What Formula Is Used To Estimate Big Remodels?

Hurrayconst.

I am looking for an easyier way to estimate remodels in the city of San Francisco to save me some time. Does anyone know the square foot formula for remodeling - Demo,rough, and finish, for carpnetry? I would think new construction is much less.
cheers,
Thomas

Bob Kovacs

You're kidding, right?

There's no magical "formula" that's used to figure costs that's passed on among members of some top-secret order of Grand Remodeling Contractors- you've got to know your costs and productivity rates, and figure each job on it's own. Once you get a bunch of projects and accurate job costs under your belt, you can start creating unit costs for say "8' tall exterior walls with CDX sheathing", so that you don't have to price up every 2x4 and nail. Other than that, you've gotta put in the time, or risk losing your azz using some mystical formula.

Bob

joasis

One thing about new const. vs. remodeling: You will get the nastiest surprises in remodels that rarely happen in new const. Want a formula? Try doubling new construction and adding 50%.

A few years ago, I bid a new roof and 2nd floor add on over an existing flat roof. This house had mansard style facias around the flat roof deck. The HO furnished me with the original house plans even and I bid accordingly. WRONG....the floor joists were not by plan, the facias were not built out from the wall as indicated, forcing us to stud in and sheet the walls behind them...and on and on...needless to say, we didn't make the budget, but still came close, but the HO still thinks we should be supermen and see behind walls so we KNOW what we will get into....jeez, am I glad we don't do many remodels now.

nadonailer

I do mainly remodels and I estimate them by going through every phase on a spreadsheet and adding in my time, subs cost, materials cost, etc, then I add in a huge fudge factor, It's been working for me up til now.......

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