Craftsman Construction Estimator Books

ejyonkman

Ok.. here we go. First question. We are surfing the craftsman site... gotta love it... and looking at the estimator books and wondering if they are worth the money and if they would really be beneficial to someone like me.. a novice.. well honestly I have no clue when it comes to bidding anything. But I am trying to learn. So... someone enlighten me please! Will these books really help me and actually make sense or should I just look for something else??????

Thanks all!

Nathan

Can't you get a lot of that info online here: http://www.get-a-quote.net/ ?

BTW, welcome to the site! I just moved from Clermont in November. Lived there for almost 3 years. Very nice place.

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Nathan

"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose." - Jim Elliot

Melissa

Good question. I'm thinking of starting to use the Estimator Books too. Maybe just as a way to double check at first. We have the 2004 book and never even used it. Guess that was a waste of money, unless there is a cheap upgrade to the software???

Double-A

I have never spoken to anyone that has provided information knowingly for any of these bidding reference books. I don't know where or how they gather their data, but I would caution you about using anything besides your own judgement when it comes to bidding.

Only you know your costs and wages. These books never seem to discuss labor burden or benefits, they are just some averages based on some nebulous "region." They can provide a baseline of information for some costs, such as material, but, they are only good for a short period of time after publication.

Use them as a guide to align your thinking, but not to figure costs. Bite the bullet and do your homework. Its the only way you're going to know if your afoot or horseback.

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"My clients’ wishes are the center of my attention." -- David Guido, a contractor in Woodstock, N.Y.
New York Times, July 20, 2006

Double-A

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"My clients’ wishes are the center of my attention." -- David Guido, a contractor in Woodstock, N.Y.
New York Times, July 20, 2006

dayspring

I use the craftsman cd estimator on a regular basis. HOWEVER, as stated above your records of past jobs is a vital source of info. Use the craftsman info as a base to work from, ALWAYS add your mark-up!

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"Never met a man yet that I couldn't learn something from"
http://remodelingncarolina.com

cssconstruct

Two guys from Clermont on here, what are the odds. I have an aunt and uncle that live there. When they first moved there 15 years ago, the population was like 15,000. Now I don't even recognize it. Small world.

RobertF

They're good for rough time estimates.

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-Robert F

copusbuilder

Not trying to be nasty here.

It has been a long time since I looked at the estimating books of Craftsman. I have looked at other programs and have never seen anything I would rely on for doing my estimates. Remodeling (assuming that's what you are talking) has way to many variables.

If you are experienced at the work then the estimating is merely a matter of breaking it down. Go through the job step by step. Write it down and figure time, material, Profit and whatever else you want to add.
In other words do the job on paper and try and catch every detail.

Maybe stay with smaller jobs until you get used to it?

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www.etexasrentals.com
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AkA Richard Cranium

Melissa

Okay, I got out this stupid book today, and now I remember why I didn't use it. It's so hard to friggin understand! I got so frustrated. Am I the only one? It talks about manhours @ craft BC and Bc mean carpenter, who's hourly rate is $30/hr or something or other! How do they even derive at that rate?! I'm so confused. I'm going to try and pick it up again tomorrow!

A+Carpenter

I see your title says business operations. You mean you dont even use any software and do all this blind?

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A+Carpenter

$30.00 HR? LMFAO I made that when I was 22 framing in SO CAL


I dont even pull the cords for anyone for less than 400.00 a day if I help my other contractors fix something they fooked up

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ejyonkman

Whoa.. well, Melissa.. yeah. The book is a washout. The link that Nathan posted is free and its the same thing and in my opinion... GREEK because while I am figuring it out; it doesnt really help. Like it was mentioned, its not accurate for my area. Probably not really for any 'area' as it is averages.

Nathan... thanks for the link! Saved me some some money. (Don't be looking for a commission though, LOL!)

It's just frustrating for me to try to understand everything I am expected to know when I am in the office all day and not out learning anything hands on! Honestly.. I'm not stupid by any means. However, I would like to have a better understanding of what I am dealing with. An informed opinion rather then 'oh..well ok'. IF that makes sense.

Ken@K&R

I use the means guides to check my estimates. So far they have always been within a few hundred dollers of my own estimates. I have checked about 10 estimates with it so far.

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Ken

Melissa

So, if we don't use software, that means we do it blind? I don't think so!

We do it by memory. My husband buys the material and does the work, so it's not that hard to figure out. We break the job down into phases, price each of those out, by figuring time and mat, and using formulas and sq ft prices when applicable, then add it all up and we're done. Then we use it to track the job to stay within budget.

I like our system, but I would like to figure out how to use these books so I can compare maybe not everytime, but just out of curiousity. Also, we're working on me being able to do all the prices on my own, so I think this would help me for the odd out of the ordinary things that come up.

So, what program do you use Adam?

Melissa

Actually, the book tells you to add or subtract a % to adjust for different cities. Lilke, it's +14% for my area.

widco

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