Stucco is taken-off by measuring the length and width of the various surfaces to be covered. For pricing, the SF may be converted to SY. Metal lath quantities are taken-off at SF of area to be covered. Trim are taken-off by the LF.

The type, and occupancy, of the building is a primary consideration in determining what is the most effective and efficient energy source to operate an HVAC system.

Methods to contain, block or remove water at the onset of excavation is essential in stabilizing the building site. Installing
a French drain will channel water away from the site. Overexcavating the area may result in achieving a depth below the
swale or water table. Placing construction or geotextile fabric over the wet area backfilling and compacting may also be a means of stabilizing the area. After the water is contained or removed, clean fill must be placed and compacted to ensure stability.

The amount of water in concrete determines its strength. The total amount of water in the mix includes free water in the
aggregate and admixture, as well as the added water. When mixing concrete, no more water than is absolutely necessary to
make the concrete workable should be used. The lower the water content, the stronger the concrete will be.

Type A fires involve burning wood, paper, cloth and trash. Type B fires involve flammable liquids such as gas, oil and paint. Type C fires occur with live electrical equipment. Type D fires involve exotic kinds of metals that can catch fire and burn.

Other methods for take-off of formwork for walls are by the LF where contact area is less critical than the size of the form panels
used. LF are most often used by contractors. Formwork varies in size and composition but is often constructed from a wood
facing applied over a steel or wood frame. Quantities of formwork must include the erection and bracing of forms until concrete is hardened, and stripping and cleaning of forms when work is completed. These tasks should be priced separately.

Plumbing plans also include sanitary waste and gas piping in the forms of schematic riser and isometric diagram, as well as the plumbing details, notes and specifications.

Mill lengths of reinforcing bar, stocked by suppliers, come in 20, 40 and 60-foot lengths. Non-standard lengths are by special order and specially fabricated.

Drafting a schedule is necessary to determine project progress, and tentative task and project completions.

The species and grade of wood and type of application must be considered during estimation of wood siding. The final quantity of siding materials must include deductions for all openings greater than 4 SF, such as doors and windows. The species and grade of wood and type of application must be considered
during estimation of wood siding. The final quantity of siding materials must include deductions for all openings greater than 4 SF, such as doors and windows. The species and grade of wood
and type of application must be considered during estimation of wood siding. The final quantity of siding materials must include deductions for all openings greater than 4 SF, such as doors and windows.

Perforated pipe is used to dewater it is usually found around exterior basement wails and at the bottom of foundations, approx.
2 ft. out from the foundation wall. As with all pipe installation, take-off is by LF for pipe. Excavation and backfill are paid for by
the CY.

Main lines are heavy, unbroken lines that show the main outlines of the wall, floor, elevation, detail, or section. Hidden or invisible
lines are light, dashed lines that indicate the outlines of an object hidden or obstructed from immediate view.

Two major types of scales are the architect's scale, and the engineer's scale. The architect's scale used on floor plans is %
scale where %" = T or % scale where 7e" = 1’. The engineer's scale is in increments of 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50, where, for
example, the 10 scale represents 10 feet per inch, the 20 scale represents 20 feet per inch, and so on.

Bending stress is an important consideration for exterior walls exposed to wind. Axial stress is considered for loadbearing walls.
For non-bearing walls, 18 gauge studs, 16’ O.C. (3-5/8" or 4") may be used for interior walls up to 10 feet high without bracing, 12 feet with bracing; for exterior walls with 20 psf wind loads, 3-5/8" studs may be used up to 9 ft. high, 4" studs up to 10 ft. high, 6" studs up to 14" high.

Concrete flatwork, or slab, pouring is estimated and taken-off by the square foot.

Horizontal bars are taken-off by total length multiplied by the number of bars shown. Vertical bars are taken-off by dividing the
total length of wall or footing by the spacing, and multiplying by their height or length.

Spread foundations utilize spread footings to distribute building loads over large enough soil areas to provide bearing capacity.
Pile foundations use long wood, concrete or steel piles driving into earth and get their load carrying ability by friction on the sides of the pile or from the end resting on load-bearing strain. Caisson pile foundations are formed by drilling holes in the earth and filling them with concrete. They get their load-carrying ability the same as pile foundations.

Edge forms are constructed from typical rough-grade 2' x 4', 2' x 6' or V x 6' lumber, held together with metal or wood stakes. Edge forms are taken-off by LF.

Blasted or drilled rock must be listed separately from other excavation. For estimation purposes, rock may exceed in-ground
volume by as much as 60 percent which should be accounted for. Rock type, proximity to existing structures, or drilling depth
required, special permits and the quantity of rock to be blasted or drilled all affect the contractor's estimation. It is advised that a rock blaster or drilling specialist be hired to perform this operation.

Shellac can be diluted depending on how porous the wood is, and the amount of control desired. Shellac is diluted with denatured alcohol in order to perform as a sealer. Lacquer is a good sealer when the top dressing will be lacquer. Sanding sealer is a relatively new product and can be purchased in clear or color stains.

There are three generally accepted rules for calculating the riserun or riser-tread ratio: 1) riser + riser + tread = 24" - 25"; 2) riser + tread = 17" -18"; 3) riser height x tread width = 70" - 75

Industrial maintenance primers and topcoats are used to protect against more severe environment conditions where architectural coatings protect against more mild environments.

If water weighs 62.4 Ibs/CF or 8.6 Ibs./gal., then 2 x 8.6 Ibs/gal = 124.8 Ibs/CF

Mechanical and electrical drawings must be reviewed for pipe trenching or conduits that are in the basement or under slab-ongrade. This work is often overlooked since it is not shown in civil drawings. Most site work is shown on the civil drawings, which the contractor uses to determine the cut and fill quantities to bring the site to the new grade.

Basic types of roof systems include built-up, single-ply, metal and shingles and tile. Individual components of a built-up and single-ply systems are taken-off separately. Metal roofs are taken-off by the SF, with trim pieces taken-off by LF. For shingle and tile roof systems, underlayments are taken-off by the SF, and can be extended to the square. Special hip and ridge tiles or cap shingles are taken off by the LF, or in cases of clay tiles, by each. Drip edges and ridge vents are taken-off by the LF and can be converted to each.

2 persons at 20 gal./person, 40 gal.; 2 persons at 5 gal/person, 10 gal,; Second full bath 10 gal.; Dishwasher 10 gal.; Washer 20 gal.; Total 90 gal.; 9 0/2 = 45 gaL/hr recovery rate.

Net area = perimeter x  height - wall openings = 2060; Sheet area = 4 x 9 = 36; Number of sheets = 206 0/38 = 57.22 = 58

Material imported or hauled away from a building site in excess of 50 cu. yd. loads, must be ’permitted’ to be sure of proper supplier provisions as well as the availability of proper disposal sites and/ or methods of disposal of sometimes contaminated materials.

Concrete is taken off by the CF, converted to CY. For estimating and purchasing purposes, 1 CY = 27 CF.

Quantities must be separated according to type, color, size, shape, etc. Suspension systems may be converted from SF (of tile areas) to LF of wall angle and main runner. Individual components are taken-off per each item.