Blog

Introduction

Introduction

You can be booked out months and have a crew that is working 24-7, and at the end of the quarter, you look at the bank account and wonder where did the money disappear. One of the most disheartening aspects of the trades comes with the sense of working without pay even when you are busy.The estimate is nearly always the answer. A bid that is poorly calculated, i.e. that underbids on prep work, mis-estimates materials or does not take into consideration the actual business costs is a surety that you are leaving money on the table.

This book is meant to prevent the holes in your financial bucket. We are not stopping at simple estimations, but we are providing a business-oriented system of painting job estimates. That is how best-in-class painting firms approach the process of ensuring that every job they secure is not another project to be completed, but another opportunity to profitably grow a viable business.

The Foundation: Accurate Measurements and Material Calculation

The basis of a profitable estimate is precision. The first step to working at a loss is the so-called “guesstimation” of the size of a room or the quantity of paint required. A professional is systematic on measuring all the surfaces.

Interior Painting: Beyond the Four Walls

An interior project is a combination of independent surfaces, each of which has to be calculated separately and taken into account. Getting painting job estimates right for interior work depends on breaking down every surface and component into measurable units.

• Calculating Wall Area: Your beginning point is the simple formula: ( Room length + Room width ) x 2 x Ceiling Height = Total square footage of wall. In a 12×15 room that is 8 feet high, this would be 12 +15 x2 x 8 = 432 sq. ft.
• Subtracting Openings (The Right Way): It is tempting to just leave the windows and doors out, but, on a wall with large openings (such as a picture window or a pair of patio doors) you should subtract them. But on common doors and windows the time consumed in cutting in around them usually more than offsets the paint saving, and many professionals do not deduct it. Be a judge to yourself.
• Ceilings, Trim, and Doors: Estimates of these have to be calculated as a separate line item. They require a different paint and labor needs are very different as compared to rolling walls.
  • Ceilings: Length of room x Width of a room.
  • Trim: Take a measurement of all the linear feet of the baseboards, window casings and crown molding.
  • Doors: Price per door. A flat, hollow-core door is more quickly painted as compared to a detailed, six-panel solid wood door. Sell them at their price.
• Calculating Paint Quantity: This is calculated by dividing the total square feet by 350 to give the amount of gallons of paint to be used. (The majority of gallons can cover 350-400 sq. ft.). Importantly, you will then have to multiply this by the amount of coats you need. A dramatic transformation of color might need a primer coat and two topcoats. Always figure on two coats at least in order to have a good finish.

Exterior Painting: Accounting for Complexity

Repainting the outside brings a twist to the estimation. That’s why painting job estimates for exteriors must factor in variable surfaces, access equipment, and material variations.

• Calculating Surface Area: In the case of an easy rectangular house, a variation of the interior formula may be used. In case of a complex architecture, each wall could be measured separately (Width x Height) and then added. Do not overlook soffits, fascia and gables.
• Surface Type Matters: The substance will determine the preparation and the kind and volume of paint to be utilized. Wood siding is not estimated the same as stucco, brick or vinyl. Old brick or dry wood surfaces have porous surfaces and will absorb a great deal more paint and primer than a pre-painted surface.
• Accessibility is a Direct Cost: Will you be able to paint the entire house by using ladders or do you have to rent a boom lift or build scaffolding? You have to clearly state the cost of this equipment together with the delivery and installation time. Not doing it can cost you thousands of money.

The Hidden Profit Killer: Underestimating Prep and Labor

And this is the one worst thing about painting businesses, and this is what makes them go down the drain, they sell the paint, and they give the labor away. Accurate painting job estimates determines the quality of a paint job. It is also the most labor intensive and time consuming component of the project. You would be making a loss in case you are not selling it at the right price.

A Comprehensive Prep Work Checklist (The Most Important Step)

It is not that prep work is optional and it cannot be free. The time of doing these tasks should appear in your estimation. To achieve a high-quality exterior repaint this consists of:

• Power Washing: To use to clean dirt, grime and chalking paint.
• Scraping and Sanding: In order to eliminate loose and failing paint.
• Caulking: Caulking all cracks and gaps so as to make it weatherproof.
• Masking and Covering: Sheltering the windows, lighting, roofing and landscaping.
• Priming: Using either a spot primer on bare wood or a full primer coat in the case of any key change of surface or color.

