material discounts, and profit for each of the
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rect application method is easy. Tables are divided into
four parts: three production rates for painting.
in

Part I: General Painting Costs The “Slow” application rate in Figure 1 assumes
lower productivity (less area covered per manhour),
Part II: Preparation Costs a lower labor cost (due to a less skilled crew), a
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lower labor burden (due to lower fringe benefits), a

Part III: Industrial, Institutional and lower discount on materials (because of low volume),
Heavy Commercial Painting Costs higher overhead (due to lower volume) and a higher
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profit margin (typical on small repaint or custom jobs).

Part IV: Wallcovering Costs Figures in this “Slow” application row will apply where
painters with lower skill levels are working on smaller
Each section is arranged alphabetically by opera- or more difficult repaint jobs.
tion. If you have trouble finding the tables you need,
use the Table of Contents at the front of the book or the Look at the “Fast” row in Figure 1. These estimates
Index at the back of the book. will apply where a skilled crew (higher hourly rate and
larger fringe benefits) is working under good supervi-
Once you’ve found the right table and the appropri- sion and good conditions (more area covered per
ate application method, you have to select the correct manhour) on larger (volume discount on materials) and
application rate. For each of the application methods more competitive jobs (lower profit margin). Figures in
(brush, roll, mitt or spray), the tables show three appli- the “Fast” application row assume high productivity and
cation rates: “Slow,” “Medium,” or “Fast.” That’s a very lower material coverage, (unpainted surfaces absorb
important decision when using this book, because more paint), like that of a residential tract job.
each application rate assumes different manhour pro-
ductivity, material coverage, material cost per gallon, Each of the three application rates is described
hourly labor cost, labor burden, overhead and profit. more completely later in this section.

6
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How to Use This Book

¾
Pricing variables Unit cost estimate

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Labor Material Material Labor Labor Material Overhead Profit Total

SF per man- coverage cost per cost per burden cost per per per cost per
hour SF/gallon gallon 100 SF 100 SF 100 SF 100 SF 100 SF 100 SF

Walls, gypsum drywall, orange peel or knock-down, roll, per 100 SF of wall area
Flat latex, water base (material #5)

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Roll 1st coat

Slow 400 300 61.20 6.64 1.59 20.40 5.44 5.45 39.52

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Medium 538 275 53.60 6.28 1.82 19.49 6.90 4.14 38.63

Fast 675 250 45.90 6.11 2.15 18.36 8.25 2.44 37.31

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Your customized figures 4.15 1.00 19.49 6.16 3.70 34.50

24.00% 25.00% 12.00%

Figure 2
Pr Customize the tables
(From page 228)

The Easy Case: No Adjustments This book is designed so you can quickly and easily
adjust estimates to reflect actual costs on the job you’re
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Let’s suppose the “Slow” application rate fits the job
estimating. It’s important that you read the rest of this
you’re estimating almost perfectly. Your crew’s produc-
section before using the cost tables in this book. That’s
tivity is expected to be low. From Figure 1, the labor
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the only way to get from this manual all the accuracy
cost will be $26.55 per hour. Labor burden (fringes,
and flexibility that’s built into it.
taxes and insurance) will be 24.0 percent. Discount
on materials will be 20 percent. Overhead will be 19
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In the remainder of this section I’ll describe the

percent and profit will be 16 percent. Then your task
assumptions I’ve made and the methods I used to
is easy. All of your costs match the costs in the “Slow”
row. No modifications are needed. The same is true if compile the cost tables in this manual. Once you under-
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your costs fit the “Medium” or “Fast” rows. stand them, you’ll be able to combine and modify costs
in the estimating tables so your bids fit the job, your
But that’s not always going to happen. More often, crew and your company as closely as possible.
the job, your crew and your company won’t fit exactly
into any of the three rows. What then? More evaluation When you start using the cost tables in this book, I
is required. You’ll combine costs from several applica- suggest you circle numbers in the “Slow,” “Medium,” or
tion rate rows to reach an accurate bid price. I call that “Fast” application rate rows that best fit your company
customizing your costs and it’s nearly always required and your jobs. To improve accuracy even more, write
for an accurate estimate. your own figures in the blank row below the “Fast” row
in each table, like I’ve done in Figure 2.

Customizing Your Costs

A Practical Example
Every company has a different combination of work-
er speed and experience, taxes, benefits, spread rates, Figure 2 is part of an estimating table taken from
equipment needs, percentage for overhead, and profit page 228 of this book, General Painting Costs. I’m going
margin. These are the cost variables in paint estimating. to use it to show how to customize estimates to match

7
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your actual costs. In Figure 2 I’ve circled some of the In column 7, Overhead per 100 SF, I’ve calculated
costs I plan to use in a sample estimate and calculated the overhead dollar value by adding the labor cost,
others. labor burden and material cost then multiplying that
sum by the “Medium” overhead at 25 percent: $4.15 +
In column 1, Labor SF per manhour, I’ve circled 675
$1.00 + $19.49 = $24.64 x .25 = $6.16.
because I feel the journeyman painter assigned to this
job can paint walls at the “Fast” rate of 675 square feet
per hour. That’s the number I plan to use for my esti- In column 8, Profit per 100 SF, I’ve calculated the
mate. profit dollar value by adding the labor cost, labor bur-
den, material cost and overhead then multiplying that
In column 2, Material coverage SF/gallon, I’ve sum by the “Medium” profit at 12 percent from Figure 1.

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reviewed my past performance and I expect coverage The result is $4.15 + $1.00 + $19.49 + $6.16 = $30.80
will be about 275 square feet per gallon of paint. So I’ve x .12 = $3.70.
circled that figure.

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In column 3, Material cost per gallon, I’ve circled Column 9, Total cost per 100 SF, is the bid price — it’s
53.60 for my cost per gallon for flat water base latex the sum of columns 4 through 8 for each row. Because
(including tax and an allowance for consumable sup- I’ve circled costs that fall in more than one row, I can’t

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plies), based on a 30 percent discount from the retail use any figure in column 9. Instead, I simply add the
price. circled or calculated figures in columns 4 through 8:
$4.15 + $1.00 + $19.49 + $6.16 + $3.70 = $34.50.
So far, so good. That completes the first three
columns, what I call the pricing variables. Now we can That’s my bid price per 100 square feet on this job.
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begin on the unit cost estimate, columns 4 through 9. It’s the combination of costs that fit my company, my
Each of these columns show a price per 100 square painters and the job.
feet of wall.

We’ll start with column 4, Labor cost per 100 SF. Using Your Good Judgment
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Notice that I’ve written in 4.15 for this column. Here’s
why. Look back at Figure 1 and the “Slow” labor rate, Of course, judgment is required when using these
with burden, at $32.92. (See Figure 13 on page 29 for tables, as it is when making any estimate. For exam-
in

the wage rates for wallcovering.) Since I’m in a part of ple, if your journeymen painters earn the top wage of
the country where prices, and wages, are lower than $41.25 but work at the “Medium” production rate or
the national average, my experienced painters work
slower, your labor cost per unit will be higher than the
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for $28.00, closer to the “Slow” labor cost, though they

produce at the “Fast” rate of 675 SF per manhour. This highest cost listed in column 4. An adjustment may be
gives me an advantage because my labor costs are required.
lower than those in Figure 1. To calculate the labor cost
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per 100 SF, divide $28.00 by 675 and then multiply by Because figures in columns 7 and 8 are percent-
100: 28.00/675 =.0415 x 100 = 4.15. ages of figures in columns 4, 5 and 6, you have to be
careful when you blend costs from different rows. Let’s
In column 5, Labor burden 100 SF, I’ve entered look at an extreme (and unlikely) example.
1.00. This figure is a result of my labor cost at $4.15 x
24.0 percent, my labor burden (taxes, insurance and Suppose you use costs from the “Slow” applica-
benefits) from the “Slow” row of Figure 1. Even though tion row for columns 4 (6.64), 5 (1.59) and 6 (20.40)
the labor rate is “Fast” and the labor cost is higher than
of Figure 2. The total of those three costs is $28.63.
the “Slow” rate, for this example labor burden at 1.00
Then you decide to use overhead from the “Fast” row
will be most like work done at the “Slow” rate because
because your overhead is about 31 percent of cost,
this company doesn’t offer many benefits.
not 19 percent of cost as in the “Slow” row (Figure 1).
In column 6, Material cost per 100 SF, I’ve circled “Fast” overhead is listed as $8.25 in Figure 2. The cor-
19.49, the number in the “Medium” row. Since I’ve used rect overhead figure is $8.88, or 31 percent of the sum
numbers in the “Medium” row in both columns 2 and of “Slow” costs in columns 4, 5 and 6. Be aware of this
3, I can take the figure in column 6 for material costs small discrepancy and calculate figures for all the cat-
directly from the table, without any calculations. egories yourself to ensure extreme accuracy.

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How to Use This Book

Converting Unit Prices adjacent surfaces, and do any extensive setup,

cleanup, or touchup. (See the discussion of
The last column in Figure 2 shows the total cost per SURRPTUCU on the next page.)
100 square feet of wall. Some estimating tables in this
book show a total cost per 100 linear feet (such as for n Mobilization or demobilization
baseboard) or total costs per unit (such as for doors). To
convert a cost per 100 square feet to a cost per square n Supervision
foot, move the decimal point two places to the left. Thus
the cost per 100 square feet for the “Fast” rate in Figure n Material handling, delivery, or storage
2 is $32.51 or about 32.5 cents per square foot.
Sample preparation

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n

General Qualifications n Mixing coatings

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It’s important that you understand the conditions n Excessive material waste or spillage
the tables are based upon. I call these conditions the
job qualifications. A qualifications statement follows n Equipment rental or placement costs

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each estimating table to help you understand what’s
included and what’s excluded. Please read those n Scaffolding rental and erection costs
qualifications before using costs from this manual in
your estimates. The following points apply to all tables n Subcontract costs
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in this book:
n Contingency allowance

Included Costs
n Owner allowances

n Minor preparation, both time and material. n Commissions, bonuses, overtime, premium pay
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Normal preparation for new residential construc- for shift adjustments (evening work), travel time
tion is included in the “Fast” row and for new or per diem.
in

commercial jobs in the “Medium” row. Minimal

preparation is included for repaint jobs in the n Bonds, fees, or permits
“Slow” row.
nl

n Additional insurance to meet owner requirements

n Minimum setup and cleanup
n Work at heights above 8 feet or beyond the
reach of a wand or extension pole. (See the
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n Equipment such as ladders, spray rigs and

table for High Time Difficulty Factors on page
brushes are included in overhead for the “Fast”
139.)
rate (residential tracts) or “Medium” (commercial)
work. Add equipment costs at their rental rate for
“Slow” (repaint) jobs.
Surface Preparation
The Preparation estimating tables that follow Part I:
Excluded Costs General Painting Costs, apply to both interior and exte-
rior surfaces.
n Equipment costs such as ladders, spray rigs, etc.
for “Slow” (repaint) jobs. Add these at their rental Surface preparation is one of the hardest parts of
rate whether or not you own the equipment. the job to estimate accurately. Any experienced painter
can make a reasonably good estimate of the quantity of
n Extensive surface preparation. Add the cost paint and time needed for application. But the amount
of time and materials needed for more than of prep work needed will vary widely — especially for
“normal”preparation work. Also add time to remove repaint jobs. Some will need very little work. Others will
and replace hardware and accessories, protect take more time for prep than for painting.

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Preparation work for new construction jobs is rela- 1) Setup includes unloading the vehicle, spreading
tively standard and consistent. You’ll have to mask the tarp and setting up the tools — everything
cabinets before spraying sealer on wet area walls, that has to be done before prep or painting can
caulk at the baseboards, putty the nail holes in wood begin.
trim, and occasionally use a wire brush to smooth and
clean a surface. The time required for this work is fairly 2) Remove and replace everything that will interfere
predictable. with painting, including door and cabinet
hardware, the contents of cabinets, light fixtures,
Labor cost for normal preparation of unpainted sur- bathroom accessories, switch covers and outlet
faces in new residential construction is included in the plates, among others.

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“Fast” labor costs and for new commercial construc-
tion in the “Medium” labor cost. The cost of materials 3) Protection for furniture and adjacent surfaces
for normal surface preparation on unpainted surfaces such as floors, cabinets, plumbing or electrical

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is included in the sundries allowance that’s part of the fixtures, windows, and doors. Protection meth-
“Fast” or “Medium” material cost. ods include masking, applying visqueen, laying
drop cloths and applying a protective coating on

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But if more than normal surface prep work is windows.
needed, estimate the extra manhours and materials
required and add these costs to your estimate. 4) Touchup time varies with the speed and quality of
the painting job and how fussy the owner is. The
Pr
more careful your painters are, the less touchup
Add for Repaint Preparation
time needed. You can estimate touchup time
The “Slow” unit costs include no surface preparation accurately only if you know how well your crews
other than a quick wipedown. Preparation on a repaint perform. The Touchup table in this book is based
job may take longer than the painting itself. That’s why on a percentage of total job cost.
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you have to estimate surface prep as a separate item
and add that cost to your estimate. 5) Cleanup time is usually about the same as setup
in

time, about 20 to 30 minutes each day for repaint

A misjudgment in estimating preparation work can jobs. Cleanup time begins when work stops for
be very expensive. That’s why I recommend that you the day and ends when the crew is back in the
bid surface preparation by the hour, using your shop
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truck and ready to go home. It includes cleaning

rate for “time and material” jobs, or some other speci- tools, dismantling the paint shop and loading the
fied hourly rate. That protects you against cost overruns vehicle.
if the preparation takes longer than anticipated. But
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there’s a danger here. Owners may be angry about the

cost because they don’t understand what’s involved in Subcontractors
preparation and why it takes so long. You can avoid
this with a “not to exceed” bid that contains a maxi- Painting contractors don’t hire many subcontractors.
mum price for the prep work. Your bid should define But once in a while you’ll need a specialist for sand-
the scope of preparation work in detail and list exactly blasting, waterblasting, wallcovering, scaffolding or
what’s included and excluded. Be sure to consider all pavement marking. Subcontract costs are not included
the labor, material, and equipment costs involved. in the estimating tables. Add the cost of any subcon-
tract work that will be required.
If you have to bid repaint work, be sure to include
all the miscellaneous costs. The acronym I use to Figure 3 shows some typical rates quoted by sand-
identify these miscellaneous costs is SURRPTUCU: blasting subcontractors. Of course, prices in your
Setup (SU), Remove and Replace (RR), Protection (P), area will probably be different. You could also figure
Touchup (TU) and Cleanup (CU). Add these costs to sandblasting unit costs from the sandblasting estimat-
your repaint estimate if they require anything beyond ing tables included in Part II, Preparation Costs, in this
minimum attention. book.

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How to Use This Book

Minimum charges: $684.00, scaffolding not included Epoxy coated - add 1.51 to 1.66/SF
Additional insurance: May be required to cover adjacent personal With portable equipment - add .87 to 1.25/SF
and real property which may not be protected.
Commercial blast - 67% white stage
Sandblasting water soluble paints $1.25 to 1.43/SF
Field welded, new, uncoated
Sandblasting oil paints 1.33 to 1.50/SF
ground runs 1.33 to 1.58/SF
Sandblasting heavy mastic
above ground 1.66 to 2.61/SF
(depends on coating thickness) 1.72 to 1.89/SF
Previously painted surfaces - add .80 to 1.43/SF
Sandblasting brick - light blast 1.25 to 1.43/SF
Epoxy coated - add 1.43 to 1.66/SF
Sandblasting masonry block walls
With portable equipment - add 1.02 to 1.25/SF
Clean up & remove grime - light 1.18 to 1.25/SF
Near white blast - 95% white stage

w
- heavy 1.80 to 1.97/SF
Field welded, new, uncoated
Sandblasting structural steel
ground runs 1.58 to 1.81/SF
Pricing rules of thumb:
Pipe up to 12” O.D. 1.80 to 2.68/SF above ground 1.81 to 2.77/SF

ie
Structural steel up to 2 SF/LF 1.66 to 1.92/SF Previously painted surfaces - add .80 to 1.43/SF
Structural steel from 2 to 5 SF/LF 1.97 to 2.21/SF Epoxy coated - add 1.43 to 1.66/SF
Structural steel over 5 SF/LF (depends on shape) With portable equipment - add 1.02 to 1.25/SF

ev
Tanks and vessels up to 12’0” O.D. 2.61 to 3.01/SF White blast - 100% uniform white stage
Tanks and vessels over 12’0” O.D. 2.61 to 3.01/SF Field welded, new, uncoated
Brush off blast - light blast (loose mill scale) ground runs 2.37 to 2.77/SF
Field welded, new, uncoated above ground 2.61 to 3.07/SF
ground runs
Pr
.80 to 1.02/SF Previously painted surfaces - add .80 to 1.33/SF
above ground 1.18 to 2.21/SF Epoxy coated - add 1.43 to 1.66/SF
Previously painted surfaces - add .80 to 1.43/SF With portable equipment - add .80 to 1.19/SF

Figure 3
Sandblasting pricing table
e
in

Figure 4 shows typical subcontract bids for pave- overhead and profit. Add your overhead and profit per-
ment marking. Again, prices in your area may be dif- centage to the subcontractor’s bid price when you enter
ferent. that item on the estimate.
nl

If you do much repainting, you’ll probably want to

Contingencies
buy a waterblasting rig. Even if you own the blaster,
O

include a charge in each estimate for the equipment Occasionally you’ll add a contingency allowance
on bids for repaint projects where there are unknowns
as though you rented it from a rental yard just for that
that can’t be forecast before work actually begins.
job. Figure the unit costs for waterblasting from Part II
Contingency allowances are rarely needed when esti-
of this book, Preparation Costs. mating new construction. When necessary, the con-
tingency amount is usually from 3 to 5 percent. It can
Consider using a waterblasting subcontractor if you go higher, however, if there are unusual conditions or
don’t need the service often. Figure 5 shows some unknowns that make it hard to produce an accurate
typical rates for waterblasting. Make up a table like estimate. Include a contingency allowance in your esti-
this based on quotes from subcontractors in your area. mates only if you have reason to expect:
For a more detailed table, see Sandblasting in the
n An uncertain scope of work (unknown job condi-
Preparation section, page 303.
tions)

When you hire a subcontractor, make sure the quot- n An inexperienced owner or general contractor
ed price includes everything that contractor has to do
— all labor, material (with tax, if applicable), equipment, n Incomplete drawings

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Pricing rules of thumb:

Number of parking spaces: Figure on one space per 300 SF of pavement
Single line striping with light graphics application $12.30 per space
Single line striping with heavy graphics application 21.50 per space
Single striping, light graphics and 3’ wheel stop 30.60 per space
Single striping, heavy graphics and 3’ wheel stop 39.70 per space

Equipment pricing:

w
Simple “inverted spray can” approximate cost $278.00
Professional striping machine cost range 5,710 to 6,290
Professional road/highway striper 318,000

ie
Subcontractor pricing:
Move on: $187.00 to 228.00

ev
Striping prices:
Single line striping $.56 to .73 per lineal foot
Bike lane striping .73 to .85 per lineal foot
Pr
Fire lane, red curb .73 to .85 per lineal foot

Symbol pricing:
Templates - 8'0" template $215.00 to 256.00 each
e

Arrows 48.70 to 57.10 each

Handicap symbol, one color 20.00 to 27.10 each
in

two color 35.80 to 42.90 each

No parking fire lane stencil 3.86 to 4.72 each
nl

Wheel stops:
3'0" stops $27.10 to 34.40 each if pinned on asphalt
35.80 to 42.90 each if glued and pinned
O

