The New
Building Estimator
A Practical Guide to Estimating
the Cost of Labor and Material in
Building Construction, from Exca-
vation to Finish; with Various
Practical Examples of Work Pre-
sented in Detail, and with Labor
Figured Chiefly in Hours and
Quantities. A Handbook for
Architects, Builders, Contrac-
tors, Appraisers, Engineers,
Superintendents and Draftsmen.
Eleventh Edition, Revised and Enlarged
BY
WILLIAM ARTHUR
NEW YORK
DAVID WILLIAMS COMPANY
231-241 WEST 39th STREET
1914
COPYRIGHTED 1909
By DAVID WILLIAMS CO.
COPYRIGHTED 1910
By DAVID WILLIAMS CO.
COPYRIGHT, 1913.
3y DAVID WILLIAMS CO,
dP.
PREFACE TO THE TENTH EDITION
"The Building Estimator," of which the present book is an
outgrowth, had only 150 pages, and an Index of two; this
edition contains 732 pages and an Index of seventeen. In
such a large work as this now is, a good Index is of great
value, and it is suggested that it be frequently consulted.
The belief is that the increase in value has more than kept
pace with the bulk. An endeavor to keep down the thick-
ness has been made by using a thinner paper than in for-
mer editions.
The field of building is always expanding, and the author
and publishers try to keep the "New Building Estimator"
abreast of every progressive development. Therefore, in
addition to the main part of the book dealing with the stand-
ard construction, there are detailed figures on reinforced
concrete, and many chapters on Square, Cubic Foot, and
Comparative Costs, on Physical Valuation, and Depreciation
that serve alike for architects, contractors, insurance and
other appraisers, and railroad engineers. Many states have
already valued their railroads, and the same work has been
recommended by high authority for the nation at large,
while all the buildings of great cities like Philadelphia,
Cleveland, St. Paul, Denver, etc., have been assessed on a
square foot basis. The figures are here put in compact form
for the use of all.
The ordinary tabulated matter is given, but there are also
special tables for quick calculation, including a series for es-
timating plaster. An hourly Wage Table has been prepared
for this edition in order to save weekly calculations. The
ordinary wage table is of no use to builders who pay by the
hour only.
The book has from the first been received with favor by
the trade press, by architects, railroad engineers, contrac-
tors, appraisers, assessors, students, and others. It is not
without faults, and some errors are naturally to be found in
such a large work; yet it is gratifying to know that it serves
as a useful tool over all the North American continent and
beyond. Faults can sometimes be cured, and errors cor-
rected, when they are pointed out, and the publishers invite
criticisms and suggestions.
The thanks of the author and the publishers are given to
those who have helped to make the book better than it would
have been without such assistance. We live in an age when
men and not man alone do the best work. Both author and
publishers hope to keep "The New Building Estimator" up
to date in such a way as will make it universally recognized
as not only the standard book on builders' cost data, but as
an indispensable companion of all who make appraisements
and physical valuations on farms, in cities, on railroads, or
elsewhere.
November, 1912.
PREFACE TO THE TWELTH EDITION
The rapid sale of the Tenth and Eleventh editions shows
that "The New Building Estimator" in its enlarged form
serves the needs of all connected with building in a more
satisfactory manner than ever. Since the preface to the
Tenth edition 'was written, a national law has been passed
providing for the physical valuation of all the railroads of
the United States. The book is specially adapted for this
work with illustrations of values that apply to all kinds
of railroad structures, and methods of estimating them.
The expectation was that such a law would be passed by
Congress, and in this field, as in others, the endeavor is to
keep "The New Building Estimator" abreast of the times.
August, 1913
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Part One
APPROXIMATE ESTIMATING PAGE
Excavating, Wood Piling, Concrete, Rubble, Cut Stone, Brick-
work 11
Brickwork, Steel and Iron, Carpentry 12
Carpentry 13
Tin and Galv. Iron, Plaster, Mill work '. 31
Millwork 31
Paint, Percentages 33
Percentages of Various Kinds of Buildings 33
Relative Cost of Brick and Glass 39
Relative Cost of Brick and Frame Buildings 39
Part Two
CHAPTEE DETAILED ESTIMATING
I Excavation and Filling 40
II Piling 43
III Concrete 45
IV Stonework 61
V Brickwork 74
VI Municipal Work 97
VII Fireproofing: Tile: Reinforced Concrete 112
VIII Cement Stone 129
IX Plaster 134
X Carpenter and Joiner Work 150
XI Millwork and Glass 180
XII Glass .• 205
XIII Structural Steel and Iron 210
XIV Hardware 223
XV Sheet metal Work 235
XVI Roofing 245
XVII Painting 259
XVIII Plumbing and Gas Fitting 278
CHAPTER PAGE
XIX Heating and Lighting 287
XX Tiling 295
XXI Cost of Buildings per Sq and Cu Ft 300
XXII Eailroad Buildings per Sq and Cu Ft 314
XXIII Standard Engine Houses 338
XXIV Standard Sizes and Grades 345
XXV Odds and Ends 354
XXVI Hints on House Building 360
XXVII Cottages in Spain 384
XXVIII Weights and Measures 393
XXIX Counting the Cost 413
XXX Actual Cost of Reinforced Concrete . . 436
XXXI Measurement of Building Work 485
XXXII Comparative Costs 510
XXXIII Cornices and Canvas Roofs 522
XXXIV Sprinkler System 528
XXXV Silos 535
XXXVI Depreciation 556
XXXVII Physical Valuation— General Principles 571
XXXVIII Physical Valuation— Details ! 583
XXXIX Railroad Figures 600
XL Grain Elevators 625
XLI Square Foot Costs 629
XLH Approximate Cost of Wood Trusses 648
XLIII Short Cuts 653
XLIV Equipment of Buildings 659
XLV Apartment Houses 667
XLVI Wage Table 673
XLVII Ornamental Iron Work 685
ABBREVIATIONS.
aver average
bldg building
bm board measure
c i cast iron
col column
c p candle power
cu ft, cf cubic foot or feet
cu in, ci cubic inch or inches
cu yd, cy, cubic yard or yards
diam diameter
dbl double
d s double strength
d and m dressed and matched
d m and b dressed, matched
and beaded
est, estg estimate, estimating
ex met expanded metal
fob free on board, i, e, freight
paid
galv i galvanized iron
h p horse power
lab labor
lin ft, if lineal foot or feet
matl material
M 1,000
'm measure
mult multiply or plied
N P Norway pine
o c on center
O F Oregon fir
O G style of door moulding
P G style of door moulding
pcs pieces
q s quarter sawed
r c red cedar
r o red oak
r w red wood
s s single strength (glass)
sq square, squares, 100 sq ft
sq ft, s f square foot or feet
s g straight grained
surf surface
T and G tongued and grooved
v g vertical grained
wt weight
w o white oak
w p white pine
win window
wrot wrought
yd yard
y p yellow pine
" foot or feet; inch or
inches
INTRODUCTORY.
(Reprinted from Earlier Editions.)
" For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not
down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have suf-
ficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the founda-
tion, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin 'to
mock him, saying, This man began to build and was not
able to finish."
" The house is never built for less than the builder counted
on." " The Cloister and the Hearth."
This is an age of machinery, and " The Building Estimator "
is put forth as another labor-saving machine.
A book of this kind is necessary for estimators and con-
tractors as much as special books are for men in other callings.
It is impossible to remember everything — hard to keep many
figures in the mind without an occasional reference to tabu-
lated results gained from experience. It would be better to
say average experience, for I once asked three brick con-
tractors how much lime was required for a thousand brick,
and the first said half a barrel, the next a barrel and a half,
and the last a barrel. They did their work close to the supply
yards, and probably had never taken the pains to get accurate
figures, or they perhaps believed in different proportions of
sand.
About two years ago I wanted more precise information than
I possessed on certain points, but I did not want to compile it
myself. Willing to profit by the labor of others I looked into
the estimating parts -of several standard books, such as Traut-
wine's and Kidder's, only to find that they had too little
space devoted to this branch for my particular purpose, and
too much to what did not concern me. Then I procured half
a dozen other books, and after examining them concluded that
with patience I could, for my own requirements, at least, do
better than had yet been done.
2 THE ^ NE W ' BUIDING ESTIMATOR
too 'i&uch experience to be satisfied with
what was presented by several writers who have worked in
this field. Before then $7,000,000 of estimates and bids had
passed through my hands, and $500,000 worth of completed
buildings, — and since then I have made estimates amounting
to $3,000,000 or $4,000,000. Only on one— a $40,000 building-
had there been any loss, and that of not more than two or
three hundred dollars. On all others the profit was always
at least a little more than was estimated.
Of what use, then, is such a book as this to an estimator
who has certainly had a fair amount of experience in working
without one? Much in every way. It saves time, it saves the
memory, it gives certainty instead of guesswork, — for what
has been once done can be done again, — it preserves the old
and gathers the new. There are many new things under the
sun for each succeeding generation. It is better to keep a
record than to lose the old that is useful or the new that we
continually meet and welcome.
Doctors and bricklayers are not the only ones who disagree.
Some years ago I was estimating a large warehouse in Omaha.
There was a floor of a special kind used. I met a few
experienced contractors who were not estimating on the work,
and asked them how much it was worth per square. The
first figure was $1.50, the second $3, and the third $4. I felt
safe at $3, and have since found that the half would have
been sufficient. I feel sure that the labor figures will be of
value to the old contractor as well as to the beginner; and
something will be found that the wisest does not know, for
no man knows everything.
"When a friend asked Dr. Johnson how he came to define
"pastern" in a wrong way, he bravely answered: "Sheer
ignorance, sir." I am convinced that many low bids arise
as much from sheer ignorance as from any desire to prove
in the face of common experience that two and two equal five.
There are likely to be some mistakes in "The Building
Estimator," and he who seeks shall find. I have estimated
and corrected all by myself, and one misses what two see.
I had no idea when I began to hunt through estimate books
and labor reports years old that there would be so much work
INTRODUCTORY 3
connected with the task I had laid down, or it is likely that
I should have let it pass to a more earnest brother.
" The Building Estimator " will be of value in several ways:
1: — It will give weights and measures we understand. We
live in a new century, and we have new names; the West is
not the East, and some of the measures we use are different
from those adhered to in other sections of the country. I do
not know what a " toise " is, and neither do nine-tenths of our
builders. We do not buy or measure sand by the " cask," but
by the car or yard; and we have finally and forevermore taken
leave of the cord and the perch. The perch may be 16$, 22,
24£ or 25 cf. If one takes the wrong choice he is apt to
lose his money. I have heard of a contractor who was not
any too well pleased when he found that the perch he thought
he bought for a large contract and the one he received were
not quite the same. We use the cubic foot or yard. Some
day when we become really progressive we shall turn to the
metric system.
2: — Only a few years ago there were no stone molders. A
straight molded sill cost from four to fifteen times as much
as a plain one. Now with the aid of the machine the difference
is largely done away with. Then the estimator had to be
cautious about taking work by the cubic foot; now, if it is
straight, that is the most reasonable way to estimate it. The
books of the last century still have the old figures and rules.
3: — In the 19th century lime plaster was fashionable; now
cement takes the place of lime. I met a plasterer the other
day, and he told me that for the first time in nine years he
was plastering a small building with the old brand. The
tables for allowances in the standard books have not a word
to say about the quantities for cement plaster, and the allow-
ances in this book deal chiefly with the new kind.
The astonishing developments in metal lath, expanding metal
and concrete, have turned our old figures and ideas upside
down. The walls of immense manufacturing buildings are
now put up only two or three inches thick. It is time to
recognize this new method of construction in a new book.
When the walls are up they are covered with cold-water
paint, put on with compressed air with either steam or hand
4 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
power behind it. Our grandfathers never heard of this paint
and this brush.
4: — After all the inevitable corrections are made "The
Building Estimator " may serve as a kind of a standard.
Those who refer to it will not, of course, bring in bids vary-
ing only one or two per cent, but the present differences ought
to be done away with. They are sometimes large enough to
make one wonder if all contractors use the same multiplication
table. Occasionally, however, there are factors that enter into
a complete bid and make a larger difference than seems
warranted by the price of material and labor. There are often
cases where B is sure that C, the successful contractor, is
going to lose money, while C has a subbid or a favorable price
of material that keeps him safe. Or, again, C may know a
better way of doing the work.
With experienced contractors, one would think, bids ought
to come within five per cent of difference, but they sometimes
stretch to thirty, and on new kinds of work even to fifty. I
recently saw something akin to what every contractor sees
many times in the course of a year: On some plain mill work
that I had estimated at $3,400, the bids from men who did
nothing else than supply this material ranged from $3,100 to
$4,800. The highest wanted half as much again as the lowest.
One mill might have plenty of work and put in a high figure;
another might be short of work and cut prices. When this
happens with millmen who spend their lives at one specialty
what can be expected from general contractors who sometimes
estimate a complete building themselves? On a U. S. contract
let for South Dakota the lowest bid was $376,000, and the
highest $490,000, and both bidders were experienced con-
tractors.
And while we desire to see greater uniformity, it is well
to remember that it is not only actual cost which affects the
result, but the percentage added for risk and profit. Three
per cent on $100,000 makes a total of $103,000; ten, $110,000;
and twenty-five,— which I have seen recommended by a kind-
hearted parlor estimator, — $125,000.
Another recommends three per cent for office expenses, and
ten per cent for the pocket. Would that it could be so
INTRODUCTORY 5
arranged! But there are difficulties in the way. The "Cost
Plus a Fixed Sum " system is a good one.
But, again, the two lowest bids sometimes come surprisingly
near each other. On No. 3 the contractor whose bid was next
to our accepted one, came within $400 of $125,000; on the
Omaha Public Library — running about $80,000, I think — we
came next to him, but about $350 higher.
And as a final word on uniform bids, unreliable estimates,
and so forth, it is often necessary to look at the date when
they were made. Prices sometimes soar or fall in a month or
even less. An architect or contractor can not control markets,
monopolies, or unions.
Perhaps I should say a few words as to how estimating is
done and trouble avoided. It might be as well to pass on
without doing so, as experience is the best teacher, but some
counsel may be ventured:
A: — In the first place there is no such thing as time in
proportion to cost in estimating. On some buildings an
estimator might spend three or four days in figuring millwork
alone, and on others a few hours might be sufficient; while
$1,000 of hardware might take as long as ten times that
amount of plain brickwork. Examine a plan before you
promise an architect to take it back with your bid in a few
hours.
B: — In making up an estimate it is better and safer to keep
each factor of a complete bid separate, to finish and double-
line it, and to make a summary of all the items at the end.
By this method any error or change in plan, — in brickwork,
suppose, — can be added under its proper heading without
affecting plaster or hardware; while if the total is carried
from page to page it is impossible to change a figure without
making a risky change necessary clear through.
And the same system should be followed under all sub-
headings. Suppose, for example, that there are twenty to forty
different items of concrete in a foundation: If the whole
amount is set down as so many cy there is no way of making
6 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
a separation in case of a change. If a change is made the
whole laborious work has to be gone over again; while if set
down in detail probably three-fourths of the figures have only
to be copied.
C: — Get the exact cost and add whatever profits you think
possible. You will not get anything extra in these latter days.
Some contractors add the profit on each article as they go
along and can never tell exactly what they have apart from
the cost. It is not a good practice.
D: — " Order is heaven's first law." As far as possible make
out an estimate in its natural order. Some specifications put
on the finals before the rafters are in place. Excavation
usually comes first and painting or shelf hardware last.
E: — Make out your estimates in a book and keep it, and
correct " The Building Estimator " or any other estimator by
your own experience. " Keep a thing seven years and you
are sure to find a use for it." It may be that the building
burns and the owner needs your help, or that you want to
buy it with your surplus profits, or that you are even elected
assessor.
Keep a record of time on each building and make com-
parisons. Why should the labor on one building take ten to
forty per cent more time than that of another?
F: — It is, of course, a matter of choice, but I never like to
hear a bid read out for $40,000.11. I always think that for
mere good luck the few cents ought to be given the owner.
Estimating is not an exact science like mathematics. In
general I prefer to add or deduct either two or three cents
if necessary so that the cent column will end in 0 or 5. By
the time the end is reached a fair average is made, and this
method makes the adding easier.
G: — In making an approximate estimate for an owner or
architect be liberal. There are many different ways of in-
creasing the cost of a building by the addition of a few words
to the specifications. Brick properly shoved means at least
fifty cents a thousand extra. It is seldom properly shoved
although specified. A change to a better pressed brick may
be worth $10 or $20 a thousand. Cement Is more expensive
than lime, and Portland cement is more expensive than
INTRODUCTORY 7
natural. Hardwood finish cost more than cypress, and oil
finish rubbed down costs more than two coats of cheap paint.
H: — Do not be afraid of an extra. It has its advantages.
Architects do not, as a rule, like extras, and owners who order
them groan when the bill is presented, but why should they?
The proper way is to settle for an extra before a tool is lifted,
but whether this is done or another method followed, the
matter ought to be cleared up at the end of each month.
" Short accounts make long friends."
Any architect who is worth houseroom will give a written*
order for an extra so that the contractor may have authority
to go ahead. If an architect asserts that the work belongs to
the original contract, the time to settle the matter is when
both parties are familiar with the conditions.
It is rather a risky thing to sign a contract which gives one
party the sole right to settle all disputes.
If possible, use the " Uniform Contract." It may be safely
signed without examination. For many years it has been
under the eyes of builders, architects and lawyers in all sec-
tions of the country, and the general conclusion is that for
contractors and owners alike it is the best contract ever
devised. Of course, if an owner has the power he will use
another and more one-sided instrument. That is human
nature.
I: — Get subbids made out "according to plans and specifi-
cations," and do not accept a list. Material men and sub-
contractors are sometimes a little unreasonable. A general
contractor has to take chances of all mistakes, while a sub-
contractor in following the list method refuses to take chances
on even his small proportion.
J: — If you are so fortunate as to proceed from estimating
to construction, insure against fire, lightning, tornadoes, and
accident to person or building. " Then," you say, " the insur-
ance men would get all the profits." It is a sad state of
affairs, but can you risk losing all you have? Suppose two
or three men are killed? Suppose a fire gets the upper hand?
Most Omaha contractors remember a firm that finished a
schoolhouse ready to turn over. Their insurance lapsed, and
the building was destroyed by fire before it was accepted.
8 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
That ended their career in the building line. Another Omaha
contractor with lapsed insurance had to pay $1,300 for a
fatal accident. On No. 5 one partition was burned out, and
the building might easily have followed. On No. 3 a man was
killed. It is far too dangerous to risk fire loss and damage
suits without insurance.
Allow building permits according to local rate, which ought
to be about ten cents per $100.
K: — Do not accept any contract where the reserve is more
than fifteen per cent, unless you have plenty of money, — and
if you have why be a contractor? Do not give a bond for
more than one-third of the contract, and fight for one-fourth,
which is enough. If the owner is afraid of a ten per cent
reserve and a bond for even one-fifth, he ought to hunt up
another contractor, for he is clearly dealing with the wrong
man.
It is but right that a contractor should be paid for material
delivered on the ground. Many states do this, and so does the
United States. But a contractor, no matter what his financial
standing, should be obliged to show receipts for material em-
braced under his previous payment before another is given,
or else show a waiver from his material men. Wages in
cities are paid on the building, and the owner or his repre-
sentative may see to this for himself, so that there will not
be any danger of liens. Personally, I never lost even a single
dollar through an owner, and no material man or subcontractor
ever lost one through work done for me, but trouble of that
kind sometimes comes like lightning. A certain amount of
capital is necessary. Do not attempt to bite off more than
you can chew.
L: — Finally, my brethren, if you really put your foot in it,
back out. It is rather an unpleasant thing to do, and I have
had to do it only once when the carpenter labor was carefully
estimated and not put in the total. But it is sometimes better
to sacrifice pride than dollars. Most blunders are caught in
time, but some are not caught until too late a time. The
best will make a mistake — but do not get scared into the
baclfcing-out habit.
INTRODUCTORY 9
"We have all heard tales of woe without number, — cornices
forgotten, roofs left off, cut stone omitted, and so on to the
end of the dismal chapter. Add a percentage. It is unsafe
to be without it. A percentage is an excellent thing to have
around a finished house, or one that merely shines on paper.
They all say so, but the trouble is that when the percentage
is added in its proper place, some one who forgot it gets the
contract. Two of the parlor estimators' books which I sighed
over, say that it should never be less than five per cent and
never more than twenty-five or thirty per cent: ten is said
to be fair. Well, rather. Fair to middlin', most contractors
would say. On a general contract six per cent is very ac-
ceptable, while more is very desirable.
This book is chiefly designed for estimating, and need not
be examined for much else. An estimator needs a book of
his own. When one considers the variety of buildings, rang-
ing from three-roomed cottages to five and ten-story fire-
proof structures, to say nothing of forty-story ones, and that
a general contractor has to have a fair acquaintance with
each branch, there seems to be quite enough in this field to
engage the attention of any one man. " How much will it
cost?" is an important question that has to be decided before
the final word is given to go ahead. And herein lies the
responsibility of the estimator. He must do his work care-
fully enough to keep his employer out of the bankruptcy;
court. An owner is sometimes swamped with a heavy bill
of extras.
I thought it a good idea to give pictures of some of the
buildings from which my figures have been drawn. In a
book of this kind an illustration is worth many pages of
writing, and yet, curiously enough, I never saw one of the
right kind in the books I looked through. When actual
results are given on typical buildings a raw estimator can
proceed with confidence.
Figures are used in all cases. In technical works this is
a better system than spelling out words which remain half
buried in the page instead of standing out clear.
No allowance is made for profit: actual cost is given
straight through, unless otherwise stated. In measurement,
10 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
actual quantities only are taken: trade rules for doubling
corners, including openings, taking attic plaster on the
square, etc., are not recognized in this book; but brickwork
is allowed in " wall measure," or 22£ bricks to the cf.
PART ONE
APPROXIMATE ESTIMATING
EXCAVATION
Excavation may cost all the way from 15c to $1 per cy,
according to the wages paid, the thermometer, the character
of the soil, length of the haul and other local conditions. But
in cities 40c may be taken as an average price, while half
of that is often enough in small towns.
WOOD PILING
From 30c to 50c per If, driven and cut. See Chap. II.
CONCRETE
Ordinary concrete with natural cement, such as Milwaukee
or Louisville, at $1.00 a bbl, $4.95 per cy. With American
Portland at $1.60, $5.75. If there are forms add 75c.
RUBBLE
From $5 to $6.50 per cy depending upon the character and
amount of the work.
CUT STONE
Bedford is a standard. For a building with a fair allowance
of straight moldings, $1.60 per cf all through. If carving
is used each piece must be priced separately. For water-
table, sills and plain work, $1.50. On a large bill add 10 to
15% for setting.
BRICKWORK
As this first part of the book may be used by those who
are not accustomed to the trade method of estimating, the
following rule is given, but it must be remembered that
although walls are marked 13" they count as 12": Find the
cf after deducting all openings, and then mult by 22$ for
11
12 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
the number of brick, and mult the product by the price
of the brick per 1,000 laid down on the ground, plus $4 for
labor and mortar. Thus brick delivered at $6.50 would be
estimated at $10.50. Hard brick for work below ground are
a trifle smaller and cost from 50c to $1 per 1,000 extra. If
work is laid in cement, add $1 per 1,000 wall measure.
The foregoing rule applies to common work. On buildings
with pilasters, offsets, cornices, etc, an extra allowance must
be made according to judgment. On a building on South
13th Street, Omaha, a bricklayer paid $1,800 for a lesson in
laying a " gingerbread " front, and a few more thousands for
another lesson in a mud-hole 20 feet below grade.
If pressed brick are used get the exact number of sq ft and
mult by 7. Mult the result thus obtained by the price
per 1,000 delivered, and add to former estimate without
deducting any common brick. The price of the pressed brick
is thus added to make up for the extra time spent in laying.
On some fine fronts another extra allowance of from $10 to
$20 per 1,000 is made.
STEEL AND IRON
Put steel beams at $80 to $90 a ton set, and plain cast iron
at $45 to $60.
CARPENTRY— FLOORS, CEILINGS, AND ROOFS
As a basis of calculation a space 22'xlOO' in the clear has
been taken, and quantities made out for 22 sq. Different
classes of buildings require bills of material that vary ac-
cording to the number of partitions, stairs, chimneys, ele-
vators, etc, and it is, of course, impossible to give one rule
for all, but as an average 7 extra joists have been allowed.
By dividing the quantity by the number of pieces, the cost
of material and labor for one joist can be readily found and
additions or deductions made to suit. The shorter lengths
required for the tail-joists at, stair make up for the double-
header.
All joists are estimated 22' long, not 24; but number of
feet is given in bm so that price can be easily changed for
shorter or longer lengths, and thus also for increase or de-
APPROXIMATE ESTIMATING 13
crease of the unit used as a basis. The labor can be regu-
lated in the same way according to the local standard. Thus
2x14 joists, 12" centers, require 5,544'. At a decrease of $3
per 1,000 the cost is reduced $16.63 on 22 sq, or 75c for
a square. So with sheeting or flooring according to price.
If labor is 30c instead of 40c, the cost of that item — apart
from lumber — will be as 4 to 3 on the number of feet; if 50,
increase in proportion of 4 to 5.
Thus, to illustrate, the joists are put at $8 per 1,000 for
labor on a 40c basis. If labor is only 30c the rate will be
$6; if 50c, $10. There being in 22 sqs, 5544' for the 2x14
joists at centers given, the decreased cost per sq Will be
50c for the $6 rate; and the increased cost on the $10 basis
50c also. For an 8-hour day the amounts of sheeting, lap,
flooring, etc., are stated under " Labor." Leave the quantities
as they are, and change to suit local rate.
In the 4th column of the following tables the cost per sq
of joists and bridging only is given — no sheeting, paper or
flooring being allowed. The estimator is thus enabled to
cover the bare joists of floors, ceilings or flat roofs to suit any
specifications by using the prices given.
The usual number of anchors are allowed at sides and
ends. As they are figured for a 22' span the number required
for a building of, say, 3 spans would be a trifle less, as strap-
anchor at joint would take the place of 2 tees, but this does
not materially affect the cost. The allowance is from 80c
to $1.25 for material per sq — the labor goes in with the
lumber.
BRIDGING: — The number of If for 2 rows has been given.
The gain on the bevel makes up for the waste, especially on
the narrow spaces. On the different sizes and centers of
joists the number of If runs from 430 to 620. A price per
sq is taken of 70c on the wide and shallow spaces to $1 on
the narrow and deep for 2x4; less will do for 1x4. See
table this chapter for proportionate cost of unnailed material.
NAILS: — Sufficient nails at $2.60 a keg have been allowed.
Nails and labor are, of course, more for bridging, sheeting
and flooring on narrow spaces, but only an average can be
given.
14 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
LABOR: — The standard taken is 8 hours at 40c an hour, and
the estimate is safe enough anywhere if freight, hauling, etc,
are watched. On heavy joists an average of 800' bm, or $8
per 1,000 has been used for 2 men in a day. They will do much
more on lower floors of a building, but this is for approximate
estimating, and is safe from cellar to roof of a building of 4
to 5 stories. Less is allowed on 2x4 and 2x6; sheeting is put
at 1,000 ft; shiplap at 1,000; 6" flooring at 4* sq; 4",
usually for the top floor, at 3 sq. Sometimes about twice
as much might be laid, depending on the building. Plain
maple and oak flooring, 2£ face, at 1 sq.
Does it all mean for a large warehouse or for a dwelling
divided into small rooms? A little judgment must be
exercised and changes made to suit the building. Some oak
floors, for example, cost from $10 to $16 per sq for laying
alone, on a 40c basis, in a fine house built in 1904. For
special work of this kind reference must be made to " De-
tailed Estimating " in Part Two.
In the 5th column of the following table, the difference in
cost for each dollar of difference in the price of joist and
bridging lumber alone is given in cents. The highest
quantity of bridging is 620 If, and allowing 2x4 the differ-
ence per sq for each dollar may be taken as 3c on a basis of
$24 lumber.
NUMBER OF PIECES REQUIRED
108 at 12 centers 75 at 18 centers 63 at 22 centers
94 at 14 centers 68 at 20 centers 58 at 24 centers
83 at 16 centers
QUANTITIES REQUIRED
Sheeting 8" 2550' bm Flooring 4" 2850' bm
Shiplap 8" 2650' bm Flooring 2x6 5200' bm
Flooring 6" 2650' bm Flooring maple, 2| 2950' bra
PRICE PER SQ OF JOISTS LAID
(Deduct bridging if not required. Deduct anchors on a frame building.)
, ,, 2x4 list: Lumber, $24 T „
Li.r . J-i.r .
Centers Quantity Bridg Price Diff Centers Quantity Bridg Price Diff
12" 1584 $2.90 8c 20" 998 $1.85 5c
14" 1379 .... 2.50 7c 22" 924 1.70 5c
16" 1217 2.15 6c 24" 851 1.60 4c
18" 1100 .... 2.00 5c
APPROXIMATE ESTIMATING
15
Price pet* Sq of Joists Laid— Continued
2x6 list:
Lumber, $24
12"
2376
430
5.30
13c
20"
1496
430
3
.75
9c
14"
2068
430
4.75
12c
22"
1386 '
430
3
.50
9c
16"
1826
430
4.35
lie
24"
1276
430
3
.30
8c
18"
1650
430
4.00
lOc
2x8 list:
Lumber, $26
12"
3168
450
6.70
17c
20"
1995
430
4.75
lie
14"
2757
450
6.05
15c
22"
1848
430
4
.45
lie
16"
2435
450
5.50
13c
24"
1701
430
4
.20
lOc
18"
2200
450
5.10
12c
2x10
list:
Lumber,
$28
12"
3960
490
8.40
20c
20"
2494
440
5
.85
14e
14"
3446
490
7.50
18c
22"
2310
440
5
.50
13c
16"
3044
490
6.80
16c
24"
2126
440
5
.15
12c
18"
2750
490
6.30
15c
2x12
list:
Lumber,
$29
12"
4752
560
10.10
24c
20"
2992
470
6
.95
16c
14"
4136
560
9.00
21c
22"
2772
470
6
.50
•15c
16"
3652
560
8.15
19c
24"
2552
470
6
.10
13c
18"
3300
560
7.50
17c
2x14
list:
Lumber,
$30
12"
5544
620
11.75
28c
20"
3491
500
8
.00
18c
14"
4825
620
10.50
24c
22"
3234
500
7
.50
17c
16"
4261
620
9.55
22c
24"
2977
500
7
.05
16c
18"
3850
620
8.70
20c
3x10 list: Lumber, $30
12" 5940 470 12.50 30c 20" 3740
14" 5170 470 11.10 26c 22" 3465
16" 4565 470 10.00 23c 24" 3190
18" 4125 470 9.20 21c
3x12 list: Lumber, $30
7128 550 14.55 35c 20" 4488
6204 550 12.90 31c 22" 4158
5478 550 11.60 27c 24" 3828
4950 550 10.65 25c
3x14 list: Lumber, $30
8316 590 16.65 41c 20" 5236
7238 590 14.75 36c 22" 4851
6391 590 13.20 32c 24" 4466
5775 590 12.10 29c
12"
14"
16"
18"
12*
14"
16"
18"
420
420
420
8.50 19c
'7.95 18c
7.45 17c
500 9.80 23c
500 9.15 21c
500 8.55 20c
530 11.10 26e
530 10.40 24c
530 9.65 23c
NOTE: — The price of lumber as grven is too low in some parts, and too higfr
for Oregon, Washington, and the South. Add or deduct as necessary. The
tables remain " constants," and the rate varies to suit the local price. Thus,
16
THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
2x10 at 20* and lumber at $18, would be only $4.15; 3x14, 18*, with $36 lum-
ber would be $13.34, at the same rate for labor, anchors, etc.
As noted, the joists on the assumed space, 22'xlOO', are
taken only 22' long, for in large warehouses with several
spans the length from girder to girder is all a part of floor;
but on outside walls, depending on distance, there is a loss
of from 1 to 2 If of lumber, unless, as often happens now,
wall hangers are used. If end goes in wall, and 2 If of
lumber is lost on each joist, add to that span of joists, per
sq, with price of lumber as listed:
For 2x 8 16 centers $0.33
, 20 centers .27
73
56
87
67
centers . . . 1.30
For 2x 8 ...
For . 2x12 12 centers .
For 2x12 16 centers ,
For 2x14 12 centers.
For 2x14 16 centers ,
For 3x14 12
For 3x14 16 centers 1.00
For 3x14
, 20 centers 83
THE ROTHROCK METAL BRIDGING
A new bridging that may be used in place of wood is made
of galv iron. The lengths as given in the manufacturer's
table are too short for wood which is put clear to edge of
joists.
SPACING OF TIMBER
12 in Centers 14 in Centers 16 in Centers 20 in Centers
Length of Bridging
124" 144'
Size of
Timber
2"x 6"
2"x 8"
2"xlO"
2"xl2"
3"x 6"
3"x 8"
3"x 9"
3"xlO"
3"xl2"
3"xl4"
3"xl6"
4"x 8*
4"xio"
4"xl2"
4"xl4"
4"xl6"
104"
114"
124"
134"
94"
104"
10"
14"
15"
IP
14"
154"
94"
104"
14"
154*
17"
114"
124"
134"
144
154"
15"
154
17"
14"
144"
15"
154"
17"
13"
14"
15"
154"
17"
18f
194"
20i"
17"
18
18;
20}"
214"
17"
17"
18}"
194"
20i"
APPROXIMATE ESTIMATING 17
PRICE LIST AT MILES, OHIO
DISCOUNT, FIFTY AND TEN PER CENT
No. 5 length 9J inches, per thousand pieces $27.00
No. 10 length 10£ inches, per thousand pieces 27.00
No. 15 length 11| inches, per thousand pieces. 27.00
No. 20 length 13 inches, per thousand pieces 28.00
No. 25 length 13^ inches, per thousand pieces 29.00
No. 30 length 14 inches, per thousand pieces 29.00
No. 35 length 14* inches, per thousand pieces 30.00
No. 40 length 15 inches, per thousand pieces 31.00
No. 45 length 151 inches, per thousand pieces 32.00
No. 50 length 17 inches, per thousand pieces 34.00
No. 55 length 18 J inches, per thousand pieces 35.00
The above price is for the light bridging; the heavy costs
about 50% more.
The standard length is No. 45. The weight of 1,000 pcs is
400 Ibs gross. The bridging is satisfactory, and only the
question of comparative cost has to be considered.
1000 pcs No. 45, metal $14.40
1000 pcs wood, 1x3 11 .50
1000 pcs wood, 1x4 or 2x2 14 . 50
1000 pcs wood, 2x4 26. 75
The mills cut 1x3 and 4 for 30c per 100 pcs; and 2x4 for
40c. For 1x4, 17" long, 1,000 pcs require 473' bm, at $24,
equals $11.35, and cutting $3, a total of $14.35. The 2x4
requires 947' bm, which, at $24, comes to $22.73, and cutting
$4, a total of $26.73. Nailing is same for both metal and
wood, and is not included. Freight is not allowed on metal.
The metal is cheaper than the 2x4's, and the same as the
1x4.
With high-priced hand labor and no mill, the metal is to be
preferred.
BASEMENT SLEEPERS: — The joists or sleepers referred to
here are those that are laid on the earth, on cinders or on
concrete, and staked down or nailed with cleats. The number
of ft in a day is given in each size. Stakes are included.
In some cases, as when concrete is used, they may not be
necessary at all except to hold sleepers in place until it
hardens, and 1x2 strips are often sufficient; while in other
cases 2x4 's driven several ft into the ground would be re-
quired.
18 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
THE STAKE ALLOWANCE BM IS AS FOLLOWS
16" centers.. ..300' 36" centers .. ..160'
20" centers 250' 48" centers 120'
24" centers 220'
Stakes may be deducted, if not required, at rate given in
table for lumber and labor.
There are 5 extra sleepers allowed in the 22 sqs. Covering
is not included. Only a few nails are required, say, 3c per
NUMBER OF PIECES
81 at 16" centers 40 at 36" centers
66 at 20" centers 31 at 48" centers
56 at 24" centers
PRICE PER SQ OF BASEMENT SLEEPERS
Price Cts for each $1 Price Cts for each $1
Centers Quan'y Per sq diff in lumber Centers Quan'y Per sq diff in lumber
2x4 list: $24: 400 bm per day or $16 per M
16" 1500 $2.75 7c 24" 1050 $1.95 5
20" 1220 2.25 6c
4x4 list: $26, 700', or $9.15 per M.
16" 2676 4.30 12c 24" 1860 3.00 9
20" 2186 3.55 lOc
4x6 list: $26, 800', or $8 per M.
24" 2684 4.20 12c 48" 1484 2.35 7
36" 1920 3.00 9c
4x8 list: $27, 900', or $7. 12 per M.
24" 3506 5.50 16c 48" 1820 2.85 9
36" 2507 3.95 12c
6x6 list: $27, 900', or $7.12 per M.
24" 3916 6.10 18c 48" 2170 3.40 10
36" 2800 4.40 13c
6x8 list: $27, 1000', or $6.40 per M.
24" 5148 7.85 24c 48" 2848 4.40 13
36" 3680 5.65 17c
LABOR: — On the lists of joists already given 800' is the
quantity taken all through, while on this basement list the
allowances run from 400' to l',000'. Hoisting is not required
in the basement, and it is easier to handle lumber with a
APPROXIMATE ESTIMATING 19
solid floor to walk on. A 2x4 takes more time than a 6x8 in
proportion to its size, for each joist or sleeper, large or small,
has to be leveled.
SLEEPERS:— The floor of No. 7 is laid on 6x8, 48" centers,
and 2 men handled from 1,500 to 1,600', instead of 1,000 as
in the table, but there were nearly 600 sq, while the table
might be used for 20.
Some sizes not given may be found by taking multiples of
those listed. Thus 8x8 would be twice as much as. 4x8,
although there is some little difference on account of the
number of ft per day.
WAREHOUSE, STORE, AND MILL CONSTRUCTION:— Posts
and girders are not included in the following lists: allow
them at $30 for lumber and $12 for labor, which add to
joists. Joist lumber, $28; labor, $8, or 800' per day. It is
worth while to remember that the cost of a floor at 6' centers
is not exactly twice that of one at 3', for the extra joists come
in both, and the wider the space the higher the proportion.
Joists only are given; allow stirrups, anchors, cast-iron caps
and shoes as may be required.
For this heavy anchoring allow about $2.50 per sq,
labor being included in lumber. Only a few nails are re-
quired.
Common wrought iron stirrups, f"x3", 5$c per Ib. Double
ones are used on beams; single are often used, as at stair
wells, etc. For an approximate price, differing according to
size of beam and length of iron, $2 for dbl, and $1.10 for
single. For V'x3", $2.60 dbl, and $1.60 single. For £"x4", for
8x16, $2.25 single.
As a 22' span is more than the average for this heavy
work, the stirrups are estimated on a basis of 14' span, so as
to allow enough.
Duplex, and other hangers, are often used at wall as well
as at girders. See Chap. XIII.
See pages 20, 21, for Post Caps and Bases.
NOTE :— So much lumber is used in this form of construction that it is well
to remember the addition or deduction of cents for each dollar of difference ID
local price as compared with that listed. For the beams, $28 is the assumed
price. On the Pacific coast, $16 is enough, in some sections; but to Omaha,
20
THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
for example, the freight is $16. Add or deduct, therefore, according to price
of lumber.
Lest anyone should think that a 6xl2s set 24" centers, is a waste of lumber,
I may remark here that I know of several buildings where 8x1 6s are so placed.
MILL CONSTRUCTION TABLE
Amt f9t Price Stirrups Diff in Amt for Price Stirrups Diff in
Centers 22 sq in per per sq lumber Centers 22 sq in per per sq lumber
2
3
4
2
3
4
For 8x14 and 8x16, stirrups are allowed at i"x4".
Labor is allowed as usual — 40c per hour. An hour more
or less for 2 men means 16c a day. On the 8x16 list, at 800'
bm per day, for example, at 2' centers this equals $2.49, or
about lie per sq; at 8', 75c, or about 3£c. But if such exact
figures are necessary it is better to refer to Part Two.
Only 2 extras are allowed in the 22 squares.
DUPLEX POST CAPS
For 3 way, add 25%; 4 way, 50%
6x 6 two ways $2.00
8x 8 two ways 2.75
10x10 two ways 3.50
12x12 two ways 4.00
14x14 two ways 5.50
16x16 two ways 6.75
bm.
sq; |x3
of $1
6x12
list
bm.
sq
I .
1x3
of $1
6996
$11
.60
$7
.60
32c
5
3036
$5.
15 $3. 15
14c
4752
7
.90
5.
10
22c
6
2640
4.
50
2.60
12c
3696
6.
20
3.
90
17c
8
2112
3.
75
2.00
lOc
6x14 list
8162
13
.50
8
.00
37c
5
3542
6.
00
3.30
16c
5544
9
.25
5
.40
25c
6
3080
5.
20
2.75
14c
4312
7
.20
4
.10
20c
8
2464
4.
20
2.20
12c
6x16 and
8x12
list
9328
15
.40
8
.75
43c
5
4048
6.
80
3.60
19c
6336
10
.55
6.
00
29c
6
3520
5.
90
3.00
16c
4928
8
.25
4.
50
23c
8
2816
4.
75
2.40
13c
8x14
list
10893
18
.00
15.
00
50c
5
4554
7.
60
6.15
22c
7392
12
25
10.
10
34c
6
4107
6.
85
5.15
19c
5750
9
.55
7.
60
26c
8
3286
5.
55
4.00
15c
8x16
list
12438
20
.50
16
.40
57c
5
5398
9.
00
6.75
25c
8448
14
.00
11
10
39c
6
4694
, 7.
85
5.65
21c
6571
10
.75
8,
35
30c
8
3755
6.
30
4.35
17c
APPROXIMATE ESTIMATING 21
These prices are for girders same depth as size of posts:
thus a 10x10 post cap is priced for a 10" girder: for each
2" of extra depth of girder add 10% to price, making a 10x10
cap for a 14" deep girder, $4.20. Duplex post bases are
about the same price.
Cast Iron Caps, Size 8x 8 inches 50 Ibs at 3c.
Cast Iron Caps, Size 10x10 inches 60 Ibs at 3c.
Cast Iron Caps, Size 12x12 inches 80 Ibs at 3c.
Weight depends upon load, so that these figures are only
approximate.
Mr. Tyrrell in "Architects and Builders Magazine," New
York, gives weights of heavy iron col bases for high build-
ings:
22x22 600 Ibs 32x32 1340 Ibs
24x24 750 Ibs 34x34 1450 Ibs
26x26 880 Ibs 36x36 1600 Ibs
28x28 1020 Ibs 38x38 1720 Ibs
30x30 ...1180 Ibs 40x40 1850 Ibs
COVERING: — The cost of the various kinds of covering for
joists, above and below, is now to be considered, and also
cents per sq for difference of $1 in price of lumber.
COST PER SQ
Grade Description Price per Quantity laid Cost per Cts
1000 per day sq
No. 1 YP Sheeting $27 1000' bm $3.93 12
No. 2 YP Sheeting 25 950' bm 3.74 12
No. 1 YP Shiplap 27 1000' bm 4.05 12
No. 2 YP Shiplap 25 950' bm 3.83 12
No. 1 YP Shiplap on angle 27 850' bm 4.43 13
No. 2 YP Shiplap on angle 25 800' bm 4.25 13
No. 1 YP Sheeting on angle 27 850' bm 4.34 12
No. 2 YP Sheeting on angle 25 800' bm 4.15 12
No. 1 WP Sheeting 40 1100' bm 5.35 12
No. 2 WP Sheeting 35 1100' bm 4.78 12
No. 3 WP Sheeting 29 1000' bm 4.16 12
No. 1 WP Shiplap 40 1100' bm 5.48 12
No. 2 WP Shiplap 35 1100' bm 4.90 12
No. 3 WP Shiplap 29 1000' bm 4.28 12
WP on angle add extra 30 to 50c 13
No. 1 YP plank, 2x6, 2x8, 2x10,
S.IS.2E 26 1200' bm 7. 15 22
No. 1 YP plank, 3x6, 3x8, 3x10,
S.IS.2E 30 1400' bm 12.00 33
No. 1 YP flooring, 2x6, T and G 26 1000' bm 7.85 24
22 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
Cost per Sq— Continued
Grade Description Price per Quantity laid Cost per Cts
1000 per day sq
No. 1 YP flooring, 2x6, on angle 26 875' bm 8.63 25
No. 1 YP plank, 2x6, to 10 on an. 26 1100' bm 7.64 24
No. 1 YP plank, 3x6, to 10 on an. 30 1300' bm 13 . 00 36
y FLOORING:
A
B
C
A
A
B
C
A
B
C
B
C
D
No. 1
No. 1
4" Edge grain, YP, 3| face. .
4" Edge grain, YP, 3£ face. .
4" Edge grain, YP, 3£ face. .
3" Edge grain, YP, 2J face . .
4" Flat grain, YP, 3J face. .
4" Flat grain, YP, 3£ face. .
4" Flat grain, YP, 3£ face. .
6" Flat grain, YP, 5| face. .
6" Flat grain. YP, 5| face. .
6" Flat grain, YP, 5 J face . .
(But for 6" floors
WP, £"x4" 3£ face
46 3 sqs
42 3 sqs
38 3 sqs
47 2J sqs
35 3 sqs
33 3 sqs
30 3 sqs
35 5 sqs
33 5 sqs
30 5 sqs
, see Chap. X.)
65 3^ sqs
60 3i sqs
50 3i sqs
40 4 sqs
55 2£ sqs
30 1\ sqs
38 2£ sqs
39 2J sqs
39 2 sqs
$8.30
7.80
7.27
9.57
6.88
6.62
6.23
5.70
5.46
5.10
10.48
9.83
8.53
7.00
11.75
6.71
7.75
7.88
8.70
. 2.00
13
13
13
14
13
13
13
12
12
12
13
13
13
13
17
13
13
13
13
14
14
14
14
14
14
14
14
14
13
WP, £"x4", 3i face
WP, £"x4", 3| face
WP, $"x4" fencing
O F (porch) 1^x4.
Ceiling YP
f x3£ face
f x3£ face
fx3|^ corrugated
f x3J 2J face
For ordinary paint or oil, add
For nil finish nn floors a.HH
. 3.30
HARDWOOD FLOORING $x2±
Clear Maole ^'
$50
62
44
62
48
100
110
75
170
40
1 sq
\ sq
1 sq
1 sq
1 sq
i sq
i sq
| sq
\ sq
4 sqs
$13.20
21.00
12.27
14.60
12.80
26.00
27.25
18.43
23.00
35.05
4.40
6.70
No. 1
No. 1
Strictly Clear Maple, (best
work)
Select Maple
Clear plain Red or White Oak
Select Red or White Oak . .
Clear q s Red Oak (best work)
Clear q s W Oak (best work)
Select q s Red or White Oak
Thin Oak Floors, varnished .
Cherrv (best work)
For Oiling, etc., add
Square edged 4" Maple for
plain factory work, un-
smoothed . .
APPROXIMATE ESTIMATING 23
Cost per Sq— Continued
Grade Description Price per Quantity laid Cost per Cts
1000 per day sq
T and G 4" Maple, in long
rooms, smoothed 50 2^ sqs 9.25 13
Tiling, see Chapter XX.
Composition Floors, see Chapter XX.
Rubber Floors, see Chapter XX.
See "Shop Floors," Chapter XXII.
Building paper, tar felt, etc 25 to 50c
Plaster with wood lath $3 . 85
Plaster with metal lath 6. 82
Metal ceiling, wood furring, and painting 13.00
Gravel Roof 4.50
See also "Roof Covering."
Painting 2 . 00
A FEW COMBINATIONS
The tables are arranged so that each one may make his
own combinations. Here are a few only:
2x10 joists, 16 centers, brick bldg $6.80
Loss of 2 If to go in walls, average between 2x8 and
2x12 4,5
No. 1 Shiplap under floor, yp 4.05
Paper 50
Clear q s W O, f top floor best 27.25
Varnishing t 4.40
ACTUAL COST $43.45
It is best not to add profit on each item, but at end of
complete estimate.
3x14 joists, girder to girder, 24" o c $9.15
2x6 yp flooring on angle 8.63
Paper 50
Sq edge factory Maple 4" floor 6.70
$24.98
BASEMENT OR GROUND FLOOR
6x8 Sleepers, 48" o c .„ $4.40
3" Plank, laid straight 12.00
$16.40
24 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
MILL CONSTRUCTION
8x14, 4' o c on girders $9.55
Stirrups 7.60
Anchors 2.50
3" plank floor on angle 13.00
Paper 50
Factory Maple floor 6.70
$39.85
8x12, 6' o c, girder and wall $5.90
Loss of 2 If, one end (get 2x12, 12 o c — 73c x 4 times
for thickness — 2.92 divided by 6, as the 8x12 is 6 cen-
ters instead of 12") = 49
Stirrups 3.00
Anchors 2.50
3" plank, straight 12.00
Asbestos, i, (fireproofing chap), and labor 4.30
Factory Maple Floor 6.70
$34.89
OUTSIDE WALLS, GABLES AND PARTITIONS:— A space
22x100 has been taken as a basis of calculation. Allowance
of studs:
At 12" centers 1 to 10". At 20" centers 1 to 16"
At 16" centers 1 to 12". At 24" centers 1 to 20"
At 18" centers 1 to 14"
If work is properly done this is not too much material; on
some buildings with angles and projections it might not be
enough; on others again it would be too much. Bare studs
are given. A day's labor for 2 men is taken at 640' bm, which
at 40c an hour is $10 per 1,000. For difficult gables add from
25 to 50% to regular price. For each dollar above or below
$24 in price of lumber, add or deduct the cents in the last
col per sq.
Thus, 2x8 with lumber at $26 would be at 16" centers, $5.52.
BRIDGING:— For single 2x4 bridging, if used, allow per sq:
Centers Level Angle Centers Level Angle
12" 40c 50c 20" 28c 35c
16" 35c 45c 24" 26c 33c
18" 32c 37c
APPROXIMATE ESTIMATING 25
2x4 list: Lumber, $24
Centers Quantity Cost per sq Cents Centers Quantity Cost per sq Cents
12" 1961 $3.00 9 20" 1300- $2.00 6
16" 1667 2.60 8 24" 1080 1.70 5
18" 1450 2.25 7
Bridging is not included in the table.
For 2x6 add 50% to the 2x4 list.
For 2x8 dble the 2x4 list, and add the increased rate of
about $2 per M for lumber.
CEILED PARTITIONS: — For partitions ceiled both sides
with yp on a 2x4 framework and painted, allow 19c per sq ft
With oak ceiling, 34c.
For partitions as above, but ceiled up with yp to a height
Of about 4' only with glass door, and plain sash above, allow
25c per sq ft.
For yp ceiling partitions without framework, allow 18c per
sq ft, painted on both sides. Allow 25% more for bath room
partitions with short runs, etc.
ROLLING PARTITIONS: — For yp horizontal rolling parti-
tions delivered at building, 58c per sq ft; after oiling both
sides, 62c; in place with hardware, 75c.
For some kinds $1 would be too low.
For larger horizontals, yp, 50c fob Mass.
For larger horizontals, plain oak, 60c fob Mass.
For larger horizontals, white q s oak, 65c fob Mass,
PLEXIFOLD PARTITIONS:— For Flexifold apright parti-
tions:
In yp, 65c fob Mass.
In plain oak, ash, 75c fob Mass.
In q s w oak, 80c fob Mass.
These Massachusetts partitions include all hardware and
are oil finished. Labor erecting from $15 to $25 per opening.
Add freight, hauling, etc.
COVERING OF STUDS:— Nails are included. If sheeting,
shiplap or flooring is put on at an angle from sill to wall-
plate instead of level, add as noted per sq. For figures on
other material, metal lath, flooring, shingles, etc, see Part Two.
26 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
Grade
Description Per 1000
Quantity
laid per day
Cost
per sq
Cents
No.
1
WP Sheeting.. . =
$40
1000
.$5.45
12
No.
2
WP Sheeting
35
1000
4.85
12
No.
3
WP Sheeting
29
1000
4.17
12
No.
1
WPShiplap..
40
1000
5.63
12
No.
2 WPShiplap
35
1000
5.03
12
No.
3
WPShiplap
29
1000
4.32
12
No.
1
YP Sheeting
27
950
4.00
12
No.
2
YP Sheeting
25
900
3.80
12
No.
1
YP Shiplap
27
900
4.10
12
No.
2
YP Shiplap
25
900
3.87
12
For WP on angle add
600
1.20
YP on angle add
550
1.30
A
YP 1x6", 51 face, T and G . .
35
3 sqs
6.53
12
B
C
YP fx6", 51 face, T and G. .
YP £x6", face, T and G ....
33
30
3 sqs
3 sqs
6.29
5.93
12
12
For I"x6" YP on angle add .
2 sqs
1.50
12
C
Flat grain YP £"x4" T and G
30
2^ sqs
6.65
13
No.
1
WP siding 6"...
36
4 sqs
6.50
14
No.
2
WP siding 6"
34
4 sqs
6.22
14
No.
1
WP siding 4"
36
2 sqs
8.80
15
No.
2
WP siding 4"
34
2 sqs
8.50
15
A
YP Siding 4"
22
2 sqs
6.60
15
No.
RCsiding 4"
32
2 sqs
8.10
15
No.
RW siding 4"
32
2 sqs
8.10
15
No.
OF siding
28
2 sqs
7.50
15
No.
NP4"
26
2 sqs
7.50
15
No.
Drop siding YP, 51 face. .
32
900
4.86
12
Shingles, 6 to 2" (900 to sq)
3.75
2 sqs
6.77
90
Shingles, 5 to 2" (900 to sq)
4.25
2 sqs
7.22
90
Shingles, fancy cut (900
to sq)
5.00
2 sqs
7.90
90
Shingles Dipped, add extra
3.00
Ceiling (one side) YP f x4". .
38
3 sqs
7.15
13
Paper
25 to 50
Plaster on wood lath, 1 side .
35
3.85
Plaster on wood lath, 2 sides
35
7.70
Plaster on metal lath, 1 side
62
6.85
Plaster on metal lath,2 sides
62
13.70
Back Plaster, on wood lath
• . . .
2.65
Ordinary 3-coat paint, one
side
2.00
Ordinary 2-coat paint, one
side
1.65
For each 1 cent of difference
in price of plaster or paint,
per yd, one side, add. . . .
0.11
APPROXIMATE ESTIMATING 27
See Plaster Chapter for Portland Cement Covering. Combi-
nations can be made from these wall and partition tables as with
the other.
PITCHED ROOFS: — We now come to trouble, and plenty of
it. This is the region of " turrets, towers and minarets." It
is all well enough to draw them and write about them, but
the question that confronts the estimator is not how well
or how ill do they look, but how much do they cost.
Let us take a plain roof for a standard and leave the com-
plicated ones for discussion further on. A roof 22x100' has
been taken as a basis for the following figures. A day's work
is 500' bm. The figures are for rafters only. If ties and braces
are used add $1.25 for light roofs per sq. The allowance at 12"
centers is 1 to each 10"; 16, 1 to 12; 18, 1 to 14; 20, 1 to 16;
24, 1 to 20. A liberal allowance is made for lumber. A roof-
does not require as much as a partition although the figures
used are the same or equal centers.
CEILING JOISTS are not included.
COST OF ROOFS PER SQ
2x4 list: Lumber, $24
Amount Cost Amount Cost
Centers Quantity per day persq Cents Centers Quantity per day persq/Cent»
12" 1775 500 S3. 00 9 20" 1115 500 $1.90 5
16" 1482 500 2.51 7 24" 895 500 1.52 4
18" 1276 500 2.16 6
For 2x6, add 50% to the price of 2x4; for 2x8, dble 2x4,
and add at rate of about $2 extra on the lumber price; for
2x10 take 2^ times the cost of a 2x4, and add cents in last
col for difference in lumber.
Thus, a 2x4, 16" centers, is $2.51; a 2x6, $3.77; a 2x8, at
$26 lumber— $2.51 plus 14cx2=$5.30; a 2x10 with lumber
at $28 =, for 16" centers, $2.51 plus 4 (for the $4 difference in
price) x7cx2i^$6.98.
If list is used on a brick building add wall plate at $2 per sq.
I recently made out some bills of material for small pas-
senger-stations with the usual hips and valleys. At the same
rate for labor, and material at $20, No. 1 was 3.70; 2, $4; 3,
$4.56; while the plain list on same size and distance — 2x6,
28 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
16" centers— is $3.77. Another at 2x4, 16", was $2.63; the
plain list is $2.51. This is an illustration of the difference
between a plain roof and one with hips and valleys, although
by no means complicated. One of the worst roofs I have
ever seen — No. 11 — ran to $6 for 2x6, 16" centers. No covering
included.
As to the " gingerbread " kind, there is only one exact,
theoretical way to estimate them, and that is to take off each
piece of lumber in a building where no two pieces are the
same length, and make a liberal allowance for waste, labor,
and mistakes. I have done it in this manner so often that
it is a familiar process, and a rather discouraging way of
working. There is something wrong with the whole system of
contracting when such a method is necessary. The square
•method ought to be sufficient, and the profit should be large
enough to cover any errors that are not serious.
Another way is described in Chapter X. Using the quantities
given in the 2x4 list we have to each sq in bm as follows:
A 2X4 LIST FOR BM TO SQ OF ROOF
12 centers 81 bm 20 centers '.51 bm
16 centers 68 bm 24 centers 41 bm
18 centers 58 bm
The above table includes rafters only, at such an allowance
of extras as is sufficient for all but the worst roofs, for hips,
valleys, etc. But no ties are allowed.
For 2x6 mult by 1|; for 2x8, by 2, etc. Note that No. 11
ran to $6.
COVERING OF AVERAGE ROOFS PER SQ
Sheeting and Shiplap, $27 . $4 . 30 Slate, Peach Bottom , Pa . $12 . 50
2" plank S.IS. IE, $26 7 . 85 Slate, Black Bangor, Pa. . 1 1 . 00
2" YP flooring, $26 8.40 Slate, Sea Green 9.50
|x6" Y.P flooring, $35 .... 6 . 08 Slate, Unfading Green. . . 10 . 50
f x6" YP flooring, $30 5 . 50 Slate, Slatington, Pa 9.00
Shingles 6 to 2, $3.75 5.65 Slate, Purple 11.00
Shingles 5 to 2, $4.25 6.11 Slate, Red 16.00
Shingles, dipping, extra ... 3 . 00 Interlocking Tile 22 . 00
Shingles, Asbestos, plain . . 1 1 . 00 Shingle Tile 17 . 00
Slate, Brownville, Me 14 . 50 Copper 30 to 35 .00
Slate, Monson, Me 14 . 50 I. C. Old Style Tin 10 .00
APPROXIMATE ESTIMATING 29
Covering of Average Roofs per Sq— Continued
I X Old Style Tin $12.00 Gravel Roof $4.50
I C Common Tin 8.00 Ready Roofing 3.75
I X Common Tin 9.00 Carey Roofing. 4.00
No. 26 Galv. Iron 9 . 00 Elaterite Roofing 4 . 00
Ruberoid Rooting 3 . 50
PROFIT: — Slate, tile, tin, and gravel include profit.
Slate and tile include paper; tile includes strips.
INCREASE. — On small cut up roofs the price of slate or tile
may be increased 10 to 20%.
FOR SHOP ROOFS, as on No. 7, etc., 6"xl4" purlins about
5'-0" centers, 2" T and G yp flooring, 16c per sq ft complete,
but no steel trusses or gravel roof.
SHOP LANTERNS, steel construction, glass roofs, sash on
sides, as shown on Nos. 7, 8, 13, 14, $20 per If extra as com-
pared with flat roofs.
TRUSSES
The Howe Truss described in Chap. X, 60' long by 6' or
7' high, cost $275, set in place.
Another dbl slope, pitched roof, 80' span, 24' rise, wood,
$350, set. -^
A dbl slope, pitched roof, 50' span, 16' high, extra heavy
steel to support floor and roof, $550, not set; setting, $60.
For 53' span, steel, shop, 4 to 7' deep, $300 set.
For 175' span, steel, shop, 4 to T deep, $875 set.
For 80' span, steel, shop, 4 to 7' deep, $550 set.
For 105' span, steel, shop, 4 to 7' deep, $765 set.
For 125' span, steel, high pitch, heavy load, $1,870 set.
DORMERS: — For dbl dormer window, without balcony,
with single slope shingle roof, $100 extra. With pitched roof
and gable, $125. For a common single dormer, shingle roof,
$75.
FURRING PER SQ
Centers Size Place Price Centers Size Place Price
16" 1x2 Walls $2.00 12" 1x2 Walls $2.60
16" 1x2 Ceilings .90 12" 1x2 Ceilings 1.10
13" 1x2 Interlocking tile 1.00 16" 2x2 Ceilings 1.30
12'; 2x2 Ceilings 1.70 16" 2x2 Walls 2.70
12" 2x2 Walls 3.40
30 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
PLATFORMS: — Warehouses of all kinds and depots usually
have platforms about 4'-6" above grade. For plank footings,
12"xl2" uprights and girders, braces, nails and bolts, allow
$18.50 per sq. For 3x12 joists, 12" centers, $8 per sq; for 3"
plank on top and 2" to enclose front, $11. per sq. With
lumber at $20 make the complete figure at 39c per sq ft, the
extra allowance being for bridging, inclines, stairs, etc. For
each dollar extra on the price of lumber, allow l£c per sq ft.
Thus, at $24, the complete cost would be 45c for the heaviest
style of platform. But sufficiently strong platform of lighter
construction can be built for 25c — say 3x10 joists 24" centers,
and 2" top: and for cedar pile heads, 6' centers, 8x10 sills 8'
c to c 3x10 joists 16" c 3x10 covering with lumber at $19,
a western engineer gives me his cost at 26c.
On ground at $23 with 6x8 sleepers 4' centers, 3" covering,
14c; 2" covering, lOc. For other sizes, spacing of joists and
covering, see under " Basement Sleepers and Covering."
Platform may require more labor than basement floors, owing
to frost, grade, etc, and extra allowance must be made if
required. The foregoing figures cover average work.
ROOF: — A plain roof covered with gravel may be put over
platforms for 30c per sq ft. Long, plain umbrella-sheds with
wood posts, wood framework, gravel roof, gutters, but no
paving, 48c per sq ft.
WOOD FENCES:— In most cities they are limited to 8' high,
for in the old days " spite fences " sometimes soared higher
than the shingles.
With 8" cedar posts, 10' long, about 6c per If, 4 rails in
height, close-sheeted, without paint or gates they are worth
45 to 50c per If. Mineral paint at 5c to 6c per sq yd per coat
Is close enough. With 1 coat of paint 55 to 60c. Large dbl
wagon gates for such fences run from $30 to $40 hung. The
cost of boring post holes for lower fences is the same. For
a 4' fence, unpainted, 25 to 30c per If. It is well to remember
that paint sometimes goes on 1 side, sometimes on both.
PICKET FENCES: — There are so many different kinds that
we must be content with the fair average of 65c per If,
painted, for a reasonable number of ft; a short fence might
cost twice as much.,
APPROXIMATE ESTIMATING 31
TIN AND GALVANIZED IRON
Cornices of average design, 2c per in of width per ft, and
dentils, brackets, etc, extra. Gutters, 15 to 35c; downspouts,
20 to 30c; 7" flashing, 8c; 14", 16c; 14" valleys, 12c; 20", 15c.
Tin roofing, IX, $10 per sq; skylights, 60c per sq ft; large
skylights like those on No. 7, of many styles, 50c per sq ft
if copper caps; if all galv. iron, 32c, unpainted.
PLASTER
Allow for metal lath and 3-coat, white finish 62c; for wood
lath and same finish 35c; sand finish is worth from 3 to 5c
more than white coat.
MILLWORK
After the walls are up, the roof on and the building
plastered, we come to millwork. Only a general idea can
be given here of this; and for an approximate figure it is
better to give openings complete than millwork alone. Labor,
paint, hardware, glass, stone sill and lintel, are therefore in-
cluded.
DOORS: — Outside common glass door, 3x7xlf for brick, $25;
for frame, $19. Inside door, 2-8x7xlf, $13. Add $6 if a tran-
som is used in any of these doors. The price of an outside
door may run up to $100, and beyond. A w p door at $8 with
hardware at $3 is allowed. An ordinary sliding door painted,
$35; hardwood, $50 to $100.
A better way to get the cost of a door is to turn to the
Chicago list in chapter on " Millwork," pick out such a door
as you think fitted for your purpose — front or inside, hard-
wood or pine — and then add jambs as listed, according to
style and kind of wood, allow hardware at $1.50 for an in-
side door, and $5 for an outside, — and $10 is too little on
some kinds — labor, $3 inside, $6 outside, paint, $2 and $4,
and add transom if any.
WINDOWS: — There is no deduction made for brick or
plaster, as these are attended to in the mason's part. Sash
are If thick with D S glass; 3 coats of paint; stone sills; a
fair quantity of hardware.
32 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
For an opening about 3x7-6, brick, $16.50; frame, $12.50;
opening, 2-6x6-6, brick, $14.50; frame, $10.50. No allowance
is made for blinds.
This price might have to be raised 50% for some kinds of
windows, and that without going into fine work. See "Mill-
work " for price by sq ft, etc.
BASE: — For yp, 20c per If with grounds and paint; for hard-
wood, 30c.
WAINSCOTING:— Paneled and painted yp with grounds, 35c
per sq ft; f m and b, 14c; pan and hard oil finished oak with
grounds, 50c; m and b, 17c.
CHAIR RAIL:— Oak, 15c; pine, 9c per If.
PICTURE MOLD:— Oak, 7; pine, 5c.
STAIRS: — Pine, set complete, $3.50 per step; oak, $6. For
special work these prices might be doubled. Basement plank,
with risers, $2.
STORE FRONTS: — On ordinary fronts filled with plate glass,
with dbl doors and transoms, sash below window for cellar,
counter-shelf, paint, hardware, and labor complete, $1.50 per
sq ft. No iron or steel included. From this price we might
easily go to $5.
CASES: — An approximate figure may sometimes be of value:
For a case divided into holes 18" sq allow 20c per sq ft
at 12" deep; and 33c at 24" deep. With holes 3 ft sq, 15c for
12", and 22c for 24". A back of f ceiling is allowed in both
cases; if left off, deduct 7c per sq ft. Lumber is put at $40,
labor, $50. Less than this may often be sufficient, but 25%
more might be wasted on labor. Face measure, not shelf
measure, is taken. Thus, a case to fill the end of a room
10'x20', or 200 sq ft, would cost, at 18" holes 12" deep, $40.
Add profit or percentage required. No paint.
The above figures may be supplemented by the following
from actual work done:
A case 18'xl3'-6" high, 33" deep below counter shelf, and
16" above was set in building, but not oiled for $165, or 68c
per sq ft of frontage.
All the front was covered with sliding doors, one below
countershelf, two in hight above. On a 1" basis there were
APPROXIMATE ESTIMATING 33
about 1,400 of lumber including back. Below counter were
shelves about 12" apart; above were pigeon holes 6"xll".
Another 9'-8"x9'-6"x3'-2" deep, divided into 420 pigeon holes,
was set in place for $197, 47c per hole, or $2.15 per sq ft. The
smallness of the holes and the extra depth account for high
price, even although doors were not used.
SLIDING LADDERS for such high cases cost about $15 with
track.
CASES of £ material from 12 to 16" deep with doors, 60c per
sq ft of face surface; of | stuff with pigeon holes about 4x8",
as in ticket-cases, etc, 25c per opening.
A case 2'-9" by 7-9x18-0, filled with drawers, cost $300,, or
$2.15 per sq ft.
REVOLVING DOORS: — Front doors from $300 up; pantry
windows, $85 up; both fob New York.
CORNICE ON FRAME BUILDINGS:— A plain cornice with-
out brackets, painted, and finished, runs to 50c per If. From
that we might go to $1.50, and still not be so very extrava-
gant. For 30" projection, $1.20 or 4c per inch. Brackets cost
from 15c to $2.
Cornice boards, ridges and plain lumber may at this writ-
ing be put in, if of pine, at $100 per M B. M. in place.
PAINT
For plain 2-coat work, allow 15c; 3-coat, 20c; for pine, plain
oil finish, 25c; rubbed down, 35c; hardwood, 35c; rubbed
down, 50c. Sometimes $1 is not enough for hardwood per yd.
PERCENTAGES
I have taken 22 frame buildings of all sizes and styles, and
from actual bids put in or work done, have made out the
following average percentages. I meant to take more as a
basis, but found that the result would have been practically
the same with 44 as with 22. Some of the buildings were
let when prices were high, and some when they were low,
so that a fair average is obtained. Of course, a little judg-
ment is required to get good results from the tables for an
approximate estimate, — on a church, for example, the brick-
34 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
work is 23 and the millwork 16; on certain flats with hard-
wood finish, the figures are reversed. Coal-sheds, fences, side-
walks, furnaces, mantels, and such extra items are not in-
cluded. The average in the brick buildings have been taken
from a list of 36. They range in price from $5,000 to
$50,000. All kinds are listed — private residences, stores,
flats, warehouses, schools, hospitals, railway stations and
stables. Heating is not included.
It is not always easy for architects, engineers, and others,
who have to figure carpenter work to get at the labor. The
lumber and plain millwork are often estimated fairly well,
and then anywhere from 25 to 60% of the total taken for
labor. The following lists of different classes of buildings
will give a better idea of what the figures should be.