The time has to be charged. You can simply factor it into your total square-foot price (assuming that it is not priced as low as your competitors) or you can have it as an additional line item: Surface Preparation. The latter is more open and it will assist in educating the client about the value that you offer.

Calculating Labor Hours Accurately

Your biggest expense is your labor cost. The accurate estimate of labor is not a negotiable item.

• Establish Your Production Rates: This is the surface that an average painter can cover, in an hour, in terms of production rate. This is different per method of application:
  • Brushing/Rolling: A conventional wall takes 100-150 sq. ft. per hour.
  • Spraying: 400-500 sq. ft. per hour (but remember to add time for masking and back-rolling).
  • Detailed Trim Work: Measured in linear feet per hour, and it’s much slower.
• Variables That Impact Speed: The actual speed should be modified depending on the conditions in the job site.
  • Are the building walls rough or smooth?
  • What is the amount of work (cut-ins) needed?
  • Do you paint occupied areas and do you move furniture?
  • How competent is the crew allocated?
• Don’t Forget Your Overhead and Profit (The O&P Factor): The business Math that makes the difference between the professionals and the amateurs.
  • Overhead: You need to figure out all your business costs that are NOT job related (insurance, marketing, truck payments, office rent, your salary). Divide this with your annual working hours to obtain your hourly overhead cost. This expenses should be factored in each hour you charge.
  • Profit: Choose the profit margin you want (e.g. 20 percent). Once you have calculated the cost of the job (materials + labor + overhead) you add your margin of profit to this amount. This is your pay off of your risk of being in business.

Fusion Assist Spotlight: The Painter’s Secret Weapon

To a busy painting contractor time is money. Each hour you spend crouching over a pair of blueprints or measuring something with a tape measure by hand, is an hour that you are not in control of your workforce, greeting new customers, or strategizing the expansion of your company. Fusion Assist is the secret weapon that the painter has when it comes to painting job estimates because the tedious and time-consuming process has been taken care of with greater speed and accuracy.

From Blueprint to Bid in 24 Hours

Suppose that there is an auction of a new construction tract of 20 houses. Figuring out the paintable surface area, trim footage, and the number of materials of each one of them manually would require days. Using the Fusion Assist, it is easy. You send us the architectural plans and our certified estimators take this information and perform a detailed take off using state of the art software. We will offer you a full bid package which consists of:

• The amount of square footage of all ceilings and walls.
• Summation of linear distance of all trim.
• A full listing of the material, right up to how many gallons of paint, rolls of tape, and tubes of caulk.
• An hour to hour estimate of labor.

Win Bigger Commercial and Residential Projects

We do not only provide services in new construction. An estimate produced by Fusion Assist enables you to secure large-scale commercial repaints and high end residential jobs. Giving a client a detailed and open bid with the scope and cost clearly described will show a degree of professionalism that will immediately instill trust in the client and put you a league ahead of competitors with a single line quote. This is a key strategy for winning more construction bids and scaling your contracting business.

Case Study: Exterior Repaint of a Commercial Building

Client

A commercial painting contractor, Midwest.

Challenge

The contractor was called to give a quote on the total exterior repaint of a three story office building. The project consisted of two types of substrate (brick and EIFS) and involved a lot of pre-work and the need to access the job with a boom lift. The property manager needed a very detailed bid by the close of the week and the contractor did not have time to do a full manual measurement and takeoff.

Fusion Assist Solution

Our contractor provided us with a copy of architectural drawings and some photographs of the existing statuses. Our team did a full surface area takeoff using a combination of the plans and the aerial imagery and distinguished between the square footage of the brick (which required a special sealer) and the EIFS (which required a special elastomeric coating). We have determined the precise amounts of paint needed per surface, stated how much time we needed to rent a 60-foot boom lift, and estimated the labor time of power washing, preparation, and painting.