6'0" stops 42.90 to 51.50 each if pinned on asphalt

51.50 to 58.80 each if glued and pinned
(add for stops pinned to concrete)

Signs and posts:

Sign only 12" x 18" $60.00 to 84.40
Post mounted 12" x 18" 158.00 to 217.00

Pavement markers:
One way pavement markers $12.80 each
Two way pavement markers 17.10 each

Figure 4
Pavement marking pricing table

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Minimum charges: $715.00, scaffolding not included

Additional insurance: May be required to cover adjacent personal and real property
Pricing rules of thumb:
Up to 5,000 PSI blast 4 hour minimum $158.00/hour
5,000 to 10,000 PSI blast 8 hour minimum $228.00/hour
10,000 PSI blast 8 hour minimum $282.00/hour
Wet sandblasting 4 hour minimum $181.00/hour

w
Figure 5
Waterblasting pricing table

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n Delays in beginning the project heading are divided according to coating material,

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then by application method, and further into the “Slow,”
n Owner involvement in supervision “Medium,” and “Fast” application rates.

n Below-standard working conditions

Column 1: Labor Productivity
Pr
Don’t use contingency allowances as a substitute for
This column shows units of work completed per
complete estimates. Include contingency only to cover
manhour. My estimates assume that painters are
what can’t be estimated, not what you don’t have time
experienced and motivated professionals. The labor
to estimate accurately. productivity categories are shown in Figure 6.
e

My experience is that a painting company that can

handle larger projects will have highly skilled, better
in

Column Headings Defined qualified and more productive painters. The estimating
tables also assume that repainting a surface usually
Take another look at Figure 2. The heading takes about 35 percent more time than painting newly
nl

describes the surface to be coated: the type, texture, constructed surfaces. Much of this extra time is spent
and often, condition. Sections within each surface protecting adjacent areas.
O

Ŕ Slow Medium Fast

Repaint jobs New commercial projects New residential production
Custom painting Industrial painting Repetitious painting
Tenant improvements — —
Small jobs Medium-sized jobs Large projects
Single units Two to four units Five or more units
Low production Average production High production
High difficulty Average difficulty Low difficulty
Poor conditions Average conditions Good conditions
High quality Average quality Minimum quality
Semi-skilled crew Skilled crew Highly skilled crew
No supervision Some supervision Good supervision
Figure 6
Labor productivity categories

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To establish your company’s production levels, ask Thus the project foreman is a working supervisor. Part
your field superintendent to monitor the time needed of the foreman’s time will be productive (applying coat-
to complete each task and to keep records of crew ings) and part will be nonproductive (directing the work).
productivity. You can use the Field Production Times
and Rates form on pages 419 and 420 to track your If you have more than three or four jobs going at
painters’ productivity. Make copies of the blank form one time, you need a field superintendent. The field
and have your field superintendent or job foreman give superintendent is the foreman’s supervisor. His or her
one to each painter on every job. Your superintendent primary responsibility is to be sure that each foreman
should check the forms frequently to insure they are has the manpower, materials and equipment needed to
accurate and kept up to date. Your best guide to pro- get the job done. The field superintendent should moni-
ductivity on future jobs is productivity on jobs already tor job progress to be sure manhour productivity and

w
completed, and this form will help you keep track of materials used are in line with estimates. Field super-
your production time. Refer back to Figure 2 on page intendents usually are not working supervisors; all their
7. You can use the results collected on these forms to time is nonproductive. Figure the field superintendent’s

ie
complete the customized figures row under the “Fast” salary as overhead expense, because you can’t charge
operation in Figure 2 for every operation in the National his salary to a specific job.
Painting Cost Estimator. Examples of how to use Figure

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2 are on pages 7 through 9. The more you know about Your project foremen and field superintendent can
your painters’ performance, the more accurate your make or break a job. The better they are, the more
estimates will be. But don’t expect your estimates and work will be done. You want a field superintendent who
actual production to always match exactly. Painters are assigns the right painters to the right foreman, and a
human beings, not robots. You can’t expect them to
Pr foremen who puts the right painters on the right tasks.
work at the same rate at all times. The most experienced tradesmen should work on tasks
that require more skill. Other painters should be used
where less skill is needed. The project foreman is also
Reduced Productivity responsible for job safety and quality control.
e
The tables in this book assume no overtime work.
Excessive overtime puts a strain on your craftsmen and Your estimates will be more competitive if you can
reduces productivity. A few consecutive days of over- assume high productivity. That’s only possible when
in

time can drag productivity down to well below average. you have good supervision, from both foremen and
It’s good practice not to assign overtime work on more superintendent, and motivated crews.
than two consecutive days.
nl

Work efficiency is also lower when men, materials Allowances for Supervision
and equipment are confined in a small area or required Supervision isn’t considered productive labor. A
O

to work in cluttered, poorly lit or dirty rooms. Painters foreman isn’t painting when he’s scheduling, organizing
need elbow room to work efficiently and get maximum a job and instructing his workers. Here are my rule-of-
productivity. They’re also more productive in a clean thumb allowances for nonproductive labor on painting
environment where they can see what they’re doing. jobs.
It’s easier — and safer — to work in a well-lighted area
that’s relatively clear of debris. If the work area is con- Custom homes. Allow 2.5 hours of nonproductive
fined or dirty, reduce estimated productivity accordingly.
supervision for a home up to 1,500 square feet, 3 hours
on a home between 1,500 and 2,000 square feet, 4
hours on a custom home between 2,000 and 2,500
Supervision
square feet, and 5 hours on a larger home.
Supervision expense is not included in the cost
tables. Add the cost of supervision to your estimates. Model homes in a tract. One hour of nonproductive
supervision for each day your crew will be on the job.
Most supervision is done by foremen. Every crew
should have a project foreman designated, usually the Most tract homes. One hour per house.
most experienced and reliable painter on the job. When
not supervising, project foremen should be painting. Higher-quality tract homes. Two hours per house.

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Ϣ
Slow application Medium application Fast application
and light coverage and medium coverage and heavy coverage
(Repaint jobs) (Commercial projects) (Residential tracts)

Repaint jobs Commercial projects Residential production

Light usage Moderate usage Heavy usage

Low absorption Moderate absorption High absorption

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Light application Medium application Heavy application

Low waste Moderate waste High waste

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Quality paint Standard paint Production paint

Semi-skilled painters Skilled crew Highly skilled crew

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Figure 7
Material coverage rates
Pr
Apartments and condos. Allow 1 hour per unit if coverage is typical on “Slow” (repaint) jobs because
there are 10 units or less. For 11 to 30 units, allow 0.75 previously painted surfaces usually absorb 10 to 15
hours of nonproductive time per unit. If there are more percent less paint than an unpainted surface. All cov-
than 30 units, allow 0.5 hour per unit. erage rates are based on paint that’s been thinned
e
according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Nonproductive labor on commercial, industrial, insti-
tutional and government projects varies considerably. Of course, coverage varies with the paint you’re
in

More complex jobs will require proportionately more using and the surface you’re painting. Paint manufac-
nonproductive labor. Use your knowledge based on turers usually list the recommended coverage rate on
past experience to estimate supervision either as a the container label. I’ve listed estimated coverage rates
nl

percentage of job cost or by the square foot of floor.

in the tables throughout this book.
O

Column 2: Material Coverage Calculating Film Thickness

The second column in the cost tables shows the Many project specifications for commercial, industrial
estimated material coverage in units (usually square and government jobs identify the coating (film) thick-
feet or linear feet) per gallon. Figure 7 shows the condi-
ness you have to apply to each surface. The thickness
tions likely to apply for each of the three material
is given in mils, or thousandths of an inch. One mil is
coverage rates. Every condition listed in each of these
0.001 inch.
categories won’t necessarily occur on every paint-
ing operation. For example, it’s possible to have high
The thickness of the dry paint film depends on the
waste and use low quality paint on a repaint job. But
it’s more likely that waste will be low and paint quality percentage of solids in the paint. If you apply a gal-
high on jobs like that. lon of paint containing 100 percent solids over 1,600
square feet, the dry film will be 1 mil thick — that is,
The “Slow” (repaint) application rate assumes light if 100 percent of the paint adheres to the wall. But if
coverage, “Medium” (commercial project) application there’s 10 percent waste (because of paint that’s left in
rate assumes medium coverage and “Fast” (residential the can, on brushes, or spilled), only 90 percent of the
tract) application rate assumes heavy coverage. Light material ends up on the surface.

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Ɣ
Slow application Medium application Fast application
Repaint jobs Commercial projects Residential tracts
Low volume Medium volume High volume
20% discount 30% discount 40% discount
Figure 8
Material price discounts

w
Here’s a formula for coverage rates that makes it Changes in Paint Formulation
easy to calculate mil thickness, including the waste
In the late 1970s, the California State Air Resources
factor. Coverage rate equals:
Board established a “model rule” for lowering the

ie
% of solids x 1600 solvent in oil-based paints. They mandated replacing
x (1.00 - waste factor) solvent-based paint with water-based formulas. The
mil thickness
objective was to lower the amount of solvents escaping

ev
into the air. This change in the formulation of oil-based
Here’s an example. Assume you’re applying paint
paints is being adopted nationwide.
with 40 percent solids (by volume), using a roller. The
waste factor is 10 percent. You need a thickness of 5
Changes in paint formulation will affect coverage
mils.
Pr
rates and the cost for non-flat paints. Review actual
Here’s the calculation for the coverage rate: coverage rates and paint prices and make adjustments
where necessary before using the estimates in this
.40 x 1600 book.
x (1.00 - .10) = 115.2 per gallon
5
e

You may have to apply several coats to get a thick- Column 3: Material Pricing
in

ness of 5 mils. In any case, you’ll have to use one gal- The third column in the cost tables shows the cost
lon of paint for each 115.2 square feet of surface. of materials. The “Slow,” “Medium,” and “Fast” prices in
each table are based on the discounts usually offered
nl

by suppliers for volume purchases by contractor cus-

Waste Factors tomers. The material discounts used in this book are
Be sure to consider waste and spillage when you defined in Figure 8.
O

figure coverage rates. Professional painters waste

very little paint. They rarely kick over a five-gallon paint The more paint a contractor buys over a given
bucket. But there’s always some waste. My material period, the greater the discount that contractor can
coverage formulas include a typical waste allowance expect. Most paint contractors get a discount of at
for each application method, whether it’s brush, roller least 20 percent off retail. Contractors buying in heavy
or spray. Of course, actual waste depends on the skill volume usually get discounts that approach 40 percent
of your painters no matter what application method off retail.
they use.

These are the waste factors I’ve built into the tables: Material Pricing Tables
Figures 9, 10 and 11 show the material prices I’ve
Brush.................................................................3 to 5%
used for each of three application rates throughout
Roll.................................................................. 5 to 10% this book. In the cost estimating tables each coating is
identified by a material number. To find out more about
Airless spray.................................................. 20 to 25%
the cost of any of these coatings, refer to the material
Conventional spray........................................ 25 to 35% number listed in Figure 9, 10 or 11.

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Material prices at 20% discount

All pricing is based on production grade material purchased in 5 gallon quantities.

Retail Contractor Add 15% Price with Estimating

price price at a sundries & 10% sales tax prices
guide 20% discount escalation at 8% with tax

Interior:
Sealer, off white (wet area walls & ceilings)

w
#1 - Water base 58.15 46.52 58.15 62.80 62.80
#2 - Oil base 81.65 65.32 81.65 88.18 88.20
Undercoat (doors, casings and other paint grade wood)

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#3 - Water base 59.95 47.96 59.95 64.75 64.80
#4 - Oil base 79.65 63.72 79.65 86.02 86.00
Flat latex (walls, ceilings & paint grade baseboard)

ev
#5 - Water base latex paint 56.70 45.36 56.70 61.24 61.20
Acoustic spray-on texture
#6 - Primer 40.25 32.20 40.25 43.47 43.50
#7 - Finish 55.65 44.52 55.65 60.10 60.10
Pr
#8 - Dripowder mixed (pound) 2.05 1.64 2.05 2.21 2.21
Enamel (wet area walls & ceilings and openings)
#9 - Water base enamel 70.10 56.08 70.10 75.71 75.70
#10 - Oil base enamel 157.20 125.76 157.20 169.78 169.80
e
System Estimate (cabinets, bookshelves, molding, interior windows)
#11a - Wiping stain, oil base 103.70 82.96 103.70 112.00 112.00
#11b - Sanding sealer, lacquer 80.80 64.64 80.80 87.26 87.30
in

#11c - Lacquer, semi gloss 101.10 80.88 101.10 109.19 109.20

#11 - Stain, seal & 2 coat lacquer SYSTEM
Average cost (11a + b + (2 x c)) 77.34 96.68 104.41 104.40
nl

#12 - Shellac, clear 139.60 111.68 139.60 150.77 150.80

#13 - Penetrating oil stain 185.20 148.16 185.20 200.02 200.00
#14 - Penetrating stain wax (molding) 166.90 133.52 166.90 180.25 180.30
O

#15 - Wax, per pound (floors) 33.05 26.44 33.05 35.69 35.70
#16 - Glazing (mottling over enamel) 104.05 83.24 104.05 112.37 112.40
#17 - Spray can, each (HVAC registers) 17.55 14.04 17.55 18.95 19.00

Exterior:
Solid body/color stain (beams, light valance, fascia, overhang, siding, plant-on trim, wood shelves)
#18 - Water base stain 77.60 62.08 77.60 83.81 83.80
#19 - Oil base stain 84.90 67.92 84.90 91.69 91.70
Semi-transparent stain (beams, siding, T & G ceiling)
#20 - Water base stain 75.25 60.20 75.25 81.27 81.30
#21 - Oil base stain 64.60 51.68 64.60 69.77 69.80
#22 - Polyurethane (exterior doors) 217.25 173.80 217.25 234.63 234.60
#23 - Marine spar varnish, flat or gloss (exterior doors)
Interior or exterior 139.25 111.40 139.25 150.39 150.40

Figure 9
Material prices at 20% discount

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Material prices at 20% discount (cont.)

Retail Contractor Add 15% Price with Estimating
price price at a sundries & 10% sales tax prices
guide 20% discount escalation at 8% with tax

Exterior enamel (exterior doors & trim)

#24 - Water base 87.55 70.04 87.55 94.55 94.60
#25 - Oil base 122.10 97.68 122.10 131.87 131.90

w
Porch & deck enamel - interior or exterior
#26 - Water base enamel 89.30 71.44 89.30 96.44 96.40
#27 - Oil base enamel 100.05 80.04 100.05 108.05 108.10
#28 - Epoxy, 1 part, water base 132.90 106.32 132.90 143.53 143.50

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#29 - Epoxy, 2 part SYSTEM 238.75 191.00 238.75 257.85 257.90
System Estimate (exterior windows)
#30a -

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Wiping stain, oil base 113.30 90.64 113.30 122.36 122.40
#30b - Sanding sealer, varnish 109.90 87.92 109.90 118.69 118.70
#30c - Varnish, flat or gloss 115.75 92.60 115.75 125.01 125.00
#30 - Stain, seal & 1 coat varnish SYSTEM
Average cost (30a + b + c)) 90.39 112.99 122.03 122.00
Pr
Masonry paint (masonry, concrete, plaster)
#31 - Water base, flat or gloss 68.80 55.04 68.80 74.30 74.30
#32 - Oil base paint 96.65 77.32 96.65 104.38 104.40
#33 - Block filler 56.85 45.48 56.85 61.40 61.40
#34 - Waterproofing, clear hydro seal 79.60 63.68 79.60 85.97 86.00
e

Metal primer, rust inhibitor

#35 - Clean metal 77.95 62.36 77.95 84.19 84.20
in

#36 - Rusty metal 92.35 73.88 92.35 99.74 99.70

Metal finish, synthetic enamel, gloss, interior or exterior
#37 - Off white 80.85 64.68 80.85 87.32 87.30
nl

#38 - Colors (except orange/red) 69.55 55.64 69.55 75.11 75.10

Anti-graffiti stain eliminator
#39 - Water base primer & sealer 63.15 50.52 63.15 68.20 68.20
O

#40 - Oil base primer & sealer 72.25 57.80 72.25 78.03 78.00
#41 - Polyurethane 2 part SYSTEM 222.35 177.88 222.35 240.14 240.10

Preparation:
#42 - Caulking, per fluid ounce .90 .72 .90 .97 .97
Paint remover, per gallon
#43 - Light duty 65.00 52.00 65.00 70.20 70.20
#44 - Heavy duty 102.25 81.80 102.25 110.43 110.40
#45 - Putty, per pound 18.70 14.96 18.70 20.20 20.20
#46 - Silica sand, per pound 1.50 1.20 1.50 1.62 1.62
#47 - Visqueen, 1.5 mil, 12’ x 200’ roll 59.60 47.68 59.60 64.37 64.40
#48 - Wood filler, per gallon 91.00 72.80 91.00 98.28 98.30

Figure 9 (continued)
Material prices at 20% discount

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Material prices at 20% discount (cont.)