Class of Work
Excavation, brick and cut stone
Plaster
Frame
Buildings
15.8
8 3
Brick
Buildings
41.0
5 6
Lumber
19 3
11 0
Millwork and Glass . ...
20 6
12 0
Carpenter Labor
17 9
9 0
Hardware
3 5
2 5
Tin and Galvanized Iron ....
23
3 0
Plumbing and Gas-fitting . .
6 8
4 3
Paint
5 5
3 4
Iron and Steel
5 6
Roofing .
2.6
100.0 100.0
It will be observed that some of the items under "brick**
are lower than the same items under " frame." Of course,
the high percentage of mason work necessarily reduces the
other figures, but part of the difference is due to the fact that
warehouses are listed, and the inside finish is thus reduced.
The other lists will give a better percentage, but it is well
to take a general average of all kinds of buildings, and let
the architect or contractor make an allowance for any
departure from a normal type.
The tables may be used to estimate the cost of enclosing a
building. By leaving out part of the millwork, paint, labor,
hardware, etc, a fair idea may be obtained; and a certain
item being known the value of the complete building may be
APPROXIMATE ESTIMATING 35
found. Hardware at $350 means a $10,000 frame house, al-
though this is figuring the wrong way — from the small to
the large. 'j, '.
UNIFORMITY:— In the brick list there are 17 buildings, or
about half, with iron and steel — for columns, beams, etc.
The percentage varies more in this item than in any other:
2, 7, 12, 3, 6.5, 5, 9, 7, 7, 4, 2.5, 1.5, 8, 4, 2, 7, 8. Brick and
stone run steadily from 38 to 50 with most buildings about
44; but one house is only 25, as the inside finish, plumbing,
etc, is of a superior quality. The millwork on the same
building is 25. Carpenter labor, paint, hardware, plumbing,
plaster, and tin, do not vary much, and when they do take a
bound the reason is generally clear, so that in making an
approximate estimate variations from what may be taken
as a standard can easily be noted.
There is even less variation on frame than on brick build-
ings. Lumber, millwork, and brick, keep remarkably steady
in the same class.
A PLAIN BUILDING:— When selecting the frame buildings
I ran across one that could not be listed as there was no
foundation or inside finish except that the walls and ceilings
were sheeted and a floor laid. It may be taken as a type of
plain construction. It is 30'-6" by 150', 2 stories high, with
2x6 studs and rafters covered respectively with drop siding,
sheeting and shingles. The percentages are: Lumber, 56;
millwork, 10.5; iron and hardware, 4.5; carpenter labor, 21;
tin, 3.5; paint, 4.5.
ON No. 3: — Another building not listed owing to partial fire-
proofing is No. 3. The 2 fronts are built of a hard Wyo.
pink stone. The stone is backed with brick, and the rear
walls are of brick. Joists 3x14 rest on 2 lines of iron cols and
steel I beams. The walls and ceilings are lined with fire-
proofing, and the partitions are built of hollow tile. Half the
finish is oak, and the other half yp. Without marble, ele-
vators, heating, plumbing, electric work, and architect's per-
centage, the cost was $125,000. The bids were read in the
presence of the contractors so that the cost is well enough
known, as indeed that of most buildings is among the elect.
The building was publicly sold and the daily newspapers.
36
THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
gave the price but not the percentages,
tract, and here are the figures:
We got the con-
Excavation and Brick. . 28 . 15
Stone 18.34
Steel and Iron 14 . 56
Lumber 4.22
Carpenter Labor 4 . 55
Mill work and Glass ... 1 1 . 63
Fire-Proofing 9 . 02
Plaster 3.36
Tin and Copper 1 .65
Gas-fitting
Gravel Roof
Hardware ....
.60
.20
1.52
Painting 2 . 20
100.00
BRICK BUILDINGS
The following list is taken from 5 good brick houses.
4 has gas but not plumbing:
No.
a
§3
I®
*8
i
2
•d
fl 03
H- 1
r^
•0
a
1
>*}
gj*
8
u
1
§ ^
d
&
|o
1
e«
>
1
K
^"rt
§
3
a
9 "^
^"d
s
«J §
2
0
WPQ
PH
S 03
h5
O>-3
PH
W
HM
S cS
o
GCM
RESIDENCES
$38,000
51.8
8.3
13.0
7.1
8.3
3
3
5 5
18,600
36.5
6
21.8
13
10
4 7
3
5
19,500
35.2
5 ?,
19.1
12
11.3
P 2
3 5
4 5
8,200
25
5
25
14
10
6
2.5
2.5
5
24400
34.4
5 4
19.5
12 7
10
5
3 ^
5 'i
1
s
Average
36.58
5.98
19.68
11.76
9.92
5.58
3.1
4.6
WAREHOUSES
$34,000
14,000
17,000
26,000
12,000
Average
$15,000
without i
53.3
50
44.9
51.5
50
50
nason
ry
4.1
5
12.5
6.5
8
7.2
19.5
21.9
21.1
17.5
17
14.5
18.4
22.4
9.2
10
10
9
8.5
9.3
19
1
2.5
2.3
2.5
3
2.3
2.4
2
2
2.8
2.5
2.5
2.4
3.7
.3
3
1.2
2
2.5
1.8
3.6
7.2
2
6 8
1
4.4
2
1
1
1.9
1.5
3
16.4
••
6.5
7
5.9
19
STORES AND FLATS
$36,000
36.9
6
15
13.8
10.2
3.5
2.8
5.8
. .
4
2
34,000
40.1
6.5
18.8
1 .2
9.7
5.9
2.2
2.3
. . .
. .
1.3
1
44,500
32.2
6.6
20
14.1
12
6
3
5.1
. .
.
. . .
1
29,000
36
8
20
7.5
9
3.5
3
5.5
4.5
3
. . .
11,000
25
6
20
12.5
9
4
2
3
4.5
12
2
12,500 J38
7
12
10
9
6.5
2.5
4
4
7
. . .
12,000 |40
5
13
10
10
3
2
8
4
5
Average 135.4
6.4
17
11.4
9.8
4.6 2.5
4.8
4.2
'.'. 5.4
1.5
APPROXIMATE ESTIMATING
37
BRICK BUILDINGS— Continued
j
Excavation 1
Br'k& Stone
I
Millwork
and Glass
Lumber
Carpenter
Labor
43
d
'3
OH
Hardware
Tin and
Slate
to
s.s
^
11
d
2
H- 1
1
1
"oJ 0
-22
00 H?
iGravelRoof II
I 3
SCHOOLS
Cost ran
from
15,000 to
45,000;
most
from
22,000 to
45,000
8 and 16
rooms
Average
46
48
41
45
49
45
45
42
49
50.4
54.6
46.8
6
6
7
6
6.5
6
6
6
5
5.8
4.8
5.9
12
9
11
11
11.6
10
10
12
9.5
12
9.2
10.7
10.5
10
15
10.5
11.6
11
11
12
11
10.3
12.4
11.4
9
9.5
13
10
9.7
10
10
11
8
9.6
11
10.1
4.5
3.5
5
4
4.6
3
3
5
3
4.3
3.8
4
2.5
2.5
3
2
2
3
3
3
2
2.2
2.1
2.5
4.5
3
2
4.5
5
3
3
2
5
5.4
2.1
3.6
5
3.5
3
4
Slate
5
4
4
7
2.5
5
5
+•»
2
3
4.1
REMARKS: — In No. 3 of the "Warehouse" list a large plate-
glass front raises the millwork and reduces the masonry; in
No. 2 the gravel roof has a high percentage, hut the building
is low, and the cost of a roof one story from the ground is,
for our purpose, the same as for ten. In one building the
percentage is given without masonry.
VARIATION:— Under "Stores and Flats" it will be observed
that the average line foots up 103 instead of 100. This is
owing to dividing steel and iron, gravel roof, and plumbing
by the number of buildings instead of by 7. It is interesting
to notice how closely the percentages run. A reasonable
profit being allowed, one might almost be safe in estimating
the hardware in a building and signing a contract based
upon the proportions in a table. Judging from bids I have
heard of and read, there be those who do not build upon SO
sure a foundation.
MANUFACTURING BUILDINGS
We live in an age of machinery; and the house that held
the old anvil under that spreading chestnut tree is far too
small for our requirements. A class of buildings has arisen
38 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
tnat belong, like the skyscraper, to the American style of
architecture.. Like the skyscraper also they belong rather to
the engineer than to the architect. The latter is merely called
to hang a curtain over the framework to keep the cold and
rain out — and the curtain in some of them is of ex
metal and concrete only 2" thick. In 1901-2 I had the pleasure
of making the estimates for three of the latest and best
specimens, — Nos. 7, 8, and 14. Since then I have made
estimates on many others.
These buildings are now to be found all over the country
for electric-light works, locomotive-shops, machine-shops,
foundries, steel works, and rolling-mills, tin-plate works,
boiler-shops, bridge-building, and ship-building establishments,
pipe-foundries, and manufacturing plants of all kinds, which
are equipped with electric traveling-cranes that lift anything
from 120 Ibs to 120 tons.
PERCENTAGES: — The following percentages are from the
under side of the water-table. Floors are included. It is
seldom that two foundations are alike, and the only safe
criterion is from the floor line up. Skylights cover from £ to
$ of the roof surf. No. 8 is 150x500; No. 7, 150x400, No. 14,
150x310. Machine foundations, tracks, heating, and light-
ing are not included. Extra cross walls account for the high
rate of the brickwork in No. 8, and the cheap lumber and less
of it in proportion, on account of leaving out gallery, etc,
makes the difference in that item.
No. 8 No. 7 No. 14
Brick 16.4 10.2 13.3
Cut Stone 1.2 1.1 1.5
Lumber 6.2 10.0 6.4
Millwork and Glass 5.5 6.0 6.0
Carpenter Labor 4.1 5.3 4.0
Gravel Roof 1.7 1.4 1.7
Skylights and Glass 8.0 9.5 10.6
Tin, Copper. Gal. Iron 1.1 1.1 1.5
Steel Lintels for Doors and
Windows, and Hardware. 5.2 5.0 7.0
Painting 2.4 2.3 1.9
Steam, Water, and Power
Piping 3.2 3.1 2.0
Structural Steel 45.0 45.0 44.1
100.0 100.0 100.0
APPROXIMATE ESTIMATING 39
COLD-WATER PAINTING is not included: see Chap. XVII.
RELATIVE COST OF BRICK AND GLASS
In general glass costs twice as much as brick. In the pre-
liminary study of a building it is often desirable to know
how the total cost is affected by putting in or leaving out
windows or doors.
In large manufacturing buildings with unplastered walls,
where dbl and trpl windows or wide doors take up from
£ to | the space, such as No. 7, common brick is to glass as
6 to 15 in 13" walls; and as 1 to 2 in 17". In the one case we
have only the brick to consider; in the other, frames, sash,
glass, labor, paint, hardware, stone sills, and steel lintels.
For the average single window with sills and lintels in a
13" wall, 11 to 25; in 17", 3 to 5.
In ordinary buildings with openings about 3x7, glass costs
twice as much, and not only so, but the mason often forgets
to deduct the brick and both prices go in. Here, in addition
to the other items, we have jamb linings and inside finish.
Allow 11 to 28 in 13", and 1 to 2 in 17".
Sash are estimated If, glass, D. S., paint 20c which allows
3 coats, brick at $11 wall measure, steel lintels in place, $85
a ton, which is enough in ordinary times.
In frame buildings there is practically no deduction made
for studs, sheeting, and siding, so that glass is an extra.
RELATIVE COST OF BRICK AND FRAME
On one small office building, 30x70, two stories, brick was
19% more than frame. On a house 24x30, brick to top of
second story but gables of frame, 8% extra. This figure
might be easily increased to 15 by using a fine pressed brick,
and ornamental work.
There is bound to be an increase in the price of lumber in
the future, so that the difference between the two will be
lowered. See Chap. XXVI.
The Bureau of Buildings, Borough of the Bronx, New York,
estimates the difference in ordinary sized buildings at 18 per
cent.
PAET TWO
DETAILED ESTIMATING
CHAPTEE I
EXCAVATION AND FILLING
The clearing of the site comes first. In a prairie country
this is an item that does not, as a rule, confront the estimator.
Trees are seldom seen, and if there are any, they are so small
as to be negligible. But for a tree of, say, 16" diam, allow 2
men 1£ days to cut down, trim, and take out the root. One
day often suffices for the ordinary tree. In Wash, and Ore.
with trees 300' high the problem is different.
Another day for a couple of men should ordinarily be
enough to clean off underwood on a lot.
MEASUREMENT: — Excavation is measured by amount of
material displaced in cy.
COST: — The approx allowance was from 15c to $1 per cy with
an average of 40 and 20c. It is not easy to add more without
knowing the local surroundings. Actual figures on a few
buildings may be given, however, to illustrate the different
conditions.
On a store, erected in 1901 in the center of Omaha, with
good, hard soil, the cost of excavating 4,000 cy was 25c, — the
haul was about \ mile. The 1913 price was 70c.
On another, near the first, the bids in 1906 were 45 to 55c
for 30,000 cy, with teams at $4 per day.
On a building where 12,000 yards were excavated and
loaded on cars the cost was 41c.
On a large amount of building excavation in Idaho six bids
ran from 30c to $1 without hauling, so that even experts
differ. In another western state witb. hard soil the cost of
excavation in winter was $2.75 per yd.
On No. 2 bids were received for 15c, but there was no haul
and wages were lower. This figure will often cover work
done outside of cities.
40
EXCAVATION AND FILLING 41
WINTER: — On No. 7 the average for many thousands of
yds was 77c, but water was struck a little below the surf
and the work was done in winter. The difference between
winter and summer was shown near the same building when
more than 1,500 cy were excavated for 45c. A contractor
has to watch the thermometer — and he is sometimes justified
when he refuses to stand by his summer estimate.
MACHINE FOUNDATIONS: — On a large number the average
cost was $1 per cy.
WATER: — On one Omaha building where the contractor
struck water, the cost of excavation was $1.50. This is 10
times as much as on No. 2, and shows how impossible it is to
give figures without examining the ground. There is danger
below ground. On an Omaha hotel, built in the nineties, the
contractor had to pay a ruinous price for his excavation in
wet ground.
ROCK:— For average rock, $1 per cy; on large work with
steam drills, 75c. We have not the same soil here as in New
York, where the foundations for whole streets of houses are
blasted out of the solid. But in cities the work is sometimes
more expensive on account of the cost of necessary pre-
cautions, etc. For 400 cy rock excavated above grade in
Boston in 1903, the average of 11 bids was $3.60 per yd, the
lowest $3, the highest $4.50.
LABOR: — With ordinary soil two men will shovel and wheel
12 cy to a distance of 200 ft in a day of nine hours. Sand
is easily moved by a pick; loam is more difficult; stiff clay
Is worse. Put them in the proportion of one, two, and three.
AVERAGE COST: — For an average, approximate estimate of
the price per yd of ordinary work with earth spread near the
building, divide the total of a laborer's wage per day by five,
and a man and team's cost by twelve. Thus, $1.75 divided
would be 35c; and $4.50 would give 37£c. But with other
work, in deep excavations, and a long haul, $2 per yd might
be required.
See chapter on " Municipal Work " for description of ex-
cavating machine.
LOAD:— A load for a two horse wagon is from 1| to 1$ cye
42 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
EXCAVATING TABLE PER CY
Ordinary Trenches $0.35
For each 4' deep beyond the first 4' add. . . .15
Backfilling 15
Spreading on lot 06
Wheeling about 25 yds .15
Carting away old bldg material 1.50
SEWER DITCH
For a large one about 20' wide, $8 per If, or $1.25 per yd.
FILLING
For filling and tamping several thousand yds of sand in-
side of No. 7 the labor alone was 27c.
Sometimes filling is done at a very reasonable price if a
contractor wants to get rid of excavated material. He will
rather take 5c per yd for it than dump it elsewhere for
nothing.
DREDGE: — To fill a large area the best method is that
adopted at Galveston behind the sea-wall; and by a man who
is filling up a N. J. swamp for the location of a city — i. e.
the dredge. In a day of twenty-four hours one will remove
from 2,500 to 3,000 cy at a cost of about 16c per yd.
SLOPE: — In case an embankment or slope has to be made,
allow what a stair-builder would call 18 run to 12 rise, and
the earth will stand. Sometimes 1 to 1 is enough.
SHEET PILING
Sheet-piling is hard to estimate without seeing the ground.
A fair allowance is 20c per cy for shoring pieces put in about
4' centers in reasonably good ground to a depth of, say, 8';
with continuous planking in bad ground, $1; for the worst
soil to a depth of 12', $3 ought to be enough. These figures
are to be added to the regular cost of excavation.
CHAPTER II
PILING
COST OP AVERAGE: — In the softest ground, with wages
from 17c to 20c an hour, it costs 5c per if to drive ordinary
piles in the ordinary way. The highest figure, where the
conditions are not so favorable, should not be more than lOc
at the same rate of wages. Pointing and cutting off the top
included. No. 7 and other buildings of the plant are set upon
pile foundations, and 5c to 6c covered all work, except one
lot which cost 8c. There are more than 250,000 If. But these
prices would not apply in all places, or in any place with few
piles. Piles for abutments cost about 20c for labor; for pile
bridges, from 7 to 12c, depending upon interruptions from
trains, etc. On an Omaha building, erected in 1903, the con-
tract price for labor was $1 per pile. The piles averaged
about 20' long. On another, in 1907, with 12,000 If, 12c.
One of the blocks shown in No. 6 is piled, but comparatively
few buildings are in Omaha or Lincoln. Nevertheless there
are quite a number which have cracked and sunk so much
that a few piles, in the right place would have been of wonder-
ful value, — or at least wider footings.
PRICE: — Oak piles with a 10" head are worth from 16 to 21c
per If, according to length; white cedar (which outlast oak if
above ground) are about the same price. In yp creosoted,
35c; cedar 30', 41c.
DRIVING:— On a New York contract the average cost of
driving 750 piles, 70' long, was $2 each, or about 3c per If.
The piles on No. 7 were from 25 to 30' long. With a pile
nearly three times as long, a better record can be made, for
the driver does not need to be changed.
In New York 1800 piles were driven 24' into gravel for
80c each. " The American Architect " gives a record of piles
driven in Chicago for about a cent and a quarter a foot.
Records like there are, however, dangerous to bid by. From
5 to lOc is a fair price for an approximate estimate, until
soil is examined.
43
44 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
CUTTING: — Cutting off the head is included in the prices
given for the 250,000'. It is worth about 25c, or Ic per If on a
25' pile, and l-2c on a 50'.
PRICE:— In Council Bluffs, Iowa, in 1898, 100,000 If cost in
place 28c.
CONCRETE PILES.
Corrugated or "fluted" concrete piles, are made above
ground and dried before being jetted and driven.. They are
built up with steel rods and concrete, and run from 60c to
$1 per If in the ground.
Raymond concrete piles cost from $1 to $1.50 per If. A
sheet iron mould is driven and filled with concrete. The
mould is not withdrawn.
"Often concrete pile foundation will be found cheaper than
wooden ones, where the permanent water level is very deep.
Concrete pile foundations may also be cheaper than mass
concrete ones where the top layer of soil is poor. Sometimes
however, under such circumstances large footings of poor
grade concrete may be more economical, or largely spread
reinforced footings."
In "Carpentry and Building," Mar., '09, there is an interesting ar-
ticle on Concrete Piles. The cost is given in the table : —
COST OF CONCRETE PILES.
The cost of driving piles on the Boston Woven Hose &
Rubber Company job was as follows: Cost per
Platform and forms : lin. ft.
Material $.051
Labor 092
Making and placing concrete :
Material 150
Labor .088
Reinforcement, pipes, &c. :
Material 372
Labor 096
Pile driving :
Miscellaneous costs 088
Labor 28,5
Teaming and getting ready 068
$1.290
Add 30 per cent, for pumping, miscellaneous items
and contingencies 360
Total per linear foot of pile $1.650
The total cost per linear foot of pile, as shown above, was about
$1.65 ; but this amount will vary with the number and length of
piles made. By making a study of the detail times taken, various
items will be suggested where the costs on other jobs may be altered.
The total cost of labor on the concrete on this job per linear foot
of pile was $0.088, which amount appears large, and on another sim-
ilar job might be reduced to $0.058. This assumption is based on
the fact that while on the average only six piles per day were made,
toward the latter part of the making nine piles were made one day
and 10 piles on another, so that an average of eight piles should be
possible with a given gang. This is especially probable because the
cost of making and placing the concrete was $2.25 per cubic yard,
whereas the writer's data on hand mixing indicate that the cost
should not have exceeded $1.50 per yard.
The writer of the article estimates that under other conditions,
and with more than 48 piles as above, the total cost would not ex-
/y CHAPTER III
CONCRETE*
Per Yd
With Portland Cement @ $1.60 $5.75
With Portland Cement and Forms 6.50
With Natural Cement, 4.95
With Natural Cement and Forms 5.70
Forms 50c to 1.75
LABOR: — On No. 2 the price by piece-work was 50c per cy
The work was really worth 75c. The rate of v/ages in the
neighborhood was $1.50 for 9 hours.
By taking 65% of the wages paid to 1 laborer for 10 hours,
a safe figure or mixing average concrete may be found. A
recent engineering table gives 90%, but that is too much
unless some special reasons exist which make the work diffi-
cult.
LABOR AND FORMS: — On No. 7 the average cost of several
thousand yards was 95c, but this was for concrete only. The
average labor on forms was 28c per yd additional. Of course,
small foundations cost more than large ones. Forms are
necessary when ground is wet, when piers have a special
shape, or rise above the level. The engineering table referred
to above sets the cost of forms at 35c to 85c.
MACHINE FOUNDATIONS:— But while 95c was the average
on the main buildings, on the machine foundations where
special and complicated forms had to be made, the cost of
concrete mixing ran from $1.50 to more than $3, with an
average for several hundred yards of $2.05. In addition to
this the labor on forms per cy was $1.42. The quantities are
small on such work, the angles are many, bolts are to set,
and the work has to be carefully leveled and smoothed on
top. The excavation for the same foundations ran to $1.
UNLOADING: — The unloading of sand and stone from cars
to ground only for the work on No. 7 ran to 12c per cy of
concrete in wall. This figure has to be added to mixing if
material is not delivered with teams.
*Chap. 30. Actual Cost of Reinforced Concrete covers the
latest types of connstruction.
4o
4G THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
LUMBER: — The average cost of lumber and nails for forms
was lOc per cy of material in wall. Of course the same forms
and lumber can be used several times. If instead of piers
there is a continuous foundation, the forms cost only about
half as much for labor, and there is less lumber used. With
piers, No. 7 required 7,000' bm and 3 kegs of spikes to each
1,000 yds. For continuous basement walls allow studs, shores
and planking full height around about £ of building and
change when work is dry. Put labor at $10 per 1,000. Of
course, the walls are at once put all around to a certain
height, and the planking raised, but allowance may be figured
as stated.
"COST OF FORMS FOR CONCRETE:— For estimating the
cost of forms for retaining walls and piers, " Engineering-
Contracting" gives the following rule:
Mult the number of sq ft of surface area of the sides and
ends of the wall or piers by 2.8, and the product will be the
number of ft bm required for sheet plank and studs for the
forms.
If the form lumber can be used more than once, divide the
number of ft bm by the number of times that it can be used,
to ascertain the amount to be charged to each pier.
The foregoing rule is based on the assumption that the
sheeting plank will be 2" thick, and that the upright studs
will be 4x6", spaced 2£' center to center, or 3x6" studs spaced
2' center to center. No allowance is included for timber to
brace the studs, since it is customary to hold the forms to-
gether either with bolts or with ordinary No. 9 telegraph
wire which weighs 0.06 Ib per ft.
Where carpenters' wages are $3.00 a day, forms can be
erected and taken down for about $8.00 per 1,000' bm. Since
there are 2.8' bm of forms per sq ft of surface area of con-
crete to be sheeted, it costs $8.00 x 2.8, or 2i cents per sq ft
for the labor of carpenters erecting and taking down the
forms. If lumber is worth $24.00 per 1,000' bm, then the
lumber itself cost $24.00 x 28. or 6fc per sq ft of concrete
surface; but if the lumber can be used 3 times, we have J
of 6f, or 2i cents per sq ft of concrete as the cost of the
lumber, to which must be added the 2i cents per sq ft for
CONCRETE 47
the carpenters' labor, making a total of 4£c per sq ft of
concrete surface.
By dividing the total number of cy of concrete into the total
number of sq ft to be sheeted with forms, the number of
sq ft per cy is obtained. Mult this number of sq ft by 4£c>
and the product is the cost per cy for material and labor i
the forms, assuming the material to be used three times.
To illustrate: Suppose wo have a concrete pier averaging
18' high, 6' thick and 12' long, what will the forms cost per cy,
assuming that the lumber in the forms can be used over
3 times? The surface area of the two ends of the pier is 6x18.
or 108 sq ft for each end, or 216 sq ft for the two ends. The
surface area of the two sides is 2xl2xl8,or 432 sq ft. Hence
the total area to be sheeted with forms is 216 -f 432, or 648
sq ft. Now, the total number of cy is 6x12x18 -4- 27, or 48 cy.
Hence there are 648 -r- 48, or 13£ sq ft of form per cy of con-
crete. Since the forms will cost 4^x131, or 60f cents, prac-
tically 60c per cy of concrete to be paid for the labor and
material in the forms.
Each job should be figured in this manner, for it is evident
that if a wall is thin, the cost of the forms per cy of wall will
be high. If the wall is thick, it will be low.
It is often possible to make the forms in panels, or sections,
which are not knocked to pieces each time they are moved, but
are moved bodily. Then they may be used again and again,
not only affecting a saving in lumber but in labor. But in
calculating the number of panels that will be needed, and the
number of times that they can be used* it must be remembered
that it is not safe to strip the forms from the concrete inside
24 hours — even of retaining walls, and that where the con-
crete must act as an arch or beam, as in bridges and floors,
the forms must usually be left in place at least 2 weeks to
give the concrete time to gain enough strength to carry its
own weight and any construction loads that may come upon
it. On the other hand, centers and forms for small con-
crete sewers, up to 5 or 6' diam, are usually moved with safety
within 24 to 36 hours, provided the work Is not done in
freezing weather. In cold weather concrete takes longer to
set or harden, and in very cold weather it will not set at all"
unless protected from the cold."
48 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
HEATING AND HOISTING:— If material for concrete has to
be heated, allow $1 per yd extra. If it has to be hoisted, allow
50c per cy extra for the first story for an ordinary amount,
but less for a large job; and 30c for each additional story.
EXAMPLE:— On another building with about 700 yds, the
complete cost of unloading, making forms and finishing con-
crete was $2. A day's work for 2 men may be averaged at
3 to 4 cy. This does not mean 50' below the surf of the
ground. The average foundation is seldom more than 10 to
15' below the street level.
MACHINE MIXING AND FORMS:— All the heavy founda-
tions for No. 8 were mixed with machines at a cost of 75c:
forms about 50c extra. No. 7 was hand-mixed.
While writing this part a Chicago contractor, who allows
$1 to $1.35 per cy, informed me that on a certain contract
for 4,000 yds in Louisiana, a gang of 30 men with a concrete-
mixer put in 105 cy per day. The difference is not so great
as one might expect, but with a machine there is a better
assurance of good mixing if work is done by contract; and
even the best cement is wasted unless the mixing is well done.
This was in New Orleans where the negroes do not work so
hard or effectively as whites do elsewhere. On another large
contract in Chicago 20 men with a mixer put in 100 yds a
day. In both cases the engine man is included. One maker's
machines cost from $450 to $800 without engine; others are
in the market complete with 3 h.p. gas engine, for $450; for
horse, $150. Engines, gasoline, 6 h.p. $400; 8, $450; 10, $500.
MACHINES: — Different sizes of another, and a popular ma-
chine run in price from $300 with nothing but the skids and
pulley, to $1,600 mounted on a truck with steam-engine and.
hotter. The reports from more than a score of users give
results ranging from 60 to 350 cy in a day according to the
size of the machine. The cost is set down by some as half
that of hand labor. An allowance of from 5 to 8 yds per day,
per man is given.
LABOR: — A correspondent in the "Engineering News" of
New York, N. Y., describes his experience in mixing 20,000
yds in the north of England. Part was mixed with machine,
CONCRETE 4i)
part with hand labor. With the machine 13 men averaged
60 cy per day; with hand labor, 11 men, 30.
HAND AND MACHINE: — On railway shops with walls and
roof of concrete, erected in New Jersey, a power mixer was
found to be economical when the concrete was 18" thick.
Below that hand mixing was cheaper. The concrete was
mixed with the machine and put in place for 50c per cy.
COSTS: — On a government breakwater at Buffalo the labor on
concrete was $2.41 per cy. On the New York storage reservoir,
.574 days for 1 man was time required per cy for work from
27 to 10' below the surf; and .485 days from 10 to 6' below.
In both cases the concrete was wheeled into place. A St. Louis
engineer mixes concrete for street paving at 30 to 40c with
machine, and common labor at $1.75, teams $4, engine at $5
for a 10-hour day. But street work is easier reached than
a deep foundation, and the surface is larger.
MEASUREMENT: — Only actual measurement is allowed in
this book — corners are not doubled, openings, etc, not included.
PRICE:—
Crushed Stone, $1.50 ton, 2250 Ibs $1.69
Portland Cement, $1.60 bbl, 1TV 1.76
San'd, $1 per yd, T% 60
Labor 1.50
Water 15
$5.70
On a large warehouse foundation work, near Omaha, the
contractor put in the concrete for a trifle less than $6, and
this included his profit, but the cars ran to the ground, so that
there was no hauling, which may cost 30c or $1, according to
distance, — and wages and material were lower than now.
NATURAL CEMENT: — If natural cement is used, a deduction
of 80c a, yd may be made; if imported Portland, at $3.50, the
price must be raised to suit. If there is no hauling to be
done, deduct that item. Sand at river is 15c; on cars Omaha,
55 to 60c; at building, 70c to $1.25.
QUANTITIES OP MATERIAL:— The Engineering Dep't of
the B. & M. R. R. allows for average concrete as follows:
50 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
2,300 Ibs of crushed stone; \ cy of sand; 1 bbl of cement; $1
to mix.
From 2,300 to 2,350 Ibs of stone is a fair allowance. From
a number of cars weighed by the U. P. R. R. for the viaducts
at 16th and 24th Sts., Omaha, it was found that 2,260 Ibs were
sufficient for a yd of concrete; but on small work on the line
where there is more chance of waste, 2,.500 are allowed and
the excess used for filling. For the foundations of No. 7,
2,300 were allowed and 2,200 used, along with 6-10 of a yd of
sand.
MEASURE OR WEIGHT: — Stone and sand would be bought
by the cy if contractors had their way; but the dealers prefer
to sell by weight on account of freight charges. If they
come wet it does not take so much to make a ton as when
dry; and granite weighs more than lava although a cy of
the one does not fill any more space than a cy of the other.
Of course, concrete can be made more expensive by increasing
the quantity of cement. Two barrels are given to the cy in
a rule before me; 1J to \\ is a quantity often used. On No. 7,
lik of Am. Portland was the unit. But there is a certain
point beyond which more cement means waste, and it is the
province of the architect or engineer to discover it and stop.
The contractor is apt to make the discovery ahead of either.
But as the business of an estimator or contractor is largely
to follow the specifications and ask no questions, it is well
to give a rule for quantities based upon different proportions.
Take four for an illustration: Cement, 1; sand, 2; stone, 4 to 5
is considered the best, but an excellent concrete can be made
with more stone.
No. 1—1, 2, 6; No. 2—1, 2, 4; 3—1, 2, 2; 4—1, 4, 10. (The
large mill of an eastern cement factory is built to the roof
on this last proportion though it seems rather weak.)
1: 2: 6
Let us consider No. 1: There are 27 cf in a cy.
On a 1, 2, 6 basis this means 3 cf of cement, 6 of sand, and
18 of solid stone. But it has been found by experience and
experiment that about * more material is needed to fill the
spaces between the crushed stone, and again 35-100 of ma-
CONCRETE 51
terial to fill the voids between the grains of sand, so that
using 4 for sand voids gives a large enough extra cement
allowance. Stone then being 18 gives 9 cf of space, and the
sand being 6, gives 2.4 cf of space, or altogether 11.4 cf we
are short owing to the voids. Adding 1, 2, 6 we have 9
parts; dividing the 11.4 cf by 9 we have 1,267 cf for a unit
To keep the materials in the same proportion add 1.267 tc
3, making 4.267 cf of cement; 2.534 to 6, making 8.534 of
sand; and 7.6, or 6 times 1.267, to 18, making 25.6 cf of
crushed stone, a total of 38.4 cf.
VOIDS: — Trautwine gives us the exact proportion between
uniform crushed stone and voids as .53 stone and .47 space,
but the half is exact enough for practical purposes: sand
runs about .65 solid to .35 void, — U. S. experiments .349. " It
is advisable that the voids be filled or more than filled," — and
this puts a stop to using too much stone, but leaves room
for sand. For 1 cy in place the foregoing figures allow 1.43
of loose material; at the Mississippi jetties where blocks of
25 to 72 tons were used, the allowance was 1.66, as the con-
crete below water stood only 60% of the loose material. There
the proportions were: Portland cement, 0.16; sand, 0.45;
clean gravel, 0.24; broken stone, 0.81, a total of 1.66. Con-
crete at 1, 2, 6 stands: .16, .32, and .95, a total of 1.43.
1: 2: 4
So much for 1, 2, 6 ; let us now try 1, -2, 4. ' There are 7
parts in this proportion, and 27 divided by 7 gives 3.857.
This makes 3.857, 7.714, 15.428. Taking the half of stone
and 4-10 of sand for voids, we are short 10.8 cf. The 7th part
is 1.543. This added in the proportion of 1, 2, 4, gives 5.4
cement, 10.8 sand, 21.6 crushed stone, a total of 37.8 cf.
Here sand is half of stone, and the voids will not only be
filled but the stone will not touch; and this is consequently a
better concrete than 1, 2, 6.
1: 2: 2
But take 1, 2, 2: Worked out in the same way this is
7.34 cement and 14.69 for both sand and stone, a total of
36.72. There is less waste through voids in this proportion,
52 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
and consequently the total is smaller. It is too rich, but is
introduced to show that by this method the quantities regu-
late themselves. Theoretically sand should be half of stone,
for with .47 void .5 insures enough material to keep stone
from touching, but if the quantity of stone is fixed by the
proportion chosen, enough sand and cement have to be added
to make up the yard. It is often said that a cy of concrete
requires a cy of crushed stone, a bbl of cement, and half a
yd of sand, but that depends upon the proportion. Here we
require nearly 2 bbls of cement and only a little more than
half a yd of stone.
Having found the cf it is necessary to mult stone and sand
by weight if tons are desired; and divide the cf of cement
by 4.4 to get loose bbls, or 3.8 to get packed.
1: 4: 10
No. 4 is 1, 4, 10: 27-f-15— 1.8x1=1.8; x4, 7.2; xlO, 18. The
voids=11.88-f-15=.793, which added in the proportion of 1,
4, 10 equals 2.59, 10.37, 25.93, a total of 38.89. So may any
proportion be worked out.
ST. JOHN
In the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, the proportions
are: 1 Portland cement, 2 sand, 3 quartz gravel; and 11,000
cy took 17,000 bbls.
The rule comes close enough to actual figures to be satis-
factory. The quantities are 6.225, 12.45, 18.675, a total of
37.35. At the cathedral a cy took 1.545 bbls of cement. At
3.8 cf of packed Portland cement to a bbl our rule gives 1.68;
at 4 of Western Rosendale, 1,556. " A bbl of Rosendale is so
packed at the factory that loose it will measure 1.25 to 1.40;
Western Rosendale 1.1; Portland 1.2."
MAINTENANCE OF WAY
After I had worked out the foregoing method, I read the
following one from the report of The American Railway,
Engineering and Maintenance of Way Association made by
its committee. They give the stone voids at .47 and the sand
voids at 32.3. On this basis "we have theoretically cement 1;
sand, 3.1; broken stone, 6.5. Adding 5% of cement and re-
CONCRETE 53
ducing to the basis of cement 1, we have cement, 1; sand,
2.96; stone, 6.2, or nearly 1, 3, 6." Although they do not
give the method of working out the proportion, which is not
seen at first glance, we can get it by setting 100 of stone as
the unit instead of 1 of cement: 100 of stone gives 47 of
voids; 32.3% of 47 equals 15.181, and these figures stand in
the proportion of 6.5, 3.1, 1. Their recommendation is to
add 5% of cement, making 1.05. Turning this 1.05 into 1 for
a unit of cement, sand is 2.96 and stone 6.2.
VOIDS: — "Various writers place broken stone and gravel
voids at from 41 to 50 %. Experiments show that with
ordinary sand, voids will vary from 31 to 38%."
In the example they gave 5% extra of cement is used, and
they go from that to 10%. With the sand voids averaging
.35 the method I worked out allowing .4 gives enough cement.
LIMESTONE: — This committee also made some interesting
experiments with blue limestone and found the following
results :
Weight % of
per cf voids
Crushed Rock with dust screened out 89.22 45.16
Stone passed through 2" ring and retained
in 1" 86.74 47,70
Stone passed through 2" and retained in £.. 77.70 50.66
Pea size 75.44 49.63
WEIGHTS: — For western natural cement they set 1 bbl at
265 Ibs, with 3 paper sacks as the equivalent, or 2 jute sacks
with 133 Ibs each; Eastern cement runs to 300 Ibs. "Port-
land cement shall not contain less than 376 Ibs, and 4 sacks
shall equal 1 bbl." A bbl of Portland weighs about 400 Ibs
gross, 380 net.
APPROXIMATE: — An approximate way of finding the bbls
of cement for any proportion is to divide 11 by the sum of
all the parts: No. 1 by 9; 2 by 7; 3 by 5; and 4 by 15, giving
1.23, 1.57, 2.2 and .74 bbls of cement — then mult by the
parts of sand and stone to get bbls, which mult by 3.8 for
cf. No. 1, for example, would have 2.46 bbls of sand, and
7.38 of stone.
The following tables save the trouble of calculation. They are supplied by the
CONTRACTORS PLANT CO., BOSTON
54
THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
CONCRETE WITH 2£ INCH STONE.
CONCRETE WITH GRAVEL £ INCH
AND UNDER
Proportions of
Mixture
Req'd for 1 cy
Proportions of
Mixture
Req'd for 1 cy
a
1
T3
1
V
d
5
m
§J2
jl
13
J>>
°
a>
!&
03
1
I
1
o
c3
j»
Ife
c* o
cc
"Q>
g&
a
1
1
1
1
1
1
2.0
2.5
3.0
2.72
2.41
2.16
0.41
0.37
0.33
0.83
0.92
0.98
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
.5
.5
.5
.5
.5
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.5
2.5
2.5
2.5
2.5
2.5
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.5
3.5
3.5
3.5
3.5
3.5
3.5
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
2.5
3.0
3.5
4.0
3.0
3.5
4.0
4.5
5.0
3.5
4.0
4.5
5.0
6.0
4.0
4.5
5.0
5.5
6.0
7.0
5.0
5.5
6.0
6.5
7.0
7.5
8.0
6.0
6.5
7.0
7.5
8.0
8.5
9.0
7.0
7.5
8.0
8.5
9.0
9.5
10.0
2.10
1.89
1.71
1.55
1.71
1.57
1.46
.34
.24
.44
.34
.26
.17
1 .03
.24
.16
.10
.03
0.98
0.88
1.03
0.97
0.92
0.88
0.84
0.80
0.76
0.88
0.83
0.80
0.76
0.73
0.71
0.68
0.77
0.73
0.71
0.68
0.65
0.63
0.61
0.32
0.29
0.26
0.24
0.39
0.36
0.33
0.31
0.28
0.44
0.41
0.38
0.36
0.31
0.47
0.44
0.42
0.39
0.37
0.33
0.47
0.44
0.42
0.40
0.38
0.37
0.35
0.46
0.44
0.43
0.41
0.39
0.38
0.36
0.47
0.44
0.43
0.42
0.40
0.38
0.37
0.80
0.86
0.91
0.94
0.78
0.83
0.88
0.91
0.94
0.77
0.81
0.86
0.89
0.94
0.75
0.80
0.83
0.86
0.89
0.93
0.78
0.81
0.84
0.87
0.89
0.91
0.93
0.80
0.82
0.85
0.87
0.89
0.91
0.92
0.81
0.83
0.86
0.88
0.89
0.91
0.93
1
1
1
1
1.5
1.5
1.5
1.5
2.5
3.0
3.5
4.0
2.16
1.96
1.79
1.64
0.49
0.45
0.41
0.38
0.82
0.89
0.96
1.00
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.0
3.0
3.5
4.0
4.5
1.78
1.66
1.53
1.43
0.54
0.50
0.47
0.43
0.81
0.88
0.93
0.98
1
1
2.5
2.5
2.5
2.5
2.5
3.5
4.0
4.5
5.0
5.5
.51
.42
.33
.26
.18
0.58
0.54
0.51
0.48
0.44
0.81
0.87
0.91
0.96
0.99
1
1
1
1
1
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
4.0
4.5
5.0
5.5
6.0
.32
.24
.17
.11
1.06
0.60
0.57
0.54
0.51
0.48
0.80
0.85
0.89
0.93
0.97
1
1
1
1
1
3.5
3.5
3.5
3.5
3.5
5.0
5.5
6.0
6.5
7.0
1.11
1.06
1.00
0.96
0.91
0.59
0.56
0.53
0.51
0.49
0.85
0.89
0.92
0.95
0.98
i
i
i
i
i
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
6.0
6.5
7.0
7.5
8.0
0.95
0.91
0.87
0.84
0.81
0.58
0.55
0.53
0.51
0.49
0.87
0.90
0.93
0.96
0.98
CONCRETE
55
CONCRETE WITH STONE 1 INCH
AND UNDER
CONCRETE WITH STONE 2J INCH
AND UNDER
Proportions of
Mixture
Req'd for 1 cy
Proportions of
Mixture
Req'd for 1 cy
a
oc
<0
1
P
£
ci w
0>
!&
02
-^
d
T3
s
1
P
£
I&fJfe
02 02
1
2.0
2.57 0.39
0.78
1
2.0
2.63
0.40
0.80
1
2.5
2.29
0.35
0.70
1
2.5
2.34
0.36
0.89
1
3.0
2.06
0.31
0.94
1
3.0
2.10
0.32
0.96
3.5
1.84
0.28
0.98
1
3.5
1.88
0.29
1.00
: .5
2.5
2.05
0.47
0.78
1
.5
2.5
2.09
0.48
0.80
.5
3.0
1.85
0.42
0.84
1
.5
3.0
1.90
0.43
0.87
.5
3.5
1.72
0.39
0.91
1
.5
3.5
1.74
0.40
0.93
.5
4.0
1.57
0.36
0.96
1
.5
4.0
1.61
0.37
0.98
.5
4.5,
1.43
0.33
0.98
1
1.5
4.5
1.46
0.33
1.00
2.0
3.0
1.70
0.52
0.77
1
2.0
3.0
1.73
0.53
0.79
2.0
3.5
1.57
0.48
0.83
1
2.0
3.5
1.61
0.49
0.85
2.0
4.0
1.46
0.44
0.89
1
2.0
4.0
.48
0.45
0.90
2.0
4.5
1.36
0.42
0.93
1
2.0
4.5
.38
0.42
0.95
2.0
5.0
1.27
0.39
0.97
1
2.0
5.0
.29
0.39
0.98
2.5
3.5
1.45
0.55
0.77
1
2.5
3.5
.48
0.56
0.79
2.5
4.0
1.35
0.52
0.82
1
2.5
4.0
.38
0.53
0.84
2.5
4.5
1.27
0.48
0.87
1
2.5
4.5
.29
0.49
0.88
2.5
5.0
1.19
0.46
0.91
1
2.5
5.0
.21
0.46
0.92
2.5
5.5
1.13
0.43
0.94
1
2.5
5.5
.15
0.44
0.96
2.5
6.0
1.07
0.41
0.97
1
2.5
6.0
.07
0.41
0.98
1
3.0
4.0
1.26
0.58
0.77
1
3.0
4.0
.28
0.58
0.78
1
3.0
4.5
1.18
0.54
0.81
1
3.0
4.5
.20
0.55
0.82
1
3.0
5.0
1.11
0.51
0.85
1
3.0
5.0
.14
0.52
0.87
1
3.0
5.5
1.06
0.48
0.89
1
3.0
5.5
.07
0.49
0.90
1
3.0
6.0
1.01
0.46
0.92
1
3.0
6.0
.02
0.47
0.93
1
3.0
6.5
0.96
0.44
0.95
1
3.0
6.5
0.98
0.44
0.96
1
3.0
7.0
0.91
0.42
0.97
3.0
7.0
0.92
0.42
0.98
3.0
5.0
1.05
0.56
0.80
3.5
5.0
1.07
0.57
0.82
3.5
5.5
1.00
0.53
0.84
3.5
5.5
1.02
0.54
0.85
3.5
6.0
0.95
0.50
0.87
3.5
6.0
0.97
0.51
0.89
3.5
6.5
0.92
0.49
0.91
3.5
6.5
0.93
0.49
0.92
3.5
7.0
0.87
0.47
0.93
3.5
7.0
0.89
0.47
0.95
3.5
7.5
0.84
0.45
0.96
3.5
7.5
0.85
0.45
0.98
1
3.5
8.0
0.80
0.42
0.97
1
4.0
6.0
0.90
0.55
0.82
4.0
6.0
0.92
0.56
0.84
1
4.0
6.5
0.87
0.53
0.85
4.0
6.5
0.88
0.53
0.87
1
4.0
7.0
0.83
0.51
0.89
4.0
7.0
0.84
0.51
0.90
1
4.0
7.5
0.80
0.49
0.91
4.0
7.5
0.81
0.50
0.93
1
4.0
8.0
0.77
0.47
0.93
4.0
8.0
0.78
0.48
0.95
1
4.0
8.5
0.74
0.43
0.95
1
4.0
8.5
0.76
0.46
0.98
1
4.0 | 9.0
0.71
0.43
0.97
56
THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
CONCRETE WITH STONE DUST FOR ARTIFICIAL, STONE
Proportions of
Mixture
Req'd for 1 cy
Proportions of
Mixture
Req'd for 1 cy
g
1
02
OQ
II
02
0>
02
+3
1
1
0>
. fl
02
a w
o> ~
02
0)
02
1
1
1
1
1
1.0
1.0
1.5
1.5
2.0
2.0
2.5
2.5
3.0
3.0
2.51
2.27
2.00
1.83
1.65
0.38
0.35
0.46
0.42
0.50
0.76
0.86
0.76
0.84
0.75
1
1
1
1
1
2.0
2.5
2.5
3.0
3.0
4.0
4.0
5.0
4.0
5.0
1.44
.33
.18
.23
1.10
0.44
0.50
0.45
0.56
0.50
0.88
0.81
0.90
0.75
.084
WEIGHT: — The weight of dry concrete is from 130 to 160
Ibs to cf. A fair average is 140.
CRUSHER AND CAR LOAD: — A stone crusher costs from
$700 to $2,000 and crushes 6 to 7 cy per hour with 10 to 12
men, and an engine of 8 to 10 hp. A carload of cement runs
about 170 bbls.
EXPERIMENTS
The results of some interesting experiments were published
In "The Railroad Gazette" for engineers, etc. They may be
of use to those who want accurate figures for the propor-
tions and weight of concrete:
Sand, 25; gravel, 32; stone,44.
sand, 102; gravel, 98; crushed
DATA: — Per cent of voids:
Weight of material per cf:
stone, 84; cement, 88.
PACKED OR LOOSE: — In these experiments 4 sacks of
cement measured loose 4.42, or practically 4.5 cf. The packed
bbl does not have so many cf — from 3.5 to 3.8 — as the loose,
and herein lies a basis of dispute between the men of theory
and the contractors. The theorists want the proportions to
be taken from the measurement of the packed bbl, and the
contractors naturally want the cement to be measured loose
like sand and stone. Good cement is saved by this method;
why waste it? The U. S. Courts have sometimes had to
decide the matter. Sand, we are told, shrinks from 7 to 10%
when wet, but we hear no cry for packed sand. If one why
not another? The committee already quoted was content with
at most, but some authorities tell us that owing to this
CONCRETE 57
shrinkage the cement paste should be about 50% in excess
of the voids of the sand, and that the mortar of cement and
sand should be about 50% in excess of the void? of the stone.
If the " Gazette's " figure of 25% void is correct, the allowance
of .4 which is given in the examples worked out is sufficient, —
and the rest may be filled with pure sand until the theorists
give us a figure upon which they all agree,
PROPORTIONS: — Another part of the same number dealing
with proportions says that cement 1, sand 1, and stone 2
make as good a concrete as can be made with natural cement;
while 1, 2, 4 to 4£ is as poor as good practice will permit.
Portland at 1, 3, 6 " is sufficiently good for ordinary con-
struction;" 1, 4, 8 for plain work.
CINDER CONCRETE is sometimes used for basements; and
reinforced floors are made of it on account of lightness, but
nowhere is it as good as stone.
PRODUCTION: — The cement mills could not turn out enough
material to supply the demands of 1902, and the future is
likely to witness even a more extensive use of concrete. In
the U. S. the production of natural cement was from 8,000,000
to 9,000,000 bbls,— in 1902, about 9,600,000. In 1906, 4,055,797.
The Portland is rapidly displacing it. The following figures
showing the production of Am. Portland only are worthy of
note:
Year Bbl Year Bbls Year Bbls
1882 85,000 1892 547,440 1901 12,711,225
1884 100,090 1894 798,757 1902 20,864,078
1886 150,000 1896 1,543,023 1905 35,246,812
1888 250,000 1898 3,692,284 1906 46,463,424
1890 335,000 1900 8,482,020 1912 82,000,000
DRILLING HOLES: — A large number of \\" holes were
drilled in the hardened concrete of No. 7 to hold steel cols.
They are 29" deep, and 2 men with a hand drill cut 7 in a
day. Some at 23" were cut at the rate of 10 per day.
COST OP TABLE: — The water-table of No. 7 and the other
buildings of the plant is made of concrete cast in a form. It
costs about 40c per cf. Stone costs $1.25 and upwards. The
concrete runs clear through the wall and takes the place of
the brick, while stone is usually only 8" wide. The setting cost
58 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
about 13c per cf, but stone also requires to be set. Labor was
.20, sand .01, stone .05, cement .10, or a total of 36c, but a
leeway of a few cents is desirable. Of course, a small quantity
would cost more, as the same forms are required for 100 ft
as for 1,000; and angles require more labor than long straight
walls.
The water-table was a complete success, hard as a rock and
as smooth as the boards on the inside of the forms.
AULD LANG SYNE: — We have republican and democratic
waves, conservative successes and liberal triumphs in the
political field; and it sometimes seems that waves come in
building as well as in other spheres. One of the first jobs I
got as an apprentice was to put up 2 long lines of studs
covered on the inside with boards about a foot apart. Then
the concrete was poured in and the finished wall appeared
after the boarding was taken away. About the same time, in
the same place, a stone contractor became tired of stone and
took to concrete for everything, — door and window sills,
,mouldings, and the walls of his buildings clear to the roof.
But stone still survives.
Now we are in the midst of another revival. Stone, in
spite 'of machinery, nas risen to a high price, and builders
begin to look around for a substitute. They find in concrete
and terra-cotta. and if properly used both serve as a check
on the stone mason. The danger is that concrete will be put
to unwarranted uses.
REINFORCED CONCRETE buildings are now so common as
to attract little attention.
CONCRETE FLOORS •
On No. 2 there were 1,150 sq yds of floor with a 2" concrete
base and a \" top-dressing. The base was 1, 2, 5. Without
the top-dressing there were 64 cy. A 6" bed of cinders was
first laid down, watered and tamped.
MATERIAL: — 100 bbls American and Imported Portland. I
did not keep an exact account of the stone, but the ordinary
rules for concrete will give the quantity closely enough, say,
75 tons. Sand about 32 cy. Labor was 35c an hour for 1 mai\
and ordinary wages of $1.50 to $1.75 for laborers. The labor
CONCRETE 59
ran to $300: cement, $345; stone, $82.50; sand, $22, a total of
$748.50, or close to 66c per sq yd. There is nothing allowed
for tools, hose, etc, in this or the other concrete figures.
PRICE: — By the sq yd, sand and stone were lOc; cement, 30c;
labor 26c. This price is too close to figure on with safety,
as accidents sometimes happen. Of course, 2" thick does
not take so much material as 4.
For a floor of this kind 5" thick, the usual allowance is
$1 to $1.25, depending upon wages, price of cement, etc. All
the cement walks around No. 9 were laid for $1.35, and the
price was low as cement was $2.75 per bbl. In spite of the
high price of the imported cement the floors of No. 2 went
down reasonably cheap. The labor included the wheeling of
rubbish and the tamping of cinders. One bbl of cement laid
100 sq ft; but that was for only 2£" thick. A trade publica-
tion at hand gives 1 bbl to 75 sq ft.
GUTTERS: — But again I know of a small building erected
for a cow-stable where 6" floors cost about $1.70 per sq. yd.
Gutters had to be formed in several places, and special work
of that kind soon runs into extra time. Allow from 15 to 20c
per If for these.
BASEMENTS with a large surface are easier to put down
than sidewalks, say, about 25c less per sq yd for them.
QUANTITY: — It is easy enough to estimate floors, sidewalks,
etc, for a special thickness, as we have only to get the number
of cy and add the top-dressing. The dressing is sometimes
1 of cement to 1 of sand in the specification, but seldom in
the floor. It is easy enough to get at the number of cy in the
dressing, and the quantity of cement can be found at 3.8 cf
in a bbl. The labor on dressing will run to about 14c per sq
yd at the rate of wages given for No. 2. Of course, the labor
on a thin floor of 2", for example, is more in proportion than
for 4 or 6. The same leveling and top-dressing have to be
done in both cases.
THICKNESS:— For each additional 1" in thickness add 18c
per sq yd to a concrete floor.
FOR HOISTING to an upper floor or roof, take the figure
given on page 48, divide by 36, for inches in a cy, then mult
60
THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
the quotient by the thickness of floor in inches. Thus, a
floor on the fourth story 4" thick, put at $1.35 on the ground
would be $1.51:
A cu yd on first floor 50c extra
On the next 3 floors 90c extra
$1.40
Dividing by 36 to get the cost per inch of a sq yd we have
4c, or a total of 16c extra per sq yd for a 4" floor.
SURFACING OF FLOORS, ETC
Allow concrete material as per list, and add for top of floor.
Sqyds
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
No contractor would exceed the quantities of cement given,
but the exact sand allowance given should be increased about
5£ for waste, etc. Packed bbl.=4 bags Portland, allowed.
CEMENT BASE: — A cement base about fxlO" was formed
all through the basement of No. 2. The price ran to about
12c per If, I think, although no record of the time was kept.
But a contractor would not take such a base for less than
18c, including his profit, — and on small rooms 20c would not
be too much.
SPREADING STONE : — For spreading stone or gravel allow
6 to 8c. by hand and 2c by machine per cu yd with labor at
;. per hour.
Proportion Thickness Cement bbls
Sand yds
1 to 1 J
v 6.6
.9
1 to 1J
r 5.5
1.2
to 2 I" 4.6
1.3
: to 2j
r 4.0
1.4
to 1
10.0
1.4
to 1£
8.1
1.7
to 2
7.0
2.0
to2J
.6.0
2.1
to 1 ]
13.0
1.8
to 1^
I" 10.8
2.3
to 2 ]
9.2
2.6
to 2$
L" 8.0
2.8
CHAPTEE IV
STONEWORK
RUBBLE
MEASUREMENT: — Measurement is taken only by the cf or
cy. Perches and cords are out of date. Beware of perches.
Some of them contain 164 and others 25 cf.
Rubble is often measured by counting the corners twice,
and making no deduction for openings, just as with brick-
work. Here we shall abide by net measurement so that an
accurate bill of material can be taken directly from the
original estimate, no matter how many or varied the openings
or corners may be. It naturally takes a little more raw ma-
terial for angles than for straight work, but this does not
count enough to justify the old style of measurement. Even
when a wall is less than 16" thick it is best to take the
actual contents and allow extra for labor.
QUANTITY:— Allow 2,900 Ibs of stone to the cy of masonry
in the wall. The owner of a Nebraska quarry writes me
that his railroad customers say that it takes from 3,000 to
3,200 Ibs. An Omaha mason gives the same figure. Some-
thing depends upon the stone. Thin stone with more joints
make up in mortar for less weight required. " On small
stones about one-third of the mass will be mortar; large
stones one-fifth to one-fourth." The C. & N. W. R. R. finds
2,700 Ibs enough for a yd in the wall, but the stone is of good
quality. The ordinary Chicago allowance is 13,000 Ibs to 128
cf, or 2,742 Ibs to the cy of finished wall.
Good work requires what is colloquially known as " two-
man rubble," — that is, stone too heavy for one man to lift —
" one-man rubble " is fit only for cheap work. It would not
be accepted on government buildings. The raw material is
worth about 50c per cy less than the other.
WEIGHT: — As with sand and crushed stone it is almost
obligatory for a contractor to take rubble by weight instead
of measurement on account of freight and hauling charges;
61
62 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
and it is therefore worth remembering in case a specification
calls for granite or some specially heavy stone that an extra
allowance would be necessary. Granite or limestone runs at
least 20 Ibs heavier to the cf than sandstone, but granite is
seldom used for rubble, — at least in prairie states.
MORTAR: — The proportion of mortar given by one writer is
to coarse rubble not dressed, 33 to 40%; roughly dressed, 25
to 30%; well dressed and coursed, 15 to 20%. With stone at
150 Ibs to the cf, allow 2,700 Ibs in the first case, 3,040 in the
second, and 3,440 in the third.
QUANTITY: — For ordinary work Trautwine allows 6 at the
quarry to 5 in the wall. The proportion of 128 in the quarry
to 100 in the wall is often used, and on 400 or 500 cy was
recently tested in Omaha with satisfactory results. In case
stone is not bought by weight this will serve as a measure of
quantities. According to the same authority 1 cy of stone
when broken occupies 1.9 cy when perfectly loose, or 1.75
when piled up.
PRICE: — From $5 to $6.50 per cy. Midway is a fair price
for ordinary work in Am. Portland with wages at 55c to 60c.
The heavy wall that runs around the west side of the Omaha
post-office was let to the contractor at a rate of $6, but this
included his profit. It is laid in cement and is an excellent
piece of work. There are no angles to speak of, and no
openings, but a straight wall about 2' thick.
BEST WORK:— The higher price, listed at $6.50, is for first
class work laid in Portland cement. A thick wall does not
cost quite so much as a thin one, as the face work is the same
for both. Allow a difference of 50c per cy. If wall has two
faces add 50c per cy.
ENGINEERING WORK of a certain class costs more. Em-
bankment and abutment walls faced with squared limestone
filled in behind with dimension stone undressed, run here,
hauling included, from $10 to $12 per cy all through. But
the face stone, if taken alone, is worth per cf close to 75c.
Small piers squared all around run to 80c per cf. Some
local work of both classes has recently been done at these
figures with Nebraska stone which costs 25c on cars, but
profit included. If Bedford or Kasota stone is used the price
STONEWORK 63
is increased, as the raw material is worth 50c. " A cheaper
Bedford stone can be used for this work than for buildings.
Heavy limestone caps and bases roughly squared up with a
hammer, 65c per cf in place with profit.
BRIDGE: — The limestone masonry in the piers of the bridge
across the Missouri River at Plattsmouth, Nebr. — 1879-80 —
cost the R. R. Co. $18.60 per cy exclusive of freight, engineer-
ing expenses and tools. The small piers ran from $12 to $14.
Work of this kind would be better classed under cut stone
than rubble.
PRICE: — "One-man" rubble fob Omaha or Lincoln about
$1.10; "two-man," $1.20 per ton.
PRAIRIE WORK:— There is little rubble used in this terri-
tory. It is safe to say that for one foundation of stone there
are ninety-nine of brick, usually with a concrete footing.
Thus it is that our surroundings change. During a long
apprenticeship of five years and for one year afterwards as
a journeyman I worked on and saw all kinds of buildings and
never, so far as I remember, lifted a hammer on a brick one.
Everything, except inside partitions and a few factories, is
of stone in the town of Kirkcaldy, with a population of 20,000
people, and there are no anchors on the joists. The walls
are built thick enough to stand. The walls of the one-story
cottage I lived in near that place are 30" thick for an 8'
ceiling.
SLOPES: — It is seldom that a building contractor has to
line a slope with stone, but the following figures from " The
Engineering News," New York, N. Y., will be of interest. They
are taken from actual records. The maximum thickness of
this kind of work is 10" to 12"; minimum, 3" to 4". Stones
must be 12" long. Average joints are 1£"; if £", the labor
costs twice as much. Mortar is not used. With U" joints, 750
cy of 12" were laid, each laborer laying 2£ cy per day at the
beginning, and 3 later on. Skilled men were then employed
and laid 5 cy with 1 laborer to 4 tradesmen. Part of the work
was then sublet at 50c per cy to men who had been laying
5 cy; from that time on they laid 7. On rougher work skilled
men sometimes lay 10 to 12.
64 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
SLOPES: — On another contract four masons and four laborers
averaged 60 cy in 10 hours. With material delivered at $1.25
to $1.50 the finished work is worth $1.75 to $2. The time at
quarry for 280 yds was 1,000 hours to quarry and load; this
made 220 cy in the wall. The teamsters hauled four to five
loads in a day, a distance of 2£ miles. Team traveled at
rate of 2£ miles per hour.
On another contract with 750 cy six trips were made a
distance of If miles.
CEMENT MORTAR: — The quantity of mortar required de-
pends upon the quality of the work and the size of the stone.
Thin stone naturally require more than large blocks
Taking the figures already given, 33, 25, 15% of mortar, we
may easily arrive at the quantities for the various propor-
tions. Taking cement packed we have in Am. Portland about
7 bbls to the cy. For a cy of cement mortar allow as follows,
— the figures for cement being in bbls, and for sand in yds:
1 to 1, 4.2 cement to .6 sand; 1 to 2, 2.7, .8; 1 to 3, 2, .9;
1 to 4, 1.7, .95; 1 to 5, 1.3. .97; 1 to 6. 1.2, .98. But it
must be remembered that when cement reaches a certain
point of weakness it will not work, and what is gained in
material is more than lost in wages. But again, a mortar of
1 to 3 is about as strong as we ever made, no matter what
is specified; 1 to 1 is rather too strong, and except for coping
of walls and such work it is not really necessary.
Let us chose for illustration a coarse undressed rubble
with 33% of mortar — and if filling is not properly done with
small stones a careless mason can easily throw in one-third
of the mass in mortar. Taking 30 cy we require 10 cy of
mortar. At the proportion of 1 to 3 this means 20 bbls of
cement and 9 yds of sand to 30 cy of masonry.
At 1 to 5 for the same quantity of masonry 13 bbls and
9.7, or practically 10 cy of sand.
AVERAGE ALLOWANCE: — Or taking the second class of
masonry which is better than the average, we have 25% or
one-fourth of the total in mortar. For 4 yds of wall we there-
fore require 1 yd of mortar. At the proportion of 1 to 4,
which is of fair quality, 1.7 bbls of cement require close to
1 yd of sand. In 4 cy we have 108 cf, so that for aver
STONEWORK 65
work allow If bbls and 1 yd to every 100 cf of finished wall.
A yd of sand to 3| cy is an Omaha allowance; and one-half
bbl of cement to i yd of rubble.
LIME MORTAR: — Lime makes one-fourth to one-fifth more
mortar than cement as it swells when slacked; for this reason
the cement quantities require to be cut down. Some allow
one-fourth bbl to cy, — one-third is safer. Trautwine gives 2
bbls to 100 cf, but this is too much unless the stone is thin
and small. But again, we run across lime that does not seem
to make more than three-fourths of the mortar produced from
the best brands. On several buildings a careful account of
mortar was kept, and at our prices cement was 65c and lime
55c per cy of wall.
MORTAR FOR AVERAGE RUBBLE
One and three-quarter bbls Portland and 1 yd sand to 100
cf of finished wall.
One and one-half bbls good lime and 1 yd sand to 100 cf
of finished wall.
WATER: — For making rubble mortar the Omaha Water-
Works charges 8c per cy for water; for tempering only, 3c.
The m'eter rate is 35c per 1,000 gall which is far cheaper, — say
one-third the price. The Chicago rate is 6c for 128 cf.
LABOR: — A mason and laborer will lay 3 cy of ordinary
rubble in an 8-hour day; and on some kinds of walls below
ground, 5 to 6. One laborer can attend 2 masons if every-
thing is handy, but if wheeling is required it takes about
man to man. In the stone-cutting yard 2 men can attend 10
cutters.
EXAMPLE: — On a building recently erected 500 cy of rubble
cost about $1,000 for labor. Most of the stones had to be
handled with a derrick, and although the walls were thick
and straight this cost probably 25c extra. On another build-
ing with 120 yds the walls were short and the cost ran to
$2.50, but extra time was required on the angles. Good time
can be made with a derrick if all the stones are large, but
if work is so far away from ground that large and small have
66 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
to be handled this way it costs more. A fair price for 18 to
20" ordinary work is $1.50. Thick, straight walls can be
done for less. The labor is not exactly in proportion to the
number of cy, as a 16" wall requires 2 faces just as a 24"
does; and the filling goes in faster than the outside work.
Scaffolding has sometimes to be allowed if walls are high.
CUTTING: — In 8 hours one man will cut and square about
40 cf of large limestone blocks for bridge and pier work, and
25 of small blocks. Sandstone costs more to cut than lime-
stone, as it wears out the tools sooner. Unless very soft it is
worth 10% more to square up. There is no sandstone in
Bedford, Ind.; "Bedford" is a limestone.
GRANITE: — Granite rubble would cost about three or four
times as much as limestone here, and is consequently seldom
seen. The following figures are culled from the appendix of
Baker's work on Masonry — and he culled them from the
official reports. In case of emergency they will give a fair
idea cf the labor on granite. For trimmings, about 25% of
the cost of cut stone is enough to set in wall.
QUARRYING: — In quarrying rough stone allow for one man
eight-tenths of a day per cy; stone to be cut for facework,
2.6 days.
CUTTING: — On more than 2,000 cy near New York it was
found that the average time of a cutter for one cy was 36
hours. The work was all cut into headers and stretchers —
2'x3', and 2'x6' with a rise of from 20" to 26". Round coping
required more work; the average per cy was 50 hours for
one man. Keystones, springers, etc, 56 hours. But these
figures include moving stone, sharpening tools, superintend-
ence, etc. Superintendence was 5%; sharpening tools, 15;
interest on sheds, derricks, etc, 1%; new tools and timber,
1%; handling stone,, 30% or 52% in all, which added to the
total wages gives the complete cost. It is thus seen that
half the cost is outside of cutting proper.
CUTTING: — On another contract a minimum day's work was
set at 12 superficial ft on a total of 118,383 cf ; but the average
for beds and joints reached 13.6' per man per day. The
average ran as follows:
STONEWORK 67
Super ft
Beds and joints 13.6
Pointed work with margins : . 8.5
Peen-hammered 6.15
6-cut patent-hammered 5.22
8-cut patent-hammered 4.24
On the Croton reservoir a minimum day's work of joints
was fixed at 15 sq ft for one man, but with draft around the
edges this is equal to 17.7 sq ft.
The average day's work in cutting beds to lay a f " joint was
18.7 sq ft. In these last 2 items add for superintendence, 8%;
sheds and tools, 7%; sharpening tools, 11%; labor moving
stone, 10%; drilling off rough face, 4%; making a total of
40% to be added to cutting.
POST OFFICE: — The finished work of the new Omaha post-
office, mouldings included, is said to cost $3 per cf fob, cars.
A RED MONUMENT GRANITE is sold at $1.25, and a pink,
$1.35, Clayton, N. Y., is sizes up to 20 cf. From these prices
for building blocks allow up to $2 for blocks from 20 cf to 75.
SETTING : — Add 20 to 25£ to cost or cut granite.
MARBLE: — A good grade of building white stock is $1.50,
Phila. The finished work is from $3 to $5, unset, per cf.
Hauling and setting about 50c extra. Mausoleum work, $4.50
to $8.00 per cf.
ASHLAR AND CUT STONE
MEASUREMENT: — Take the exact cubic contents of a wall
and order the stone from the quarry on this basis. The
quarryman allows for waste in cutting. If 100 cf are ordered
the block is sent large enough to be squared to this size. With
such a stone as Bedford there is little chance of waste if
sizes cut to advantage. The ordinary method of measurement
allows openings under a certain size, doubles angles and so
forth, but " The Building Estimator " in general is not based
upon this old system. In rock-faced work allow 2" fextra for
projections beyond the face of the wall; if the stone rests
8" on the wall this means 10" material. Projections are
usually about 1", but a margin has to be allowed for safety.
PRICE: — Bedford is delivered fob Omaha for 68 to 70c per
cf. Blue and buff are commonly used. Blue is better than
68 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
buff. There is a hard Royal Blue which costs the same, or a
trifle extra, but is about 20% more expensive to cut. It is
used for long lintels, steps, etc, as the common Bedford is
too soft.
The cut stone over an average building may be taken as
$1.50 per cf, but something depends upon the state of the
yards. In busy times $1.60 is asked. These figures include
the contractor's profit, but not setting, which is worth about
25c extra, and 5c for pointing, or 30c per cf.