Result

It took us two days to provide the thorough estimate. The contractor who had made the most professional and complete bid won the project over two other competitors that were larger and more established but slower to react. The property manager used clarity and detail of the bid as the differentiating factor.

Conclusion: Paint a Brighter Future for Your Business

Your estimate is the most useful business weapon you have. It is not just a price, not only a project plan, not even a promise to your client, but a promise to yourself, a contract, to have a profitable company. Once you learn how to estimate, you will quit competing on price and start competing on professionalism, transparency and value. It is you who gets control of your profitability and starts developing a business with a sunny and sustainable future.

Spend more time leading your crew and less time wrestling with paperwork. Let Fusion Assist handle your painting job estimates. Get a free quote on your next project! Contact us today

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is a good base price per square foot to paint interior?

Although this can change dramatically depending on location, the cost of the average interior repaint (two coats on the walls) by a professional painter can be approximately between 2.00 and 4.00 dollars per square foot of floor space. Pricing based on surface area is however more precise. A final price should never be given until the job has been seen, prep work, trim and ceilings considered.

Does high ceiling or places that are hard to reach require an added fee?

Absolutely. Where more than a normal stepladder is necessary (vaulted ceilings, stairwells, or places requiring scaffolding or a lift) the production rates are greatly reduced. They must always have a higher labor rate to compensate time and risk.

What do I do with requests of change orders during the project?

The written change order form should always be used. In case a client comes up with additional scope of work or a change in color after the project has begun, and add the new scope of work and the price difference. Before you take up the new work have the client sign it. This guards you against conflicts and guarantees that you are compensated of the additional work.

Which is the most suitable piece of software painters can use to estimate?

A simple spreadsheet can be used by a single operator. Nevertheless, professional takeoffs of blueprints are done using specialised software, such as Planswift or Bluebeam. This is the kind of program the professional estimating services such as Fusion Assist use to be accurate. For business practices, resources from the Painting Contractors Association (PCA) can be invaluable.

How can I factor in the variations of paint sheen (flat, and eggshell and semi-gloss) in my estimate?

The sheen alone does not have a radical impact on the cost of the paint, but it may have an impact on the labor. Less forgiving and visibly revealing imperfections are glossier type of paint (such as semi-gloss on trim). They can also typically necessitate a more careful preparation work along with greater skill to be applied impeccably, and this should be included in your labor calculation.

Introduction

It is the first and foremost question that anyone has when they embark on a kitchen renovation, simple refresh, or down to the studs transformation area: How much is this really going to cost? Kitchen is the unquestionable center of the contemporary household-a place of the action, a sign of fashion and frequently its most capital property. However, the road to dream kitchen is lined up with financial uncertainty. Crazy prices given by contractors, a mine of potential unexpected expenses, and the constant threat of cost overruns can make a seemingly exciting project a nightmare.

This guide will help get rid of that uncertainty. It is an open, fact-based system to the contractors and homeowners. To the contractor, it is a roadmap to how to come up with precise, professional estimates on kitchen rennovation contracts that get the job and keep the profits. To homeowners, it serves as a straight guide on how to budget and what exactly you are paying money on.

We are going to unravel the whole mechanism of it, take apart the anatomy of kitchen estimate, discuss realistic prices at three different levels of the project, and demonstrate how accurate planning is the real secret of any stylish and functional kitchen.

Anatomy of a Kitchen Renovation Estimate: What Are You Paying For?

The cost of a professional kitchen rennovation would be much more than a figure. It is a shot by shot analysis of all the parts, the big parts we see and the invisible parts that make it all happen. This is the anatomy that should be understood as the starting point of a successful project.

The Big 5 Cost Drivers

Although all projects are different, costs are usually allocated in five major categories. Think of a pie chart of your entire budget; it would be, more or less, as follows:

• Cabinets (30-35%): This is in almost every case the greatest single cost. Style, material and construction of your cabinetry will be the largest factors affecting your budget.
• Labor & Installation (15-20%): This is the cost of all the skilled trades required to bring the design to life. It’s a significant portion of the budget and a critical factor in the final quality of the project.
• Appliances (10-15%): From the refrigerator to the dishwasher, your appliance package is a major line item. The cost can range dramatically from standard models to professional-grade, integrated units.
• Countertops (10%): After cabinets, countertops are the next major visual element. The material choice here—laminate, quartz, granite, or marble—creates a huge swing in the total cost.
• Other (20-25%): This is the bracket which may surprise the people the most. It is a set of key elements, which are in themselves smaller, but all together meaningful.