Retail Contractor Add 15% Price with Estimating
price price at a sundries & 10% sales tax prices
guide 20% discount escalation at 8% with tax

Industrial:
#49 - Acid wash (muriatic acid) 61.10 48.88 61.10 65.99 66.00
#50 - Aluminum base paint 254.75 203.80 254.75 275.13 275.10

w
Epoxy coating, 2 part SYSTEM
#51 - Clear 308.35 246.68 308.35 333.02 333.00
#52 - White 298.20 238.56 298.20 322.06 322.10

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Heat resistant enamel
#53 - 800 to 1200 degree range 271.95 217.56 271.95 293.71 293.70
#54 - 300 to 800 degree range 256.25 205.00 256.25 276.75 276.80

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#55 - Industrial bonding &
penetrating oil paint 186.70 149.36 186.70 201.64 201.60
Industrial enamel, oil base, high gloss
#56 - Light colors 201.55 161.24 201.55 217.67 217.70
#57 - Dark (OSHA) colors
Pr
226.65 181.32 226.65 244.78 244.80
#58 - Industrial waterproofing 81.95 65.56 81.95 88.51 88.50
#59 - Vinyl coating (tanks) 226.85 181.48 226.85 245.00 245.00

Wallcovering:
e

Ready-mix:
#60 - Light-weight vinyl (gal) 30.45 24.36 30.45 32.89 32.90
in

#61 - Heavy weight vinyl (gal) 28.65 22.92 28.65 30.94 30.90
#62 - Cellulose, clear (gal) 19.30 15.44 19.30 20.84 20.80
#63 - Vinyl to vinyl (gal) 59.95 47.96 59.95 64.75 64.80
#64 - Powdered cellulose, 2 - 4 ounces 12.85 10.28 12.85 13.88 13.90
nl

#65 - Powdered vinyl, 2 - 4 ounces 15.75 12.60 15.75 17.01 17.00

#66 - Powdered wheat paste, 2-4 ounces 13.15 10.52 13.15 14.20 14.20
Note: Typically, powdered paste is in 2 to 4 ounce packages which will adhere 6 to 12 rolls of wallcovering.
O

Figure 9 (continued)
Material prices at 20% discount

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Material prices at 30% discount

Retail Contractor Add 15% Price with Estimating
price price at a sundries & 10% sales tax prices
guide 30% discount escalation at 8% with tax

Interior:
Sealer, off white (wet area walls & ceilings)
#1 - Water base 58.15 40.71 50.89 54.96 55.00

w
#2 - Oil base 81.65 57.16 71.45 77.17 77.20
Undercoat (doors, casings and other paint grade wood)
#3 - Water base 59.95 41.97 52.46 56.66 56.70

ie
#4 - Oil base 79.65 55.76 69.70 75.28 75.30
Flat latex (walls, ceilings & paint grade baseboard)
#5 - Water base latex paint 56.70 39.69 49.61 53.58 53.60

ev
Acoustic spray-on texture
#6 - Primer 40.25 28.18 35.23 38.05 38.10
#7 - Finish 55.65 38.96 48.70 52.60 52.60
#8 - Dripowder mixed (pound) 2.05 1.44 1.80 1.94 1.94
Pr
Enamel (wet area walls & ceilings and openings)
#9 - Water base enamel 70.10 49.07 61.34 66.25 66.30
#10 - Oil base enamel 157.20 110.04 137.55 148.55 148.60
System Estimate (cabinets, bookshelves, molding, interior windows)
e
#11a - Wiping stain, oil base 103.70 72.59 90.74 98.00 98.00
#11b - Sanding sealer, lacquer 80.80 56.56 70.70 76.36 76.40
#11c - Lacquer, semi gloss 101.10 70.77 88.46 95.54 95.50
in

#11 - Stain, seal & 2 coat lacquer SYSTEM

Average cost (11a + b + (2 x c)) 67.67 84.59 91.36 91.40
#12 - Shellac, clear 139.60 97.72 122.15 131.92 131.90
nl

#13 - Penetrating oil stain 185.20 129.64 162.05 175.01 175.00

#14 - Penetrating stain wax (molding) 166.90 116.83 146.04 157.72 157.70
#15 - Wax, per pound (floors) 33.05 23.14 28.93 31.24 31.20
O

#16 - Glazing (mottling over enamel) 104.05 72.84 91.05 98.33 98.30
#17 - Spray can, each (HVAC registers) 17.55 12.29 15.36 16.59 16.60

Exterior:
Solid body/color stain (beams, light valance, fascia, overhang, siding, plant-on trim, wood shelves)
#18 - Water base stain 77.60 54.32 67.90 73.33 73.30
#19 - Oil base stain 84.90 59.43 74.29 80.23 80.20
Semi-transparent stain (beams, siding, T & G ceiling)
#20 - Water base stain 75.25 52.68 65.85 71.12 71.10
#21 - Oil base stain 64.60 45.22 56.53 61.05 61.10
#22 - Polyurethane (exterior doors) 217.25 152.08 190.10 205.31 205.30
#23 - Marine spar varnish, flat or gloss (exterior doors)
Interior or exterior 139.25 97.48 121.85 131.60 131.60

Figure 10
Material prices at 30% discount

20
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How to Use This Book

Material prices at 30% discount (cont.)

Retail Contractor Add 15% Price with Estimating
price price at a sundries & 10% sales tax prices
guide 30% discount escalation at 8% with tax

Exterior enamel (exterior doors & trim)

#24 - Water base 87.55 61.29 76.61 82.74 82.70
#25 - Oil base 122.10 85.47 106.84 115.39 115.40
Porch & deck enamel - interior or exterior

w
#26 - Water base enamel 89.30 62.51 78.14 84.39 84.40
#27 - Oil base enamel 100.05 70.04 87.55 94.55 94.60
#28 - Epoxy, 1 part, water base 132.90 93.03 116.29 125.59 125.60

ie
#29 - Epoxy, 2 part SYSTEM 238.75 167.13 208.91 225.62 225.60
SYSTEM ESTIMATE (exterior windows)
#30a - Wiping stain, oil base 113.30 79.31 99.14 107.07 107.10

ev
#30b - Sanding sealer, varnish 109.90 76.93 96.16 103.85 103.90
#30c - Varnish, flat or gloss 115.75 81.03 101.29 109.39 109.40
#30 - Stain, seal & 1 coat varnish SYSTEM
Average cost (30a + b + c)) 79.09 98.86 106.77 106.80
Pr
Masonry paint (masonry, concrete, plaster)
#31 - Water base, flat or gloss 68.80 48.16 60.20 65.02 65.00
#32 - Oil base paint 96.65 67.66 84.58 91.35 91.40
#33 - Block filler 56.85 39.80 49.75 53.73 53.70
#34 - Waterproofing, clear hydro seal 79.60 55.72 69.65 75.22 75.20
e

Metal primer, rust inhibitor

#35 - Clean metal 77.95 54.57 68.21 73.67 73.70
in

#36 - Rusty metal 92.35 64.65 80.81 87.27 87.30

Metal finish, synthetic enamel, gloss, interior or exterior
#37 - Off white 80.85 56.60 70.75 76.41 76.40
nl

#38 - Colors (except orange/red) 69.55 48.69 60.86 65.73 65.70

Anti-graffiti stain eliminator
#39 - Water base primer & sealer 63.15 44.21 55.26 59.68 59.70
O

#40 - Oil base primer & sealer 72.25 50.58 63.23 68.29 68.30
#41 - Polyurethane 2 part SYSTEM 222.35 155.65 194.56 210.12 210.10

Preparation:
#42 - Caulking, per fluid ounce .90 .63 .79 .85 .85
Paint remover, per gallon
#43 - Light duty 65.00 45.50 56.88 61.43 61.40
#44 - Heavy duty 102.25 71.58 89.48 96.64 96.60
#45 - Putty, per pound 18.70 13.09 16.36 17.67 17.70
#46 - Silica sand, per pound 1.50 1.05 1.31 1.41 1.41
#47 - Visqueen, 1.5 mil, 12’ x 200’ roll 59.60 41.72 52.15 56.32 56.30
#48 - Wood filler, per gallon 91.00 63.70 79.63 86.00 86.00

Figure 10 (continued)
Material prices at 30% discount

21
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National Painting Cost Estimator

Material prices at 30% discount (cont.)

Retail Contractor Add 15% Price with Estimating
price price at a sundries & 10% sales tax prices
guide 30% discount escalation at 8% with tax

Industrial:
#49 - Acid wash (muriatic acid) 61.10 42.77 53.46 57.74 57.70
#50 - Aluminum base paint 254.75 178.33 222.91 240.74 240.70

w
Epoxy coating, 2 part SYSTEM
#51 - Clear 308.35 215.85 269.81 291.39 291.40
#52 - White 298.20 208.74 260.93 281.80 281.80

ie
Heat resistant enamel
#53 - 800 to 1200 degree range 271.95 190.37 237.96 257.00 257.00
#54 - 300 to 800 degree range 256.25 179.38 224.23 242.17 242.20

ev
#55 - Industrial bonding &
penetrating oil paint 186.70 130.69 163.36 176.43 176.40
Industrial enamel, oil base, high gloss
#56 - Light colors 201.55 141.09 176.36 190.47 190.50
Pr
#57 - Dark (OSHA) colors 226.65 158.66 198.33 214.20 214.20
#58 - Industrial waterproofing 81.95 57.37 71.71 77.45 77.50
#59 - Vinyl coating (tanks) 226.85 158.80 198.50 214.38 214.40

Wallcovering:
e

Ready-mix:
in

#60 - Light-weight vinyl (gal) 30.45 21.32 26.65 28.78 28.80

#61 - Heavy weight vinyl (gal) 28.65 20.06 25.08 27.09 27.10
#62 - Cellulose, clear (gal) 19.30 13.51 16.89 18.24 18.20
nl

#63 - Vinyl to vinyl (gal) 59.95 41.97 52.46 56.66 56.70

#64 - Powdered cellulose, 2 - 4 ounces 12.85 9.00 11.25 12.15 12.20
#65 - Powdered vinyl, 2 - 4 ounces 15.75 11.03 13.79 14.89 14.90
O

#66 - Powdered wheat paste, 2-4 ounces 13.15 9.21 11.51 12.43 12.40
Note: Typically, powdered paste is in 2 to 4 ounce packages which will adhere 6 to 12 rolls of wallcovering.

Figure 10 (continued)
Material prices at 30% discount

22
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How to Use This Book

Material prices at 40% discount

Retail Contractor Add 15% Price with Estimating
price price at a sundries & 10% sales tax prices
guide 40% discount escalation at 8% with tax

Interior:
Sealer, off white (wet area walls & ceilings)
#1 - Water base 58.15 34.89 43.61 47.10 47.10
#2 - Oil base 81.65 48.99 61.24 66.14 66.10

w
Undercoat (doors, casings and other paint grade wood)
#3 - Water base 59.95 35.97 44.96 48.56 48.60

ie
#4 - Oil base 79.65 47.79 59.74 64.52 64.50
Flat latex (walls, ceilings & paint grade baseboard)
#5 - Water base latex paint 56.70 34.02 42.53 45.93 45.90

ev
Acoustic spray-on texture
#6 - Primer 40.25 24.15 30.19 32.61 32.60
#7 - Finish 55.65 33.39 41.74 45.08 45.10
#8 - Dripowder mixed (pound) 2.05 1.23 1.54 1.66 1.66
Pr
Enamel (wet area walls & ceilings and openings)
#9 - Water base enamel 70.10 42.06 52.58 56.79 56.80
#10 - Oil base enamel 157.20 94.32 117.90 127.33 127.30

System Estimate (cabinets, bookshelves, molding, interior windows)

e

#11a - Wiping stain, oil base 103.70 62.22 77.78 84.00 84.00
#11b - Sanding sealer, lacquer 80.80 48.48 60.60 65.45 65.50
in

#11c - Lacquer, semi gloss 101.10 60.66 75.83 81.90 81.90

#11 - Stain, seal & 2 coat lacquer SYSTEM
Average cost (11a + b + (2 x c)) 58.01 72.51 78.31 78.30
#12 - Shellac, clear 139.60 83.76 104.70 113.08 113.10
nl

#13 - Penetrating oil stain 185.20 111.12 138.90 150.01 150.00

#14 - Penetrating stain wax (molding) 166.90 100.14 125.18 135.19 135.20
#15 - Wax, per pound (floors) 33.05 19.83 24.79 26.77 26.80
O

#16 - Glazing (mottling over enamel) 104.05 62.43 78.04 84.28 84.30
#17 - Spray can, each (HVAC registers) 17.55 10.53 13.16 14.21 14.20

Exterior:
Solid body/color stain (beams, light valance, fascia, overhang, siding, plant-on trim, wood shelves)
#18 - Water base stain 77.60 46.56 58.20 62.86 62.90
#19 - Oil base stain 84.90 50.94 63.68 68.77 68.80
Semi-transparent stain (beams, siding, T & G ceiling)
#20 - Water base stain 75.25 45.15 56.44 60.96 61.00
#21 - Oil base stain 64.60 38.76 48.45 52.33 52.30
#22 - Polyurethane (exterior doors) 217.25 130.35 162.94 175.98 176.00
#23 - Marine spar varnish, flat or gloss (exterior doors)
Interior or exterior 139.25 83.55 104.44 112.80 112.80

Figure 11
Material prices at 40% discount

23
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National Painting Cost Estimator

Material prices at 40% discount (cont.)

Retail Contractor Add 15% Price with Estimating
price price at a sundries & 10% sales tax prices
guide 40% discount escalation at 8% with tax

Exterior enamel (exterior doors & trim)

#24 - Water base 87.55 52.53 65.66 70.91 70.90
#25 - Oil base 122.10 73.26 91.58 98.91 98.90
Porch & deck enamel - interior or exterior

w
#26 - Water base enamel 89.30 53.58 66.98 72.34 72.30
#27 - Oil base enamel 100.05 60.03 75.04 81.04 81.00
#28 - Epoxy, 1 part, water base 132.90 79.74 99.68 107.65 107.70

ie
#29 - Epoxy, 2 part SYSTEM 238.75 143.25 179.06 193.38 193.40
System Estimate (exterior windows)
#30a - Wiping stain, oil base 113.30 67.98 84.98 91.78 91.80

ev
#30b - Sanding sealer, varnish 109.90 65.94 82.43 89.02 89.00
#30c - Varnish, flat or gloss 115.75 69.45 86.81 93.75 93.80
#30 - Stain, seal & 1 coat varnish SYSTEM
Average cost (30a + b + c)) 67.79 84.74 91.52 91.50
Pr
Masonry paint (masonry, concrete, plaster)
#31 - Water base, flat or gloss 68.80 41.28 51.60 55.73 55.70
#32 - Oil base paint 96.65 57.99 72.49 78.29 78.30
#33 - Block filler 56.85 34.11 42.64 46.05 46.10
#34 - Waterproofing, clear hydro seal 79.60 47.76 59.70 64.48 64.50
e

Metal primer, rust inhibitor

#35 - Clean metal 77.95 46.77 58.46 63.14 63.10
in

#36 - Rusty metal 92.35 55.41 69.26 74.80 74.80

Metal finish, synthetic enamel, gloss, interior or exterior
#37 - Off white 80.85 48.51 60.64 65.49 65.50
nl

#38 - Colors (except orange/red) 69.55 41.73 52.16 56.33 56.30

Anti-graffiti stain eliminator
#39 - Water base primer & sealer 63.15 37.89 47.36 51.15 51.20
O

#40 - Oil base primer & sealer 72.25 43.35 54.19 58.53 58.50
#41 - Polyurethane 2 part SYSTEM 222.35 133.41 166.76 180.10 180.10

Preparation:
#42 - Caulking, per fluid ounce .90 .54 .68 .73 .73
Paint remover, per gallon
#43 - Light duty 65.00 39.00 48.75 52.65 52.70
#44 - Heavy duty 102.25 61.35 76.69 82.83 82.80
#45 - Putty, per pound 18.70 11.22 14.03 15.15 15.20
#46 - Silica sand, per pound 1.50 .90 1.13 1.22 1.22
#47 - Visqueen, 1.5 mil, 12’ x 200’ roll 59.60 35.76 44.70 48.28 48.30
#48 - Wood filler, per gallon 91.00 54.60 68.25 73.71 73.70

Figure 11 (continued)
Material prices at 40% discount

24
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 TO BUY THIS COMPLETE REFERENCE GUIDE, GO TO www.Craftsman-Book.com
How to Use This Book

Material prices at 40% discount (cont.)

Retail Contractor Add 15% Price with Estimating
price price at a sundries & 10% sales tax prices
guide 40% discount escalation at 8% with tax

Industrial:
#49 - Acid wash (muriatic acid) 61.10 36.66 45.83 49.50 49.50
#50 - Aluminum base paint 254.75 152.85 191.06 206.34 206.30

w
Epoxy coating, 2 part SYSTEM
#51 - Clear 308.35 185.01 231.26 249.76 249.80
#52 - White 298.20 178.92 223.65 241.54 241.50

ie
Heat resistant enamel
#53 - 800 to 1200 degree range 271.95 163.17 203.96 220.28 220.30
#54 - 300 to 800 degree range 256.25 153.75 192.19 207.57 207.60

ev
#55 - Industrial bonding &
penetrating oil paint 186.70 112.02 140.03 151.23 151.20
Industrial enamel, oil base, high gloss
#56 - Light colors
Pr201.55 120.93 151.16 163.25 163.30
#57 - Dark (OSHA) colors 226.65 135.99 169.99 183.59 183.60
#58 - Industrial waterproofing 81.95 49.17 61.46 66.38 66.40
#59 - Vinyl coating (tanks) 226.85 136.11 170.14 183.75 183.80

Wallcovering:
e

Ready-mix:
in

#60 - Light-weight vinyl (gal) 30.45 18.27 22.84 24.67 24.70

#61 - Heavy weight vinyl (gal) 28.65 17.19 21.49 23.21 23.20
#62 - Cellulose, clear (gal) 19.30 11.58 14.48 15.64 15.60
nl

#63 - Vinyl to vinyl (gal) 59.95 35.97 44.96 48.56 48.60

#64 - Powdered cellulose, 2 - 4 ounces 12.85 7.71 9.64 10.41 10.40
#65 - Powdered vinyl, 2 - 4 ounces 15.75 9.45 11.81 12.75 12.80
O

#66 - Powdered wheat paste, 2-4 ounces 13.15 7.89 9.86 10.65 10.70
Note: Typically, powdered paste is in 2 to 4 ounce packages which will adhere 6 to 12 rolls of wallcovering.

Figure 11 (continued)
Material prices at 40% discount

25
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National Painting Cost Estimator

Figure 9 shows prices at a 20 percent discount predict how many jobs you’ll get out of each brush or
off retail. It applies to “Slow” work and assumes light roller pole, roller handle, ladder, or drop cloth. But don’t
coverage on a previously painted surface. These costs let that keep you from including an allowance for these
would be typical for a lower-volume company handling important costs in your estimates. If you leave them
mostly repaint or custom work. out, it’s the same as estimating the cost of those items
as zero. That’s a 100 percent miss. Too many of those,
Figure 10 reflects a 30 percent discount. It applies to and you’re out of the painting business. It’s better to
“Medium” work and assumes medium coverage, as in estimate any amount than to omit some costs entirely.
commercial work.
Figure 12 is a sundries inventory checklist. Use it to

w
Figure 11 is the 40 percent discount table. It applies
keep track of the actual cost of expendable tools and
to “Fast” work and assumes heavier coverage typically
equipment.
required on unpainted surfaces in new construction.

ie
This discount is usually available only to large, high-
volume painting companies that purchase materials in I’ve added 15 percent to the paint cost to cover
large quantities. expendable tools and supplies. This is enough for sun-
dries on most jobs. There is one exception, however.

ev
Here’s an explanation of the columns in Figures 9, On repaint jobs where there’s extensive prep work, the
10 and 11: cost of sundries may be more than 15 percent of the
paint cost. When preparation work is extensive, figure
Retail price guide: This is an average based on a the actual cost of supplies. Then add to the estimate
Pr
survey of up to a dozen paint manufacturers or dis- that portion of the sundries cost that exceeds 15 per-
tributors, for standard grade, construction-quality paint, cent of the paint cost. You might have to double the
purchased in five gallon quantities. normal sundries allowance. When it comes to prep
work, make sure your estimate covers all your supplies.
Material pricing and discount percentages will vary
e
from supplier to supplier and from area to area. Always
Price with sales tax at 8 percent: This column
keep your supplier’s current price list handy. It should
increases the material cost, including sundries, by 8
show your current cost for all the coatings and supplies
in

percent to cover sales tax. If sales tax in your area is

you use. Also post a list of all suppliers, their phone
numbers, and the salesperson’s name beside your more or less than 8 percent, you can adjust the mate-
phone. rial cost, or use the price that’s closest to your actual
nl

cost.

Prices change frequently. Paint quality, your sup-

plier’s discount programs, their marketing strategy and In most cases contractors have to pay sales tax. If
O

competition from other paint manufacturers will influ- you don’t pay the tax yourself, you may have to collect
ence the price you pay. Never guess about paint prices it from the building owner or general contractor and
— especially about less commonly used coatings. remit it to the state taxing authority. In either case,
Don’t assume that a product you haven’t used before include sales tax in your estimate.
costs about the same as similar products. It might not.
A heavy-duty urethane finish, for example, will cost Estimating prices with tax: The figures in the last
about twice as much as a heavy-duty vinyl coating. If column of Figures 9 through 11 are rounded to the
you don’t know that, your profit for the job can disap-
nearest dime unless the total is under a dollar. Those
pear very quickly.
prices are rounded to the nearest penny.

Prices at discount: The retail price, less the appro- This system for pricing materials isn’t exact. But it’s
priate discount. quick, easy and flexible. Compare your current material
costs with costs in Figures 9, 10 and 11. If your costs
Allowance for sundries: It’s not practical to figure are more than a few percent higher or lower than my
the cost of every sheet of sandpaper and every rag costs, make a note on the blank line below “Fast” in the
you’ll use on a job. And there’s no way to accurately estimating tables.

