Mar
How do I come up with estimates?
I use two software tools to generate estimates for my cabinet jobs. I first design the project with the eCabinet Systems cabinet design software. This not only gives me the design drawings, renderings, cut lists and nest diagrams; but it also gives me a very good estimate for all of the board stock, moldings, sheet materials and hardware that the job requires.
I then plug the materials cost into an Excel spreadsheet where I have various tasks setup so that I can enter time values for everything I think I will do on a job. I break things down into dozens of tasks including everything I can think of. Here is some of my list – design, purchasing materials, milling, door installation, drawer box installation, line boring, edgebanding, sanding, finishing, delivery, installation, etc. Every time I come up with a new task I just add it to the mix. If there is no time for a particular task I put in zero.
The times that I enter for the various tasks are added up to give my estimated hours. This is then multiplied by an hourly rate, an overhead factor, a profit value and where required sales tax is added in. Once I input all of my numbers it spits out the job cost.
I find this to be reasonably accurate for me. Of course, it’s best for you to keep a log of how much time it takes you to do various tasks so that your numbers will be getting closer all the time.
I use the same method whether I’m estimating kitchen cabinets, bathroom cabinets, entertainment centers or almost any other kind of custom cabinetry. Pricing “by the foot” is not something that works for me.
Joe
