How do I come up with estimates?

Joe Dusel — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 00:23:41 +0000

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

Getting a California Contractor’s License

Joe Dusel — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 03:20:12 +0000

Every now and then I get questions about getting a contractor’s license. One of the big things that people want to know is whether to go to a school for this. These schools charge anywhere from $600 to $1200 for the classes plus the study guides. It’s a bit expensive if you ask me.

I recommend that you just get a set of the study guides for the trade and law tests. If you go through the sample tests a few times you will have no problems. It also helps if you can get hold of a copy of the WIC and AWI standards since that is where they get a lot of the questions from. You will also need to buy a copy of the Law & Reference Book from the state.

The actual tests are not that difficult. They are multiple choice, and you only need to get something like 65% of the questions correct. It’s broken up into two sections – the trade and the law. Each section is about 100 questions, and they give you 2 hours per section. I did each section in about an hour.

The test is pass/fail and they will not tell you what your score was. If you happen to fail it they will let you know what areas you screwed up on.

You can also apply via the PDF form that is available for download on the CSLB web site. Once you send in the form you can check the status on the web site as well.

If the application is accepted you will need to get finger printed before the test date.

Good luck!

Joe

Joe Dusel's Blog » Professional

How do I come up with estimates?

Getting a California Contractor’s License