26
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How to Use This Book

Sundry Inventory Checklist

Suppliers: D-Dumphy Paints
F-Fisher Paints
S-Superior Paints
P-Pioneer Paints

Product Inventory
Supplier number Product
quantity
Unit Cost 7/21 7/27 8/2 8/10

w
D #— Bender paint pads 3 Each $ 5.88
D #792 Brush - 3" nylon Peacock 2 Each $ 31.10 1

ie
D #783 Brush - 4" nylon Scooter 2 Each $ 46.10 1
D #115 Brush - 5" nylon Pacer 2 Each $ 78.30 1

ev
D #784 Brush - 3" bristle 2 Each $ 28.90 1
D #2170 Caulking bags 2 Each $ 6.24
D Latex Caulking-DAP Acrylic latex 12 Each $ 3.29 12
Pr
D #2172 Caulking gun (Newborn) 2 Each $ 11.80 1
P #— Hydraulic fluid 2 Qt $ 13.40
P #— Lemon oil 2 Pint $ 6.68 1
F #— Masking paper 18" wide 3 Roll $ 34.20
e

F Anchor Masking tape 11/2" 24 Roll $ 5.00 12 12

in

P #2176 Lacquer - 5 gallons 2 5’s $ 151.00 1

P #2173 Sanding sealer - 5 gallons 2 5’s $ 144.00 1
nl

P #9850 Resin sealer - 5 gallons 2 5’s $ 130.00

P #131 PVA sealer (clear) - 5 gallons 2 5’s $ 137.00 1
F #8500 Particle masks 100/box 1 $ 22.40 1
O

Box
P #— Putty (Crawfords) 3 Qt $ 15.10 2
F #R-10 Respirators 1 Each $ 62.40 1
F #R-49 Respirator cartridges 20/box 2 Box $ 72.50
F #R-51 Respirator filters 20/box 2 Box $ 51.70 1
P #— Rags - 10 pound sack 2 Sack $ 37.20
F #AR 691 Roller covers 9" x 3/4" 6 Each $ 6.88 2
F #AR 692 Roller covers 9" x 3/8" 6 Each $ 7.02 3 2
F #AR 671 Roller covers 7" x 3/4" 3 Each $ 5.70 1
F #AR 672 Roller covers 7" x 3/8" 3 Each $ 6.24 1

Figure 12
Sundry inventory checklist

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National Painting Cost Estimator

Product Inventory
Supplier number Product
quantity
Unit Cost 7/21 7/27 8/2 8/10

F #AR 611 Roller covers mini 3 Each $ 4.79 1

F #95 Roller frames 9" 6 Each $ 8.84 1 2
F #75 Roller frames 7" 5 Each $ 8.53 3 3
F #TSR Roller frames mini 2 Each $ 4.94
D #40 Roller poles 4' wood tip 3 Each $ 4.36 1

w
D #10 Roller poles 6' wood tip 10 Each $ 6.74 2
P #1 Roller pole tips metal 2 Each $ 5.40 2

ie
P #— Sandpaper (120C production) 2 Slve $ 80.40 1
P #— Sandpaper (220A trimite) 2 Slve $ 62.50

ev
P #— Sandpaper (220A garnet) 1 Slve $ 56.90 1
D #— Spackle (Synkloid) 3 Qt $ 8.77 1 1
D #42/61 Spray bombs (blackB/whiteW) 12 Each $ 5.11 B 12 12
W
Pr
F #— Spray gun tips #3 or #4 10 Each $ 12.70 3
F #2762 Spray gun couplers 10 Each $ 3.45 5
F #S-71 Spray socks   48/box 1 Box $ 27.60
D #5271 Stip fill 1 Gal $ 14.80 1
e

D #5927 Strainer bags 2 Each $ 2.40 1

in

D #JT-21 Staples - 5/16" 2 Box $ 3.90

P 50 Gal Thinner, lacquer 1 Drum $ 692.00
nl

P 50 Gal Thinner, paint 1 Drum $ 345.00 1

P #— Thinner, shellac (alcohol) 1 Gal $ 16.20
D #— 3 $ 40.40
O

Visqueen 1.5 mil 12' x 200' Roll

D #5775 Work pots (2 gal. plastic) 3 Each $ 4.65 1 2
# $
# $
# $
# $
Order date: 7/21 7/27 8/2 8/10
Ordered by: (initials) jj jj jj jj
Purchase order no. 0352 0356 0361 0371

Figure 12 (continued)
Sundry inventory checklist

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How to Use This Book

Residential Wallcovering Commercial Wallcovering Flexible Wood Wallcovering ܼ

Computer Labor Labor Labor Computer Labor Labor Labor Computer Labor Labor Labor
Production Program Cost Program Cost
per Burden Cost + per Burden Cost + Program Cost per Burden Cost +
Rate Crew Crew Crew
Hour per Hour Burden Hour per Hour Burden Hour per Hour Burden
Code Code Code

Slow 1W $26.05 $6.25 $32.30 4W $25.05 $6.01 $31.06 7W $25.55 $6.13 $31.68

Medium 2W 33.30 9.62 42.92 5W 31.80 9.19 40.99 8W 32.55 9.41 41.96

Fast 3W 40.75 14.38 55.13 6W 38.75 13.68 52.43 9W 39.75 14.03 53.78

w
Figure 13
Hourly wage rates for wallcovering application

ie
Price Escalation But be careful here. Increase the bid too much and

ev
you’ll probably lose the contract. So raise your bid only
Escalation is the change in prices between the time
if necessary, and then only by the amount of the actual
you bid a job and the time you pay for labor and mate-
cost increases. Don’t try to make a killing on the job just
rials. Painting contractors seldom include escalation
clauses in their bids because they don’t expect lengthy because the bid prices have expired.
Pr
delays. That’s why escalation isn’t included as a sepa-
rate item in the estimating forms, Figures 18 and 19.
Column 4: Labor Cost
Any minor price escalation will be covered by the 15 Column 4 in Figure 2 on page 7 shows the labor cost
percent added to material prices for sundries. But don’t per unit. This figure is based on the productivity rate in
e

rely on that small cushion to absorb major inflationary column 1 and the wage rate in Figure 1. The wage rate
cost increases. Plan ahead if prices are rising. In that for “Slow” (repaint) work is assumed to be $26.55 per
in

case, add 10% of your material costs as an escalation hour. The wage rate for “Medium” (commercial) work
factor and include this figure as a separate line item in
is $33.80 per hour. The wage rate for “Fast” (residential
the estimate.
tract) work is $41.25 per hour. Wage rates for wallcov-
nl

ering are different (Figure 13).

Many formal construction contracts include an esca-
lator clause that allows the contractor to recover for
O

cost increases during the time of construction — espe- Wage Rates Vary
cially if there was an unreasonable delay through no
fault of the subcontractor. This clause may give you the Wages vary from city to city. In a listing of hourly con-
right to collect for increases in both labor and material struction wage rates in U.S. cities, the lowest rate for
costs. painters was $21.51 an hour in Socorro, New Mexico,
and the highest was $58.58 for painters in Botson,
If work is delayed after you’ve been awarded the Massachusetts. You might ask, “Why don’t all the paint-
contract, you may be able to recover for cost increases ers in Socorro move to Boston?”
under the escalator clause. This is more likely on
public projects than on private jobs. Also, if there’s a I don’t know the answer, except to suggest that
significant delay due to weather, you may have a good painters aren’t starving in Socorro. Nor are they getting
argument for adjusting the contract amount. rich in Boston. Working conditions and the cost of liv-
ing are very different in those two cities. However, on
You can protect yourself against escalation if you private jobs using non-union tradesmen, wage rates
include an expiration date on your bids. If the contract usually don’t vary as much from city to city. The wage
award is delayed beyond your expiration date, you can you pay depends on the demand for painting and how
review your costs and make necessary adjustments. many painters are available for work.

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National Painting Cost Estimator

Wages also change over time. For example, wage Column 5: Labor Burden
rates increased between 2009 and 2019. The national
average union wage (including fringes) for painters in For each dollar of wages your company pays, at
large cities went from $34.62 in 2009 to $37.82 per least another 24 percent has to be paid in payroll tax
hour in 2019. In 2019, the average union wage for and for insurance. That’s part of your labor burden.
commercial work increased to as high as $52.69 per The rest is fringe benefits such as vacation pay, health
hour. Always base your estimates on the actual wages benefits and pension plans.
you’ll pay your most experienced painters.
Federal taxes are the same for all employers. State
taxes vary from state to state. Fringe benefits vary the
Wages for Higher Skilled Specialists most. Generally, larger companies with more skilled

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painters offer considerably more fringe benefits than
Wages also vary with a workers’ skill, dependability
smaller companies.
and with job difficulty. Generally higher paid painters

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are more productive than lower paid painters. Here’s
In the estimating tables, the labor burden percent-
a chart to determine how much more per hour to
age varies with the application rate. From Figure 1, for
estimate for supervision and for painting and surface
“Slow” (repaint) work, it’s assumed to be 24.0 percent

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preparation specialists. These figures are in addition to
of $26.55 or $6.37 per hour. For “Medium” (commer-
the basic journeyman rate.
cial) work, the estimating tables use 28.90 percent of
Foremen.................................................. $2.00 to 6.00 $33.80 or $9.77 per hour. For “Fast” (residential tract)
work, the labor burden is 35.3 percent of $41.25 or
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Field superintendents............................ $9.00 to 12.00 $14.56 per hour.

Swing stage brush painters, Figure 14 shows how the labor burden percentages
spray painters, or paperhangers......................... $1.00 were compiled for each application rate.
e

Iron, steel and bridge painters FICA — Social Security tax: This is the portion
(ground work)...................................................... $2.00 paid by employers and is set by federal law. A simi-
in

lar amount is withheld from each employee’s wage

Sandblasters, iron, steel, or and deposited with a Federal Reserve bank by the
bridge painters (swing stage).............................. $4.00 employer.
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Steeplejacks........................................................ $5.00 FUTA — Federal Unemployment Insurance tax:

Paid entirely by the employer and set by federal law. No
Most government and defense painting contracts portion is deducted from employee wages.
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require compliance with the Davis Bacon Act, which

specifies that contractors pay at least the prevail- SUI — State Unemployment Insurance: Varies
ing wage for each trade in the area where the job is from state to state.
located.
WCI — Workers’ Compensation Insurance:
Provides benefits for employees in case of injury on the
Calculate Your Labor Rate job. Workers’ comp is required by state law. Rates vary
Use the wage rate in Figure 1 ($26.55, $33.80 or by state, job description and the loss experience of the
$41.25 for “Slow,” “Medium,” or “Fast”) that’s appropri- employer.
ate for your company. Or, use a rate somewhere in
between the rates listed. If you use your own wage rate, Liab. Ins. — Liability Insurance: Covers injury
divide the hourly wage by the labor productivity (such as or damage done to the public by employees.
square feet per manhour in column 1). That’s your labor Comprehensive contractor’s liability insurance includes
cost per unit, say $28.00/Hour. Multiply by 100 if the current operations, completed operations, bodily injury,
units used are 100 linear feet or 100 square feet. ($28 property damage, protective and contractual coverages
÷ 400 x 100 = $7.00.) with a $1,000,000 policy limit.

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î Ǿ
Fixed burden Fringe benefits

Liab.
FICA FUTA SUI WCI Ins. Vac Med Life Pension Training Total

Slow 7.65% 0.6% 3.0% 5.5% 6.25% 0 1.0% 0 0 0 24.00%

Medium 7.65% 0.6% 4.5% 6.5% 6.65% .5% 2.0% .25% .25% 0 28.90%

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Fast 7.65% 0.6% 6.0% 8.5% 7.05% 1.5% 3.0% .25% 0.5% .25% 35.30%

Figure 14

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Labor burden percentages

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Fringe benefits: Vac is vacation pay. Med is There are two types of overhead, direct overhead
medical insurance. Life is life insurance contribution. and indirect overhead. Only indirect overhead is includ-
Pension is a pension plan contribution. Training is an ed in the “Overhead” column of the estimating cost
apprentice training fund. tables. Enter your direct overhead costs on a separate
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line on your take-off sheet.
Vacation, life, pension and training payments depend
on the agreement between employers and employees. Direct overhead is job site overhead, expenses you
These are voluntary contributions if not required by a charge to a specific job. Examples include performance
collective bargaining agreement. Smaller companies bonds, special insurance premiums, or rental of a job
e

are less likely to provide these benefits. The cost of site storage trailer. These expenses are not included
fringe benefits in a painting company can range from in the estimating tables and have to be added to your
in

zero to more than 10 percent of wages. estimates. On many jobs, there may be little or no direct
overhead.
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Column 6: Material Cost per Unit Indirect overhead is office overhead, expenses that
aren’t related to any particular job and that tend to
This column is the result of dividing column 3
continue whether the volume of work increases or
(material cost) by column 2 (material coverage) for
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decreases. Examples are non-trade salaries, office

each application rate. For example, in Figure 2 in the
rent, vehicles, sales and financial expenses, insurance,
“Medium” row, a material cost of $53.60 is divided by
taxes and licenses.
material coverage of 275, then multiplied by 100 to
arrive at $19.49 per 100 square feet. That’s the figure
The percentage of income spent on overhead is
listed for “Medium” in column 6.
assumed to be lower for high volume companies and
higher for low volume companies. A large company
working many projects at the same time can spread
Column 7: Overhead overhead costs over many projects — charging a
From Figure 1, the overhead rate for “Slow” (repaint) smaller percentage of overhead to each job. The more
jobs is assumed to be 19 percent. For “Medium” (com- jobs, the lower the overhead per job — assuming over-
mercial projects), overhead is 25 percent. For “Fast” head doesn’t increase faster than business volume.
(residential tracts), overhead is 31 percent. The over-
head cost per unit in each row is calculated by adding On the other hand, a small business may have to
the labor cost per unit, labor burden per unit, and mate- absorb all overhead on a single job. Even painting con-
rial cost per unit and then multiplying by the appropriate tractors who work out of their homes have overhead
overhead percentage. expenses.

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National Painting Cost Estimator

Here’s one overhead expense every paint contractor Calculate your indirect overhead by adding together
has and that you might overlook: the cost of estimating your real (or anticipated) annual expenses for the fol-
jobs. That’s part of the salary cost of the employee who lowing:
does the estimating.
Salaries. Include what you pay for all employees
except trade workers, plus payroll-related expenses for
Figure Overhead Carefully all employees.

Estimating indirect (office) overhead isn’t as easy Office and shop expense. Rent or mortgage, utili-
as estimating labor and material. There aren’t as many ties, furniture and equipment, maintenance, office sup-
clear-cut answers. That’s why indirect overhead is

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plies and postage, storage sheds, warehouses, fences
often underestimated. Don’t make that mistake in your or yard maintenance.
estimates. Underestimating overhead is the same as
giving up part of your profit. After all, indirect overhead

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Vehicles. Lease or purchase payments, mainte-
expenses are real costs, just like paint, labor and taxes. nance, repairs and fuel.

In large painting companies, management accumu- Sales promotion. Advertising, entertainment and

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lates indirect overhead costs and translates them into sales-related travel.
a percentage the estimator should add to the costs of
each job. In smaller companies, the estimator should Taxes. Property tax and income tax, and sales tax (if
keep a record of indirect overhead expenses. With a not included in your material prices).
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good record of overhead expense, you can calculate
your overhead percentage for future periods very accu- Licenses. Contractor’s and business licenses.
rately. Then it’s easy to add a percentage for indirect
overhead costs into your estimate. Insurance. General liability, property and vehicle
policies.
e

Computing Your Overhead Percentage Interest expense. Loan interest and bank charges.
in

Also consider loss of interest on payments retained by

Here’s how to decide which overhead rate to use in the general contractor until the job is finished.
the cost estimating tables:
Miscellaneous expenses. Depreciation and amorti-
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1) List all your overhead expenses for at least the zation on building and vehicles, bad debts, legal and
last six months; a year would be better. You accounting fees, and educational expenses.
need overhead cost information that goes back
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far enough to eliminate the effect of seasonal Direct overhead is easier to figure. It’s all job
changes in business volume expenses except tradesman labor, payroll taxes and
insurance, materials, equipment, subcontracts, and
If your company is new, estimate your annual contingency expenses. Permits, bonds, fees and spe-
overhead by projecting overhead costs for the cial insurance policies for property owners are also
first full year. For example, if you’ve been in examples of direct overhead. Add the direct overhead
business for five months and overhead has been expense on the appropriate lines in your estimate.
$5,500 so far, you can expect annual overhead Direct overhead is not included in the estimating tables
to be about $13,200 ($5,500 divided by 5 and in this manual.
multiplied by 12).

2) Here’s how to calculate your indirect overhead Field Equipment May Be Part of Overhead
percentage: As you may have noticed, there’s no equipment cost
column in the estimating tables. Instead, field equip-
Annual indirect overhead
= Overhead % ment expense is included in the overhead percentage
Annual job expenses for “Fast” and “Medium” work but not “Slow” work.

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Equipment Rental Rates

Use the following rates only as a guide. They may not be accurate for your area.
Verify equipment rental rates at your local yard.

