Estimating

• Getting Started With Computers

  Every year, computer hardware drops in price and software gets easier to use. Our computer columnist tackles commonly asked questions about what to buy and how to put computers to use in your business.

   

• Builder's Library: Estimating by the Book

  Estimating tables, builder's math

   

• State-of-the-Art Contractor: Dirt-Cheap Digitizer

  Inexpensive pen digitizer

   

• State-of-the-Art Contractor: A Quantum Leap in Estimating

  A new Windows program puts the estimate and database on screen together

   

• Builder's Library: HomeTech Remodeling Manuals

  Hometech remodeler’s guides offer sound advice on production management and estimating

   

• Letters

  Keeping up with OSHA regs, blood lead levels clarified, nail strength, OSB

   

• Unit-Price Estimating

  Stick-by-stick estimating takes forever, but quick square-foot takeoffs are not accurate. Somewhere in between lies unit-price estimating. Here’s a step-by-step guide to designing and using your own unit-price system.

   

• Remodeler's Estimating Checklist

  What you overlook in an estimate will probably come back to haunt you. This comprehensive checklist can help keep you out of trouble.

   

• K&B Remodeling -- On Budget On Time

  This methodical approach, by a kitchen and bath remodeler, can help you avoid costly estimating and scheduling oversights.

   

• State-of-the-Art Contractor: Flexible Estimating

   

• Legal Column: Who pays When the Bid Is Wrong?

  Bidding errors

   

• Working Cost-Plus

  Cost-plus contracts can ensure a profitable job for builders who keep careful records and maintain good communication with their customers. Here are the contract provisions and cost-tracking systems that have worked for one builder.

   

• State-of-the-Art Contractor: DOS With a View

  Windows for the IBM

   

• Job Cost Accounting

  Keeping track of true job costs requires an organized approach. A veteran remodeler opens his books to show how he does it.

   

• State-of-the-Art Contractor: Shareware: Try Before You Buy

   

• State of the Art Contractor: Computers: Myth vs. Reality

  Do small builders need computers?

   

• Kitchen & Bath: Careful Estimating for K&B

  Estimating pitfalls

   

• Change Orders for Design/Builders

  A design/builder explains how to avoid conflicts when customers change the plans in the middle of a project.

   

• State-of-the-Art Contractor: Accounting Made Easy

   

• Keeping Track of Labor Costs

  A remodeler describes his no-nonsense system for tracking labor costs on the job site.