On an Omaha house finished complete, with about 16,000 cf
of broken ashlar from Silverdale, Kan., including mouldings,
battlements, turrets, and all stonecutting, 3 contractors
allowed from $1.45 to $1.50 per cf set, but another got the
contract, so that his price was lower. The raw material fob
Omaha cost about 50c per cf.
LIBRARY: — On a library built in an eastern Iowa town,
there were 16,000 cf of Bedford stone estimated by the suc-
cessful contractor at $25,000 set in the wall. After deduct-
ing about $4,000 for carving, the complete job was only
$1.31 per cf which is too low. Freight is, of course, lower
at that point than here.
Another library in South Omaha was estimated at about
$1.90 per cf.
The Bedford stone Commercial Nat'l Bank, Omaha, was
estimated set at $2.25 by an unsuccessful bidder; it was prob-
ably done for about $2, in place. But better prices were ob-
tained when it was built. As it is polished, the rate would
now be lower on account of saws. But rubbed work is worth
about 20c per sq ft extra if straight; and 35c if circular. If
more than one side is finished the cost is naturally increased.
If coursed or range work is used instead of broken or random
ashlar, 20c per cf may be deducted. The setting is much
easier.
MEASUREMENT: — But ashlar is usually taken by the sq ft
instead* of by the cf. The price depends upon the number of
openings and the size of the reveals. If they are 8" the stone
must be much thicker than if 4; and if openings are close
together a thinner stone can not be much used between. Rock-
faced of average thickness is worth $1 to $1.25 broken in
STONEWORK 69
"Crazy Quilt" fashion; 90c broken but squared; and 80c
coursed from 8 to 12" high in 4 and 8".
All of the foregoing figures are based on Bedford stone.
The setting and pointing are not included. The setting of
broken ashlar costs about 15c per sq ft. On a large, straight
job without delay lOc is enough, but residences with waiting
on bricklayers, etc, are worth about 20c.
SETTING: — For heavy fine fronts allow 18% of cost of stone
for setting.
LOCAL STONE: — For local stone the Bedford figures may
be cut from 25 to 30% according to the hammerwork, but the
setting remains the same.
CUT STONE
For Bedford water-table, door and window sills, courses,
bands, and in general the whole of the cut-stone bill on an
average brick building, allow as per table, delivered either on
the cars or at the building in cities like Omaha and Lincoln.
But when there is an excess of mouldings, pediments, carving,
and so forth, care must be taken to make a due allowance.
Setting is about 10% of the cost of the stone cut and delivered.
COLUMNS: — For circular cols up to 20" diam, or so,
find the cubical contents at the widest part, square before
turning is done, and mult by $1.50 per cf, not set. Setting
about 75c per cf. Thus a col 18"xl8"xlO', square, would con-
tain 22£ cf at $1.50, or $33.75 turned. Add freight.
PAVING: — The large 4" flagstones around No. 3 were laid
complete for 37c per sq ft; 4" is now worth 35c laid; 6", 60c.
Saws now reduce the price although wages are higher. If
laid on I beams allow 8 to lOc extra per sq ft, as laying is more
difficult. No. 2 stone is used.
BEDFORD STONE LF PRICES
Description Size Rate cu ft CostTwith profit
Window Sills 5"x 7" $1 .75 $0.43
Window Sills 5"xll" .70 .65
Window Sills 7"x 1" .70 .58
Window Sills 7"xll" .65 .89
Window Sills 8"x 8" .60 .72
Door Sills.. 8"xll" .50 .92
70 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
Bedford Stone LF Prices— Continued
Description Size Rate cu ft Cost with profit
Door Sills 8"xl5" $1.45 $1.21 '
Door Sills 8"xl9" 1.40 1.48
Lintels 4"xlO" 1 .65 .46
Lintels 8"xl2" 1.50 1.00
Water Table 6"xlO" 1.55 .65
Water Table 8"xl2" 1 . 50 1 .00
Coping 4"xll" 1 . 70 .52
Coping 4"xl5" 1 . 55 .65
Coping 4"xl9" 1 .50 .80
Coping 8"xl5" 1.45 1.21
Coping 8"xl9" 1.40 1.48
Steps 7"xl4" 1.50 1.02
•Curbing (See Chap. VI).
MORTAR: — The backing of ashlar, whether brick or rubble,
requires the common allowance of material given under these
headings. With courses 8" high less mortar is necessary than
with common brick; and when the courses are 18" and of a
proportionate length it is clear that the quantity of mortar is
decreased. In such a case make a reasonable deduction from
the allowance.
" With f to *" joints," says Baker, " and 12" to 20" courses
there will be about 2 cf per cy; with larger blocks and closer
joints 1 cf of mortar to 1 cy of masonry. Laid in 1 to 2
mortar ordinary ashlar requires £ to £ of a bbl of cement per
cy of masonry." A given number of cf of mortar being
determined for a yd of finished work it is easy by referring to
the rubble table to allow cement, lime, and sand, according to
the proportion desired; and lime, it will be remembered, makes
more mortar than cement.
Another authority says that ashlar in courses of 20 to 32",
and joints of 1 to f, will have from 5 to 6% of mortar. With
ordinary rubble running from 25 to 33% of mortar it is
-evident that the outside facing of the wall requires less than
the backing, and deductions should be made where nicety is
required. Nicety is not usually required, but the advantage
of remembering the decreased quantity for the facework is
that when the general bill of material is made out the usual
.allowance is cut.
LABOR: — Since the introduction of saws rock-faced work
•costs about 10% more than plain-faced. With hand labor it
STONEWORK 71
it cheaper to make rock-faced sills, water-tables, etc. But be-
fore a tool is lifted rock-faced work requires 2" more in
thickness, and stone has to be paid for. Other things being
equal, in the neighborhood of saws use plain work; in the
country make it rock-faced.
With saws and moulders labor is reduced to one-half, and in
some classes of work to one-fifth, of its former price. By
hand a mason will cut about 20 sq ft of broken ashlar in 8
hours, and 25 of coursed; but when saws are used it is cut to
thickness and then merely pitched by hand, so that 100' can
be done. Polished stone is even cheaper, and a man can
joint and prepare 125 sq ft. For plain cut stone allow 25 to
35c per cf for labor. Finials, capitals, carving and such work
must be allowed separately in addition to the regular price.
There is no set rule for estimating special work, as no two
pieces are alike. The amount of labor must be judged and
added to price of stone. And accidents happen: I once saw
a splendid finial cut for a Gothic church. It was about 6'
long, and the foreman did all the work himself as he could
not trust the best of his men. After the carving was done
he mounted a trestle and started to drill a hole for an iron
rod. When he got down about 2' the drill came out at the
side.
ACCIDENTS HAPPEN: — That is one danger of estimators
and all calculators. A great man designed a fine yacht for
Queen Victoria. He made out his elaborate calculations, and
then in a moment of absent-mindedness added the year 184S,
or whatever it was. The yacht was built, but it rolled like a
tub in a storm.
TRACERY has to be estimated from details.
LETTERS AND HOLES: — Sunk letters from 4 to 6" high
are worth from 50c to 70c each; raised 75c to 85c. Holes for
iron railings, 10c: leaded, 5c to 6c per Ib for lead.
HAULING: — Hauling from cars, say 1 mile, 50c per ton. As
a full load is 2 tons this means $1 per load, which is the al-
lowance under ordinary circumstances. But loading and un-
loading are the same for any given haul.
WASHING AND POINTING all the smooth surf of No. 3,
laid in a hard Wyoming stone, cost 1.6c per sq ft, but the
72 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
blocks were large. This is too low a figure to use for work
now, especially with broken ashlar and short runs. Bids were
recently made to wash and point a building for 24c, and an-
other building was figured at 3c. The joints have to be raked
out, pointed, and then the whole surf washed. A fair
price is 3c after openings are deducted. The openings of
No. 3 are included in the surf.
FOR DIAMOND SAND BLASTING to clean the brownstone,
granite, marble, limestone fronts of old bldgs, allow 6 to 7c
per sq ft.
LA FARGE CEMENT is often specified for stone-setting as
it does not stain the stone. It costs about $5 a bbl.
The following useful figures are taken from "-Engineering
Contracting,"
DATA ON CUT STONE WORK
" The walls for the building of the Government Printing
Office at Washington, D. C., standard U. S. work, were built
of red bricks trimmed with red sandstone from a quarry
near Longmeadow, Mass. The cost of this stone, ready to
set, was as follows:
Per cu ft
Plain Ashlar $1.80-$2.00
Moulded courses 2.00- 2.40
Sills 2.00- 2.40
Lintels 1.95- 2.15
Cols • 3.00
In computing these prices, all molded and curved or ir-
regular pieces were squared out to the minimum containing
rectangular sides. The cost of setting etc., aver for all
classes, was as follows: per cu ^
Handling $0.133
Setting 179
Cutting (corrections, etc) 018
Pointing 041
Mortar 012
Miscellaneous materials . 026
Total $0.409
STONEWORK 73
The rather high cost is due to the care with which the
joints were caulked, and to the fact that there was not enough
stone to be placed to justify the purchase of a special plant
to handle it. Some of the wages paid for 8 hour day on
this job were as follows. Laborers, $1.50; stone masons,
$4; stone cutters, $4."
Figuring up the contents of stone either by the decimal
or duodecimal system is rather tedious work. David Wil-
liams Co. sells for $2.00 " The Expeditious Measurer," with
all sizes given in cubic feet.
COST OF BEDFORD STONE.
At Indiana quarries the cost of the blocks is about 30
cents per cu ft. Add freight to point desired. The rate to
Omaha, for example, is 40 cents per cu ft. For the plainest
work add 20 to 25 cents for sawing to get cost price.
In general, plain work set in building should be figured at
$1.75 where the freight amounts to 40 cents; and molded
work $2.00 including profit. This is for the ordinary stone.
For the hardest Bedford add an extra allowance of 25 per
cent.
GRANITE COLUMNS.
On page 425 there is a note about some unpolished gran-
ite cols. To estimate them square at the widest part, mul-
tiply by the height to get the cu ft, and allow $4.00 per cu it
unset. In the case noted the cols, were 3 x 3 x 20=180 cu
ft x $4.00=$720 each, plus $100 for taking off the cars and
setting where the derrick is close to the tracks. Over a
score of columns at $820 each made up a total that was not
hard to figure; yet half that amount in separate, detailed
pieces of ornamental iron might easily have taken a_week.
CHAPTER Y
BRICKWORK
MEASUREMENT: — Some years ago the Omaha masons issued
their rules of measurement which are practically the same as
those of St, Louis and Chicago. They are excellent rules in
their way, — but I should not like to be an owner and let my
work to a contractor by the 1,000 at a high price, especially
if it consisted of angles, pilasters, ledgings and so forth.
"When estimating a building few brick-masons pay any atten-
tion to printed rules. They are kept for railroad engineers
and other innocents. It would merely fill up space to print
them over again. The system followed in this book is the
same as for stonework, — take the exact cubical contents, but
allow " wall measure," or 22* bricks to the cf.
EXPLANATION:— In the Chicago building code there is an
explanation of the rules to reassure the public. Cornices,
pilasters, projections, and so forth cost much more than plain
work, and instead of charging a higher price for each piece
separately the charge is simply made in the measurement. It
is easier to estimate a building on this basis and it is just
as fair, for the rate per 1,000 would be greater if openings
were deducted and cornices measured as plain work. But
while this is true in theory most contractors now cut out
openings and take actual contents. Competition is toe keen
to do otherwise. I prefer this method because the bill of
material can be taken directly from the original figures with-
out a new calculation to see how many feet, windows, corners,
cornices, etc, make up. Buildings differ so much in their
openings and other features that it is best to take only the
actual contents of the wall and allow so much more per 1,000
lor difficult work.
TRADE RULE
If there are many belts of cut stone, terra-cotta, etc, they
should be deducted, or too many actual brick may be sent
to building.
74
BRICKWORK 75
But there is a trade way of estimating the brick in a wall
that all contractors use, and it requires a word of explana-
tion: The method does not give the number of actual brick
required, but the number in "wall measure," which is differ-
ent from actual or " kiln count." It Is merely a trade rule,
a short cut, a labor-saving device.
The Omaha rule is the same as that of Chicago:
Every superficial ft of \ brick thick or 4J" shall count 1\ brick
Every superficial ft of 1 brick thick or 9" shall count 15 brick
Every superficial ft of 1$ brick thick or 13" shall count 22 £ brick
Every superficial ft of 2 brick thick or 17" shall count 30 brick
Every superficial ft of 1\ brick thick or 21" shall count 37$ brick
Every superficial ft of 3 brick thick or 25" shall count 45 brick
It all depends upon the size of the brick. It is possible to
make them to fit the foregoing table, but it is not done, and
thus the rule is a rule of thumb and not a rule of science.
But it works, and it is hardly worth while trying to change it.
RULE FOR GETTING NUMBER OF BRICK
Find the number of actual sq ft in a wall, and mult
by the number in table for a wall of that thickness.
THICKNESS: — The building ordinances now get the thick-
ness of a brick wall mixed up. Sometimes it is even and
sometimes odd — 8, 12, 16, 30, 24, and so on, adding 4" at each
advance. Again it is 9, 13, 17, 21, 25, 29, adding as before
but starting on another basis, which, after all, is nearer the
exact thickness. A 9" wall is one brick thick, has two brick
in width, and 15 to the sq ft in wall measure.
ACTUAL QUANTITY:— According to the table, 22£ brick are
required for a cf. As a matter of fact 17, with large joints, are
enough of the national size, which is becoming the standard, —
2^x4x8 J. The contractor is not paid for the larger number,
for competition is keen enough to prevent this. When mak-
ing up his bid he does not estimate the full labor and mortar
separate from the brick, and the difference between wall
measure and kiln count goes for these items, along with a
certain allowance of money.
In some localities the advance is made by 7 instead of 7*,
but what is the advantage? A cf of wall does not require 21,
76 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
so that kiln count is not found. Even 6 are usually too many,
and besides, a new calculation would have to be made for
mortar which would mean extra labor. An estimator never
troubles about mortar until the contract is signed. And if
the method of the outsider were followed, if the exact number
had to be obtained, how would he proceed when the brick
were 2f" thick instead of 2£"? He would have to obtain the
number to the cf. The trade rule is safe with any size.
A convenient multiple is also found in 7$, because with 15
and 30 and the ease with which the intermediate figures are
turned to decimals, it is better than either 7 or 6.
"WALLS OF 9": — Most of the short cuts in arithmetic we
learned at school are forgotten because we never use them, —
one I remember because I always use it in estimating brick-
work. Take a 9" wall, or 1 brick thick, 100' long, 12 high.
This means 1,200 sq ft, which at 15 brick equals 18,000 in
wall measure. Instead of multiplying by 15 it is easier to add
a cipher to the 1,200, or any number of sq ft, put the half
below and add the two together. It is easier to mult by 30
than by either 24 or 28, multiples of 6 and 7.
EXAMPLES: — A few examples may give a little more con-
fidence to those who have never figured brickwork: A wall
200'x20 high, 2 brick or 17" thick, contains 120,000 brick wall
measure; 130x13x9", 25,350; 40x18x3 brick, or 25", 32,400.
ESTIMATING BRICK IN A BASEMENT
Or taking the accompanying symmetrical basement plan
for an illustration, we have around the walls 110' in even
figures. The footings are 15" high — two bottom courses 29",
the next course 25", the next 21", and the top course 17".
The two bottom courses contain 110x6"x29", or 55 sq ft of a
wall 29" thick. In this thickness there are 52£ to the sq ft,
which gives 2,888; the average of the three upper courses is
110'x9"x21", or 82£ sq ft of 21" wall which at 37£ brick equals
3,094.
The cross wall with two courses at 21", one at 17", and the
top course at 13" equals, for the lower two, 22'x6"x37i, or 413:
for the 17", 22'x3"x30, or 165; for the 13", 22"x3"x22£, or 128
a total for all footings of 6688. A bricklayer, not figuring so
closely, might call it an even 7,000.
BRICKWORK
77
= 22-0
Above the footings, 110, x 9'-6" equals 1,045 sq ft of 13"
wall. Assuming windows to be 3' high, and the seven of
them 18' wide, we have a deduction of 54 sq ft, leaving 991x
22$, equals 22,297 brick.
The inside wall above the footing is 22'x9'-6", less a door-
way 3'x7', or 188 sq ft at 15 brick which gives 2,820.
78 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
The total number in wall measure is 31,805, or 22,250 actual
brick required on a basis of 17 to the cf.
A MACHINE SHOP
From 1901 to 1908 I made complete estimates on a score or
more of such buildings at Nos. 7, 8, and 14. The brickwork
is easily got at. Suppose a building 150'x500'. The length
around the walls, not counting corners, is 1,000' for the two
sides, and deducting twice 21" for each gable, 293' for the
ends, a total of 1,293' at 40' high from top of concrete water-
table to wall plate, we have 51,720 sq ft. Allowing 10 doors
for ends, 12'xl8', 60 windows, 16'xl6', on the two sides, both
lower and upper, 3 doors, 5'xl8', 12 gable windows, 12'xl6', the
deductions make 20,100 sq ft, leaving only 31,622. This illus-
tration, where 40% of a building is openings, shows the folly
of some trade rules.
For both gables there are 150'x6'-3", or 938 sq ft, a total of
32,560 of 17" wall x30 gives 976,800 brick in wall measure.
At each division of 20' or 22' there is a steel col built in the
wall to hold the truss. Nothing is deducted for these- cols.
Outside of each, and at all corners, is a pilaster, 2'x37'-6"x4i"x
32 times for sides; and on gables, 2x40 ( average )x4£x!4 times,
giving 3,520 sq ft at 7* or 26,400 in wall measure. Parapet
wall above roof, 304'xl8"xl3" at 22$, 10,260. Under cornice
on sides, flush with pilasters, 600'x2'-6"x4$"; upper, 600'xl'-6"x
4$"; gable cornice below roof line, 304x2x 4$", or 3,008 sq ft
at 7$, 22,560 in wall measure.
Main Walls 976,800
Pilasters 26,400
Parapets 10,260
Cornices 22,560
1,036,020 in wall measure
Or, on the basis of 16$ to 22$, 760,000 actual brick, no cross
walls or inside work included. Actual contents only are
taken, and all openings deducted, no matter what size.
ACTUAL COST
On several large buildings of the same style as the Machine
Shop just estimated, but about 20' lower, erected in 1907,
BRICKWORK 79
the contract price for any extra brickwork was $6 per 1,000,
wall measure. This figure did not, of course, include any
brick, but only labor, mortar, scaffolding and profit.
With mortar allowed at $1.30, wall measure, that leaves a
balance of $4.70, or $6.41 in kiln, or actual count, per M, for
labor, high scaffolding (25'), and profit, with wages at 62£c
per hour for masons.
PILASTERS, CORNICES, OFFSETS:— Straight walls are
easy enough to estimate, but pilasters, cornices, chimneys,
and such work require more care. A pilaster with 4J" of
projection is really a wall with 1\ brick to the sq ft; and all
other projections are taken in the same way. A cornice is
often as simple, and when there are many offsets, a fair
average section can be taken. No contractor would think of
deducting the hole of a small chimney, even if he followed
the system of taking only the actual contents of a building.
Special work of this kind is like fitting the last board of a
floor to the wall: it takes ten times longer than a board in
the middle of the room, but the general average must be made
high enough to provide for it.
THEORY: — Of course, it is necessary to remember that too-
much nicety is out of place when estimating a large building.
A cornice or footing is not to be taken by little 2" offsets and
the exact contents found; a fair average is all that can be
expected. It is often easier to estimate a footing by standing
it on edge, as it were, and treating it as a wall of a certain
thickness. If this will not work take the number of cf and
mult by 22.5. But it may be worth while observing here that
a wall marked 13" on the plan counts only as a ft. Some
architects mark their walls 12, others 13. It is, of course,
only odd work that we need to reduce to cf, because the
number is given for all standard thicknesses in the regular
table.
BRICK IN No. 2:— Following the illustrative method of this
book we shall now take a glance at No. 2. The actual wall
measurement with openings deducted, corners and half inter-
sections not counted, pilasters taken on face only, and so
forth, was exactly 1,000,000 brick. The actual quantity re-
quired was 750,000. The brick were of the national size. The
80 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
proportion stands at 4 to 3, so that a cf at 22.5 wall measure
all through that building required practically 17 brick. This
is a better guide than any theoretical tabulation. With a
larger brick 16 would be enough; and a building recently put
up with 76,000 kiln count, at 2£" thick, required only this
number. In engineering work with large brick and heavy
joints, 15i are sometimes sufficient, but this is at the danger
limit. On No. 8, and other buildings of the plant, there were
2,300,000 in wall measure, and the contractor used 1,650,000,
or a trifle less than 161. This included waste.
The number of brick on my original estimate of No. 2 with
half the openings deducted was 1,099,000. If estimated ac-
cording to the standard rules of Omaha and Chicago, with
large chimneys solid, the number would be about 1,190,000.
HEAVY PIERS, ETC.
By the cy for massive work, on a basis of 16, allow 432
actual brick; of 17, 459; of 18, 486.
The exact number can not be estimated on account of size,
waste, etc, but we can get close to it.
SIZE: — The size of the brick has to ,be watched both on
account of quantity and labor. Small brick are not much
loved by contractors. The national size is making its way,
but some manufacturers still adhere to the old large sizes in
spite of building ordinances, which forbid under penalty of
fine, anything larger than 2ix4x8^. The size listed in the
Chicago ordinance is 2x4x8, requiring 18 to the cf.
WASTE: — The question of waste requires to be noted. It is
placed from 2 to 5% by the authorities. With fair brick, 2
is sufficient; only the poorest material should run to 5. But
the waste in Nos. 2 and 8 is included in the number used, so
that the proportion stands.
HOLLOW WALLS: — Estimate hollow walls the same as solid
walls of equal thickness, and allow $1.50 per 1,000 extra when
both walls are 9"; $1, when both are 13.
BACKING: — Deduct the thickness of ashlar and figure brick
backing by the ordinary rules. Sometimes a little fitting has
to be done against the stone, but there is no exposed work or
BRICKWORK 81
plumbing of corners. Brick nogging in between partition
studs takes about one-half more time than straight work.
SHOVED WORK:— Nos. 2, 7, 8, and 14 are laid in shoved
work, with a selected common face-brick and a | joint, —
which occasionally stretches to f without any harm being
done. Work of this kind, if well laid, is worth $1 per 1,000
more than the usual quality.
CHEAP BRICK: — It may be well to point out here a trap
that snared at least one contractor. Cheap brick have to be
watched. Times were dull and he got his brick for $5 per
1,000, but he forgot something.
Take as an illustration a building with 1,000,000 brick, wall
measure. Allow 750,000 kiln count and put the price for
laying and mortar, say $3. per 1,000 wall measure extra.
No matter what the price of brick, this cost is a fixed quantity.
If you got brick for nothing the laying and the mortar would
cost the same as if they were $20 per 1,000. With brick at $5
the contract runs to $8,000; at $7, $10,000. In both cases
750,000 kiln count are required, leaving a balance of 250,000.
This quantity in wall measure is not required, and the allow-
ance goes for mortar, laying and profit, coupled with the $3
extra on the 750,000. After buying brick at $5 the balance
is $4.250; at $7, $6,250, or on the basis of the 250,000 at $7
we get $1,750, while at $5 the amount is only $1,250, leaving
a shortage of $500 for laying, mortar, and profit, which are
the same regardless of the price of the brick. With dear brick
and wall measure there is a sure margin if the same $3 is
added.
PRICE: — A common figure for ordinary brickwork is $11 to
$12 per 1,000, wall measure, when brick cost $7 laid down;
but a good deal depends upon the size of the building and the
character of the work. A small Omaha building laid in'
Portland cement cost $12.50 per 1,000, wall measure, with
hour wages of 55c. Even large ones have been known to run
to $16.
UNDERPINNING : —Underpinning and such work costs a good
deal more than plain walls. On one building the cost of labor
82 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
on 180,000 brick, kiln count, was $9. All the work went under
a raised roof and in openings and required extra labor outside
and inside. But work at that price is worth watching. Some
small basements have run as high as $25.
PATCHING: — Patching takes twice as long as new work; and
some kinds even longer.
HOLLOW BUILDING TILE:— This material is rapidly becom-
ing more popular. It is used on the inside' of walls to keep
out dampness, and also for partitions. It is of various sizes.
On the cars here the rate is $6.50 for as many as will displace
1,000 brick, so that the cost is about the same. One advantage
is that when the large blocks are used the laying goes on
faster than with brick. Blocks 4x8x16 and 8x8x16 are the
common sizes. Partition blocks are made from 1£ thick up.
THICKNESS:— Brick walls 4£" thick are seldom built here;
in Scotland I saw them in almost every house. They are used
for partitions on the first floor, and if properly built and
plastered they last for a lifetime and beyond. But the labor
costs at least 10% more than if the walls were thicker. If
built here by the average bricklayer I should be afraid to
lean against them. The Arabian proverb says that hurry is
the devil, — but again, what can be more leisurely than $9 to
$25 per 1,000 for labor? Two new brick schools have been
torn down in Omaha in recent years; several more are fall-
ing to pieces. There is plenty of brickwork in Europe hun-
dreds of years old, but it was laid by men who understood
their business, just as the old-style American carpenter under-
stood his a century ago and built frame houses that still
endure.
SEWERS:— See Chap 6.
CISTERNS: — Cisterns are often taken by the bbl at about
90c. This includes excavation, 4" brick lining on bottom and
around arch only, a finish coat of Portland cement, and an
iron cover.
Or the work may be estimated in the ordinary way; mult
the internal diam by 3f, the product by the height, and
the number of sq ft by 7* for wall measure. Add floor, arch
BRICKWORK 83
and ring. If walls are thicker than half a brick proceed as
explained under sewers. The labor of laying brick against
earth is about same as on an ordinary wall» for there is no
plumbing. The turning of the arch takes some extra time.
For an 8' span, half a brick thick, allow one man 5 hours at
most; for 10', 6 to 7.
For a 3,000 gall cistern, 8'x8', 9" walls, $100, 3£c per gall, or
$1.06 per bbl. Walls are 9"; 4£" walls are heavy enough.
For 100,000 gall 24' diam, 30' deep, 12" concrete bottom, 9"
walls, $1,131, 1.131c per gall, or 43c per bbl of 3U gals.
CESSPOOLS: — Cesspools cost more for labor as they are
deeper, and both excavation and scaffolding are more expen-
sive. Cisterns are usually about 10' deep, — cesspools may be
20. Add 25% for labor.
Cost price of cesspools lined with 4£" of brick in cement,
and plastered with Portland may be approximated as follows:
4' inside diam $3.25 per ft deep down to 12'; to 20', $3.75;
5' diam, $4 and $4.75 for 12 and 20'; 6', $5 and $6. Or roughly,
$1 per ft of internal diam per ft deep — 4'-6" diam, $4.50 per
ft deep. When deeper than 20' allow $1.50 — and soil may be
such as to make $2 necessary. One 8' diam rubble cost $1.10,
or $105.60 for 12'.
CHIMNEY-STACKS:— Get the cubical contents of walls, then
actual number of brick required, and estimate $12 per 1,000,
at 55c per hour basis, for labor. Above 100', $14 up to 125.
Allow sand and cement or lime in ordinary way. If core is
too small for men add scaffold. Allow extra for fire-brick if
used. When bricklayers get 75' above the ground they usually
demand higher wages, and often reach $1 per hour when 100'
high. But on a basis of 55c I know of a square stack 150'
high which cost less than $7 per 1,000, kiln count for labor
at 50c per hour for masons. It contained 250,000 actual brick.
SMALL CHIMNEYS:— When the walls are 9" and 13" thick
they may be estimated in the ordinary way, but it takes two
or three times as long to lay work as on straight walls. For
small flues with 4" and 8" walls the following table will be
useful to get the number of brick required to the If. The
national size is figured with 4 courses to 11".
84 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
CHIMNEY TABLE
No. of Cost per ft with flue
No. of flues Size of flues Size of chimney bricks to ft linings and profit
1 8Jx8i 17x17 29 $1.15
2 8ix8^ 17x29 49 1.60
3 8£x8i 17x37 66 2.00
1 8^x13 17x21 34 1.40
2 8£x8i and 8£xl3 17x33 54 1.85
2 8^x13 17x37 59 2.05
3 8^x13 17x54 86 2.75
1 8^x16 17x25 38 1.70
1 13x13 21x21 38 1.60
2 13x13, 8" and 4" 29x37 108 2.50
1 13x16 21x25 44 1.85
1 16x16, 8" wall 33x33 115 2.70
LABOR on 8£"x8i" flue chimneys, 35 to 40c; 8£" double, 50c.
CHIMNEY-BREASTS wide enough for mantels may be esti-
mated by the ordinary rules. They are occasionally taken at
$3 per ft of height, but this depends upon size, and is for
common brick. With ornamental pressed brick, twice that
figure is sometimes too low.
FLUE LININGS: — In most cities they must be used. The
smallest size for an ordinary flue should not be less than
Discount the table 60%.
FLUE LININGS
Round Corners. In 2 feet lengths. Outside measure.
Inches Per ft Inches Per ft
4£x 8$ ....ISO 30 12 x!6 $1.00
4£xl3
45
13 x!3
85
4^x18
1.00
13 x!8
1.20
6 x!2
50
14 x!6
1.10
7x7
35
16 x!6
1 . 60
8Jx 8J
45
16 x20
2.00
8^x13
65
'18 x!8
2.00
8ixl8 .
.90
For Round and Register openings add 50%.
CHIMNEY TOP:— To rebuild one on a pitched roof, $10 for
8£x8£ to 12x12 flue; $12 for a double flue, profit not included.
They should always be built in Portland cement, and never
with any projections. A straight line chimney lasts longest,
and looks well.
BRICKWORK
85
MEASUREMENTS AND BRICK REQUIRED FOR SETTING
TUBULAR BOILERS WITH FULL FRONTS
Diameter
Inches
F
11
;SS
M
£3
Fire Wall
Inches
111
tH^ 0
|l»
^02
Side Walls
at Front
Inches
Width over
all
Ft -In
Length
over all
Ft -In
Common
Brick
Firebrick
30
8
124
~80
18
"13"
16
5- 2
n-74
5200
320
30
10
12J
80
18
13
16
5- 2
13-74
5800
320
36
s
124
80
18
13
16
5- 8
11-74
6200
480
36
10
12J
80
18
13
16
5- 8
13-74
7000
480
40
10
14;
92
21
18
21
6-10
14-2J
7700
600
40
12
14?
92
21
18
21
6-10
16-2|
8800
600
42
10
14;
92
21
18
21
7- 0
14-4|
10000
720
42
12
14?
92
21
18
21
7- 0
16-4f
10800
720
42
14
14i
92
21
18
21
7- 0
18-4|
11600
720
48
12
14>
100
24
18
21
7- 6
16-4|
13200
980
48
14
14>
100
24
18
21
7- 6
18-4|
14200
980
48
16
14>
100
24
18
21
7- 6
20-4|
15200
980
54
14
16J
110
24
22
25
8- 8
19-24
14900
1154
54
16
16J
110
24
22
25
8- 8
21-24
16000
1154
60
14
16^
118
24
22
25
9- 2
19-24
16100
1280
60
16
16^
118
24
22
25
9- 2
21-24
17400
1280
60
18
104
118
24
22
25
9- 2
23-24
18700
1280
66
16
17J
118
24
22
25
9- 8
21-34
19700
1400
66
18
174
118
24
22
25
9- 8
23-34
21000
1400
72
16
194
133
30
22
25
10- 2
21-94
20800
1550
72
18
194
133
30
22
25
10- 2
23-94
22000
1550
NOTE: To get length over all, add 2nd and 3rd cols.
BOILERS: — There are so many kinds that it is hard to set
a price for setting. Get the number of cf, mult by $12 per
1,000, in wall measure, and allow from 25 to 50% for extra
labor. But if set upon large foundations without other
masonry the unit price need not be greater than for ordinary
work. Cost may run from $150 to $600.
BRICK ARCHES: — Measure brick arches for sidewalks, fire-
proofing, etc, in the ordinary way and allowed the centering
extra. In both walks and firepoofing it is usually possible
to hang centers to the steel beams. Brick are very seldom
used for fireproofing now, and the centering for terra cotta
is of plank which does not require any labor except the
preliminary bolting of hangers which are changed from span
86 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
to span. For sidewalk centering allow 8c per sq ft. Usually
only a couple of centers are required, as they are moved.
CENTERS: — For nearly two months of my apprenticeship I
worked on a large Gothic church making, setting and remov-
ing centers, but unfortunately I kept no time as the most
interesting time then was the time to quit. I have never
since kept time on centers. Like tool-houses, temporary
fences, engineer to set stakes, etc, they are a necessary evil
which runs away with honest money. (See Chap X)
STACKING: — Here is something most contractors have read
before: " 1,000 brick closely stacked occupy about 56 cf ; 1,000
old brick cleaned and closely stacked occupy about 72 cf." In
the first case the actual room required for the solid mass
would be about 45 cf at national size, and the 11 cf are needed
for voids.
CLEANING: — Many thousands of old brick were lately
cleaned for $2 per 1,000, which is a high price. Cleaning is
sometimes done by piece-work for $1. (See Index.)
PRESSED BRICK: — Get the exact number of sq ft and mult
by 6£ to 7 for the number of brick. More brick are required
than for common work because the joints are smaller, and
4 courses make only 10" instead of 11 or even 12 with good
sized common brick. Reveals if more than 4" deep have to
be figured. The size of pressed brick varies, as well as the
size of the joint, but 6 of the average brick with neat joint
will cover a space 10"xl3". With some brick and a large
joint 6 are sufficient to the sq ft. It is possible to make the
joints too small.
Sometimes brick are laid in a bond that shows many
headers, and thus a brick covers but half the surface it does
when used as a stretcher. This means an extra allowance of
material if architect does not permit headers to be cut.
Moulded brick running around doors, windows, arches, pro-
jections, etc, take up much of an estimator's time when pre-
paring a bid. They are often of a dozen different kinds with
as many different prices. With brick at 3c to 15 one can not
afford to be careless. Deduct the number from the plain brick
-if the whole surf has been included. Do not order too
BRICKWORK 87
many as they will not be taken back; Do not estimate too
few as each brick may cost 20c.
There ought not to be much waste if brick are good* but
there are architects who expect a $30 front for $14, and some-
times steal from a contractor by rejecting brick which are up
to the specification. To get at the number of Roman or any
other special brick find the number of sq in. in a sample,
allowing $" on 1 side and 1 end for mortar. Five courses fo
the average Roman make 9" in height; their length is 11| to
llf, so that 7 are required to the sq ft.
ENAMELED 'BRICK: — Enameled brick may be estimated in
the same way as pressed brick. They run from $90 to $100
per 1,000 kiln count in the wall.
There are so many kinds of pressed brick that one descrip-
tive catalog and price-list has 130 pages. Why attempt to
give prices here? A fair brick may be had for $15, a better
one for $25, and a beauty for $40 per 1,000. All colors are
now at our service, and color cuts some figure in the price.
The standard is red, and the prices on the various colors run
from 30 to 50% more. The packing on a small order costs
$7 per 1,000. Moulded brick are sold only with straight brick
unless in exceptional cases. A car-load is 8,000.
SIZE: — "Owing to different shrinkage of the various clays
required to produce different colors, exact sizes can not be
given. The following are approximate:"
Standard size — 8§x2§x4£ Roman size— ll£xl}Jx4
Impervious white or gray face:
Standard — 8^x21x4 Roman — Il£xlfx4
Enameled sizes are about the same. Roman tile is enameled
size set on edge. English enameled is 9x3. Care must be
taken when estimating headers as end only is enameled.
Enamels may be had in white, buff, brown, blue, and green.
In the East a white standard sized enameled brick costs $75
per 1,000, and a gray porcelain faced, $45.
ARCHES: — It is necessary to watch arches. If brick have to
be ground to fit the radius they cost from 5c to 25c each.
Sometimes they can be laid without grinding, and there are
contractors who prefer to chip them, which seems to show
88 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
that the manufacturers charge too high a price for grinding.
To chip and lay a jack-arch 17" high, 13" reveal, allow $10.
There are 300 different kinds of moulded brick, and about as
many different prices.
PRESSED BRICK LIST:— The Omaha list seldom changes.
For the ordinary face brick the 1913 prices are as follows:
STANDARD SIZE
PerM
Shade Nos. 1 to 8, red; 1st grade (any shade) $16.00
Second grade red (any shade) 14.00
Shade Nos. 551 to 559, inclusive, Buff 21.00
Shade No. 550, Iron Spot, Light, Medium and Dark. . 21.00
Shade No. 580, Buff Spotted (kiln run, fire marked) . 21.00
Shade Nos. 582 to 589, inclusive, Buff Spotted 25.00
Shade No. 570 Gray (kiln run, fire marked) 21.00
Shade Nos. 572 to 579, inclusive, Gray 25.00
Shade No. 540 Bronze mixed. . 19.00
ROMAN SIZE
Buff 22.00
Iron Spot : 25.00
Buff Spotted 29.00
Gray 29.00
CORNICES: — Standard brick cornices are also supplied, cost-
ing from $1.50 to $3.50 per If on cars. They are from 2'-6" to
5' 0" high. Allow extra for labor and mortar from $1 to $2 per
If. Prices are for red; other colors are 50% higher.
WALL COPING: — Salt-glazed, terra-cotta wall-coping is made
in 24 and 18" lengths, and for 9, 13, and 17" walls. Angles,
starters and tee branches are made: Straight, 15, 20, 35c per
ft. Corners, angles, returns, ends, starters, etc, cost four
times the price of one ft of straight coping.
TERRA-COTTA is of special design and has to be priced ac-
cordingly.
BRICK PAVING:— See Chap VI.
MORTAR: — Before we plunge into a discussion of quantities
we may profitably look back at No. 2. In that building there
BRICKWORK 89
were 750,000 brick, kiln count, and it took 720 bbls of lime
and cement to lay them. This is close to a bbl per 1,000. But
at least 200,000 were laid in cement at 11 bbl to the 1,000.
This leaves 470 bbls of lime tempered with cement to 650,000
brick, or practically .85 of a bbl to the 1,000. This is 17-20,
and with good lime it is sufficient. But some kinds of lime
require more. It is impossible to get mathematical figures on
all work. Lime may be spoiled, and more required, or it may
be of an inferior quality. There was something said about
this in the introductory part. One contractor wanted a bbl,
another £ bbl, or at most |, and the largest allowance was
1£ bbls. " From time immemorial 1 bbl of lime and f yd of
sand to 1,000 brick." It is a safe allowance. Something de-
pends upon the thickness of joints, richness of mortar, and
so forth. A good proportion is 1 of lime to 3 of sand. Ex-
periments by U. S. engineers soows that the best mortar is
composed of 1 part lime paste to 2 parts of sand. Some
bricklayers make a bbl of goo 3 lime lay 1,600 brick, but this
draws a little heavy on the sai^.d pile. A fair average is £ bbl.
Ordinary mortar is worth about $1.75 kiln count; with pressed
brick, $1.90.
Lime goes much further than cement. In the basement of
an Omaha warehouse built solidly, 1,000 brick, wall measure,
took 1.25 bbls of cement. As there are only about 750 actual
brick, this means 1.66 bbls to the 1,000. It does not pay to
make mortar too short, as it is harder to handle than if made
in the proper proportions, and what is gained in cement is
lost in labor, which at 62|c an hour soon counts.
On another Omaha basement built solidly, and containing
about 250,000 brick, kiln count, 400 bbls of cement were used,
or 1.6 to the 1,000.
A publication at hand advertising an excellent brand of
Am. Portland cement says that 1 bbl should be sufficient to
make enough mortar to lay 2,000 brick with i" joints. That
is only $ bbl to the 1,000 actual count. Joints of this size do
not require as much mortar as ordinary ones, but they can
not be made with common brick in cement, and if they could
the extra cost of labor would run away with the saving in
cement ten times over. Besides, the allowance is far too
small.
90 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
For ordinary masonry I read in an excellent publication that
1,000 brick require H bbls of cement and the same quantity
of lime at a proportion of 1 to 3. In another work I find that
a bbl of lime will lay 1,000 brick, and that is near enough
the mark for good lime, although No. 2 took less. In still
another book f of a bbl is the allowance. One authority says
1 bbl of cement, another 11 bbls, or three times as much, and
the actual quantity on the basement of 3 large buildings takes
li to 11 bbls to the 1,000, kiln count; and 17-20 of lime. There
is the choice between actual work and theory.
For pressed brick 1 bbl is sufficient, so that a building with
pressed brick fronts and thin walls lowers the average.
"With joints 1 to f and brick 2|, allow for ready mixed
mortar .8 cy per 1,000; i to f joints, .45 cy."
ALLOWANCES FOR MORTAR PER M ACTUAL BRICK
Portland Cement, H to U bbls.
Good Lime, | bbl. x
Mortar Color, Red, f to 1 joints, 1 bbl to 6,000 (See under
"M. Color").
Mortar Color, Red, 1 joints, 1 bbl to 8,000.
Fire Clay, 1 ton to 7,000 or 8,000.
For Pressed Brick, 1 bbl lime.
SAND: — This material is so cheap that an accurate account
is seldom kept of how much goes to concrete, how much to
brick, plaster, filling and so forth. In general, 1 to f cy of
sand is allowed to the 1,000 brick, kiln count. As nearly as I
can separate the total amount under the various headings on
No. 2, 640 tons were used for 750,000 brick. At 3,000 lbs« to
the cy this makes 420 cy, or .56 to the 1,000, kiln count.
An allowance of f yd is often made; on this building it runs
to 11-25 or a trifle less. Again you will find men who use too
much sand as it mixes well with lime. Pressed brick does not
take half of the foregoing allowance. Sand for paving, filling,
etc, can be easily estimated in cy.
WATER: — Water has to be paid for in most cases. The Omaha
rate is 7c per 1,000, kiln count, for tempering mortar and
wetting brick; tempering mortar only, 2c; making mortar,
7c. In the first case mortar might be delivered from a mix-
BRICKWORK 91
ing yard and require to be tempered only at building — and in
hot weather brick might have to be wet. For making mortar
and wetting brick the rate is therefore 14c, which is too much.
Contractors prefer a meter, which keeps the cost down to 4c.
The Chicago rate is 5c per 1,000.
PER CENT: — Per cent of mortar in a cy of masonry: " Coarse
brickwork, joints i to f, 35 to 40; ordinary, i to f, 25 to 30;
pressed brick, £, 10 to 15."
As there are about 4.4 cf in a loose bbl of cement, and 27
cf in a cy of sand, it is easy to get the amount required for
any given proportion of mortar. Thus 1 to 3 means 1 bbl of
cement and 13 cf of sand.
CARLOAD: — A carload of lime in bulk may run from 130 to
230 bbls.
MORTAR COLOR:— On No. 2 with joints not less than f"
22 bbls were used for a surf of about 20,000 sq ft, openings
being deducted. As face mortar is required only on the out-
side course this means 1 bbl to 5,000 brick. With smaller
joints a bbl will easily lay 6,000. This rate was recently used
on 30,000 pressed brick. On a building recently erected 5,100'
Ibs of red color was the quantity required for 80,000 brick, laid
in the same size of joint at No. 2. This is on basis of 8,000
tc-Jbbl. For fine joints, the allowance to 5,000 is too large.
For red, brown, and buff, one maker allows in his catalog
50 Ibs to the 1,000 for spread joints; for buttered joints, 45
Ibs. For black, 40 to 45 Ibs; and 25 to 35 buttered. A bbl of
red contains 500 Ibs; brown, 450; buff, 425; black, 300 to
500. Red is about l^c per Ib; brown and buff, 2c; black, 3c.
The weights are those of only one manufacturer. His allow-
ances are too close ; but a good deal depends upon the shade.
Half the proper quantity may be made to serve. Some con-
tractors find that 1 bbl is sufficient for 8,000 brick. A good
deal depends upon the mixer. A raw hand wastes material
without improving the mortar.
LABOR: — The cost of laying the brick in No. 2 was too much,.
but a common brick front was made to look as if it were
pressed brick.
In wall measure, openings deducted, and only actual contents
taken, the cost throughout with laborers' wages included, waa
"02 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
$4.20 per 1,000; in kiln count, $5.60. Wages wer? 45c and 17
to 18c per hour. This was at the rate of 1,150 brick far 1
man in a 9-hour day after laborers' wages were deducted.
TRADESMEN AND LABORERS:— Different buildings give
different proportions of time for bricklayers and laborers, as
some require much more scaffolding and hoisting than others;
on this one, as far as figured, 5,350 hours of bricklayers took
8,280 hours of laborers, or about 2 of the one to 3 of the
other. Sometimes 4 to 5 is the proportion. On a 1-story
building with many angles, a recent proportion was 1,450 brick-
layers' to 1,650 laborers' hours.
DETAILS: — There were special reasons for the high price of
No. 2. All arches were of chipped brick, the soffits as well
as the face, a good deal of fitting was necessary, and brick
had often to be rechipped. Deep flat arches around the base-
ment openings took up a good deal of time; rowlock arches
over all other openings kept the men a long while, for it is
far easier to lay brick upon a stone or steel lintel than to
turn an arch and chip to suit; a large triple-arched, four-faced
corridor not shown on the illustration took long enough to
build a house; and the dentil cornice and tower ran the
average much lower than it would have been on a plain build-
ing. Extra time was taken in using two colors of mortar
throughout.
NUMBER LAID: — But I once knew of buildings having alto-
gether about 1,000,000 actual brick where the No. 2 average
was not nearly reached. They were plain, with thick walls,
without arches, towers, or heavy cornice, and with only one
color of mortar, and yet on one the average for 8 hours was
€50; on another, 750; on the best, 825. It ought to have been
at least half as much more, for the buildings were low. It
is as well to speak of one risk in an estimate — that which
comes from lazy bricklayers. There is a happy medium be-
tween slave-driving and loafing. At the rate of even 800 brick
per day this is only 100 per hour, or close to ITTTT per minute
with a laborer and a quarter to assist. It seems that a trained
bricklayer ought to be able to double this on plain work.
PRICE: — While at this part I asked a contractor who had
done a great deal of warehouse work, " How much is it worth
BRICKWORK 93
to lay 1,000 brick, kiln count, on warehouses at the 55c per
hour rate?" "About $3.75." I asked another with large ex-
perience and he allowed $4. On 1 building referred to, if put
on a 55c basis, the rate was $7.90; on the other, $8.80; on
the worst, $10.50.
PRESSED AND COMMON BRICK:— Although the price of lay-
ing pressed brick is given further on it is next to impossible to
get the two kinds separated. A better way is to lump all brick
together and get the average. I know of several large build-
ings with $ to \ of pressed brick; and the average of the
first — flats — was 1,200; the second, heavy walls practically
on ground level, was 1,450, the third, with 4 fronts, 4 stories,
of pressed brick, 1,240. This means from $4.75 to $5.75 per
1,000, kiln count, and $2.90 to $3.90 wall measure. With-
out pressed brick $4 would have been sufficient.
PRICE: — It was said in another part of this book that $3 per
1,000, wall measure, was a reasonable amount to allow on
plain work in addition to the cost of the brick laid down.
This seems small after the 800 rate is thought of; but a good
deal of extra cement work on the basement of No. 9 was
done at this figure. But $3.50 to $5 extra is not unreasonable
after openings and corners are deducted.
On No. 2 there are 750,000 brick. At $6.50 for brick, and,
at the 45c rate, $2.50 for laying we have $9,000, there being
1,000,000 kiln count. Brick, $4,775, lime, say, 700 bbls at 90c,
$6.30; sand, 400 yds at 70c, $2.80; leaving for labor $3,315, or
$4.42 per 1,000, kiln count. The work was figured at a higher
rate for arches, cornices, etc, and for laying the basement in
natural cement which is worth at least 50c per 1,000 extra.
ON FLATS AND SHOPS:— On flats, stores, dwellings, halls,
etc, the price must be set to suit the class of work with an
average basis of 750. There are the extremes of $3.75 and
$10.50 on common brick. Before establishing your price in all
cases consult the bricklayers. The average on No. 7 was not
more than 1,000. On some days 600 was nearer the mark.
QUICK WORK:— But if we have looked at them while they
were playing do not let us forget that they can also work.
On the heavy footings and basement walls of a warehouse
94 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
built in the best way, each bricklayer laid 3,200 brick in an
8-hour day; and on another basement this figure was exceeded.
No one expects this rate clear to the roof, for above the heavy
footings it means poor workmanship, but play at 62£c per hour
is unbecoming.
WAREHOUSES: — In heavy warehouse work with common
brick fronts 1,800 ought to be laid; and, if not too far from
ground, 2,000 need not be considered miraculous. With 9"
walls 1,000 is enough. About 1,200 for ordinary plain work
is a fair allowance. The higher the building the more ex-
pensive do scaffolding, hoisting and tending become.
ENGINEERING: — In engineering with heavy piers and walls,
1,800 ought to be laid in cement and shoved. Work properly
shoved is worth not only 50c per 1,000 extra, but a good deal
more to the owner. A brick is laid down in a full bed of
mortar a few inches from the last one in place and shoved
close. The joint is necessarily full nearly to the top and
the small space is filled with the next bed if not before. Al-
though specified the work is sometimes not done..
PASSENGER STATIONS:— A passenger station with 76,500
•extra large brick was recently laid at the rate of 56 per hour
per man throughout. This included a fairly good pressed
front of the same brick selected. With short, thin walls,
angles, corners, arches, etc, this was a fair rate, which might
have been better. But there is a difference between a building
of this kind and a warehouse.
I know of 2 other passenger stations where each man in 10
tours laid 250 to 270 pressed brick as an average, and also
backed up with a 9" wall. With short runs, jambs, and arches,
this was a fair day's work, for it averaged about 650 brick.
With long, straight, thick walls the number would have been
increased 50%.
I know of a small freight depot, however, which cost for
labor alone, $29 per 1,000, kiln count, where the small cement
shed cost $375, and the " engineering," $350.
MACHINES: — Bricklaying machines are on the market, but
the perfect one is not yet so far west as Nebraska, and there
are no figures at hand.
BRICKWORK 95
SIZE: — In Scotland brick contain about 50% more ci than
here. In making comparisons as to number laid per day this
is sometimes forgotten. But few brick are used there. In
the north of England brick buildings are the rule.
PRESSED BRICK FRONTS: — A common way to estimate
this work for a fair quantity of material is to get the price of
the common brick in the regular way without making any
deduction for the outside course, and then to add the cost of
the pressed brick laid down at the building. It may be said
that to lay brick worth $15 does not require more work than
at $25, and that therefore the rule is not fair; but in general
the higher price of the pressed brick the finer the quality of
the work has to be to suit the architect, who puts on ornament
enough to correspond with the value of the material.
FINE FRONTS: — Fine residences with ornamental pressed
brick fronts should be allowed at the full thickness of common
brick, then the price of the pressed brick added, and finally
$20 per 1,000 extra on the pressed brick for labor. It is well
for those who estimate on ornamental work to understand that
it is worth this price, which seems excessive, but which has
been proved by results to be reasonable — and sometimes risky.
Sunk panels, projecting brick, corbels, etc, are very costly.
With jambs, corners, moulded arches, buttresses with bases
and caps to dream about, with' chimney-caps when they are
reached after a long delay and trouble without end there is
no money in this kind of work unless it is done on a per-
centage, which is about the only proper way to do it, — and
then the chief sufferer is the owner who deserves to be
punished for his folly. Between the extremes of $12 for
" culls," and $50 extra for the brick on a house where a dreary
architect constructs decoration instead of decorating construc-
tion you have your choice. Between lazy bricklayers and
artistic architects the lot of a contractor is not a happy one.
FIRE-BRICK: — Fire-brick and enameled brick are estimated
in the same way. Enameled brick take a little more time than
pressed brick.
DOUBLE FACE WORK: — When a wall has fine face-brick on
both sides allow 10% extra after the other allowances are
96 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
made. On one of the heaviest buildings in Omaha — the
Burlington station — the contractor paid a proportionate price
for work of this kind. Do not look for mercy after a contract
is signed. " Business is business."
NUMBER LAID:— A bricklayer ought to lay from 400 to 500
common pressed brick in an 8-hour day — but if he sometimes
lays only 650 ordinary brick in a long, thick wall, why expect
too much when he goes to the front? The best system is to
include pressed brick with common and take the average.
Some figures on large work have already been given.
FLEMISH BOND:— It is worth from $3 to $4 per 1,000 extra
to lay brick in Flemish bond.
VENEERING: — Allow 400 for one man in a day. The 1st
story of No. 10 is veneered.
WASHING: — To properly wash a building and point the joints
is worth 3c per sq ft. Allow 1 gall of muriatic acid to 500
sq ft, and dilute with rain water.
CHIPPED BRICK: — In some parts there is a liking for
chipped brick. It looks well on a basement, on arches, bands,
etc, but not all over the face of a building. The cost of
chipping is $2 for a reasonable quantity. Sometimes the price
is $2.50; it was once $3. All reveals, corners, soffits of arches,
etc, have to be returned, and it is necessary, to have this under-
standing with the chipper if the work is done by the piece.
The basement and other parts of No. 2 are covered with the
triumph. It takes about as much time to lay it as it does for
a cheap pressed brick.
NUMBER OF ACTUAL BRICK LAID PER HOUR BY (1)
BRICKLAYER AND (1%) LABORER :
Plain heaviest work in cement 400
Engineering work (heavy piers)" 300
Warehouse, above grade, lime and cement .. ..220 to 160
Railroad shops and m'f'g b'ld'gs (high walls) 120
Stores and flats, common pressed brick 130
Stores and flats, common brick only 190
Heavy walls, pressed brick, 1 story 160
Small passenger stations, fair pressed brick 60
Veneering 40
Best pressed brick panel work, etc 40
CHAPTER VI
MUNICIPAL WORK
A building contractor is sometimes obliged to put in a bid
on a class of work that does not properly belong to bis de-
partment. The following figures will be of some use as a
check on his own estimate. They are mostly prices paid by
the city of Omaha at various periods. Of course a mile of
paving can be done at a cheaper rate than 100 sq yds. In
this city awards were made as follows:
PAVING TABLE
Sheet asphaltum, 5 yrs guarantee $1.59 sq yd
Vitrified brick, 1 yr guarantee, (concrete base) . . 1.97
Disintegrated granite, 3 yrs 1.20
Bedford limestone, curbing 65 If
Colorado sandstone, curbing 70
Berea sandstone, curbing 61
Asphaltic curbing 60
Artificial stone curbing 45
Artificial stone combined curb and gutter 57
In this city, as the result of a fight, some low bids were
received. The specifications were as follows: Asphalt, class
B, 5" concrete, 1* binder, 1J asphalt; class E, repaying with
1$" of binder and 1^ of asphalt on broken stone.
VITRIFIED BRICK: — Class C, repaving on broken stone.
STONE:— Class A, blocks 8 to 12" long, 3 to 5 wide, 6 to 6*
deep, laid on 6" of concrete; class C, repaving.
Disintegrated granite, 6" deep.
The lowest bids were: Asphalt, class B, 5 yrs, $1.59; class
E, 5 yrs, $1.47 to $1.55. One company asked 20c per yd extra
for a 10 yr guarantee. But in Aug., 1902, new bids were
received for No. 1 asphalt, $2.25; No. 2, $1.99; and for vit
brick, $1.98, or with cement grouting, $2.08.
BRICK:— Class C, 1 yr, $1.16 to $1.24 vit block— Purington
or Galesburg— class C, 1 yr, $1.24 to $1.50.
STONE:— Class A, 1 yr, $2.20 to $2.35; class C, 1 yr $1.70.
97
98 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
DISINTEGRATED GRANITE:— $1.43 to $1.46 for 1 yr.
The following table is compiled from an " Abstract of Pav-
ing," for city. Labor might be higher or lower in other cities
than Omaha. The " District " price is taken, as the " Inter-
section " is practically the same. The quantities run from
3,000 to 17,000 yds.
PAVING TABLE
Material Deptl
Vit paving block 4"
i Foundation
old
Depth
Price
peryd
$1.36
Guar
Yrs
1
Vit paving block 4"
Vit paving block 4"
sand and concrete . .
old
1 and 6
1.86
1.65
1
1
Vit paving block 4"
Sheet- asphaltum. 1J
sand and concrete . .
old
1 and 6
2.08
1.50
5
5
Sheet asphaltum. 2
concrete
6
1.60
5
Sheet asphaltum li
concrete
5
1.67
5
Sheet asphaltum 2
concrete
6
2.05
5
Sheet asphaltum. 1J
Sheet asohaltum. 2
binder and concrete
concrete..
li and 6
6
1.59
1.95
5
5
AVERAGE
A fair average is found by taking in a period of several
years, and the following figures from contracts may be
compared with those already given:
PAVING AND CURBING TABLE
Asphalt on 5" concrete, $1.85 to $1.91.
Purington Block on 5" concrete, li" sand, $2.12 to $2.17.
Grouting. All bids lOc per sq yd.
365 Cy concrete base, $5 to $6.
Artificial Curb, 120 sq inches of section, 48 to 60c If.
Artificial Curb, 90 sq inches of section, 40 to 55c If.
Gutter and Artificial Curb, 138 sq inches of section, 65 to
75c If.
Bedford Curb, 75 to SOc If.
Resetting of Curb, 15 to 25c If.
Artificial Curved Curb, $1.05 to $1.35 If.
Grading, per cy, 25 to 40c.
New Gutter, $2.20 to $2.60.
New Gutter, relaying, $1.25 to $2.00.
MUNICIPAL WORK 99
BRICK PAVING
Brick paving is becoming more popular every year; and
contractors often lay it themselves instead of subletting it,
as they are likely to do with asphalt and stone. It is there-
fore worth while to set down a few figures for use in making
out bills of material.
SIZE: — The No. of brick varies according to size. Out of 14
specimens received in an Eastern city from different yards, £
took 59 to sq yd; 2, 55; and the others, 46, 48, 51, 58, 60,.
65, 68, 69, and 75. The average is 59; but of course an average
is useless with such variation in. size.
No. TO YDS: — As there are so manv sizes it is necessary to
get the number to the sq yd for each size separately. Perhaps
the best way is to take a large space, say, 100 brick long and
50 wide and by dividing by the No. of sq yds, obtain the
average. The disadvantage of taking an exact sq yd is that
even figures may not cover the space. Allow \" for sand or
other joint filler in 1 side and end before estimating. The
joints are likely to be as much larger than £ as to make up
for waste which is small with good material. Paving brick
are laid on edge on most streets. For brick of the national
size allow on edge; 62; on flat, 36. The -Purington Block —
Galesburg brick — used for street paving takes 45. The price
is about $22; the size, 3£ to 3J thick, 8 to 8| long, and 4" deep.
Good sidewalk brick may be bought for $13, or even $10 in
some localities.
PAVING PRICES: — In "The Engineering News," of New
York, N. Y., some interesting figures are given for 38,504 yc 5
of brick paving in Champaign, 111. Concrete base was 6" in
the proportion of 1, 3, 3 with H" of sand on top and then
brick paving blocks, 1,000 of which laid 25 yds. The contract
price was $1.29. The actual cost for 1 sq yd was:- grading,
.10; concrete base, .3985; brick, .7587, a total of $1.2572, or
about $1.26. The labor on base was 5.8c; on brick 8.87c.
Concrete curbing and gutter contract was 46c; actual cost of
labor and material, 39c; labor, 26.17c.
PLATFORMS: — The following figures have been tested on
large platforms by the Northwestern Railroad Company:
100 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
The size of brick varies from 2i" to 2f " thick, 4" to 4i" wide
and 8" to 8|" long. No. to yd, 38$ to 39 on flat; 55$ and 60
to 73 on edge.
COST: — Cost is from $7.50 to $10 per 1,000 without freight.
LABOR: — The cost of laying on flat was less than 8c per yd;
on edge, from lie to 15c. But this is merely the laying, no
filling being allowed, as the depth varies. From 20c to 30c
per cy ought to do the filling.
PILLING: — Approx for grading and filling 20c per sq yd.
LABOR: — On a surf of 742 sq 'yds laid with Purington the
labor ran to IOC per yd for unloading from cars, and 25c for
laying. On street paving the allowance for Purington is
3,000 per day for 1 man.
CELLARS: — Cellars run to about 5c per sq yd for labor on
flat. On cinder base 6", and sand 1", brick floors are often
averaged at 10 to 14c per sq ft.
OROUTING: — If brick are grouted with cement add lOc per
yd; bids are received at this figure.
SIDEWALKS: — The lowest bids ever received by the city for
permanent sidewalks ran to 10. 4c for hard brick, but not such
material as is used on roadway; and 14.75c for cement per
sq ft. This was in competition; but by referring to concrete
floors, end of Chap. Ill, it will be seen that cement walks
were laid at practically the same figure, although cement
has risen $1 a bbl. Ordinary walks were 14c for cement, and
10. 7c for brick. Minneapolis had a Purington bid for pressed
brick paving at $1 per yd.
On sidewalk work one man and a helper should lay about
3,000 brick; but a good deal depends upon the state of the
ground, as preparation is often half the battle.
NEW YORK PRICES: — Of course prices vary in different
sections of the country. A technical journal of New York
states that in a fair competition bids were received in that
city for $250,000 worth of asphalt paving. They ran from
$1.08 to $1.12 per sq yd. In former years the figure was $1.76
under Tammany, $3.80 to $5.86. Possibly the writer was paint-
ing Tammany too black. The above prices were said to be
MUNICIP/U, /$r(RK£ ; J101
the lowest ever received in New York — perhaps in the whole
country. A New York average for granite block, tar and
gravel joints, and also for sandstone, cement joints, was $2.80;
3" wood block, $1.75; 4", $2.20. Granite block sometimes runs
to $3.25.
CEDAR BLOCK: — In the boom days Omaha laid 25 miles of
cedar block paving on a plank or concrete base It served for
about 5 years and then went to wreck. Repaving — not with
cedar block — has been done on 19 miles, and the other 6 are
in a state of noxious desuetude. The original price was
$1.7u per yd. Asphalt at that time was about $3. Cedar block
on plank and. gravel is now worth about $1 per yd. On gravel
alone 75c.
BRICK SEWERS: — The material can be easily estimated if
they are circular. Mult the average diam by 3.1416 or 3f, and
treat the result as a straight brick wall of 9, 13, 17", or what-
ever thickness it may be. To get the number of brick the
inside diam of each ring should be taken, for the brick joint
is of the average size there, while on the outer margin of the
4$" ring it has to be increased owing to the radial line.
Suppose a sewer 300' long, 3' inside diam, with 3 rings or
13" thick. The average diam is 3'-9", for this is the inside
diam of the middle ring. Mult by 3.1416 we have a wall fully
ll'-9" high, which contains in wall measure, 79,515 brick.
By the separate ring process the 3' diam at 4$" thick equals
7£ brick or 21,206; the inside diam of next ring is 3'-9" or
26,507; inside diam of outside ring is 4'-6" or 31,807; a total of
79,520 in wall measure. See Chap V for actual number re-
quired. Better brick are used for sewer than for ordinary
building work. They are usually $1 per 1,000 more. For about
half of the height on the inside ring where the water flows the
brick should be extra hard. More cement is needed for sewers
than for a straight wall. The joints are wider on the outer
diam, and the inside has to be plastered.
Whatever section is used, circular or elliptical, it is only
necessary to get the distance around the inside and then pro-
ceed as for a common brick wall. Bricklayers' wages are $1
per hour for work of this kind. They often have to work in
water. A man will lay on an average 2,500 brick in a day.
102 I c/c V tTTIE ' JNEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
SEWER PRICES
An Omaha price for city sewers, 2 ring, 15' deep was: 36",
per If, $3.55; 42, $4.35; 54, $4.60; 66, $5.60. The manholes
are extra at same price at those for pipe sewers.
The brick bids from 6 contractors ran as follows — and, as
with all bids for city work, profit is included:
2-ring, 4'-8" diam, 900', natural cement, from $4.80 to $6.20
per If, average, $5.39; Port, from $5.20 to $6.65, aver, $5.83.
2-ring, 5'-10", 620', nat, $5.95 to $7, average, $6.56; Port,
$6.30 to $8.40, aver, $7.23.
2-ring, 6', 480', nat, $6.05 to $7.25, aver, $6.59; Port, $6.60
to $8.40, aver, $7.29.
2-ring, 6'-2", 381', nat, $6.25 to $7.43, aver, $6.82; Port, $6.95
to $9, aver, $7.73.
3-ring, 6'-4", 330', nat, $8.20 to $11, aver, $9.37; Port, $9 to
$11.50, aver, $10.11.
3-ring, 6'-6", 480', nat, $8.50 to $11.25, aver, $9.56; Port, $9.58
to $12, aver, $10.42.
Manholes to 10' high ran in nat from $1.80 per If to $3.50,
aver, $2.89; Port, $2 to $3.70, aver, $3.20.
MACHINE EXCAVATION:— Excavation for large sewers is
worth from 50 to 60c per cy in dry soil. But the most progress-
ive people now do such excavating with a machine. " The
Scientific American " recently gave some illustrations of one
at work in Moorestown, N. J., trenching for a sewer system.
With the new machine 5 men can dig a ditch 4' deep and 60'
long every hour. It is not necessary to cut the trench as wide
as with hand labor — it is cut to suit the size of the pipe; and it
can cut 6" deep to 12'. The earth has not to be handled several
times over. One illustration shows the pipe in place ready
for backfilling; another shows a man in uniform standing on
the bridge like the captain of an Atlantic liner.
Some machines do work for 5c per cu yd, in trenches, base-
ments, etc.
Now the United States Government is using an excavating
machine in the reclamation of swamp lands. It digs ditches
at the rate of 1400 cy per day with only two men in charge.
MUNICIPAL WORK 103
SEWER PIPE:— The following table gives the "Abstract."
prices on sewer pipe laid. The various contracts ran from
300 to about 4,000 ft. The totals were 1,486' of 10" inlet pipe,
which is in general a trifle lower in price than the straight
work; 8,500' of 8"; 11,493 of 10"; 5,332, 12; 2,238, 15; 291, 18;
963, 20; 1,071, 21.
Two contracts were let for 15" — 70c per ft for 7.55' deep,
and 91c for 7.5. One contract for 18" was $1.21 at 7.5' deep.
One contract for 20", $1.44 at 13.75' deep. One for 21", $1.52
at 10' deep. For 24", $1.96; 30", $3.17.
The tile bids for 15" ran from $1.04 to $1.38 in nat; and
$1.12 to $1.40 in Port for 1,554'; for 18", 165', nat, $1,78 to
$2.50; Port, $1.84 to $2.53; 21", 825', $1.98 to $2.25; and $2.05
to $2.30.
8-in Price
in cents
Average
depth in ft
10-in Price
in cents
Average
depth in ft
12-in Price
in cents
Average
depth in ft
51
11.5
60
12
70
12
53
12.5
69
16
99
14.75
89
12.25
60
11.25
65
*7
52
11.55
60
10.2
69
12.9
51
9.37
59
8.85
54
8.25
55
13.3
63
13.5
66
10.4
67
12
57
12.4
62
11
47
11
61
12.5
52
9.7
63
13.2
46
11
49
12
The average is not reliable owing to variations in depth,
but it is interesting. On the 8" the aver on 11 contracts was
55.46c for a depth of 11.47'; on 10, 61.33c for 12.21 deep;
on 12, 69.3c for 10.9 deep.
MANHOLES: — In connection with the sewers there were 503
vertical ft of manholes. The lowest price per ft was $3.15;
the aver, $3.38; the highest, $3.81.
FLUSH TANK:— There were also 226 vert ft of flush tank
with an average price of $5.43; the highest price was $9; the
lowest, $4.35. On one contract for 12.7 ft the price was $9;
eliminating this the general aver was $5.21.
LEAD AND IRON:— From 75 to 80c was charged for 463 ft
of lead pipe; 43,619 Ibs of cast iron ran from 3 to 4c.
104 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
CONCRETE SEWER:— On a 13'-6" concrete sewer, built in
Cleveland, Ohio, it was found that a gang of eight men put
13 cy in place per day.
LARGE BRICK SEWERS: — In Omaha, Neb., some large
4-ring brick sewers were let:
lO'-O" diam, per foot $21.
ll'-3" diam, per foot $26.70.
12'-0" diam, per foot $26.43.
7'-6"xl6' (I bins and masonry), $58 to $76.
Concrete per cy, $7 to $8.
REINFORCED SEWERS, ETC.
So much reinforced and brick sewer work is now done that
the following prices will be very serviceable for approximate
estimating. They are from " The Engineering News."
