Is there such a thing?

I'm after something into which you can input basic data, such as
dimensions, extension or standalone, roof type, number of doors/windows,
construction material (brick/block or timber framed), drainage, etc and get
a rough idea of total build cost.

It's so I can give "off the top of my head" estimates, before embarking
upon the lengthy process of a written quote, confident that the final
figure won't be too far out.

It would be great to test how serious and committed customers are to a
project without spending hours putting a price together only to be told
"oh! We thought it might be half that!"

Any suggestions?
Cheers,
D.

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On Aug 26, 8:23*am, Dean Heighington
wrote:
Is there such a thing?

I'm after something into which you can input basic data, such as
dimensions, extension or standalone, roof type, number of doors/windows,
construction material (brick/block or timber framed), drainage, etc and get
a rough idea of total build cost.

It's so I can give "off the top of my head" estimates, before embarking
upon the lengthy process of a written quote, confident that the final
figure won't be too far out.

It would be great to test how serious and committed customers are to a
project without spending hours putting a price together only to be told
"oh! We thought it might be half that!"

Any suggestions?
Cheers,
D.

There is an annually published book called Moodies.
Or this:-
http://buildcalc.com/?gclid=CN_H9bi47KoCFSUKtAodClc1Ow

Or simpler this:-
http://www.homebuilding.co.uk/self-b...FQcKfAodOUu9Pg

Dean Heighington wrote:
Is there such a thing?

Not in my experience. All construction jobs are different, with
different access problems, different site problems...

I'm after something into which you can input basic data, such as
dimensions, extension or standalone, roof type, number of doors/windows,
construction material (brick/block or timber framed), drainage, etc and get
a rough idea of total build cost.

The way I tried to do it was on a spreadsheet which produced a basic
Bill of Quantities as I designed the structure, using figures
representing the area of each item. After doing this on a couple of
jobs, I decided it was easier to actually generate the orders for
materials and labour while working out the quote. It's more work up
front, but it saves time later.

It's so I can give "off the top of my head" estimates, before embarking
upon the lengthy process of a written quote, confident that the final
figure won't be too far out.

It depends on what and where, but you can put a rough guess together by
working out what previous similar jobs have cost you to do, and use that
as a rough cost per square metre, not forgetting to add in your profit
margin, and about 20% for contingencies. Which, if the client is happy,
and you don't need to spend it, you can give as a refund or discount,
depending how they are paying you, to encourage recommendations.

If you don't know what previous jobs have cost you, then you may have a
nasty surprise when you work it out.

It would be great to test how serious and committed customers are to a
project without spending hours putting a price together only to be told
"oh! We thought it might be half that!"

BCIS do a range of books with prices in:-

http://www.bcis.co.uk/site/scripts/r...category_id=12

But they are not cheap, and you still need to do a fair bit of work to
get a usable figure.


--
Tciao for Now!

John.

John Williamson wrote:

If you don't know what previous jobs have cost you, then you may have a
nasty surprise when you work it out.

BCIS do a range of books with prices in:-

http://www.bcis.co.uk/site/scripts/r...category_id=12

But they are not cheap, and you still need to do a fair bit of work to get a usable figure.


Thanks chaps. Some useful stuff for me to look into when I get home. At
work at the moment reading this on my iPhone.
I also had a quick look at buildingsheriff.com this morning which I thought
was pretty good and seems to be on the money for prices for previous jobs
I've done.
What do you think?

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What else are opposable thumbs for? Get to me at
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