| For a lot of folks, reading a contractor estimate is like | | | | to a wall from a water leak, you might receive an |
| trying to read a foreign language. Some of the words | | | | estimate to repair the drywall and paint "to match |
| and phrasing look familiar, but they just can't put it all | | | | existing". You should understand from this, that only the |
| together and totally comprehend it. This is often due to | | | | repaired area will be painted; not the entire wall. |
| the fact that contractors tend to use industry terms | | | | Per: Plans and/or Specifications |
| that most homeowners haven't seen before. In this | | | | This is a term you will only see if you have had a set |
| article, I'll try to translate some of these terms to make | | | | of plans drawn or specifications written for your |
| it easier to understand. | | | | project. If you are doing a room addition or large |
| Feet and Yards | | | | remodeling project, you would have probably done this. |
| These are common measurement terms used by | | | | Per: plans and/or specs is simply an acknowledgment, |
| construction professionals everyday and sometimes | | | | by the contractor, that they have received them and |
| when writing an estimate, we tend to forget that the | | | | bid the project accordingly. If you are using plans or |
| person reading the estimate may have never heard | | | | specs, make sure your estimate and contract include |
| these terms used in this manner. Feet are generally | | | | this wording. |
| used 2 ways: square feet and linear feet. Linear feet is | | | | Exclusions |
| the most basic of the measurements. If you needed a | | | | This one may seem pretty obvious, but it may be, |
| piece of baseboard to run the length of a wall, hold | | | | sometimes by design, hard to spot. An estimate may |
| your tape measure on one end and stretch it the | | | | read "Per: plans and specs, all labor and materials" only |
| length of the wall; that measurement is the amount of | | | | to have hardware and painting excluded in another |
| linear feet of baseboard you need. Square feet is the | | | | section. Many contractors will exclude certain portions |
| most common of construction measurements and it's | | | | of the work for a variety of legitimate reasons and |
| easy to calculate. Multiply the length of a room by the | | | | that's OK as long as they're up front about it. This is |
| width and you have the square footage of that room. | | | | another reason why it's critical that you read the entire |
| Common items such as flooring, painting, drywall, and | | | | estimate or contract before signing. If you're not clear |
| much more are estimated by the square foot. | | | | about something, ask for a clarification or consult an |
| Yardage is generally calculated in square or cubic | | | | attorney. |
| yards. To find square yardage, just divide square feet | | | | By Others |
| by 9. This is most often used for estimating carpet or | | | | When reading your estimate, you may see: Install New |
| sheet vinyl. Cubic yards are a 3-D measurement. It is | | | | Kitchen Cabinets, [Painting by Others]". This is simply |
| basically square yards multiplied by thickness. For | | | | another way of excluding an item. If you see by |
| example if you have an area of ground that measured | | | | others, you must assume it is not included in the price. |
| 75 square yards and you dig out that area to 2 feet | | | | Hopefully, these explanations will give you a better |
| deep: 75 x 2 = 150 cubic yards. Cubic yardage is used | | | | understanding of the language used by construction |
| for measuring such things as concrete, water, and dirt. | | | | professionals and aid you in making informed decisions. |
| Remove and Reset | | | | For more information on the estimating process, check |
| Commonly abbreviated R/R on estimates, this is simply | | | | out the estimating home repair costs section of my |
| removing an item such as an appliance or light fixture | | | | website. |
| in order to perform some sort of job, like painting or | | | | For a step by step guide to managing your home |
| drywall repair, and the putting the item back in place | | | | improvement project, check out our |
| after the work is complete. This is often seen in | | | | Do It Yourself Contractor Kit. It comes complete with |
| insurance contractor estimates and should not be | | | | questionnaires for interviewing contractors and |
| confused with replacement, which is removing the old | | | | checking references, sample contracts that can be |
| item and installing a new one. | | | | customized to fit your project, tips and tools to help |
| To Match Existing | | | | with cost estimating, and much more. Take the proper |
| This term is commonly used in remodeling or repair | | | | steps to protect your home and assets. |
| work and, as the name implies, it involves performing a | | | | Thanks for reading and good luck with your project, |
| repair or creating something new that matches what's | | | | Glenn Whitehead |
| already there. For instance if you have water damage | | | | YourselfHomeRepair. |