Deconstructing the “Other” Category

It is in that 25% Other that costs can await to be lurking. All of it will be considered by a professional estimate. This includes:

• Demolition and Debris Removal
• Electrical Work: Relocating outlets, putting in circuits and new appliances, under-cabinet and overhead lighting.
• Plumbing: Relocating supply or drain pipe of sinks and dishwashers, and setting new fixtures. One of the reasons why this work is so complex is the fact that this is what we have delved into extensively in our Plumbing Estimating Masterclass.
• Flooring
• Tile Backsplash and installation
• Lighting Fixtures
• Drywall Repair and painting
• Inspection fees and Permits

The Critical Role of Labor

It would be easy to write, see the cost of physical materials and stop but labor is what makes a pile of boxes and stone into a functioning kitchen. The 20 percent labor cost will include a crew of experts: carpenters to install the cabinet, licensed plumbers and electricians to safely and code-approved hookups, tilers to complete the floor and backsplash, and painters to do the finishing touch. This is one of the most common errors in underestimating labor which can easily blow up the budget of a project.

Cost Breakdown by Project Tier: Budget, Mid-Range, and Luxury

To help you get a realistic feel of the costs we have identified three typical levels of kitchen renovations. It is worth noting that these costs may change depending on your geographical location, the size of your kitchen and the kind of materials you use. These are the figures of a normally sized 200-square-foot kitchen.

The Budget-Friendly Kitchen Rennovation: $15,000 – $30,000

This level is concerned with making the most of the choices that are smart and cost-efficient. The main plan in this is to retain the current kitchen layout to prevent the expensive process of relocating plumbing and electric wires.

• Cabinets: The attention is paid to RTA (Ready-to-Assemble) stock cabinets available in big-box stores or even lower cost, refacing or professionally painting cabinet boxes already on site and replacing cabinets with new doors.
• Countertops: Laminate or butcher block is stylish and high quality at a small fraction of the price of stone.
• Appliances: You will be considering the standard well-reviewed appliances packages of entry-level brands.
• Flooring: Superior Vinyl Tile (LVT) or sheet vinyl offers a very durable yet beautiful floor with none of the expense of real wood or tile.
• General Plan: This is a cosmetic face lift. It provides a new, clean and contemporary appearance by refurbishing everything that could possibly be seen, and leaving the main infrastructure unchanged.

The Mid-Range Kitchen Upgrade: $30,000 – $75,000

It is the most frequent form of kitchen renovation and is usually most profitable. It is associated with a considerable improvement of the materials quality and its increased customization.

• Cabinets: The trademark of this level is semi-custom cabinets. They have an enormous selection of styles, finishes, and options such as soft-close drawers, pull-out pantry shelves and other organizational inserts.
• Countertops: Here is where there is the transition to stone. The most popular is quartz, which is durable and in high variability of styles, and granite is well-used as well.
• Appliances: You can anticipate stainless steel appliance packages that are of higher quality, maybe a French-door refrigerator or a gas range.
• Characteristics: A kitchen island usually stands out as the feature of the project. There is a complete tile backsplash, under-cabinet lighting, and enhanced sink/faucet assemblies.
• General Plan: This level permits a few modifications of layout such as the rearranging of an appliance or expansion of a door frame. It is a totally different change that enhances the working and beauty of the kitchen to a great extent.

The High-End/Luxury Kitchen Transformation: $75,000 – $150,000+

At the luxury level, the budget covers the top notch materials, absolutely custom solutions, and a design fitting the lifestyle of the owner to a tee.

