construction estimating software

[John Summerfield]

Robin Laing wrote:
> Frank Cox wrote:
>> On Tue, 29 Jan 2008 18:36:47 -0500
>> Robert L Cochran <cochranb at speakeasy.net> wrote:
>>
>>> But as another poster mentioned here, you need to consider the timing.
>>> In house construction timing is a very important factor in controlling
>>> costs. From the excavator to the roofer, you need to plan and time the
>>> work of a large number of specialists plus usually a crew of laborers. I
>>> don't know what to suggest these days.
>>
>> It's my understanding that he's mostly interested in a materials list, 
>> though I
>> could be wrong.  The way that he explained it to me, he wants to be 
>> able to
>> design and draw his house, then get a list of "582 2x4's, 96 bales of
>> insulation, 250 sheets of plywood" and so on.
>>
> 
> I have seen one of these in use.  It was a custom spreadsheet designed 
> for the lumber company that I was at.  They would enter in the details 
> of your design (garage in my case) and then modify the details.
> 
> If you wanted to use 2X10's then it would change the 2X8's to 2X10's and 
> recalculate.

Interestingly, we used to use four by two &c, before we went metric.


> 
> I wonder if there is a script that could pull the lumber details from a 
> *.dxf file created in qCad.
> 
> One thing I learned is many estimations used by lumber companies come up 
> short if you do a better quality job.
> 
> Also, I wouldn't build a house out of 2x4's any more.  The energy 
> savings for 2x6 or 2x8 are well worth the extra cost.  :)  I say this as 
> I see the Melville Sask in your message and it is bloody cold out.

Sask didn't mean anything to me, now I assume it's a cold province of .ca.

> 


-- 

Cheers
John

-- spambait
1aaaaaaa at coco.merseine.nu  Z1aaaaaaa at coco.merseine.nu
-- Advice
http://webfoot.com/advice/email.top.php
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

You cannot reply off-list:-)