BIDS RECEIVED AT DENVER, COLO., FOR VARIOUS SEWERS
325 If 4'x6' reinforced concrete sewer, per ft $6.50
702 If 4'x5' reinforced concrete sewer, per ft 6.00
11 If 4'x5' reinforced concrete sewer, under tracks, per ft. . 15.50
20 If 4' 6" brick in concrete sewer under tracks, per ft 14.00
12 If 4' c-i pipe in concrete sewer under tracks, per ft 21.00
25 If 24" vit pipe in concrete sewer under tracks, per ft. ... 6.00
10 If 21" vit pipe in concrete sewer under tracks, per ft. ... 5.80
1,139 If 4' 6" circular 2-ring brick sewer, per ft. 4.80
985 If 4' 4" circular 2-ring brick sewer, per ft 4.70
863 If 4' 2" circular 2-ring brick sewer, per ft 4.60
566 If 4' 0" circular 2-ring brick sewer, per ft 4.35
3,827 If 3' 8" circular 2-ring brick sewer, per ft . . . 3.80
1,213 If 3' 6" circular 2-ring brick sewer, per ft 3.65
1,768 If 3' 4" circular 2-ring brick sewer, per ft 3.50
3,482 If 3' 2" circular 2-ring brick sewer, per ft 3.40
3,557 If 3' 0" circular 2-ring brick sewer, per ft 3.35
773 If 2' 10" circular 2-ring brick sewer, per ft 2.90
3,470 If 2' 8" circular 2-ring brick sewer, per ft 2.80
2,670 If 30" vit pipe sewer, per ft 2.90
4,362 If 27" vit pipe sewer, per ft 2.30
24" vit pipe sewer 1.75
10,109 If 21" vit pipe sewer, per ft 1.50
18,944 If 18" vit pipe sewer, per ft 1.10
23,057 If 15" vit pipe sewer, per ft 83
130 If 12" vit pipe sewer, per ft .65
15,655 If 10" vit pipe sewer, per ft 60
1,165 If 8" vit pipe sewer, per ft 51
MUNICIPAL WORK 105
378 brick manholes, each $32.50
112 sq yd sandstone block pavement (relay), per yd 2.00
270 sq yd macadam pavement, per yd 1.50
2,334 sq yd disintegrated granite pavement, per yd .60
TOTALS $220,596
SHEETING AND BRACING: — A sewer 4,000' long was built
in soft soil at Gary, Ind., in 1908. Depth ran from 18' to 30'.
An interesting and useful item is the cost of sheeting and
bracing the trench. This was 63c per If.
The total cost per If of sewer was as follows: Excavation
by machine, $0.58; excavation by hand, $3.15; sheeting, $0.63;
pumping, $1.84; hauling materials, $0.87; laying, $2.61; back-
filling by hand, $0.18; backfilling by machine, $0.44; materials,
$3.53; organization and general, $0.68; depreciation, repairs,
cost of setting up machines, etc (estimated), $1.50; cost of
making 3 railroad crossing, $2,500 (estimated), $0.58; total,
$16.59.
Aver size 7'-0" circular, 2£ ring, and 6'-9"x9'-0' oval.
Price of sewer-pipe:
3-inch 6c 10-inch 25c 20-inch $1.00
4-inch 8c 12-inch 32c 24-inch 1 . 35
6-inch 12c 15-inch 50c 30-inch 2.40
8-inch 18c 18-inch 70c
Ells and bands run about 3 to 4 times more than straight
pipe.
CURBING:— More than 3 miles of curbing were laid in 8
contracts. Colorado sandstone ran from 65 to 70c; Bedford
limestone, 67c; artificial stone curb, 75c; art stone curb and
gutter, 47c, 50, 57.
STEEL CORNER BARS:— More than a million feet of galv
steel corner bars have been used for protecting the edges of
concrete curbs. The cost of the bar, and the necessary ties
to hold it in place, is about 20c per If.
CREOSOTED BLOCK PAVING: — Minneapolis has recently
laid a good deal of creosoted block paving. The price on a
6" concrete base is from $2.50 to $2.90. This paving has been
much used in some European cities. It is made of tamarack,
106 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
Norway or Southern pine, and is far superior to the cedar
block paving.
A NEBRASKA VIADUCT was paved with this material but
the base was not included.
Material, $1.46
Labor, .44
$1.90
Contractor's profit included.
CULVERTS: — At Pittsburg a culvert of 26' span was built as
below. The exact cost was published in the "Engineering
Record," of New York, N. Y. The cost of 1,439 yds was $7,-
243.24, or $5.04 per yd. The detailed figures are a trifle less.
MATERIAL
Coarse gravel, 19c per ton, 1 .03 tons $0.19$
Fine era vel, 21c per ton, 0.40 tons .08$
Sand, 36c per ton, 0 . 32 tons 11$
Cement, $1.60 per bbl 1.53$
Lumber 43
Tools and expenses 07|
LABOR 2-43*
Preparing site and cleaning up $0.21
• Porms 28
Platforms and bldgs 05
Changing trestle work, train, and derrick 08$
Excavation 31
.Handling material 03|
.Mixing and laying concrete 1.44
2.41J
$4.85
Laborers, 15$c per hour; carpenters, 22$ to 25c; foreman
mason, 40c. Hand mixing, 1 to 8 and 1 to 10.
The cost of some Ohio city work in detail is given for use
.•as follows:
MUNICIPAL WORK 107
No. 1:— AN ABUTMENT and 6 piers for a bridge. Coffer
dams, sand, and stone close to site. Concrete, 1,542 yds, cost
$6.45 at the following rates:
Cement ($2.10) $1.58
Sand 35
Stone 75
Lumber 64
Tools 20
Pumping .15
Labor ($1.75) 2.78
$6.45
No. 2:— TWO ABUTMENTS, 434 YDS, $6.08.
Cement ($1.70) $1.48
Sand 64
Stone 1.00
Lumber 40
Tools 06
Mixing and placing 1.13
Forms 25
$4.96
Excavating in rock or shale, not really to
be charged to concrete 1.12
$6.08
No. 3:— VIADUCT PEDESTALS 8' to 20' HIGH, 570 YDS,
$7.16.
Cement ($1.60) $1.40
Sand 53
Stone 1.84
Lumber 38
Tools 05
Labor 2.96
$7.16
No. 4:— PIER 56' HIGH, ABUTMENTS AND PEDESTALS,
2,111 YDS, $7.23.
Cement ($1.60) $1.44
Sand 60
Stone 1.03
Lumber 54
Tools .25
Water 03
Labor 3.44
$7.23
The following tables are taken from "Reinforced Concrete
Construction," by Carver, David Williams Co., 50c.
108 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
ITEMIZED COST OF REINFORCED CONCRETE ARCHES
TO CARRY 55-TON INTERURBAN CARS
Cost of 50' Span 28' Wide, Reinforced Concrete Arch
Steel, 27,700 Ibs at 2£c $692.50
Steel Placing, 27,700 at Ic 277.00
Formwork at $1.00 per cy of concrete.. 370.00
Cement, 481 bbls at $2.00 962.00
Sand, 185 cy at $1.00 185.00
Stone, 370 cy at $2.00 740.00
Mixing and placing 370 cy at $1.50 555.00
$3,781.50
Incidentals add 15% 567.22
$4,348.72
Profits add 10% 434.87
$4,783.59
Cost of Reinforced Concrete Arch, 75' Span 28' Wide
Steel, 38,800 Ibs at 2£c 970.00
Placing Steel, 38,800 at Ic 388.00
Formwork at $1.00 per cy of concrete.. 740.00
Cement, 962 bbls at $2.00 1,924.00
Sand, 370 cy at $1.00 370.00
Stone, 740 cy at $2.00 1,480.00
Mixing and placing 740 cy at $1.50 1,110.00
$6,982.00
Incidentals add 15% 1,047.30
$8,029.30
Profit add 10% 802.93
"$8,832.23
Cost of Reinforced Arch, 100' Span 28' Wide
Steel, 55,650 Ibs at 2£c $1,391.25
Placing Steel, 55,650 Ibs at Ic 556.50
Formwork at $1.00 per cy 1,008.00
Cement, 1,310 bbls at $2.00 2,620.00
Sand, 504 cy at $1.00 504.00
Stone, 1,008 cy at $2.00 2,016.00
Mixing and placing 1,008 cy at $1.50 1,512.00
$9,607.75
Incidentals add 15% , 1,441.16
$11,048.91
Profit add 10% 1,104.89
$12,153.80
MUNICIPAL WORK
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THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
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CHAPTEE VII
FIREPROOFING: TILE: REINFORCED CONCRETE
" Few probably realize that during the first quarter of 1908
the value of buildings destroyed by fire practically equaled
the contemplated new construction during these three months,
and these figures do not, of course, include the Chelsea fire
in Boston on April 12. A careful compilation of fire losses
published month by month estimates the total losses for the
first three months of 1908 at $64,795,600. During the same
time the estimated cost of new buildings, according to plans
filed in the larger cities of this country, which represents prob-
ably between 80 and 90% of the total construction, aggregated
$64,796,850."
We shall have to leave the experts to quarrel over what is
and what is not fireproofing. We have tile men who declare
that a wall or floor of ex-metal and concrete is a delusion and
a snare; and they furnish photographs of building wrecks to
support their theory; and on the side of systems other than
terra-cotta, porous tile, etc, there are those who tell us that
the days of the hollow tile arch are gone and point to many
fine modern buildings put up with ex metal construction.
One thing is certain; we ought to build more fireproof
buildings. While No. 2, which is fireproofed, was under con-
struction a large portion of the state penitentiary was
destroyed by fire: and shortly after that a state building at
Norfolk went up in flames and came down in ashes. Both
were of wood construction; and the loss on these two alone
would have nearly fireproofed all the non-fireproof buildings
belonging to the state of Nebraska.
In a great fire at Council Bluffs, Iowa, a large school for
the deaf and dumb was burnt to the ground. About the
satne time another expensive Iowa building was destroyed.
In another $300,000 damage was done to the state capitol.
These are only a few instances taken from this one
neighborhood in a short period, but they show the folly and
danger of erecting certain classes of buildings in the old
style. The Irpquois theater horror may easily be duplicated
any day.
112
FIREPROOFING : TILE I REINFORCED CONCRETE 113
One of the most reckless ways of investing money now is
to put it into an office building of wood construction; one of
the most risky things from the business point of view is to
fill such a building with valuable records.
FIRE LOSS: — The annual property losses in the U. S. run
to $180,000,000. Albany, N. Y., with less than 100,000 popu-
lation burns more than Berlin with 1,800,000 — but Berlin
does her own fire insurance and has strict building laws.
Baltimore burned up $100,000,000 in a day and night. San
Francisco lost far more by fire than by earthquake. In 1905
the loss in the U. S. was about $185,000,000; in 1906, $459,710,
000, but San Francisco lost $280,000,000 of this. This is a
per capita loss of $5 for the U. S. and Canada; Germany is
49c; Switzerland, 30c; France, 30c; Austria, 29c; Denmark,
26c; Italy. 12c.
CF COST:— No. 2, which is only a $40,000 shell, cost with tile
fireproofing about 14c per cf.
COMPARATIVE COST:— It may be said that approximately
fireproofing costs from 10 to 25% more than the regular con-
struction. It is worth 50% more in safety, durability, and
lower insurance rates. The cost of ex metal fireproofing as
compared with wood construction is given by the official pub-
lication of the companies as from 8 to 20% more.
In 1905 "Fireproof Magazine," Chicago, published some
valuable statistics comparing the two systems, which I include
here by courtesy. The Keeley Company had put up some
buildings at Dwight, 111. They cost $150,000, and were de-
stroyed by a great fire. The architect (Mr. Fitzpatrick)
suggested strictly fireproof structures. The hotel was to be
137x138, three stories and basement. The detailed estimates
are as follows:
ORDINARY CONSTRUCTION
Excavating 3,000 yds at 25c per yd $750.00
Concrete Foundations and Walls, 21,000' at 20c
per cf 4,200.00
Concrete Porch Cols, 18, at $100 each 1,800.00
Concrete Floors in Basement, 10,000' at 15c per ft.. 1,500.00
Concrete Floor Deadening, 26,000' at 3c per ft 780.00
Common Brick, 500,000 at $12.00 per M 6,000.00
Pressed Brick, 15.000 at $50.00 per M 750.00
Paving Brick, 125,000 at $23.00 per M 2,875.00
Terra Cotta Work 4,800.00
114 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
Ordinary Construction— Continued
Cleaning Brick and Terra Gotta Work 500.00
Iron Cols, Interior Building 3,500.00
€ut Stone 2,700.00
Rough Carpentry, 250,000' of Framing at $30.00
per M 7,500.00
Mill Work Complete, Including Trim, Stairs, and
Finished Floors, Glazing, Painting, and Oiling,
Complete 24,200.00
Hardware 1,800.00
Roofing and Flashing 1,185.00
Sheet Metal Work 2,100.00
Plastering on Lath, 17,500 yds at 30c per yd 5,250.00
Mosaic Floors, 8,333' at 60c per ft 5,000.00
Marble Work 1,335.40
Scagliola 1,950.00
Steam Cooking Apparatus 1,250.00
Refrigeration 785.00
Steam Heating (Exclusive of Boilers) 5,700.00
Electric Wiring and Telephones 3,450.00
Plumbing 7,500.00
Window and Door Screens 1,200.00
Electric Light Fixtures 2,500.00
Total $102,860.40
Architect's Fees and Superintendence 10,286.04
Grand Total $113,146.44
This is about 12c per cf, or $6 per sq ft of ground area.
FIREPROOF CONSTRUCTION
Excavating 3,000 yds at 25c per yd $750.00
Concrete Foundations and Walls, 21,000' at 20c
per ft 4,200.00
Concrete Porch Cols, 18, at $100 each 1,800.00
Concrete Floors in Basement, 10,000' at 15c per ft. . 1,500.00
Concrete Filling over Floor Arches, 26,000' at
5c per ft 1,300.00
Common Brick, 500,000 at $12.00 per M 6,000.00
Pressed Brick, 15,000 at $50.00 per M 750.00
Paving Brick, 125,000 at $23.00 per M 2,875.00
Terra Cotta Work 4,800.00
Cleaning Brick and Terra Cotta Work 500.00
Structural Steel and Iron Work 19,721.51
Iron Stairs and Ornamental Work 8,900.00
Rough Carpentry 2,500.00
Mill Work Complete, Including Trim, Glazing, and
Painting, all Complete, (Exclusive of Finished
Floors and Base) 16,500.00
Hardware 1,800.00
Roofing and Flashing 1,180.00
Sheet Metal Work 2,100.00
FIREPROOFING : TILE: REINFORCED CONCRETE 115
Plastering, 17,500 yds on tile at 22c per yd 3,850.00
Cut Stone 2,705.00
Mosaic Floors, 8,333' at 60c per ft 5,000.00
Marble Work 1,335.40
Scagliola 1,950.00
Steam Cooking Apparatus 1,250.00
Refrigeration 785.00
Fireproof Floor Arches, Partitions, Etc 16,500.00
Steam Heating (Exclusive of Boilers) 5,700.00
Electric Wiring and Telephones 3,450.00
Plumbing 7,500.00
Window and Door Screens 1,200.00
Electric Light Fixures 2,500.00
Monolith Floors, 29,000' at 18c per ft 5,220.00
Monolith Base, 8,524' at 25c per ft 2,131.00
Total $138,252.91
Architect's Fees and Superintendence 13,825.29
Grand Total $152,078.20
This is about 16c per cf, or $8.05 per sq ft of ground area.
The architect says : " This shows an apparent difference be-
tween the cost of the different modes of construction of
$38,931.76, but it must be borne in mind that the building con-
structed after the ordinary methods should carry insurance
for an amount equal to 75% of its cost, while if constructed
from fireproof materials, being an isolated building, it will
not be necessary to have it insured at all, except as to its
contents, as there are absolutely no combustible materials in
its makeup, except the doors and trim, all of its structural
parts, including all of the floors, being absolutely non-com-
"bustible.
The rate of insurance upon this building , if erected
with ordinary construciton, will be $1.50 per $100 insurance
per annum; 75% of $113,146.44 is $84,859.83; 1*% of this
amount, the annual premium, is $1,272.90. To produce this
premium at the present value of money it would be neces-
sary to invest $25,458 at 5% per annum. This amount added
to $113,146.44 equals $138,604.44, so that the real difference of
.the cost of the building, if constructed of fireproof materials,
over the cost of construction by ordinary methods is only
$13,473.76, or in other words, 9.72%."
The fireproof system was wisely chosen.
Another table for a good second class building in a big
city is this one with percentages:
116
THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
I
fe
FIREPROOFING : TILE: REINFORCED CONCRETE 117
OTHER INSTANCES CITED ARE:
Fireproof Ordinary
2 Apartment Houses 23ic 21|c
Fine Residence 26c 28c
Warehouse, Slow Burning, 13c; 16c ll^c
Theater 33c 30T3Tc
Church 23|c 22£c
Car Barn .' lOc 9c
Apartment house, 16% difference.
Warehouse, slow burning, $81,600; concrete fireproofing,
$83,810; tile fireproofing, $85,400; ordinary, $78,340.
Colorado court-house, fireproof, $90,500; ordinary, $84,6.30.
Boston factory, fireproof, $35,000; ordinary, $33,000.
Apartment house, Washington, D. C.: fireproof, $20,864;
ordinary, $18,800.
Warehouse, fireproof, $166,000; slow burning, $158,000;
ordinary, $150,000.
Retail store, Los Angeles, fireproof, $47,500; ordinary,
$43,680.
Store and office, Boston, fireproof, $30,320; ordinary, $26,170.
Quite a number more of instances of the difference in cost
are given. The highest is 16%.
COMPARATIVE COST:— "So much has been said about the
relative cost of frame, brick, and hollow block houses, that a
builder in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., recently decided to practically
determine the question, and to that end he erected in the
same locality three houses of the same size and arrangement.
One house was built entirely of wood, the second was of con-
crete with wooden floors, and the third was of hollow tile
blocks and concrete. When the experiment had been com-
pleted it was found that the cost of the wooden structure was
$6,000, the one of tile and concrete was $6,500, and the one
of concrete $8,900. The builder regarded the tile and concrete
house as the cheapest, so far as durability was concerned.
He also regarded it as likely to be warmer in winter and
cooler in summer by reason of the air spaces in the hollow
blocks being poor conductors of heat and cold." — "Carpentry
and Building."
COMPARATIVE COST: — A concrete specialist says, ("Sweet's
Index," page 136) "Reinforced concrete construction costs
118 . THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
from 10 to 15% more than wood, and from 20 to 25% less than
structural steel fireproofing with terra cotta."
Setting ordinary construction at 100, reinforced at 113, this
would put the steel and terra cotta system, allowing 22% at
145, which is far too high.
COST: — Reinforced fireproofing has been greatly reduced in
cost since the end of the century. Such improvements have
been made in the machinery for manufacturing Port cement,
and the methods of handling the work, that systems are
better built and also cheaper.
HOLLOW TILE
Prices
8, 9, 10" Floor or RoofArches set 24c per sqft
12, 14" 24 to 28c
16, 18" 25 to 35c
4" Partitions 14c per sq f
6" 17c per sq ft
8" 21c per sqft
3" Roof Tile, 13c; 3" Book Tile, 12x17 7c per sqft
2" Furring Tile 7c per sqft
i" Ceiling Tile 6c per sqft
Girder Covering 15 to 25c per If
Col Covering 30 to $1.00 perlf
These prices are for work set in place. Of course they are
for straight work. Floor tile might run to 50c instead of 28;
and wages instead of being 45 to 55c per hour might be 60 to
65c for bricklayers who have, as a rule, to be broken into the
work. Roof tile is usually thinner than floor tile and easier
laid, but the hoisting costs more, so that for an ordinary job
it is not worth while to make any deduction.
The raw material fob Omaha runs about as follows:
8, 9, 10" Arch Tile 15c per sq ft
16 to 18" 17c per sq ft
4" Partition, 8c; 6, lie; 8 14c per sq ft
3" Roof Tile 9c per sq ft
2" furring Tile 4c per sq ft
Ceiling Tile 5c per sq ft
Girder Covering 10 to 20c per If
Col Covering 25 to 50c per If
But of course better prices are given on a lump job,
especially if the mackolite, monolith, concrete men are in
\ FIREPROOFING I TILE: REINFORCED CONCRETE 110
attendance. Competition is the death of prices. When near
the factory a cut can be made. The freight on No. 2 for ex-
ample, was $1,500, or about J of the total cost.
The Floor and Roof Tile about $0.15 per sq ft
Lumber on No. 2 cost nearly 01 per sq ft
Lime Mortar 025
Labor. , 05
Incidentals .005
$0.24
But this is on the basis of 45c per hour, the rate at which
the work was done. For 62£c the total should be 26c; for
rise in lumber allowance to 1913; and using cement in place
of lime the cost should be 28c.
BID IN PLACE: — It is in general safer for a contractor to
get a bid from the tile company for the work set in place — •
not delivered on the cars. There is sometimes a good deal
of breakage. If bid is taken for material it is better to have
it understood that enough is to be furnished to complete the
job, and not a certain number of sq ft. The manufacturer
does not like this as it throws the breakage on him, but while
a contractor is careful and conscientious he does not like to-
run against a shortage. A sufficient guarantee for the manu-
facturer is that the contractor, if he hauls and sets the tile,
does not care to pay for handling it any oftener than possible,
and thus guards against breakage.
STEEL: — Steel is not estimated in any of the systems. Some-
times a company puts in a bid on the basis of its own steel
plans, using lighter construction than the architect. In put-
ting in a bid on a complete building with a certified check it
is necessary to mention any departure from the weights, or
else the contractor may be held to the cheap fireproofing
coupled with the heavy beams.
MEASUREMENT: — Except for beams, cols, etc, which are
taken by the If, all work is measured by the sq ft. Floor and
roof tile are of various shapes to suit the part of the arch to
which they belong.
QUANTITY: — Waste ought to be within 3%, but sometimes
tile are smashed in cars. Mortar, which has to be much
richer than for ordinary brickwork, may be estimated on
120 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
basis of 175 bbls for the fireproofing on No. 2, as noted under
" Labor." The necessary lumber for hanging centering below
I beams cost $140. Half a yd of sand to a bbl of lime is more
than ought to be used.
LABOR:— On No. 2 16,500 sq ft of 12" floor tile; 5,,500 of 10"
roof tile; 5,500 of ceiling tile; 4,200 of 4" partition; 15 cols;
351 If of I beams took for labor and hoisting $1,700, with
bricklayers' wages at 45c. But the subcontractor who did
the work had unfavorable conditions to contend with. Haul-
ing is not included. A haul of a mile costs about 50c per ton.
A fair price for labor on the tile fireproofing per sq ft is
about as follows: Floor and roof arches, 4J to 5c; ceilings,
1 to lie; partitions, 3£ to 4c; beams and cols, 4c. If every-
thing goes well this will cover the cost at 45c per hour. These
prices would have run No. 2 to about $1,400.
No. 3 is fireproofed throughout on wood for ceilings, but
with tile partitions and wall linings. The prices are practi-
cally the same as for No. 2. Bricklayers' wages in several
cities are now 62*c, and an extra allowance has to be made
from the 45c basis.
DAY'S WORK: — A mason with 2 laborers should lay about
250 sq ft of floor tile in a 9-hour day, with a boy and a horse
for hoisting. On No. 2 this meant at 45c and 20c, $4.05 and
twice $1.80, with $3.50 for horse and boy, $11.15 per day, or
about 4£c per ft.
About as much, or a larger amount of partitions, if straight
work, should be done with the same gang.
REINFORCED CONCRETE FIREPROOFING
Readers of the hollow tile and stone journals know that
they seldom miss a chance to score against fireproofing
with metal and concrete, and to publish photographs of
any wrecks. It is the fight of the ancient and the accepted
against the newcomer. One wreck hurts a system that is,
in the main, successful. The trouble is often due to the
removal of forms too soon, to poor concrete, or design.
A tunnel 260 ft long on Not 2 is roofed with expanded
metal and concrete. Nos. 7 and 14 have large lavatories
FIREPROOFING : TILE! REINFORCED CONCRETE 121
on the same kind of base. The weight of 3" mesh is from 0.2 to
1.36 Ibs. to thesq. ft.
PRICE: — Their prices vary according to load and span. A
span of 8 ft with 3" of concrete from 17 to 20c per sq ft,
depending upon locality and cost of material. From 8 to 20'
spans, 25 to 28c. " These prices are for wood floors, 5c per
sq ft to be added for finished concrete floors, taking the
piece of wood." There is also an addition of 5c per sq ft for
heavy warehouse floors, up to 600 and 800 Ibs per sq ft; or for
top dressing and warehouse floors 90c a sq yd, which added
to the base touches $3 per sq yd.
The actual cost of the work on No. 2 was $1.50 per sq. yd.
at 3" thick, and it was strong enough to carry loaded wagons.
But there was no profit at this figure, and wages were lower
than in large cities. If well built the system is an undoubted
success.
WALLS: — For walls of ex metal and concrete 2" thick, not
too far from ground, allow $2 to $3 per sq yd.
MEASUREMENT: — Unless of a special nature all work is
measured by the sq ft.
PROGRESS: — The developments in ex metal and concrete are
astonishing. Sewers, culverts, tanks, bridges, and a hundred
other structures are now built of the combined materials; and
if we include ex metal lath there is no end to the decorative
possibilities of our latest triumph. The work already done
speaks for itself. There is room for both tile and concrete
construction. In the United States alone, thousands of build-
ings, costing from several millions of dollars down to a few
hundreds, have been erected according to this modern style.
As may be noted on page 470 one company alone had put up
22,000 before 1913. Some of the more enthusiastic believers
in the system assert that reinforced work will ultimately
displace stone and brickwork, but these have lasted too long
in the history of the world to be now set aside. Besides,
they have qualities that the newer combination lacks.
QUANTITY: — The metal costs from 5c to 6c per sq ft. The
concrete may be estimated from the quantities given in Chap
III. Temporary boards or planks have to be used under the
complete space to be covered. They should be smooth on the
122 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
finished side. So closely does the cement take on the face
of the board that one sees a clearly photographed inverted re-
production of the most delicate grain of the wood.
SPAN: — Panels are made as large as 20x20' without a support
— and a New Orleans drainage canal is 13' wide in the clear
by hundreds of ft long. A span of 4 to 8' is usual. The
material comes 8' long, and in 3', 3'-6", 4', and 5' widths.
Ends of metal should be lapped 2" but not laced or nailed
even if wood joists are used, for the concrete slab ties the
whole together.
SIZES: — "We usually use in our concrete work No. 16 gage,
2£" mesh, and would recommend that for floors of 5' or 6'
spans, or even up to 8' spans. For metal lath, we use C 16",
"We never fasten the sheets of our floor material, excepting to
take some of the straight ends of the sheets and turn them
up over the diamonds of the other sheets."
FORMS: — For a wall a plank lining has to be put on both
sides the required thickness apart, say 2", and then the metal
being fastened in position the concrete is poured in to the
top. More plank is then put on top and shored plumb; and
so on to the roof. For a low building the system works well,
but it is rather expensive. But lighter foundations can be
used than for ordinary masonry.
CINDER CONCRETE: — Cinders are often used for stone, as
the floor is lighter, and they have had a preliminary burning
to prepare them for the test. Cinder concrete averages 95.1bs
to cf, while stone runs to 140.
PRONG STUD PARTITIONS:— Partitions are made of | or
fxf iron studs set same as wood, and secured to floor and
ceiling. Each sheet of lath is tied about 4 times to studs, and
a lap is made. For ordinary work the lath goes on only one
side, and the 1£ or 2" thickness of plaster covers all iron.
Where room for pipes, etc, is required, wider studs are used
and lath is put on both sides. Studs with prongs to hook on
lath are also used. (See "Structural Steel.")
LABOR: — The metal is easily laid if there are no obstructions,
and if the ordinary system is followed. Sometimes beams are
to be surrounded. See " Cost Data " in this Chap.
FIREPROOFING : TILE: REINFORCED CONCRETE 123
VARIOUS SYSTEMS AND COST
Ex metal came first, but there are now (1913) so many
systems of concrete fireproofing, and such differences in
loads, spans, etc, that a detailed plan is necessary before
an estimate can be made; even approximate figures are of
much service, however.
COST: — The cost of cols per cf varies a good deal. One col
might be so constructed as to cary a given load at 16x16";
while another plan might call for a 20x20" col for the same
load and span. The stronger steel reinforcement necessary in
the smaller col would make the cf cost far higher than in the
other. The only method of making an estimate is to get the
weight of the reinforcement, and allow the concrete sep-
arately.
COSTS: — The following prices are taken from the work of
Buel & Hill:
"A building of the factory type of reinforced concrete
throughout, includings footings, outside and inside cols, walls,
girders, beams, and floor plates, roofs and stairs, will cost the
contractor seldom less than $20 per cy of concrete in place,,
and of this cost from 25 to 35% will be for forms, including
materials, erection and removal." (This figure is far too*
high.)
But there is much difference in buildings.
" For example, the cost of the Ingalls Building at Cincinnati,
including foundations, cols, walls, floors, stairs, etc, was $5.85
per cy of concrete in place, whereas in constructing a 4 story
shoe factory in the same city, including only footings, beams,
and floor plates, the forms cost the same contractor $6.25 per
cy of concrete in place.
" For floor slabs of ex metal construction, forms may bo
as low as $2.20 per cy on a 16' span with a 400 Ib load, and as
high as $3.25 on a 16' span with a 100 Ib load.
"For beam and plate construction forms run from $5.50 on
a 16' span and 500 Ib load, to $10.50 on the same span and 100'
Ib load.
" The forms for concrete steel floors will cost from 4£ to 6c
per sq ft including everything.
124 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
"The forms for a concrete wall 4" thick will cost from 8
to lie per sq ft, measured on one side only.
" The forms for cols cost about 22c per If.
" For floor work forms range from 10 to 20c per sq ft.
"Experience on about 30 buildings shows that it is rarely
possible to furnish centering and remove it for much less
than $4 per cy. The cost should never exceed $6."
CONDUITS: — On a number of large conduits, forms, ex
metal, and concrete, but no excavation, cost was $10.50 per
cy. In another part of the book conduit work is priced at
$6.20.
On the $10.50 work the labor is given as follows: " On the 6'
sewer the forms were made 8' long; and two sections, or 16 If
were built in from 8 to 9 hours, including setting of forms,
by one foreman, one carpenter and fifteen laborers. The total
was 13 cy of concrete." This 6' sewer was not reinforced.
The same gang built 14 If of 8'-6" sewer in 10 hours.
The 9' conduit contained 20 cy of concrete, 1,200 sq ft ex
metal, 125 bags of cement for section 13'-6" long.
The forms were covered with No. 27 galv iron on the
outside to leave a smooth surf on the finished work.
^CLEANING: — Cleaning bridges of concrete cost 60c per sq yd.
On a plain part, not including mouldings, balusters, etc, the
•cost was only 20c.
COST:— For cols and floors taken together, the owner of one
system allows, as an approximate estimate, 60c per sq ft;
but under the best conditions this is sometimes cut down to
40c.
KAHN SYSTEM
FORMS: — For forms for the Kahn system, take the area of
floor concrete only and allow 15c per sq ft. Of course the
first floor costs a great deal more, possibly two to three times
as much, but the lumber used there serves also for the upper
floors.
WASTE:— The waste of lumber is from 12 to 15% per floor.
COST OF CONCRETE:— Allow for concrete $6.50 to $8.50 per
cy, including profit.
FIREPROOFING : TILE: REINFORCED CONCRETE 125
STAIRS:— For stairs allow $1.50 per If of steps; i. e., for a
6' step complete, $9.
TILE: — Tile is used between the concrete to lighten the load.
For 6", 8c each; 10", lOc.
STEEL: — Steel in place, $75 per ton. Allow steel extra.
COST:— The cost of the system runs from 35 to 40c per sq
ft of floors, but the difference of spans, load allowances, etc,
is so great that the best way is to figure tile, steel, and con-
crete separately.
A roof, several hundred ft long, with a span of 150', was
estimated on the Kahn system for 30c per sq ft in place.
The steel trusses were not included.
Some approximate figures from the Kahn Co. Eng'r Dep't,
are as follows:
COST OF FLOORS PER SQ FT
Small Slab and Roof Work, not including any
Beams 20 to 30c
Floor Slabs and Beams, supported by Walls, fair size
Rooms 35 to 45c
Complete Reinforced Concrete Skeleton Construction
across Floor Slab, Girders, Cols and their Foot-
ings, with Cols and Beams in the outside Walls,
but no Walls included 50 to 65c
No finished floors included.
All form work included in above.
COST OF FORMS PER SQ FT
Simple Slabs, no Beams 5 to 7c
For Beams and Cols, all Surf taken 8 to lOc
No profit included in forms as given.
COST OF CONCRETE
LABOR mixing and placing, from $1 to $1.50 per cy. The
cost of a yd, therefore, is about $5.75 without any profit or
forms.
" Two contractors doing the same kind of a job are apt to
vary 100% in the cost of form work."
Steel is not priced, but $75 per ton in the building is safe.
126 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
" M " SYSTEM
COST: — For another Eastern system the following figures
are supplied:
" Steel in New York, 2£c per Ib, not set."
Concrete, 20c per cf.
Forms (in which the saving is made) 4c to 5c a sq ft for
floors, girders, and beams. This amounts to 10 to 12c of surf
measure, as girders are then included.
Concrete for cols about the same as for floors.
Forms for cols, when used several times, about 4c per sq ft.''
— Standard Concrete Steel Co., New York.
RANSOME bars cost about 3c per Ib, New York.
PROPORTIONS
The proportions vary. One authority gives I, i*, 3 for
light cols, thin roof beams, and ornamental work.
For beams, floor slabs, and cols, 1, 2, 4 or 1, 2, 5 ifa about
right.
For non-bearing walls, reinforced piers and footings, 1, 3, 5.
For heavy concrete, 1, 3, 6 to 1, 4, 8.
For finishing floors, 1 to 2, to 1 to 3 cement and sand.
STEEL: — "Floors require from 2£ to 6 Ibs of reinforcement
per sq ft according to load, including slabs, beams, girders,
cols, lintels, and footings."
FORMS: — "Forms may cost from 50c to $2 per cy of con-
crete placed. On a small building the unit cost is larger,
because the forms can not be so often used."
FERRO INCLAVE
SIZE OF SHEETS: — The sheets are made from 10' long down,
and 20" wide.
COST:— The cost in 1913 is about as follows, fob Cleveland:
Less than car-load lots, $8.25 to $10.60, depending upon
length. In car-load lots $7.75 to $10. If sheets are curved
allow about 50c extra.
These prices include clips and crossties.
CAR-LOAD: — A rnimimum car-load is 190 sq.
WEIGHT:— A sq (100 sq ft) with clips, etc, weighs abou*.
163 Ibs.
FIREPROOFING : TILE! REINFORCED CONCRETE 127
COST: — Work in place with concrete costs according to span
and load. An average roof with waterproof covering is
worth from $20 to $23 per sq. If plastered on the underside
add plastering at 35c per sq yd. A floor averages about $31,
plastered. Partitions and walls, both sides, from $2 to $4
more than roofs.
ASBESTOS
COST OF ROLLS:— For & thick, 4 Ibs to sq yd, and 4c per
Ib delivered.
For £, 7 Ibs and 5c.
For plain work, 14" blocks, 19c.
ASBESTOS LUMBER is made of asbestos fibre and Port
cement. " Perfectly fireproof, and not affected by moisture or
frost." The following price list is subject to a discount of
20% at the factory, Ambler, Pa.; and 10% at Omaha:
Standard Size of Sheets, 42x48" and 42x96"
Color, Newport Gray
Thickness Price
per sq ft per sq ft
Prices to
Approximate
weight
3 works
Thickness
per sq ft
Price
per sq ft
Approximate
weight
i" .10
if nil
W
.32*
4Jlbs
A; .12*
If Ibs
A*
.35
4§lbs
.15
2 Ibs
M"
.37*
5 Ibs
1
.17*
.20
2Jlbs
2| Ibs
1
.40
.42*
5Jlbs
5f Ibs
$2
.22*
3 Ibs
9 n
.45
6 Ibs
A
.25
3Jlbs
w
47i
6|lbs
$
.27*
3| Ibs
f"
.50
6* Ibs
I .30"
4 Ibs
//
.00
00 Ibs
REINFORCED ASBESTOS CORRUGATED SHEATHING
Employed for roofing, siding, awnings, elevators, train
sheds, rolling mills, etc, on structures of medium cost.
Corrugated Asbestos Sheathing is reinforced with |" mesh
woven wire netting, thus insuring the greatest strength, both
lineal and transverse. It is made 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 10' long.
Price per sq ft with 2J corrugations, 18c.
Price per sq ft with 1£ corrugations, 21c,
Discounts as on lumber.
128 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
ASBESTOS SHINGLES:— These are of a great variety of
sizes, styles, and prices. They are usually laid on the roof
in the French, or diagonal fashion. The common size is 12
x!2", 160 to the sq, | thick, $9.10 unlaid, Omaha; and $7.25 at
Ambler, Pa. Laying, from two-thirds to one-half the time on
wood shingles. No paint required. Hip and ridge rolls, lOc
per ft. Starter course, 7c If extra.
ASPHALT SHINGLES, $5.50 per square fob, Chicago.
OCTAGON ASBESTOS SHINGLES, $12.
FIRE DOORS: — Ordinary flooring doors covered with tin,
18c per sq ft, 2-ply; 27c, 3-ply without tin on both sides: with
tin, 38c for 2-ply; and 47c for 3-ply. This does not include
hanging. Allow $3 for hardware, $3 for labor on an ordinary
size, and $1.50 for paint. Add wood jamb, $3, if any.
CHAPTER VIII
CEMENT STONE.
Under various names this artificial stone is becoming very
popular. There are some thousands of plants all over the
country. Most of the stuff is hollow, some smooth, some
" tooled," some rock faced.
In various parts of Nebraska this really fine building mate-
rial is sold for as low a price as 14c per cf, and laid for 4 to
5c extra. Stone often costs ten times as much.
In Kansas City the material is laid in the wall complete at
32c per cf.
As an average for various states an Indiana manufacturer
quotes 12 to 20c per block, not laid. A block contains about
1 cf.
PRICES: — An Omaha price for door sills, 8x15, is 40c per
If; window, 30c; wall coping, 25c for 10x4|" through center;
35c for 14x4£; blocks, 8x16x8, 15c. Window caps, 1 to 2$'
proportion, 4^x12", 35c. Set in wall complete the blocks are
30c for a two story, and 25c for a one story building. The
face of the blocks is made of 1 to 2 or so, and the back, 1 to
4, cement and sand.
A Wisconsin contractor gives me the following prices: "I
manufacture stone 9x32x10" thick, or 2 sq ft, for 9c per sq
ft of wall. I pay 2c each block for delivery. I retail blocks
at 35c each, or 17£c per sq ft. I put up wall complete, blocks,
mortar, labor, and finishing joints above grade for 25c per
sq ft."
FACE WORK: — When I was an apprentice I was once nailing
a board with the worst side out, and the foreman made me
change it. " Always put the best side to London," he said.
The cement block men follow this excellent rule. By keeping
this in mind the following table and instructions from one of
them will be more valuable; for a margin will then be allowed
that is probably forgotten.
129
130
THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
CONCRETE. BLOCK TABLE.
" Giving size and weight of blocks, the number one bbl
of cement will make, the number to one cy of material, and
the number per sq of 100 superficial ft.
1
&
g
•Q
|
£
I
3
SOLID BLOCKS
HOLLOW BLOCKS
cr<£
10 o1
£§
JK
Weight
of Block
No, per
Bbl of
Cement
at 1 to 5
No. per
cy
Weight
of Block
No. per
Bbl of
Cement
at 1 to 5
No. per
cy
8x 8x16
8x10x16
8x12x16
4x8 x!6
4x10x16
4x12x16
8x 4x16
8x 8x24
8x10x24
8x12x24
4x 8x24
4x10x24
4x12x24
8x 4x24
73
92
109
35
44
53
37
112
140
166
54
67
79
55
34
27
22
68
54
44
68
22
18
15
46
36
30
44
48
38
32
99
79
66
95
31
25
21
65
52
44
63
50
67
80
24
32
39
49
37
31
100
76
63
71
53
44
144
109
91
112
112
112
224
224
224
112
75
75
75
150
150
150
75
77
92
112
37
46
55
32
25
21
66
52
44
45
38
31
94
76
63
EXPLANATION:— To find the number of blocks for a build-
ing, get the surf ft of the building by mult the length around
the building by the height of the wall. Add to this the
surf of gables, then deduct the surf ft of all the openings.
Thus giving the actual surf to cover.
RULE: — Mult the number of sq to cover by the number in
the last col for the size block you are to use, which will give
the number of blocks for any building.
HOW TO FIGURE THE COST OF BLOCKS
One bbl contains 3f cf.
One cy contains 7i bbls.
One yd of sand and 3| bbls of cement equals 2 to 1 mix-
ture.
One yd of sand and gravel and 1£ bbls of cement equals
5 to 1 mixture.
I *
CEMENT STONE " 131
In making blocks, we recommend a mixture for the facing
of 1 part cement, 2 parts coarse, sharp, clean sand, and the
body of the block 1 part cement, 2 parts sand, and 3 parts
gravel or broken stone, the gravel or broken stone to range
in size from i to f" in diam.
For manufacturing 100 blocks 8x8x16" there are needed
2.24 bbls of cement, 0.68 cy of sand, and 1.06 cy of gravel or
broken stone, which at the following estimated cost of
materials will amount to —
Example
2.24 bbls of best Port cement at $2 per bbl $4.48"
0.68 cy of sand at $1 per cy 68
1.06 cy of gravel or broken stone at $1.50 per cy 1.59
Cost for labor for 100 blocks 1.75
Incidentals for safe margin per 100 blocks 50
Total cost for 100 blocks 8x8x16" $9.00
The above are approximate and conservative prices for
materials and labor. These may vary, however, to a less or
higher degree governed by locality.
The cost of concrete blocks in any locality will be found
to be much less than common brick and are a better and
more lasting material."
FACTORY PLANT
A plant built in Michigan of " Ideal " blocks has a four
story factory, warehouses, dry kilns, power house, office,
oil house, etc. On the ground floors the area covered is
93,000 sq ft. In all 183,000 blocks were used. They cost
7c each, and, with masons at $3.50 per day, 2c to lay. This
does not include mortar. Sand and gravel 7, to 1 of cement.
Gravel 65c per cy, cement $1.60. Each ordinary laborer made
300 blocks in a ten hour day. The owners estimated a
saving of one-third in cost as compared with brick at $6.50.
Each mason laid 250 blocks 8x8x16" on a plain wall, and 125
on pilasters; aver all over, 175. Each block 8x8x16" dis-
placed 14 brick.
132 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
QUANTITIES
The " displacement of brick " is usually given too high. An
8" block corresponds to a brick wall of the same thickness.
For illustration, allow a wall 100'xlO'xS". Even at 17 to the
cf (See Chap V) the actual number required is 11,400,
mortar joints, waste, etc, all being attended to. Each block
with joint, one side, and edge, equals 8ixl6i or 134 sq inch.
Without waste 1,075 blocks are required, and each block
displaces fewer than 11 brick. As noted under " Brickwork,"
a cf of wall does not contain 22£ brick, but from 16 to 17.
A plain wall like this, with masons' wages 62£c per hour,
can be laid up for $11 per 1,000, wall measure, or a total
cost of $165. In the table the cost of blocks is given at 9c;
sand and stone cost more here, at least, than in the table, and
lOc is the best figure that could be allowed, without profit to
dealer. This would be for wall listed, $107.50 for blocks,
and, at a 62£c basis instead of 40c per hour, 4c for labor
would be $43. The mortar for brick would be about $20; for
blocks, say, $10, a total of $160.50, and this with brick at $7
instead of $6.50. The cost seems to be about the same; here
in Omaha the cement stone costs more than brick. A block
8x8x16" costs 14 to 15c.
FACE WORK: — But if the wall were faced with a $20 pressed
brick the difference would be in favor of the cement stone.
About $75 extra would be required for labor, making the
total $310. It then comes to be a question of looks and taste,
unless we estimate the work on the Omaha basis already
given of 30 and 25c for blocks in the wall, in which case we
have $300 and $250, and once more balance.
COMPARATIVE COSTS:— In general it may be said that
the cost of a fair pressed brick wall and a rock faced block
one is about the same. A common brick wall is cheaper
than a common block one in most parts of the country.
But a hundred miles from a brickyard gives the blocks the
advantage in every way. A supply of cheap sand and gravel
also turns the scale. In some localities, especially in the
country, the cement block is clearly ahead.
(See index.)
CEMENT STONE 133
GRANITE FACING:— A great deal of cement block and
brick work is now faced with crushed granite sprinkled in
the mold before the mixture is pounded in. In the vicinity
of New York City the cost of the raw material is 40 cents
per 100 Ibs. in less than ton lots; less than car lots in bags,
$4.75 per ton; in bulk, $3.50 per ton.
The cost is given by one manufacturer at a cent per square
foot extra above the ordinary block. It is worth much more
in appearance.
Cement brick cost about $10.
FANCY WORK
Lawn vases, $18 to $20 each.
Porch cols, including sq base, shaft, and cap complete,
$1 per If.
Spindles or balusters, $1 each.
POSTS: — Concrete posts 9' long, reinforced with 4. V» John-
son bars, 65c each on a lot of 1,000 made.
CHAPTER IX
PLASTER
(See " Structural Steel " for cost of prong studs.)
Plaster is often included in the mason work and is there-
fore considered here, although the joists are not yet in place.
MEASUREMENT: — The ordinary rules do not deduct open-
ings unless they are larger than the standard size; attics are
measured sq without deduction for slope of roof, and so
forth. But by following this method it is as with brickwork
— we can not make out a bill of material from original figures
with any degree of certainty, for the openings in one building
may be only half of what they are in another, and with such
variations too much or too little is billed. It is better to
change the method and charge the difference in the price.
Here, then, we take only actual surf. But contractors and
owners have to be careful in letting work by the yard. In
the first cottage I built I paid for my attic lesson.
The U. S. Gypsum Co., Minneapolis, distributes free a
copyrighted booklet with the plaster all figured out for walls
and ceilings of several thousand different sized rooms. It is
printed at the end of this " Estimator."
DESCRIPTION: — What is known as two coat drawn work is
a first coat with fibre or hair applied to the lath; a second,
or brown coat, is then put on top of the first without leaving
the work to let it dry; and after these two coats are dry
the finish is put on top, making really three coats. On brick
or tile the brown coat is put on usually without scratch
coat, and then the white, or sand coat, making only two
coats.
With three coat dry work, each coat is allowed to dry be-
fore the next is put on. The first coat is usually scratched
so as to leave a rough surf for the brown coat.
If a white or sand finish is to be put on, metal lath must
have three dry coats, for the first coat has to be thin in
order to stick and form a surface; then comes the brown
coat, and last of all the finish.
134
PLASTER 135
BRICK: — The cost of plastering on brick is usually lower than
on lath, if the walls are reasonably straight, but in some
cases a contractor would prefer to lath crooked walls rather
than straighten them with tons of mortar put on at 62^c
per hour.
COST OF 100 SOLID YDS 2-COAT PLASTER. NO PROFIT
1450 Lath, 48" at $4.70 $6.82
Labor on Lath . 3.25
Nails 30
1050 Ibs Hard Wall Plaster and White Finish 3.68
Sand, 2 yds 1.80
Labor on Plaster 13.00
$28.85
COST OF 100 YDS OF 3-COAT DRY WORK
1450 Lath, 48", at $4.70 $6.82
Labor on Lath 3.25
Nails 30
1600 Ibs Plaster and White Finish 5.60
Sand 2.00
Labor 15.00
$32.97
COST OF 100 YDS ON METAL LATH
105 yds of Lath at 20c $21.00
Labor on Lath. . » 5.00
Staples 63
2200 Ibs Plaster and Finish 7.70
Sand ! 3.00
Labor 20.00
$57.33
These are cost prices, but contractors buy cheaper than
the lists above, and handle the work to avoid loss. The
cost, including profit, as shown in the following prices current
in our cities, is just about the same as in the tables. But
after allowing fire and liability insurance, scaffolding, tele-
phone, water and some other little incidentals it seems a
rather close margin, even if heating is not required. Some-
times the innocent sand pile suffers. Competition, under
present conditions, is the death of profits.
136 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
PRICES AT 62ic PER HOUR, WITH PROFIT
Per Yd
Two-Coat Work (white finish) on Wood Lath $0.32
Three-Coat Dry (white finish) on Wood Lath 36
Three-Coat Dry (white finish) on Metal Lath 62
Keene's Cemant (white finish) on Wood Lath 35
Keene's Cement (white finish) on Metal Lath 67
For Sand Finish add 03
For Work on Brick or Tile deduct from Wood Lath Price .06 to .07
Without Finish Coat deduct 07
For Back Plaster on Wood Lath 24
Sackett Board, brown and white Coats 37 to .40
Pure or " Neat " Portland Cement Work, Metal Lath, on
Gables (reasonable quantities) 1 .50
Neat Portland on Plain Walls, Metal Lath 1.00
Blocking to Represent Tile in Bath Rooms 1 .50
Keene's Cement Base, 10" 15
Portland Cement Base, 10" 18
Plain Plaster of Paris Molds per in of girt. 06
Metal Lath on Steel Prong Studs, Plaster If thick measured
on one Side Only (No Studs) 1.80
For Heating allow 03
Rough Coat Behind Wainscot on Wood Lath 15
Compo-Board .41
Above prices are based on solid work, that is, openings
deducted, but contractors' profit is included.
ACTUAL: — A large contract was finished in Omaha in 1907
for 56c on metal lath, with lath at 18c, ^,nd 24c on brick walls.
KEENE'S CEMENT: — The cost of Keene's cement material
is more than twice as much as that of the other hard plasters,
but less of it is used, as common lime is merely gaged with
the cement.
BACK PLASTER does not seem to be so much used as
formerly. It is worth about 22 to 24c per yd. The lathers
charge double price for lathing in between studs. Heavy
rough plastering behind wainscoting, 10 to 12c per yd, on
brick; on wood lath, 14c.
LATH:— Wood lath is &xli". From 1,450 to 1,500 lath are
sufficient for 100 yds. Some buildings require more than
others, as angles, brackets, coves, etc, take more material;
but 1,500 ought to cover the worst. It is necessary to re-
member now, however, that a new lath is in the market.
PLASTER 137
It is only 32" long instead of the standard 48". An order
for so many lath might bring the number, but not enough to
cover the surf. About 2,200 are required. Taken on a 48"
basis the price is from $1.75 to $"2 less per 1,000, so that this
kind is gradually working in, although it costs about lie
more per yd for labor and nails. Wood lath, with labor and
nails, runs to about 12c per yd; metal lath etc, 23 to 26c.
Take the actual No. of yds for metal lath and add 4 to 1%
if there are many angles. There is little waste as it bends
around all corners. There is 1 yd to a sheet, and sometimes
a trifle more. Ex metal is the common kind; but many
plasterers prefer sheet metal as it takes less mortar. Wire
lath is also used, but the ex metal seems to be gaining the
day.
METAL CORNERS, 5c per ft delivered, 6c put on wood, 7£c
on brick.
NAILS & STAPLES:— Allow 9 to 10 Ibs of 3d fine nails for
100 yds of wood lath at 16" centers; with 12", from 12 to 13.
Short lath require an extra nail for each joint. Allow 9 Ibs
of £ staples to 100 yds of metal lath. Somewhat less than
this was sufficient on No. 9. The sheets do not require much
fastening. Staples are about 7c per Ib.
LABOR: — The 48" wood lath is nailed on at 3Jc per yd, but
this includes the openings under the old style of measure-
ment. I read a short time ago that the Chicago lathers had
set a day's work for 1 man at 25 bundles, but each man has
to nail on the 1,250 lath which they contain. If he comes
short of his number it is made up by the others of the gang.
With about $ allowed for openings this is 100 yds in a day.
Metal lath was formerly put on for 3£c, but now lathers
will not work on it except by the hour at 50c. The cost of
6,800 yds on No. 9 was 4c per yd. It is now, in 1908, about 5c.
On plain work a man ought to put on 100 yds; some can put
on 150 to 200, but the average is less. With many angles,
50 is enough. I know of nearly 300 yds which cost 8c.
Elliptical work, groins, etc, should be allowed at two to three
times the price of plain work. The figures given for lath
Include scaffolding.
138 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
Lathing on prong studs, and steel studs in general, costs
more. Sometimes it has to be tied to the studs with wire.
Allow 8 to lOc for lathing.
SAND: — Ex metal lath takes a good deal of material, cement
plaster as well as sand. No. 9 took 2.6 to 2.75 yds to the 100,
but this included openings. But 1£ to 2 yds are usually
cnough for a building with wood lath, or brick walls without
lath. If wood lath are used all through If yds are enough.
On No. 2 with all work on brick or flreproofing 2 yds were
required. But it is different with crooked brick walls and
ex metal lath. One allowance by weight for metal lath is
4 tons.
SAND FINISH: — A finer sand is sometimes used for sand
finish. On some government work a ground rock is specified.
On the Omaha post office the cost of this material was $7.50
per cy. The quantity used for the last coat was about 1 yd
to 150. Ordinarily a clean common sand is run through a
:No. 18 sieve.
QUANTITIES
CEMENT PLASTER:— On No. 2 with 6,600 yds actual surf
the quantities were as follows: 600 sacks of hard plaster;
191 of stucco; and 110 bbls of lime. The walls were straight
and did not require as much as is sometimes used. The
work was 2-coat white finish.
The quantity of stucco is unusually large, but there were
2,500 If of fxlO" base, and 500 of 6" chair rail plastered on
the face of the wall, besides small cornices, capital, bases,
etc.
WHITE FINISH:— For plain work about 65 bbls of lime and
85 sacks of stucco are required for white finish on 6,600 yds.
Some kinds of cement plaster can be used for a finish coat,
but not the kind specified for No. 2. But by allowing 1 bbl
of lime to 4 sacks of plaster we can get at the total quantity
which would have been necessary if cement only had been
used. We have then, 600 sacks of cement plaster, 90 of stucco,
and 65 bbls of lime, or equal to 260 sacks of plaster, a total
of 950 sacks for 6,600 actual yds, or 7,000 with openings. This
is 14.4 sacks for the first, and 13.6 for the second measure-
PLASTER 139
'the 100 yds. For cement plaster alone 9 sacks were
used on the 6,600 basis, and 8.6 on the 7,000. The difference
is thus seen if cement is to be used for all work, or if
required for first coat only.
For ordinary finish allow 1£ bushels of lime to 100 Ibs of
plaster. Lime is about 90c per bbl in bulk, and $1.25 in bbls.
On about 525 actual yds, or 600 with openings included, the
quantities were 15.4 and 13.3; and there was no lime used for
finishing coat. This was on the building whose roof is shown
in No. 11.
BEHIND WAINSCOT: — Care must be taken to see just what
surf is to be plastered. Some architects specify that all walls
behind wainscoting shall be covered with a heavy coat of
rough plaster. On certain buildings this might mean £ of
the surf. Both for price and quantities it is necessary to
know; and it is best to be sure before contract is signed.
ON METAL LATH:— The two buildings given are on basis
of brick or wood lath; wire or metal lath requires more. I
know one building that took close to 20 sacks, but it was
all metal lath, and nothing was used except cement for all
coats. At least 18 ought to be allowed on work of this kind,
and that is often too close a figure, especially if plasterers
are unacquainted with the material. Nowhere do good trades-
men work so clearly for their wages as plasterers on metal
lath. A new hand puts half the material on the floor; with
him it will not stick to the wall and still less to the ceiling.
ACTUAL: — On No. 9 with more than 8,000 yds of 3-coat work
on metal lath 18 sacks was the average, but openings are
included. Cement only was used.
CATALOG DANGERS:— These actual results from large
buildings show the danger of estimating work from manu-
facturers' catalogs. I find from one that 8 sacks of white and
10 of dark cement are sufficient for 100 yds of 2-coat work.
With lime and stucco for a finish coat, this is about the same
rate as was used on No. 2; but No. 11 without lime tells an-
other story. Only the thinnest kind of work can be done with
that quantity, and the walls have to be straight. It is not
nearly enough for metal lath which, unlike other surfaces,
140 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
requires a thin first coat before the heavy brown coat will
stick. This accounts to some extent for the increase in the
Quantity. White plaster does not require so many sacks as
it takes more sand than dark.
QUANTITIES USED BY ONE PLASTERER
Two-coat drawn work on wood lath, 10 to 10£ sacks*
Three-coat on metal lath, 20 to 24 sacks.
Three-coat on wood lath, 15 to 16 sacks.
Brick, 3-coat, 14 to 15 sacks.
In above the white finish of about 2 sacks is included.
Dark plaster, wood lath, extra allowance, 1 to 2 sacks.
Dark plaster, metal lath, extra allowance, 2 to 3 sacks.
Openings deducted.
Above quantities are for 100 yds.
KEENE'S CEMENT
Keene's cement, as already stated, is a lime plaster guaged
with cement. On Keene's cement there is practically no waste.
When the ordinary cement plasters get the initial set, the
waste can not be remixed, so that any stuff left too long on the
board or in the box is lost. With Keene's, remixing can be
done.
For ordinary plastering Keene's cement and lime putty
are mixed together in equal parts and sanded. Sand, lath,
nails, labor, etc, being about the same for all systems we may
allow for Keene's per 100 yds.
APPROXIMATE COST
At St. Louis At Your City
400 Ibs Best Bros. Keene's Cement at 80c $3.20
4 bushels of Lime at 27c per bushel 1 .08
2 bushels Hair tor Scratch Coat at 20c 40
Cost per 100 sq yds $4.68
Often more lime, putty, and less of the cement, is used for
ordinary work. This is on the basis of wood lath; for metal
lath, one-third to a half more material is a fair allowance.
But for finishing coat lime should not be mixed with the
cement. For wainscoting, a larger proportion than one-half
PLASTER 141
of Keene's is mixed with the lime for a base and second coat —
two to one is about right.
APPROXIMATE COVERING CAPACITY PER 100 SQ YDS
OF BEST BROS. KEENE'S CEMENT
PLAIN PLASTERING
BASE COAT on wood lath, terra-cotta, or brick. About 400
Ibs, four bushels of lime, two bushels of hair for scratch
coat, and the usual quanity of sand to mate a good mortar,
provided lath keys are not made more than §", and brick walls
are level.
BASE COAT on metal lath. About 550 Ibs, five and one-
half bushels of lime, two bushels of hair for scratch coat,
and enough sand to make a good rich mortar.
SMOOTH FINISH:— About 300 Ibs.
SMOOTH SAND FINISH:— About 200 Ibs, and half as much
sand in bulk.
FLOAT FINISH: — About 100 Ibs, and twice as much sand
in bulk.
WAINSCOTING
BASE COAT on wood lath, terra-cotta, or brick. About 600
Ibs, three bushels of lime, two bushels of hair for scratch
coat, and the usual quantity of sand to make a good mortar,
provided lath keys are not more than f " and brick walls are
level.
SMOOTH FINISH:— About 300 Ibs of pure cement.
One cement plaster manufacturer allows as follows for
100 yds:
"Estimate 800 Ibs of plaster for browning out lath work.
" 100 Ibs of plaster of Paris, mixed with lime putty, will
furnish ' hard finish ' for the same.
" For sand finish, apply the finishing coat while the brown
coat is green.
" For hard finish, apply after brown coat is dry."
Compare with actual quantities used, as already given.
But it is hard to give exact quantities for different kinds
of plasters, buildings, and work. No rule can be found for
142 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
crooked walls. Reasonable quantities are based on ther theory
that walls are to be straight.
KINDS OF PLASTER: — Sanded plasters are never used here.
Some of the unsanded are: Flint, Ivory, Imperial; O. K.,
Laramie, Baker, Eureka, Mineral City, and KalTolTte. The
last two are from Fort Dodge, Iowa. No. 2 is plastered with
Kallolite. The B. & M. headquarters building, Omaha, with.
O. K. from Okarche, Okla. Baker is white; O. K., Eureka,
Peerless, Agatite are dark.
WHITE FINISH PUTTY:— No. 2 took If bbls: of lime to
100 yds, but this was owing to the amount required for base,
chair-rail, etc. No. 9 took less than a bbl. Three sacks of
stucco were used to 100 yds on No. 2 on account of base, etc,
while 100 yds required only 2 sacks of cement plaster on No.
9. If lime is used allow A bbl to 100 yds.
PLASTER OF PARIS: — Plaster of Paris is sometimes sub-
stituted for stucco as it sets slower. On common work 1 to*
1| sacks to 100; on good work, 1*. Both p of p and stucco>
are mixed with the lime which is run off to a pure white.
HAIR: — Hard plasters are supposed to be mixed with enough,
hair to make the mortar stick; but metal lath sometimes
requires a little more fibre than the manufacturers' allow-
ance. At most allow 1 bushel to 100 yds, which is the old
allowance for lime plaster, although there are those who
call for twice as much lime.
LIME PLASTER
It is hardly worth while saying anything on the subject.
Lime plaster is scarcely ever used now. Lathing, sand, and
various finishes are same as for cement. For 2-coat work
allow 3 bbls to 100 yds; for 3-coat, 3|.
LIME PLASTER QUANTITIES
For 100 yds of old style plaster on wood lath, this would
be the allowance for 3-coat work:
3$ bbls lime,
1£ to 2 yds of sand,
2 bushels hair,
100 Ibs plaster of Paris.
PLASTER 143
If finish is not wanted, deduct the plaster of Paris and half
a bbl of lime. See under " Sand " for sand finish.
On brick walls, for 2 coats allow only 3 bbls lime, if they
are fairly straight.
PATCHING: — As we are dealing with old plaster, we might
consider patching. Sometimes the easiest way to patch a
ceiling is to put on a new one.
On a number of rooms the cost of removing old plaster
ceilings, furring, nailing on metal lath, and replastering was
about $1 per yd. Leaving the old plaster on, by far the best
way if it can be done, as it saves labor, dust, and handling,
the cost was 75c. Some of the rooms were of ordinary size;
some 100' long.
A small patch might cost $1 to $2 per yd; a single yard
patch might cost far more, as time is taken going to and
from the work.
PRICES: — Cement plaster runs from $7 to $8 per ton, but
sometimes it is as low as $5. Laramie fibered, for first coat,
$10; unfibered, $6.50. , •
Keene's Cement, $17 to $18.
There are usually 20 sacks to the ton of cement plaster.
Metal lath from 16 to 22c per yd.
Wood lath, 48", from $4.50 to $5.50 per M.
WATER: — The Omaha rate is 15c per 100 yds — by meter the
cost is only 8 to 9c. The Chicago rate is $1.50 per 1,000 yds.
LABOR: — On No. 2 the labor on 2-coat work ran to 15c
throughout, but 14c if openings are included. This does not
include base, chair-rail, cols, and the rounding of window
jambs. Rounding jambs takes from f of an hour on small
square windows to 2 hours on high segment openings. If
white coat, they have to be run with a mould; if sand
finish, they can be rounded with a trowel at a cheaper rate.
On the metal lath of No. 9 the cost ran about 4, 7, 4c or
loc in all for the 3 coats, but wages were 55c; now they are
62£c here, and 15% more is required. Some say that 20 to
25c is right. The first coat is thin, the second takes far more
material and labor, and the last, or white coat, is about the
same as the first. All through the time runs about 9 hours of
144 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
plasterer to 5 of laborer, but this depends a good deal upon
the character of the work. The brown coat takes more
laborers than the finish. Sometimes the proportion is man
to man.
Three men and two helpers put on 400 yds of 2-coat work,
and 250 yds of finish.
The labor on 2-coat work is taken as low as 12c, but not in
cities where wages are high.
HEATING AND SCREENS: — If work is done in winter the
question of heating has to be considered. In dwellings it is
worth 3 to 4c per yd; on large buildings with steam heat, 2 to
3c. If in summer, muslin screens may have to be put on all
openings. Muslin is worth about 17c a yd.
OLD BRICK WALL: — For raking out the joints of an old
brick wall before plastering, allow 15c if in lime, and 25c per
yd if in cement. With compressed air, the work can be done
for one-half as much.
These rates at 60c per hour can be adjusted to suit the
wages of any locality; but country tradesmen do not always
cover as much ground as city ones, especially if metal lath
is used.
WEIGHT:— A partition of 2x4 or 2x6, plastered both sides,
weighs about 20 Ibs to the sq ft; lath and plaster alone 9 Ibs
on one side.
CORNICES AND ORNAMENTAL WORK: — Almost every
house I worked on in my apprenticeship had at least 1 room
with a plaster cornice and centerpiece; houses costing $5,000
had them in every room, and more expensive houses had
plaster ornamentation in keeping with other features. It was
the fashion, and in architecture as well as clothes that settles
everything. The fashion is reversed in the west. Few houses
have cornices, and they are better without them, although
a smai; moulding looks well. A plasterer might write a book
on the subject of cornices alone; for our purpose a few lines
will do. Allow for straight cornices of 6" girt, 20c; 9, 30c;
12, 35c per If; 16, 50c; 24, 75c. Allow the price of 3' extra
for each miter. For cast stuff such as egg and dart moulding,
30c. For circular cornices mult by 4; for elliptical, by 6.
PLASTER 145
Bases and capitals of cols can usually be bought cast if there
are many of them, or the plasterer can cast them himself.
For 12" cols they are worth about $8 a pair. Pilaster caps
and bases are about the same. To finish a 12" round col with
base and cap by hand allow 2 men 1* days for all work— plain
and ornamental.
CENTERS: — For plaster center flowers, 20" diam, $4; 30", $7.
But with certain enrichments these prices might be doubled.
Material for ornamental work may be calculated by taking
the section and dividing in the proper proportion, if so much
accuracy is desired.
BLACKBOARDS: — There are several expensive blackboard
preparations, but a good cheap blackboard that will last 20
yrs if well kept can be made as follows: $ lime, £ fine white
sand from crushed stone gauged with J of plaster of Paris and
sufficient lamp black to color. Put 1 package to 3 buckets
of finished material. Apply the same as white coat. Black-
boards of this kind are worth from 10 to 15c per yd extra
above regular price.
STAFF: — Used on exposition buildings. This material is
worth, for plain work, from $2.50 to $3 per sq yd.
SACKETT PLASTEH BOARD is used for a good deal of
work. It is made in sheets 32"x36", and is nailed directly to
the studs by large headed li"xlO$" wire nails. " One keg of
nails to 8,000 sq ft of board," says the catalog. The nails
are set from 4 to 6" apart. Then on face of boards a J or
| brown coat is put on, and the regular finish on top.
The board is retailed from 11 to l|c per sq ft.
COST OF 100 YDS OF SACKETT BOARD
Board $14.00
Nailing on Board 4.50
Nails 50
Plaster, Brown Coat and Finish 16.00
$35.00
But the ceiling should be furred at 12" centers, and this
increases the cost. See Index for price of furring.
146 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
COMPO-BOARD
This is another substitute for plaster. Ceilings do not
require to be furred when it is used. It runs on ceilings or
walls without any end joints. All boards are 4' wide and 8,
•9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18' long.
ESTIMATE FOR 100 YDS
Board. $34.20
Labor Nailing on 4.00
Nails 60
$38.80
Actual cost, 39c per yd.
The raw material, Omaha, is $38 per M sq ft.
Unlike Sackett board this Compo does not require any
plaster, but after covering joints with a strip of cheese cloth
the wall paper may be put on.
ELASTIC PULP PLASTER
This is another wall covering. It is made in Napoleon, Ohio.
The cost there is $7.50 per ton. The manufacturer's quanti-
ties are as follows, openings presumably included:
" On wood lath Elastic Pulp Plaster will cover from 160 to
180 yds per ton. On brick, terra-cotta, or concrete wall, from
125 to 150 yds per ton. On metal lath from 140 to 160 yds
per ton. Its covering capacity depends grfeatly on the con-
dition of the lath, lathing, walls, and especially the plasterers'
economy."
The grounds used are only f, which leaves the rather thin
• -coat of £". A skim coat may be put on as usual, but is not
needed. No sand is used. Sacks of paper contain 80 Ibs.
COST OF 100 YDS ON WOOD LATH
1450 Lath at $5 per M $7.25
Labor on 1450 Lath, 4c 4.00
Nails .30
1250 Ibs Pulp Plaster 4.70
Labor on Plaster (1 coat Required) 10.00
Actual Cost, without Freight $26.25
PLASTER 147
ON METAL LATH, 100 YDS
105 yds Lath at 20c $21.00
9 Ibs Staples 63
Labor on Lath 5.00
2500 Ibs Pulp Plaster 9.37
Labor on Pulp Plaster. 20.00
Actual Cost Without Freight $56.00
WATERPROOFING
Wall and floors are now successfully treated with several
kinds of materials to prevent leakage. "ANTI-HYDRO " is
a liquid that is mixed with the cement, and the mixture is
plastered on in the usual way. The inside of the wall is pre-
ferreJ to t:.e outside, as any break can be repaired in the
future. One gall should cover 100 sq ft of £" cement plaster.
The price is $1.50 to $2.00 per gall. It must be extra well
troweled on.
After the walls are cleaned, roughened and dampened, put
on the first coat of pure cement mixed with 1 Anti-Hydro
to 10 water. Then comes the scratch coat, I" to |", 1 cement
to 2 sand, with mixture as before. Then the last \" coat, 1 to
1 with Anti Hydro as on other coats.
The cost per yd varies under changing conditions. When
fighting against leaking walls and floors it naturally runs high.
Under the best conditions, with 3 coats, the actual cost will
be for 100 yds:
Labor $20.00
Anti-Hydro 18.00
Cement 18.00
Sand . . 3.00
$59.00
" HYDROLITHIC COATINGS " is another preparation of the
same nature as Anti-Hydro. Four sacks of 110 Ibs are used with
8 gall of water for 20 sq ft, $" thick. Both of these prepara-
tions are warranted to resist a strong force of water when
well mixed, and carefully troweled on.
Observe that Anti-Hydro is a liquid to be mixed with Port
cement, while Hydrolithic is a substance to be mixed with
water.
148 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
ARTIFICIAL MARBLE: — The cost varies so much according
to special details that it is hard to give a unit price. Plain
cols run about $1 per sq ft, with about 500'. In larger quanti-
ties a smaller price can be given. Wainscoting, about 70c
per sq ft.