• Cabinets: full custom is the norm. That is, the cabinets are custom made to fit the precise dimensions of the area, and are usually of high end materials and finishes, and crafted by artisans.
• Countertops: Luxury natural stone such as marble, quartzite or high-quality quartz with high-contrast veining and waterfall edges are typical.
• Appliances: This level has built-in (professional grade) appliances such as Sub-Zero, Wolf or Thermador brands. Electrical appliances are usually paneled so that they can blend with the cabinetry.
• Features: It is sky-high. This can be pot fillers over the range, two or more sinks and dishwashers, refrigerated drawers, smart home integration of lights and appliances, and custom designed vent hoods.
• General Plan: The projects usually imply the redesign of the space completely, where the walls can be moved or windows might be shifted to better organize the space. It is all about building a unique environment of unsurpassed quality and functionality.

Fusion Assist Spotlight: Precision Bidding for Profitable Kitchens

Estimating a kitchen remodel is a risky and time-consuming job to a general contractor. Having to manage dozens of SKUs on cabinets, hundreds of finish selections (and that is not counting the hundreds of finish selections on different trades, plus the variable cost of different trades) is a formula of making mistakes. A countertop bid that is too low or a mistake in linear feet of cabinets can wipe your profit in a second.

This is where Fusion Assist becomes an indispensable partner.

From Kitchen Design to Winning Bid

We enable the contractors to bid fast and with assurance. Any kitchen design can be sent to us, whether it is detailed architectural drawing or a napkin sketch with measurements. Then our professional estimators come to work, and prepare a complete material take off and cost estimate taking into consideration all details:

• Precise linear runs of cabinetry and crown molding.
• Counter top material, waste factor included, measured in square foot.
• Accurate amount of back splash tile, flooring and paint.
• All the plumbing and electrical fixtures in a list.
• A localized and accurate estimate of labor on each trade concerned.

A detailed bid does not only safeguard your profits, but it makes you win the job. The fact that you will be giving the homeowner a line-item estimate that he/she can see will immediately build trust between the two of you, and it will also separate you and your company organizationally and professionally with regard to other competitors who will only give a vague lump-sum estimate.It’s a core tenet of a successful bidding strategy, which we explore in How to Win More Construction Bids.

Case Study: Mid-Range Kitchen Remodel Estimate

Client

A general contractor specializing in residential remodels.

Challenge

The bid was on a kitchen remodel job that was mid range and a client was very particular. The home owner had given a detailed design with semi-custom cabinets and quartz countertops, the contractor needed the exact list of materials and a labor estimate so that he could finalize the contract and finance the client.

Fusion Assist Solution

The contractor posted the design and specifications in the Fusion Assist portal. We presented a full bid package within 48 hours. The estimate was a complete material takeoff with SKU #s on the cabinets being specified, the correct s.f of the quartz slabs (including the island) and a break down of the labor cost of the demo, the install, the plumbing and the electrical according to the local rates.

Result

The bid by the contractor was professional, transparent at 55,000 dollars. The clarity and professionalism impressed the homeowner who had received other and less detailed quotes. They were confident when signing the contract. This project was closed on budget and the contractor made a good 20 percent profit margin and got a rave review and two new referrals.

Conclusion: Your Blueprint for a Perfect Kitchen Budget

The most successful kitchen renovation, which is finished on time, on budget and to the satisfaction of the client begins well before the sledge hammer first starts swinging. It begins with perfect estimation. As a homeowner, knowing the real prices will place you in a position to plan. To a contractor, accuracy of your bidding is your reputation and your profit. Do not leave the most important room of the house to guess work.

Contractors: Stop losing sleep over complex Kitchen Bids.

Homeowners: Get the clarity you need to build your dream Kitchen.

Contact Fusion Assist for a detailed and transparent cost of kitchen renovation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the contingency fund as part of my budget remodel kitchen?

It is also important to have a contingency fund to meet unforeseen expenses. In case of kitchen remodeling, you should save about 15-20 percent of your overall budget. This can include problems such as finding some old water damage behind a cabinet, or having to bring an electrical panel up to current code.

Will it be extremely costly to adjust the layout of the kitchen?

