by John Sylvestre
Accurate
estimates
start with a
good system
of easy-to-use
time cards
One of the most difficult
parts of preparing an estimate
is filling in that
column with the heading "labor."
Tracking costs from subcontractors
and suppliers is enough trouble
without having to dig through old
job records to find out how long it
took your crew to frame a hipped
roof or drywall an addition. But
without accurate numbers for your
company's labor costs, your estimate
is a gamble. According to
remodeling consultant Linda Case,
90% of all cost overruns on remodeling
jobs are related to labor
expenses.
My company averages 25 jobs a
year with seven people in the
field. Our jobs range from $8,000
to $300,000 or higher, with labor
costs that range