OUTSIDE PLASTER WORK
One sometimes sees parts of a house covered with ex metal
lath, plastered with cement, which is occasionally pebble-
dashed. This work is worth $1.25 to $1.75 per yd, depending
upon quantity and style, with scaffold already in place. It
is usually in panels, and the plasterer does not get a chance
of covering so much surf as on a plain wall.
If complete, plain, half timbered house is plastered outside
with Port cement on ex metal lath allow 85c to $1 per yd.
Both north and south the old style is coming back, with ex
metal for a new and better base.
Profit is included in these prices.
COST: — A detailed estimate shows the cost better. A car-
penter's scaffold is supposed to be in place.
The first 2 coats are of the usual fibered and plain cement
plaster, and the finish coat of 1 Port cement and 2 sand. The
brown coat is better gauged with Port.
FOR 100 YDS WOOD LATH
1450 Lath $7.25
10 Ibs Nails 35
3 yds Sand 3.75
500 Ibs. Fibered Plaster 2.50
1100 Ibs Common Plaster 3.85
2 bbls Portland Cement 4.00 ,
Labor on Lath 5.00
Labor on Plaster. . 25.00
ACTUAL COST $51.70
All through No. 9 the plaster labor on wire lath took 4c
for lath and 15c for plaster; but outside work is more difficult.
Furring is not included. See first part of book for cost at
16" centers for wood lath.
PLASTER 149
FOR METAL LATH
105 yds at 20c $21.00
18 Ibs Staples 1.25
3 yds Sand 3.75
600 Ibs Fibered Plaster 3.00
1200 Ibs Common Plaster 4.20
2 bbls Portland Cement 4.00
Labor on Lath 8.00
Labor on Plaster 30.00
ACTUAL COST $75.20
Furring is not allowed. It ought to be nailed on at not
more than 10" centers, and staples and lathers' labor are so
figured.
PORTLAND CEMENT ONLY
But some architects will not allow the use of anything but
Portland cement. For such work, a detailed cost would be
for 1 to 2.
105 yds Metal Lath, 20c $21.00
18 Ibs Staples 1.25
3 yds Sand 3.75
8 bbls Portland Cement (with fiber) 16.00
Labor on Lath 8.00
Labor on Plaster. . 30.00
$80.00
The price of cement is now (1913) about $1.60, and from
there to $2 is the aver, although $2.25 is often paid. Sand
may be bought for much less than is allowed. Railroads, for
example, sometimes charge it out at 15c per ton, but such
varieties in price can easily be adjusted to suit any locality.
ROUGH COAT:— For a rough J" coat of 1 to 2$ Port cement,
on the face of brick, allow 23c per yd — lOc material, and 13c
labor. If floated allow 30c. Material for 100 yds, 3 bbls of
cement, and 1J yds of sand.
For a f" coat, 1 to 3, as on the sloping sides of hard earth
cellars, 12c material, and 25c labor, floated. Material for 100
yds, 4 bis, and 2J yds of sand.
QUOINS: — Corners, or quoins, 20"xl2"xl" with 12" return,
beveled at edges, 55c each for labor, and 7c for material.
SPECIAL WORK: — For narrow plain work with many cor-
ners iri Port, allow from $3 to $4 per yd.
CHAPTER X
CARPENTER AND JOINER WORK
SECTION ONE
LABOR
DIMENSION LUMBER:— I have sometimes asked contrac-
tors what system they followed when estimating the labor
on dimension lumber, and their reply has been in line with
my own experience: "Take off every piece of lumber and
figure the labor at so much per 1,000' bm." It is a very simple
rule, and most contractors abide by it, except that they may
sometimes take work by the sq on a safe basis. The differ
ehce between this rule and 10 different rules for lumber in
as many positions is that the memory can easily carry 1 while
it gets 10 mixed, and is sure of none.
LABOR: — The amounts are always given in bm or sq for 2
men in an 8 hour day.
SQ AND BM SYSTEMS: — It ought to be safe enough to esti-
mate any ordinary frame or brick building by the sq, for the
profit should be large enough to cover slight omissions or
changes in the price of material, but the percentage must
be put so low that every stick has to be priced. It is a
ridiculous system, in a way, to take off a lumber bill of a
roof on a frame house, for example, as it is a kind of slavery,
but the margin is so small that it is usually done. To follow
another system, and imagine all joists, studs, rafters, etc,
spread out to 1" thick, and reduce or increase in proportion to
width, is but the old sq system after all.
Suppose a room 20'x40' with joists 2"xlO" set 16 o c. Each
joist spread out equals I"x20". The room has 800 sq ft. As
16", then, is to 20, so is 800 to 1,000, the number of ft bm
required. Allowing for double joists, etc, a fair idea can be
had. But 22' joists would usually be necessary, and this
would give 1,100.
So with partition studs, walls, roofs, etc. A wall 20'x40',
with 2"x4", set 16", would give 1x8, or exactly half the area
150
CARPENTER AND JOINER WORK 151
in bm. One to the foot is allowed in this book further on for
doubling, waste, etc, and this would come to f of the area,
in bm, without plates.
The system has the advantage of keeping material and labor
separate, which is best,, but otherwise, if squaring is to be
done at all, it is best to finish the job with labor, material
and nails as given in the tables of the " Estimator," and add:
a good profit.
But for cut-up roofs the bm system is a good one, as it
saves drudgery.
It takes much longer to cut a rafter to a double bevel on
2 ends than merely to lay a joist on a wall, or nail on a
sheeting board; a tower and a dormer window devour time,
and a plank floor goes down fast enough to suit even a con-
tractor; but while as a matter of theory each class of work
should be figured separately, as a practical affair the whole
bill of framing lumber, and usually sheeting also, is averaged
with results sufficiently close to serve for 9 buildings out
of 10.
BM OR LF: — Take the lumber by the 1,000' bm, and not by
the If. I ran across an estimate book which put all dimension
lumber from 2x4 to 2x14 on the same basis of so many If in
a day. The writer had evidently never hoisted or laid timbers
of the various sizes. I have sometimes heard it said that
a 2x6 can be handled as easily as a 2x4. Upon that theory
a 2x8 can be put in place as cheaply as a 2x6, and a 2x4 is-
practically equal to 2x14. It will not work. The progression
is made only 2" at a time, but if you try to hoist or lay a
2x12 you will find it is about 3 times as heavy as a 2x4. On
a ground floor the difference is not observed so much as on
one 40' in the air; but the whole lumber bill is estimated,
and there is only one fair way to do it.
But on the different classes of buildings how shall we
determine the number of ft? By observation and experience.
If a building has 10 towers, and a dozen dormer windows, it
does not require a sage to know that more time is required
than if there is only a plain surf to cover.
TIME ON No. 10: — On some buildings I kept an exact account
of time; on most I did not, as the one simply repeated th«
152 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
story of the other. No. 10 was kept. It is a block of 6 flats
in Omaha. The first story is frame veneered with brick; all
the rest of the building is frame covered with slate. The
rear and alley walls are as plain as possible; floors, flat roof,
and partitions, were easily handled; but the time taken on
the towers and fronts ran into money. When built, 9 hours
was a standard day, and the aver over the complete building
was 550' bm for 2 men. Now wages are higher by lOc an
hour, and the time is reduced to 8 hours, so that the advan-
tage of keeping measure instead of money is seen. Such a
building mijht now be estimated at 550' for 8 hours. With
fewer hours a man can work harder, and with 45c an hour
he has to. As with bricklayers so with carpenters — higher
pay has to gi^e more work. But if 600' were allowed I should
want to be on the building myself, and the figure would
have to be set subject to the thermometer, which can not
safely be ignored. With a plain front, 750' is not an unreason-
able figure. An illustration of such a building with the aver-
age quantity given is worth a dozen pages of writing.
TIME ON No. 4: — On No. 4 we have a building of another
class. One story has been removed since it was built. The
3x12 joists all through averaged 800' for 9 hours. They were
laid on walls and girders with little framing necessary. The
oak posts and yp bolted girders dressed and set in place ran
to only 270'. It was then customary to do such work by car-
penters, but now, since their wages are 40c to 45c, common
laborers are used, so that 1,000' of joists alone can safely
be estimated on the carpenter wage basis for an 8 hour day,
if the hoisting arrangements are favorable.
TRUSSES: — One occasionally has to estimate trusses, and
it is not always easy to say what they are worth. This is
the " 10th case " where the aver of the framing lumber is not
reliable. On this building there were 6 Howe trusses, 6' high
with a 60' span. The timbers were 10x12 for the lower chord
in 4 pieces; 8x12 f0r the top chord solid; 4x12, 3x10, and 2x6,
for cross braces. The chords were bolted together with dbl
rods fron 1" to 2" in diam. The story was 18' in the clear.
Each truss contained 2,100' bm, and took 342 hours for 1
CARPENTER AND JOINER WORK 153
man to make and set in place. All material came surfaced.
No 2 trusses are alike, but this will serve for a guess at
another. At 40c per hour that is close to $80 per 1,000' bin.
This work was all done by carpenters, but the rules of the
union now allow laborers to do the heaviest part of the work,
and the figure may be reduced. But the style of the truss
and the kind of wood have to be considered. This one was
of the hardest yp, and the braces were all crossed X fashion,
and notched.
In " Carpentry and Building," December, 1908, A. W. Joslin,
Boston, gives his experience with trusses. About a score of
types are illustrated in Kidder's " Architect's and Builder's
Pocket Book," Chapter XXV, 1905 edition. Carpenters'
wages 44c; Laborers' 30c per hour.
For light trusses the amount per M ft, bm, is $18 to $24 for
trusses from Figure 1 to 21, not including Figure 12.
For heavy trusses of the same type, $22 to $25, with plenty
of rigging, etc.
These figures are for unsmoothed work; if dressed, cham-
fered, and all marks smoothed off, the allowance would be
$30 for light, to $40 for heavy trusses.
For scissor trusses, Figures 32, 33, 36, a figure of $50 is
quoted per M ft, bm.
Actual figures are given for four trusses, 63' span, with
9,000', bm. The cost was $22 per M. The hoisting was done
piece by piece with a steam derrick — which is easier than
pulling on a rope.
These Boston figures are lower than could be used if the
work was done by men not accustomed to it. A gang of
railroad bridge builders handle such work better than
carpenters.
PHOTOS: — On Nos. 4 and 10 the owners did part of the work
and managed to fall behind on time and block the way.
No. 4 was built in winter and the government reports were
taken as to the quality of the sunshine and so forth, so that
the penalty might be levied if the work was not completed
on time. It is not pleasant to sign contracts of that kind,
but one has to eat. A photograph was at once taken to guard
against all danger of pains, penalties, and high displeasure
154 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
that are so easily laid down in a contract, and there was no
more trouble. Sometimes a little care is beneficial in other
fields than estimating.
ALL LUMBER: — On No. 9 the framing, sheeting, shiplap,
and the whole bill of plain lumber, except flooring, cost $8
per M which was a little too much. It is only 800' per day
of 8 hours. Delays accounted for some of it.
SLEEPERS AND PLANK:— On No. 7, at 40c per hour, the
sleepers, 6x8 bedded in sand, cost $4.25 per M. The 3x6 floor
on top cost $3, but some of it went down for $2.75.
PURLINS AND 2" FLOORING:— The purlins were put in
place for $6, and they had to be hoisted about 60'; but some-
times purlins cost 40% more. On No. 8, 150'x486', the 2"
flooring on roof cost about $7 for labor, but nailings were
about 6' apart.
FRAMING: — On No. 3 the girders were of steel, so that only
joists and sheeting have to be considered. On basement and
1st floor there were 22,350' of 3x14x22 joists, and 8,300' of
sheeting. Taking both together, 2 men put 1,100' in place
in 9 hours.
On 2d and 3d floors, 44,850' of joists and sheeting ran to
1,100' also, but this, like the material for the higher stories*
was hoisted by a steam derrick at $2 per M extra.
On 4th and 5th floors, 44,850' went down at the rate of only
800, as there was much more framing to do; and as height
makes no difference with a derrick, this shows that even on
the same building it is necessary to look well over the plans
before setting an average figure.
All joists came sized, and there is no bridging allowed.
DERRICKS: — To rent a derrick for one's own use for car-
pentry alone is apt to be expensive. With engineer, a fair
rate is about $40 per week. Then coal has to be bought, say
$15. But for a high building, it is the only proper system,
and pays, especially when the cost is divided with mason.
SIZING JOISTS:— The sizing of joists is included in all the
foregoing buildings except the last. On No. 9, 25,000' were
sized, with an aver of 3,176' in 8 hours; but a good many
joists needed to be done on 1 side only. On heavy joists,
CARPENTER AND JOINER WORK 15*
2$" to 3$", well sized, 1,500 is a good aver. On a hot day It
is too much. In some cities joists are sized at mill on both
edges for $1.50 to $2.50 per M.
WAREHOUSES: — A good deal can sometimes be said in a
paragraph; the largest buildings do not need so much space-
as a cottage. On several of the largest Omaha warehouses
recently built, the aver, without the top, finish floor, runs
from 1,000 to 1,100'. The joists are merely dropped into
stirrups, and they can be placed at 1,100 if taken alone. The
heavy planking soon goes down if it has not to be hoisted too-
far. But posts, girders, and joists, taken together, without
plank floor, run from 800 to 900'. On one building, 200,000'
framing cost $8 per M at 40c.
POSTS themselves run from $12 to $15. The oak posts cm
No. 4 dressed and chamfered, cost $22 per M bm.
PLATFORMS: — From figures already given, it may be-
thought that the heavy platforms around such buildin-s;
should go down at 1,400 to 1,500'; but I know of more than.
100,000' which averaged only 700. I know of another with,
nearly twice that amount of lumber that averaged 1,030'.
This is after allowing enough for leveling ground.
STOREHOUSE:— On a plain 2 story building with heavy
timbers, 2" flooring roof, plank under floors, ordinary upper
floor, the complete aver on 244,000' was 770'. Upper floors,
are included and reduce the aver somewhat, as they are worth
more than dimension lumber. A good deal of the work was
done by laborers.
TRESTLE:— Trestle work under 10' high should not run to
more than $10 per 1,000'. Coal hoisting stations, towers of
a reasonable height, and heavy timber work in general, should
not cost more than $14 at 30c per hour. But there are so-
many special designs of this kind of work that it is hard to
set a figure without seeing the plan, and sometimes harder
when the plan is seen, and a guess made at the quality of the-
man behind the saw. Bridge falsework, $16.
GRAIN ELEVATORS:— On 2 large ones the timbers and
heavy framing amounted to nearly 1,875,000' bm; the cribbing,
of 2x6 to 2x12, to more than 4,000,000' bm.
156 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
LABOR: — For the timbers, allow $13 per M; and the cribbing,
$6, on a 35c basis. There is a good deal of hoisting required.
MATERIAL: — There is no trouble taking off material, as all
work is plain. So with concrete, excavation, piling, corru-
gated iron, plain windows, and roofing on elevators.
SHEETING: — Sheeting may be averaged at 1,000' on a frame
building if taken alone, although 1,200 may be done on some.
Shiplap about £ less. Much depends upon the style of the
walls and roof.
If sheeting and shiplap are nailed diagonally instead of level
on side walls, allow $ more time.
For floors, sheeting may be safely allowed at 1,500 to 1,800',
unless more than 3 stories above the street level. On the
roof of a 6 story building 1,000' is a good day's work.
FENCE: — I lately received the time on 1,750 If of close board
fence, 8' high, strung with barbed wire for a top guard in
the usual way. It took 420 hours, but posts were already set.
Allow 15 minutes for 1 man to dig hole and set each post;
but twice as long might be taken. Common 8" post holes,
5 to 10 minutes to dig, and half as long to set.
The foregoing buildings may be taken as typical, and esti-
mates securely based upon the figures given. A small cottage
will not require as much time in proportion as No. 10; and
some large frame houses will not aver 550' as that did. An
allowance must be made for a plainer or more ornate style.
The figures can not be far astray at worst if the men work,
for 550 is the aver of a large building, and not a matter of
theory.
So with the other buildings. Joists and sheeting cost
practically the same on schools, flats, and all kinds of brick
buildings. If extra framing is required, an allowance must
be made.
LAW OF AVERAGES:— With plain joists] studs, and sheeting,
it is as with brick in a basement wall, so much is done in a
day with reasonable mechanics that one begins to blush over
the prospective profits, but by the time the chimneys are
capped, the saddles put in place, and the corners attended
to, it is quite another story. Do not base any estimates on
CARPENTER AND JOINER WORK 157
this kind of work, but take an aver all through. No. 11, for
example, came to only 350' for 2 men in 8 hours, but few roofs
are so complicated. This includes both rafters and shiplap.
STATION LABOirt: — The complete cost of carpenter labor
on a passenger station, similar to No. 11, was $1,100. About
24x140', slate roof, hardwood finish, and maple floors. Wages,
35c. It is too much for such a building.
AVERAGES: — As a fair summary, allow as follows on an 8
hour basis, but it is well to keep in mind slow saws and
modern instances already given.
On Average Frame Houses 600 ft
On Wood Stores and Flats, Plain 1,000 ft
On Brick Stores and Flats 800 ft
On 3- or 4-Story Business Buildings... .900 to 1,000 ft
On Heavy Warehouses, Mill Construction 1,100 ft
BRIDGING: — If taken separately, a close enough price may
be found in Part One. If lumber is put in the regular bill,
allow for labor 125 If of 2x4 nailed in place, and 170 of 1x3,
1x4, or 2x2, for a day's work. In the first case, that is about
250' bm. Of course joists at 12" centers require more cutting
and nailing than at 20". It is often cheaper to buy bridging
already cut from the mills.
CORNICE: — For a very plain cornice of 5 members I have
always used 60' for a 9 hour day. This does not include
lookouts or anything properly belonging to framing lumber.
A cottage of 6 to 8 rooms has about 150 If. This gives 2
men 2.5 days to finish it. At 40c an hour, and an 8 hour day,
that is less than lie per If. There is no time for play. Extra
members may be averaged at 2c.
For wide ornamental cornices it is hard to set a basis, as
no 2 are alike. With brackets, capitals, dormers, miters, etc,
an estimate must be made in detail. If the soffit is ceiled,
the ceiling may be taken at 1 sq for 2 men on plain work,
and that part eliminated. A miter may be taken at 2 hours
for 1 man. Some brackets can be nailed on in 10 minutes ;
others, with mouldings carried around them, may take from
5 to 10 times as long. Scaffold is not put in, as the one in
place serves. If all joints have to be laid in white lead and
158 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
•oil, allow a little extra time. For a good cornice, 30' in a
day is enough.
PURRING:— 1x2, 16" centers, 4 to 5 sq, making plugs
Included. Openings are not deducted unless many and large.
For 2x2, 16", 3$ to 4 sq; 1x2 on ceilings, 16", 15 sq; 2x2 on
ceilings, 12", 12 sq. No. 9 was furred with 2x4. Put in at
regular framing time, as it is easier to set than a partition.
The amount given for 2x2 on ceilings is from the actual
results all over No. 12. For different spacing, allow in pro-
portion on the basis given.
There is a patented " plug " now on the market. It is
built in the joint of the brick, and the strip nailed in without
any cutting. Possibly 1 sq more a day ought to be allowed
when it is used.
SHINGLES: — I had seen and worked among slate, tile, lead
and thatch, but the first shingle I ever handled was in Ver-
mont. It seemed a curious thing to put on a roof, and I felt
sure that it would not hold water. It must have been about
3' long. The farmer cut his own timber, the carpenter
squared it, pinned it, built a huge barn, and covered the
roof with the strange, new wooden slate. We do not use that
kind in the west; ours are 16" long, and sawed.
When starting out as a contractor I kept a book, and
•entered the time on different classes of work. Under shingles
is found: "On plain roofs, from 4 to 6 sq; on fancy roofs,
from 3$ to 4; on plain side walls, about 3." This allowance
can not be much improved. Then the standard day was 9
hours; now it is 8, but we do more in an hour. (For number
of shingles to sq, see Section Two.)
On a plain roof, a couple of good carpenters may put on
8 to 10 sq, but we stand by an aver day's carpenter work —
not butcher work — as well as by an aver exposure of 4$" to
the weather. It naturally takes more time to lay shingles
at 4" than at 5". They should never be laid at more than 5".
On some kinds of walls and roofs 2 sq make a day's work.
The cutting around valleys, chimneys, dormers, bay windows,
etc, takes a good deal of time. (See Chapter on "Painting"
for dipping of shingles.)
CARPENTER AND JOINER WORK 159
GUTTERS: — Allow 100 If for aver standing gutters, with all
finish got out at mill. With many hips and valleys, this figure
is too high, — 75 is enough. For wide cornice gutters, 60 If
may be used as a basis, and the dimension lumber allowed in
the regular bill.
Water-Table and Base 160 If
Bands and Belts 200 If
Double Corner-Boards 150 If
SIDING: — On plain 6" work, 5 sq is the law for 2 men. On
some buildings, with long blank walls, 8 may be done. On
some particular corners, again, 2 is a big day's work. A fair
aver is 4 sq. Possibly 6 may be done; possibly only 3 — not
more than 3 if mitered.
On narrow siding, mitered at corners, allow as a basis 2
sq, and go up or down according to the angles, dormers, sides,
pilasters, hoods, gargoyles, pediments, or walls, as plain as
a prairie. Unmitered, 3 sq. Scaffolding and tar paper are
included; openings are" not counted, but exact surf taken.
FLOORS: — The usual flooring is 4" which finishes a trifle
less than 31. On a 4-story block, where I was foreman, I
kept the time on floors. Paper was laid on sheeting, and
yp floor on top, with rough joints smoothed. The whole
building everaged 4 sq for 9 hours, hoisting included. The
rooms are of the usual office size, and stores are on the
ground floor.
On No. 3, which is also divided into offices, the aver for yp
was 3i sq for 9 hours; but this work was carefully smoothed
and sandpapered. It was done by the piece, and the men
worked hard on it. They offered to do it at 80c, and ended
at $1.25 a sq. Wages were then 30c. There is a wonderful
difference between a long hall and a score of small offices.
Once more we may take time to consider that an illustration
of this kind is worth a dozen pages of theorizing.
On joists, without an under floor, allow 6 sq of 4" flooring.
The next sentence I find in my MS is: " On wp allow about a
sq more." It might about as well be left out here, for the
ruinous policy of the forest owners has at last practically
cleared the northern part of the continent of what is by far
the best wood for outside work and fine interior finish. In
160 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
New York, to-day, (1913) the best wp is $97 to $114, and
select, $80 to $100, wholesale.
FLOORING 2": — Flooring, 2" thick, tongued and grooved,
may be averaged at 1,000'. On No. 4, 2 men laid 5 sq in 9
hours, or nearly 1,200', but that was close to street level.
Still, the figure is not unreasonable if conditions are favor-
able. Is the thermometer not to be reckoned with? This
flooring is usually 5i" finished width. I once knew, however,
of 74,000' which averaged only 700; and about as much on
another building which ran to 1,600, but this was for mill
construction, with joists far apart. No. 8, 2" roof, 900.
SQ EDGED MAPLE AND YP: — On warehouses, 5 sq are
enough, if hoisting is included, as it is in all figures given in
this section. A common way of finishing warehouse floors
now is with |x4" sq edged maple. Allow 4 to 5 sq unsmoothed.
It has to be dbl nailed, and takes more labor than yp. The
finished size is 3£". Narrower boards take more time, which
is about equal to saying that 2 and 2 are more than 2 and 1;
but some of the hasty put 2" and 4" on the same basis. But
an aver of 6 sq is sometimes reached for tongued material,
which is nailed on only 1 edge.
And now for the proof: On a 6-story building, one of the
largest and newest warehouses in Omaha, the yp, sq edged
floors averaged throughout 5 sq. On 2 others, also new and
large, — 1 the gallery of No. 7 — the sq edged 4" maple ran
on the first to 4£, on the second to 5J. The same men laid
both, but they had experience on the second.
YP FLOORS: — No. 9 is an interesting building, so far as the
floors go, for it can be compared with No. 3. Both floors
were smoothed and sandpapered, but this one was cut in
between the base, and that takes a good deal of extra time,
as both ends have to be carefully jointed. While aware that
some of the best eastern business buildings and residences
are so finished, 1 do not like the style. In course of time
the joint opens, and the floor is in a worse condition than if
a quarter round had been used, although that is not by any
means an ideal finish. In my. apprenticeship, we tongued
the board into a groove in the floor. The knees of the men
CARPENTER AND JOINER WORK 161
were reddened before the floors of a house were smoothed
and the grooves run. Now, machines are used.
BENCH SMOOTHING: — In the largest rooms of No. 9, on
the ground floor, where there was no hoisting, 3.2 sq was the
amount laid and smoothed. In large rooms the jointing is a
simple matter, but not in small ones. In . small rooms above,
the amount was 2.3 sq, and the general aver did not reach
2.5. On the first 8 sq, the aver was only 1.6 for 2 men in 8
hours. They were first class mechanics, and they worked
hard. Much depends upon how a floor is finished. On most
of one floor the experiment was tried of smoothing the boards
before they were laid, and then merely smoothing the joints,
but the work was largely thrown away, for although the
flooring was good, and well matched, it was necessary to
smooth nearly the whole surf again. The quantity smoothed
on the bench was 1,000 in a day. With small rooms, cut in
between, and properly smoothed, 2.25 is a large enough allow-
ance, although it seems a low one for 2 men.
MAPLE: — D and m maple is harder to smooth than yp, which
was used on No. 9. If unsmoothed, allow 4 sq of 2£ face. Of
course, more can be laid if on a warehouse, as it is all straight
work. On a large surf 3J sq were recently laid and smoothed;
and 6, without smoothing, on upper stories, 8 on ground level.
In houses and offices, if well smoothed, 2 sq are a good day's
work. With If face, 1.5 sq may have to pass if the smoothing
is well done.
I once helped to smooth an old maple floor, 18x9.0, and with
hard work it averaged 2 sq for 2 men in 9 hours.
OAK: — In a dining room, with angle bay window, and border
all around, the aver in 9 hours was only 50', or half a sq, but
this was a fine, oak parquet floor. It was glued strip by strip,
smoothed, scraped, and sandpapered, and there was no time
wasted.
In another finished the same way in oak, except for glue,
If face, the cost was $9 per sq at 40c per hour.
On still another house $15 was the figure for oak with a
border, and this was over several rooms.
A contractor recently told me that on a fine house, where
all the floors were of hardwood, his aver was $12; and on
162 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
some floors, $15. He watched the men closely, and there
was no time lost. The larger the quantity, the higher the
price, for the men became tired out with smoothing. The
common carpenter touches such floors only to spoil them;
they require the best tradesmen.
MACHINE SMOOTHING: — But floors are smoothed now by
machines at a far lower cost than by hand. There are 2 main
classes of machines — motor driven sandpapering, and hand
scraping or planing. The small planing machines cost about
$50, and surface " from 6 to 10 sq each, per day, per man."
The large sandpapering machines have done 35 sq in a long
hall. They are run by a motor of 1£ to 4 h p, and one make
costs, without motor, about $550. Another machine costs,
with motor, as follows, fob Chicago:
Type "D" li H.P. Direct Current. . . $250.00
Type " D " 2 H.P. Alternating Current 275.00
Type " B" 2 H.P. Direct Current 300.00
Type " B " 3 H.P. Alternating Current 325.00
Edge Roller 20.00
The edge roller runs close to the base. The motor machines
run at 600 r p m. Smoothing Co.'s charge $2.25 to $3.00 per
sq.
One manufacturer claims that his machine cleans more
than 15 to 20 men. " The cost of sandpaper and electric
power is from $1 to $2 per day." They require, of course,
electric power, and thus could not be used in some country
districts, or in many parts of a city.
Still another is fitted up with a small gasoline engine.
The operator sits on top, just as on a bicycle, and guides
the machine. " A room, 16x16, has been done in one hour
and a half." The cost is $200, fob Springfield, 111.
THIN FLOORS, PARQUET FLOORS:— There is a thin oak
floor that many are now using to make the old house look
new. At first sight it seems to be much easier to lay than the
|, but the difference is not so very great if stuff is grooved.
The under floor should be carefully smoothed to a level surf,
and there is more nailinar through the fact. With varnishing
and profit included with carpenter labor these floors are
worth about 23c per sq ft in this latitude. A f " floor of good
design, 45c in place and oiled. Thin borders, 30c. Borders
CARPENTER AND JOINER WORK 163
may run to $1. Eastern prices on ^ to f are 25 to 40c; on
£. 45 to 55c. For & material, 10 to 15c; for |, 20 to 40c.
Quarter sawed white oak is used.
A f " carpet " floor might be laid for half that amount in a
sq room. In all floors the expense comes with angles and
borders. Material of various woods, 1" to 1$ wide, $28 to $85
per M, f" being counted as 1", and | as 1" wide before dress-
ing, 1$ as 2, 2 as 2*.
Fine floors cost money, and they are usually spoiled by
being laid in a damp building. The best time to lay them
is a year after the building is occupied. The impatient owner
can not wait for style all that time any more than her children
can wait for a new toy. In Europe you see floors generations
old looking like a picture. In France especially the public
buildings shine. Why spoil a lasting picture for the sake of
a year?
COST: — Hardwood floors will never be cheaper than now.
Since 1900 the wholesale price of hardwood has advanced
from 25 to 65%. The cut of oak has fallen off 36%. The
best forests of Indiana are about exhausted.
THEORY: — One eastern authority allows $1 per sq for labor
on the best hardwood floors; and another, as an extreme
figure, 83c. There was once a young man who told his pro-
fessor that Solomon's proverbs were far behind this enlight-
ened age, and that anybody could now make them. The pro-
fessor instead of reasoning with him merely said, " Make
a few."
FLOORS, 6": — So much for narrow flooring. Our next stock
size is 6", or 5i face.
For Pitched Roof Without too Many Angles. .3 to 4 sq
For Side Walls on Level 3$ to 4 sq
On Bare Joists 6 to 8 sq
On Top of Under Floor 5 to 6 sq
For wp allow 1 sq more.
Of co-arse, on porch floors, the figures given for bare joists
may have to be cut in 2.
Much depends upon the matching of all kinds of flooring.
It is sometimes so bad that men working hard do only J of
164 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
a day's work. And again, how high has it to be hoisted? The
New York method is to set men one above another at the
window of each story, and make them hoist it board by board,
hand over hand, for 20 stories in the air. It naturally costs
more on the 20th than on the 2d. But average buildings
seldom run above 6 stories.
Some estimate floors by the sq, and some by the M. More
from habit than from any merit in the system — when applied
to common floors, at all events — I have always taken the sq
as the unit. The usual allowance for waste and milling is
about | extra for 4" flooring; a sq, therefore, means 125' bm,
and thus, 8 times the price of a sq gives tnat of a 1,000'. As
the sq system is almost obligatory on fine floors, it seems
best to keep it for common as well.
PORCHES: — The best way appears to be to put framing
lumber, sheeting, floors and ceilings in at the usual rate, and
estimate the rest in a body. There is such a variation in
style and finish, and usually such a short time given to make
an estimate, that this is the easiest way out of the labor. Of
course, the roof framing takes longer, but that does not count
so much on a complete bill.
As a kind of basis, a porch, 6x22, with plain sq posts and
flooring roof, hand grooved to run off water, without rail,
with aver cornice, took 2 men 5 days of 9 hours to make posts,
joint cornice stuff and finish complete, the floor being already
laid. Several were done at the same time.
On another porch, 6x30, of far better style, to make all
stuff 6 paneled posts, cornice, rail above roof, ceiled below,
sheeted above, 7 days.
With all millwork made ready, framing, flooring, etc,
allowed in their place, 5 days extra work is a fair estimate
for a good porch without shingles, which go with their own
kind. But again, 2 men may work several times as long.
How decide without a plan?
GROUNDS: — For wainscoting from 3£ to 4 SQ. There is
usually no scaffolding required, but they have to be straighter
than furring. More can be done on wood partitions and on
furring than on brick — about 5 sq altogether. A rough way
of estimating grounds is Ic per ft, but with labor at 40c, that
CARPENTER AND JOINER WORK 165
is too low. On wood, 2c; on brick, 2£ to 3c is a fair price.
A brick opening, 1 side, will take a man 1 hour if he has to
plug; on wood, half an hour is enough.
STORE FRONTS: — For fronts about the standard width of
21', like those in Nos. 5 and 6, allow 5 days to finish com-
plete with sash below, casings, and window shelf inside.
With everything moving h&rmoniously, and a half dozen to
do at a time, 4 days are enough, but if only 1 is to be done,
more time is required in proportion. Hardware, transoms,
swinging sash below, etc, are all to be considered. These
plain fronts may be used as a standard. It sometimes hap-
pens that a specially good one takes twice as long; and there
are others that require only 2 days.
But as with floors, there are great differences in fronts.
It is possible to design one of standard width that would
keep 2 men busy for a month. On such fronts, take all plain
work on the regular basis, and estimate the rest in detail.
WINDOWS: — The time is given for 1 man.
To put aver frames together, if stuff comes in the knock-
down, 1| to 1$ hours. Planing mill price is only 20 to 40c.
An ordinary pine window in a frame building, setting frame
included, 5 hours. Hardwood, 6 to 7, If paneled below, 1
extra. In brick buildings with jamb linings, setting frames
included, 6 to 7. Hardwood, 8 to 10. If circle top inside,
1 hour more on pine, 2 hours on hardwood.
The 50 and 60 It windows in No. 7 were fitted at the rate
of 2 in an 8 hour day for 1 man; but half of the work had
to be done on a high scaffold. This is a little less than an
hour to each sash. The glass was not set, and the work was
therefore easier than if it had been.
On more than 100 windows, 30 It, 10x14 — like the fore-
going— the labor ran to 7 hours each. There was no inside
finish except a quarter-round. Labor included setting frame,
fitting and hanging sash, putting on stops and hardware.
In high windows, i to $ of the time ought to be added;
some require twice as long. For a fixed transom, 1 hour
extra; if hung, £ to f of an hour more. Of course it is with
windows as with other parts of a building — a detail can be
166 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
drawn that will put twice as much work on them as is made
to serve for the ordinary structure.
For windows hung on sash balances, allow about 1 hour
less. One seldom sees balances in modern buildings.
CEILINGS: — The best building codes now forbid wood ceil-
ings in stores and such places, on account of danger from fire,
which is held back longer by metal, or plaster on ex metal
lath.
For plain store ceilings, allow 3 sq a day of 9 hours. This
figure was taken from work done on F.everal stores, among
others, those shown in Nos. 5 and 6. k^uietimes more might
be done, but it is not safe to put an estimate up to the limit.
A warehouse with a long stretch is easier to ceil than a
store; and a small room takes more time.
As to paneled ceilings it is hard to set a figure. Some have
plain beams, 8" wide, and others, moulded and dbl moulded to
a stretch of 3'; and panels may be only 1' sq, or they may
be 6. How can we even guess without a plan and detail?
And now that we are finally under roof, is it wp, cypress, or
hardwood finish? The plain work of ceiling need not be hard
to estimate from the base of 3 sq a day, for if it is cut in
between beams, an allowance can be made for extra labor,
which is likely to be twice as much, and for furring, etc,
outside of the regular joist amount. A pine beam, a ft wide
and deep, made of 5 boards — 2 about 6" wide on ceiling, 2
at 12" on sides, and 1 at 12" on soffit, 2 bed moulds, and 2
moulds at lower edges, may be set at 35c per If, with scaffold-
ing included, so far as labor on it is concerned. The wall
beam needs to be fitted, and may be counted as the others.
But if the panels are small, that means many miters. An
extra allowance of 40c per miter, or $1.60 for the 4, ought
to do this plain work. If of hardwood, add 5"0% to all figures,
none of which includes framework.
From this figure of 25c per If we may go to $10 on some
houses. If we go from wood to mosaic we have the price set
for the ceiling of the U. S. mint building, at Philadelphia,
at $15 per sq ft.
Plain lumber in pine beams larger than a sq ft of section
may be allowed for labor at 4c per sq ft bm; and mouldings
CARPENTER AND JOINER WORK 167
at l^c per sq inch of section; with extra allowance for miters.
Hardwood, 50% more.
CEILING: — For plain ceiling on walls allow 3£ sq without
furring. If of hardwood, 2J.
CORNICES: — For cornices and overhangs, 1 to 1J sq. The
wide overhang of No. 11 was done at the rate of 1 sq.
WAINSCOTING:— On No. 12, in 8 schoolrooms, through all
halls, wardrobes, etc, two men in a 9 hour day cut, put up
and finished with cap and quarter round 3£ sq of yp, ranging
in height from 2' 6" to 6'. On ordinary dwellings and tene-
ments allow about 2* sq. All material was prepared, and
furring is not included. If smoothing has to be done, allow
6 hours per 1,000' for 2 men. They will not be idle — but that
aver was kept over a large ceiling. This is only 3 minutes to
a 16' board, 3^ wide. Under " Floors," we have seen that the
time on 1,000' of the same width was 8 hours.
For plain hardwood allow about £ more time; if there are
many angles, 1* sq for 8 hours.
PANELING: — For paneled work about 4' in height, with cap
and base, allow 501f ; on hardwood, 35. Sometimes plain work
of this kind is easier nailed up than tongued and grooved
material, but generally the base and cap are of richer design.
It is hard to give a figure on this work, as there is a great
difference between a plain wall 30' long, and another broken
into 6 to 8 pilasters, each with 4 miters for base and cap. An
internal miter, if coped, as it ought to be, should not take
more than 1 hour on pine, and 1£ on hardwood; an external
one should not take more than half as long; but much de-
pends upon the design, and more upon the joiner.
Furring is not allowed; doors are not counted.
BASE: — With opportunity enough, I never happened to keep
the time on pine or hardwood wainscoting; but I watched
base through 2 buildings. The first was a 4-story block, with
an unusual number of pilasters, and they devoured time, as
4 miters in a 3-membered base do. Yet all through 2 men
put down 100 If in 9 hours.
On No. 3 with plain rooms, 2 membered base, scribed to
floor, 170 If. Second floor and basement had oak base, which
168 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
is included in figure. Main floor base on oak, paneled
wainscot not included. Doors were not included in either
building.
On No. 9, 200 If of a narrow birch base were laid, but
fitting to floor was not necessary.
For plain, quarter round base, and quarter round at floor,
200 to 250 If. For hardwod, 3-membered, aver number of
miters, 100 If; but it is well to remember that some of our
friends from Poduc\ Creek, even with good intentions and
an earnest heart, are practically helpless at hardwood work
of all kinds. Nowhere are cheap carpenters so expensive or
so exasperating. The old style Yankee carpenter was trained
to the tips of his fingers; his successor is not, and manual
training schools, excellent as they are, do not supply the want
of slow, painstaking teaching and practice.
DOORS: — On sliding doors allow framing in regular bill, and
2 days extra to finish complete with lining, jambs, casings,
hardware, etc. This will serve for a good pine door well
hung; on hardwood, about 3 days. I have known nearly 4
days to be occupied on a pair of heavy hardwood doors.
As the number of hours does not always divide prpoerly,
the time on the following doors is taken for 1 man instead
of 2:
For a pair of outside doors, about 6'x8', door frame, casings,
hardware, complete, 10 hours; if hardwood, 14.
Vestibule doors about the same. Both sides have to be
cased, while front doors have only 1 side, but the jambs, and
often the doors are heavier, and sometimes a little more
elaborate. If with sidelights, give 14 for pine, and 20 for
hardwood; if transomed, 2 to 3 hours extra. Sometimes a
good deal of trouble is caused by boring for flush bolts.
For common pine doors complete, 4 to 5 hours, if If; 5 to
6, for If. There are those who consume a day to a door, and
think they do well. If 3 hinges are used, a little more time is
necessary. Light closet doors reduce the aver, and make
up for the heavy ones. Some men will hang and put locks
on 12 doors in a day; I have often cased 20 sides, but we have
to deal with averages.
CARPENTER AND JOINER WORK 169
For hardwood, 7 to 10. Of course a casing of such design
might be made as to give several hours extra work; but we
are not writing about palaces, city halls, or court houses with
high doors and paneled jambs. I could take any hardwood
opening of aver size, set jambs, case, hang and finish door in
10 hours, including transom. It is a reasonable allowance-
On No. 9, the birch doors took about 7 hours.
For aver pine swinging doors, 5 hours. There is no hard-
wood after the hinges are on.
PANELED JAMBS: — But here we come to another kind of
openings. For pine doors and finish of wide, paneled jambs,
and transoms, 10 hours. On specially high doors, 15 to 16
hours. For hardwood, about £ to $ more. The hard pine
doors with paneled jambs, on No. 12, took about 11 hours.
For an opening about 12x16, double swinging doors com-
plete, 2 days for 2 men. They are sometimes used in
churches, etc.
For outside double doors, about 12'xl8', in manufacturing
buildings like No. 7, 1 day for 4 men. For a sliding barn,
door, about the same size, with iron track, 1£ days for 2 men.
Special doors may be estimated from the foregoing figures,
which would be considered very liberal by a New York
" lumper." While living in New York, I was told of some who
steadily fitted 36 doors, and left the hanging of them to some
brother in misfortune. On cheap buildings they certainly do
far more work than western carpenters, but their work has
2 drawbacks — it is worthless in quality, requiring repairing
almost from the time it is finished; and it is making white
slaves. A good carpenter goes to lumping only as the last
resort.
Grounds are not included on either doors or windows.
STAIRS: — Setting only is allowed — not millwork. But which
style shall be selected? I have known 2 men to set a stair
in a forenoon, and again, work on another for about 2 weeks.
On No. 12, with regular school stair, double flight, ceiling
rail, about 6' wide, 3£ to 4 days for 2 men.
On No. 2 it took 233 hours for 1 man to set and finish 3
flights of oak stairs about 5' wide, with continuous rail.
170 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
On No. 9, with oak stairs, of a better design, it took 300
hours for 1 man to set 3 flights. Platforms allowed in fram-
ing lumber.
For a long box stair, without landing, 1 to 1* days for 2
men. Box stair for cellar or attic, about the same if winders
are used. For a plain 6 to 8 room house, 2 to 3 days. For
a fine stair to a house of 8 to 10 rooms 6 days.
Guess the rest; and remember that although the estimate
may not be mathematically correct, you may add to or deduct
from a reasonable percentage on complete bid enough to
build the stair complete. While admitting that an estimate
should be as nearly correct as possible, why insist on abso-
lute accuracy on one small item, and then make a wild guess
at the profit?
Of course there are stairs that would keep 2 men working
for a couple of months, or even a year. The Glasgow people
have a fine stair in their new municipal buildings — one of the
best I have ever looked upon. But the best, the stair that
once seen is never forgotten, is the " Stairway of Honor "
in the Grand Opera House, Paris. It is wide enough for
teams to drive up abreast. " The steps are of white marble,
the balustrades of alabaster, the hand rail of African onyx.
24 colored marble columns rise to the height of the 3d floor."
And so on they describe the marvel in the $7,000,000 Opera
House — and that price too where wages are low. I did not
even try to estimate the time required to build it. The house
itself took 14 years — and probably will last for centuries.
The ornamental iron stair in Wanamaker's new store cost
about $36,000.
SIDEBOARDS: — We have some that fill the end of a large
room, and others not so great in size or style. One of ash,
I remember, 8x8' with drawers, doors, brackets, shelves,
mirrors, and hardware to match: 2 men took 8 days to com-
plete it. Another of oak about the same size 6 days. The
difference was a matter of detail. Millwork for both came
in knockdown — and here it may be worth while to say that
there is a good deal of difference in the way millwork comes.
The cheapest mill bid on stairs, sideboards, window frames,
CARPENTER AND JOINER WORK 171
drawer cases, etc, may mean 10% more work when the stuff
is delivered.
A fairly good sideboard may be set in 4 days; none in
Omaha, I judge, would require more than 10 to 12.
CHINA CLOSETS: — Allow from 2 to 6 days for 2 men.
PANTRIES:— From 1 to 4 days.
CHINA CLOSETS: — A china closet might come put together,
leaving only the labor of pushing it into place and nailing a
casing around the opening, all of which might be comfortably
done in a day; but most of them come in the knockdown.
There is a difference between one pantry with only half
a dozen plain shelves and another with shelving all around,
meal bins, drawers, etc; one may have only 20 sq ft while the
other has 3 or 4 times as many. 1 to 3 days for a man.
STOREROOMS:— Put in shelving at 24 sq ft per hour for 2
men. On No. 2 I kept time on 3,000' all dadoed by hand
into compartments about 18" sq, and the aver was higher
than this which seems safe. But I know of nearly 60,000'
that did not aver 16' with far less dadoing. Pantries, closets,
etc, may be figured by this method and an allowance made for
extra labor, — but 40 to 50' seems fair as there is no dadoing.
BLINDS: — Outside, for either brick or frame buildings if
fitted before frames are set, 20 pr aver size; if after frames
are set 14. Inside 4 to 5 sets a day for plain work; hard-
wood, 3 sets.
BORING: — Large posts for warehouses, etc, are often bored
from end to end with an 1£" auger. One millman quotes a
price of 6 to 7c per If; on a large building the work cost $2.50
per 1,000' bm at the mill. Sometimes it is quoted at 15c per If.
SECTION TWO
MATERIAL.
GIRDERS: — It is not necessary to say anything about
girders, for they can not well be missed unless through care-
lessness. By reference to the chapter on " Standard Sizes "
It will be seen that all dimension lumber must be ordered of
even lengths; although a girder or joist is billed at 11', 12
have to be paid for, so that there is no economy in putting
down odd sizes. But it sometimes happens that 2 odd sizes
172 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
are required of such lengths as may be taken out of an even
size, and thus 2 If are saved. An 18', for example, will make
11 and 7.
JOISTS: — It is of some importance to watch the spacing
of joists and the ordering of lengths of flooring, etc, to suit.
Many architects space to a partition, put in the dbl joists and
then space from them. If this is repeated several times
there is apt to be a good deal of trouble with lengths of sheet-
ing, flooring, ceiling, lath, etc, for the joists might be so
placed as to waste the even lengths of lumber clear across
the room. It is best to space from 1 end of a building and
stick to the regular spacing unless for some special reason.
Allow extra joists for doubling where they are required on
this basis. The dbl joist may come so near the regular spac-
ing that a little variation will not be of much consequence.
To get the number of joists required count them and add
1 extra for main rooms and doubles wherever necessary. A
carpenter does not often use an architect's scale for taking
off quantities, although it is the best article for the purpose.
If the joists are set 1 to the ft, and the plan drawn to J or J,
by laying on the scale the number can be seen at once with-
out any mental calculation. If centers are 14" or 16" a slip
of paper can be laid off from the scale and moved from room
to room adding the extra joist.
Still for 16" centers a carpenter's rule is as good as a scale,
for the even figures multiplied by 3, and 1 added, give the
number. Suppose a room is 32' long at £ scale; the rule
would show 8, which multiplied by 3 gives 24, and 1 at wall,
25. A trifle over the even figure means an extra joist, for at
16" centers 20" needs 2 just as much as 32. As there are 3
to the inch the exact number can easily be seen although the
even figure is not on the line. Each room divided in such
shape that the floor stops, as at a brick wall, requires an
extra joist. An extra ceiling joist is often needed where
there is a partition — sometimes 2 are insisted on; but there
are architects who are satisfied with a strip to hold the end
of the lath.
STUDS: — For walls and partitions allow 1 stud to the ft for
16" centers. This seems too much; but after allowing plates
CARPENTER AND JOINER WORK 173
in addition I have sometimes run short. A 2x4 can be used
for a score of purposes apart altogether from partitions and
walls; but if doors, windows, arches, etc, are all properly
doubled and corners made solid so that lath can not pass
through, and if proper base-blocks are nailed in, the allow-
ance is not too much unless on very plain work. Of course
a stable or shed does not require such doubling. The nature
of the building must be considered. When ex metal lath
is used doubling is not necessary as it bends to the shape of
the corner and when plastered becomes as hard as a rock,
but base-block are still needed.
Much depends upon the times: one can miss a few pcs
when prices are high, but not when they are cut to the bone.
I remember accidentally leaving out a whole floor of parti-
tions in a block of 3 flats — one of No. 6. Had the stuff gone
in, another contractor would have got what proved to be a
nice little prize of more than $2,000, for the difference in
the bids was only $60. This experience is introduced not to
encourage such omissions on the chance of getting rich, but
rather to emphasize the fact that several buildings or floors
on the same plan are dangerous. One floor is estimated and
the intention is to n ult by the number, but we switch off and forget.
See bm system page 150.
CREOSOTING: — From $15 to $20 per m.
BRIDGING: — Joists are almost always bridged, and studs are
occasionally. If bridging is taken separately a close enough
price may be found in Part One. The lengths may be found
there also. As a rough and ready way out of this small
item which, however, can not be overlooked, I allow 3' to
every If, and seldom find much left. Windows have to be
braced, ladders made, and other matters attended to.
See Metal Bridging.
RAFTERS: — On a plain roof it is simply a matter of count-
ing them the same as joists and adding 1 extra. There is
more trouble on a roof like No. 11 with angles, hips, valleys,
and dormers. For such roofs see page 28, where cost is given
at $6, or follow bm system.
It is of some importance to get the right lengths of hips and
valleys. They are better billed 3' too long than 6" too short,
174 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
for the strength of a roof depends upon them. Before setting
down the lengths it is safer to lay the plan of the rafter on a
piece of paper if not sure of the ground. If there is a plan
of the roof it is only necessary to sq up from the line of
the hip or valley, set off the same height as the common rafter
at any point desired, whether at the ridge or below it, if the
hip or valley does not extend clear through, and then measure
the distance between the 2 points. To use 3 common figures,
well known to carpenters who square houses by them, if the
line of the h. or v. on the plan measures 8, and the height
or rise is 6, then the h. or v. is 10' long. This is the secret
of taking off the lengths of lumber for any roof: Get the
distance in from the wall-plate and the rise from the level, and
measure the length between the 2 points. The same rule
holds for jacks and cripples. A liberal allowance must be
made for complicated roofs. For every 12" of common rafters
on the plan a hip or valley at an angle of 45° has 17".
SQUARE ROOT:— A good method of testing the length of any
rafter is to get the run and the rise, and extract the sq root.
Lumber bills in thousands, and roofs by the acre, have been
finished by those who never heard of a such a thing, who
do not know that the useful 8, 6, 10; and 12, 12, 17, are hinged
on the same principle.
ROOF PITCH:— The pitch of a roof is taken from the level
of the walls to the ridge. A common way of building roofs
is to use a standard pitch. A i pitch is i of the span over
the walls; ^ is i of span, and so on. Thus a 24' span would
on i pitch give a rise of 6'. I ran across one rule in a book
which seems good enough to copy: "To get the length of
rafter for i pitch, mult span by A; $ by §; f by f; £ by &\
f by f." The £ pitch rule would be 2" short on a 24' span;
but in all cases the projections of rafters for cornice has to
be allowed extra, and that would take care of this shortage.
EXTRAS: — Ties, wall-plates, ridges, lookouts, moulded rafters
and other subordinate parts of a roof have to be attended to!
It is not hard to overlook them.
TRUSSES: — Nothing need be said about the lumber on roof
trusses, for it is easy to take off. Rods and bolts are as
easily seen as lumber.
CARPENTER AND JOINER WORK 175
SHEETING: — Get exact surface to be covered after deduct-
ing openings and allow $ more for floors, | for side walls,
& to 1 for roofs. Sheeting like 2x4's covers a multitude of
holes and corners.
Sheeting and shiplap are sometimes nailed on an angle on
side walls and floors: add 1% to previous figures for the
waste, as each board has to be cut at both ends. Sheeting
is sometimes left. 2" open on cheap roofs, and a deduction
should be made accordingly. On plain roofs the quantity
may not be more than for floors.
SHIPLAP: — Get exact surface and allow & for floors, £ for
walls, i for roofs. Some roofs need more. See under
" Floors " an illustration of how to get quantities. On pur-
lins, and joists in mill construction, lengths must be watched
owing to wide spacing. A roof with only a 40' slope might
require 46' of lumber, or a waste of nearly 2' on the end of
each board.
CORNICE: — With the detail that ought to accompany the
main plans, but usually does not, there should not be any
trouble taking off the cornice lumber. If it is wp be sure
to get the price before estimating. The cornice for a com-
mon frame building generally has a sectional area of about
3'; some are less. Allowance must be made for miters at
all corners. On cheap buildings the frieze is only I thick;
on good buildings it is 1J, the same as the corner-bds. Base,
corner-bds, bands and such trimmings are easily seen.
SHINGLES: — I recently estimated dimension shingles for
61.6 sq of surf without a break, or even a chimney. At 4J
exposure the actual number used was 53,500, or 868 per sq.
This will serve as a basis. On another plain building with
the same exposure, 860 were used. On some roofs, gables,
and walls, 900 are necessary.
At 4" allow 990; at 4£, 880; at 5, 792, for the plainest surfaces.
At 4" allow 1012; at 4$, 900; at 5, 810, for cut-up roofs.
If 6 to 2" shingles are used about 3% more than 5 to 2
are required. The 6 to 2" are not only thinner but narrower,
and the waste is greater.
We have many authorities on shingles. I have more than
half a dozen at hand, and except one they are all the same
176 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
with quantities. "To 5" exposure, 720; 4£, 800; 4, 900."
They have been copying one another. Now it is far better
to copy what is right than to be original with what is wrong,
but the quantities they give will not hold out. They make
no allowance for narrow shingles, and the saw can not cut
without waste here any more than with other lumber — the
bunch which should measure 20" is now only 19J and 19;
and sometimes a shingle is lost or broken. The figures are
mathematically correct, for at 4£ exposure a shingle covers
18 sq inches, 8 to the sq ft, 800 to the sq. But what about
cutting for an angle What about the width of the saw-cut
on each piece? What about the double course at the eave?
With varying widths and qualities the exact quantity may
not always be struck, but the mathematical process will not
do.
GUTTERS: — The plain finish lumber Is easily seen in sec-
tion, and the bottom is usually of sheeting. The millman
attends to brackets and mouldings.
SIDING: — Deduct all openings and add $ to the surf in sq ft
for 6" siding at 4£ to 4f to the weather. If all boards were
kept at 4$ and there were many gables with the usual waste
this quantity would be a trifle short. For 4" siding allow i
more than surf after deducting openings.
By following the method explained under " Floors " we can
arrive at the quantity for any exposure. Take for illustra-
tion a space 100' long and 9' 9" high. For 6" siding at 4£
we have 26 bds in height and each bd is 100' long. This is
2,600 If, or 1,300 bm, no waste being allowed for cutting on
end. The space lost is exactly £ of the space exposed; but
gains are made at corner bds, casing around openings, etc,
sufficient to make up for cutting, although the quantity is
a trifle close. Of course the exposure is sometimes stretched
i". Take for narrow siding the same length with 9' 7", to
allow for even spacing at 2£. Forty bds are required 100' long,
or 4,000 If, but each bd is only $ of a ft wide and the quantity
is 1,334' bm, or the actual surf mult by 1.39, or a little less
than 1$. At 2| exposure we have to use 1.46; at 2|, 1.53;
at 2i, 1.6.
CARPENTER AND JOINER WORK 177
DROP SIDING: — For drop siding allow as for flooring of
same width, or proceed as explained.
PAPER: — See Index for weight of tar paper, etc. I always
remember one rule that is safe, and close enough for aver
tar paper: — Allow 1% Ibs to the sq yd. But this is too
much for some papers.
FURRING: — Allow 1 to the ft when spaced at 16". Less may
do, but a fire-stop is now obligatory in most cities, and there
is sometimes a good deal of waste by breakage. Where
2x2's are used the chance of breakage is reduced, and 1 to
14" is enough for ordinary work. As with joists an extra
piece is required for each room, for only on cheap houses
is lath run through. The figures given in Part One are safe
if taken by the sq.
GROUNDS: — It is easy enough to find the number of ft for
doors, windows, wainscoting, etc. Grounds are so easily
broken and there is so much waste that 7 to 10% extra should
be added. It is well to remember that for wood lath they
should be of £ stuff; for brick or fireproofing only f; and in
both cases they must be surfaced 1 side. The thinner the
ground the better will the plasterer like it.
The hard wall plaster companies give the following:
INSTRUCTIONS FOR APPLYING GROUNDS
They should be £" on wood lath; f" on Sackett plaster
board; \" on brick or tile; |" over face on wire lath.
FLOORS:— On the floor of No. 7, 3" thick, I was a little
curious to know how nxuch an old contractor, for whom I
had worked several years, had allowed, and I asked him, —
"190,000"." My figure was 189,000. Owing to lengths of
plank which did not suit the spacing of joists the quantity
required was 190,000.
PLANK FLOORS:— It is a fairly easy matter to get at a
plank floor. Unmatched lumber measures about \" less than
the standard size; therefore, if the plank is 6" it is clear that
T^ of it is lost, no matter what thickness; and this without
making any allowance for waste the long way, owing to spac-
ing of joists, bad ends, etc. An allowance of \ extra covers
6" stuff.
178 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
CHECKING: — There is an excellent way to check plark.
flooring, ceiling and material of this kind if the exact width
is known. Take for illustration a floor 100x200, and suppose
that joists are spaced to obviate any loss on end. There are
219 planks required if 5J is the exact width. Each plank
is 200' long. This makes 43,800 If at 2" thick, and as each
ft in length makes a ft in bm, this is the quantity,
nothing being allowed for waste on end. No extra measure
has to be allowed as the waste in width is made up by the
number of planks, for at exactly 6", only 200 are required.
At £ extra, 44,500 is the amount. A 12" plank measures about
11$, so that in proportion there is less waste than on 2 at 6,
but the sidewalk, floor, or wall, is not so good.
On a large surf with a thick floor I" less in width means
a larger lumber bill. It would be more than 4,000' in No. 7.
Thus we can not in all cases expect to get exact results.
But one point should be remembered here. Take the exact
surf of a room, — say, 30x56, or 1,680 sq ft. Let flooring be 3"
at the mill, finishing 2i face. An allowance of i seems to be
enough, for the £ used in sawing and milling is only £ of
the 3" rough lumber. But £ is required, even with no waste
on end, because the f wasted is $ of the finished surface of
2i, and there is that much loss. The quantity is 2,240 with-
out loss on end.
SQ-EDGED MAPLE: — For 235 sq of sq-edged maple 29,000'
of flooring were used. This is a trifle more than £ extra.
As the boards were exactly 3£, there was only \ of loss,
but the end cutting and other waste makes up the difference.
So much for plank and sq-edged material; what follows
is for d and m stuff.
YP: — On No. 3 there were 262 sq of 4" flooring. The amount
used was 31,616', or \ more. But there was a gain of 8" at
each cross partition, and this counts in such a building, for
in this case the area includes them. If there is any pros-
pect of waste through bad spacing of joists, etc, a fair allow-
ance is between \ and i, or /^. When there is a good under
floor the waste is not so great, as the floor is sometimes
nailed down regardless of the joist bearing, and this saves
material.
CARPENTER AND JOINER WORK 179
On No, 2, where there was no gain on partitions and some
waste on end, as there was no under floor, the amount for 3
floors, — 157.2 sq — was 20850 ft, or a little more than /,.
ALLOWANCES:— For 6" flooring, J extra; 2J, fully £; If, &.
There is always a floor below narrow stuff, and if it is of
good quality the waste need not be much in excess of the
milling allowance.
If narrow matched stuff is used on an angle of 45° allow
£ more.
CEILING AND WAINSCOTING:— Make same allowance as
for flooring. Take off plain lumber in the usual way, always
remembering that 2" more than 12', 14' 16', and even figures
means a board 2' longer.
LENGTHS: — Some attention must be paid to the length of
ceiling as it may cut to a good deal of waste. Occasionally
one finds an architect who has never heard of standard sizes,
and for the sake of 2" in height he wastes 2' of lumber.
MOULDINGS, etc., go in millwork.
PORCHES: — The framing lumber, sheeting, shingles, floor-
ing, ceiling, and plain finishing boards, are taken off as on
other parts of a building.
FINISH LUMBER: — Shelving for storerooms, pantries, etc;
steps and risers for stairs; door-jambs, jamb-linings, etc, if
not included in millwork can be easily taken off. Millmen
seldom take off plain lumber.
CENTERS: — It is hard to set a price, for one might be easily
set and removed on the ground, and another high in the
air and difficult to handle. As an approximate figure allow
for a 13" brick wall:
Cost set Cost set
Span Height Per ft and removed Span Height Per ft and removed
4' 2' $1.00 $4.00 8' 4' $1.25 $10.00
6' 3' 1.00 6.00 12' & 1.60 19.20
Or $1 per ft wide to $1.50.
SCAFFOLDS: — Allow $7 per m on all lumber for labor and
nails. Lumber to be used again, and not included. If it can
not be used, add to the $7.
CHAPTER XI
MILLWORK AND GLASS
The following prices do not include putting work in place.
Any one in the west engaged in building, may have for the
asking a millbook. It is not necessary to reprint one here. All
that will be attempted is to give a price on a few selected
sizes, so that in case the millbook is not at hand a fair
idea may be obtained of any size in proportion to that listed.
Of course prices change from yr to yr, and at different sea-
sons of the yr; but stock stuff remains close enough for our
purpose, and a reasonable margin should be allowed on odd
work as no 2 mills figure it at the same price any more
than 2 contractors.
The new " Universal Price List " of millwork took effect
on February 10, 1908.
There are two discounts, the first for regular stock work,
and the second for " Other sizes and patterns." In August,
1913, the discounts were:
Special Other sizes
Stock List and Patterns
Doors, A and B 70% 60%
Doors, YP Panels 69% 59%
Doors, Painted 70% 60%
Doors, Fir. All sizes 60%
Doors, YP. All sizes 60%
Doors, Cypress 59%
Sash, Glazed 80% 75%
Sash, Open. All sizes 65%
Blinds, Outside. All sizes 51%
Blinds, Inside 50%
Mouldings, WP 55% 45%
Mouldings, YP If" and under 65% 55%
Mouldings, YP over If" 60% 50%
Blocks, YP 50% 40%
While these discounts vary the relative proportion remain*
about the same; and the variation is not so great as to seri-
ously affect an estimate.
180
MILLWORK AND GLASS 181
Freight has to be watched on country work. Glass is
included in lists, as it is usually supplied by the mills..
SASH: — (See "Mouldings" for price of stiles and rails.)
12 Lights: Check-rail, 8x12, glazed single strength, $1.20
per window; 9x16, $1.75; 10x20, $2.40; 12x20, $2.8~0.
8 Lights: 9x12, $1; 10x18, $1.65; 12x20, $2; 14x24, $2.85; ss.
4 Lights: 10x30, $1.35; 12x40, $2.10; 14x32, $1.80; ss, $2.50
dbl strength; 14x48, ss $3.30; ds, $4.40; 15x48, ds, $4.80.
2 Lights: 16x32, ss, $1.30; ds, $1.85; 20x40, ss, $1.90; ds,
$2.50; 24x48, ss, $3.50; ds, $4.40'; 28x40, ss, $2.30; ds, $3;
30x50, ds, $4.90.
The foregoing prices are for If thick; for If on the last
and largest size given, add 50c; and from that down to 25c
on the smaller sizes. Add 20c per window for oil finish.
Glass is marked AA, A, and B; AA is selected from; A and
is seldom used. A is common, and good enough for most
purposes. B is often used in place of A.
A 30 light window, 10xl4xlf, ss, is worth for sash, $5.25;
for frame $3.50. When frames are bought it is necessary
to see whether they are in the knockdown or nailed together.
For sash veneered with oak allow 50% more than the
prices given after deducting glass which is the same in both
kinds. There is a list with nearly 100 sash extras in the
millbook.
FOR FANCY TRANSOM lights add Sc each if sq and 15c
if on angle.
STORM SASH: — Storm sash 1J thick cost the same as If
windows, they go with in size.
SQ FT PRICES: — For those who want a close approximate
figure the following sq ft prices will be useful. Take the
inside size of window frame, or glass size including sash.
Sash If, primed, not for oil finish. For 12 light windows, ss,
12c per sq ft.
For 8 lights, ss, 11 to 12c.
For 4 lights, ss, 12 to 14c; ds, 16 to 18c.
For 2 lights, ss, 13 to 15c; ds, 18 to 19c.
These prices are taken at present discounts, but Ic a ft
on a window of fair size amount to only 21c, so that a little
182 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
may be added by those who rely upon this sq ft base. Of
course the list figure is cut on a large order. On the the 30-
light window already given, for example, the cost of If sash
was only 15c per sq ft. On several large factory orders of
50 and 60-light windows, 10x14x2, ss, including box frame
complete, but no finish, the cost was 22c per sq ft — but a
margin is desirable as conditions are not always the same.
WEIGHT OP SPECIAL SASH:— It is unnecessary to set
down here the weight of standard sash, as the mill books
have complete lists; but it is* sometimes difficult to ascertain
the weight of odd sizes, and the following figures will serve
as a guide:
From a general aver taken over the mill lists of If wp stock,
I find that a fair -allowance for the weight of wood is 1 Ib
to the sq ft of glass. Sometimes the small sizes are a trifle
more, the large ones a trifle less, — say 1-10 of a Ib either way,
— but the variations in the wood or glass make 1 Ib a safe
allowance. If If sash are used allow extra in the proportion
of 11 to 14; if hardwood inside, allow weight as compared
with wp.
The glass varies a good deal; the average of the mill lists
is li Ib for ss, and 1$ for ds to the sq ft; but on some sizes
ss runs from 1 to 1.6 Ib, and ds as high as 2 Ibs. The proper
method is to weigh all sash, but sometimes this is not done.
Averages for the foregoing figures were taken over 1,500
sq ft of glass.
The following weights were obtained from a large number
of sash put in place, the small sizes on No. 7; the large on
No. 1:
60-lt windows 10x14x2" ss 150 Ib 2-lt windows 28x50x1 £ ds 48 Ib
50-lt windows 10x14x2" ss 134 Ib 2-lt windows 24x60x1 £ ds 52 Ib
40-lt windows 10x14x2" ss 106 Ib 2-lt windows 28x60x1 f ds 64 Ib
30-lt windows 10x14x2" ss 76 Ib 2-lt windows 30x60x1 f ds 76 Ib
2-lt windows 28x40x1 f" ds 40 Ib 2-lt windows 40x60x1 f ds 80 Ib
As in the regular lists the total has to be divided by 4 to
get the sash weight.
DOORS
CUPBOARD DOORS:— 16 to 20c per sq ft in yp; in oak, J
more.
MILLWORK AND GLASS 183
OG 4-PANEL DOORS: — A quality: B doors are about 10%
less. For oil finish add 50c. The millbook has a list of 40
"extras" in doors. Sq ft prices:
OG, 4-pan, If, 17 to 18c; 20c for the largest sizes.
OG, If, 26 to 28; largest sizes, 30 to 35c.
OG, 5-pan, If, 16 to 18; largest sizes, 20 to 22c.
OG, 5-pan, If, 26 to 27; largest sizes, 30 to 35c.
Raised-moulded doors, 4-pan, If, 1 side, 35c; 2 sides, 40c.
There are a hundred varieties of these common doors, and
also of front doors which run from 50c to $1 per sq ft, de-.
pending upon style. For front doors the glass has to be added
extra. It may be made to any style or price.
Best q s white oak and ash doors for inside run fromi 38c
to 40c per sq ft from If to 2" thick. For each \" in thick-
ness over 2" add 2c per sq ft. If more than 5-pan, add 15c
for each pan extra. Unselected birch doors from 30 to 35c;
if only If" thick, 25c. Unselected birch, $40 and even less;
selected $50 to $60 per M.
STORE FRONTS: — Plain store fronts, 25c per sq ft taken
over entire surf but no glass included. They should prop-
erly be priced in detail. Stock store doors alone are worth
from 30 to 40c per sq ft unglazed.
FACTORY DOORS:— Heavy sq doors for such buildings
as No. 7 are worth from 28 to 30c per sq ft. Each half is 6'
4"xl8'. At this price they are lined on one side on a frame-
work of 3" material, and a large sash is put in each half. If
circular top add 1-7 to price. Of course a single door would
cost more than a large order.
WAREHOUSE DOORS: — For large warehouses doors cut
horizontally in the center and hinged so that all door rises
clear up to the lintel, 12"xl2' about, $100 with hardware.
Installation, $18.
BATTEN DOORS: — 7 to lOc per sq ft, wp ceiling, 1 side.
FRAMES: — For windows about 3'x7', $3.25 to $3.5D, box. On
frame buildings, 2x4" studding, put together, $2-,25. The
price may run as high as $4, depending upon the style and
size; and this without goirig into hardwood, which is 30%
higher. Aver pulleys are included.
184 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
OUTSIDE DOOR FRAMES are about the same price; with
transom $3.50. From 25 to 40c is charged for nailing frames
together in the mill; on the building they cost twice as much.
If oak sills are used, add from 40c to 50c. Wp is by far the
best wood for outside frames, but it can scarcely be obtained
now, and the price is high.
INSIDE DOOR JAMBS:— Studs 2x4, door 3x7, wp, YOc;
cypress, 80c; yp, 60c; oak and ash, $1; add from 30 to 50c
for transom. These prices are for f jambs. For 1£, add 15%
For 6", add 25%. Add door and window stops to figures as
they are not included.
OAK THRESHOLDS, 6c each up to 3 ft.
JAMB LININGS: — Take door jambs as a basis, as labor and
lumber are about the same for £ material.