Yes, significantly. Retaining the current design is the only sure method of cost containment. Once you change the position of the sink, dishwasher, or range, you are opening up the possibility of re-routing plumbing, gas, and electrical lines which will increase the cost of the project by thousands of dollars.

How much is the average ROI of kitchen rennovation?

Its ROI can be phenomenal, depending upon the scope and location of the project. Industry experts such as the National Association of Realtors have reported that a mid-range kitchen renovation can recoup 50-70 percent of the cost at resale and thus is one of the best investments to make to improve the home. You can find more data on this from the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA).

Does Fusion Assist allow an estimate to be calculated on an architect or kitchen designer drawings?

Yes, absolutely. We know how to read professional drawings. Just post the architectural drawings, the cabinet design and finish schedule and we can convert them to a detailed contractor ready cost estimate.

What do you do to estimate your plumbing and electrical in the kitchen?

We read the plans to know the extent of the MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing) work. We add the number of each additional outlet, light and pipe connection. Depending on the location of the project, we use the normal labor rates of licensed electricians and plumbers to bring a complete and realistic cost of these important trades.

Introduction

Profits in the plumbing contracting business are narrow. You may have the best crew in the world and the best tools available but one wrong estimate, one bid that is too low or one calculation on a large job, can eat up an entire month of profit. It is the sleepless worry that plagues a lot of contractors. It is always like walking on a tightrope between how much to bid so that you get the job and how much to bid so that you can actually make a living on it.

The problem is getting worse. The current projects come with a constantly increasing complexity of systems, such as PEX-A, copper and PVC, which have different material and labor profile. The cost of materials is as unpredictable as ever, and the demands of clients to be fast and accurate have never been higher. In such a challenging atmosphere, the art and science of plumbing estimation can no longer be a skill possessed by those who wish to excel in that profession; it is now the absolute key driver of a viable, profitable, and successful plumbing company.

This is not another piece of literature on how to count fixtures. This is a masterclass aimed at making you change your practice in bidding. We are going to go into the nitty-gritty of material takeoffs, subtleties of labor estimation, the tactical aspects of residential and highly competitive commercial jobs. At the end, you will have a new platform of preparing the bids which are not only successful in securing jobs but also in growing your business.

The Core Principles of Profitable Plumbing Estimation

The profitable estimate is not a final number but a story of the whole project. It is constructed on three pillars, namely, Materials, Labor and O&P (Overhead & Profit). A lot of contractors are solid on materials, have an educated shot at labor and an estimate of profit. A business does not run on hope. A master estimator does not take anything to chance.

Beyond Counting Fixtures: Understanding the Full Scope

The initial one is to get out of a mere per-fixture price. That may be okay when you only need to make a quick service call, but it is a formula to failure on any major project. A plumbing project of any type, new construction, remodel or a significant system change, involves a different way of thinking.

• New Construction: This is usually the easiest. You are operating off a clear set of blueprints. The key problem is a thorough and careful takeoff not to leave any system or component behind.
• Remodels & Renovations: That is where the real skill comes in. A remodel estimate is not only the newly done work but also what needs to be taken out. It needs an intimate knowledge of how to connect into what is already in place, which is usually full of unknown unknowns, which are invariably costly. For a deeper dive into this, understanding the core differences between these jobs is crucial, as detailed in our guide on New Build vs. Renovation Projects
• Service Calls & Replacements: These are normally smaller ones, which need good knowledge of flat-rate pricing or a clearly stated time-and-materials framework to be profitable at scale.

Material Takeoffs: A Granular Approach

Plumbing takeoff (or a material takeoff) is the comprehensive procedure of finding and measuring all the individual pieces needed to complete the project. An item that you are giving away at no cost is a missed line item. The checklist of a master estimator is all inclusive:

• Piping: Linear footage of every type and size (e.g., ¾” PEX-A, 3″ Schedule 40 PVC, 1″ Type L Copper).
• Fittings & Valves: All elbows, Tees, coupling, reducer, ball valves, gate valves and check valves. This is where costs are plain in sight.
• Hangers & Supports: The hanger and the supports that are so easily overlooked to maintain the piping to code.
• Fixtures: Sinks, sink faucets, showers, shower valves, toilets, water heaters and sump pumps.
• Consumables & Specialty Items: Primer, glue, solder, flux, sealant, thread tape and any specialty tools which must be rented or bought to do the job.

