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.

A slope grade is specified by its pitch, or ratio of horizontal run (distance) to rise or fall (height). A slope of 6:3 indicates there is a 3-foot rise, or 3- foot drop, for every 6 feet of horizontal distance.

43,560 sq. ft. = 1 acre; 43,560 x 5 = 217,800

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 function of the architect's floor plan is to show the use of space, identify room locations, means of egress/ingress and major features such as doors, window and built-ins.

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.

The exception to this is the short-term trench, open 24 hours or less, which is 12 ft. or less in depth, and of stable Type A soil
material. The short-term trench may be laid back at a max. slope of 1/2:1.

Productivity is reduced for stepped footings so they must be listed separately, but still per LF. Spread footings are generally
isolated square masses of concrete with varying thicknesses. Typically they are taken-off per each item. If templates for anchor bolts to support columns become necessary, they will also be taken-off separately.

Concrete should be placed and vibrated within the forms, and the next layer placed before the initial set takes place.

$1560.00/$7800.00 = 20 percent

Types of concrete range from Type I - Normal (contains no special properties), Type II - Modified (when cement will be exposed to acids or salts), Type III - High Early (when quick curing is desired or necessary), Type IV - Low Heat (used on massive concrete pours such as dams where the concrete will generate a lot of heat as it cures) and Type V - High Sulfate Resistant (for structures coming in direct contact with the sea).

Stone veneer is half-face requiring square footage conversion. Stone used in landscaping walls is calculated by CF volume,
converted to tons, based on the stone's volume per ton. Each stone varies according to size, shape and density.

The take-off is from the steel piece's length, converted to weight in pounds, and finally converted into tons. Individual component
pieces should be separated and listed according to designation, then by application, for the purpose of estimating the cost of erection rather than solely the materials.

For shapes whose ends and opposites are parallel, V= A x h (Volume = area x height). Concrete needed to fill a sonotube
can be calculated using the cylinder formula, V = pi x R(2) x h (Volume = 3.1416 x radius squared x height).

Stock material should be cut 1/8"-1/2-" longer than needed. An extra piece or a few extra feet of each piece should also be cut.
In case one of the required pieces is destroyed (cut short), the spare will be available.

Additional considerations include chemicals added to the mix (drying agents) and type and size of aggregate used, as well as
lightweight aggregates used to reduce weight per CY. Hot water requirement, ready-mixed concrete, and stiffness (ease of pour) also affect cost estimation.

Roof framing and sheathing and ceiling system take-offs are also derived from cross-sections. The most common of framing
methods among residential and light commercial contractors is platform framing, where the load-bearing walls begin at the top
of the subfloor sheathing and continue to the underside of the platform above. Cross-sections showing this provide adequate take-off information.

Calculating waste for irregular-shaped stone such as rubble or fieldstone is higher than 10 percent depending on the amount
of "unusable" stone in the delivered batch. Lower-grade stone waste factors may be as high as 20 percent.

Prior to placement, forms should be clean and all forms, falsework, reinforcing steel and embedded items must have
been completed (and inspected). Construction joints and dowels should be sandblasted and treated to remove laitance. Batch plant and hauling should be approved and scheduled to ensure quality and the correct mix upon delivery.

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.

It is advised that the contractor secure an independent contractor for the work. However, dewatering is quantified according to the time the pumping operation takes; by the day, week, or month.

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.

The long edges are made with a taper allowing the compound and tape to fill it flush with the surface. The joint is covered with a thin layer of compound and the tape is pressed in with a finishing knife. A thin coat of compound is applied over the tape and allowed to dry before applying plaster finish.

Public and private bid forms must address the specific project and be in accordance with the Contract Documents. All information
applicable to the bidder's company must be included, such as subcontractors, cost breakdowns and any special authorized
forms and bond information.

Standpipes are pipes or tanks on roofs of buildings, which store a supply of water and provide an extra supply when normal water pressures fall.

A typical drainage trench is a min. of 18 in. wide, and accurately fits the grade of pipe. The trench must extend a min. of 12 in.
below the bottom of the drainage pipe. Crushed rock is used in the bottom 12 inches of the trench below the pipe. A min. of 2 in. crushed rock cover and geotech fabric or paper is placed over the pipe. Backfill with a min. 12 in. layer of compacted native material to finish grade. Backfill material should be free of rocks and sharp objects. Take-offs include trench excavation at the LF, and crushed rock and backfill by the CY.

Estimating carpeting is divided into three categories: carpet installed with separate pad, pre-backed carpet glued directly to the substrate and carpet tiles. Padding materials are taken-off at SF and converted to SY. Carpet strip fasteners are taken-off byLF.

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

Copper is considered an excellent hot and cold water distribution material. It is resistant to corrosion and does not rust. Hot and cold water piping is referred to as domestic water piping and excludes piping for fire protection systems. Standard piping materials are types L and K copper tubing. Water piping is taken-off by LF and fittings are taken-off individually.

The bar number indicates the diameter in eighths of an inch, and range between No. 3 and No. 18. (No. 5 bar has a diameter of 5/8 in.) Metric sizes are available as well.