BLINDS:— Outside, rolling slat, 1|, 9 to lOc per sq ft. In-
side:—(Pine) 2' wide, 45c; 3', 3-fold, 55c; 3', 4-fold, 70c;
from 3 to 4', 4-fold, 75c; 3 to 4', 6-fold, $1. The sizes on
inside blinds are for height and not by the sq ft. For hard-
wood:— 30% extra for oak, ash, birch, and maple; 50% for
cherry and walnut.
VENETIAN BLINDS: — From 15 to 20c up per sq ft accord-
ing to style and finish.
BLOCKS: — The varieties of base and corner blcoks are so
many that a price can not be given. In yp 3 to 5c buys a
fair corner block; in hardwood, 6 to 7c, but the cost may be
5 times as much according to the pattern. Base blocks, yp,
4 to 5c; and 6 to 8c for hardwood of common pattern.
CORNER BEADS: — Round corner beads for plaster, 10 to
15c each in pine; 25 to 30c in common hardwood. Metal
corners, 5c per ft,
MOULDINGS:— The millbook has about 400 different styles—
and each of these may be run in 20 different kinds of wood.
However, we can give a few hints for an emergency: —
CASINGS: — For all door and window casing allow in yp fc
per inch of finished width; in birch, fc; in oak or ash, Ic
This is on the basis of lumber £ thick. If casings are
MILLWORK AND GLASS 185
thicker, reduce to bin and estimate as before. In large quan-
tities £c is enough for yp and cypress, and | for oak.
BASE: — The same prices will cover base — but this is a good
place to remind all interested that these prices may be justly
doubled and quadrupled if stock patterns are not used. If
each room in a house has its own pattern special knives
have to be made for its 50 ft just as for 5,000 of stock.
Unsmoothed yp casing to 6" wide is listed at 2c per If;
8" base at 3c; 10", 3i, so that the foregoing prices are safe
for smoothed work. New mill-run casing 5 and 6", $33 per
M ft bm; 8 and 10" base, $35.
WINDOW STOOLS:— These are usually 1| thick. At that
thickness allow in wp Ic per inch of finished width; in w
oak, 1J, Jx3" pine, 2c per If.
WINDOW STILES AND RAILS:— 1| wp, 4c per If; If, 5c.
Checkrail is less, bottom more, but average holds.
STOPS: — Door and window stops run from % to- lie, depend-
ing on width which is from f to 2£.
NOSINGS FOR STEPS:— Prom 2c to 4c in pine.
BOOR AND WINDOW SCREENS:— 8c per sq ft; door, 8 to
12c, with plain black wire, in pine, but not Michigan pine.
The best wire costs about 2^c per sq ft extra. This is for 1£
thick, common work, unpainted, and not put up. Oak doors,
:3'x7'xl£, $4 to $5.
For the aver house of 20 to 25 screens allow $1.50 per
"window, and add $10 for two doors. This will supply a half
screen f thick, 4-coat finish with ordinary black wire, Michi-
gan pine, put in place.
But there are large factories which make nothing else than
screens and the variety is without end. For a real bronze
grille for a front door, for example, one specimen costs $26,
•or $1.25 sq ft, if put all over door. All screens may be in-
creased in price by using the higher qualities of materials,
and extras.
:LABOR: — 2 oak front doors, 4 pines ones, and 30 window
full screens, half of them hinged at top were put in place in
about 60 hours on a 2-story building.
BATTENS:— §x3 flat, 40c per 100 If; 0 G, 2", 55c; 2£, 65c.
186 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
LATTICE WORK:— Below porches per sq ft, 13 to 15c.
MEDICINE CABINETS:— In pine, $3.50 to $4; in oak, $5 to
$6. See " Odds and Ends " Chap for Brass Cabinets, See
" Mirrors" to add to price of pine and oak cabinets.
WOOD BRACKETS
12x14, 1| 20 to 24c
12x16, If 23 to 27c
12x18, If 28 to33c
10x12, If i£ to 18c
10x16, If 18 to 22c
Of 3-Ply if Material
9x14 35 to 40c
10x14 38 to 44c
12x14 41 to 47c
12x20 50 to 55c
GABLE ENDS AS ON RAILROAD DEPOTS:— Prom $4.50
to $6.50.
Gable Brackets as on Depot $3.50
Side Brackets as on Depot 4.00
FREIGHT DEPOT: — The complete millwork on a building
40x100, with heavy doors, and such work runs to about $800.
No flooring included.
PASSENGER STATIONS:— Hardwood millwork complete,
about $1,200 for a 26x140 ordinary brick building.
MOULDINGS: — With the exception of a few of deep cut
all mouldings may be estimated at the prices given for cas-
ings and base.
PANELING: — For yp, 20c per sq ft; birch, 30c; oak, 30c for
plain red to 40c for q s white. However, the size of the
panels and the style of the moulding have to be considered.
Unselected birch is 10% cheaper than oak; cherry and walnut
are 50% more expensive than plain oak. Paneled door jambs
may be put in at the same rate if there are several sets.
Add cap, base, shoe bands, etc, for wainscoting.
MAHOGANY WAINSCOTING about 3' 6" high, of aver design,
and good Tabasco material, $4.50 per If without oil finish,
for which allow at least 75c per sq yd.
Mahogany paneled partition, set and oiled, $12 per If.
MILLWORK AND GLASS 187
OFFICE PARTITIONS: — For yp office partitions 7' to T 6"
high with chipped or maze-glass panels above allow per If
$3 to $3.50; in plain oak, $5 to $6; in mahogany, $8 and up.
QUARTETTE TELEGRAPH desk, set up, $35.
WAINSCOTING: — Plain matched and b red oak wainscot-
ing is worth $60 per M ft bm ; machine sandpapered, $5 extra.
For plain oak finish allow $90 per M machine run and cleaned.
The paneled oak wainscoting in No. 3 was put in at a trifle
less than 50c per sq ft. It was 8' high.
STAIRS: — Box, average width, pine, housed, per step, $1.40;
plain oak, $2.10. Open stair, pine, per step, $1.60; oak, $2.20;
oak with paneled string, $2.85. And rail in yp, 15c; oak, 25c.
Each crook in rail, $3.50. Paneling at regular price for sq
work, and 20% more for work on rake. Winders in pine, 40c
extra; in oak, 60c. For large, circle starting-step, $5. Newels
and balusters to be added.
These prices are for plain stairs; others have to be figured
in detail. Cellar and plank stairs may be estimated by tak-
ing off the plain lumber and allowing labor at $30 per M
in addition.
NEWELS AND BALUSTERS:— Allow on If yp balusters,
from 10 to 12c; oak, 12 to 14c. This is for stock and plain
turning; spiral wok costs about twice as much. Stock
newels run from $3.50 to $5; red oak is about 10% more than
pine.
HAND RAILS: — In yp 12c for 2^x4; in red oakr 15c. The
price of circular stairs may be put at 3 times that of plain
ones; and there are stairs which easily cost 10 times more
than what would be accepted as a reasonable standard. It
all depends upon the detail.
GRILLES: — These run in yp from 75c to $2 per sq ft. For
special patterns and work $5 may be required. As there is
little material required the difference between pine and hard-
wood is not so great as in other mill products. Allow 10%
more for oak.
PORCH POSTS:— The lengths run from 9 to 10' with a slight
difference in price for extra lumber: 4x4, 90c to $1,25, 5x5,
188 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
$1.25 to $1.75; 6x6, $1.50 to $2.75. A fluted post, 75c extra.
A colonial post, 10" diam, $4 to $5; fluted, $1 extra.
HEAVY POSTS:— A recent bid on 6 built-up fluted cols, 22"
at bottom, 18" diam at top x 12' 6", no base, plain composition
cap was $246, or $41 each. The Chicago price, given further
on, is but a little more than half as much.
PORCH NEWELS:— 60c to $1 each.
PORCH BALUSTERS:— Allow from 6 to lOc apiece for
ordinary turned stock.
SPINDLES: — In stock patterns, from 3 to 4c eacti.
PORCH RAILS:— From 4 to lOc per If in stock.
BRACKETS:— In stock, 10"xl2", 12 to 20c each at 1£ thick;
2f, 50c; 3i, $1.50.
CRESTING, all kinds of fretwork, gable ornaments, gutter-
ends, flnials, etc, are neither worth pricing nor putting on
a building even if furnished for nothing. The heat and rain
wreck them in a few years at longest.
COUNTERS: — Take off all material and estimate labor in
detail. Ceiling, shelving, etc, come under ordinary rules.
For all circular millwork in general allow 3 times the price
of straight. Money drawers, $1.50 each. Common drawers,
average size, $1.50 to $2.
Plain pine counters with drawers, $2 to $3 per If at 30"
wide, not set. Common oak counters for ticket offices, $5
per If; good q s, $10 and up. Mahogany, $10 to $20, set in
place. Lunch counters, oak, circle ends, $3.50 per If. With
brass ft rail $1.25 more, set in place.
ODDS AND ENDS: — In general, millmen are like other
tradesmen when estimating on special work — they take off
each item separately. It is a slow process to take off each
piece of lumber, but it often has to be done as it is the onTv
sure way with special work. The labor is a matter of judg-
ment.
SQUARE PICKETS are worth 2£c each; flat, a trifle less.
SURFACING:— For timbers, $1.25 each side; boards, $1.50,
and $2.50 for 2 sides. Hardwood, 60% more. These prices
are per M ft bm.
MILLWORK AND GLASS 189
CROWNING JOISTS:— $2.50 per M for two edges.
CUTTING BRIDGING:— $5 to $6 per M bm.
OAK-FLOORING:— Red, $60; white, $65; best q s, white,
$100; quartered red, $95; — all |x3; f q s white, $55. In some
parts fxli plain red oak is sold for 80c per 100 If.
MAPLE, |, $30 to $45; §, $40.
PARQUET FLOORS AND BORDERS : — There are many pat-
terns, and the prices differ. In my apprenticeship I worked
so long among these floors that the look of them wearied me.
They are made up of small pieces in an endless array. Then
the only thickness was 1; but now a popular thickness is tfc.
This thin floor can be laid without cutting doors in old
houses, and this accounts in part for its popularity. Par-
quet borders are often used and rugs placed in the center of
the room. It is a better way of finishing a house than car-
peting all over.
All oak is white, quartered, in the following lists: Price
per If for strip borders, 5-16.
Oak Under 2" ', Ic
Cherry li, 1.2c; 2, 1.8c
Mahogany 1£, 2.4c; 2, 4.2
Walnut li, 1.2c; 2, 1.8c
Oak and Mahogany l|, 3 c; 2, 4.8c
Oak and Walnut 4, 3.6c; 6, 5.4c ;>
Oak, Walnut, and Cherry 6, 7.2c; 8, 10 c
Strip borders are not listed wider than 8", although they
may be made of any width or of any combination of woods.
Parquet bordes, 5-16, per If, — not sq ft.
In oak alone, 5" wide, lOc with 2 or 3 other woods, 12 to 15c.
At a width of 8", oak only, 15c; with other woods, 15 to 25c.
At 12" wide, 2 to 4 woods, 20 to 30c.
At 16 to 18", 25 to 38c, but some woods of same width, 40
to 50c.
Some woods at 20" may be had as low as 30c and as high
as $1.
At 24 to 30, 75c to $1.25.
190 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
Corners for borders are about 50% more than straight
material.
Borders are made in 12' lengths; fields, 4'.
Sizes are paid for before cutting, and waste has to be in-
cluded in price.
PARQUET FIELDS:— The price of the field or "body" is
given in sq ft: There is not so much difference between
prices of fields as with those of borders. They are hidden by
the rug and may be plainer. They run from 15 to 20c, but
some are as high as 35c. These thin floors sometimes come
rolled on a canvas back, carpet fashion, or grooved the same
as the |" material, instead of being sq edged as above.
•QUANTITIES: — One manufacturer gives an estimate of
material for 100 sq ft as follows: 2J Ibs 1J" finishing brads;
3£ Ibs wood filler; 3 pts shellac % Ib floor wax. " If filled
with varnish (instead of filler) 1 qt to 100 ft." For maple
the filler is not required. The weight of f" flg is 1,000 Ibs
to 1,000 ft; of I, 2,500.
WAINSCOTING: — Oak wainscoting, 36" high above base, is
also standard. It runs from 45 to 75c per If, and is thus
much cheaper than regular £ work.
CHICAGO MILLWORK
The millmen and dealers of Chicago sell about $10,000,000
of millwork in a year. This city is a penter for the millwork
of the States on the north and west, and for the glass fac-
tories of Indiana. It has low freight rates and railroads to
all sections. A few prices fob there will be of much value.
FRONT DOORS:— Size 3x7xlf, with beveled plate, 22x52,
piano veneered, q s, white oak, $15.50.
Same door with oval plate glass, $21.
;Same, 3x7xl|, 24x44, beveled plate, $15.
:Same, 3x7xlf, 24x36, beveled plate, $14.
Same, 3x7xl£, 24x36, 16-oz glass, $10.50.
For several varieties of front doors, 3x7xlf, red oak, or
Trirch, $10 to $14, in beveled plate; $8 to $10 in com D S glass.
About $1 less on plate, and 30c on com glass for next size,
2-10x6-10.
MILLWORK AND GLASS
191
For red oak or birch veneer, 3x7xl|, leaded with com. glass,
22x58, $11.50; beveled plate leaded, $21.75.
For leaded panel, 26x26, $8.75 and $14.50.
GRAINED DOORS: — These are inferior doors, but good
enough for some purposes:
For 3x7xlf, four or five panel, $1.65 to $1.85. For 2-6x6-6,
$1.30 to $1.45.
For sash doors, 3x7xl|, grained, $2.85 to $3.50; 2-8x6-8, $2.35
to $2.90.
For sash doors with flowered panels, inferior quality,
grained 3x7xl|, $3.75 to $4.10.
For same, better quality, not grained, If thick, $5.50 to
$7.00; for If, plain glass, $4 to $5.
INSIDE DOORS: — Korelock veneered, two panel:
2-Ox6-Oxlf
Plain Red Oak
$4.05
Birch
$3.25
:2-6x6-6xlf
4.05
3.25
2-8x6-8x1 f
4 20
3.40
2-6x7 -Ox If
' 485
3.90
2-6x7-0x1 1
5.35
4.40
3-0x7-0x1 f..
5.70
4.65
3-Ox7-6xH. .
7.00
5.30
SIX CROSS PANEL KORELOCK
2-Ox6-Oxlf
Plain Red Oak
$3.45
Birch
$2.70
2.80
3.30
3.80
4.00
4.20
4.70
2-8x6-8x1 {
2-6x7-0x1 \
2-6x7-0x1 :
2-10x7-0x1
3-Ox7-Oxl|
3-0x7-6x13
3.60
4.25
. . . 4.75
!• •
5.05
5 15
5.90
Best quality for oil finish in 39 sizes, 5 yp panels, western
wp frame for If sizes on aver 20c per sq ft; for If, up to
7-0 high 24c; for T 6", from 27 to 34, the 5x7-6 being 31c,
and the 2-6x8, 34c.
EXTRAS:— For cypress doors allow from 40c to 50c extra
son a door; for yp 5-panel doors deduct from 15c to 25c per
door, all from above list,
192 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
CUPBOARD DOORS: — 20c per sq ft in yp.
CHINA CLOSET DOORS:— Glazed with common glass, 25c
per sq ft in yp.
FACTORY WINDOWS
Sq ft cost of 60 light windows on Nos. 7 and 8 has already
been given, but these were from If to 2" thick and cost more
on this account. So many buildings have been put up of late
years with this class of windows that the mills now give a
list on the common sizes:
For 15 light windows, ss, If open, check rail, 5c per sq ft;
glazed lie.
For 18 light, as above, same price.
For 20 light, as above, same price.
For 24 light, as above, same price.
For 30 light, as above, 5c and 12c.
For 32 light, 5c and 13c.
For windows If thick add to above, £ of the price of win-
dows without glass to price of window wanted — thus a win-
dow with 32 sq ft at 5c would be $1.60 open, and £ of this
being $1.20, the figure for If would be $2.80 open, $5.04 glazed.
These prices are fob Chicago, and do not include frames.
COTTAGE WINDOWS:— From 3-8 to 5-2 wide and 5-2 to 6-2
long. With bottom light plate glass, 70c per sq ft; 33c in
plain ds glass. For If" thick add to window 75c to $1 net.
GABLE OPENING: — For a triple frame about 8 ft wide by
3-9 high over all, but center margin light sash semi-circular
and running up above this height, side sash divided 1& pop«
lar, frame $8.50, 3 sash, $8.50.
SASH AND WINDOW PRICES FOR COMMON WORK
A Chicago price is given on some standard size windows
herewith. The list is not complete, but sufficiently so for
most who will use it. For If" thick see rule page 196.
MILLWORK AND GLASS
193
TRANSOM
SASH 1^
THICK
ONE
LIGHT
Two LIGHT
Size of
Sash
Ft In In
Price per
Sash Open
Price Two
Light
Glazed
Price One
Light
Glazed
Price One
Light Dbl
Strength
Size of
Sash
Ft In In
Price per
Sash Open
Price Two
Light
Glazed
|J
2
6x10
$0.23
$0.39
4
0x14
$0.50
$0.94
$1.23
2
6x16
.24
.51
4
0x20
.57
1.22
1.66
2
6x20
.36
.80
4
0x24
.60
1.48
2.05
2
8x10
.24
.47
4
4x14
.57
1.05
1.37
2
8x16
.25
.53
4
4x20
.59
1.40
1.91
2
8x20
.30
.67
4
4x24
.64
1.59
2.13
2
8x24
.43
.97
4
6x14
.59
.14
1.57
2
10x14
.25
.50
4
6x20
.60
.45
1.91
2
10x20
.30
.70
4
6x24
.66
.65
2.47
2
10x24
.43
1.01
5
0x14
.64
.23
1.77
3
0x14
.28
.57
5
0x20
.66
.57
2.35
3
0x20
.33
....
.77
5
0x24
.70
.79
2.84
3
0x24
.40
.95
5
0x26
.74
.90
2.88
3
6x14
.37
$0.77
.78
$0.97
5
6x18
.74
1.68
2.53
3
6x20
.45
1.04
1.07
1.35
5
6x24
.78
2.08
2.95
3
6x24
.49
1.25
1.25
1.57
5
6x30
.86
2.49
3.61
3
8x14
.40
.82
.85
1.04
6
0x20
.82
1.9.4
2.82
3
8x20
.51
1.13
1.23
1.52
6
0x26
.89
2.41
3.62
3
8x24
.57
1.37
1.42
1.80
6
0x34
1.06
3.35
5.04
CELLAR SASH: — For cellar sash, attic sash, etc, the above
prices are close enough if the outside measurement is the
same, and at 1|.
If", 1 LT SASH WITH PLAIN GLASS
&
jj
M
3
GO
-C M
fl-,"^ ^0 -..^3 HI
^ bo
-,-C M
-. *"C3 <D
ij
gg
Sgg
sSS 2§1
W N
§ § o ^ §
.sSS
Sg-S
IS
•cj S
gjj< •Cjj
ga
£o £||
EJJ
'Za3
od
A
02
Q
16x20
$0.32
$0.51
$0.63
36x36
.72
2.28
5.80
20x20
.32
.59
.65
36x44
.72
2.85
8.62
24x24
.32
.70
.91
38x42
.96
2.65
8.90
24x30
.34
.83
1.09
38x56
1.07
4.20
11.65
26x30
.39
.93
1.20
40x44
1.00
3.16
10.50
28x32
.41
1.09
1.40
40x60
1.14
4.82
13.06
30x38
.47
1.35
1.74
44x44
1.15
3.65
11.85
32x32
.49
1.79
48x44
1.27
4.71
12.75
32x40
.56
2.34
48x56
1.36
5.75
14.70
34x36
.56
2.11
194
THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
NO WINDOW FRAMES INCLUDED
NET PRICES OF 8 LT CHECK RAIL 1f" WINDOWS
ill
ill
m
te
•I'5-S
* 3 .a
111 1
II
J.H1
III
AngO
fe^O
•g£S
ii^jj ^
|o
££o
•g<§«
K °
&
9x12
$0.44
$0.84
$1.26
12x14
.53
1.12
1.40
9x16
.64
1.33
1.56
12x20
.70
1.66
1.94
10x12
.46
.85
1.26
14x16
.63
1.47
1.66
10x16
.55
1.12
1.56
14x20
.74
1.77
2.10
10x20
.80
1.75
1.94
14x24 1
.20
2.85
2.50
NET PRICES OF 12 LT
8x10
$0.45
$0.85
$1.16
10x12
.56
1.18
1.46
8x14
.64
1.47
1.40
10x16.
.66
1.52
1.76
9x12
.53
1.08
1.40
10x20)
.94
2.40
2.16
9x14
.58
1.67
1.50
12x14
.68
1.72
2.03
9x16
.76
1.80
1.66
12x20 1
.03
2.78
2.80
NET PRICES OF 4 LT
W
Price
Without
Glass
£
g-StJi
e3M C
||
HI
Price
Without
Glass
J2
Jif
1
or
10x16
$0.38
$0.71
$1.10
1 14x20
$0.49
$1.04
$1.40
10x24
.43
.86
1.26
14x24
.49
1.14
1.40
10x30
.50
1.14
1.50
14x28
.54
1.32
1.50
10x36
.70
1.72
1.76
14x32
.60
1.53
'2.24
1.66;
12x16
.41
.80
1.10
14x36
.65
1.70
2.52
1.94
12x24
.46
1.03
1.26
14x40
.72
1.96
2.78
2.10)
12x28
.50
1.14
1.40
14x44
1.00
2.83
3.75
2.33
12x36
.62
1.48
1.77
14x48
1.16
3.31
4.36
2.50
12x40
.68
1.75
1.94
15x20
.62
1.44
1.54
12x44
.96
2.55
2.33
15x24
.62
1.60
' 2.09
1.54
12x48
1.12
2.80
2.50
15x30
.72
1.90
2.69
1.80
15x34
.79
2.24
3,02
2.09,
15x38
.86
2,47
3.3.3
2.26;
15x42
.95
2,94
3.93.
2.46»
15x4.8
U9
&Q1
4.?0j
2,7.5
MILLWORK AND GLASS
NET PRICES OF 2 LT
fe
65
66
.!.§«
.
66
66
go
III
Sli
t>- "fl
P" GJ TO
"3.9
|j|
g o a
|||
E'fi
'n!s-^j
PM.2 fl
figO
1-°*
IP
"Sow
ji^J
£j^O
^y5
II3
«oS
O 02
00
*
0$
00
rj
$0.40
$0.75
$0.95
$0.96
28x40
$0.67
$1.98
$2.56
$2.10
.42
.93
1.23
1.07 .
28x44
.80
2.65
3.36
2.33
.47
.98
1.38
1.11
28x48
1.10
3.75
4.75
2.50
.65
1.44
1.94
1.42
30x24
.57
1.40
1.95
1.46
.40
.80
1.04
1.10
30x32
.58
1.90
2.49
1.76,
.44
.99
1.42
1.40
30x40
.70
2.32
3.04
2.16
.59
1.28
1.83
1.56
30x44
.98
3.20
4.05
2.57
.65
1,57
2.17
1.76
30x50
1.21
3.82
4.86
2.94
.73
1.88
2.42
1.94
32x24
.71
1.60
2.03
1.69
.40
.88
1.18
1.10
32x30
.73
2.22
2.88
1.90
.40
.93
.22
1.26
32x36
.77
3.28
2.26
.44
1.04
.36
1.40
32x40
1.00
4.56
2.49
.49
1.22
.61
1.56
32x44
1.15
5.36
2.96
.55
1.38
.79
1.76
32x50
1.40
5.64
3.28
.73
1.91
2.48
1.94
34x24
.88
2.18
2.68
1.69
.41
.94
.23
1.10
34x28
.89
2.48
3.16
1.73.
.44
1.03
1.36
1.34
34x32
.89
....
3.50
2.04
.49
1.20
.55
1.50
34x36
.96
....
4.25
2 26-
.54
1.45
.88
1.66
34x40
1.04
4.59
2.5®
.75
2.22
2.88
1.94
34x44
1.26
....
7.25
3.46-
.89
2.66
3.45
2.32
34x50
1.46
6.75
3.45
1.04
2.80
3.58
2.48
36x24
.84
1.96
2.46
1.82'
.43
.93
1.24
1.10
36x30
.85
2.41
3.06
2.12
.43
1.07
1.42
1.26
36x34
.90
3.67
2.46
.48
1.19
1.58
1.40
36x38
.95
4.52
2.68
.52
1.37
1.77
1.56
36x44
1.33
....
5.60
3.04
.59
1.50
1.95
1.76
36x50
1.60
7.52
3.46
.65
.91
1.06
1.86
2.68
3.42
2.41
3.46
4.30
1.94
2.32
2.48
40x24
! 40x34
! 40x38
.94
1.00
1.05
....
2.86
3.76
4.62
2.03
2.7&
2.99>
.47
1.05
1.45
1.26
! 40x44
1.45
6.81
3.38;
.47
1.24
1.67
1.46
44x30
1.05
4.07
2.62:
.52
1.45
1.90
1.64
44x34
1.10
4.65
3.0*
.58
1.74
2.24
1.90
44x38
1.40
6.75
3.30
.64
1.94
2.53
2.06
44x42
1.49
7.72
3.58
.70
1.08
2.19
3.43
2.84
4.33
2.24
2.50
48x30
48x36
1.17
1.23
4.71
5.70
2.87
3.40)
.51
1.28
1.77
1.40
48x40
1.55
7.22
3.68;
.51
1.45
1.90
1.50
48x44
1.71
10.06
.56
1.72
2.23
1.69
.62
1.93
2.52
1.94
196
THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
NET PRICES OF 2 LT PANTRY WINDOWS
1|! Ill 111 1!
X°Z £g° £g3 (§8
12x20 $0.35 $0.72 $0.84
12x28 .40 .91 .94
12x32 .54 1.22 1.06
12x36 .60 1.41 1.24
Per
dow
n
«1
sll gs£ gl-2
ffi0^ ;cgo g£3
Pric
Wi
Outside
Blinds
14x20 $0.36 $0.74 $0.94
14x26 .38 .91 .96
14x30 .44 .96 1.10
14x36 .62 1.42 1.26
RULE FOR 1f" ODD WINDOWS
For odd size windows If" thick, open or glazed, add to
price of next larger listed size, 25% of the open price. If
glazed, add to total 10%.
RULE FOR If" SASH AND WINDOWS
For price of If" open window add to price of If" open
window 75%.
Example: A 2 light 12x28 If" window would take the If"
open price of 40c as given above plus 75%, which is 30c,
making the price of the If" open window 70c net.
For price of If" glazed window add to 1|" glazed window
price, single or dbl strength, 75% of the open window price,
plus an extra 10% to the total.
Example: Follow example above adding the 30c to the
glazed price of 91c, which makes $1.21 then add 10% to this,
making the price of the glazed window $1.33.
For 2" or 2£ sash the price is dbl that already given.
HOT BED SASH
Size of Sash
Ft In Ft In
3 0x6 0.
3 4x6
Price Per Price Per
Thickness Sash Sash
Inches Without Glass Glazed
If $1.05 $1.95
If 1.09 2.15
SASH EXTRAS TO BE ADDED TO PRICE
For half circle head inside and outside, $1.15.
For half circle inside and outside, If, $1.65.
For half circle head inside and outside, but between 3' 4"
and 5' wide, $2.70.
For Half Circle Outside, sq inside, If, between 3'-4" and
5' wide $2.55
For Same, If 3.75
For Segment Head, If" 50
MILLWORK AND GLASS
197
For Segment Head, If" $0.75
For Segment Head, If" from 3-4 to 5 90
For Segment Head, If" from 3-4 to 5 1.40
In addition to these figures add 20% to the total when they
are combined with the window chosen. These prices are for
the window or 2 sash, and do not include frame.
OIL FINISH:— For really good oil finish work add 20% to
price.
NET PRICES ON WINDOW FRAMES
This table of prices can be used for 2 light, 4 light, 8 light,
or 12 light windows, simply taking the exact size or the next
largest window size.
Open
ing Siz<
for If
Size of Window
Sash
Plain Drip Moulded Window Box Window
Cap
No Pulleys
Knock Down
2-4£x5-8 and under $1 . 40
2-4|x6-8 and under 1 . 57
2-4|x7-8 and under 1 . 73
2-4f x8-8 and under 1 . 89
2-8|x5-8 and under 1 . 40
2-8^x6-8 and under 1 . 57
2-8|x7-8 and under 1 . 73
2-8|x8-8 and under 1 . 89
3-0|x5~8 and under 1 . 57
3-Ojx6-8 and under 1 . 73
3-Ojx7-8 and under 1 . 89
3-0|x8-8 and under 2 . 00
3-6|x5-8 and under 1 . 57
3-6|x6-8 and under 1 . 73
3-6jx7-8 and under 1 . 89
3-6|x8-8 and under 2 . 00
4-2jx5-8 and under 1 . 73
4-2|x6-8 and under 1 . 89
4-2|x7-8 and under 2 . 00
4-2jx8-8 and under 2 . 15
4-8|x5-8 and under 1 . 80
4-8|x6-8 and under 1 . 95
4-8|x7-8 and under 2 . 10
4-8|x8-8 and under 2 . 25
5-0£x5-8 and under 1 . 80
5-0|x6-8 and under 1 . 95
5-0|x7-8 and under 2 . 10
5-0^x8-8 and under 2 . 25
6-0|x5-8 and under 1 . 95
6-0^x6-8 and under 2 . 10
7.-0 £x7-8 and under 2 . 25
o-Oifcx8-8 and under 2 . 40
Frame
No Pulleys
Knock Down
$1.60
1.89
2.10
2.25
1.60
1.89
2.10
2.25
1.80
2.10
2.25
2.42
1.89
2.10
2.25
2.42
2.10
2.25
2.42
2.63
2.15
2.34
2.52
2.70
2.15
2.34
2.52
2.70
2.34
2.52
2.70
2.89
Frame
No Pulleys
Knock Down
$2.10
2.31
2.52
2.75
2.10
2.31
2.52
2.75
2.21
2.42
2.63
2.84
2.21
2.42
2.63
2.84
2.52
2.75
3.00
3.21
2.63
2.84
3.10
3.30
2.63
2.84
3.10
3.30
2.84
3.10
3.30
3.52
198
THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
PULLEYS: — Aftove prices do not include pulleys, pulley holes'
or pockets. If plain pulleys are wanted with pulley holes
<and pockets add 25c to each frame.
Moulded cap frames, add to price of plain drip cap, each
frame, 20c.
For Iix4| outside casings, add to each frame 15c.
For nailing frames together add extra each frame 25c at
mill: On building, 50e for frame building; 65c for box
frames.
For frames made for sash If thick add 15c each.
INSIDE DOOR JAMBS
Inside door jambs are furnished knock down in the white;
carefully bundled for shipments. The jambs are £x5£" with
sides dadoed for head. Prices do not include stops.
PRICES OF INSIDE DOOR JAMBS.
Size Width
Clear YP
ll
>- —
gg
oS
Jlo
O O-u
||l
Clear
QWOak
2- 6x6-8 and smaller
$0.60
$0.95
$0.84
$0.70
$0.50
$1.63
2- 6x7-8 and smaller
.63
1.05
.94
.75
.55
1.83
2-10x6-8 and smaller
.60
.95
.84
.70
.50
1.63
2-10x7-8 and smaller
.63
1.05
.94
.75
.55
1.83
2-10x8-8 and smaller
.70
1.15
1.05
.80
.58
1.93
3-10x6-8 and smaller
.60
1.10
.90
.75
.52
1.70
3-10x7-8 and smaller
.70
1.15
1.05
.80
.58
1.93
3-10x8-8 and smaller
.73
1.25
1.15
.84
.63
2.11
4-10x6-8 and smaller
.63
1.05
.94
.75
.55
1.83
4-10x7-8 and smaller
.73
1.15
1.10
.80
.60
2.00
4-10x8-8 and smaller
.77
1.26
1.20
.90
.65
2.21
5-10x6-8 and smaller
.70
1.15
1.05
.80
.58
1.93
5-10x7-8 and smaller
.73
1.26
1.15
.84
.63
2.11
5-10x8-8 and smaller. . . .
.80
1.36
1.30
.90
.69
2.31
6-10x6-8 and smaller. . . .
.73
1.15
1.10
.80
.60
2.00
6-10x7-8 and smaller. . . .
.77
1.26
1.20
.90
.65
2.21
6-10x8-8 and smaller
.84
1.40
1.36
1.00
.70
2.42
7-10x6-8 and smaller
.73
1.26
.15
.84
.63
2.11
7-10x7-8 and smaller. . . .
.80
1.36
.30
.90
.67
2.31
7-10x8-8 and smaller
.90
1.47
.40
1.05
.73
2.52
8-10x7-8 and smaller
.84
1.40
.36
1.00
.70
2.42
8-10x8-8 and smaller
.94
1.50
.47
1.10
.75
2.57
8-10x9-8 and smaller
.96
1.60
1.57
1.15
.80
2.75
MILLWORK AND GLASS
199
For plain white oak jambs add to plain red oak prices 10%.
For quartered red oak jambs deduct for quartered white
oak prices 25%,
For jambs made IV' wide add to above prices 33£%.
For jambs made 1£" thick add to above prices 66§%.
For jambs made If" thick add to above prices 100%.
Stock is only yp and plain red oak jambs £x5£ wide. All
other jambs are special. For transom head jambs add for
bar 40c. Take price of jamb required to make opening height
plus 2" for bar.
Example: Door 3-0x7-0
Transom
3-0x1-2
2
84
Take price inside door jamb
size, 3-10x8-8 and add
40c for bar
CASING, HOOK STRIP,
BASE AND MOULDINGS— STANDARD PATTERNS
NET PRICES PER 100 LF
Size
AH
fe!
h
a
'S^j
3
r
2
|
«
u
4
111
*&&
|ls
|o
O^
a
Size -
$x?J
$1 05
$206
$1.78
$1.59
$1 05
$4 10
Size '
-2r7J
320
600
5.26
4.35
300
11 99
Size -
HH5J
240
475
3.78
3.15
230
900
Size
+ Y 1
30
73
.63
.57
40
1 50
Size j
Size
$a.
£y jj
3.20
30
6.00
73
5.26
.63
4 .35
.57
3.00
40
11.90
1.50
Size
Jylj
80
1 50
1.40
1.10
.80
3.00
Size •
r£V7J
k.
3 20
600
5.26
4.35
300
11.90
Size -
-jjx4J
k..
1 84
355
3.00
2.63
1.80
7.10
Size i
^Y4>
f
200
395
3.36
294
2.00
7.90
Size i
rjfa-fi
273
530
4.63
3 90
2.60
9.75
Size
fx33
1.60
3.00
2.80
2.40
1.60
6.00
Stock is only yp and plain red oak. All other woods are
special and take longer to ship.
For plain white oak add to plain red oak prices 10%.
For quartered red oak deduct from quartered white oak
prices 25%.
Cut lengths or specified lengths add 10% extra.
200
THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
WINDOW STOOLS, PER 100'
a
~
j
So
I
ert ^
~ a
*
3
0
KM
03
Ji
o
I
0
O
Of
Hx3 £
$2 36
$4 95
$4 21
$3 68
$2 52
«q on
lfx4f
2 66
5 68
4 70
4 10
2 84
11 25
PLATE RAIL:— 3 membered, 3$" level, 4£ upright pcs, 5c in
yp; 8c in red oak per ft.
QUARTER ROUND:— Size f, yp, 40c per 100; red oak, 80c;
i, 42c and 85c.
PICTURE MOULD:— In yp Ic; red oak, 2c per ft.
DOOR AND WINDOW STOPS PER 100'
1
Is*
o
oSCL(
PMO
sSfQ
c3 *
oj|
rt^
~K*
£P-i
JJ ft
O "*"
i
°0
-2«S o
<3
*x2
$060
$1 60
$1 20
$1 10
$080
$3 00
*xl£..
.48
1.20
1.12
88
64
2 40
Axlg
.36
.90
.84
66
48
1 80
.30
.80
.70
.55
.40
1.50
CAP TRIM PER 100'
.a
, a
Las
0
c3 PH
PMO
c3cq
c£ iu
O ^i *:IB
Jp*
Size
s^
i*
^
.S a
8Ss
1
0
o1"
o*
x2A
$2.11
$4 10
$3.80
$300
$200
$821
£x4A
2.00
3 75
3.50
2.75
1 90
750
xl
.35
84
.80
.33
.44
1 72
X21
1.68
3 15
2.90
2.27
1.57
625
|X2|
1 78
4 00
3 36
2 63
1 83
7 20
^x5J
2 26
5 00
4 20
3 30
2 26
9 00
x J..
1 20
1 30
1 30
1 30
1 30
1 50
2.10
2.75
2.75
2.75
2.75
3.00
MILLWORK AND GLASS
201
PLAIN BASE AND CORNER BLOCKS
Carried 4J and
5 wide
FM
>*
a
*3O
pjw
pq
I
Quartered
WO
l*xlO
l|xlO
$0.04£
.04*
$0.08
08
$0.10
10
$0.06
06
$0.15
15
1| thick
.02?
.05
06
04
07$
li thick
.02^
.05
.06
.04
.07*
PLAIN COLONIAL PORCH COLS:— Built up plain cap and
base cols, 6" diam, 30 to 40c per If; 8", 6', 33 to 56; 8", 10', 27
to 42c; 10", 10', 36 to 51c. With carved wood caps add about
$1.40 each.
WITH COMPOSITION CAPS add from $1.50 to $3.00 for aver
work. Some styles and sizes run to $6 and $12.
LARGE SPECIAL PORCH COLUMNS
Ha
12
12
12
12
12
16
16
16
16
16
16
16
18
18
18
18
18
20
20
20
22
22
22
_T5 fl
-
3
«J
¥
CQ
l||
cs cvtsPQ
«J
|||
.9 <~H
aal
8
$5.32
$6.82
$7.97
$6.47
$7.82
$9.32
9
5.95
7.45
8.60
7.10
8.45
9.95
10
6.78
8.28
9.38
7.93
9.28
10.78
12
8.48
10.48
11.63
9.63
10.98
12.98
14
11.45
13.95
15.10
12.60
13.95
16.45
8
13.70
14.80
17.80
16.70
17.70
18.80
10
14.55
15.80
18.80
17.55
18.55
19.80
12
16.25
17.65
20.65
19.25
20.25
21.65
14
18.45
20.00
23.00
21.45
22.45
24.00
16
20.90
22.65
25.65
23.90
24.90
26.65
18
23.60
25.60
28.60
26.60
27.60
29.60
20
26.50
28.80
31.80
29.50
30.00
32.80
12
22.00
24.00
28.00
26.00
27.50
29.50
14
24.00
26.25
29.25
28.00
30.00
31.75
16
26.50
28.10
32.10
30.50
32.00
34.60
18
29.25
32.25
36.25
33.25
34.75
37.75
20
32.25
35.75
39.75
36.25
37.75
41.25
16
33.00
36.50
41.50
38.00
40.00
43.50
18
35.20
39.20
44.20
41.20
42.20
46.20
20
38.00
42.50
47.50
43.00
45.00
49.50
16
41.50
46.00
52.50
46.50
50.70
55.20
18
44.10
49.10
55.60
48.10
53.30
58.30
20
47.60
53.10
59.60
52.60
56.80
62.33
THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
Large Special Porch Columns— Continued
*+* ^ *^N ^ ^ d ^ fl ^ ^ C^ ^
If
na%
ll«
fi
V
Iff Jlf Jl1 llf
24
18
47.
75
53.
25
59.
75
53
25
59.25
64.75
24
20
51.
50
57
50
64.
00
58
.00
63.00
69.00
24
22
55.
50
62,
00
68.
50
62
.00
67.00
73.50
24
24
60.
10
67
.10
73
60
66
.60
71.60
78.60
26
20
57.
50
64
50
73.
50
66
.50
72.00
79.00
26
22
61.
60
69
,10
78,
10
70
.60
76.10
83.60
26
24
66.
50
74
,50
83.
50
75
.50
81.00
89.00
28
24
74.
50
82,
,50
92
50
84
.50
93.50
101.50
28
26
80.
15
.88
,65
98,
65
89
.15
99.15
107.65
28
28
86.50
95
50
105.
50
95
,50
105.50
115.00
30
26
90.
50
95
.50
110
,50
101
.50
115.00
124.00
30
30
101.
60
111
,60
122,
60
112
.60
126.10
136.10
:PEDESTAL COLONIALS: — From 50c to 85c per If, plain.
:SOLID BORED COLONIALS AND NEWELS:— 25c to 41c,
plain.
:PORCH RAIL:— T-op :2ix3$, 9c; bottom, Ifx3$, 4c. Smaller
top, IfxSi, 4c.
PORCH BALUSTERS: — Size, 2J sq x 24, 9c turned; If sq, 5c.
,Sq Ifxl|x24, 3c.
PANTRY DRAWER CASES:— In yp, not oiled, 40c per sq ft,
,and 55c in red oak.
'CHINA CLOSETS: — Drawers below, glazed doors above, no
'hardware or oiling, 75c in yp and $1 in red oak per sq ft.
STAIRS NOT SET
Plain oak or birch, no paneling under, 3 to 4' wide, no rough
••carriages, $70.
In q s Red>Oak $80.00
In q s White Oak 90.00
In yp 60.00
For a fairly ^ood stair that figure is enough. If soffits
or walls are paneled, rails with crooks and newels of better
than ordinary design an extra allowance must be made.
A stair with newels, walls, soffits, etc, paneled, runs in yp
'to $210; and in q s white oak .to $260. T4*e .above figures do
mot include ^w.ork Of -painter.
MILLWORK AND GLASS
203
PARLOR COLS:— In red oak, from $7 to $8 each. Fluted $1
•extra. About T 6" high.
HARDWOOD FLOORING
LENGTHS 2 FT 16 FT
3!
x a
*
i'i
1
EN
$1
|a
32
Clear Maple Flooring. . . .
-Select No. 1 Maple Floor-
ing
$30.00
$37.50
31.00
48.00
34.00
65.00
67.00
$46.25
39.00
60.00
93.50
$47.50
41.00
65.00
95.00
100.00
$50.00
44.00
62.00
48.00
95.00
100.00
70.00
160.00
$50.00
44.00
62.00
48.00
95.00
100.00
70.00
160.00
'Clear Plain Red or White
Oak Flooring
45.50
32.00
63.00
65.00
Select No. 1 Red or White
Oak Flooring
Clear Quarter Sawed Red
Oak Flooring
•Clear Quarter Sawed. . . .
White Oak Flooring. . .
^Select Quarter Sawed Red
or White Oak Flooring
Cherry
ioo.66
ios.oo
Strictly clear maple $12 extra..
The supply of hardwood is being rapidly diminished. On
these and all hardwood prices a gradual rise will take place.
HARDWOOD LUMBER
Priced Rough
or Surfaced
Pi
H
•!°o
££*
.s-g
<3 t
S3
1
I
s
"d
P
OP
1 x 4 8'to 16'
$48.00
$72.00
$46.00
$61.00
$42.00
$94.00
x 6 8 to 16'
52.00
76.00
57.00
72.00
45.00
117.00
x 8 8 to 16'
52.00
79.00
60.00
75.00
57.00
132.00
xlO 8 to 16'
55.20
87.00
72.00
79.00
61.00
169.00
x!2 8 to 16'
57.60
94.00
76.00
82.00
64.00
229.00
x!4 8 to 16'
60.80
97.00
87.00
87.00
72.00
229.00
l£x 4 8 to 16'
56.00
75.00
49.00
64.00
49.00
94.00
x 6 8 to 16'
56.00
82.00
62.00
76.00
62.00
120.00
x 8 8 to 16'
56.00
87.00
64.00
79.00
67.00
136.00
xlO 8 to 16f
56,00
102.00
72.00
87.00
72.00
229.00
x!2 8 to 16'
59.20
102.00
72.00
87.00
76.00
229.00
l£x 4 8 to 16'
57.60
82.00
62.00
76.00
62.00
120.00
x 6 8 to 16'
57.60
87.00
64.00
79.00
67.00
136.00
x 8 8 to 16'
57.60
102.00
72.00
87.00
72.00
229.00
xlO 8 to 16'
57.60
102.00
72.00
87.00
76.00
229.00
If less than 500 ft and more than 250 ft add $5.00 per M.
If less than 250 ft add $10.00 per M.
204 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
MAHOGANY: — This wood is too expensive to be much used
in ordinary buildings. At New York, fob, cars, or ship, the
aver cost per 1,000' bm, is:
$120 for Cuba.
$150 for Mexican.
$200 for San Domingo.
$250 for East Indian.
This is for rough lumber.
GRADING OF OAK FLOORING.
In 1911 the manufacturers concluded to change the names
of the grades on account of misunderstanding among con-
tractors. The names were, Clear, Sappy Clear, Select, No.
1 Common and Factory. Select and Clear were often con-
fused. The new names are:
Quarter Sawed —
A Grade.
Sap Clear.
Plain Sawed —
A Grade.
B Grade.
Common.
Factory.
Under the rules each bundle is stamped with the grade.
CHAPTER XII
GLASS
About a dozen yrs ago all glass in good buildings was put
in by the painter; now the planing mills have monopolized
most of the business. They usually do 'it cheaper, for they
buy their glass by the car-load, and they have boys who do
their work so fast that the ordinary painter has to stand
aside and watch. But about 20,000 lights of 10x14 for No. 7
and other buildings were put in by a local glazier at l£c each
— and the millmen put in about as many more on the same
plant.
It is the less necessary to give prices here as they are in-
cluded in millwork. Only a few selected sizes are priced as
a basis of estimating when not within reach of the lists which
are furnished by the dealers. Here it is well to caution the
estimator about the discounts. A discount of 50, 10 and 5,
for example, does not equal 65, but only 57|. First deduct
50%, then 10% of the result, and finally 5% of the last figure.
Thus if the list price is $100 a discount of 50% leave $50;
10% of that is $5 to be deducted, leaving $45; 5% of that is
$2.25 which deducted leaves the real price $42.75. It is not
only in glass where this holds, but in every kind of material
with more than 1 discount. A large Chicago house recently
had to warn its customers against this wrong idea which
seems to be prevalent.
DISCOUNTS: — The glass discounts now (1913) are on com-
mon glass 88 unset; on plate glass, all sizes, 89, also unset.
Get latest list from local dealer. The quality estimated is
usually A— not AA or B. (See "Sash" in Chap XI.) For
fewer than 3 lights of plate boxing is charged at 6c per sq ft.
PRICES: — The price of a large order is naturally cut — for
ordinary purposes the following prices are unset at 90% dis-
count from list for common; and plate 80: 75 and- 10.
205
206
THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
Size S S
10x14 6.5c
12x18 10.9
12x48 43.8
16x36 40.7
16x60
20x72
D S Size D S
9.8c 24x48 $1.42
16.1 30x36 1.17
55.8 36x36 1.42
54.5 42x72 5.52
1.09 48x80 7.59
Plate
6x 6 $ .07
lOx 24 .48
lOx 72 2.70
8x120 4.88
24x 24 1.35
Plate
36x170 $30.40
48x 48 10.40
48x144 34.60
48x218 80.00
60x 96 32.60
1.88 60x70 7.59 24x 84 9.10 72x138 49.60
28x168 22.20 84x138 190.60
36x 72 11.70 120x218 454.20
Leaded ds glass, no color; price from 40 to 80c per sq ft.
Leaded beveled plate: from $1.50 to $3 per sq ft. If set in
copper instead of lead add 45c per sq ft.
Sand-blast : 20 to 70c
Wheel-cut: 75c.
Chipped: single-process, 15c;
dbl, 17c.
Maze: |, 13c; 3-16, 18c.
Enameled: clear, 15c; obscure,
17c.
Ground: 14c.
Venetian: £, 15c; 3-16, 17c
Cathedral: 12c.
Opalescent: 20c.
Ribbed for skylights: 9 to 12c ±"
Wire: 20 to 23c; polished wire,
$1 to $1.50.
Sidewalk: 20c and up.
MIRRORS: — The cost of a few sizes is given. Beveled plate,
no frame:
20x24 $2.75
18x30 3 .00
24x36 6.15
36x36 8 . 55
24x48.. .8.80
PUTTY AND SETTING:— The 10x14 lights in No. 7 were
bedded and set for l^c each, but no material was furnished.
Allow about Ifc per sq ft as an aver for a reasonable number
of lights. Allow 1-25 Ib of putty per If around edge of glass.
The 20,000 lights of No. 7 took 2,800 Ibs. With 80,000 If, this
is 1-28 Ib. A smaller lot — only 345 If — took 1-23 Ib. Amount
varies with depth of rabbet, bedding, etc. Thus on 1,900
lights 10x14, 565 Ibs were used, or nearly twice as much.
The putty might not be properly pressed; the rabbet was a.
trifle deeper. Large lights require more glaziers' points than
small— allow 1 to every 6 to 9 inch.
GLASS 207
On 10,000 sq ft of galv iron skylight 2,400 Ibs of putty were
used.
Plate glass costs about 10% of price for setting. Skylight,
glass, 8c per sq ft. Floor and sidewalk, 5c per sq ft.
WEIGHT: — Common glass, ss, 1.25 Ibs to sq ft; ds, 1.6; plate,,
3£ Ibs, but weight of all glass varies. Some lights of plate 011
No. 9 were only half as heavy as others. To get weight of
plate glass box mult sq ft of surf by 10 and the result is in
Ibs. The complete work, including steel framework of sky-
light in place on No. 7, weighs 8 Ibs. -
The following weights are listed for roof glass — the thick-
ness is given in fractions of an inch, and the weight in Ibs:
4, 2; &, 2i; i, 34; f, 5; 4, 7; f, 8*; f, 10; 1 inch, 12.
TRANSLUCENT FABRIC:— A substitute for skylight glass*
15c sq ft.
SALVAGE:— For plate glass 90 and 20 from list.
PRISM GLASS
The following table is an approximate retail price list of
3-way sheet prisms and vault-light construction, set complete:
Per sq ft
3 Way Sheet Prisms $0.30
3 Way Sheet Prisms, Wired 50
3 Way 4" or 5" Tiles Glazed, in Hard Metal 80
3 Way 4" or 5" Tiles Glazed, in Hard Metal, Copper Plated. . .85
3 Way 4" or 5" Tiles Glazed, in Hard Metal, Solid Copper. ... 1.00
Vault Light Construction, Galvanized, 3 Way Lens (plain).. . 1.50
Vault Light Construction, Galvanized, 3 Way Prism 1.60
Vault Light Construction, Galvanized, 3 Way Lens (plain)
Wired 1.90
Vault-Light Construction, Galvanized Prism Wired. . . 2.00
LUXFER PRISM:— Sheet 30c sq ft; 3-way, 3,5,0; 4x4 sidewalk,
unset, $1. Set complete, from $1.75 to $3.75, depending upgn
kind.
ACTUAL:— For 40"x40" lights, unset, $4; 12 lights 20"x22\
30c each.
The following table of Chicago prices saves the time of
figuring, if one remembers that freight has to be allowed, and{
that dealers ask for larger prices, especially on small orders;-
208
THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
NET PRICES OF COMMON WINDOW GLASS
SIZES
X
o£
i-fl
03
l|
Price per Box
Single Str'ngth
|f
I
Price per Light
Single Str'ngth
It
^g
G02
8-s
£3
SIZES
*&
$*
If
*£
&$
'r- t*
ftM
<*>£
.2 Hi
•" a
^£
If
Kg
M
o^
°n,o
*Q
Price per Light
Single Str'ngth
It
si
O.02
Is
7x 9
115
$2.30
S .02*
18x30
14
82.85
$4.45
$ .26
$ .42
8x10
90
2.30
. . . .
.03}
. .
18x32
13
2.85
4.45
.28
.44
8x12
75
2.30
. . .
.04
.
18x48
8
5.10
.81
8x14
64
2.30
.
.04$
.'.
18x56
7
5.65
1.03
9x12
67
2.30
.
.04*
! '. .'.
20x20
18
2^85
4.45
!20
.32
9x14
57
2.30
_
.05$
20x22
16
2.85
4.45
.23
.36
10x12
60
2.30
.05
20x24
15
2.85
4.45
.24
.38
10x14
52
2.30
.05f
20x26
14
2.85
4.45
.26
.41
10x16
45
2.40
.07
'.'. .'.
20x28
13
2.85
4.45
.28
.44
10x18
40
2.40
.
.08
20x30
12
2.85
4.45
.30
.48
10x20
36
2.40
• 08§
20x32
11
2.94
4.55
.34
.53
10x22
33
2.40
.09*
20x36
10
3.12
4.70
.40
.54
10x24
30
2.40
.10
22x22
15
2.85
4.45
.24
.38
10x26
28
2.52 . ...
.Hi
22x24
14
2.85
4.45
.26
.41
10x28
26
2.52
.
.12$
.'. '. .
22x26
A3
2.85
4.45
.28
.44
10x30
24
2.52
. . .
.13*
. . '. !
22x28
12
2.85
4.45
.30
.48
12x14
43
2.40
.
.07*
22x30
11
2.94
4.55
.34
.53
12x16
38
2.40
. . .
.08
'. '.
22x32
10
2.94
4.55
.38
.58
12x18
34
2.40
.
.09
.
22x36
9
3.12
4.70
.44
.67
12x20
30
2.40
.10*
24x24
12
2.85
4.45
.30
.48
12x24
25
2.52
'. '.'. .
.13
. ! '. '.
24x26
12
2.85
4.45
.31
.49
12x26
23
2.52
. . . .
.14
24x28
11
2.94
4.55
.34
.53
12x28
22
2.52
.
.15
24x30
10
2.94
4.55
.38
.58
12x30
20
2.65
.17
24x32
10
3.12
4.70
.40
.60
12x32
19
2.65
' ] ' '
.18
.'. .'.
24x36
9
3.12
4.70
.44
.67
12x34
18
2.65
.19
24x40
8
3.35
5.05
.55
.81
12x36
17
2.65
*
.20
26x26
11
2.94
4.55
.34
.53
12x40
15
2.70
.23
26x28
10
2.94
4.55
.40
.60
14x16
32
2.40
.
.10
.
26x30
9
3.12
4.70
.44
.67
14x18
29
2.40
.11
26x32
9
3.12
4.70
.45
.68
14x20
26
2.40
'. '.'.'.
.12
.'. .'.
26x34
8
3.12
4.70
.55
.80
14x22
14x24
24
22
2.52
2.52
• •••
.13*
.14*
26x36
26x38
8
7
3.35
3.35
5.05
5.05
.56
.63
.81
.92
14x26
20
2.52
.16
26x40
7
3.35
5.05
.64
.93
14x28
19
2.65
.18
28x28
9
3.12
4.70
.44
.66
14x30
17
2.65
.20
28x30
9
3.12
4.70
.45
.67
14x32
16
2.65
.21
28x32
8
3.12
4.70
.55
.80
14x34
15
2.65
.23
28x34
8
3.35
5.05
.56
.81
14x36
14
2.65
.24
28x36
7
3.35
5.05
.63
.92
14x40
13
2.70
.27
28x38
7
3.35
5.05
.64
.93
16x20
23
2.70
$i!io
.14
$ 23
28x40
7
3.35
5.05
.65
.94
16x24
19
2.70
4.10
.17
28
30x30
8
3.35
5.05
.55
.81
16x26
17
2.86
4.45
.20
34
30x32
7
3.35
5.05
.63
.92
16x28
16
2.86
4.45
.21
36
30x34
7
3.35
5.05
.64
.93
16x30
15
2.85
4.45
.24
38
30x36
7
3.35
5.05
.65
.94
16x40
11
4.70
54
30x40
6
5.05
.65
1.07
16x44
10
4.70
60
30x44
6
5.52
1.18
18x20
20
2!70
4.10
'.22
26
30x48
5
! ! !
5.52
1.42
18x22
18
2.85
4.45
.20
32
32x32
7
5.04
.92
18x24
17
2.85
4.45
.22
34
32x34
7
5.04
.93
18x26
16
2.85
4.45
.23
36
32x36
6
5.04
1.07
18x28
14
2.85
4.45
.26
41
32x40
6
...
5.52
1.18
GLASS
20<>
Net Prices of Common Window Glass — Continued
«_ o
g£
J!
ita
||
•S8
81,
P
If
iS
rM
J3
w a
j.fl
w
JF^
w a
•3 $
i3 0
SIZES
Number
Lights in
.H"5b
Price per '.
Single Str
•23
SIZES
Numbei
Lights in
ft«2
a
Price per '
Single Str
.23
32x44
5
$5.52
$1.42
40x46
4
$6.00
$1.92
32x48
5
5.52
1.43
40x48
4
6.00
1.93
34x40
6
5.52
1.18
40x50
4
6.00
1.94
34x44
5
5.52
1.42
44x44
4
6.60
2,12
34x48
5
5.64
1.45
44x46
4
6.60
2.13
36x36
6
5.52
1.18
44x48
3
6.75
2.87
36x40
5
5.52
1.42
44x50
3
6.75
2.88
36x44
5
5.52
1.43
46x48
3
6.75
2.87
36x48
4
5.64
1.81
48x48
3
7.90
3.38
40x40
5
5.52
1.42
48x50
3
7.90
3.39
40x44
4
5.64
1.81
50x56
3
9.60
4.11
CHAPTER XIII
STRUCTURAL STEEL AND IRON
MEASUREMENT: — The rule for estimating this work is very
simple: It is, "Get the exact weight and mult by the exact
price." The trouble is in getting both.
CAST IRON: — If the pattern is made an approx figure may
be had by mult the weight of new wp of 16; of old wood by
17; the quotient will be in Ibs. Or another and better way
is to varnish the pattern, put in a tank of water, get the
displacement in ci and mult by .26 for the weight in Ibs.
Unfortunately architects have not yet been educated to the
point of furnishing patterns with their specifications, and we
have to follow the old rules of measurement which are not so
sure as the dipping process. The bases and capitals of cast
iron cols, lugs, straps, horns, bands, swells, and all odd work
have to be measured or guessed as carefully as possible.
we have only a few cols a slight error does not count so much,
but with 100 it is different.
And this brings us to an important point that has to be
considered. Are there 100 cols or only 2? If they are not
of stock patterns it means a good deal of difference in the
price. In the first case the cost of the special pattern is di-
vided among 100; in the last, between 2. Here, as elsewhere,
it pays to use stock patterns. (See Chap XXIV on Standard
Sizes.) Stock shafts are carried in foundries, and, if pos-
sible, special caps and bases made to suit design.
PATTERN: — The only way for an estimator to get the value
of a pattern is to take off the lumber — wp at $80 per M in
'Our day — and then judge the amount of labor that is neces-
sary to uaake it. Where there are many castings this is
hardly necessary as the cost is divided.
WEIGHTS: — The weight of cast-iron is usually put at 450 Ibs
to the cf, or a trifle more th.an ,26 per ci. This is I Ib added
210
STRUCTURAL STEEL AND IRON 211
to 1-100 lb for those who are so lazy as not to understand
decimals. At a distance from tables the rule is easily re-
membered: Get the ci and mult by .26 lb. A plate 44x68x|"
weighs 583.44 Ibs. By using .26 the loss is only a little more
than f Ibs to 450, and this is close enough for estimating.
A column 12' long, 10" in diam outside, with 1" metal,
weighs 1,059 Ibs without any base or cap. As the metal is
1" thick the inside size is 8"; find the ci in a col of 10" diam
and in one of 8"; subtract the difference and mult by .26.
An easily remembered rule for all circles is that they are to
each other as the sq of their diam. Thus 2 cisterns 8 and
9' diam hold water in the proportion of 64 and 81; a pipe
4' diam has 4 times as much sectional area as one 2'. To get
the. area of a circle mult the sq of the diam by .7854. The sq
of a 10" col is 100, which mult by .7854—78.54; mult by 144"—
the length — gives 11,309.76 ci. The sq of the diam of 8 is
64, mult by .7854=50,2656, which mult by 144 gives 7238,246
ci, a difference of 4071.51 ci, which mult by .26=1,059 Ibs.
The foregoing illustration will serve for odd work: the fol-
lowing table will save the trouble of figuring regular sizes.
Cap and base are not included. Outside diam and thickness
of metal are given in inches: weight per ft in Ibs:
WEIGHT OF COLUMNS
Diam Thickness Weight Diam Thickness Weight Diam Thickness Weight
6 \ 26.95 8 li 82.71 11 1 98.03
6 | 38.59 9 | 60.65 11 H 119.46
6 I 43.96 9 1 78.40 11 1J 139.68
6 1 49.01 9 H 94.94 11 If 158.68
6 1J 53.76 9 l\ 110.26 11 2 176.44
7 I 45.96 9 If 124.36 12 1 107.51
7 1 58.90 10 1 88.23 12 1J 131.41
7 li 64.77 10 U 107.23 12 1J 154.10
8 | 53.29 10 l\ 124.99 12 1| 175.53
8 1 68.64 10 1| 141.65 12 2 195.75
212 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
WEIGHT OF SQUARE CAST IRON COLS IN LBS PER LF
(Birkmire)
•9
2a +
2b
Thickness of Metal in In
H
H
Vs
1
IX
IK
m
1M 2
*12
18.6
21.1
23.3
25.0
26 A
27.3
28.1
14
22.5
25.8
28.7
31.3
33.4
35.1
37.5
16
26.4
30.5
34.2
37.5
40.4
43.0
46.9
49.2
50.0
18
30.3
35.2
39.7
43.8
47.4
50.8
56.3
60.2 62.5
20
34.2
39.8
45.1
50.0
54.5
58.6
65.6
71.1 75.0
22
38.1
44.5
50.6
56.3
61.5
66.4
75.0
82.0
87.5
24
42.0
49.2
56.1
62.5
68.5
74.2
84.4
93.0
100.0
26
45.9
53.9
61.5
68.8
75.6
82.0
93.8
103.9 112.5
28
49.8
58.6
67.0
75.0
82.6
89.8
103.1
114.8 125.0
30
53.7
63.3
72.5
81.3
89.6
97.7
112.5
125.8
137.5
32
57.6
68.0
77.9
87.5
96.7
105.5
121.9 136.7
150.0
34
61.5
72.7
83.4
93.8
103.7
113.3
131.3
147.7 ! 162.5
36
65.4
77.3
88.9
100.0
110.7
121.1
140.6
158.6 j 175.0
38
69.3
82.0
94.3
106.3
117.8
128.9
150.0
169.5 187.5
40
73.2
86.7
99.8
112.5
124.8
136.7
159.4
180.5 200.0
42
77.1
91.4
105.3
118.8
131.8
144.5
168.8
191.4 212.5
44
81.0
96.1
110.8
125.0
138.8
152.3
178.1
202.3 ! 225.0
46
84.9
100.8
116.2
131.3
145.9
160.2
187.5
213.3
237.5
48
88.8
105.5
121.7
137.5
152.9
168.0
196.9 224.2
250.0
50
92.8
110.2
127.2
143.8
159.9
175.8
206.3
235.2
262.5
52
96.7
114.8
132.6
150.0
167.0
183.6
215.6
246.1
275.0
54
100.6
118.5
138.1
156.3
174.0
191.4
225.0
257.0
287.5
56
104.5
124.2
143.6
162.5
181.0
199.2
234.4
268.0
300.0
58
108.4
128.9
149.0
166.8
188.1
207.0
243.8
278.9 1 312.5
60
112.3
133.6
154.5
175.0
195.1
214.9
253.2
289.8 1 325.0
62
116.2
138.3
160.0
181.3
202.1
222.7
262.5
300.8
337.5
64
120.1
143.0
165.4
187.5
209.2
230.5
271.9
311.7
350.0
66
124.0
147.7
170.9
193.8
216.2
238.3
281.3
322.7
362.5
68
127.9
152.3
176.4
200.0
223.2
246.1
290.6
333.6
375.0
70
131.8
157.0
181.8
206.3
230.3
253.9
300.0
344.5
387.5
72
135.7
161.7
187.3
212.5
237.3
261.7
309.4
355.5
400.0
74
139.6
166.4
192.8
218.8
244.3
269.5
318.8
366.4
412.5
76
143.5
171.1
198.3
225.0
251.3
277.3
328.1
377.3
425.0
78
147.4
175.8
203.7
231.3
258.4
285.2
337.5
388.3
437.5
80
151.3
180.5
207.2
237.5
265.4
293.0
346.9
399.2 1 450.0
* A and b = either side (outside measurement). 2a + 2b = number,
ance has been made in above table for corners counted twice.
Allow-
EXAMPLE:— What is the weight per If of a 12"xl6"xl" thick
col?
STRUCTURAL STEEL AND IRON 213
ANS : — 2a + 2b = 24 -f 32 = 56. Opposite this number,
under 1 inch thick metal, we find 162.5, which is weight per
If in Ibs for a col of this size.
WRT IRON:— The weight of all structural iron and steel
is marked on plans, so that there is no difficulty in
getting the total. The weight of cast-iron separators, bolts,
rosettes, etc, has to be allowed extra for I beams. Some sepa-
rators have 2 bolts; others only 1. Beams under 5" have sepa-
rators f thick; 6 to 15, £; 20 to 24, f. Weight is, of course,
regulated by depth and spread of beams. Get ci and mult by
.26 Ib if tables are not convenient.
RIVETS: — After getting the weights of the structural frame
add the rivets, according to the number, and weight as
given in the tables of the steel mill books. A shorter way is
to allow 2% of aver work for rivets, when exactness is not
necessary.
Diam of rivet for plates less than \" thick = twice
the thickness of the plate.
Diam of rivets for plates \" thick and upwards = once
and a half the thickness of the plate.
Length of rivet measured before clinching = the thick
ness of the plate -j- 2£ times the diam of the rivet.
WEIGHTS, BRASS, COPPER, LEAD:— The weight of
wrought iron is 480 Ibs to cf, or practically .28; while steel
is 490 Ibs. Jones & Laughlin give .263 for cast iron; .281 for
wrt; .283 for cast steel.
Wrt iron and steel do not have to be reduced to ci so
often as cast iron, because table of sheet, flat, round, sq and
all shapes are ready at hand. Some find it convenient to re-
member that a bar of iron 1" sq, 3' long weighs 10 Ibs. The
weight of wrt iron mult by 1.082 gives brass; 1.444 copper;
1.47 lead.
THE TWO TONS:— It is a hard matter for a building con-
tractor to remember that the weight of steel rails is given
by the yd— not the ft— and that the gross ton of 2,240
Ibs is used instead of the short ton of 2,000.
214 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
LABOR SETTING IRON AND STEEL
Contractors usually allow $5 per ton of 2,000 Ibs to set
aver work. Sometimes it can be set for $3.50. On plain work
close to ground $2.75 has been found to be enough on 100 tons.
It depends upon the size of the material, height, etc. For
store fronts $5 is a fair figure. The fronts of Nos. 5 and 6
were set for about this price. On No. 2 with 70 tons the cost
was $4.50, but the material was set all over the fireproof build-
ing and clear to roof. Wages were $1.50 for common laborers
who set it all. Hand derricks were used in both illustrations.
With a steam derrick such work can be done for about $3.50.
Both cast iron and steel are included in figures. But work
done in a basement for alterations, or in the upper story of
an occupied building at night, with extra pay, might run up
to $50 per ton. Each case of this kind differs.
All of the foregoing work was set with common labor —
and the rules of the union do not permit any laborer to
handle steel. Of course the aver job does not require
structural iron workers, but where they are used, the cost
runs higher, although they handle more in proportion to their
number than laborers. The wage is now 40c per hour for
men and 47|c for foremen. On all large steel work they are
cheaper in the long run than laborers; but it seems that they
ought to have their due proportion of them as other trades
do. Work like that shown on No. 13 would cost more if set
by laborers only than by tradesmen.
SHOP BUILDINGS:— A fair figure for No. 13— which shows
the framework of No. 7 — is $8 per ton of 2,000 Ibs to set and
do field riveting. It was done for $7.
DRILLING CONCRETE:— This does not include drilling
holes in the concrete to hold rag-bolts. Drilling 7 holes
U"x29" takes 2 laborers 1 day of 9 hours by hand, but the
state of the concrete, soft or hard, has to be considered. Allow
10 holes at 23" deep. Some contractors build in wood and with-
draw it afterwards for bolts, and although this is not such
an accurate method for centering it is so much cheaper that
most prefer it. Or a bolt may be set in pipe with room to
STRUCTURAL STEEL AND IRON 215
move far enough to catch the holes. If a template is used
there is not much danger of missing connections.
Merely for a rough approximate idea the following figures
are useful:
•
WEIGHT OF STEEL ON HIGH BUILDINGS
On buildings up to 11 stories high, an approximate weight
of steel is as follows, per sq ft of floor area, not ground area:
Apartment Houses and Hotels with Outside Frames 14 Ibs
Office Buildings as above 23 Ibs
Warehouses as above 28 Ibs
Apartment Houses and Houses without Outside Frames 9 Ibs
Office Buildings as above. e 15 Ibs
Warehouses as above 18 Ibs
WEIGHT OF STEEL PER SQ FT OF GROUND AREA
Machine and Erecting Shop, 25 Ibs Car Shops 10 lb&
Blacksmith Shop 10 Ibs Paint Shops 10 Ibs
Foundries 20 Ibs
WEIGHT OF STEEL TRUSSES
For 53' span 3. 5 tons For 105' span 9.0 tons
For 175' span 10.3 tons For 125' span 22.0 tons
For 80' span 6.5 tons
Steel for roof trusses, I beams, plate girders, etc, is not
bought by detailed parts, but in a lump for each class at the
works.