To overcome price fluctuation, establish a rapport with your suppliers and quotes of major parts which are valid up to your bid. On larger projects, it is always wise to include an item on material waste (usually between 5-10 percent or so, depending on complexity).

The Science of Labor Calculation

This is the hardest aspect of any plumbing estimate. The quickest method to lose money is to miscalculate labor. Calculation of labor has two main methods:

1. Unit Pricing: In this type of pricing a unit price is charged to do a certain work (e.g., Toilet installation is charged at X dollars and copper pipe charged at Y dollars / linear foot). This will have to have a lot of historical data of your company to be precise.
2. Time-Based Estimation: This type of estimation is estimating the total hours the project will require and multiplying it with your burdened labor rate (including wages, taxes, insurance and benefits).

Whichever the way, you need to consider variables that influence the labor hours:

• Site Accessibility: Is it an open new build or a small crawl space?
• Complexity of the Project: A residential rough-in is quicker than a multi-story building with a complicated venting.
• Crew Experience: The work of a master plumber is quicker and more efficient compared to that of apprentice. Be practical on the number of crew members attached to the project.
• Local Code Requirements: Certain jurisdictions carry more strict testing and inspection requirements that can be very time consuming.

Advanced Plumbing Estimation: Commercial vs. Residential Projects

The fundamental principles are similar, but the scope, danger and the method of commercial and residential plumbing estimating are in different worlds. A contractor good at one will be challenged with the other unless he or she alters his or her ways.

Estimating for Residential Plumbing

Housing is more likely to be more personal. You are working straight with an emotionally and financially vested homeowner. Your estimate must create the trust by being clear and professional. The projects here are the common projects such as the whole-home repiping, addition of bathrooms, kitchen remodeling, and water heater replacements. The estimate is supposed to be comprehensive and comprehensible by a layman. Break it out by room or phase (e.g. Master Bathroom Rough-in, Kitchen Fixture Set-out). Explain what will be included (and just as importantly what will not be included) (e.g. Patching and painting of the drywall not included). Transparency is welcome by homeowners and it helps to guard against scope creep.

The High Stakes of Commercial Plumbing Estimation

Commercial plumbing is another ball game. There is more at risk, the schedules are more complicated and you are usually one of many trades that are coordinated by a General Contractor (GC). Here the complications are multiplied:

• Blueprints Reading: You have to be able to read complicated mechanical drawings and specifications which may be dozens or even hundreds of pages.
• Special Systems: Commercial systems also commonly include systems not often used in residential work, e.g. commercial grade gas lines, complicated roof drainage systems, grease interceptors, and fire sprinkler systems.
• Strict Codes and Inspections: The commercial codes are much more stringent, and the inspection is more demanding and more frequent. All this contributes to the labor hours.
• Bid Leveling: Once you have submitted your bid to the GC, they will then go through what is called a bid leveling process which is basically the GC line-by-line comparing your scope with that of your competition. An estimate that is weak will be disqualified instantly. You have to be accurate even to be taken into consideration.

Commercial bidding can be won only when a person has a comprehensive expertise on the technical aspects and a strict adherence to details. Any unclear part in plans should be clarified by doing a Request of Information (RFI) and then proceeding with your bid.

Fusion Assist Spotlight: Your In-House Estimating Department, On-Demand

As you can observe, being a Profitable Estimator is a 24-hour job. However, the price of employing an experienced, full-time estimator at the senior level is more than six figures annually in wages and benefits. This is an expense that is impossible to most growing plumbing contractors. That is precisely the issue that Fusion Assist was designed to address. We are your strategic partner, with the strength of a full time estimating department, at your behest.

How Our Process Works

We have simplified it so that it is quick, easy and efficient and you can concentrate on doing business and managing your crews.

