Chapter 7
Measuring Carpentry and
Miscellaneous Items
Objectives
• Upon completion of this chapter, you
will be able to:
– Describe a system that will allow an
estimator to accurately measure detailed
carpentry work on a large project
– Calculate quantities of lumber and sheet
materials
Objectives (cont’d.)
– Describe how to measure carpentry work
in a takeoff
– Describe how carpentry work is classified
in a takeoff
– Measure rough carpentry, finish carpentry,
and miscellaneous items from drawings
and specifications
– Complete a manual takeoff of carpentry
work and miscellaneous items
Measuring Rough Carpentry
• Detailed carpentry work quantity takeoff
– Requires comprehensive carpentry
knowledge when estimating
• Standard practices and code requirements
• Framing methods and design requirements
– Estimating commercial and institutional
buildings
• Different skills required
Board Measure
• Unit of measurement of lumber
Figure 7.1 Sample Board Measure Calculations (Delmar/Cengage Learning)
Metric Units
• Metric system:
– Lumber will be in millimeters
– Sheathing does not change
• Described in mm rather than inches
– Takeoff process
• Items of lumber: measured in linear meters
Measuring Notes—Rough
Carpentry
• Generally:
– Lumber
• Measured in board measure or linear meters
– Measure lumber separately
• Dimensions, dressing, grade, and species
– Describe special treatment required
• Kiln dried, pressure treated, etc.
Measuring Notes—Rough
Carpentry (cont’d.)
– Wall boards
• Measured in square feet or square meters
– Do not deduct for openings
• Less than 40 square feet
– Classify wall boards
• Measure separately
– Framing work
• Lumber is classified and measured separately
Measuring Notes—Rough
Carpentry (cont’d.)
• Other considerations:
– Trusses, truss joists, and truss rafters
– Manufactured beams, joists, and rafters
– Sheathing
– Copings, cant strips, fascias
– Soffits
– Sidings
Measuring Notes—Rough
Carpentry (cont’d.)
– Vapor barriers and air barriers
– Underlay and subfloors
– Blocking and furring
– Rough hardware
Measuring Finish Carpentry
and Millwork
• Finish carpentry on commercial project
– Materials
• Supplied by a millwork subcontractor
• Installed by general contractor
– Architectural woodwork
• Supplied by millwork contractor as finish
carpentry
• Supplied and installed by custom subcontractor
Measuring Finish Carpentry
and Millwork (cont’d.)
• Estimators should be familiar with:
– Trade scope definitions of finish carpentry
– Architectural woodwork in project location
• Evaluate supplied items
– Items outside scope of subtrades
• All are priced for installation costs and supply
Measuring Notes—Finish Carpentry
• Generally:
– Classify and measure items separately
– Rough carpentry: grounds, rough bucks, etc.
– Include allowance for rough hardware
– Metalwork: measured under miscellaneous
metals
– Glazing: include in glazing section
• Unless integral part of prefabricated cabinet work
Measuring Notes—Finish
Carpentry (cont’d.)
• Other considerations:
– Trim
– Shelving
– Stairs
– Cabinets, counters, and cupboards
– Paneling
Doors and Frames
• Usually obtained from subcontractors
– Quote prices and deliver goods
• General contractors
– Estimate cost of handling and installing
• Different sections of specifications
– Deal with metal and wood doors, frames,
assemblies, and special doors
Windows
• General contractors
– Obtains prices from subtrades
– No work for them to measure
• Small jobs
– May not be worthwhile hiring separate
specialists
• Components may be obtained directly from
suppliers
Miscellaneous Metals
• Miscellaneous metals trade
– Prices received from specialized
subcontractors
• Supply and installation
• “Supply only”
– General contractor
• Ability to prepare a realistic estimate
– Wide scope
Specialties
• Specialty trades
– Wide-ranging trade section
– Subcontractors will offer different price
quotes
– Example: bathroom accessories
Finish Hardware
• Supply cost
– Cash allowance is often specified on larger
projects
• Otherwise obtained from a subcontractor
• Estimating costs
– Calls for quantity takeoff of all finish
hardware requirements
Measuring Exterior and Interior
Finishes
• General contractor’s estimator
– Does not usually measure finishing work
for an estimate
• Almost invariably subcontracted these days
• Performed on some occasions
Examples
• Carpentry and miscellaneous work
takeoff—house example
– Takeoff notes shown as Figure 7.2a
•
•
•
•
Rough Carpentry—Floor System
Rough Carpentry—Wall System
Rough Carpentry—Roof System
Finish Carpentry
Examples (cont’d.)
• Exterior and interior finishes takeoff—
house example
– Takeoff shown as Figures 7.3 and 7.4
• Exterior finishes
• Interior finishes
Summary
• Thorough knowledge of carpentry
construction
– Required to prepare a detailed estimate
• Estimator must apply a systematic approach
• Carpentry requirements of commercial
and institutional projects
– Usually well detailed