Trusses in the east or Chicago, about 3.3c per Ib; in Omaha
about 3.8c; I beams, 2.7 and 3c.
RIVETS: — Approximately there are 10 field rivets to the ton.
A safe figure is lOc each. An air riveter on straight work
rivets about 400 to 500 in a day of 8 hours. This includes
moving of scaffolds. The Omaha Auditorium, however, with
500 tons of steel, had 11,000 field rivets, or 22 to the ton.
HEAVY GIRDERS:— Something has to be allowed for dif-
ferent classes of work. On No. 13 there are 36 girders 3' 6"
wide x 22' long. The setting of them soon counts in tonnage.
With these were other heavy girders, in all about 2,100 If.
But with train-sheds where light sections are used and where
there are more changes of scaffolding the $8 price would run
216 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
to at least $10. The lightest steel on No. 13 was the truss
which was 5 tons. The Omaha Auditorium trusses are 10
tons each. But the steel on this huilding took at least $12,
as angle work of gallery, height of trusses, extra riveting, etc,
made work more difficult. * x
On No. 13 the steel was set and riveted for $6.50 but wages
were lower than on No. 14, as laborers were used on former.
Building is also lower. About i of total was required for
riveting. The time on both buildings includes setting der-
ricks, scaffolding, and unloading from cars.
HIGH COSTS: — Before leaving the erection of steel it is bet-
ter to look at the other view, for, as with the laying of brick,
there is another. No. 13 cost, with contractor's profit, $7;
No. 14, actual, $6.50; No. 8, the largest building, for about
800 tons, $7.90; at the outside $10 should be enough. In
''Carpentry and Building," now "Building Age," there is an
article on the erection of structural steel on high buildings.
The article complains of the high cost of building in New
York as compared with other cities, and says that with the
same number of hours per day and the same rate of wages
steel erection costs from 2^ to 3 times as much as elsewhere.
"•It is no wonder that structural erection costs $15 to $18 a
ton in this city as compared with $6.50 to $8 in other cen-
ters of building activity. A hand riveter who could easily
aver from 250 to 300 rivets a day contents himself in this city
with 80. In other cities on straight work a good man fin-
ishes up 80 an hour. The pneumatic riveter in almost any
other city will drive 1,500 to 2,000 rivets in a day against 250
to 300 in New York."
AVERAGES: — "All extremes are wrong." Between 80 in a
day and 80 in an hour, or 640 in a day, there are quite a
few laps. On the one side we have the loafer who is a pest,
on the other hand the theorist who makes us yawn. An aver
day's work at shingling may be found elsewhere in this book
— there are men who do several times as much, but I would
not allow them to lay a shingle on a house I meant to keep.
RIVETING: — I asked a man who has passed his life among
steel put up in all sorts of places and fashions, " Could a
STRUCTURAL STEEL AND IRON 217
pneumatic riveter finish 1,500 rivets in a day on a building?"
"No, it could not," he answered; "and more than that, it
could not be done even on a shop floor where there is no
climbing among scaffolding. I have one in the shop and I
know what it can do. A good aver is 500 on a building."
RIVETING: — After getting local authority I was handed a
report of Mr. A. B. Manning of the M. K. & T. R. R. to the
Annual Convention of the Railway Superintendents of Bridges
and Buildings, in which he discussed riveting: — "With pneu-
matic riveting hammers I find that 2 men and 1 heater can
aver in 10 hours 500 rivets, whereas by hand 250 rivets — more
often less — was a good day's work for 3 men and 1 heater.
One day we drove 700 rivets by using an additional man to
take out firing up bolts, etc. This was the work of one air
hammer only." He gives the cost of hand riveting at 3.68c
per rivet, and air riveting at 1.62c.
MACHINE RIVETING:— On 93,480 rivets in the Chicago ship-
yards the machine rate ran from 1 to 2£c, depending upon
size, etc; the hand rate, from 2$ to 4J. The machine aver
was 1.5c each; hand, 3.19.
In Cramp's shipyard on 1,300,000 rivets the hand price for
1" was 7c; machine, 3c; for f by hand, 5.5c; by air, 3c.
Cramp sets machine riveting 40% cheaper than hand; the
Chicago yard, 47%. Small work can not be done at anything
like the same rate; and of course latitude counts for some-
thing: the London & Northwestern Railway, for example, re-
ports 120 rivets per hour per riveter.
LARGE WORK: — The importance of reliable labor time is
seen when we consider the size of such buildings as Nos. 7,
8, and 14 — all 150' wide, and from 310 to 486' long. The main
building of the Rock Island plant at East Moline, 111., is
276'-8"x860'. In "The Engineering News," New York, N. Y.,
there is a description of the plant and a summary of the
amount of building material. Steel is 2,400 tons; and cast-
iron, 150. The U. P. and O. S. L. plants, as far as built, have
together somewhat less than this tonnage. It is important
to know if it can be set for $7 or whether $12 is required as
the difference amount to $12,000. Other items in the R. L
218 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
total are 22,000 bbls Port cement; 6,000,000 brick; 5,000,000
ft lumber; 64,000 sq ft factory ribbed glass; 4,200 sqs roofing.
A labor difference of $1 per M in the brick makes a nice little
sum.
The Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe locomotive shop is
154'x852'; the "Reading", 204'x750'.
SKYSCRAPER RIVETING:— On an 18-story building in St.
Louis f" rivets cost 20 to 25c, and f", 13 to 17c, on col and
beam work, with foremen's wages from 60 to 75c per hour.
CRANES: — For erecting large electric cranes allow $3 per
ton. If they are not put directly in place from the cars but
have to be unloaded, $1.50 extra. Much, however, depends
upon facilities; — 4 cranes of 143 tons have been recently set
for $300.
SHEET STEEL: — To lay sheet steel over large surf, 2c per
sq ft; on doors, 4c.
TANKS: — A common way of estimating the complete labor
on tanks — round or sq — is to allow 4c per rivet, but this is on
the basis of compressed air. A tank 9' diam x 12 high is
worth about $200; 15' diam x 12, $375.00 complete. A 10,000
gall galv tank, $800; 2,500 galv, $270, with equipment.
PRICE: — At present the price of steel is high; a few years
from now it may be low. On cars, Omaha, it is $65 to $70
per ton — but a good deal depends upon quantity. Cast iron
is now worth 21/& to 3%c per Ib. Lintels and columns 2c per
Ib. and up; sill and base plates, 3c and up.
MISCELLANEOUS
PRISM LIGHTS, COAL HOLE COVERS:— Hyatt or Prismatic
lights are worth about $1.50 per sq ft; Luxfer prisms com-
plete, $1.75 to $3.75. Sidewalk or concrete lights in frame
with glass, $1.75 to $2.50. Coal hole covers, prismatic, from
$5 to $10 each, 20" to 24"; solid $1.50 to $4. With a coal hole
cover the depth and weight are regulated by sidewalk; some-
times it may be only 4", and again with a heavy brick arch
it may be 13. (See also "Vault Lights," Chap XIIJ
WICKETS:— For ticket windows, from $5.60 to $25, of 30
designs examined.
STRUCTURAL STEEL AND IRON 219
WRT IRON GRATINGS:— 75c per «q ft; cast iron, 3c
per lb, or 45 to 50c per sq ft.
GAS PIPE RAIL: — In place, dbl, 75c per ft; single 50c.
Main 3x3 posts, $3.50 to $5 each. " Spike " or " Loafers
Rail," 12 to 15c per ft.
For ordinary 36" standards allow:
For one rail, l\ $1.50
For one rail, 2 2.00
Corner one rail, 1$ 1 . 75
Corner one rail, 2 2 . 25
Tee, 2 2.50
2-rail, 1£ 1.75
2-rail corner, 2 3 . 00
Rail, li, per ft 17
Rail, 2, per ft 22
FENCES AND SMALL WRT IRON GATES:— Gates, lOc per
lb. Wrt iron fence 5 to 6c. A long railing, about 4' high,
f sq uprights, 6" centers, was recently set in place for $1.50.'
per running ft.
The iron work of 1,000 ft of fence, with several gates, unset,,
ran to $3.20 per If; set $3.65. About 8' high, f sq pickets,
6" centers. Concrete bases every 8'.
RAILROAD FENCE: — A hogtight fence costs about $300 per
mile of track, both sides, or $150 for one side. Material, 67%;
labor 33.
WRT IRON SHUTTERS:— Hinged, 45c. Sliding, 60c per sq
ft in place, Omaha. Allow freight at 8 Ibs per sq ft if
required.
ROLLING STEEL SHUTTERS:— These are 50c per sq ft in
place.
VAULT DOOR LININGS:— From $65 up; 620 to 830 Ibs for
aver.
HOME SAFES: — Many brick buildings are now equipped with
small safes built in wall. They are put in when the wall is
built. To cut old walls and put them in allow $8 to $5 extra.
220 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
SIZE AND COST OF SAFES
Size Door Inside Dimensions
No. Diam Wide Deep High Weight Price
40 4i" 5£" 4f" 10i" 351bs. $17,00
41 4i" 6£" 1\" 6£" 401bs. 18.00
43 4|" 10" 7£" 6" 521bs. 20.00
68 6 " 11 * 7£" 8 " 75lbs. 25.00
66 6" 14" 10" 9£" 160 Ibs. 30.00
MOVING A SAFE: — In New York for twenty years a Corliss
safe has been on exhibition. The twin came to Omaha. The
weight is 17 tons. It was moved from one story above
street level in 1908 to make way for a battery of 8 safes with
more space.
It took 20 men 7 days to cut it out, shore up floors, and take
down to street.
PRICE OF ANCHORS PER LF AT 6c PER LB.
Take extreme length, add head, if a T-anchor, and mult
toy price per ft.
T-anchor heads are figured same size as shank.
Size of Iron Price Per Ft Size of Iron Price Per Ft
lixl ...... ............. 7.7c 3 xi .................... 30. 6c
2 xi .................... 10. 2c IJxf ..................... 11. 6c
2ix} .................... 12. 8c 2 xf .................... 15. 3c
2 JL\ .................... 20. 4c 2Jx| .................... 19. 2c
25. 5c
Thus, an anchor with shank 3' long, a head 1', made of
2xi, would cost 82c. The 6c rate includes profit, and in some
sections 5c is enough.
WRT IRON: — Special prices are given on patented
hangers, etc, but in general for all anchors, stirrups, heavy
hinges, and such work, get weight and mult x 5£c per Ib.
For rods 4c.
The labor on aver wrt iron work is l£c per Ib; a safe
price for bar iron is 2c per Ib fob Omaha.
DUPLEX JOIST-HANGERS:— For 2x6 to 2x10, 14c each.
2x12 to 2x16 .................................. 20c
3 and 4x6 to 3 and 4x10 ........................ 28c
6x14 to 6x16 .................................. 65c
8x8 to 8x12 ................................... 65c
STRUCTURAL STEEL AND IRON 221
DUPLEX WALL-HANGERS:— Are about 50% more.
See page 20 for Duplex Post Caps and Bases.
IRON LADDERS: — 2"x£ sides, f sq rungs, set for 90c to $1
per ft high.
FIRE ESCAPES: — U gas-pipe rail for sides, $1 per ft high
set; platforms of ordinary width and length, $2.50 per If;
21" stairs for fire escapes, $4 per ft long on rake; platforms,
$4; or about $125 per story.
STAIR: — A large iron stair 3' wide for fire escape on No. 2
cost $502 for 3 stories. For 2'-6" fire stairs with long plat-
forms, outside pipe supports and railings on both sides, allow
$18 to $20 per ft set in place and painted, the price being
taken on the plumb and not on the rake.
When taking bids on No. 2 I was offered a spiral chute that
had been installed and approved at Louisville, Ky., and is now
as far north as Boston where school children are shot
through it.
Of course there are many varieties of fire escapes at dif-
ferent prices.
STAIRS:— 3' to 4' wide, with iron rail, set complete $8 to
$10 per step.
One ornamental iron stair in the east cost $36,000.
COAL CHUTES: — These chutes run from $10 to $15. They
may be had with protected glass fronts.
PORCH COL BASES: — These are to keep large cols up
from the floor and allow water to run through.
For 6"x6" 50c each
For 8"x8" 55c each
For 10"xlO" 70c each
For 12"xl2" 90c each
SAFETY TREADS: — One make with steel base plate and
lead filling, $1.25 per sq ft, Chicago; with brass base plate,
$2.25.
MASON safety treads $l.bU per sq ft on wood — not laid, $1.40.
The cost on iron or stone is about $1.75, laid.
STEEL STUDS: — Wire lath is otten attached to prong studs,
ceiling, and wall furring. The lath is laid on and the prong
222 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
•clinched over it with the tap of a hammer. A solid or hol-
low wall is then plastered on. A tee stud is used for a solid
wall, and a channel for a hollow.
The solid walls are If" to 2" thick.
Separate or continuous sockets can be used for fastenings
at top and bottom.
The cost of the material is as follows:
For f" tee studs, Ifc per ft to 10'.
For 2" channel studs, 2fc per ft to 10'.
For 3" channel studs, 3£c per ft to 10'.
Tee stud socket strip f", 2£c.
Channel socket strip, 2", 3£c.
Channel socket strip, 3", 4c.
Ceiling and wall furring, £", 2£c.
Allow same time for setting studs as for wood.
STEEL STACK: — The cost of taking down a corroded stack
is given in Ryerson's Journal.
Size, 6'xlOO'. Owing to surrounding buildings it had to
be erected in sections. The top 56' was taken down.
The scaffold took 1,400 ft bm of chestnut for corners at
$20, and 1,600 ft hemlock at $19. Only 5% of this lumber
was destroyed, and the rest was used elsewhere. The tower
of scaffolding was Il'-6"x23' at base, and Il'-6"xl5' at top.
An I beam with trolley was put across the top, and cable and
windlass with air motor.
The sections were cut off with a cold chisel and lowered.
It required 3 minutes to lower or raise a section.
To put up derrick, adjust tackle, arrange I beam and trol-
ley, and connect motor, 26 hours. Removal and cleaning
up, 19 hours. The total work of replacement was done for
$110. Wages from $2 to $2.75 per man per day. The sec-
tions were bolted together.
See also Chap XXII.
STEEL AND IRON COSTS PER LB: — Cover plates, 4c; con-
nections, 4c; face plates, |"xl8", 6c; stairs, 6 to 7c; wrought
beams, plain, 2| to 2|c; trusses, 3-Jc; Dale lights, $2 per sq
ft; cast iron, plain, 2^c; separators, 4c; large cols., 2|c; all
unset, 1913.
CHAPTER XIV
HARDWARE
CATALOG WEALTH: — Simmons' old catalog has 367 pages
7^x11, devoted to builders' hardware — and they have given us
a new one; Spencer & Bartlett's 118 pages, 6x8; and Lee-
Glass-Andreesen's new book, which is a credit to Omaha and
Nebraska, has 240 pages 7Jxll. These are only 3 out of
many. They are all packed full of information about hard-
ware, and more is to be found at the retail stores. And we
are not only burdened with a hundred different kinds of
hinges, but each has from a dozen to a score of different fin-
ishes, and it is seldom that 1 price covers more than 1 article.
The very hardware men, who are specialists, are wearied of
the endless variety. It is with a sense of relief that a con-
tractor reads in a model specification that shelf hardware is
to be covered by a certain sum, or else supplied by the owner.
QUANTITIES OF NAILS
Wire nails are now used almost everywhere. I have heard,
however, that the engineering department of the B. & M. R. R.
still clings to the old kind which, according to the tests, take
a firmer bite.
I kept an account of nails on only 1 building — No. 10.
There it took 1 keg to 2,600 ft of lumber of all kinds. Prob-
ably the proportion would run on such work £ of spikes and f of
8D and 10D. The whole building is frame, although the
lower story is veneered with brick; with less spiking a brick
building would require a larger proportion of nails.
If any one desires a close estimate of nails he may easily
find it as the following table gives the number per pound,
but different tables give different numbers. There are so
many joists or studs; each board requires so many nails;
5% allowed for extras and waste will give the number of kegs
at 100 Ibs to keg.
To illustrate by the floor of No. 7: There are 320, 5i" planks
in width, and 101 sleepers to which they are nailed; but
223
224 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
plans run from 12 to 16' long, and it Is therefore safe to
allow 29 extra nailings clear across the space, because each
joint requires twice the number of spikes. Each plank has
2 spikes, or 640 to a sleeper, a total of 83,200, with 5% addi-
tional, 87,360. The table gives for 60D spikes, 12 to Ib, mak-
ing a total of 73 kegs. Or, having the If of flooring, allow
1 nail, or 2 nails, as the case may be, to every bearing.
Matched flooring and ceiling, unless wider than 5£ or thicker
than £ have only 1 nail to each bearing.
NAIL TABLE
Of course the number of nails to Ib varies; 106, 74, 10, are
given in another list instead of 132, 87, 12, as below.
The price of nails changes as the days go by. At present
the " base " is $2.50. From 60D to 20D is base. Add accord-
ing to table for other kinds.
WIRE NAILS: — Size, length, number to pound, and rate:
Size Kind Length In No. to Lb Advance on Rate Base
60 Common 6 12
50 Common 5J 15
40 Common 5 21
30 Common 4$ 27
20 Common 4 35
16 Common 3£ 51 $ .05
12 Common 3£ 66 .05
10 Common 3 87 .05
8 Common 2$ 132 .10
6 Common 2 252 .20
.4 Common \\ 432 .30
3 Common \\ 720 .45
3 Fine ij 1140 .50
10 Casing 3 121 .15
8 Casing 2\ 170 .25
6 Casing 2 310 .35
4 Casing 1$ 584 .50
10 Finish 3 137 .25
8 Finish 1\ 190 .35
6 Finish 2 350 .45
4 Finish 1$ 760 .65
GALV NAILS cost about $1.25 extra per keg.
HARDWARE
225
NAIL ALLOWANCES
Quantity
Description
Kind
Quantity in Lbs
Centers
12" 16" 20" 36" 48" 60*
1000' bm
1000' bm
1000' bm
1000' bm
1000' bm
1000' bm
1000' bm
1000' bm
1000' bm
1000' bm
1000 pcs
1000 pcs
1000' bm
1000' bm
1000' bm
1000' lin.
1000' lin
1000 If
1000 If
1000' bm
1000' bm
1000 pcs
1000 pcs
1000' bm
1000' bm
1000' bm
1000' bm
1000' bm
100 sq ft
1000' bm
1000' bm
100 If
1
1
100 yds
100 yds
100 yds
100 cy
100 cy
1 fin mr
3"x6" Plank, 2 nailings ....
3"x8" Plank, 2 nailings
3"xlO" Plank, 2 nailings. . .
3"xl2" Plank, 3 nailings. . .
2"x6" Plank, 2 nailings. . . .
2"x8" Plank, 2 nailings
2"xlO" Plank, 2 nailings...
(Use same allowance for
Oak Plank, Bridges, Boat
Spikes, allow 100 Ibs
Joists on Frame Bldg
60d
60
60d
60d
20d
20d
20d ;
floorin
|"x8"
20d
20d
8d
8d
lOd
20d
lOd
8d
8d
8d
20d
20d
6d
6d
4d
3d
8d
lOd
8d
lOd
8d
...
...
• •
51
39
31
39
27
20
16
40
30
24
30
21
16
13
34
26
20
26
18
13
11
g)'
51
39
30
42
31
25
20
12
16
10
14
8
Joists on Brick Bldg
For Bracing,add 2£ Ibs perM
Bridging l//x4" 35 Ibs
Bridging 2"x4" 50 Ibs
Studs, Walls and Partitions
Studs, Walls and Partitions
Sheeting or Shiplap, 8"
Furring, I"x2", Wall
15
e
26
6
8
12
4
20
6
7
17
6
6
°0
Furring, l//x2". Ceilings
Furring, 2"x2", Wall . . .
Furring, 2//x2" Ceilings
Siding 6"
33
I
26
26
40
36
2i
15
25
18
25
(any
13
20
22
32
26
Ibs
11
?0
20
Siding 4"
Shingles
cen
11
17
ter)
Shingles
Flooring £"x6"
Flooring £"x6"
Flooring £"x4"
Flooring ^"x4//
Flooring £"x3"
Thin Oak Flooring
li
finis
hug
brda
f "x4" Ceiling
6d
8d
8&6d
8&6d
8&6d
J" sta
3d fine
3d fine
20d
lOd
OJ
Finishing
Base
1
Door, all kinds
I
Window, all kinds
Metal Lath
pie
12
104
30
^
s 9
to
to
(ofc
Wood Lath 48"
13
Hi
one
9
to
10
Wood Lath 32"
Concrete Forms
Concrete Forms
rete
inw
all)
concrete r orms
OU
3
Slate: See Chap. XVI.
226 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
If it is necessary to change from one size of nail to another
see how many Ibs are listed in above table; mult by number
in a Ib, and divide by number in a Ib of the kind desired.
Thus 3"x6", 48" centers, requires 40 Ib of 60d. At 12 to the
Ib this equals 480 nails. If 40d are chosen, with 21 to the
Ib, the quantity would be 23 Ibs, for the same number of nails
are necessary.
CEMENT COATED WIRE NAILS, CHICAGO PRICE
Size No. Coated Nails in Keg Price per Keg
40 Cement Coated, 1,800 $1.95
30 Cement Coated, 2,400 1.95
20 Cement Coated, 3,100 1.95
16 Cement Coated, 4,900 2.00
10 Cement Coated, 6,600 2.00
9 Cement Coated, 8,900 2.05
8 Cement Coated, 10,100 2.05
7 Cement Coated. 15,300 2.15
6 Cement Coated, 17,900 2.15
5 Cement Coated, 25,500 2.25
4 Cement Coated, 29,800 2.25
3 Cement Coated, 54,300 2.40
2 Cement Coated, 85,700 2.65
Cement coated nails are sold by count and not by weight.
Kegs vary in weight according to size of nails, but each
keg of coated nails contains as many as there are in a 100
pounds of common nails.
They are about & inch shorter than the regular wire nail.
MACHINE BOLTS:— See Chap XXVII.
BOLTS: — Bolts are not measured between nut and head for
length, but from under head to extreme end. Countersunk
bolts are measured over the head. Rods threaded both ends
are measured from point to point. Machine bolts, 2 .to 3c
per Ib. Drift bolts, 2c Ib; boat spikes, 3c per Ib.
LAG SCREWS: — 2 to 5c per Ib. See tables for weight of
round iron.
EXPANSION BOLTS:— |"x2" to 5", 8c each; £x2 to 5, lie
each; fx2 to 5, 15c each; both bolt and sheath included.
HARDWARE 227
CAST WASHERS
Price:— H to 2c per Ib.
J inch £ Ib each 1| inch 6 Ibs each
| inch f Ib each If inch 9J Ibs each
I inch lj Ib each 2 inch V7\ Ibs each
| inch l\ Ib each 2£ inch 20 Ibs each
1 inch 2i Ibs each 2| inch 11\ Ibs each
li inch 3 Ibs each 2| inch 36 Ibs each
l| inch 5f Ibs each 3 inch 46 Ibs each
Weights are different: These are Jones & Laughlin's; the
Union Pacific 3" washer, for example, is only £ Ib and so on
in proportion to size.
Manufacturers' Standard List of Wrt Washers.
Price. — 4 to 5c per Ib.
Weight Weight
\ 13,900 to 100 Ibs 1 625 to 100 Ibs
| 6,800 to 100 Ibs \\ 520 to 100 Ibs
\ 2,600 to 100 Ibs \\ 400 to 100 Ibs
| 1,300 to 100 Ibs \\ 260 to 100 Ibs
J 1,010 to 100 Ibs 2 175 to 100 Ibs
1 860 to 100 Ibs
Small washers cost from 30 to 50% more than large.
SHOP DOORS: — Hardware for large doors of No. 7 etc., from
$30 to $36; for windows, $3.
SASH WEIGHTS: — The weights of cast iron carried in stock
run from 3 to 24 Ibs. Price about lie. Standard weight is
round. Sq" weights are special and cost about 1.75c per Ib,
and round weights over 22 Ibs are same price. If few, allow
2c. To get size of square weights find half the weight of
sash and the extreme possible length of sash weight in inches.
Divide an assumed weight of 48 Ibs by .26 and we have the
number in ci necessary to balance 1 side of a 96 Ib sash. This
is divided by 24, the assumed length, and the sectional area
is found to be nearly 7f inches. We must now find a num-
ber which mult by itself will produce 7.70 for a sq weight;,
or if it has to be 2'' thick, it will be 3| wide. A sq weight,
would be 2.78 inches or a trifle more than 2|. A knowledge;
of sq root is useful for more than rafter lengths, for we can-
not always carry a load of books around. The main windows
228 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
of No. 3 weighed from 350 to 400 Ibs; and doors on No. 4
weighed more.
LEAD WEIGHTS
Where boxes are small lead weights have sometimes to be
used, but the price is 7£c per Ib. Lead weighs about 50%
more than wrt iron.
The following table for lead will save the trouble of calcu-
lating weights.
Size in inches; weight in Ibs per If:
Size Round Square Size Round Square
1 3| 4.93 2£ 23 30.82
It 6 7.68 2| 28.93 37.27
li 8t 10.27 3 34.81 44.38
1J 11| 15.08 3i 40.52 52.07
2 15| 19.02 3i 47.26 60.82
2t 18i 24 3| 54 69.33
SECTIONAL SASH WEIGHTS link to each other till enough
balance the sash or door. They give any weight from 14 Ibs
up. They can be delivered without weighing sash. Cost,
$33 per ton at New York.
SASH CORD: — There are many kinds, and each manufacturer
says his is the best. The usual hank contains 100 ft, and
weighs from 2 up to 3 Ibs. A & cord weighs 1^ Ibs to the
100 ft; and a |, 5 Ibs. Aver price, 25 to 30c per Ib.
Sash chain costs per ft 8c in genuine copper, for weight
up to 125 Ibs.
Sash chain, copper steeled, 3c.
Steel retinned chain, 5c.
Steel ribbon, 5c up to 125 Ibs.
DUMBWAITERS: — Without rope or car, to carry weights up
to 100 Ibs, $15 to $20. Cars, $15 to $40. This is for a good,
strong, ordinary installation, but $200 could be invested in
some kinds.
WALL PLUGS:— $16 per M.
INSIDE SLIDING DOOR HANGERS:— An aver hanger is
worth $4.50 with track and bolts complete; with some hangers
HARDWARE 229
a wide opening runs to $5.50. A Coburn, $2.60 for single
door 4-6; $4.20 for 6' dbl door.
COBURN BARN DOOR HANGERS are worth $2.25 without
track; track, lOc per ft.
A Wilcox, aver size, $2 pair; track 18c; brackets, 18c each.
JAMB GUARDS:— For 8' long, 3i" wide, with anchors, $1.50
each.
BARBED WIRE:— For 4-point cattle, painted, H Ibs to 16*
ft; galv, li Ibs. Hog, li to 14. For 2-point cattle, painted,
1 Ib; galv, l^s. Hog, 1& to 1$. Price 3£ to 4c per Ib. Staples
of aver size 100 to Ib, 4c.
POST HOLE DIGGERS:— $1 each.
COMMON WIRE:— Price, $2.90 per 100 Ibs.
WIRE PANELS^— For No. 10 x U" mesh, 22c sq ft.
For No. 9, 1£" mesh 22c
For No. 8, 2" mesh 22c
For No. 12, \Y mesh 20c
Heavy Wire Window Guards 50c
SHELF HARDWARE:— "In making out bills of hardware
take each room separately and indicate each door or window
where special stuff is required, and the hardware will be
packed to suit."
" A door is left-handed if when viewed from the outside its
hinges are on the left. The outside of a door is that side
which is approached on entering a building or room. The
outside of door between rooms is the side opposite to that
from which the knuckles of the butt are visible. All doors
opening out should be designated as reversed doors." A front
door does not usually open out, but if it did it would be a
reversed door. In ordering certain classes of hardware it
is necessary to specify right or left.
AVER PRICES: — Since we can not read several thousand
pages of descriptive matter, or explore as many sq ft of
shelving, is there no way of getting some fair idea on the
price of shelf hardware?
The following figures embrace pretty much all that the con-
tractor is apt to meet in a specification. For several years
230 THE NEW BUILDING FSTIMATOR
I used just such a list as is presented here, and found it to
work satisfactorily. Changes can be noted on it as the
days go by and prices rise or fall. With some the danger is
to put bronze finish in place of real bronze. There is not
so much difference between the various finishes of iron. Tak-
ing bronze plated goods as a standard polished old copper
runs about 5% more; sand old copper, 15 to 20, while Boston-
finish and steel finish, are about the same as bronze plated.
Real bronze goods belong to another class. Some have had to
pay for this information,
HINGES OR BUTTS
4x 4 Jap'd, 20c per pr; 30c in Bronze Finish; $2.00 in Real Bronze
4£x4$ Jap'd, 25c per pr; 35c in Bronze Finish; 2.25 in Real Bronze
5 x5 Jap'd, 35c per pr; 50c in Bronze Finish; 2.50 in Real Bronze
Dbl-acting Chicago butts, jap, per pr, 1£ door, $1.20; If to
2", $3; bronze plated, etc, $3 for U; $5.75 for If to 2; old
copper finish, unpolished, $2 and $4.30; antique finish, sand-
blast, $3 and $5.60 for same thicknesses. But a blank is
often used with a butt as 1 is strong enough for the door,
and this reduces the price. Blanks are about half the price
of butts. Real bronze butts of this kind are seldom used.
The Chicago floor hinge is used with spring at bottom and
plate at top. For thin doors, $1.40 for each door; for 2" doors,
$1.75 japanned; in plated, antique copper, $1.75 and $2.10.
These hinges must not be confused with screen door goods
which are sold from $1 to $2 per dozen pairs.
Sometimes smaller butts than 4x4 are used. On 4 lists
running from 3^x3 \ to 5x5, the bronze plated goods are in
cents; 13, 14, 15, 20, 24, 30c per pair; old copper finish, 13,
15, 19, 23, 28, and 30c; polished and bronzed with ball tips,
19, 23, 24, 28, 31, and 43c; old copper, sand finish, ball tips,
16, 18, 20, 25, 30, and 34c.
For wrt steel loose pin butts, used on ceiling doors, etc,
the price is low; 2x2, 5c per pair; 4x4, 12c. In small quanti-
ties a higher price may be charged.
SURF BUTT: — A new article is the Reversible Surf Door
Butt. One side goes on the jamb in the ordinary way, and
HARDWARE 231
the other on the face of the door. It is easier to put on than
the common butt.
A LOOSE PIN BALL TIP REVERSIBLE BUTT
Per Pair
3" 3i" 4"
Wrt Iron, Japanned Butts $0.15 $0.17 $0.22
Steel, Old Copper, Finished Butts.. .S 21 .23 .28
Steel, Sand Blast, Old Copper, Finish Butts . . .22 .24 ' .30
Steel, Antique Brass, Finish Butts 21 .23 .28
Steel, Sand Blast, Antique Brass, Finish Butts .23 .25 .31
Above butts are carried in the following sizes, 3, 3$, and 4
inches, packed with screws.
LARGE SIZE: — A price on some large common hinges may
be of service. Steel, antique brass, sand finish,. 7"xlO", extra
heavy, ball-bearing, $5.25 per pair. For 8"x8" real bronze, $28.
-WRT BRASS BUTTS:— Open hinge, get exact number
of sq inches and mult by lie for price of each hinge — not
pair. These hinges are narrow, middle, broad and desk.
Narrow, 1" long, 2c per pr; 2" long, 3c; 3" long, 8c. Middle,
2" long, 3c pr; 3", IGc. Broad, 2", 4c; 3", 12c.
LOCKS:— A GOOD RIM LOCK with knobs and plain, jap
trim, 20c. Inside good door lock, fit for any door, $1 with real
bronze trim complete; a larger size, $1.50. Front door lock,
$3.50; but a good one may be had for half that figure if real
bronze is not desired. There are others that cost $5, and with-
"out much searching of shelves $20 could be spent on a front
.door.
SLIDING DOOR:— $1.50 to $3 and upwards. Sliding door
latches are a trifle cheaper, just as they are for ordinary
doors.
It is not necessary to pay even $1 for a mortise lock. With
jet knobs and bronze plated trimmings a lock good enough for
cottages may be bought for 30 to 40c.
UNIT:— The Corbin "Unit" lock is something new. It is in
1 piece, and is merely cut in the edge of the door and the long
escutcheons screwed in place. It looks well, but a carpenter
objects to weakening the framework of the door. The lock
costs about $6 or $7. With complete trim, $8.50 to $10.50.
232 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
A STORE DOOR LOCK with trimmings complete may be
bought for $5 in bronze; but $8 is the least that should be
estimated for a good building. From this price we may run
to $11, $15, and as high as we choose. A bronzed lock com-
plete may be bought for $1. Dead locks for stores, without
trimmings, 85c each.
THE MASTER KEYED LOCKS on No. 2 were $2.75 each witlr
out trimmings. Common bronze face, $1.25.
DRAWER LOCKS: — A really good article is worth 60c; from
that they are sold down to lOc. A good cupboard lock is
worth 30c.
Sometimes a combination of various goods is made; the
following prices will be a help:
ESCUTCHEONS: — Real bronze for key only, 35c to 45c per
doz; imitation, 25c; jap, 12c. For key and knob, real, 5£ to
6", $1.25 to $2; in various sizes with imitation finishes, 65 to
75c per doz.
PUSH PLATES:— 3^x10, $7.20 to $8.40 per doz, real; imita-
tion, $5. Persian bronzed, $2. Larger sizes run from 35c
each in imitation to $1.75 in bronze metal.
DOOR KNOBS:— Mineral, porcelain, and jet knobs, with jap
mountings, run from 75c to $1 a doz; wrt bronze metal, $4.25
to $5.50; jet knobs with bronze mountings, $1.75; bronzed
wrt iron knobs, $3. Better qualities of standard bronze metal
knobs run to $8 per doz.
DOOR SPRINGS AND CHECKS:— Blount, $4 to $6.40, accord-
ing to thickness of door. Corbin combined, $2.10 to $5.60;
Eclipse check, $1.25 to $2.50; Eclipse springs 75c to $1.60.
Eclipse spring and check go together.
TRANSOM LIFTS: — Bronze iron, 1x3' and 4', 20c each;
5-16x4, 30c; §x5, 50c each. With copper finish, add from 5
to lOc each.
FLUSH BOLTS:— 50 to 75c each in imitation; $1 to $1.50 in
real. There are smaller and cheaper flush bolts.
CHAIN BOLTS:— 30% cheaper than flush bolts.
BARREL BOLTS: — From 5 to 12c each.
SASH LIFTS: — Flush, imitation, 75c per doz; real, 75c to $3.
HARDWARE 233
BAR LIFTS:— Imitation, $1.50 to $2.10; real, $3 to $4.
Persian bronzed, $1.20 per doz.
HOOK LIFTS:— Imitation, Ic to 3c each; real, 5c to lOc each.
SASH LOCKS:— Imitation 60c to $1.50 per doz; real, $1.75 to
$3.25.
PULL DOWNS:— 2c each.
AXLE PULLEYS: — $1.25 per dozen down to 25c. Large sizes
should be used.
SASH BALANCES: — They rise according to weight of sash.
For ordinary 20-lb sash, $1.25 to $1.75 per set for 1 window
complete. They run as high as $12 for large sizes.
SASH CENTERS: — 15c per pair.
DRAWER PULLS:— Imitation, 50c doz; real, $1.25. But
there are many kinds and prices.
WARDROBE HOOKS:— Wire, 15c per doz; cast iron, 40c.
BRASS TRACK:— 6c per ft; sheaves, lOc each.
SCREWS: — From \" to \\, 20c per gross; 11 to 3", 40c. These
prices are for bright iron screws of aver weight — the price
of extra heavy screws may run up several times as much.
Brass screws cost about twice as much as iron.
HEAVY STRAP HINGES:— Allow 4 to 5c per inch of length
per pair for an approximate figure; light, 25% less.
HEAVY TEE HINGES:— 4 to 5c per inch of length. Take
extreme length folded in each case.
MORTAR HOES:— 60 to 75c each.
MORTAR WHEELBARROWS:— $2.75; common brick, $2.50.
PAILS:— 35c to 75c.
SHOVELS: — 90c, upwards and downwards.
BRICK HODS:— 80c; mortar, 95c.
ROPE: — Manila, 15c per Ib; sisal, 13c. The relative strength
of Manila and sisal is 7 to 5. Approximate weight of 1,200
ft— a full coil:
3-16 i | * | | 1 1" U 11 II 2"
18 Ib 25 45 100 160 200 300 360 570 800 1.200 1,500
STEEL WIRE ROPE:— For f, 8c per ft.
234 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
HOSE: — The cost is from 7c to 13c per ft according to
quality.
ASH PIT OR FLUE DOORS: — For cast iron, japanned.
8"x 8" ................. $ .55 10"xl4" ................. $1.05
8"xlO" .................. 60 12//xl5// ................. 1 .35
85
SHELF BRACKETS:— Light and heavy.
Per Pair Doz Pairs Per Pair Doz Pairs
4"x 5" .......... $ .05 $ .45 5"x 6" ......... $ .12 $1.25
5"x 6" ........... 06 .56 5"x 7" ........... 15 1.50
5"x 1" ........... 07 .60 6"x 8" .......... 22 2.10
6"x 8" ........... 08 .75 7//x9//.... ...... 23 2.20
7"x 9" ........... 09 .90 8"xlO" .......... 25 2.30
8"xlO" ........... 10 1.00 10//xl2// .......... 30 3.00
10"xl2" ........... 14 1.45 12//xl4// .......... 35 3.35
12//xl4// ........... 23 2.15
WALL VENTILATING GRATES:—
6"x 8" .................... lOc 10"xl2" .................... 25c
8"xlO" .................... 15c
STOVE PIPE PARTITION THIMBLE:— For fire guard
through partitions, 6", 40c.
STOVE PIPE REGISTER:— To go through floor, $1; includ-
ing ceiling plate.
CHAPTER XV
SHEET METAL WORK
Per Box
20x28 1C Roofing Tin $10.00
20x28 IX Roofing Tin 13.00
20x28 1C Old Style Roofing Tin 14.00
20x28 IX Old Style Roofing Tin 17.00
Per 100
5x 7 Shingle Tins $0.85
7x10 Shingle Tins 1.50
Tinners' Solder, per Ib 26
No. 28, 1" Galv Corrugated Pipe 4£c
No. 28, 3" Galv Corrugated Pipe 5 c
No. 28, 4" Galv Corrugated Pipe 6 c
No. 28, 5" Galv Corrugated Pipe 8 c
No. 28, 6" Galv Corrugated Pipe 9 c
No. 28, 2" Galv Corrugated Elbows 7 c
No. 28, 3" Galv Corrugated Elbows 8 c
No. 28, 4" Galv Corrugated Elbows 10 c
No. 28, 5" Galv Corrugated Elbows 18 c
No. 28, 6* Galv Corrugated Elbows 22 c
No. 28. 2" Galv Corrugated Cut-offs 22 c
No. 28, 3" Galv Corrugated Cut-offs 24 c
No. 28, 4" Galv Corrugated Cut-offs 35 c
No. 28, 5" Galv Corrugated Cut-offs 60 c
No. 28, 6* Galv Corrugated Cut-offs 75 c
Rosin 7 to 8c per Ib
ITEMIZED ACTUAL COST OF A SQUARE OF TIN
ROOFING
1C IX 1C IX
Common Common Old Style Old Style
29 Sheets, 20x28... $2.59 $3.37 $3.63 $4.41
SlbsSolder 1.30 1.30 1.30 1.30
Charcoal and Rosin 25 .25 .25 .25
Nails 07 .07 .07 .07
Labor 1.60 1.60 1.60 1.60
Paint on under side, one coat 40 .40 .40 .40
Drayage 15 .15 .15 .15
Actual Cost $6.36 $7.14 $7.40 $8.18
With Contractor's Profit, Shop
Rent, Tools, Etc., 20 per cent.S7.C5 $8.57 $8.88 $9.82
235
236 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
Itemized Actual Cost of a Sq of Tin Roofing— Continued
1C IX 1C IX
Common Common Old Style Old Style
63 Sheets, 14x20 2.77 3.60 3.87 4.70
7£lbsSolder 1.95 1.95 1.95 1.95
Charcoal and Rosin 40 .40 .40 .40
Nails , 10 .10 .10 .10
Labor 2.30 2.30 2.30 2.30
Paint One Side 40 .40 .40 .40
Drayage 15 .15 .15 .15
Actual Cost $8.07 $8.90 $9.17 10.00
With Contractor's Profit 9 . 68 10 . 68 1 1 . 00 12 . 00
STANDING SEAM: — Sheets 20x28. These standing seams do
not require soldering, but more tin is used to make the lap.
Deduct about 55c per sq from the 20x28 list. Quantity, 297
sheets with seams on narrow edge, and 307 on long edge.
TERNE PLATES
No. of Shts Wt per Box No. of Shts Wt per Box
Size In Mark in Box Lbs Size In Mark in Box Lbs
10x20 1C 112 80 14x20 IX 112 140
10x20 IX 112 100 20x28 1C 112 224
14x20 1C 112 112 20x28 IX 112 280
GALV IRON
WEIGHT AND PRICE:— See "Table," Chap. XXVII for
weight of galv. sheets. Regulate the price according to the
list below multiplied by the weight per sq.
LABOR: — The sheets are about 96" long, and less soldering
is required than for tin. For No. 26 allow $1 per sq, or a little
more than 1 cent per Ib. Allow from 1 to l£c per Ib, as the
weight of sheet increases.
COST: — The cost as far west as Omaha is $3.90 to $4.70 per
100 Ibs; in Ohio it is naturally cheaper.
As a good comparison of the cost of sheets of various num-
bers the following from " The Iron Age " of July 23, 1908, will
be of service:
"Black Sheets from store: Blue Annealed, No. 10, 2.15c.;
No. 12, 2.20c.; No. 14, 2.25c.; No. 16, 2.35c; Box Annealed, Nos.
SHEET METAL WORK 237
18 to 21, 2.60c.; Nos. 22 to 24, 2.65c.; No. 26, 2.70c.; No. 27,
2.75c.; No. 28, 2.85c.; No. 30, 3.25c.; Galvanized from store:
Nos. 10 to 16, 3c.; Nos. 18 to 20, 3.15c.; Nos. 22 to 24, 3.30c.;
No. 26, 3.50c.; No. 27, 3.70c.; No. 28, 3.90c.; No. 30, 4.40c. to
4.45c."
FOR ONE SQUARE OF No. 26
Galv Iron (Including Waste) .$4.00
Solder 80
Charcoal and Rosin 15
Nails 05
Paint on Under Side One Coat 40
Drayage 15
Labor 1.00
ACTUAL COST $6.55
With Profit, 20% 1.30
$7.85
On several hundred sq with paper below, laid in 1906, the
contract price was $8.60, but board for men was included.
No 22 is worth $1 per sq more than No. 26.
No. 18 comes to about $15.
FOR CORRUGATED galv. iron allow about same price, rather
less than more.
FOR BLACK SHEETS the cost is about $1 per 100 Ibs less
than for galv.
COST TABLE INCLUDING PROFIT
WORK SET IN PLACE
Flashing, gutters, downspouts, are now usually made of galv
iron instead of tin, but in most cases the following prices will
serve for both:
FLASHING:— For No. 26 galv iron 14" wide, 14c per If; 20",
20c; 28", 25c; No. 24 same widths, 15c; 22, 27c. For counter-
flashing — 9" and 9" — 25c. For wide long flashing of No. 26, lOc
per sq ft; for No. 24, 12c. Copper flashing costs per sq ft
238 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
about 25c to 30c, but copper often changes in price. No. 22
galv iron costs about 5c; 24, 4c; 26, which is the kind usually
specified, is about 4c per sq ft. Zinc, which is occasionally
used, runs to 6c per sq ft. Copper, 17c.
GUTTERS: — Allow 2c per inch of girt per ft for gutters hung
in place. For lined gutters, 10 to 12c per sq ft of material
used.
DOWNSPOUTS:— For 2", lOc per ft; 3, 15c; 4, 20c; 5, 25c; 6
30c; all corrugated.
FINIALS: — They may be had at $2 or $20, and even beyond.
A plain one about 3 or 4 ft high costs $4.
CRESTING:— From 15 to 40c per If.
VENTILATORS:— 4", $1; 6, $2; 9, $3; 12, $4; 16, $10; 24, $20;
54, $100. The price of ventilators depends upon the kind
selected. Another list, for example, is the following:
VENTILATOR LIST
Size Price Size Price
6" $1.35 20" $9.50
9" 1.75 30" 18.00
VI" 2.50 36" 28.00
15" 5.00 60" 80.00
LARGE SKYLIGHTS:— For large skylights like those on No.
7, steel channels and copper caps, in different styles of differ-
ent makers, 50c is a safe figure in place. In the east the
freight is less; in the west, more. The weight is 8 Ibs to the
sq ft; setting 8c.
On No. 7 and other buildings there were 67,000 sq ft; and
about the same amount for later bldgs of the plant of an
inferior make of No. 26 galv iron, 30c, set but not painted.
With copper caps as on No. 7 the continual expense of paint-
ing is avoided.
No. 8 has about 23,000 sq ft with copper caps.
The best skylights have no putty. On one with 10,000 sq ft,
designed for putty, ribs 18" centers, 2400 Ibs were used.
SHEET METAL WORK 23c>
i" GLAZED ORDINARY SKYLIHTS OF NO. 26
GALV IRON SET
Size of Ceiling Hole in Ft Gable Style Single Slope Hip or 4-Slope
2x 4 $7.50 $5.60 $13.50
2x 6 10.00 7.80 17.00
3x 4 10.00 7.80 17.00
4x 6 16.50 13.50 26.00
5x 8 26.00 20.00 38.00
6x 8 30.00 22.00 43.00
8x10 45.00 35.40 70.00
8x14 64.00 45.00 85.00
10x12 67.00 48.00 105.00
10x16 96.00 70.00 135.00
For a copper skylight of aver size dbl pitch roof, $1.40
per sq ft of area of roof curb; for single pitch, $1.10.
SPEAKING TUBES are put in for about lOc per ft, including;
mouthpieces. The raw material is worth about 3c,
The contractors' profit is included in foregoing prices.
MEASUREMENT:— The size of tin sheets is 14x20 and 20x28,
The large size is commonly used. A box contains 112 sheets.
The wt of I C is about 8 oz per sq ft; I X, 10; but the sheets-
vary a little. A box of 20x28 I. C. weighs 225 Ibs; of I. X., 285.
No allowance is made by manufacturers for any lap of tin,
galv iron, corrugated iron or copper. Lap on a 26J sheet takes
2£, leaving 24. There are many light-weight tins. The galv
iron sheet varies from 24 to 30" wide x 96 long.
QUANTITY: — For a tin roof allow per sq 29 sheets of 20x28 ;
for solder, 5 Ibs; charcoal, lOc per sq; rosin, 1 Ib to sq; roofing
nails, 1 to li Ibs to sq. This number of sheets allows for a
lap of 1 inch at joint. For 14x20 sheets, 62 to 63 to sq; allow
about 50% more solder, etc. Tin roofing should be measured
by the sq. As with plaster, etc, the trade rules do not deduct
openings below a certain size, and they also provide for other
exceptions which might trap the unwary if work were taken
on a sq ft basis; but here these rules are not set down nor
considered.
To the sq of galv iron allow 3 Ibs of solder and other items
as for tin.
Standing seam tin takes 3" off 20 wide, instead of only 1 for
lap and this loses 2; but as no solder is required the cost is
about the same.
240 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
LABOR: — For plain roofing allow 4 sq in a day for 2 men. If
painted on under side, allow 1 hour extra for 1 man per sq.
Two men will put 200 ft of ordinary hanging gutter in a day;
and will line 150 sq ft of box gutter.
Two men lay about 400 sq ft of valleys in a day; and finish
400 If of ordinary flashing, or 150 sq ft of flashing and counter-
flashing; will put 200 to 400 ft of down spout in place; and 100
to 200 ft of ordinary ridge. But some judgment has to be used
as to allowances, for one building might be near the ground
and easily handled, while another might be high and broken
into many angles.
CORNICES
A plain cornice 24" deep on the plumb and 15" projection,
with complete girt of 72", including part under slate, cost
$1.25 per If, set, in 1906. This is exactly Ifc per inch of girt
of No. 26 galv iron for 450'.
PRICE: — For a general rule take the girt of a galv iron
cornice and allow If to 2c per inch per ft long. Thus if the
front measured 36" following the curve of all mouldings, and
the distance back to the wall was 14" with an allowance of 6"
into wall for top and bottom, the price would be 98c to $1.12
per If. This includes the straight work only. Add end-trusses,
dentils, brackets, and all extra work. There is an endless
variety of ornamental work which has to be priced according
to detail. The foregoing price includes setting. No. 26 iron is
standard. The price of several sizes is here given without
setting. The plumb height is taken, not the width of ihv
metal.
Height Projection Price per Ft Height Projection Price per Ft
26 12 $ .40 24 10 $ .30
24 12 .40 24 12 .35
26 12 .75 28 14 .80
28 15 .40 30 15 1.00
36 15 .85 36 20 .75
48 24 1.85 32 14 .60
44 20 1.50 48 24 2.20
40 24 1.35 48 26 1.85
36 24 1.30 45 24 1.50
60 30 3.25 60 26 2.35
64 36 3.50
SHEET METAL WORK 241
These prices include brackets, dentils, etc, but no end
trusses. Ends run from $2 to $7. Miters are extra, ranging
from $1 to $3; a miter is usually put on same price as 12" of
straight cornice. Pediments are extra and may run from $5
to $20. Ordinary letters are extra at 25c to 50c each. If the
girt system is taken and dentils, etc, added,the price has to be
set for each item. A dentil may cost from 15 to 30c; egg and
dart moulding, 15 to 30c per ft. A bracket according to size and
detail, from 30c to $1; balusters 4x4x24, 85c; medallions, 50c
per ft. Urns cost from $3 to $10. Crown and belt mouldings-
run from 8 to 15c without setting, but it is possible to make
them cost several times as much. In all cornice makers' work
detail is of vital importance.
LABOUR: — Setting of cornices 15c to $1 per If.
WINDOW AND DOOR CAPS:— Of ordinary lengths, $2.50 to
$4; with pediments, etc, $4 to $6.
GABLE ORNAMENTS:— $1 to $5.
COPPER EAGLES:— 5-ft spread, $75; 3-ft, $55; zinc eagles,
30% less.
HIP ROLLS:— 10 to 12c per If.
METAL CEILINGS.
PRICE:— Taking a general aver allow 8 to 12c per sq ft put in
place but not painted, except with 1 light factory coat. There
are more expensive patterns, but 9 out of 10 ceilings can be
put on within these prices.
The raw material for the plates or body costs from $4 to
$4.50 per sq laid down in Omaha. Panels run from 25 to 40c
per sq more. Centers are from 25 to 40c each. Corners,
borders, and fillers, run to about the same price as the plates,
but sometimes a special corner costs twice as much as the
aver of the ceiling. Small mouldings are from 2 to 6c per If.
Tees, crosses and ells to match, 5 to lOc each. Cornices,
coves, and friezes, from 3 to 15c per If according to size and
pattern. Miters, 5 to 20c each.
A word of caution has to be added: Plates are priced at $4
to $4.50, they can be bought of stock patterns for $7. Centers
242 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
instead of being 25 to 40c each may be $5 and so on through
the list.
MEASUREMENT: — The foregoing prices include an aver
cornice around the wall, so that for this estimate the surf be-
tween the walls is close enough. For an order the level part
has to be taken, and cornices, coves, beams, corners, centers,
etc, attended to by If measurement or separately. Furring is
also included in the price — from 80c to $1 per sq is enough.
Strips are not furnished by manufacturers, but cornice brack-
ets and ceiling nails are. Plates and panels are usually about
24x24, but on cheap grades are also sent 96" long.
LABOR: — Allow from $1 to $1.50 per sq. A ceiling recently
put up ran to $1.50 according to the time kept, and there was
nothing very fine about it. The room was not large, and
where there is a large space there is more progress made. On
good ceilings a man and helper will not put on more than 3 or
4 sqs with cornice, centers, etc, included. On large rooms with
the plainest kind of work they may do from 6 to 8 sqs. On a
roof a man and helper will lay from 12 to 15 sqs of corrugated
iron but even the cheapest ceilings do not go on as fast as
this. Wages of tradesmen are 40c per hour.
WAINSCOTING: — This stamped material is made from 24 to
28" high, and is worth about the same as ceilings. It is made
to follow rake of stair if necessary. Cap and base are not in-
cluded and have to be allowed extra at the price of small
mouldings. Generally a wood base is preferable. For setting
allow 8 sqs of ordinary work per day for 2 men.
ORNAMENTAL SHINGLES
PRICE: — The raw material runs from $4 to $9 per sq. There
are so many varieties that the price can not be set to suit all.
Another style of manufacture gives the shingles in a pressed
sheet 8' long— and another size is 20x28, so that there is no
standard of price.
MEASUREMENT: — Some manufacturers send enough to lay
a sq, just as the slate quarrymen do; others instruct the con-
tractor to allow from 4 to 6 sq ft extra to the 100 for laps.
Different sizes of shingles are made, so that the following
figures will not always apply:
SHEET METAL WORK 243
14x20, 68 shingles to sq.
10x14, 148 shingles to sq.
7x10, 319 shingles to sq.
Common tin shingles, used over wood, 5x7, $1.50 per 100.
" 5x9, 2.00 per 100.
LABOR: — For separate shingles give same allowance as for
wood in Chap X; for sheets, 8 to 12 sqs per day for 2 men.
SIDING, ROOFING: — Pressed steel brick siding and rock-
faced siding, $3.25 for material; standing seam roofing and
crimp roofing, $2.90 to $3.50. Such material comes in different
sizes and prices. The labor runs on an aver from 9 to 12 sqs
per day for 2 men.
HEAVY PIPES:— For heavy galv iron, about 16 to 18, 12" to 4'
diam, allow from 8 to lOc per Ib in place, profit included.
Labor is about 3c per Ib. In 1906, 60,000 Ibs were put in place
for lOc, including profit.
CHARCOAL IRON is a little better than the ordinary brand.
FIRE-PROOF WINDOWS:— At the end of Chap XIII the price
of iron shutters is given. They are used with wood frames,
sash, and common glass. The newest style of fireproofing is
metal frames, sash, and wireglass, either ribbed for ware-
houses or plate for business buildings. In one year in New
York City alone 700,000 sq ft were put in place. Iron shutters
are not required. The wireglass is of the usual thickness of £
or §". See Chap XII for price.
The cost of frame and sash differs according to size, and
can not well be given on sq ft basis, for the labor of riveting
is the same for the 12 corners on all ordinary sizes. A frame
and sash complete with pulleys costs about $18 for the aver
size of 2' 6"x7'.
The cost of a few standard sizes is given in galv iron un-
painted: Double Hung Pivoted
3x6 $18.00 $13.50 each
3' 6"x6' 6" 22.75 17.00 each
4x8 30.40 22.40 each
2' 6''x6' 0" 15.00 11.25 each
2' 6"x5' 0" 13.00 10.00 each
All of the above prices include necessary hardware such as
locks, lifts, weights, chains, etc, also sufficient i inch rough or
ribbed wireglass for glazing.
244 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
A New York price is $1.25 per sq ft, in quantities, for
windows without glass or hardware, and also ordinary doors
with jambs and casings on one side. These fireproof doors
are finished to look like hardwood, and are seamless with
panels pressed under 250 ton machine. Bronze, copper, grille,
and special designs, are much more expensive.
COPPER WINDOWS cost about 80c per sq ft more than galv
iron. Polished wire glass is also $1 extra.
COPPER
The electrical demands of our time are so great that the
copper market is never at rest. The high price of the one
year is outshone by that of the next. But there was a drop in
1907 that surprised some. Copper work is expensive, but it
lasts.
The cornices of Nos. 3, 5, and 6, are of copper, and the
towers are covered with the same material; all the skylights
of No. 7 are flashed with it.
Store fronts are now made of oxidized copper. This adds
about 40c to the sq ft of the raw material.
Allow for copper flashing from 22 to 26c per sq ft. The
material runs about as follows:
16 oz soft, 16c per sq ft. 14 oz soft, 17c per sq ft.
16 oz cold-rolled, 17c per sq ft. 14 oz cold-rolled, 18c per sq ft.
For 20 oz copper on sinks, etc, 40c is a fair price.
CORNICES: — For copper cornices complete in place allow
about 35c per sq ft of actual material on straight work, and 60
to 65c on curved. Labor on straight work, about 14c per sq
ft. Take actual surf as if mouldings, dentils, etc, were
spread out flat.
GUTTERS: — For gutters allow 35c per sq ft in place on
straight work.
CONDUCTORS: —For 4x6 sq, 60c per If in place.
GOOSENECKS:— Price at $4.25 each.
CONDUCTOR HEADS:— From $4.50 to $8.
In November, 1907, copper was about 15c per Ib; at that
price it is worth about 25c laid per sq ft.
CHAPTER XVI
ROOFING
Benjamin Franklin said that a good roof is as important as
a good foundation.
Lead roofs which I have often helped to put on, are never
used here and need not be considered. Shingle roofs are
taken care of in Chap X.
GRAVEL: — So far as quality goes there are many kinds of
gravel roofs. For a permanent building it pays to put on the
best. The standard price for a first class roof used to be $5, but
$4 is now looked upon as a good price, and some large 5-ply
roofs — (4 solid mopped sheets, 1 dry sheet) are put on for
even less than $4. The danger line comes at $3.50, for such
work is apt to be slighted at that price. These figures do not
include the flashing of walls, which the tinner attends to. Of
course gravel can be put on flat roofs only. Roofers prefer a
pitch of not more than \" to the ft; it should never exceed 1",
although gravel lies on 2" if well laid. Several years ago a
roofer gave me \" as his ideal pitch.
The price of screened gravel is from $2 to $2.25 per cy.
Gravel per sq without labor therefore costs about 35c. Labor
runs from 50c on low buildings with fairly large surf, to
70c, 75 and 80c, when higher. On some buildings $1 is neces-
sary, but this price is unusual and due to special requirements.
A gang of 7 men lay on an aver 40 to 50 sqs in an 8 hour day.
Wages for roofers, 35c; laborers, 20 to 25c.
WEIGHT:— The ordinary weight of gravel on a sq is 400 Ibs;
on a better class of work 450. The finished roof with compo-
sition and paper runs from 550 to 650 Ibs. A cy of gravel
covers about 6 sq and weighs 2,700 Ibs. A good roof would
run about as follows: 450, gravel; 80, composition; 75 felt, or
a total of 605 Ibs for 4-ply and dry sheet. But 20 Ibs of compo-
sition to the ply is used on better roofs, and if sheets are
mopped all over instead of at joints only the wt runs to 125
Ibs. Ordinary composition is £ tar and § pitch. Sometimes i
tar is all that can be used.
245
246 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
COST: — Tar costs about $5 per bbl and pitch $22 per ton.
COVERING:— One gall of tar with 1 Ib of pitch applied hot
will cover about 12 sq yds the first coat, and 17 the second.
(See end of Chap XXII.)
CALKING:— For flooring joints allow 2£ to 3c per ft.
PITCH:— A rough coat of pitch on brick is worth about 90c
per sq.
ASPHALT COATING:— For two coats on brick allow $2.20 per sq.
FLOORS: — Sicilian Rock asphalt floors are worth about 18c
per sq ft laid, but this does not include a concrete base under
them, for cost of which see Chap III.
TAR FELT: — A dry sheet is often put down first, especially
above finished ceilings to keep tar from running through. It
weighs 7 Ibs to sq. A roof should not have less than 4 ply
solid or 3 ply and dry sheet, and it is better to have 4.
PAPER:— Roofing paper runs from 12 to 15 Ibs to sq; building
paper weighs about 15 Ibs — but it is necessary to remember
that red rosin and strawboard are sometimes used for build-
ing paper. These two brands are not used on roofs, but are
put here for convenience among other papers. Packers' in-
sulated paper for refrigerator work, $1 per sq. A roll of
strawboard contains from 250 to 300 sq ft, weighs approxi-
mately 50 Ibs, and costs about $1.25. Red rosin costs $37 per
ton; roofing paper, same price. Various kinds of red rosin
run from 20 to 40 Ibs. The National brand of R. R., 40 Ibs to
500 ft; Arctic, 35; Buckskin, 30; Columbia, 25 to 500. Nothing
below 25 is worth using. The last brands 'are used as dry
sheets.
PATENT ROOFS: — There are so many kinds of patent roof-
ing materials that one does not know where to begin. They
are as common as patent medicines, and except for temporary
purposes, most of them are as worthless. There are some
good ones among them, but the good have to bear the sins of
the bad. The price of a few is given. They are cheaper than
slate or even shingles, and they can be put on roofs with a
pitch that forbids gravel. On steep roofs they are safer than
on flat.
ROOFING 247
Elaterite $4 for 6 X per sq
Actinolite $5 per sq
Carey $3.75 to $4
Ruberoid $3.25
CAREY:— Comes in rolls 29" wide. Sufficient is put in a roll
to cover 1 sq. With each roll is sent 2 gall magnesia roof
paint, £ gall lap cement, 2 Ibs nails. The manufacturers follow
the old rule of measurement. Do not deduct openings unless-
they are more than 50 sq ft; if more than 50 and not more
than 100, deduct half; if more than 100, deduct full size.
Sheets are lapped li" and nailed every 2". " One man can
apply 10 sq of cement roofing in the same time It will take
him to apply 2 sq of shingles. The standard weight is about
90 Ibs to the sq; extra heavy, 115. This includes all mate-
rials."
Raw material costs $3 per sq fob Omaha. A carload con-
tains 300 sq. Labor is about 50c per sq.
ELATERITE:— Comes in rolls 32" wide x 40' long, for 3X, 4X,
5X, and 6X. Each roll contains 107', or sufficient to lay a sq
after allowing a 2" lap. The weights differ : 3X, 33 Ibs per sq;
4X, 45; 5X, 60, and 6X, 65. Each sq requires 5 Ibs of cement^
11 oz of I" tin caps, and 9 oz of 1" barbed roofing nails, which
are sent with order.
" On small buildings with 15 or 20 sq 1 man will lay about 8
sq in a day; on ordinary buildings from 25 to 50 sq, flashing
included, 10 sq per day; on large jobs of 100 sq or more, 20'
sq." These quantities are too high if nailing is properly done.
On such material as elaterite, rubberoid, etc, labor is worth
about 35c per sq. This price was taken from actual work over
large surfaces. If the higher figures are reached, so much
the better, but the law of averages needs to be remembered.
For shipping weight, add 6 Ibs per sq for the fastenings.
Elaterite, fob Denver, Colo., costs $4.25 for 6X; $3.50 for 5X;
$3 for 4X, and $2.50 for 3X.
RUBEROID : — This roofing comes in rolls 36" wide. Each
roll contains 216 sq ft, or enough to cover 2 sq. The regular
lap of 2" is allowed, and the nails are at 2" centers. The
weights are as follows: \ ply, 27 Ibs to sq; 1 ply, 35; 2 ply,
248 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
45; 3 ply, 56. Each sq requires % gall of ruberine; % Ib caps;
1 Ib nails, all of which material is sent with ruberoid. The
following prices are fob Omaha:
In lot of less than In lots of 20 In lots of 50 In lots of 100
20 sqs to 49 sqs to 99 sqs sqs and up
| ply $1.79 per sq $1.71 $1.63 $1.54
1 ply 2.29persq 2.18 2.07 1.96
2 ply 3. 29 per sq 3.13 2.97 2.81
3 ply 4.04persq 3.84 3.64 3.44
Above prices are for complete roofing.
Extra Ruberine Roof Coating $1.35 per gal
Extra Nails 05 per Ib
Extra Tin Caps 10 per Ib
With patent roofs it is in general sufficient to order the
number of sq and the necessary cement, nails, caps, etc, are
sent — but contractors should have a clear understanding with
supply men that enough cement is to be sent to finish the
work, as the listed quantities are usually too low. Theory and
practice are different.
BARRETT ROOF: — " The Barrett Specification roof is simply
a coal tar pitch, felt, and gravel roof , laid 5 plies of tarred
felt, weighing not less than 14 Ibs each to the 100 sq ft, and
not less than 120 Ibs of pitch. The cost is about same as a
first class gravel roof $4.50 over boards, and $5 over con-
crete."
SLATE PRICES: — The following prices fob quarry may be
taken for a guide, although they sometimes change. They
vary according to size of slate:
Genuine No. 1 Bangor with certificate $4 . 50 to $6 .00
No. 1 Bangor Ribbon, with certificate 4 . 00
No. 2 Bangor Ribbon, without certificate 3 . 25
No. 1 Pen-Argyle, Albion, Jackson 4 . 25 to 5 . 00
No. 1 Lehigh and Pa. Black 4. 15 to 4.90
No. 1 Chapman 4 . 25 to 5 .00
No. 2 Chapman 3.25
Chapman Boys 4 . 00
No. 1 Peach Bottom 5.25 to 6.75
No. 1 Peach Bottom, 3-16 thick, 25c per sq extra.
No. 1 Peach Bottom, % thick, $7.50 per sq, all sizes.
No. 1 Unfading Green 5 to 5.75
For 3-16 add 75c per sq; for \, add $3 per sq; f , add $10.
ROOFING 249
No. 1 Purple $5.00 to $5.75
Variegated purple 3 . 15 to 3 . 90
No. 1 Sea green 3 . 00 to 3 . 90
No. 1 Red 8.50 to 10.50
For same 3-16, add $1; i, $5; f , $11.
No. 1 Brownville or Monson, Maine 4 . 80 to 7 . 20
No. 2 Brownville or Monson, Maine 5 .00 to 5 . 50
For the 3 best sizes, 8x16, 10x16, 9x18, the following prices will
be useful:
No. 1 Gen. Bangor $5.00 to $5.25
No. 1 Pen-Argyle, Albion, Jackson 4 . 75 to 5 . 00
No. 1 Lehigh or Pa. Black 4.65 to 4.90
No. 1 Chapman 5. 00 to 5.25
No. 1 Peach Bottom 6 . 75
No. 1 Unfading Green 5 . 75
No. 1 Purple 5.75
Variegated 3.60 to 3.90
No. 1 Sea Green 3.60 to 3.90
No. 1 Red 10.50
Brownville or Monson 7. 10 to 7. 20
FREIGHT ON SLATE:— The freight from Pennsylvania to
Omaha is $2.64 per sq; from Vermont, $2.55 to $2.75; this and
hauling from cars to building must be added to material and
labor for cost price.
CEMENT: — The price of roofing cement is 4c per Ib. The
quantity required up hips, rakes, and finishing course at ridge,
as per U. S. specifications, is about 1 Ib per sq of whole surf.
Large valley slate are better not cemented; but small pcs
ought to be. " Use Elastic Roof Cement up rake, under top
courses, and wherever small pcs are used, and you will have
no trouble with slates coming out."
PRICE OF SLATE LAID: — The price per sq, laid, is given
under "Roof Covering," page 28. Large slates are cheaper
both for material and labor than small; an 8x16, for example,
is worth laid about $1.50 more than a 12x22. Bangor, Green
and Red slate weigh about 650 Ibs to the sq; Peach Bottom,
750; Monson, 800.
LABOR: — The wages of slaters are 40 to 45c per hour. Their
transportation and board have to be paid for work in country.
A 50 Ib roll of No. 3 paper will cover 400 sq ft. The cost of
laying it runs from 15 to 20c per sq. The lap should be about
250 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
3'*. When each slate is laid in elastic cement the labor costs
from 40 to 50% more — but although this is sometimes recom-
mended, even government work calls for only hips, ridges, and
other exposed parts in cement. In such case the usual labor
figure is sufficient.
, On the roof of No. 9 containing 82 sq 2 men put on the
10x16 slate in 91 hours each. The punching took 26 hours ad-
ditional for each. The punching took 2 laborers to attend the
slaters; the 182 hours of slaters' labor took 102 of laborers';
total for slaters, 208; for laborers, 128 hours. This is at the
rate of 6& sq per 8 hour day for 2 men with laborers in at-
tendance on a plain roof. Patching afterwards took 12 hours.
On some roofs, with many hips and valleys, a day's work of
this size of slate is 4 sq. Five is passable on a roof with an
aver amount of angles and shorter stretches than No. 9. This
includes the laying of the paper. Sometimes the complete roof
is covered with paper nailed down with laths to keep out rain
before slate are laid. More time is required to do this than if
it is put down with slate. Allow 1|. to 1£ hours per sq. On
plain straight work with gables a fair aver is 8 sq, and some-
times 10.
On No. 11, which is a type of the worst kind of roofs, 2 men
in 8 hours laid paper and averaged 3.6 sq of 8x10 slate on a
surf of 65 sqs. But laborers' time — 100 hours — has to be added
to slaters' for the complete cost. A good illustration of the
difference between a plain and a complicated roof is given in
Nos. 9 and 11.
On some towers 1 sq is enough for 1 man.
The rear and side walls of No. 10 were slated — allow $1 per
sq extra for labor on plumb.
PUNCHING: — One manufacturers' listed price for punching
at the quarry runs as follows: 22 and 24" slate, 10c per sq;
18 and 20, 15c; 16" slate and under, 20c; slate are drilled and
countersunk at dbl the foregoing prices. Government work is
always D and C. When slate are full & thick the price is 50c;
when full i, $1. Another list gives 30c as the lowest price,
and for small and aver slate this price is regularly charged.