1. Upload Your Plans: This may include a full set of commercial blueprints or it may include a sketch by a home owner of a bathroom remodel. Add any appropriate specifications or notes.
2. Our Certified Estimators Perform the Takeoff: Our crew immediately goes to work. They do a detailed plumbing takeoff with a state of the art estimating program such as Planswift, and count each pipe, fitting and fixture. Zip-code-based pricing of materials and labor We price materials and labor based on the zip code to make your bid as fine-tuned as possible to the local market.
3. Receive a Detailed, Branded Bid Package: In as little as 24-48 hours, you receive a comprehensive estimate in an easy-to-use Excel format. It’s broken down by line item, and we can brand it with your company logo, ready to be presented to your client.

The Tangible Benefits

Working with Fusion Assist is not an outlay, it is an investment in profitability and growth. Most of our clients have experienced a 35 percent increase in the number of bids that they can place and a 25 percent improvement in the number of projects they win. The time you gain doing paperwork is the time you can utilize to get new projects, better customer relationships or train your staff. Bidding on more projects with better accuracy is the clearest path to scaling your business.

Case Study: Commercial Plumbing Bid for a Retail Center

Client

A mid-sized mechanical contractor in Texas.

Challenge

The contractor was asked to tender the entire plumbing system of a new retail shopping center. The project was the perfect match to their capacity but the timeframe was one week, and their in-house estimator was on the other projects and already oversaturated. The only option before them was either to do an unconvincing “guesstimate” at high risk or to forego a huge opportunity.

Fusion Assist Solution

The client made a third option. They sent us the 50 pages of complicated mechanical drawings to our portal. Plumbing takeoff was started at once by our team. We determined all underground plumbing needs, the rough-in of 12 individual retail shops and specifications of central restroom core. Another issue we found was that there was an ambiguity in the gas line specification and we recommended that the client should place an RFI, which led to an excellent clarification by the engineer. In only 72 hours we submitted a full, detailed bid package.

Result

Our estimate was used to make a competitive and highly professional bid by the client. The proactive RFI and the amount of detail impressed the GC. The contract was awarded to the contractor, in which the plumbing contract was worth a fortune of 450,000 $, which has been their most profitable project all year around. They specifically attributed speed, accuracy and strategic awareness provided by Fusion Assist as the deciding element in their victory.

Conclusion: Build Your Plumbing Empire on a Foundation of Accuracy

Profits in the plumbing contracting business are narrow. You may have the best crew in the world and the best tools available but one wrong estimate, one bid that is too low or one calculation on a large job, can eat up an entire month of profit. It is the sleepless worry that plagues a lot of contractors. It is always like walking on a tightrope between how much to bid so that you get the job and how much to bid so that you can actually make a living on it.

Ready to take your plumbing business to the next level? Elevate your bidding process with expert plumbing estimating services. Contact Fusion Assist for a free, no-obligation quote today.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What do I need to tell to obtain a plumbing estimate?

To give the most precise estimate we require any plans or drawings you may have (architectural blueprints to hand sketches), the address of the project (local pricing), and any notes of special considerations of the scope of work, desired materials or client considerations. The more information you give the more accurate your estimate will be.

How can you make sure that your prices of material will be correct at my location?

Our estimating team works with the current pricing data by using the latest zip-code specific pricing databases continuously updated to reflect the current market. In the case of major or specialty items, we are also able to make direct inquiries on the local suppliers in your locality to have the highest level of accuracy.

Are you able to give commercial and residential plumbing estimates?

Absolutely. Our staffs consist of skilled estimators who have great knowledge in residential and commercial fields. Whether it is big or small, we can renovate a small bathroom or a hospital or a multi-family apartment complex.

Which software are you using on your plumbing takeoffs?

We have the best construction estimating software in the business such as Planswift, Bluebeam, and MEP specific takeoffs. Digital take offs: This is one of the technologies that enable us to do very accurate take offs right off your plans and no detail is left out. For more on how technology is changing the industry, you can look to resources from the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association (PHCC).

Why is outsourcing my estimating process confidential and secure?

Client confidentiality is a major priority to us. All the project documentation is provided via a safe portal, and we work within the grounded principles of non-disclosure. We are safe with your plans and business information. We are your silent partner and we are in the background to make you successful.