Rental Rental
Day Week Month Day Week Month

Acoustical sprayer 71.50 214.00 534.00 Dehumidifier - 5000 Btu, 89 lb, 8.7 amp

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87.20 261.00 651.00
Air compressors
Electric or gasoline, wheel mounted Ladders
5 CFM, 1.5 HP, electric 43.00 131.00 330.00

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Aluminum extension
8 CFM, 1.5 HP, electric 51.50 151.00 379.00 16' to 36' 47.20 141.00 354.00
10 CFM, 5.5 HP, gasoline 58.80 175.00 438.00 40' to 60' 71.50 213.00 534.00
15 CFM, shop type, electric 65.70 198.00 496.00
Step - fiberglass or wood

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50 CFM, shop type, electric 87.20 261.00 651.00
100 CFM, gasoline 119.00 354.00 887.00 6' 12.50 37.90 94.30
125 CFM, gasoline 133.00 402.00 1,000.00 8' 15.80 47.20 119.00
150 CFM, gasoline 150.00 449.00 1,120.00 10' 18.90 56.80 141.00
175 CFM, gasoline 165.00 496.00 1,240.00 12' 22.10 66.20 166.00
190 CFM, gasoline 180.00 543.00 1,370.00 14' 25.20 75.80 189.00
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16' 31.50 94.30 236.00
Diesel, wheel mounted 20' 41.00 122.00 309.00
?to 159 CFM 133.00 402.00 1,200.00
160 to 249 CFM 165.00 495.00 1,480.00 Ladder jacks - No guardrail. 12.50 31.50 78.60
250 to 449 CFM 244.00 732.00 2,180.00 Masking paper dispenser 31.50 78.60 197.00
450 to 749 CFM 363.00 1,090.00 3,270.00
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750 to 1199 CFM 496.00 1,480.00 4,460.00 Painter’s pic (walkboards); No guardrail.
1200 CFM & over 725.00 2,170.00 8,100.00 (Also known as airplane planks, toothpicks and banana
boards)
in

Air hose - with coupling, 50' lengths 16' long 12.50 37.90 94.30
1/4" I.D. 9.43 28.70 71.50 20' long 25.20 75.80 189.00
3/8" I.D. 11.10 32.90 82.90 24' long 31.50 94.30 236.00
1/2" I.D. 12.50 36.00 94.30
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28' long 37.90 113.00 282.00

5/8" I.D. 14.30 42.90 107.00 32' long 44.40 133.00 330.00
3/4" I.D. 15.80 47.20 119.00
1" I.D. 17.20 51.50 130.00 Planks - plain end microlam scaffold plank
9" wide 15.80 47.20 119.00
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1-1/2" I.D. 25.20 75.80 190.00

10" wide 18.90 56.80 141.00
Boomlifts 12" wide 22.00 66.20 166.00

3' x 4' to 3' x 8' basket Pressure washers (See Water pressure washers)
20' two wheel drive 221.00 662.00 1,980.00 Sandblast compressor and hopper
30' two wheel drive 267.00 804.00 2,410.00
To 250 PSI 94.30 282.00 710.00
40' four wheel drive 307.00 922.00 2,770.00
Over 250 to 300 PSI 134.00 402.00 1,000.00
50' - 1000 lb. 507.00 1,510.00 4,540.00
Over 600 to 1000 PSI 172.00 520.00 1,300.00
Telescoping and articulating booms, self propelled, gas or
diesel powered, 2-wheel drive Sandblast machines
21' to 30' high 315.00 944.00 2,820.00 150 lb pot with hood, 175 CFM compressor
31' to 40' high 394.00 1,180.00 3,540.00 363.00 1,090.00 2,730.00
41' to 50' high 513.00 1,550.00 4,630.00 300 lb pot with hood, 325 CFM compressor
51' to 60' high 628.00 1,890.00 5,680.00 648.00 1,930.00 4,860.00
600 lb pot with hood, 600 CFM compressor
Burner, paint 18.90 57.10 141.00 1,180.00 3,530.00 8,800.00
Figure 15
Typical equipment purchase and rental prices

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Rental Rental
Day Week Month Day Week Month
Titan 660, 1 HP, electric 125.00 379.00 1,130.00
Sandblast hoses - 50’ lengths, coupled
Gasoline, .75 gpm 134.00 402.00 1,240.00
3/8" I.D. 15.80 47.20 120.00
3/4" I.D. 22.10 66.20 165.00 Emulsion pumps
1" I.D. 28.20 84.40 213.00 65 gal, 5 HP engine 110.00 332.00 993.00
1-1/4" I.D. 31.50 94.30 237.00 200 gal, 5 HP engine 125.00 374.00 1,130.00
1-1/2" I.D. 34.70 104.00 261.00 Emulsion airless, 1.25 gpm, gasoline
134.00 402.00 1,240.00
Sandblast accessories

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Nozzles, all types 28.20 85.90 213.00 Conventional pumps, gas, portable
Hood, air-fed 44.10 133.00 332.00 High pressure, low vol. (HVLP) 71.50 213.00 638.00
Valves, remote control (deadman, all sizes) 8 CFM complete 94.30 282.00 850.00
47.20 141.00 354.00 17 CFM complete 103.00 307.00 922.00

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Sanders 85 CFM complete 119.00 354.00 1,060.00
Belt - 3" 22.10 66.20 166.00 150 CFM complete 172.00 520.00 1,570.00
Belt - 4" x 24" 26.80 80.00 202.00 Spray rig accessories: 6’ wand 11.10 33.20 82.90

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Disc - 7" 34.70 104.00 261.00 Striper, paint (parking lot striping)
Finish sander, 6" 18.90 56.80 141.00
Aerosol 31.50 94.30 236.00
Floor edger, 7" disk, 29#, 15 amp.
31.50 94.30 236.00 Pressure regulated 45.90 133.00 332.00
Floor sander, 8" drum, 118#, 14 amp. Swing stage, rental
71.00 212.00
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534.00 Any length drop, motor operated, excluding safety gear
Palm sander, 4" x 4" 15.80 47.20 119.00 and installation or dismantling. Note: Must be set up by a
Palm sander, 4-1/2" x 9-1/4" 18.90 56.80 141.00 professional to ensure safety.
Scaffolding, rolling stage, caster mounted, Swing stage 158.00 472.00 1,410.00
30" wide by 7' or 10' long Basket 80.00 237.00 709.00
4' to 6' reach 62.80 125.00 252.00 Bosun’s chair 80.00 238.00 709.00
e
7' to 11' reach 78.60 158.00 315.00
12' to 16' reach 110.00 221.00 441.00 Swing stage safety gear, purchase only
17' to 21' reach 150.00 299.00 598.00 Safety harness (141.00)
in

22' to 26' reach 166.00 330.00 662.00 4' lanyard with locking snap at each end (103.00)
27' to 30' reach 180.00 362.00 725.00 DBI rope grab for 5/8" safety line (110.00)
Casters - each 15.80 31.50 47.20 Komet rope grab for 3/4" safety line (158.00)
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Scissor lifts Texturing equipment

Electric powered, rolling with 2' x 3' platform, Texturing gun - w/ hopper, no compressor
650 lb capacity 8.00 23.70 71.50
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30' high 119.00 354.00 1,060.00 Texturing mud paddle mixer 11.10 33.00 100.00
40' high 205.00 616.00 1,840.00 Texturing outfit - 1 HP w/ gun, 50' hose, 75 PSI
50' high 236.00 710.00 2,130.00 17.40 52.00 156.00
Wallpaper hanging kit 26.80 80.00 241.00
Rolling, self-propelled, hydraulic, electric powered
to 20' high 172.00 701.00 1,570.00 Wallpaper steamer
21' to 30' high 213.00 637.00 1,920.00 Electric, small, 10 amp 31.50 94.30 282.00
31' to 40' high 267.00 804.00 2,410.00 Electric, 15 amp 47.20 141.00 426.00
Rolling, self-propelled, hydraulic, diesel powered Pressurized, electric 59.80 180.00 540.00
to 20' high 197.00 592.00 1,780.00
Water pressure washer (pressure washer, water blaster,
21' to 30' high 244.00 732.00 2,180.00
31' to 40' high 315.00 946.00 2,820.00 power washer)
1000 PSI, electric, 15 amp 71.50 213.00 637.00
Spray rigs
2000 PSI, gas 119.00 354.00 1,060.00
Airless pumps, complete with gun and 50' of line 2500 PSI, gas 125.00 379.00 1,130.00
Titan 447, 7/8 HP, electric 110.00 332.00 993.00 3500 PSI, gas 139.00 417.00 1,240.00

Figure 15 (continued)
Typical equipment purchase and rental prices

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New Construction and Commercial Work: The Some painting contractors pay their estimators a
overhead percentage for “Fast” (residential tract) work bonus of 1 to 3 percent per job in addition to their sal-
and “Medium” (commercial) projects includes equip- ary. If you offer an incentive like this, add the cost to
ment costs such as ladders, spray equipment, and your estimate, again as a direct overhead item.
masking paper holders. Those items are used on many
jobs, not just one specific job. The overhead allow-
ance covers equipment purchase payments, along An Example of Overhead
with maintenance, repairs and fuel. If you have to rent Here’s an example of how overhead is added into
equipment for a specific new construction project, add an estimate. A painting company completed 20 new
that rental expense as a separate cost item in your housing projects in the last year. Average revenue per

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estimate. project was $50,000. Gross receipts were $1,000,000
and the company made a 5 percent profit.
Repaint Jobs: Overhead rates for “Slow” (repaint)

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work do not include equipment costs. When you esti- Gross income $1,000,000
mate a repaint job, any small or short-term job, or a
job that uses only a small quantity of materials, add Less the profit earned (5%) - 50,000

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the cost of equipment at the rental rate — even if the Gross expenses 950,000
equipment is owned by your company.
Less total direct job cost - 825,000
Rental yards quote daily, weekly and monthly equip- Indirect overhead expense 125,000
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ment rental rates. Figure 15 shows typical rental costs
for painting equipment. Your actual equipment costs 125,000 (overhead cost)
= 0.1515 or 15.15%
may be different. Here’s a suggestion that can save 825,000 (direct job cost)
you more than a few minutes on the telephone collect-
ing rental rates. Make up a blank form like Figure 15
e

and give it to your favorite rental equipment suppliers. When you’ve calculated indirect overhead as a per-
Ask each supplier to fill in current rental costs. Use centage of direct job cost, add that percentage to your
in

the completed forms until you notice that rates have estimates. If you leave indirect overhead out of your
changed. Then ask for a new set of rental rates. estimates, you’ve left out some very significant costs.
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Commissions and Bonuses Column 8: Profit

Any commissions or bonuses you have to pay on a The estimating tables assume that profit on “Slow”
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job aren’t included in the estimating tables. You must (repaint) jobs is 16 percent, profit on “Medium” (com-
add these expenses to your bid. mercial) projects is 12 percent and profit on “Fast”
(residential tract) jobs is 7 percent. Calculate the profit
Painting contractors rarely have a sales staff, so per unit by first adding together the costs in columns 4
there won’t be sales commissions to pay on most jobs. (labor cost per unit), column 5 (labor burden per unit),
There’s one exception, however. Most room addition column 6 (material costs per unit), and column 7 (over-
and remodeling contractors have salespeople. And head per unit). Then multiply the total by the appropri-
many of their remodeling projects exclude painting. ate profit percentage to find the profit per unit.
In fact, their contract may specify that the owner is
responsible for the painting. These jobs may be a It’s my experience that larger companies with larger
good source of leads for a painting contractor. Develop projects can survive with a smaller profit percentage.
a relationship with the remodeling contractor’s sales Stiff competition for high volume tract work forces
staff (with the remodeling contractor’s approval, of bidders to trim their profit margin. Many smaller com-
course). If you have to pay a sales commission for the panies doing custom work earn a higher profit margin
referral, this is direct overhead and has to be added to because they produce better quality work, have fewer
the estimate. jobs, and face less competition.

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Normal profit Difficulty Proposed

Risk factor (assume 10%) factor profit range

High risk 10% x 1.5 to 3.5 = 15% to 35%

Average risk 10% x 1.3 to 1.4 = 13% to 14%
Moderate risk 10% x 1.0 to 1.2 = 10% to 12%
Low risk 10% x 0.5 to 0.9 = 5% to 9%

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Figure 16
Risk factors and profit margin

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Profit and Risk Risk Factors
Profit is usually proportionate to risk. The more risk, Your assessment of the difficulty of the job may
the greater the potential profit has to be to attract bid- favor assigning a risk factor that could be used to
ders. Smaller companies handling custom or repaint modify your profit percentage. The higher the risk, the
Pr
work have more risk of a major cost overrun because higher potential profit should be. My suggestions are
there are many more variables in that type of work. It’s in Figure 16.
usually safe to estimate a smaller profit on new work
because new work tends to be more predictable. The As you might expect, opinions on difficulty factors
risk of loss smaller. can vary greatly. There’s a lot of knowledge involved.
You need experience and good judgment to apply
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How do you define risk? Here’s my definition: Risk these factors effectively.
is the headache factor, the number and size of poten-
in

tial problems you could face in completing the project.

Repaint jobs have more unknowns, so they’re a greater Bidding Variables
risk. And dealing with an indecisive or picky homeowner
Of course, your profit may be affected by an error in
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can be the greatest headache of all. You may need to

evaluating the job risk factor. You can greatly reduce
use a profit margin even higher than the 15 to 35 range
the risk by accurately evaluating the bidding variables
indicated for high-risk work in Figure 16.
in Figure 17. Make adjustments to your standard base
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bid for example, if you expect your crews to be more or

less efficient on this project, or if you expect competi-
Tailoring Your Profit Margin tion to be intense. If there are logical reasons to modify
Of course, your profit margin has to be based on the your standard base bid, make those changes.
job, your company and the competition. But don’t cut
your profit to the bone just to get more work. Instead, But remember, if you adjust your standard base bid,
review your bid to see if there are reasons why the you’re not changing your profit margin. You’re only
standard costs wouldn’t apply. allowing for cost variables in the job. Adjust your stan-
dard base costs for unusual labor productivity, material
I use the term standard base bid to refer to my or equipment cost changes, or because of unusual
usual charge for all the estimated costs, including my overhead conditions. Review the following bidding
standard profit. Before submitting any bid, spend a variables when deciding how to adjust your standard
minute or two deciding whether your standard base base bid.
bid will apply.

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Sample Estimate
Reputations and The Site
Attitudes Figure 18 is a sample repaint estimate, using the
n Location (distance from
n Owner shop and suppliers) slow production rate, for a small house with many ame-
n Architect n Accessibility nities. The final bid total is the bid price. Figure 19 is a
n General Contractor n Working conditions blank estimating form for your use.
n Lender n Security requirements
n Inspector
n Safety considerations

The Project This Manual Works Two Ways

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Competition
n Building type
n Project size
n Number bidding This manual is also available by subscription on
n Your financial limits n Their strength, size and
the Web as part of National Estimator Cloud. For only

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n Start date competence
a few dollars a month, you get all ten of Craftsman’s
n Weather conditions
n Manpower availability 2025 construction cost estimating guides. Each has
and capability Desire for the work about 400 pages of current labor and material costs

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for construction – all neatly organized and indexed.
Figure 17 Use these costs to build estimates, bids and invoices
Bidding variables
for nearly any type of painting or wallcovering project.
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The Bottom Line
National Estimator Cloud:
The profit margin you include in estimates depends
on the way you do business, the kind of work you • Prints estimates, bids and invoices as Word, Excel
do, and your competition. Only you can decide what or PDF documents.
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percentage is right for your bids. Don’t take another

paint estimator’s advice on the “correct” profit margin. • Runs as a secure app on the Web so you can write
in

There’s no single correct answer. Use your own judg- estimates anywhere you have a Web connection.
ment. But here are some typical profit margins for the
kinds of work most painting contractors do. • Exports invoices to QuickBooks, either desktop or
nl

the online.
Repaints: Custom 20 to 35%
Average 15 to 20% • Bids and invoices can show as much or as little
O

Commercial or industrial 10 to 15% detail as you want.

New residential: 1-4 units 10 to 12%
5 or more 5 to 7% • Supports progress billing. Send an invoice for work
Government work 5 to 7% done during the pay period. National Estimator
Cloud keeps track of work that’s been invoiced and
work yet to be billed.
Column 9: Total Cost
The costs in Column 9 of Figure 2, and all the esti- • Material costs are updated regularly as prices
mating tables in this book, are the totals per unit for change.
each application rate in columns 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8. That
includes labor, labor burden, material cost, overhead • Costs only a few dollars a month. Cancel any time
and profit. you want.

37
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Date        1/7/25 Due date     1/15/25

Customer        Dan Gleason Job name     Gleason Repaint
Address     3333 A Street Job location     3333 A Street
City/State/Zip        Yourtown, USA 77777 Estimate #     14-012
Phone        (619) 555 -1212 Total square feet     1,020 SF (5 rooms)
Estimated by        CHS Checked by     Jack

Interior Costs
Application Quantity Total Formula
Operation Material Method Dimensions SF/LF/Each Unit Cost Cost Page
1 Ceilings - T & G Semi-Trans-WB R+B 17.5 x 15.3 x 1.3 348 SF X .6014 = $ 209.00 86
2 Beams to 13'H Solid Body-WB R+B 17.5 x 7 122.5 LF X 3.6119 = $ 442.00 45
3 Ceilings - GYP. Drywall Orange Peel-Flat R 127 + 127 254 SF X .4215 =$ 107.00 65

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4 Ceilings - GYP. Drywall Sealer-WB R 75 + 15 + 40 130 SF X .4189 = $ 54.00 65
5 Ceilings - GYP. Drywall Enamel-WB R 75 + 15 + 40 130 SF X .4614 = $ 60.00 65
6 Walls - GYP. Drywall Orange Peel-Flat R 675 + 392 + 392 1,459 SF X .3952 = $ 577.00 228

ie
7 Walls - Above 8' (clip) Orange Peel-Flat R 70+85=155x1.3 201.5 SF X .3952 = $ 80.00 228
8 Walls - GYP. Drywall Sealer-WB R 280 + 128 + 208 616 SF X .4552 = $ 280.00 228
9 Walls - GYP. Drywall Enamel-WB R 280 + 128 + 208 616 SF X .5180 = $ 319.00 228
Undercoat-WB 209.75

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10 Doors-Flush R+B Opening Count 10 Ea = = $ 210.00 108
11 Doors-Flush Enamel-WB R+B Opening Count 10 Ea = 227.61 = $ 228.00 108
12 Baseboard - Prime Flat w/walls R+B 64 + 49 + 49 162 LF X .1560 = $ 25.00 43
13 Baseboard - Finish Enamel-WB B 11 + 16 + 35 62 LF X .6037 = $ 37.00 43
14 Railing - W.I.- Preprimed Enamel/Off-white B 42" High 15 LF 2.8219 = $ 42.00 180
Pr X

15 Valance-Light-2" x 8" Solid Body Stain B 2x8 10 LF X 2.6417 = $ 26.00 224

16 Registers Spray Can Spray 1,020 SF Home 1,020 SF X .0878 = $ 90.00 182
17 X =$
18 X =$
Total Interior Costs (includes overhead and profit) = $ 2,787.00
e

Exterior Costs
in

Application Quantity Total Formula

Operation Material Method Dimensions SF/LF/Each Unit Cost Cost Page
1 Roof Jacks - 1 Story Finish-enamel B 1 Story 1 House X 53.05 = $ 53.00 183
B = $ 5.00
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2 S.M. Diverter-3" W Finish-enamel 14 14 LF X .3913 198

3 S.M. Vents & Flashing Finish-enamel B 1 Story 1 House X 78.30 = $ 78.00 199
4 Fascia - 2 x 8 Solid-WB-Roll Roll 66 + 59 125 LF X 1.3126 = $ 164.00 120
5 Overhang - 24" Solid-WB-Roll R+B (132 + 76) x 1.5 312 SF 1.0841 = $ 338.00
O

X 160
6 Siding - R.S. Wood Solid-water Roll (1/2 x 24 x 4.5) x 2 108 SF X .7881 = $ 85.00 210
7 Plaster / Stucco Masonry - WB Roll 255+255+204+204 918 SF X .6982 = $ 641.00 169
8 Door - Panel (Entry) Enam 2 coats - WB R+B Entry 1 Ea X 96.27 = $ 96.00 101
9 Door - Flush Enam 2 coats - WB R+B Exterior 1 Ea X 41.38 = $ 41.00 98
10 Plant-On Trim - 2 x 4 Solid-water R+B 66 + 62 + 52 180 LF X .9357 = $ 168.00 162
11 Pass Through- Preprimed Finish-enamel B 10 10 LF X 2.4445 = $ 24.00 162
12 Pot Shelf Solid-water R+B 27 27 LF X 3.1631 = $ 85.00 172
13 X =$
14 X =$
15 X =$
16 X =$
17 X =$
18 X =$
Total Exterior Costs (includes overhead and profit) = $ 1,781.00

Figure 18
Sample painting estimate

38
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Preparation Costs
Quantity Unit cost Total Formula
Operation Dimensions SF/LF/Each Per SF cost Page
1 Sand/Putty Wood Ceil (Siding x 1.3) 17.5 x 15.3 x 1.3 348 SF X .2526 =$ 88.00 300
2 Sand and Putty Int. Wall 675 + 392 + 392 1,459 SF X .2391 =$ 349.00 300
3 Lt. Sand Ext. Doors & Trim (Frames) 14 Ea x 21 SF x 2 Sides 588 SF X .1818 =$ 107.00 301
4 Wash Int. Walls/Ceil-Enamel 280 + 128 + 208 616 SF X .2391 =$ 147.00 313
5 Waterblast Exterior Stucco 125 + 210 + 108 + 918 1,361 SF X .0649 =$ 88.00 315
6 Sand and Putty Ext. Trim 125 + 210 + 108 443 SF X .2526 =$ 112.00 300
7 Caulk Ext. Windows-1/8" gap 20 + 15 + 10 + 20 + 12 77 SF X .8532 =$ 82.00 298
8 X =$
9 X =$
10 =$

w
X
Total Preparation Costs (includes overhead and profit) = $ 973.00

ie
SURRPTUCU Costs
Labor w/ Burden Approximate Formula

ev
Operation Description Labor hours (at $32.93) material cost Totals Page
SetUp 2 Days @1/day 2.0 65.86 — 66.00 6
Remove/Replace Hardware & Plates 1.25 41.16 — 41.00 6
Protection Furniture & Floors 2.0 65.86 47.25 113.00 6
Pr
TouchUp is applied as a percentage of the total costs. See Extensions
CleanUp 2 Days @1/day 2.0 65.86 — 66.00 6

Equipment Costs Extensions

Equipment Formula Supervision ( 2 Hr. ) $ 66.00
e

description Rental days Daily cost Total cost Page Setup $ 66.00
Pressure Washer 1 101.00 $ 101.00 34 Remove/replace $ 41.00
in

Ladders, 6', 2 Ea 1 21.00 $ 21.00 33 Protection $ 113.00

Palm Sander 4" x 4" 1 13.40 $ 13.00 34 Cleanup $ 66.00
$ Equipment $ 135.00
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$ Subcontracts $ 0
$ Commissions $ 0
Total Equipment Costs $ 135.40 Other costs $ 0
Subtotal $ 487.00
O

Overhead ( 19 %) $ 93.00
Profit ( 16 %) $ 78.00
Subcontractor Costs
Subtotal $ 171.00
Trade Bid Amount Preparation $ 973.00
Pavement marking $ 0 Interior total $ 2,787.00
Sandblasting $ 0 Exterior total $ 1,781.00
Scaffolding $ 0 Subtotal $ 5,541.00
Wallcovering $ 0 Touchup ( 10 %) $ 554.00
Waterblasting $ 0 Contingency ( 0 %) $ 0
Other _____________ $ 0 Total base bid $ 6,753.00
Other _____________ $ 0 Adjustment ( -2 %) $ <-135.00>
Other _____________ $ 0 Final bid total $ 6,618.00
Total Subcontractor Costs $ — Price per SF (1020 ) $ 6.49
Price per room ( 5 ) $ 1,324.00

Figure 18 (continued)
Sample painting estimate

39
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Date Due date

Customer Job name
Address Job location
City/State/Zip Estimate #
Phone Total square feet
Estimated by Checked by

Interior Costs
Application Quantity
Operation Material Method Dimensions SF/LF/Each Unit Cost Total Cost
1 X = $
2 X = $
3 X = $

w
4 X = $
5 X = $
6 X = $

ie
7 X = $
8 X = $
9 X = $
10

ev
X = $
11 X = $
12 X = $
13 X = $
14 X = $
Pr
15 X = $
16 X = $
17 X = $
18 X = $
Total Interior Costs (includes overhead and profit) = $
e

Exterior Costs
in

Application Quantity
Operation Material Method Dimensions SF/LF/Each Unit Cost Total Cost
1 X = $
2 = $
nl

3 X = $
4 X = $
5 = $
O

6 X = $
7 X = $
8 X = $
9 X = $
10 X = $
11 X = $
12 X = $
13 X = $
14 X = $
15 X = $
16 X = $
17 X = $
18 X = $
Total Exterior Costs (includes overhead and profit) = $

Figure 19
Blank painting estimate

40
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Preparation Costs
Quantity
Operation Dimensions SF/LF/Each Unit cost Total cost
1 X = $
2 X = $
3 X = $
4 X = $
5 X = $
6 X = $
7 X = $
8 X = $
9 X = $
10 X = $

w
Total Preparation Costs (includes overhead and profit) = $

ie
SURRPTUCU Costs
Labor cost

ev
Operation Description Labor hours (at ) Material cost Totals
SetUp
Remove/Replace
Protection
Pr
TouchUp is applied as a percentage of the total costs. See Extensions
CleanUp

Equipment Costs Extensions

Equipment Supervision ( ) $
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description Rental days Daily cost Total cost Setup $

$ Remove/replace $
in

$ Protection $
$ Cleanup $
$ Equipment $
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$ Subcontracts $
$ Commissions $
Total Equipment Costs $ Other costs $
Subtotals $
O

Overhead ( %) $
Profit ( %) $
Subcontractor Costs
Subtotal $
Trade Bid Amount Preparation $
Pavement marking $ Interior total $
Sandblasting $ Exterior total $
Scaffolding $ Subtotal $
Wallcovering $ Touchup ( %) $
Waterblasting $ Contingency ( %) $
Other ______ $ Total base bid $
Other ______ $ Adjustment ( %) $
Other ______ $ Final bid total $
Total Subcontractor Costs $ Price per SF ( ) $
Price per room ( ) $

Figure 19 (continued)
Blank painting estimate

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ie
A Bid Canvas Commissions.......................9, 35
expiration date......................29 insulated ductwork..... 339-347 Competition between
Accessories, standard base.................. 36-37 jacketed piping........... 365-370 manufacturers.........................26

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remove and replace..................9 surface preparation...............10 sheeting......................433, 436 Competition, bidding........ 35-37
Acid wash gutters & Bidding variables.............. 36-37 Cap Composition
downspouts..........................296 Bifold doors..........................102 railing.................................173 roof shingles............... 185-189
Acoustic spray-on texture.......61 Blank estimating form...... 40-41 sheet metal..........................196 siding shingles............ 203-207
Adhesive coverage................422 Blank painting estimate..........40 Carport overhang..................159 Compressed air.....................295
Adjustments to costs.................7
Pr
Bleach...................................311 Casters, scaffolding.................33 Compressors, painting..........356
Adobe block.................. 144-146 Blinds and shutters................201 Categories, labor productivity....13 Computing overhead...............32
Air compressors, rental...........33 Block filler.... 18, 21, 24, 140-141 Caulk...............................10, 298 Concrete floors.............. 129-132
Air hose, rental........................33 Board and batten siding.... 214-219 Caulking............... 19, 22, 25, 27 Concrete Masonry Units
Airblast..................................296 Boiler room...........................357 Caulking gun...........................27 .....................147-152, 354-355
Allowance Bond, performance..................31 Ceiling panels, suspended.... 57-59 Concrete tilt-up walls..... 412-417
for supervision......................14 Bonds........................................9 Ceiling pans............................60 Condos, allowance for
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overhead...............................32 Boneyard........................... 43-44 Ceilings, drywall supervision..........................14
sundries..........................10, 26 Bonuses...............................9, 35 acoustic spray-on texture.....61 Conduit.......................... 318-325
Aluminum base paint Bookcases anti-graffiti stain eliminator..... 62 Conduit/pipe area conversion
in

......................... 19, 22, 25, 358 paint grade...................... 48-49 orange peel texture......... 63-68 table .....................................325
Aluminum siding..................202 stain grade...................... 50-51 sand finish texture.......... 67-74 Contingency allowance.......9, 11
Anti-graffiti stain eliminator Boomlift, rental.......................33 smooth finish.................. 75-79 Contractors, remodeling..........35
........... 18, 21, 24, 62, 140, 225 Borders, wallpaper........ 424-425 Ceilings, tongue & groove
Bottom line.............................37 Conversion table,
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Apartments, allowance paint grade...................... 80-85

Brick conduit/pipe area..................325
for supervision.......................14 stain grade...................... 86-88
masonry...................... 141-146 Converting unit prices...............9
Application method...................6 Cellulose, powdered
sandblasting..........................11 Corbels....................................92
......................... 19, 22, 25, 422
Application rate Bridge painters, wages............30 Cork wallcovering.........427, 429
Chain link fence....................123
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..................... 5, 13, 15, 30, 424 Brush-off blast................11, 303 Cornice, overhang.................159
Clay brick tile............... 144-146
Arched roof...........................184 Brushes....................................27 Cleanup...............................9, 10 Corrugated metal...................326
Burden Closets.....................................91 Corrugations, estimating
B employer’s..............................8 doors...................................102 .................................... 326-329
fixed......................................30 moldings.......................91, 102 Cost estimates, basis for...........6
Back-painting.......... 94, 309-311 labor....................................5, 6 Cost overruns..........................10
poles....................... 88-89, 102
Bags, strainer..........................28 Burlap....................................433 Cost per unit............................31
shelves.................... 89-90, 102
Balusters........................173, 177 Burn off paint........................297 Cost Plus Fee................296, 315
Coatings, mixing.......................9
Banana board..........................33 Butt joint...............................435 Collective bargaining Cost tables, using......................6
Bare duct....................... 331-338 Butt siding..................... 214-219 agreement............................31 Costs
Bare piping.................... 357-365 Color codes, piping....... 359-370 customizing............................7
Bargaining, collective.............31 C Color samples...........................9 delivery...................................9
Baseboard.......................... 43-44 Colors, OSHA............ 19, 22, 25 equipment purchase & rental....9
preparation............................10 Cabinet Column headings defined.......13 labor..................................6, 29
Basis for estimates....................5 faces......................................52 Commercial material.................. 6, 8, 16, 31
Baths, painting......................231 masking..................................9 jobs.........................................9 miscellaneous.......................10
Beams................................ 45-47 paint grade...................... 52-54 sandblasting..................11, 304 nonproductive labor.............14
Bender paint pads...................27 stain grade...................... 55-56 supervision, allowance for....14 pavement marking..........10, 12
Benefits.....................................8 Calculate Commercial blast..................304 preparation materials............10
employee........................ 30-31 labor rate..............................30 Commercial wallcoverings rental............................... 33-34
fringe.......................... 7, 30-31 overhead...............................32 fabric.......................... 430-431 sandblasting.................... 10-11
health....................................30 paint film thickness..............15 paper........................... 434-436 subcontract....................... 9-10
Beveled siding............... 214-219 profit percentage..................35 vinyl............................ 426-427 supervision...........................14

440
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Index

total, Column 9.......................8 smooth finish.................. 75-79 F Flexwood...............................425

variables.................................7 taping..................................312 Flock wallpaper.....................435
waterblasting..................11, 13 Drywall walls Fascia............................ 118-122 Floors
Cotton wall fabric......... 433-434 orange peel texture..... 226-233 Fast application rate............6, 13 concrete...................... 129-132
Coverage sand finish.................. 234-239 Federal taxes..................... 30-31 wood........................... 133-136
smooth finish.............. 240-245 Fees...........................................9
material.............................6, 15 Flush doors..............................98
Felt................................431, 433
powdered adhesive.............422 taping..................................312 Foil wallpaper.......................435
Fences
Cracks, repair........................298 Ductwork Forced Air Unit doors...........102
chain link............................123
Crews bare duct..................... 331-338 Foremen, project...............14, 30
picket.......................... 124-126
productivity..........................13 canvas insulated......... 339-347 wire mesh...........................123 Form
skill levels..............................6 Dutch doors...........................102 wood...................................123 estimating....................... 40-41
Custom homes, allowance Fiber ceiling panels........... 57-59 field production times & rates.
for supervision.......................14 E FICA................................. 30-31 .................................... 419-420
Customizing cost tables............7 Field equipment................ 32-35 Formulation, paint...................16

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Cut cracks.............................298 Eaves, overhang............ 159-161 Field production......................14 Frames, door..................... 95-96
Cutting-in.......................... 92-94 Edge scraping................ 309-311 times & rates form..... 419-420 French doors....99, 102, 111-112
Efficiency, work......................14 Field superintendent..........14, 30 Fringe benefits.............. 7, 30-31
Electric conduit............. 318-325 Figures FUTA................................ 30-31
D

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Employee benefits...................30 Basis for cost estimates..........6
Dark (OSHA) colors.... 19, 22, 25 Employer’s burden....................8 Bidding variables.................36
Enamel G
Davis Bacon Act.....................30 Blank painting estimate........40
Deck enamel or epoxy exterior.................... 18, 21, 24 Conduit/pipe area conversion Gambrel roof.........................184

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................................. 18, 21, 24 heat resistant.........................19 table ..................................325 Garage door backs................137
Deck overhang and oil based.................. 17, 20, 23 Customizing the tables...........7 General painting costs..... 42-293
surface............................94, 161 water based.............. 17, 20, 23 Equipment purchase & rental General qualifications...............9
Decking Entry rates.....................................33 Glazing....................... 17, 20, 23
corrugated metal......... 326-327 doors............................. 97-102 Interior opening count Glove application
overhang.............................161 allowance table..................102
flat pan metal.............. 328-329
Pr .............324-325, 337-338, 363
Decking factors, Epoxy coating system Labor burden percentages.....30 Good neighbor fence.............123
square corner......................327 ................................ .19, 22, 25 Material coverage rates........15 Graffiti eliminator... 62, 140, 225
Decorative railing.................173 Equipment Material price discounts.......16 Granite masonry....................153
Deficient working conditions....11 costs........................................9 Material prices at Grasscloth.............................433
Definitions, column headings.....13 field......................................32 discount.................. 17, 20, 23 Grates, steel................... 350-353
Delayed work..........................29 placement...............................9 Pavement marking Grating deck, fire escapes.....348
purchase costs................ 33-34
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Delivery costs...........................9 pricing table........................12 Gravel stop, sheet metal........198
Demobilization..........................9 rental........................... 9, 33-34 Risk factors and profit Grilles, steel.................. 352-353
Direct overhead.......... 31, 32, 35 sandblasting..........................33 margin.................................36 Guaranteed maximum price....10
in

Discount tables.................. 17-25 spray...............................28, 34 Sample painting estimate.....38 Gutters........................... 138-139

Discounts Escalation..........................26, 29 Sandblasting pricing table....11 acid wash............................296
material.................................16 Estimate, sample............... 38-39 Square corner decking Gypsum drywall ceilings
Estimating factors................................327 acoustic spray-on texture.....61
supplier.................................26
accuracy..................................8 Structural steel conversion
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volume..................................16 orange peel texture......... 68-73

basis for..................................5 tables.................................391
Diverters, sheet metal...........198 sand finish texture.......... 74-79
errors....................................10 Sundry inventory checklist....27
Door smooth finish.................. 62-66
exterior system........ 18, 21, 24 Surface area of spheres......399
frames.................... 95, 96, 102 taping..................................312
form................................ 40-41 Wage rates, wallcovering ....29
O

trim.................................95, 96 interior system......... 17, 20, 23 Gypsum drywall walls.... 225-245

Waterblasting pricing table....13 orange peel texture..... 226-233
Doors price escalation............... 26-29 Fill wood floors.....................299 sand finish.................. 234-239
Dutch..................................102 reliable....................................5 Filled block...........................355
exterior......................... 97-101 unit cost..................................8 smooth finish.............. 240-245
Filler
flush...................... 98, 109-111 Evening work............................9 taping..................................312
block........................ 18, 21, 24
French................... 99, 111-112 Excluded preparation costs.... 9-10 wood........................ 19, 22, 25
hollow metal.......................330 Expendable tools and Film thickness, calculating.....15 H
interior....... 103, 109, 111, 113 supplies..................................26 Fir siding....................... 214-219
louvered.............. 100, 113-115 Expense Fire escapes................... 348-349 Hand-crafted wallpaper.... 435-436
opening count method.... 102-108 overhead...........................5, 31 Fire sprinkler systems...........349 Hand-pasted wall covering
panel........................... 116-118 supervision...........................14 Fireplace .....................428-429, 432-434
panel, entry.........................101 Expiration date, bid.................29 masonry..............................127 Handling, material....................9
two-coat system............ 98-101 Exposed aggregate finish trim.....................................128 Handrail, wood......................175
Downspouts .................................... 412-417 Firewood boxes.....................128 Hardware, remove and
acid wash............................296 Extensive preparation.............26 Fixed burden...........................30 replace................................ 9-10
galvanized.................. 138-139 Exterior Flashing, sheet metal Headache factor......................35
Dripowder mixed....... 17, 20, 23 enamel..................... 18, 21, 24 .....................196-197, 199-200 Health benefits........................30
Drop siding................... 214-219 floors.......................... 129-136 Flat latex.................... 17, 20, 23 Heat resistant enamel.... 19, 22, 25
Dry pressed brick.......... 144-146 preparation..............................9 Flat pan metal.......................328 Heavy commercial painting
Drywall ceilings railings........................ 173-174 Flat roofs...............................184 costs............................. 317-418
acoustic spray-on texture.....61 trim............................. 162-167 Flexi-wall systems................425 Heavy mastic, sandblasting....11
orange peel texture......... 63-68 Extra heavy structural Flexible wood sheet and Heavy structural steel.... 372-377
sand finish texture.......... 69-74 steel.............................. 373-377 veneer...................................425 Hemlock siding............. 214-219

441
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National Painting Cost Estimator

High time difficulty factors.....139 cost...................................6, 29 30 percent....................... 20-22 Overhead........................ 6, 8, 36

Hollow metal doors...............330 rate, calculating....................30 40 percent....................... 23-25 allowance........................32, 35
Home office overhead.............31 surface preparation...............10 Material pricing tables...... 17-25 computing.......................32, 35
Homeowner, traits...................35 Labor burden percentages.......30 exterior paints.......... 18, 21, 24 direct.....................................35
Hopper Labor productivity categories industrial paints....... 19, 22, 25 expense...................................5
roofs, exterior............. 406-411 ..............................................13 interior paints.......... 17, 20, 23 indirect............................ 31-32
walls, exterior............. 400-405 Lacquer, semi gloss, preparation............... 19, 22, 25 office....................................31
Hot water radiators...............371 interior....................... 17, 20, 23 wallcovering............ 19, 22, 25 rate........................................31
Hourly wage rate, cost book....10 Ladder jack, purchase.............33 Maximum price, guaranteed....10 Overtime.............................9, 14
How to use the tables................6 Ladders....................... 9, 33, 354 Maximum productivity, Owner allowances.................... 9
HVAC registers.....................182 rental.....................................33 conditions for.........................14
Hydraulic fluid........................27 Lattice...................................223 Mechanical equipment..........356
Medical insurance...................31 P
Lemon oil................................27
Liability insurance..................31 Medium application rate.....6, 13 Paint........................................16
I

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Life insurance.........................31 Medium finish, aluminum-based...... 19, 22, 25
Incentives................................35 Light fixture valances...........224 plaster walls................. 246-252 burn off...............................297
Included costs...........................9 Light structural steel..... 378-384 Medium structural steel coverage formula............ 15-16
Indirect overhead.............. 31-32 Linen wall fabric...........431, 433 ................................... .385-390 formulation...........................16

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Industrial Linen doors...........................102 Metal masonry................... 18, 21, 24
allowance for supervision....14 Liquid paste, wallpaper.........423 ceiling pans..........................60 oil-based............ 16, 17, 20, 23
Lites, window................ 290-291 finish-synthetic........ 18, 21, 24 remover................... 19, 22, 25
bonding.................... 19, 22, 25
Loss, risk of............................35 primer...................... 18, 21, 24 waste factors.........................16
enamel..................... 19, 22, 25

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Louvered doors stair stringers......................220 water-based....... 16, 17, 20, 23
material.................... 19, 22, 25
.................... 100, 102, 113-115 surfaces....................... 138-139 Paint pads, bender...................27
painting costs.............. 317-418
Minor price escalation............29 Paint stripper, rental................34
waterproofing.......... 19, 22, 25 Low productivity.....................14 Miscellaneous costs................10 Painters
Inflationary cost increases......29
Mitt application bridge....................................30
Injury, compensation for.........30 M .............324-325, 337-338, 363 journeyman.............................8
Institutional painting
Pr Mixing boxes, painting.........356 productivity..........................13
costs............................. 317-418 Machine pasted wallcovering Mixing coatings........................9 Panel doors
Institutional work, allowance .................................... 426-431 Mobilization..............................9 exterior...............................101
for supervision.......................14 Mail box structures...............140 Model homes, allowance interior........................ 116-118
Insulated piping............. 365-370 Manhour productivity...............6 for supervision.......................14 Paper-backed vinyl....... 426-429
Insurance........................... 30-31 Mantel...................................128 Molding......................... 153-158 Paraffin wax..........................315
additional................................9 Marble masonry....................153 closet..................... 89, 91, 102 Particle masks.........................27
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liability.................................31 Margin of profit................ 35-36 exterior............... 153, 157-158 Pass-through shelves.............162
medical.................................31 Marine spar varnish interior........................ 153-158 Passage doors........................102
unemployment................ 30-31 .................... 18, 21, 24, 98-101 Mullions & muntins..............290 Paste........................... 19, 22, 25
in

Interior Marking table, pavement........12 Pavement marking..................10

floors.......................... 129-136 Masking materials...................27 pricing table..........................12
railings........................ 175-178 Masking paper dispenser........33 N Pay, premium............................9
surface preparation.................9 Masks, particle........................27 Payroll tax...............................30
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Interior opening count Masonry National Estimator, installing....5

Payroll withholding.................30
allowance table....................102 anti-graffiti stain Natural fabric........................433
Penetrating oil paint.... 19, 22, 25
Inventory, sundries..................26 eliminator..........................140 Near white blast..............11, 306
Penetrating oil stain.... 17, 20, 23
Iron painters, wages................30 block filler..........................140 New construction preparation....9
Penetrating stain wax.... 17, 20, 23
O

CMU, rough surface Newels...........................173, 177

Pension plans.................... 30-31
............................ 147-149, 354 Non-productive time,
J Per diem....................................9
CMU, smooth surface supervisors.............................14
Per unit costs...........................31
Job conditions, unknown........11 ............................ 150-152, 355 Normal preparation.................10
Performance bonds.................31
Job qualifications......................9 granite.................................153 “Not to exceed” bid................10
Performance by painters.........14
Jobs marble.................................153 Permits......................................9
commercial.............................9 new brick.................... 141-143 Picket fence................... 124-126
private...................................29 O
paint......................... 18, 21, 24 Pics..........................................33
repaint...............................9, 35 sandblasting..........................11 Office Pine siding..................... 214-219
residential tract.......................9 stone...................................153 home.....................................31 Piping
time and material..................10 used brick................... 144-146 overhead......................... 31-32 bare pipe..................... 357-363
Joint lap siding.............. 214-219 Material rental, portable.....................34 insulated, canvas
Journeyman painters.................8 costs............................. 6, 8, 10 Oil paints, sandblasting...........11 jacket......................... 365-370
Judgment, using........................8 coverage rates...................6, 15 Oil-based paint..... 16, 17, 20, 23 Planks, rental...........................33
handling..................................9 Opening count method Plant-on trim................. 162-167
K prices..............................16, 26 ...........88, 95-97, 102, 103-108 Plaster walls, interior
storage....................................9 Orange peel texture medium texture.......... 246-252
Kitchens, painting.................231 waste.................................9, 16 ceilings........................... 63-68 rough texture.............. 253-259
Material cost per unit..............31 walls........................... 226-234 smooth texture............ 260-266
L Material formulation, OSHA colors............. 19, 22, 25, Plaster, exterior............. 168-172
changes in ...........................16 .............356-388, 400-408, 410 anti-graffiti stain
Labor Material price discounts....16, 26 Overhang....................... 159-161 eliminator..........................172
burden.......................... 5, 6, 30 20 percent....................... 17-19 Overhang difficulty factors....159 waterproofing.....................171

442
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Index

Platform, rolling......................33 Railing S wood, rough or resawn

Plywood siding............. 208-219 exterior....................... 173-174 .................................... 208-213
Poles handrail, wood....................175 Safety net, purchase................33 wood, smooth............. 214-219
closet...................... 88-89, 102 interior........................ 175-178 Sales staff................................35 Silica sand.......... 19, 22, 25, 302
roller.....................................28 wrought iron............... 179-181 Sales tax..................................26 Silicone caulk........................297
Polyurethane.............. 18, 21, 24 Sample estimating form.... 40-41 Silk wall fabric......................433
Rake, overhang............. 160-161
Porch & deck enamel Sample estimate................ 38-39
Rate Silo................................ 400-412
or epoxy.................... 18, 21, 24 Sample preparation.................10
coverage...............................15 roofs, exterior............. 406-411
Porches, wood.........................94 Sand finish texture
hourly...................................10 walls, exterior............. 400-405
Porous block.........................354 ceilings........................... 69-74
overhead...............................31 walls, drywall............. 234-239 Site variables...........................37
Portable office, rental..............34
productivity............... 5, 14, 29 Sand, silica................. 19, 22, 25 Sizing, wallpaper..................425
Pot shelves............................172
Powdered adhesives wage.....................................29 white silica.........................302 Skill levels, crew.......................6
......................... 19, 22, 25, 422 Ready-mix paste........ 19, 22, 25 Sandblast Skilled specialists....................30
coverage, rolls to yards Reduced productivity..............14 brick......................................11 Slag, sandblasting.................302

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conversion.........................422 Redwood siding............ 214-219 brush-off blast....................303 Sloped surfaces.....................184
Power wash...........................315 Registers................................182 commercial blast........ 304-305 Slow application rate..........6, 13
Pre-primed Remodeling contractors..........35 equipment, rental..................33 Slump stone...........................355
metal doors.........................330 Remove and replace............ 9-10 near white blast.......... 306-307 Smooth finish texture

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railing......................... 179-181 Remove coatings...................311 rates......................................10 drywall walls.............. 240-245
Pre-trimmed wallpaper.........435 Remover, paint........... 19, 22, 25 white blast.................. 308-309 plaster walls................ 260-266
Precision block......................355 Rental equipment.... 9, 31-32, 35 Sandblasters, wages................30 Social security tax............. 30-31
Premium pay.............................9 Repaint jobs.................. 9-10, 35 Sandblasting pricing table.......11 Solid body stain......... 18, 21, 24

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Preparation materials.... 19, 22, 25 Repaint preparation.................10 Sanders, rental.........................33 Solid deck fire escapes.........348
cost.......................................10 Requirements, profit.................5 Sanding......................... 299-301 Solids, percentage of...............15
Preparation operations........9, 10 Resawn Sanding sealer.........................27 Solvent-based paint.................16
extensive...............................26 valances..............................224 exterior.................... 18, 21, 24 Spackle....................................28
Prevailing wage.......................30 wood railing.......................173 interior..................... 17, 20, 23 Specialist’s wages...................30
Price guide, retail....................26 Spillage.....................................9
Price, maximum guaranteed....10
Pr
wood siding................ 208-214 Sandpaper................................28
Residential tract work...........6, 9 Sash, window................290, 298 Spindles.........................173, 177
Prices at discount....................26 Split coat operation...............102
Pricing Residential wallcovering Scaffolding, rental......... 9, 33-34
material.................................16 fabric.......................... 432-434 Scenic wallpaper...................436 Spray can.................... 17, 20, 23
sandblasting..........................11 vinyl............................ 428-429 Scope of work.........................10 Spray equipment...............28, 34
variables............................. 7-8 wallpaper.................... 437-439 Scribing......................... 309-311 rental/purchase.....................34
Primer, metal.............. 18, 21, 24 Resin sealer.............................27 Sealer Spray rigs............................9, 34
e
Private jobs.............................29 Respirators..............................27 off white.................. 17, 20, 23 Spray-on texture ceilings........61
Productive time, supervisors....14 Retail price guide....................26 PVA......................................27 Sprinklers..............................349
Productivity Risers.....................................219 resin......................................27 Square corner decking
in

categories, labor...................13 Risk factors and profit Sealer, sanding........................27 factors...................................327

crew......................................13 margin.............................. 36-37 exterior.................... 18, 21, 24 Square foot estimating,
low........................................14 Roller covers..................... 27-28 interior..................... 17, 20, 23 fire escapes...........................349
manhour..................................6 Rolling equipment, Semi-transparent stain................. Staff, sales...............................35
rate............................. 5, 14, 29
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rent/purchase..........................33 ................................ .18, 21, 24 Stain

tracking................. 14, 419-420 Setup...................................9, 10 eliminator, anti-graffiti
Profit........................ 6, 8, 26, 35 Rolls to yards conversion
table, adhesive......................422 Shake siding.................. 208-213 ................................. 18, 21, 24
margin............................ 35-37 Shakes, roofing............. 190-195
percentage............................35 Roof exterior seal & varnish
Sheet metal............................196
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requirements...........................5 arched.................................184 ................................. 18, 21, 24

caps............................. 196-197 interior seal & lacquer
risk........................................36 flat...................... 184, 408-411
diverters..............................198 ................................. 17, 20, 23
tailoring................................36 gambrel...............................184
Project foreman.......................14 flashing........196-197, 199-200 Stairs
hopper......................... 408-411 gravel stops........................198
Project variables......................37 peaked........................ 408-411 steps....................................219
Protection................................10 vents........................... 199-200
sloping................ 184, 408-411 stringers...................... 220-222
Protective window coating Shellac........................ 17, 20, 23
vaulted........................ 408-411 Shelves.............................. 48-51 tread length.........................219
.................. 19, 22, 25, 278-290 Roof area conversion factors wood.............................94, 219
Public projects.........................29 closet...................... 89-90, 102
............................................184 paint grade...................... 48-49 Standard base bid....................36
Pullman cabinets...................102
Roof jacks.............................183 pass-through.......................162 Staples.....................................28
Putty....9, 10, 22, 25, 27, 299, 300
PVA sealer..............................27 Roof pitch difficulty factors..184 stain grade...................... 50-51 State unemployment
Roofing wood...................................162 insurance.......................... 30-31
composition shingle.... 185-189 Shift adjustments.......................9 Steam radiators.....................371
Q waterproofing.............193, 195 Shingle siding............... 208-213 Steel factory sash windows....418
wood shingle or Shingle roofing............. 190-195 Steel grates.................... 350-354
Qualification statement.............9 shakes........................ 190-195 Shutters.................................201 Steel painters, wages...............30
Quality tracts, allowance for Rough finish plaster walls Siding Steeplejack..............................30
supervision.............................14 .................................... 253-259 aluminum............................202 Steps, wood.....................94, 219
Rough sawn composition shingle.... 203-207 Stone, sealing........................153
R railing.................................173 corrugated metal......... 326-327 Storage
siding.......................... 208-214 flat pan metal.............. 328-329 containers, rental..................34
Radiators...............................371 valances..............................224 waterproofing material...................................9
Rags.........................................27 Run, stair...............................219 ................... 205, 207, 212, 219 trailer....................................31

443
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National Painting Cost Estimator

Strainer bags...........................28 Tile, clay brick.............. 144-146 W WCI................................... 30-31

Stringers, stair............... 220-222 Tilt-up walls.................. 412-417 Wet areas, painting...............231
Stripper, rental........................34 Time and Material.... 10, 296, 314 Wage rates Wheat paste, powdered
Stripping................................311 Tip-off operation...................102 painting...................................6 ................................. 19, 22, 25
Structural steel.............. 372-399 Tongue & groove wallcovering.........................29 White blast......................11, 308
extra heavy................. 373-377 ceilings........................... 80-88 Wages White silica sand...................302
heavy.......................... 372-377 paneling...................... 267-275 overtime............................9, 14 Window
light............................ 378-384 siding.......................... 214-219 prevailing..............................30 frames, screen.....................276
medium....................... 385-390 Tools and supplies, specialists.............................30 seats....................................277
sandblasting..........................11 expendable..........................26 union, national average........29 sills.....................................277
Structural steel conversion Total cost.............................8, 37 Wainscot paneling......... 267-275 storm sash...........................278
tables............................ 391-399 Wall fabric Window conversion factors....292
Touchup..................... 9, 10, 222
Stucco, exterior............. 168-172 commercial................. 430-431 Window estimating
Tower, rolling.........................33
anti-graffiti stain residential................... 432-433 interior opening count........102
Tract work, residential..............6

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eliminator..........................172 Wallboard, taping..................312 square foot basis.................290
Trailers, rental...................31, 34
waterproofing.....................171 Wallcovering Window protective
Training fund..........................31
Subcontractor bids............ 10-11 adhesive coverage..............422 coating, wax...... 19, 22, 25, 315
Travel time................................9
Subcontractor costs.............9, 10 application rate.............29, 424 Windows
Treads, stair...........................219

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SUI.................................... 30-31 costs............................ 421-439 exterior wood
Trellis....................................223
Sundries allowance.................26 fabric.......................... 430-433 .................. 18, 21, 24, 279-284
Trim, door......................... 95-96
Sundry inventory material pricing....... 19, 22, 25 interior wood
Trowel finish, walls...... 412-417
checklist........................... 27-28 surface preparation.............425 .................. 17, 20, 23, 285-291

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Superintendent, field...............30 vinyl............................ 426-429 steel factory sash................418
Supervision expense...............14 U Wallpaper...................... 434-436 Wine racks.................... 293-294
Supervisor, responsibility.......14 borders........................ 424-425 Wiping stain
Undercoat................... 17, 20, 23 canvas.................................436 exterior.................... 18, 21, 24
Supplier discounts...................26
Unemployment insurance.... 30-31 commercial................. 434-436 interior........................17, 2029
Surface area of spheres.........399
Unfilled block.......................354 flock....................................435 Wire brush.............................316
Surface preparation.............9, 10
Pr
Union wage rates....................29 foil......................................435 Wire mesh fence...................123
specialists.............................30
Unit cost estimate.....................8 hand-crafted........................435 Withheld taxes.................. 30-31
wallcovering.......................425
Unit prices, converting..............9 paste....................................423 Wood fence...........................123
SURRPTUCU.....................9, 10
Unknown job conditions.........11 residential................... 437-439 Wood filler................. 19, 22, 25
Suspended ceilings............ 57-59
Unstick windows...................312 scenic..................................436 Wood floors.................. 133-136
Swedish putty........................298
Urethane caulk......................297 sizing..................................425 fill.......................................299
Swing stage
Used brick..................... 144-146 Walls, concrete tilt-up.... 412-417 Wood paneled walls..............267
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rental.....................................34
Utility areas, painting............231 Walls, gypsum drywall Wood shingles or
wages....................................30
anti-graffiti stain shakes........................... 190-195
System estimates
eliminator..........................225 Wood siding
in

exterior.................... 18, 21, 24 V

orange peel texture..... 226-233 rough sawn or resawn
interior..................... 17, 20, 23 Vacation pay..................... 30-31 sand finish.................. 234-239 .................................... 208-213
Valances for light fixtures....224 smooth finish.............. 240-245 smooth........................ 214-219
T Variables Wood stair stringers..............222
Walls, interior plaster
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T-bar ceiling frames.......... 57-59 bidding............................ 36-37 medium texture.......... 246-252 Wood stairs or steps..............219
Tables pricing................................ 7-8 rough texture.............. 253-259 Wood trim...............................92
adjustments to........................7 site........................................37 smooth texture............ 260-266 Wood veneer
assumptions............................7 Varnish..................................301 Walls, tank, silo, flexwood.............................425
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compilation methods..............7 exterior.................... 18, 21, 24 vessel or hopper........... 400-405 paneling...................... 267-275
excluded costs........................9 marine spar.............. 18, 21, 24 Walls, wood panel Wood windows............. 279-291
how to use..............................6 Veneer, flexible wood sheet...425 paint grade.................. 267-272 Work
included costs.........................9 Vents, sheet metal......... 199-200 stain grade.................. 273-275 delayed.................................29
order, defined.........................6 Vertical pipe runs..................359 Wardrobe doors.....................102 efficiency..............................14
preparation..............................9 Vessels Wash.....................................313 evening...................................9
Take-off sheet.........................31 roof exterior................ 406-411 Waste factor......................15, 16 Work pots, plastic...................28
Tanks wall exterior............... 400-405 Waste, material.........................9 Workers’ comp. insurance
roof exterior................ 406-411 Vinyl coating, industrial Water soluble paints, ....................................... .30-31
vinyl coating, industrial ................................. 19, 22, 25 sandblasting...........................11 Working conditions...........11, 29
................................. 19, 22, 25 Vinyl paste Water-based paint....16, 17, 20, 23 Wrought iron
wall exterior............... 400-405 powdered................. 19, 22, 25 Waterblasting............ 10-13, 315 railing......................... 179-181
Taping wallboard..................312 vinyl to vinyl ready-mix.....422 pricing table..........................13 shelf supports.....................162
Taxes Vinyl wallcovering Waterproofing
payroll............................ 30-31 commercial................. 426-427 ................. 18, 21, 24, 193, 195 Z
sales......................................26 residential................... 428-429 industrial.................. 19, 22, 25
Thinner....................................28 Volume discounts...................16 Wax............................ 17, 20, 23 Zinc chromate............ 18, 21, 24

444
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Practical References for Builders

National Estimator Cloud National Renovation & Insurance Repair Estimator
Generate professional construction estimates for all resi- Current prices in dollars and cents for hard-to-find
dential and commercial construction from your inter- items needed on most insurance, repair, remodeling,
net browser. Includes 10 Craftsman construction cost and renovation jobs. All price items include labor,
databases, over 40,000 labor and material costs for con- material, and equipment breakouts, plus special charts
struction, in an easy-to-use format. Cost estimates are that tell you exactly how these costs are calculated.
well-organized and thoroughly indexed to speed and simplify writing 488 pages, 8½ x 11, $119.50. Revised annually.
estimates for nearly any residential or light commercial construction Also available as an eBook (PDF), $59.75 at
project – new construction, improvement or repair. Convert the bid to an www.craftsman-book.com
invoice – in either QuickBooks Desktop or QuickBooks Online. Access your
estimates anywhere with a Web browser. Monthly and one-time billing How to Succeed With Your Own Construction Business
options available. Visit http://craftsman-book.com/national-estimator-cloud for
Everything you need to start your own construction business: setting up
more details.

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the paperwork, finding the jobs, advertising, using contracts, dealing with
Builder’s Guide to Accounting Revised lenders, estimating, scheduling, finding and keeping good employees,
keeping the books, and coping with success. If you’re considering start-
Step-by-step, easy-to-follow guidelines for setting up ing your own construction business, all the knowledge, tips, and blank

ie
and maintaining records for your building business. This forms you need are here. 336 pages, 8½ x 11, $28.50.
practical guide to all accounting methods shows how eBook (PDF) also available, $14.25 at www.craftsman-book.com
to meet state and federal accounting requirements,
explains the new depreciation rules, and describes how Contractor’s Plain-English Legal Guide

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the Tax Reform Act can affect the way you keep records.
Full of charts, diagrams, simple directions and examples For today’s contractors, legal problems are like
to help you keep track of where your money is going. Recommended snakes in the swamp — you might not see them, but
reading for many state contractor’s exams. Each chapter ends with a set you know they’re there. This book tells you where the
of test questions, and a CD-ROM included FREE has all the questions in snakes are hiding and directs you to the safe path.
interactive self-test software. Use the Study Mode to make studying for With the directions in this easy-to-read handbook
Pr
the exam much easier, and Exam Mode to practice your skills. you’re less likely to need a $200-an-hour lawyer.
360 pages, 8½ x 11, $61.50. Includes simple directions for starting your business,
Also available as an eBook (PDF), $30.75 at www.craftsman-book.com writing contracts that cover just about any even-
tuality, collecting what’s owed you, filing liens, protecting yourself from
Insurance Restoration Contracting: Startup to Success unethical subcontractors, and more. For about the price of 15 minutes in
a lawyer’s office, you’ll have a guide that will make many of those visits
Insurance restoration — the repair of buildings dam-
e

aged by water, fire, smoke, storms, vandalism and other unnecessary. Includes a CD-ROM with blank copies of all the forms and
disasters — is an exciting field of construction that contracts in the book. 272 pages, 8½ x 11, $49.50.
in

provides lucrative work that’s immune to economic Contractor’s Guide to QuickBooks by Online Accounting
downturns. And, with insurance companies funding
This book is designed to help a contractor, bookkeeper and their
the repairs, your payment is virtually guaranteed. But
accountant set up and use QuickBooks Desktop specifically for the con-
this type of work requires special knowledge and
struction industry. No use re-inventing the wheel, we have used this sys-
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equipment, and that’s what you’ll learn about in this book. It covers fire
tem with contractors for over 30 years. It works and is now the national
repairs and smoke damage, water losses and specialized drying meth-
standard. By following the steps we outlined in the book you, too, can
ods, mold remediation, content restoration, even damage to mobile and
set up a good system for job costing as well as financial reporting.
manufactured homes. You’ll also find information on equipment needs,
156 pages, 8½ x 11, $68.50.
O

training classes, estimating books and software, and how restoration

leads to lucrative remodeling jobs. It covers all you need to know to Craftsman’s Construction Installation Encyclopedia
start and succeed as the restoration contractor that both homeowners
and insurance companies call on first for the best jobs. Step-by-step installation instructions for just about any residential
640 pages, 8½ x 11, $69.00. construction, remodeling or repair task, arranged alphabetically, from
Also available as an eBook (PDF), $34.50 at www.craftsman-book.com Acoustic tile to Wood flooring. Includes hundreds of illustrations that show
how to build, install, or remodel each part of the job, as well as manhour
Estimating Home Building Costs, Revised tables for each work item so you can estimate and bid with confidence.
Also includes a CD-ROM with all the material in the book, handy look-up
Estimate every phase of residential construction from site costs to the
features, and the ability to capture and print out for your crew the instruc-
profit margin you include in your bid. Shows how to keep track of
tions and diagrams for any job. 792 pages, 8½ x 11, $65.00.
manhours and make accurate labor cost estimates for site clearing and
Also available as an eBook (PDF), $32.50 at www.craftsman-book.com
excavation, footings, foundations, framing and sheathing finishes, elec-
trical, plumbing, and more. Provides and explains sample cost estimate Finish Carpenter’s Manual
worksheets with complete instructions for each job phase. This practi-
cal guide to estimating home construction costs has been updated Everything you need to know to be a finish carpenter: assessing a job
with digital Excel estimating forms and worksheets that ensure accu- before you begin, and tricks of the trade from a master finish carpenter.
rate and complete estimates for your residential projects. Enter your Easy-to-follow instructions for installing doors and windows, ceiling
project information on the worksheets and Excel automatically totals treatments (including fancy beams, corbels, cornices and moldings), wall
each material and labor cost from every stage of construction to a final treatments (including wainscoting and sheet paneling), and the finishing
cost estimate worksheet. Load the enclosed CD-ROM into your com- touches of chair, picture, and plate rails. Specialized interior work includes
puter and create your own estimate as you follow along with the step-by- cabinetry and built-ins, stair finish work, and closets. Also covers exterior
step techniques in this book. 336 pages, 8½ x 11, $38.00. trims and porches. Includes manhour tables for finish work, and hundreds
Also available as an eBook (PDF), $19.00 at www.craftsman-book.com of illustrations and photos. 208 pages, 8½ x 11, $32.50.

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Construction Forms for Contractors Estimating Excavation Revised eBook

This practical guide contains 78 practical forms, let- How to calculate the amount of dirt you’ll have to move and the cost
ters and checklists, guaranteed to help you stream- of owning and operating the machines you’ll do it with. Detailed, step-
line your office, organize your jobsites, gather and by-step instructions on how to assign bid prices to each part of the job,
organize records and documents, keep a handle
including labor and equipment costs. Also, the best ways to set up an
on your subs, reduce estimating errors, adminis-
ter change orders and lien issues, monitor crew organized and logical estimating system, take off from contour maps, esti-
productivity, track your equipment use, and more. mate quantities in irregular areas, and figure your overhead. This revised
Includes accounting forms, change order forms, edition includes a chapter on earthwork estimating software. As with any
forms for customers, estimating forms, field work tool, you have to pick the right one. Written by an experienced dirt con-
forms, HR forms, lien forms, office forms, bids and tractor and instructor of computer estimating software, this chapter cov-
proposals, subcontracts, and more. All are also on the CD-ROM included, ers the program types, explains how they work, gives the basics of how
in Excel spreadsheets, as formatted Rich Text that you can fill out on
to use them, and discusses what will work best for the type of work you
your computer, and as PDFs. 360 pages, 8½ x 11, $48.50.
handle. This e-Book is the download version of the book in text search-
Also available as an eBook (PDF), $24.25 at www.craftsman-book.com
able, PDF format. Craftsman eBooks are for use in the freely distributed
Profits in Buying & Renovating Homes Adobe Reader and are compatible with Reader 6.0 or above. 550 pages.

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Available only as an eBook (PDF), $21.75, at www.craftsman-book.com
Step-by-step instructions for selecting, repairing, improving, and sell-
ing highly profitable “fixer-uppers.” Shows which price ranges offer Wood-Frame House Construction
the highest profit-to-investment ratios, which neighborhoods offer the

ie
best return, practical directions for repairs, and tips on dealing with Step-by-step construction details, from the layout of
buyers, sellers, and real estate agents. Shows you how to determine the outer walls, excavation and formwork, to finish car-
your profit before you buy, what “bargains” to avoid, and how to make pentry and painting. Packed with clear illustrations and
simple, profitable, inexpensive upgrades. 304 pages, 8½ x 11, $24.75. explanations updated for modern construction methods.

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Rough Framing Carpentry Everything you need to know about framing, roofing, sid-
ing, interior finishings, floor covering and stairs — your
If you’d like to make good money working outdoors complete book of wood-frame homebuilding.
as a framer, this is the book for you. Here you’ll find
320 pages, 8½ x 11, $25.50. Revised edition.
shortcuts to laying out studs; speed cutting blocks,
trimmers and plates by eye; quickly building and
Pr
Painter’s Handbook eBook
blocking rake walls; installing ceiling backing, ceil-
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ings — all with production line procedures that save ing; selecting and using the right materials and tools (including airless spray);
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100 on-the-job photos of how to do it right and what can go wrong.
to match and blend colors; why coatings fail and what to do about it. Lists
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304 pages, 8½ x 11, $26.50.
30 profitable specialties in the painting business. 320 pages.
National Home Improvement Estimator Available only as an eBook (PDF), $16.50 at www.craftsman-book.com
in

Current labor and material prices for home improvement projects. Plumber’s Handbook Revised, 6th Edition
Provides manhours for each job, recommended crew size, and the labor
cost for removal and installation work. Material prices are current, with This new edition explains simply and clearly, in non-
location adjustment factors. Gives step-by-step instructions for the work, technical, everyday language, how to install all compo-
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with helpful diagrams, and home improvement shortcuts and tips from nents of a plumbing system to comply not only with
experts. 548 pages, 8½ x 11, $118.75. Revised annually.
recent changes in the International Plumbing Code and
Also available as an eBook (PDF), $59.38 at www.craftsman-book.com
the Uniform Plumbing Code, but with the requirements
National Appraisal Estimator
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of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Originally written

for working plumbers to assure safe, reliable, code-
An Online Appraisal Estimating Service. Produce credible single-
family residence appraisals – in as little as five minutes. A compliant plumbing installations that pass inspection the first time,
smart resource for appraisers using the cost approach. Reports Plumber’s Handbook, because of its readability, accuracy and clear, simple
consider all significant cost variables and both physical and diagrams, has become the textbook of choice for numerous schools pre-
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Markup & Profit: A Contractor’s Guide, Revisited
tools available for preparing for almost any plumbing journeyman, master
In order to succeed in a construction business, you have to be able or state-required plumbing contracting exam.
to price your jobs to cover all labor, material and overhead expenses, 384 pages, 8½ x 11, $67.00.
and make a decent profit. But calculating markup is only part of the eBook (PDF) also available; $33.50 at www.craftsman-book.com
picture. If you’re going to beat the odds and stay in business — prof-
itably, you also need to know how to write good contracts, manage Paint Contractor’s Manual
your crews, work with subcontractors and collect on your work. This
book covers the business basics of running a construction company, How to start and run a profitable paint contracting com-
whether you’re a general or specialty contractor working in remodel- pany: getting set up and organized to handle volume
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here apply to all construction-related businesses. You’ll find tried and from your crews and the most value from your advertis-
tested formulas to guarantee profits, with step-by-step instructions and
ing dollar. Shows how to estimate all prep and painting.
easy-to-follow examples to help you learn how to operate your busi-
ness successfully. Includes a link to free downloads of blank forms and Loaded with manhour estimates, sample forms, con-
checklists used in this book. 336 pages, 8½ x 11, $59.50. tracts, charts, tables and examples you can use.
Also available as an eBook (ePub, mobi for Kindle), $39.95 at 224 pages, 8½ x 11, $46.50.
www.craftsman-book.com eBook (PDF) also available; $23.25 at www.craftsman-book.com
TO BUY THIS COMPLETE REFERENCE GUIDE, GO TO www.Craftsman-Book.com
 TO BUY THIS COMPLETE REFERENCE GUIDE, GO TO www.Craftsman-Book.com

Contractor’s Survival Manual Revised Construction Contract Writer

The “real skinny” on the down-and-dirty survival skills that no one likes Relying on a “one-size-fits-all” boilerplate construction
to talk about – unique, unconventional ways to get through a debt cri- contract to fit your jobs can be dangerous — almost
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time, conserving income, transferring debt, setting payment priorities, Contract Writer lets you draft a contract in minutes that
cash float techniques, dealing with judgments and liens, and laying the precisely fits your needs and the particular job, and meets
both state and federal requirements. You just answer a
foundation for recovery. Here you’ll find out how to survive a downturn
series of questions — like an interview — to construct a legal contract for
and the key things you can do to pave the road to success. Have this
each project you take on. Anticipate where disputes could arise and settle
book as your insurance policy; when hard times come to your busi- them in the contract before they happen. Include the warranty protec-
ness it will be your guide. 336 pages, 8½ x 11, $38.00. tion you intend, the payment schedule, and create subcontracts from the
Also available as an eBook (PDF), $19.00 at www.craftsman-book.com prime contract by just clicking a box. Includes a feedback button to an
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Estimating Electrical Construction Revised
expert Ray Clark, this book offers step-by-step instruc-

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tions, essential tools, and proven techniques to excel in Estimating the cost of electrical work can be a very
commercial metal stud framing. Ideal for experienced detailed and exacting discipline. It takes specialized
wood framers, it includes hundreds of job site photos skills and knowledge to create reliable estimates for
electrical work. See how an expert estimates materials

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and valuable tips to help you work quickly, accurately,
and safely on commercial projects. and labor for residential and commercial electrical con-
struction. Learn how to use labor units, the plan take-
208 pages, 8½ x 11, $65.50.
off, and the bid summary to make an accurate esti-
Also available as eBook PDF, $32.75 at www.craftsman-book.com mate, how to deal with suppliers, use pricing sheets,

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and modify labor units. This book provides extensive
Home Building Mistakes & Fixes
labor unit tables and blank forms on a CD for estimat-
This is an encyclopedia of practical fixes for real-world home building ing your next electrical job. 272 pages, 8½ x 11, $59.00.
and repair problems. There’s never an end to “surprises” when you’re in Also available as an eBook (PDF), $29.50 at www.craftsman-book.com
the business of building and fixing homes, yet there’s little published on
Easy Scheduling
how to deal with construction that went wrong - where out-of-square
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or non-standard or jerry-rigged turns what should be a simple job into Easy Scheduling presents you with a complete set of “real world”scheduling
a nightmare. This manual describes jaw-dropping building mistakes tools that are specifically tailored to meet the needs of small- to medium-
that actually occurred, from disastrous misunderstandings over property sized construction businesses. Step by step, it shows you how to use
lines, through basement floors leveled with an out-of-level instrument, Microsoft Project to build a schedule that will synchronize everyone’s efforts
to a house collapse when a siding crew removed the old siding. You’ll into an organized system that becomes the foundation of all planning
learn the pitfalls the painless way, and real-world working solutions for and communication for all your jobs. You’ll see how to establish realistic
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project goals, set checkpoints, activities, relationships and time estimates
the problems every contractor finds in a home building or repair jobsite.
for each task, as well as establish priorities. You’ll learn how to create a
Includes dozens of those “surprises” and the author’s step-by-step, clearly project flowchart to keep everyone focused and on track, and see how
illustrated tips, tricks and workarounds for dealing with them.
in

to use CSI (Construction Specification Institute) coding to organize and

384 pages, 8½ x 11, $52.50. sort tasks, methods, and materials across multiple projects. If you want an
Also available as an eBook (PDF), $26.25 at www.craftsman-book.com easy way to schedule your jobs, Microsoft Project and Easy Scheduling is the
answer for you. (Does not include Microsoft Project.) Published by BNI.
Roofing Construction & Estimating, Revised 316 pages, 8½ x 11, $66.95.
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Detailed, step-by-step instructions, with photographs Fences & Retaining Walls Revised
and diagrams, for installing, repairing and estimat-
ing nearly every type of roof covering available today Everything you need to know to run a profitable busi-
ness in fence and retaining wall contracting. Takes you
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for residential and commercial structures: asphalt

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tile, slate, metal, built-up, elastomeric, TPO and more. for wood, masonry, and chain link fences, gates and
entries, including finishing and electrical details. How
Provides guidance on sheathing, synthetic and felt
to build retaining and rock walls. How to get your busi-
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ness off to the right start, keep the books, and estimate
for dealing with those difficult points on a roof that are prone to accurately. The book even includes a chapter on con-
leaks, such as valleys and roof penetrations. For each roofing type, tractor’s math. 416 pages, 8½ x 11, $98.75.
instructions are provided for estimating material quantities and labor Also available as an eBook (PDF), $49.38 at www.craftsman-book.com
costs, with formulas, easy-to-follow examples and sample estimates
for you to test your skill. Use these methods to create reliable esti- Concrete Construction
mates that will help insure a profit on every job you take.
Just when you think you know all there is about concrete, many new
448 pages, 8½ x 11, $62.50. innovations create faster, more efficient ways to do the work. This com-
Also available as an eBook (PDF), $31.25 at www.craftsman-book.com prehensive concrete manual has both the tried-and-tested methods and
materials, and more recent innovations. It covers everything you need
Drywall Contracting to know about concrete, along with Styrofoam forming systems, fiber
How to set up and operate a drywall contracting business. Here you’ll find reinforcing adjuncts, and some architectural innovations, like architectural
how to get set up as a drywall contractor, the tools you’ll need, how to do foam elements, that can help you offer more in the jobs you bid on. Every
chapter provides detailed, step-by-step instructions for each task, with
the work, and how to estimate and schedule jobs so that you keep the
hundreds of photographs and drawings that show exactly how the work
work flowing and the money coming in. How to prevent drywall problems,
is done. To keep your jobs organized, there are checklists for each stage of
spot hidden problems before you begin, and how to install and repair the concrete work, from planning, to finishing and protecting your pours.
drywall in new construction or remodeling work. Lists the eight essential Whether you’re doing residential or commercial work, this manual has
steps in making a drywall estimate and includes estimating forms and the instructions, illustrations, charts, estimating data, rules of thumb and
manhour tables for your use. This book is filled with practical tips, illustra- examples every contractor can apply on their concrete jobs.
tions, pictures, tables and forms to help you build your career as a success- 288 pages, 8½ x 11, $28.75.
ful drywall contractor. 256 pages, 8½ x 11, $38.95. Also available as an eBook (PDF), $14.38 at www.craftsman-book.com
TO BUY THIS COMPLETE REFERENCE GUIDE, GO TO www.Craftsman-Book.com
 TO BUY THIS COMPLETE REFERENCE GUIDE, GO TO www.Craftsman-Book.com

Renovating & Restyling Older Homes National Repair & Remodeling Estimator
Any builder can turn a run-down old house into a The complete pricing guide for dwelling reconstruc-
showcase of perfection — if the customer has unlimit- tion costs. Reliable, specific data you can apply on
ed funds to spend. Unfortunately, most customers are every repair and remodeling job. Up-to-date mate-
on a tight budget. They usually want more improve- rial costs and labor figures based on thousands of
ments than they can afford — and they expect you
to deliver. This book shows how to add economical jobs across the country. Provides recommended
improvements that can increase the property value crew sizes; average production rates; exact mate-
by two, five or even ten times the cost of the remodel. rial, equipment, and labor costs; a total unit cost
Sound impossible? Here you’ll find the secrets of a and a total price including overhead and profit.
builder who has been putting these techniques to work on Victorian and Separate listings for high- and low-volume builders, so prices shown
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to replace and what to leave, so you can remodel or restyle older homes remodeling work to make your bids complete, realistic, and profit-
for the least amount of money and the greatest increase in value. able. 468 pages, 8½ x 11, $118.50. Revised annually.
416 pages, 8½ x 11, $33.50. Also available as an eBook (PDF), $59.25 at www.craftsman-book.com
National Construction Estimator
Craftsman eLibrary

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Current building costs for residential, commercial, and industrial
construction. Estimated prices for every common building material. Craftsman’s eLibrary license gives you immediate access to 60+
Provides manhours, recommended crew, and gives the labor cost for PDF eBooks in our bookstore for 12 full months! You pay only
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Also available as an eBook (PDF), $58.75 at www.craftsman-book.com details.

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m 61.50 Builder’s Guide to Accounting Revised m 28.50 How to Succeed With Your Own Construction Co.
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m 65.50 Commercial Metal Stud Framing m 69.00 Insurance Restoration Contracting:

Startup to Success
m 28.75 Concrete Construction
m 59.50 Markup & Profit: A Contractor’s Guide, Revisited
m 48.50 Construction Forms for Contractors
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m 68.50 Contractor’s Guide to QuickBooks by m 117.50 National Construction Estimator

Online Accounting m 118.75 National Home Improvement Estimator
m 49.50 Contractor’s Plain-English Legal Guide m 119.50 National Renovation & Ins Repair Estimator
m 38.00 Contractor’s Survival Manual m 118.50 National Repair & Remodeling Estimator
m 65.00 Craftsman’s Construction Installation Encyclopedia m 46.50 Paint Contractor’s Manual
m 38.95 Drywall Contracting m 67.00 Plumber’s Handbook Revised, 6th Edition
m 66.95 Easy Scheduling m 24.75 Profits in Buying & Renovating Homes
m 98.75 Fences & Retaining Walls, Revised m 33.50 Renovating & Restyling Older Homes
m 59.00 Estimating Electrical Construction, Revised m 62.50 Roofing Construction & Estimating, Revised
m 38.00 Estimating Home Building Costs, Revised m 26.50 Rough Framing Carpentry
m 32.50 Finish Carpenter’s Manual m 25.50 Wood-Frame House Construction
m 52.50 Home Building Mistakes & Fixes m 118.00 National Painting Cost Estimator
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