Quarry punching is cheaper than punching by hand; the 82 sq
ROOFING 25L
of No. 9 cost about 45c and that was with. 1&" slate. But
slaters often punch by hand for the following reasons :
(1) Ordinary slate come in 3 thicknesses, and if the roof"
is properly laid, each thickness is put by itself so that the
slate in the next course will lie flat and not leave a space for
wind and rain. They have thus to be selected in any case,
and the punching is done at the same time.
(2) If slate come punched there is no chance of reversing,
them if the corner is broken off. The nail hole can not well
be exposed.
QUANTITY: — Roofs are measured for slate in the same way
as for shingles, but the projection of the slate over the eave
ought to be allowed extra, and also the doubling of courses
there which adds 1 exposure. But this under eave course, with,
the 3" standard lap, need be only 1£" longer than half the-
length of the slate used. If work is done by the sq some trade-
rules will be applied as with brick, plaster, painting, etc.
Hips and valleys, for example, are allowed 6" on each side
extra for waste; in contract work slaters usually omit this ft
and depend upon stretching the course 4" to make up the loss,
just as is often done with shingles. With both slate and:
shingles courses have to be spaced to show the last course at
ridge of about the same width as the rest of the roof, and a
strict adherence to the letter of the specification; would spoil
the spirit of the work.
The actual surf and eave course give the quantity to be-
ordered, but 1% extra is needed for waste unless the roof is
very plain.
Slate are ordered in sqs and a sq lays 100 sq ft at the stand-
ard lap of 3". The smallest carload is 50 sq, and the largest.
90. In less than carload lots the cost for freight is about dbl.
It takes about 12 hours to unload a small ear on the ground.
On some slate certificates are given, so that the owner may be-
sure of what he is getting.
Bangor slate must be loaded separately to secure certificate.
Sea Green, Unfading Green, Red or Purple, can be loaded in.
the same car. There are many grades of Bangor.
252 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
DESCRIPTION.
"Peach Bottom": — A hard black slate of glossy appear-
ance, strong, and of uniform color.
" Brownville," Maine: — A black slate of uniform color,
smooth, glossy surf, and strong.
" Monson, Maine: — A slate of a dead black color, and
strong.
"Black Bangor," Pennsylvania: — A strong, good slate.
"Unfading Green": — A gray-green slate of unfading color.
"Sea Green": — Does not fade equally.
"Variegated": — A slate composed of purple and green.
Strong quality but will not hold its color.
"Red": — Excellent slate, but high priced.
"Purple": — A slate of that color. The present production
is small.
" Slatington or Lehigh": — A blue slate produced along the
Lehigh River in the vicinity of Slatington, Pennsylvania.
Generally, a low-priced slate.
All slates fade — but good slates fade evenly.
TABLE SHOWING THE SIZE OF SLATE
Jcr PJS s£ gc »o, pig s?
•=M &«5^ a"? °M -Scc 8-£5^ .a "3
o w^~ '30 8 d w-a-eo '30
fc ^g ^^ 12 ^ ^a ^^
Lbs Ozs
2 3
2 7
2 12
2 9
3 3
3 11
3 15
4 8
5 4
For heavy slate allow 20% more of 4d nails.
" To determine the number of pcs to a sq of any size slate
not given, first deduct 3' from the length; divide this by 2;
mult by the width of slate and divide the result into 14,400.
Lbs
Ozs
24x14
98
10i"
1
16x10
222
24x12
115
ior
1
2
16x 9
247
22x12
127
9i/r
1
4
16x 8
277
22x11
138
9£//
1
6
14x10
262
20x12
142
8|*
1
6
14x 8
328
20x10
170
8|*
1
11
14x 7
374
18x12
160
ry
1
9
12x 8
400
18x10
192
i\"
1
14
12x 7
457
18x 9
214
i\"
2
1
12x 6
534
16x12
185
6$"
1
13
ROOFING 25^
An example — 20x10 would be calculated thus: 20 — 3=17
divided by 2=S£, 8£xlO=85. 85 divided into 14,400—169 41-100
pcs."
LAP: — The standard lap is 3", but 2 is enough on towers,
steep roofs, etc. This of course changes the number of slate
required. More than 3" lap is seldom used, but where it is
the slate must be watched at butt, as they may not lie close
to lower course. The best sizes are 8x16, 10x16, 9x18, on
ordinary roofs; smaller sizes are used on towers.
NAILS:— If copper nails are used allow 60c per sq extra. They
run from 20 to 25c per Ib. Small slate, of course, require more
nails than large. For some tile $1 is not too much.
Ordinary tinned or galv slate nails cost from $4 to $5.50 per
keg.
HAULING: — Hauling of slate and tile sometimes amounts to
a sum worth watching. The distance from a railroad has to
be considered; 50c per ton in the city might run to $2 in the
country.
FLASHING:— Flashing is not included in the figures for slate
and tile.
SNOW GUARDS.
The following prices are for Baird's patent. Pipe is not in-
cluded. Use f " galv. (See price in Chap XVIII.) Three pipes
are used in height. Standards for guards are placed about 5'
apart. Allow Ic per ft for putting pipe in place.
PRICE LIST
The iron plate is made the size of roofing slate and of suit-
able thickness to lie properly with regulation thickness (&").
Price of each GUARD
Price of each GUARD
Size of Slate
complete
Size of Slate
complete
14x 7
$1.55
20x10
$2.10
14x 8
1.60
20x12
2.40
16x 8
1.70
22x11
2.40
16x 9
1.80
22x12
2.50
16x10
1.85
24x12
2.65
18x 9
1.85
24x14
3.10
18x10
2.00
254 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
BLACKBOARDS.
The standard widths of slate blackboards are 3', 3' 6", 4',
IT. The thickness is i to \" . The price runs from 15c per sq
ft on the narrowest to 18c on the widest. Add freight, 40c per
•cwt. Setting is worth 3c per sq ft.
TILE.
PRICE: — Interlocking tile run to about $16 per sq laid. On
smaller buildings allow about $19 to $20. Shingle tile, which
does not interlock, $16 on large surfaces; $18 on small build-
ings. Spanish tile run about $20. Something, of course, de-
pends upon the style of the roof. With many angles and
•dormers, tke cost runs higher, and towers reach as high in the
dollar col as they do in the air. For towers and domer
windows allow approximately $30. Some will cost more, but
the aver of the roof will bury the sorrow. These figures do
not include strips to hold tile on roof. (See Part I, page 29
for a fair price.)
" Prices of tile vary from $6 to $30 at factory, and of ridge
and hip rolls, from 15 to 50c per ft." Spanish tile cost about
$50 per 1,000, Shingle tile about $10 per sq fob factory, St.
Louis. Some interlocking tile can be bought at factory for $9
per sq; hips, 25c per ft; ridging, 50c; finials for the standard
of 2 hips, $3.50 each — add 50c for each additional hip, as on
octagons, dormers, etc, with more than 2 way terminals.
Green tile cost $5 per sq extra.
MATERIAL: — For Ludowici tile, 1x2 strips are usually laid
13g" centers. For Spanish tile 1x2 are also used. Shingle tile
do not require strips, except a lath at eave the same as for
slate. Some tiles are laid without strips, some are spaced at
10}; the style selected must be examined before the bill of
material is made out. If roof is without sheathing, heavier
strips are necessary.
Shingle tiles are made 6x12, 6}xl2£, etc, the exact size de-
pending upon the maker. A § tile weighs from 900 to 1,000
Ibs per sq; £, 1,350. The first course is doubled like shingles
and slate. Shorter tile are used for starters — about 6Jx9. The
ROOFING 255
finishers, or ridge tile, are about the same size. Half tile are
required at gables, chimneys, etc, to break courses. These are
about 3x12, and must be rights and lefts if not of plain pattern.
In general it is far better to send roof plan to factory and have
order made out there.
QUANTITY: — About 440 shingle tile are required to the sq at
an exposure of 5i with tile 12£" long; at 5" with 12" tile, 480.
Each tile requires 2 4d, or 1£ galv wire nails, but sometimes
copper nails are used. Roofing felt should be put on. Elastic
slaters' cement is required for valleys. Connor's, Heltzell's or
Pecora brands are recommended. Finials, crestings and hip
rolls should be laid in Puzzolan Portland cement colored to
match the tile. This cement does not saltpeter — most roofers
have never heard of it, and use the common brand.
Shingle tile are made in a variety of colors and patterns.
There is an endless variety of ridge rolls, hip rolls, starters,
finials, etc. The prices are as various as the patterns. A mini-
mum carload runs from 24,000 to 30,000 Ibs. Freight rates are
more than dbl on less than carloads. Ludowici glass tile,
9x13, 60c each.
Interlocking tiles are of so many different sizes that the
catalog must be consulted for number and weight. The aver
weight is about 750 Ibs, but some run to 850. The number
varies from 135 to 290. Tower tiles require from 400 to 600.
Spanish tiles run to about 220, although catalog gives only 200.
FELT: — Roofing felt weighing 40 Ibs to sq is necessary. It
should be nailed to roof with permanent laths spaced 24".
Above lath 1x2 wood strips are nailed to suit spacing. Dbl at
eave; run up valley, and also perpendicular walls.
LABOR: — Some interlocking tiles are not nailed down like
slate or shingle tiles: "Every tile in the eave course, and
every other tile in each course above, to be fastened to the
sheathing with No. 20 copper wire through a staple nailed to
sheathing and through a hole in the tile." This is not always
done. If it is, a day's work for 2 men should not be set at
more than 5 sq.
On a roof of Spanish or interlocking tile 2 men can lay from
8 to 10 sqs in an 8 hour day. With a complicated roof like
256 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
No. 11, half of this is enough. This allowance is taken from
a recent large contract. On shingle tile allow 6 to 8 sqs for 2
men with laborers, as for slate. If like No. 11, 4 sq. For
towers, dormers, etc, 2 sqs. On a long plain roof of Ludowici
an allowance of $4.40 was made by experts for labor. The
smaller the tile, as a rule, the longer time, as each piece has to
be handled separately; and the greater the number of nails.
(For tin, galv iron, and copper roofing, see Chap XV.)
A WESTERN PRICE LIST OF PAPERS
SHEATHING
Per Roll
X Red Rosin, 20 Ibs per Roll, 500 sq ft $0.38
XX Red Rosin, 25 Ibs per Roll, 500 sq ft 48
XXX Red Rosin, 30 Ibs per Roll, 500 sq ft 57
XXXX Red Rosin, 35 Ibs per Roll, 500 sq ft 66
XXXXX Red Rosin. 40 Ibs per Roll, 500 sq ft 76
Black Waterproof, 3 ply, 500 sq ft . 95
Cracker Jack, (white fibre sheet) 500 sq ft SO
Blue Plaster Board, 500 sq ft 2.00
Blue Plaster Board 250 sq ft 1.25
Thread Felt, 500 sq ft 1.00
Thread Felt, 250 sq ft 60
No. 4 Manilla, 500 sq ft 1.00
Perfection Waterproof fibre. 32" rolls, 500 sq ft 1.10
Perfection Waterproof fibre, 32" rolls, 250 sq ft 60
INSULATING
Per Roll
No. 1 Red Rope, 500 sq ft, 30 to 32 Ibs per roll $1.90
XXX Red Rope, 500 sq ft, 40 to 42 Ibs per roll 2.50
ASBESTOS
(100 Lb Rolls) Per 100 Lbs
10 Ibs per 100 sq ft $4.50
12 Ibs per 100 sq ft 4.50
14 Ibs per 100 sq ft 4.50
20 Ibs per 100 sq ft 4.50
DEADENING FELT
Per 100 Lbs
Square Brand, 1 Ib to sq yd, 450 sq ft to roll $2.60
Square Brand, 1$ Ibs to sq yd, 450 sq ft to roll, 2.60
Extra Heavy, 2 Ibs to sq yd, 450 sq ft to roll 2.60
ROOFING 257
CARPET LINING
Per Roll 15 to 50 Rolls
Plain Cedar, 50 yds to roll $0.55 $0.50
Corrugated Cedar, 50 yds to roll 60 .55
3 Ply Folded, 50 yds to roll 2.50 2.25
ROOFING PAPERS
Per Roll
2 Ply Prepared, 108 sq ft fabric $0.90
3 Ply Prepared, 108 sq ft fabric 1.25
TARRED FELT
Per 100 Lbs
No. 1 Tarred Felt, 21 Ibs to sq $1.65
No. 2 Tarred Felt, 16 Ibs to sq 1.65
No. 3 Tarred Felt, 12 Ibs to sq 1.65
OZOKERITE RUBBER ROOFING
32 inches wide, 40£' long, 108 sq ft. Fabric, nails, caps and
cement for laps, and directions for applying packed inside
each roll.
Per Roll
1 Ply, 34 Ibs to roll $1.30
2 Ply, 44 Ibs to roll 1.65
3 Ply, 54 Ibs to roll 2.00
ROOFING MATERIAL
Per Lb
Roofing Tins 7c
Roofing Nails 7c
EASTERN NEPONSET PAPERS, ETC.
Price Weight
Neponset Red Waterproof $1.20 12 Ibs
Neponset Black Waterproof 45 9 Ibs
Florian Sound-Deadening Felt 70 9 Ibs
Paroid Roofing, 1 Ply 2.50 35 Ibs
Paroid Roofing, 2 Ply 3.25 45 Ibs
Paroid Roofing, 3 Ply 4.00 55 Ibs
Price and weight are per sq (unlaid).
Neponset Red is sometimes used for a cheap roofing, and
for this purpose is packed with nails, tin caps, etc. There are
258
THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
three sizes of rolls-500, 250, and 100 sq ft. It is also used for
the best work on walls.
The black is a cheaper paper to go under floors, siding etc
—500, and 250 sq ft.
Both papers are made in 36" widths only.
CHAPTEE XVII
PAINTING.
MEASUREMENT: — Somewhere, years ago, I saw a rule to
the following effect: "Painting is measured wherever the
brush touches." That is the rule we follow. Glass, except
small sizes is now deducted by the leading painters and the
price raised accordingly. Actual surf only is taken so that
quantities can be made out from first estimate.
So far as taking off quantities is concerned, a carpenter can
usually do this much easier and quicker than a regular
painter, because he already has the number of sq ft of ceiling,
wainscoting, and floors; the number of openings, the If of
base, and a dozen other factors of the complete bill at his
service, while the painter would have to go over the plan
anew, and probably get mixed on the carpenter's specifica-
tion.
Windows and doors are easily measured. Deduct the glass
from the wood surf, and do not be too exact. The aver door
has about 6 yds for both sides; window, 2 to a side, as the 1
may be oiled and the other painted. If glass is not deducted1
painters allow from 3 to 4 yds to each side of a window. Our
method allows half and doubles the price.
For porch cornices, rails, balusters, lattices, and such orna-
mental work, it is hard to give a rule that will fit all cases.
Get the surf roughly and raise the price to suit the work. The
material does not cost much, but the time is anywhere from
2 to 10 times longer than on plain work. The aver building
does not have so very much ornamental work in proportion
to the complete number of yds, and .a slight mistake on the
front porch does not seriously affect the total.
Of course, no one ever thinks of measuring each baluster
or spindle separately — exactness is not possible on grilles and
such work; and a painter who stands by actual surf measure-
ment will yet run his rule across a row of spindles and for-
259
260 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
get to make any deduction. It is on such work that time is
consumed.
SPHERES: — A painter has sometimes to gild large balls with
gold leaf, and it is important to get the exact surf. For the
surf of a sphere mult the sq of the diam by 3.1416. Thus a
sphere 10' in diam has 314 sq ft, for 10 mult by 10=100,
which mult by 3.1416 gives 314.16 sq ft. Another 5' diam
has 78.54 sq ft.
GOLD LEAF: — A pack of gold leaf contains 20 books, and
each book has 24 leaves. A leaf is 3£" sq. Allow 50% for
waste. A pack costs $8. Allow $20 a pack for putting on leaf,
Nos. 3 and 4 were not sublet, and I had exact figures for
surf material, and labor, but do not now have all of them at
hand. I have some data from No. 2.
QUANTITY:— There are 2,000 yds of 3 coat white paint out-
side and inside on No. 2. Glass is not included, but only
actual surf. Wages were 30c. The actual cost was 22c per
yd. Labor was 13c; material, 9c per yd. The work should
not have cost more than 20c, but country painters are slow.
The proportions were: Labor, $260; lead, $100; oil, $29.25;
turpentine, $10.45; tools, etc, $15; pigments, $5.
PAINT QUANTITY TABLE FOR 100 ACTUAL YDS
Kind of Work Lbs or Gall
Lead and oil priming (own mixing) ;•.••• 40 2 J
Lead and oil prim ing, and 1 coat (own mixing) 56 to 80 3J to 5
Lead and oil priming average 1 coat (own mix-
ing) 72 4}
Lead and oil priming, and 2 coats (own mixing) 100 6£
Allow 7 to 10% more for common brick
work
Size on plaster 1 glue 1
Lead and oil on plaster, 2 coats 56 3$
Enamel on plaster, 1 coat 3 J
Mineral on rough wood, 1 coat 21
Mineral on smooth wood, 1 coat 15 . 7 1$
Mineral on tin, 1 coat 13 1|
(For compressed air quantities, see page 275)
Graphite 1J to 2$
Shingles (See page 269)
Putty, 2 Ibs per house room, for new frame...
Putty, 1 Ib per house room, for old frame... . • • • • • • • •
PAINTING 261
Kind of Work Lbs or Gall
Putty, 1 lb per house room, brick, new
Putty, \ Ib per house room, brick, old
Putty, average from 1 to 2 Ibs to 100 yds new
brick ....
Putty, average from 2£ to 3 Ibs to 100 yds, new
frame .... ....
Putty, see figure for 2200 yds, page 265.
Steel painting (See page 265).
INSIDE WORK
Liquid filler 2
Paste filler (reduced for last col.) 20 to 25 3
Water stain, open wood .... 1£
Water stain, close hardwood .... 1£
Water stain, soft wood .... 2£
Spirit stain, as above 3
Spirit stain, as above 2f
Spirit stain, as above .... 4J
Oil stain, all woods .... 1 £
Varnish, etc, 1 coat 2 to 2$
Varnish, etc, 2 coats 4
Varnish, etc, 3 coats 5 J
Shellac, 1 coat 1£ to ll
Wax. . 7 ....
Graining (color in oil) 4 ....
Calsomine .... 6
Varnish remover .... 6
COLD WATER PAINT
See allowances on page 275.
WALL AND WATERPROOF PREPARATIONS
See pages 110, 147, 276.
Further on it will be noted that on No. 7 the amount of
paint required was 100 Ibs to 100 yds for 2 coat work, instead
of for 3 coat . This allowance is large enough for 3 ordinary
coats, but special cases change the quantities.
MATERIAL REQUIRED FOR 10 GALLS OF PAINT
Mineral Lead Oil Turpentifcr
Priming 33 Ibs 10 gall
Priming 110 Ibs 7 gall
Other coats (each) 120 Ibs 5 gall £ gall
Pigments (colors) 3 to 5 Ibs ,
Do not use turpentine for outside work.
262 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
ROOFING AND METAL WORK
Dry red lead 128
Pure boiled linseed oil 1.4 gall
Pure raw linseed oil .... 2.8 gall
Pure lampblack in oil 17 oz
COST PER GALLON
Mineral Lead and Oil
33 Ibs mineral 3c $1.00 100 lead (priming) $7.70
10 gall oil, 50c 5.00 7 gall oil 3.50
Mixing .60 Mixing .60
$6.60 $11.80
Cost, 66c per gall, or 6c per Ib. Cost per gall, $1.18, or 7Jc per Ib.
Mineral may sometimes be had for a cent per Ib.
SECOND COAT LEAD AND OIL
120 Ibs lead $8.40
5 gall oil 2.50
$ gall turpentine .35
Mixing .60
Pigments (if used), 3J Ibs at 20c .70
$12.55
Cost per gall, $1.26, or 8c per Ib.
PRIMING:— "The Painters' Magazine" says: By far the best
priming is pure white lead and oil — 100 Ibs of lead to 6 galls of
pure raw linseed oil and one quart of pure oil and turpentine.
Japan in addition. This is for soft wood. For yp the oil
should be reduced to about 5$ galls, and turpentine used for
the deficiency.
Some say, again, that boiled oil should be used without
turpentine. The boiled is generally used.
ILLUSTRATIONS AND EXCEPTIONS
If you ask a score of different painters how much material
is required for a certain surf you will have a score of differ-
ent answers. It is the same with all figures given in trade
publications. So much depends upon the lumber covered that
it is hard to be exact. If it is undressed it takes about twice
as much as when it is smooth; inside painting takes less than
upon a cornice where it may be applied with a large brush.
PAINTING 263
LEAD PAINT: — Two local agents allow 1 gall to 300 sq ft, 2
coats. It is too little on rough wood. A painter who has
dealt in unusually large quantities informs me that 1 Ib of
lead covers 33 sq ft, and that each gall weighs 15 Ibs, thus
allowing 1 gall to 495' for one coat, or practically the same
as the agents for 2 coats, because the material goes further
on the second.
MINERAL PAINT: — For mineral paint he estimates 675 sq ft
on wood, and 900 on iron, 1 coat. These surfaces are at
least 10% too large unless on very smooth wood or tin. Min-
eral weighs about 10£ Ibs. For varnish his allowance is 700
sq ft, 1 coat. For varnish 500' at most is enough, although
5 galls recently covered 350 yds.
MIXED PAINT: — A firm of mixed paint manufacturers sends
me the following data: " A gall of our paint weighs from 12
to 16 Ibs — white being the heaviest and dark shades the light-
est. A gall will cover about 375 sq ft, 1 coat; 225, 2 coats;
and 150, 3 coats, varying according to surf. Our roof and
barn paints weigh about 12 to 13 Ibs to gall, varying but
slightly on account of shade. A bbl of mixed paint contains
from 50 to 53 galls. A gall of our shingle stain is sufficient to
dip about 400 shingles, or if used with a brush will cover 150
sq ft, 1 coat, or 100, 2 coats."
Their list contains more than 250 different colors. About
% gall of oil for thinning is required for each 10 Ibs of ready-
mixed paint.
ROOFING PAINTS: — Roofing paints are often adulterated.
They should run about as high in price as linseed oil, which
is usually from 50 to 55c per gall.
AN EXPERT: — An old painter makes the following contribu-
tion to the sum of our knowledge : " Two coats require from
6 to 9 Ibs to the 100 sq ft, 7 Ibs being about the aver. Add
3 Ibs if 3d coat is put on. The weight is given for paint al-
ready mixed. The first coat on new wood should have from
6 to 7 galls of oil to 100 Ibs of lead; second coat about 5. A
gall of linseed oil weighs about 7i Ibs, and estimating that the
work will take 6 gall of oil to 100 Ibs of lead, every 100 Ibs of
264 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
lead will make 145 Ibs of mixed paint, the ground pigments
for tinting perhaps making it 150 Ibs, or about 10 galls. The
labor for 1 man runs from 200' to 1,800, with an aver of
1,000 in 10 hours."
EXPERTS: — That is from a printed article. The following is
from one of the best firms in Omaha: " Allow 1 gall of paint
to 45 yds, 1 coat; the other coats do not take so much. For
an 8 hour day aver 35 yds for 1 man, but on certain classes of
work he can do 100. On plaster with plain work he should do
150"
"Allow 1 Ib of glue at 20c for 100 yds of size; 2 galls of
boileC linseed oil for 100 yds of maple floor, 2 coats ; 2 galls of
varnish for 50 yds of inside finish, 2 coats; 1 gall of paste
filler to 36 yds. Berry Bros, luxbery in bbls, $2 to $2.25 per
gall; common wood alcohol shellac, $1.75 in bbls; grain
alcohol, white shellac, $2.90. Radiator enamel is $2.25 per
gall, so that if this work is included the price of the raw
material must be taken into account. Shellac covers more
surf than varnish — allow J gall of the 1 to 1 gall of the other.
It is put on in about half the time."
COLORS: — Allow from 3 to 5 Ibs of pigments for mixing 100
Ibs of lead. The shade decides the quantity.
FILLERS: — A gall of liquid filler is enough for 50 yds; and in
general 10 Ibs of paste filler will cover the same surf, al-
though 1,500 yds of hardwood on No. 3 took 500 Ibs, but the
glass was not deducted. Paste filler costs lOc per Ib. Do not
use a liquid filler on oak, ash, or any wood with open grain.
VARNISH for outside work costs $4.50 per gall. Aver varnish
weighs about 8£ per gall.
HARDWOOD STAINS:— From $1 to $2 per gall.
VARIETY: — One painter gives 1 gall to 45 yds, 1 coat; the
other, who handles large quantities of lead paint, gives his al-
lowance at 55 yds. The weight is 15 to 16 Ibs to gall, I find
3 different authorities who publish the following allowance,
which the one has probably copied from the other : " 1 Ib to 4
sq yds for 1st coat; and 1 Ib to 6 sq yds for each additional
coat."
PAINTING 265
PUTTY: — All the authorities agree on putty — 5 Ibs to 100 yds.
This is too much.
On No. 22 with 2,200 yds, without glass being included, only
10 Ibs were used, but that is a brick building.
A house of 6 to 8 rooms takes about 2 Ibs when new, and
half that amount when repainted.
Cost of putty is about 3c per Ib in small lots.
RUBBING DOWN HARDWOOD:— For rubbing down 100 yds:
5 Ibs Petroleum Stock 3 Ibs powdered Pumice
1 gall Kerosene 8 to 10 Ibs Waste
See also "Steel Wool," page 272.
PAINT* ON BRICK:— New brickwork requires a little more
than wood. The first coat takes more, but the second less
than wood. Mineral paint is sometimes used on brick. As-
phalt paint used on pipes, brick, etc, costs about 85c per
gall.
PAINT ON STEEL: — For iron and steel allow per gall as
follows, according to a popular work:
SqFt
1 Coat 2 Coats
Pure Linseed Oil 875
White Lead, Ground in Oil 500 300
Graphite, Ground in Oil 360 215
Black Asphalt 515 310
Iron Oxide, Ground in Oil 630 375
Red Lead, Powdered 630 375
Approximately \ gall of paint per ton of metal for 1st
coat and § gall for 2d. For 1£ galls of graphite paint allow
5 Ibs of paste and 1 gall of oil. Paste costs about 13c per Ib.
Steel mills charge about $1.50 per ton for 1 coat of paint.
After erection, $2 to $4. For cleaning old steel and iron
bridges, etc, allow 3c per sq ft of surf or approx from $1 to
$1.75 per ton of metal.
STEEL MILL DATA:— A large eastern steel mill gives the
following data:
266 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
Sq Ft
Volume of Lbs of Vol and Wt of Paint 1 2
Paint Oil, Gall Pigment Gall Lbs Coat Coats
Iron oxide powdered 1 8.00 1.2 = 16.00 600 350
Iron oxide, ground in oil.. 1 24.75 2.6 = 32.75 630 375
Red lead, powdered 1 22 . 40 1 . 4 = 30 . 40 630 375
White lead , ground in oil . 1 25 . 00 1 . 7 = 33 . 00 500 300
Graphite, ground in oil.. . 1 12.50 2.0 = 20.50 360 215
Black asphalt 1 turp 17.25 4.0 = 30.00 515 310
Linseed oil (no pigment).. 875
PER TON of metal, light structural work averages 250 sq ft,
and heavy, 150 sq ft, of surf. Light work costs about 50 per
cent, more to paint than heavy.
PLASTER: — Paint goes much further on plaster than on
wood, especially when the latter is rough. On 700 yds only
20 galls were used for 3 coats, but with a coat of size it is like
painting on glass. This figure would not always hold out.
QUANTITIES: — With different surfaces it is impossible to
.give certainty. It took 100 Ibs to 100 yds on the rough sur-
faces of No. 7 for 2-coat painting owing to rough steel,
waste on high trusses, etc. Wood should never have less than
3 coats, although cottages are sometimes finished with 2.
OCHRE: — Yellow ochre, sometimes used for priming, costs
3% to 4c per Ib. It is not so good as white lead.
CALSOMINING: — For 1 coat size and 1 calsomine, allow from
60 to 80c per sq. To 150 sq ft, allow 1 gall calsomine.
LABOR—ONE MAN— EIGHT HOURS
MINERAL: — With large plain surfaces and no scaffolding,
150 yds. On small surfaces, angles, etc, 80 to 100 yds. On
work hard to reach, and scaffolding required, 50 yds.
LEAD AND OIL: — On plain walls and surfaces, 80 yds; floors,
135. For angle work, corners, porches, dormers, etc, 30 to
40. On plaster, 130 yds.
PLASTER: — On 400 actual yds 74 hours were recently taken
to size and give 3 coats of paint. Putting the 4 coats on the
same basis that means 173 yds in 8 hours for 1 man. But
again I saw 400 actual yds of plaster cleaned once and well
painted 4 times and it took 176 hours, or at the rate of only
*
PAINTING 267
73 yds instead of 173. About 14 galls of enamel were used for
the last coat.
TIME ON COATS: — The priming coat is easier to put on
than the following ones. Put the time about £ more for finish-
ing coats.
CLEANING: — To carefully clean old work before repainting,
40 to 50 yds on plain designs. See " Varnish Removing "
under " Inside Work."
INSIDE WORK FOR ONE MAN— 8 HOURS
Paste filling 20 yds fancy work
Paste filling 60 yds plain work
Liquid filling 100 to 125 yds plain work
Liquid filling 40 to 50 yds fancy work
Graining 20 to 30 yds
Varnish 50 yds plain
Varnish 30 yds balusters, etc
Varnish 80 yds floor
Varnish removing 8 yds on old oak
Weather oak staining 28 yds on old oak
Shellac 100 yds on old oak
Varnish 37 yds on old oak
Rubbing down 32 yds on old oak
Staining sash 30 sash
See also COLD WATER PAINT for LABOR with brush
and compressed air.
SASH: — 190 windows, or 380 sash on No. 3 were stained in
100 hours. Stain is worth practically the same as linseed oil.
VARNISH REMOVING:— The work done on the 8-yd basis
ran to 40c per yd; a large hardwood floor firm allows to clean
off old varnish from floors and refinishing 72c at most.
ITEMIZED ACTUAL COST OF 100 YDS PAINTING
PRIMING:—
2J gall at $1.18 $2.95
Labor (100 yds) 3.20 $6.15
SECOND COAT:—
4 gall at $1.26 5.04
Labor (85 yds) 3.76 8.80
THIRD COAT 8.80
For 3 coat lead and oil work $23.75
268 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
That amounts to 24c per yd, which is a high price, but all
glass is deducted, and actual surf taken. Then, painters, by
buying large quantities, get cheaper rates on lead and oil, and
can cut the figures. If they add a good profit the amount is
still higher. As a rule it is not on new work that painters
make profits.
MINERAL ON TIN
li gall at 66c . $0.83
Labor (150) 2.13
$3.96
Actual cost on plain work, 4c per yd, 45c per sq.
On rough wood and a basis of 80 yds per day the figure
would be 5£ and 60c per sq.
PRICES COMPLETE
Cost price of ordinary painting is 8, 15, 22c, for 1, 2, 3 coat
work, with wages at 40c. Plaster, 20% less. Sanding, 1 coat,
15c. Painting in more than 2 colors is worth 15% more.
Sizing, 2c per yd. Stippling is worth about 2c, but if there
is a fair number of yds there is no extra charge made as the
paint does not have to be so carefully spread. Plain painting
is sometimes roughly figured at 8c per yd per coat.
QUALITY: — But there are many kinds of painting: In white
color it can be easily made to cost as much as $1 per yd, but
painting of this kind lasts for a generation. Painting is still a
trade among the best mechanics, but it is merely a daub
among others. There are so many worthless compounds that
if an owner has a reasonably sized pocket book the best
thing he can do is to go to a good painter and tell him to
paint his building by day labor.
LABOR AND MATERIAL: — On aver brush work with mate-
rial at 2, labor runs to 3 and 4.
MINERAL: — Mineral paint is cheaper than lead, but it is
generally used only for the first coat on metal, or on large
surfaces of undressed lumber. For 1 coat ,allow 5c; for 2
coats, 9c. A good mixture is Prince's or Rawlins mineral
PAINTING 269
and boiled linseed oil. The mineral costs about 2 to 3c per
Ib. Allow 3 to 3i Ibs to the gall. Another good mixture is
Sherman-William's mineral paste 1 gall to 1£ galls oil.
READY MIXED: — Ready-mixed lead paint from the factories
costs about $1.10 per gall in reasonable quantities, but small
orders are sold as high as $1.50. Mineral runs from 70 to 75c,
but the price is increased to the small dealer. Railways
charge out their mixed paints at about 5c per Ib.
COLOR: — Colored paint can be made of stock that goes
further than white lead, jus't as mineral does. A fair extra
allowance would be 15% more surf.
White lead 7c per Ib.
Graphite, Slate, Black or Red $1.00 per gall
Graphite, Green 1.10 per gall
Graphite, in Single Cans 1.25
Red Lead 1.50
GRAPHITE: — Manufacturers say that graphite covers from
600 to 800 sq ft per gall, 1 coat. Steel firm, quoted gives 360.
SHINGLE STAINS:— All the shingles on the roof of No. 12
were dipped. It was a slow process, but I neglected to keep
the time and can not say exactly how slow. It is not only
the dipping, but the shingles are much harder to handle after
they have been dipped. Instead of being carried to the roof
in a bunch they are taken by the armful. Allow 8,000 in 8
hours for 1 laborer. By bunch, loosened, 20,000, stain, not oil.
One leading manufacturer asserts that his stain is 50%
cheaper than paint. His quantities are as follows:
1 brush coat, 1 gall to 150 sq ft of surf.
2 brush coats, 1 gall to 100 sq ft.
Dipping and applying 1 brush coat after shingles are laid,
3 galls to 1,000 shingles.
Dipping alone, 2£ to 2| galls to 1,000 shingles.
Only f of shingle is dipped. If applied with brush, 2 coats
should be used.
This manufacturer writes me : " These figures are as nearly
accurate as it is possible to obtain. They have been proved
by thousands of trials, and while, of course, the covering
varies slightly owing to the variation in the roughness and
270 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
porosity of the wood, the difference is not great." Still it is
better to allow 10 to 15% extra on quantities.
PRICES: — Prices per gall run from 65 to 90c. Green is the
dearest. The manufacturer's time is half the allowance given
for paint on same surf. The kegs or bbls contain 11 galls or
more.
PER M: — It is safe to allow $3 per M, depending upon price
of stain, etc. This runs covering of roof to $7 or $7.50. A
good slate is $11, but rafters have to be heavier.
BRUSH COAT: — Allow for this coat on shingles lOc per
coat, per yd.
BLINDS:— Per pair outside, $1 to $1.25; inside, $3.
INSIDE WORK
INSIDE WORK: — The figures already given are for a general
aver. If inside painting is taken alone it is worth 10 to 15%
more, for better work is necessary. The paint figures are for
3 coats only; on inside work in white, 6 and 7 are not too
many. Allow lOc extra for each coat.
BARBERS' POLES: — Striped work costs more than plain,
but fortunately it is not nearly so popular as it used to be —
except on barbers' poles, where it still seems to hold its own.
In this section of the country it is worth $12 to properly
paint one, but a dozen can be done at half that figure.
Before we set any prices it is well to remember that here,
as elsewhere, unless otherwise stated, cost price is given, no
profit being considered. Painters' wages are now (1913) 50c
in Omaha.
STANDARD FINISH:— The standard inside finish for hard-
wood is 1 coat filler; 1 shellac; 2 of varnish; rubbing down.
If properly done it is worth 55c all through. It is often done
for less, but neither material nor labor is first class.
HIGH PRICE: — The banking room of No. 3 ran to nearly a
dollar per yd. It was finished with 1 coat water stain; 1
filler; 3 white shellac; 2 rubbing varnish; rubbing down and
re-touching afterwards. This is extra fine work with more
coats than is usually put on.
PAINTING 271
But even when wages were lOc per hour lower than they
are now $1.25 per yd — which included a good profit — has been
charged all over interior work. First class work is expensive
but it pays in the long run. All that glitters is not gold or
even varnish. Some work may be made to cost $5 and up-
wards. It all depends.
FILLING AND RUBBING:— On pine without filler the stand-
ard inside finish as above is worth 35c. The allowance for
filling hardwood is thus set at 20c, which is exactly what all
hardwood on No. 3 cost; but 15c ought to be enough if every-
thing goes well. If rubbing down is omitted deduct 8c.
PRICES PER YD WITH PROFIT
For 1 coat white shellao and 2 of Murphy varnish, 35c, with-
out rubbing.
For 3 coats, white shellac, which can not be rubbed, 35c.
For rubbing to egg shell gloss, 10 to 20c; for slightly rub-
bing, 6c.
For 1 coat filler and 2 of varnish, 30 to 35c.
For 3 coats varnish, 30 to 35c.
For varnishing paint, 9c per coat.
For 2 coats, floor finish, 20c.
For graining, 25c to 30c.
For enamel, 20c for 1st coat; 15c for 2d.
For gold letters, 50c; silver, 50c; black, 20c, all per running
ft.
Thus, a window 3 ft wide, lettered clear across, would cost
$1.50 for gold and 60c for plain lettering.
Floors, ceiling, and such plain work can naturally be done
cheaper than sash, grilles, etc. Rubbing down ornamental
work costs 3 or 4 times as much as plain work. The fore-
going prices are based on white shellac; common shellac is
about half the price.
WAX: — I have applied wax to parquet floors in my time, but
the rubbing is rather tiresome. We did not fill the wood,
but used wax only. It is usually filled here. The price is
about 60c per Ib; filler, 15c. From my recollections of the
work, muscle is of more use than brains.
272 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
As the prices given are based upon 40c per hour they can
be regulated to suit any locality; or the number of yds can
easily be found.
CLEANING: — Steel wool is sometimes used to rub down
work by those who have little conscience or a low contract.
It does not merely rub it down — it grinds it down. But steel
wool is not any too strong for some kinds of work. I recently
saw 350 actual yds of oak cleaned down to the natural surf
with a varnish remover. It works well unless thereMs shellac
below the varnish, but it is a rather difficult matter to clean
the wood. Each yd took an hour for 1 man. The work was
done by contract and no time was wasted. Weather-oak stain
after cleaning, 100 hours; giving 1 coat of shellac, 28; 1 of
varnish, 76; rubbing down to a fairly smooth surf, 86. The
design was reasonably plain. If there had been balusters,
grilles, and such work, twice the time would not have been
sufficient. 20 galls of varnish remover were used, 3 galls
shellac, with $ gall alcohol to thin it ,and 5 galls of varnish.
WALL PAPER: — For plain wall paper lapped, allow for labor
12 to 22c per roll; and for material, lOc and upwards.
To get the number of single rolls required find the sq ft
and divide by 30. Deduct openings.
BURLAP: — Burlap, often supplied by painters for inside
finish, costs about 32c per yd colored; plain, 23c. This is for
36" width.
BRUSHES: — Each painter is supposed to own a putty-knife
and duster; the rest of his outfit is supplied by the em-
ployer. Allow for each man for outside work: —
2 8 O round brushes. For inside work : —
2 flat, 4 to 4£". ISO chisel varnish brush.
1 No. 10 sash tool. 1 flat varnish, $".
1 or 2 flat chisel sash, 1 J. 1 flat varnish. 2".
MANUFACTURERS QUANTITIES
One of the largest manufacturers in the United States gives
the following list:
" A gall of varnish will cover approximately 600 sq ft, 1
coat.
PAINTING 273
A gall of shellac will cover from 700 to 750 sq ft.
A gall of water stain covers about 650 sq ft on open-grained
woods, and on close grained hardwoods 100 sq ft more. On
soft woods a gall of water stain will cover from 400 to 500
sq ft.
A gall of spirit stain will only cover about half the area
covered by the same quantity of water stain.
A gall of oil stain will cover about 600 sq ft on all woods.
A gall of paste filler reduced for use covers about 300 sq ft.
A gall of shingle tint covers about 160 ft, 1 coat, if brushed
on; 1* galls covers the same surf, 2 coats. From 2£ to 2£
galls will dip 1,000 shingles, and another gall is enough for
i brush coat in addition, after the shingles are laid."
HARDWOOD FLOORS are becoming more popular every year.
One dealer has prepared the following estimates for a floor
15'xl8', or 30 yds. (See Chap. XXVI for Maple Floors) :
For a New Floor, Hard or Soft, in Filler and Wax
5 Ibs Paste Wood Filler, at 15c $0.75
2 Ibs Prepared Wax, at 60c 1.20
$1.95
For a New Hardwood Floor with Dye, Filler, and Wax
2 qts Wood Dye, the desired shade, at 85c $1.70
5 Ibs Dark Paste Wood Filler, at 15c 75
2 Ibs Prepared Wax, at 60c 1.20
$3.65
For a New Floor, Hard or Soft, in Varnish Finish
2 qts Wood Dye, desired shade, at 85c $1.70
i gall Floor Varnish 1.50
1 Ib Prepared Wax . .60
$3.80
If filler shades are desired, substitute five Ibs of Paste Wood Filler
for Wood Dye.
For Refinishing a Pine Wood Floor with Dye and Wax
1 gall Electric Solvo $2.50
5 Ibs Crack Filler, at 20c 1.00
2 qts Wood Dye, desired shade, at 85c 1.70
} gall Under-Lac 1.50
2 Ibs Prepared Wax, at 60c .^ 1.20
$7.90
274 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
For Refinishing a Hardwood Floor with Filler and Wax
1 gall Electric Solve $2.50
5 Ibs Paste Wood Filler, desired shade, at 15c 75
2 Ibs Prepared Wax, at 60c 1.20
$4.45
For Kitchen, Store, Bath Room or Porch Floors,
Hard or Soft
5 Ibs Paste Wood Filler, at 15c $0.75
\ gall Floor Finish, No. 1 1.20
$1.95
For the woodwork of a room this size we estimate three-fourths
the quantity of material required for the floor.
QUANTITIES
Prepared Wax — 1 Ib covers 250 sq ft.
Powdered Wax — Large size can covers 10,000 sq ft.
Electric Solvo — 1 gall softens 300 sq ft of old finish.
Kleen Floor — 1 gall cleans 700 sq ft.
Wood Dye — 1 gall covers 700 sq ft upon hardwood and 400
sq ft on soft wood.
Crack Filler — 1 Ib ordinarily covers 30 sq ft.
Paste Wood Filler— 1 Ib fills 40 sq ft.
Floor Finish No. 1 — 1 gall covers 600 sq ft.
Under-Lac — I gall covers 500 sq ft.
Weather Proof Liquid — 1 gall covers 500 sq ft.
Floor Varnish — 1 gall covers 500 sq ft.
Interior Liquid — 1 gall covers 500 sq ft.
WEIGHTED BRUSH, 15 Ibs, $2.50; 25, $3.
WAX may cover only 200 sq ft instead of 250.
COLD WATER PAINT
COMPRESSED AIR: — It is usually put on with compressed air,
but a brush has to be used where finished work is apt to be
spoiled with waste material falling on it.
COST: — On a surf of more than 4,000 yds, the material
ran to $113 and the labor to $190, or 7c per yd for 2 coats
with compressed air; but this does not include the cost of
air. On a building with more than 1,000 yds done with a hand
PAINTING 275
pump the cost was 9c per yd for 2 coats. The material costs
from 6c to 7c per Ib, but large quantities can be bought
cheaper. A safe figure is 5c for labor and 3 for stock.
With some kinds of cold water paint mixing takes more
time than painting.
In the use of compressed air the labor depends a good deal
upon the ease with which the work can be reached. On the
building with 4,000 yds inside there were 1,200 yds of brick,
actual measurement, outside. The labor for 2 coats of lead
and oil was only $12, but 150 galls of mixed paint were used.
The coat was about 12c per yd, or say, 13c with cost of air.
The experience at the World's Fair in Chicago showed that
for large, plain surfaces this method is far ahead of the old
one, but it soils everything within reach. Of course buildings
differ. On the same building, owing to considerations of ac-
cessibility the outside cost is, as we have seen, Ic per yd,
and the inside 4|c, but the men had to crawl among rafters.
QUANTITIES: — Quantities for large work may be estimated
from the following data: On 16,000 yds 7,000 Ibs were used,
or .44 to sq yd, brush. On 7,800 yds 4,200 Ibs were used, or
.54 brush; on 5,700, 2,200, or .4 brush; on 4,000, 2,100 were
used, or .525, compressed air.
KIND OF WORK: — All work was 2 coat on brick and lumber.
Actual surf only is given — openings being deducted. But
joists have to be measured both sides, not merely taken with
the surf of the ceiling. In some cases the one item is larger
than the other. The largest quantity was used on No. 7
and the other allowances on buildings close by. The differ-
ence between quanties for compressed air and brush is not so
great as is sometimes necessary.
QUANTITY:— On the 33,500 yds 15,500 Ibs were used, or a
little less than J Ib to the yd. This is a safer figure than
any of the 4, for while the total quantity was used for the
total surf the distribution between the various buildings
might not be exact.
A manufacturer's catalog at hand gives the following data:
" For smooth, hard boards allow 1 Ib for 50 to 75 sq ft, 1 coat;
lor rough bds, stone and brick, 25 to 40 sq ft. Allow 2 parts
powder to 1 cold water."
276 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
According to these figures 1 Ib will do from 3 to 8 yds, 1
coat; according to the actual results given for 2 coats, \ Ib
covers 1 yd. But much depends upon the proportion of ma-
terial. Suppose it is reversed and 2 parts cold water used
to 1 part powder?
Bbls weigh from 350 to 400 Ibs; kegs, 100. Half bbls and
kegs are also standard, and smaller amounts are packed in
wooden cases.
LABOR: — On one buildings the labor is already given. On No.
7 it ran for 2 coats cold water, 4£c per yd, but scaffolding
was included for high roof. On another building, 4c; on still
another, 6c. 2 coats lead, by hand on No. 7 ran to lOc, but ttie
trusses were hard to reach, although several thousand yds of
plain steel work reduced their high aver. Labor on lead and
oil on another building with plain surf ran to 8£c; but wages
were not more than 30c on all work.
ALABASTINE:— "A 5 Ib package will cover from 33 to 50
sq yds." White, 50; tints, 55c.
CEMENT WATERPROOF STAIN
Cabot manufactures a cement waterproof stain. " One gall
will cover 200 sq ft, 2 coats on rough concrete, and 250 on
smooth." It is sold for $1 to $1.25. This is applied on the
outside of cement blocks.
IRONITE
Another preparation is " Ironite." It costs 25c per Ib, is
mixed with water, and applied like paint. One Ib will cover
about 25 sq ft. The cost is from $3 to $6 per sq." It is a
filler, not a paint.
DEHYDRATINE
Dehydratine costs 80c per gall, or 3c per sq ft applied to
inside of walls before plastering to keep out damp. This
is No. 1. In small lots, $1.25. Two coats are used.
No. 2 for exteriors, $1.50; small lots, $2.00.
One gall is allowed by manufacturer for 50 to 70 sq ft, 2
coats.
PAINTING 277
DAMP PROOFING
An eastern damp proofing estimate of several methods of
damp proofing is as follows:
" After a thorough discussion of all the elements and prin-
ciples involved a comparison of cost of the several methods
considered showed up as follows:
COST PER SQ YD
Asphalt Film, Between Wall and Plaster $0.20
Metal Furring, Between Wall and Plaster 30
Hollow Tiles, Excluding Dampproofing 63
Hollow Tiles, Including Dampproofing 75
Outside Coating, Applied Under Pressure 30
Cost of Preparing Concrete Surface for Plastering 55
The amount of work to be done in case the outside coat-
ing method was used was only 60% of what would have
been required for interior damp proofing, as some of the
walls were built directly against the adjoining property, and,
therefore, not exposed; the total cost of the latter method was
then about 60% of any of the others."
The Toch R. I. W. or "Remember It's Waterproof" mix-
tures are well known among builders, especially in the east.
One kind is for inside walls before plastering; another for the
outside; and others are cement fillers and floor paint.
The Trussed Concrete Steel Co. of Detroit also has a full
line of waterproof stains to be used on masonry, and espe-
cially on concrete.
CHAPTER XVIII
PLUMBING AND GAS FITTING
CATALOGS: — Some plumbers and steam-fitters' catalogs have
several hundred pages of descriptive matter and price lists.
Why expect more here than a mere glance at a subject which
requires so much space if treated exhaustively? We may,
however, set down some things that are not found in the
catalogs, which are full of an embarrassing wealth.
COST OP SEWERAGE: — About the smallest trench that can
be used is 18" wide by the necessary depth. Digging and
backfilling mean so much more than the laying of the pipe
that if they are carefully figured the rest is easy. In fair
ground with a depth of 5 ft, 50c per cy is enough, and 5c per
If for the laying of the pipe. If sheet-piling is used allow as
listed in Chap. I. But too much depends upon the character
of the soil to set any hard and fast figures.
LABOR: — In soft ground an Omaha plumber allows lOc per
If for 6 ft deep; and 30c to a depth of 14 ft. But these figures
are too low, although for excavation only. Of course they
are reasonable if plenty of tunneling can be done. On 1,000
ft of pipe laid by another plumber to a depth of 5 ft, the time
was 220 hours, or less than 6c. On 1,400 ft of pipe recently
laid only 1 ft deep the cost of excavation and laying without
cost of pipe, was lOc per If which is too high a figure. Laying
of 12" pipe is worth 7 to lOc per ft; 4", 5c.
Some work recently done in wet soil at a depth of from 4
to 5 ft with 6 to 10" pipe cost for excavation and laying 28,
31, and 43c, with more than 1,000 ft in each case. But sup-
pose that rock has to be cut? Or that 100 ft of a sewer are
only 4' felow the surf, while the next 100 have to go througll
a deep bank? Each job has to be estimated to suit the local
conditions.
After a depth of 6 ft is reached the earth has to be handled
twice, and a scaffold built in the trench to hold it. (See
Chap VI, for prices of Omaha sewers.)
278
PLUMBING AND GAS FITTING 279
LABOR ON WATER PIPE:— The time is practically the same
as on sewer pipe of same depth. Some plumbers allow less
for water than for sewer pipes. The pipes come in 12 ft
lengths, and a good deal of boring can be done if the soil is"
fair. For 5 ft deep 12c ought to be enough under ordinary
conditions and digging the whole length. But this price is
sometimes doubled and trebled owing to one cause and an-
other. A long straight line can be laid cheaper than many
short lengths. On several thousand of 6 and 10" recently laid,
the labor ran to 35c per ft; and on 500 ft to 48c. This in-
cluded,— like the foregoing figures, — excavation, laying, and
backfilling.
A fair idea of what laying alone is worth may be obtained
fromi the following figures put in by 8 bidders for work in
New Hampshire. Price is given in cents per ft: 3,100' of 12",
aver 36c from 30 to 43c; 4,800' of 10", aver 33c, 27 to 41;
2,800' of 8", aver 30c, 23 to 38; 10,000' of 6", 27c, 20 to 35;
4,300' of 4", 24c, 19 to 32.
On a contract in another part of the country the price ran,
12", 33c; 10", 25c; 8", 22c; 6", 20c; 4", 19c.
On 11 bids for 10,000 of 48", in Boston, the successful figure
was $2.25; highest, was $3.53; aver, $2.73.
For ordinary supply pipes to a building 8e per ft is a safe
enough figure in fair soil; only about half the line is ex-
cavated and the rest bored with an auger thus reducing the
cost per ft. But paving may be extra.
In August, 1908, I saw a man lay 300' of f" galv iron pipe,
and the time taken was 36 hours, and 3 hours of a plumber
to make connection. Wages of layer, 35c, and plumber, 62^c,
$14.48, or 5c per ft. About i was dug, and the rest bored
in good, firm soil that required no bracing.
Inside of a building a man will lay 100' of supply pipe
in a day.
LABOR ON SOIL PIPE:— It is hard to give a figure that will
apply to all buildings. How many branches are there?
How many bends and angles? Or is it in a straight line?
Somtetimes a plumber will take a day to 40'; again he may
do 100; a fair average is 50'. A good deal depends upon the
size — 4 and 6" are given above. Soil pipe has to run a dis-
280 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
tance of 4' outside of buildings in Omaha. Sewer pipe is not
allowed inside a building. The weights for extra heavy pipe
are : 2", 5.5 Ibs; 3", 9.5; 4", 13; 5", 17; 6", 20; 8", 33.5; 10",
44; 12", 54. An 8" pipe is nearly 3 times as heavy as a 4",
and this counts in the labor.
VENT PIPES:— When run singly they are from 1J to 2" diam.
Allow 75' in a day for 1 man; 4", 45'; 6", 40'; 8", 35'.
WASTE PIPES:— For water closets, 4"; slop sinks, 2" and 3;
other fixtures from 1^ to 1£. The time on waste pipes is in-
cluded in the fixture time.
LABOR ON FXTURES: — "Allow $8 for connecting up each
fixture all supply and soil pipes being in place ready to con-
nect." A fair aver is $5, but residence work costs a trifle
more than warehouse. Wash basins in ranges should be con-
nected at rate of 2 in 8 hours for 1 man.
A water closet ought to be connected for $5. A plumber
should do the work in half a day; £ of a day is ample. It
should never take a whole day unless at a far distance from
the shop, for plumbers usually report there in the morning
instead of at the building. A day's work should be 3 closets,
all rough pipes being in place. Not so long ago safes had
to be put below water closets, and it took longer time to
finish; but now open plumbing is universal, and usually com-
pulsory. In ranges allow about same time.
All pipes being ready, a bath tub should be set for $3. For
a house with bath, water closet, and wash bowl in bath room;
with sink and boiler in kitchen; and water closet and sink in
cellar, allow 6 to 12 days for 1 man to rough in and finish
complete; 9 is a good aver.
SLATE: — Setting per sq ft costs about lOc.
DOORS: — Hanging water closet doors, 8 of pine in a day for
1 carpenter. Some men will do 10.
TUBS: — To set a range of 3 laundry tubs, 1 day.
METER: — To connect a small meter for house, $3; a large
one for factory, $10.
HYDRANT:— To connect yard hydrant, $2.
PUMPS: — To connect a pitcher pump, $1.20.
PLUMLING AND GAS FITTING 28l
Plumbers' wages are now (1913) 6S|c per hour; helpers' 35
to 40c. For an approx estimate, allow from 20 to 25%
of the cost of material for labor — but some bath tubs cost
$30, some $150, while labor is about the same. Plumbing and
heating run about 10% of cost of building.
MATERIAL
CAST IRON SOIL PIPE, SINGLE HUB
Size in inches 23456 8 10 12
Price per ft, standard lOc 12c 16c 22c 26c 65c $1.00 SI. 50
Price per ft, extra heavy... lie 18c 23c 32c 36c 1.15 1.50 2.00
Extra heavy is almost always used, so that the calking
can be done without bursting the pipe.
DOUBLE HUB
Standard.. . .55c 65c 85c $1.25 $1.55 $3.65 $6.00 $8.75
Ex heavy 65c 1.00 1.25 1.75 2.10 6.40 9.0011.50
Both single and dbl-hub pipe comes in 5 ft lengths. On
aver work allow 30% of straight pipe for all fittings; water
pipe, from 38 to 40% vent, 45.
SEWER PIPE
Inside Diam Straight Pipe Curves Traps Weight per Ft
3 6c 19c 65c 61bs
4 8c 23c 80c 9 Ibs
5 lOc 28c 95c 12 Ibs
6 12c 38c $1.10 16 Ibs
8 18c 65c 1.80 23 Ibs
10 25c $1.00 2.40 33 Ibs
Other fittings may be approximated from the foregoing list.
Junctions are about 15% more than curves; dbl junctions, 50%;
and increasers, decreasers, and slants, about the same.
See also Chap VI.
CAST IRON WATER AND GAS PIPE
AVERAGE WT OF PIPE AND JOINTING MATERIAL
Lead for Ea Joint Yarn in
in Ibs oz
34 6
44 7
8 9
11 11
15 13
Inside Diam
Inches
W per Ft
Water
W per Ft
Gas
3
15 Ibs
13 Ibs
4
22 Ibs
18 Ibs
6
32 Ibs
30 Ibs
8
42 Ibs
40 Ibs
10
60 Ibs
50 Ibs
282 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
Weight of fittings for water pipe for the 5 sizes given:
Elbows — 40, 70, 102, 205, 260; bends — 50, 80, 133, 201, 300;
sleeves — 24, 40, 70, 120, 150; plugs — 8, 12, 20, 40, 60; tees—
3", 60; 4, 115; 4x3, 85; 6, 190; 6x4, 155; 6x3, 140; 8, 260; 8x6,
250; 8x4, 235; 8x3, 190; 10, 430. Crosses— 75, 120, 109, 225,
200, 175, 325, 285, 255, 206, 565, to suit the 11 tees given.
The weights for gas fittings are from 10 to 15% lighter than
for water.
LENGTH: — Cast iron pipe comes in 12' lengths. The weights
vary 5% either way. The price of pipe is about 2c per Ib;
of fittings, 3.
WRT IRON PIPE FOR STEAM, GAS, AND WATER
BLACK AND GALV:— The following are 1913 prices of galv
pipe.
Standard Extra Strong
Wt per Ft Price per Wt per Ft Price~ per
Inside Diam in Ibs Ft in Cts in Ibs Ft in Cts
i 24 3.0 .29 7
J .42 3.0 .54 7
§ .56 3.0 0.74 7
I .84 4.0 1.09 7
| 1.12 4.7 1.39 7
1 1.67 6.6 2.17 9
H 2.24 9.0 3. 12
li 2.68 11.0 3.63 15
2 3.61 14.5 5.02 20
2J 5.74 23.0 7.67 33
3 7.54 30.0 10.25 42
4 10.66 44.0 14.97 60
6 18.76 76.0 28.58 1.20
Dbl ex strong is about 100% more in price than ex strong.
LENGTHS:— From 16 to 20 ft; aver 18.
CUTTING AND THREADING:— Each cut and thread up to
I, 3c; 1, 3^c; li, 3£; 1|, 4c; 2, 6c; 3, 12c; 6, 32c. This thread-
ing is done by a machine; when done by hand it is worth at
least twice as much. Couplings are about 30% lower in price
than 1 ft of straight pipe of same size; small ells are lower,
large ones higher than straight pipe; small unions, about
same — large 50% higher; tees, about same, except in larger
sizes which are higher; crosses, same in small pipe, twice as
high in large.
PLUMBING AND GAS FITTING 283
G-LOBE VALVES:— 11, $1.25; 1$, $1.60; 2, $2.50; 2$, $5.60;
3, $7.70; 4, $9.
GATE VALVES:— 1£, $1.60; 2, $2.50; 2*, $3.65; 3, $4.40; 4,
$6.25; 6, $9.75; 8, $16.
SMALL LEAD PIPE:— 8c per Ib.
WATER CLOSETS:— Which of more than 400 styles is to be
taken as a standard? Siphon jet, wash down, and wash out are
the 3 leading styles. A good siphon-jet closet with tank,
pipes, etc, complete may be bought for $25; other styles may
be had for $20; some people might find their ideal at $70. A
wash out closet costs about $15. These prices do not include
setting. Low tanks being almost noiseless are coming more
into use.
URINALS: — Earthenware urinals are of different sizes and
styles. They run from $4 to $6 each. If slate urinals are
used the slate must be taken by the sq ft and the fittings
allowed extra.
SLATE: — At the thickness of 1", 50c per sq ft; li, 60c; 2",
80c.
ITALIAN MARBLE:— |, 80c; U, $1; 2, $1.50.
PARTITIONS: — Slate partitions are 4' high by various
widths, from 14" to 4' 6".
Allow lOc per sq ft to set slate; marble is used for basin
tops and such trimmings. In general the cost of putting it
in place is included in fixture allowance.
DOORS: — Water closet doors run to about $8 per pair, finished
by painter. If hinges are of best quality nickel plated, allow
$4.50 per door — not per pair of doors.
PARTITION FITTINGS:— Nickel plated standards to keep
slate up from floor, $2 each. They are 14" long. Rail on top
of slate partitions, 40c ft. Angles and bolts to hold slate,
30c each.
BATHS:— There is no limit to the cost of' baths. Enameled
tubs may be had for $15 in 4'; $20 for 4' 6"; $24 for 5';
$25 for 5' 6" in lengths, with all necessary trimmings. Long
baths are seldom used now. In porcelain the same sizes
would cost about $150.
284 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
Shower baths are a trifle cheaper than tubs, and if a cement
floor is put down they can be used where the space is limited.
With a single pipe, $10 might buy a bath of this kind. In an
excellent work, " Municipal Engineering & Sanitation," by M.
N. Baker, associate editor of " The Engineering News," this
style of bath is recommended on account of its cheapness. It
would seem to be necessary in our summer climate if Mr.
Baker's statistics are correct; for it appears that only 3 to
5% of houses in such cities as Baltimore and Boston have
baths. The building codes ought to be so amended that all
new houses should have at least some cheap bath. St. Louis
has set a good example in this way.
LAVATORIES: — Square, with marble slab and back, brackets,
basin and all fittings, $15; corner, $18. With floor slab, etc,
from $50 to $75. Porcelain is much dearer. Enameled iron,
from $10 up.
MEDICINE CABINETS:— Size is about 26" wide x 30" high
of different styles.
.No. 1 $55.00 No. 4 $70.00
No, 2 60.00 No. 5 75.00
No. 3 64.00
These prices include plate glass mirror, and two (2) |"
plate glass shelves.
Without mirror and shelves prices are:
No. 1 $44.00 No. 4 $56.00
No. 2 46.00 No. 5 65.00
No. 3.. . 50.00
These cabinets are made of brass and finished in heavy nickel
plate. Each cabinet is supplied with (2) metal uprights, with
slots to all of the shelves to be set at any desired height.
For another make the cost is $38 for 21x25, mirror, 19x23;
29x24, $50; 24x29, $50; 34x29, $81.
BOILERS: — For galv iron boilers used in kitchens with
stands, couplings and tubes; 30 gals, $7.50; 40, $10; 52, $16;
79, $24. The same sizes with coils are worth additional:
PLUMBING AND GAS FITTING 285
$8.40, $9.60, $12.80, $14.40. These prices are for standard
boilers; ex heavy cost 20% more.
SINKS: — For kitchen sinks, enameled iron, the usual size
of 18x30, allow $2.40. There are many varieties, sizes, and
prices.
Roll rim sink with back, $10; with drain board and back,
full length, $19.
LAUNDRY TUBS:— Price of 2 part, $17; 3 part, $25, includ-
ing standard and all fittings.
LEAD AND SOLDER: — Sheet lead, 7c; solder, half and half,
20c per Ib. Kidder gives 7 Ib lead to sq ft for roofs and
gutters; 6 for ridges; 4 for flashing.
WATER METERS: — Small | meters for dwellings are sold at
$11.50 each. See also page 336.
GAS PIPE: — For all pipe 1" and under allow 12 to 15c put
in building complete. An aver day's work for 1 man is 80';
it was formerly set at 100, but now the day is shorter.
Sometimes the gas piping is figured at $1.60 per outlet for a
rough approx estimate.
OAKUM: — 4c per Ib; and 50 Ibs per bale.
EJECTORS:— When closets, etc., are below, the level of the
street sewer, as in almost all skyscrapers now, an ejector
plant is usually installed. For a 50 gall steam operated plant
set in place, about $1,400; for a duplicate 50 gall
plant, about $2,300. Electrically operated, about 30% more.
No chamber included, so that brickwork, concrete, etc, would
be additional; also piping to the ejector.
Another duplex system " costs from $1,500 to $2,500, depend-
ing upon requirements."
A 50 gall plant, fob New York, with motor, $950; for steam
air compressor, $900.
For 100 gall, $1,200 and $1,150.
These prices are based on a maximum 10' lift. The cost
increases if the lift is higher. In the new Custom House,
New York, the lift is 46'; in the St. Regis Hotel, 42 ft.
There are at least 37 ejectors in the subway, New York.
286 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
The standard sizes are 35, 50, 100, and 150 galls, but any
desired size is made.
An automatic syphon ejector for draining cellars may be
had for $35 to $125, and capacity from 250 to 8,000 galls
per hour.
See Chap XXI for " Septic Tanks."
LABOR ON GAS PIPES : — They are put about 3'-6" in the
ground. In winter allow 20' per man per day; in summer
35' for complete labor. Joints of pipe are now made in
cement at 5c. each. Lead was formerly used. The cost of a
6" joint was 35c.; a 4", 25c.
In a city of the size of Omaha, 125,000 in 1910, there are as
many as 1200 old houses wired for electric lights in a year.
The cost varies with the fixtures chosen. With an average
quality of fixtures a seven room house can be equipped for
$8 per room.
The gas companies offer to install piping for a small price
in order to get customers. For piping alone the charge is
for a 5:room house, $17.50; 6-room, $20.75; 7-room, $24.75;
8-room, $27.00. Fixtures have to be added.
CHAPTER XIX
HEATING AND LIGHTING
The heating systems in ordinary use are steam, hot water,
hot blast, and furnace. Heating by electricity is a matter for
experts to deal with.
PRICE: — The price of pipe is given under "Plumbing."
Standard wrought iron pipe is used — not extra Heavy. The
number of ft of radiation being obtained an approximate price
of work in place may be found by mult by 75c per ft, with-
out boiler; 95c with boiler. Plain buildings do not quite
reach these figures, but dwellings with hot water heat, often
run to $1. Two recent steam heated depots with from 2,600 to
3,000 sq ft of radiation ran to 65 and 80c without and with
boilers. Hot water is higher than steam by 15 to 35% as
more radiation is required. Boilers are sold at all prices. A
sectional hot water boiler for 1,000 to 1,200' radiation can be
furnished and set for $180 to $190.
RADIATORS: — They are of many kinds and sizes. The
standard height is 38". In the catalogs the number of sq ft
is given for each loop or section. Allow 25c per sq ft for
radiator, without valves and fittings. Allow 2.3' of li"
straight pipe as an equivalent of a sq ft, and price pipe
radiators same as the newer style.
Radiator valves run from 50c to $4. A fair valve may be
bought for $1.50. Steam valves are the most expensive. Hot
water, 1", 76c; 1}, $1.08; H, $1.50. Steam: 1, $1; li, $1.25;
li, $1.70.
Radiator pedestals or feet, are from 5 to 15c each. Pipe
hangers from 8 to 15c each.
EXPANSION JOINT: — When a pipe is over a certain length
an expansion joint is required. The expansion averages V in
50'. The price is regulated to some extent by the expansion
or "traverse." For 10" traverse allow the following prices:
3" pipe, $12; 4, $20; 5, $25.50; 6, $32; 7, $40; 8, $48. But a
10" traverse is longer than the standard which for a 3" pipe
287
288 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
is 2f; 4", 3i; 5", 4; 6", 5; 8", 7. The price of a 3" ex joint
is about $6.50; 4, $10.50; 5, $17; 6, $19.50; 8, $39. All prices
given are for iron body, brass sleeves and flanges — screwed
joints are from 10 to 50% cheaper. Brass expansion joints
are sometimes used for the smaller sizes. They run about
50% higher in price than iron.
COILS:— Allow 30c per sq ft for 1" coils of fair length, set
in place.
PIPE COVERING:— The best has 85% magnesia coupled
with 15% of other constituents. The price delivered in
Omaha is from 12" pipe, 65c; 10, 56; 8, 50; 6, 40; 5, 36; 4, 28;
3, 23; 2i, 19; 2, 17; 1$, 14; U, 12. A cheaper covering is
asbestos and woolen felt: 2", 9c; 2$, 10; 3, 11; 3$, 13; 4, 14;
4i, 15; 5, 16; 6, 18; 7, 22; 8, 24; 9, 26; 10, 32c. Wool felt is
often used to cover cold water pipes.
These prices include canvas covering and metal bands.
An ell 'is worth about the same as a If of same size; a tee
and valve about 30% more; a cross from 60 to 70 more than
a straight ft; but for such angles the raw material is usually
plastered on — a bag of raw material costs about $4. Sec-
tions of covering are made 3' long. Plain 1" lagging for
boilers and such work is worth about 21c per sq ft put on.
Magnesia and asbestos coverings are used above ground; for
underground work Wyckoff covering is better. It is made of
asbestos in a hexagonal wood duct from 8 to 12' long. For
new work the pipe is put in on end — for work in place the
box is split. The box is, of course, larger as these sizes are
for pipe. Sometimes asbestos is used below ground in a box,
but Wyckoff is better. Allow lumber at regular price, and
5c per If for carpenter labor alone if a box is used, but not
for Wyckoff.
The price given on Wycoff covering is for a 2", 3", and 4"
thick shell. For 3" pipe, 26c, 38, 45; 4" pipe, 32c, 41, 50;
5", 38c, 45, 57; 6", 43c, 53, 68; 1", 49c, 60, 77; 8", 57c, 72, 90;
10", 75c; 90, $1.12. And if tin lined pipe is used add about 25%
to these prices.
For a 4" wrought iron pipe with Wycoff tin-lined covering
and a 5" expansion joint 1,100' cost $1,251, laid at a depth of
3'. Digging and backfilling, 15c per If, included.
HEATING AND LIGHTING 289
LABOR: — For laying 3 or 4' pipe in a box several hundred
ft long without a turn, allow from 3 to 6c per ft. The lengths
are merely to be screwed together. No. 2 has about 300 ft
of 6" hung to girders in a tunnel; allow about 12 to 15c.
When such lengths are used an expansion joint is necessary.
For inside of a building allow for risers, etc, from 8 to lOc
per ft. The lengths are short and require extra labor. A
radiator should be connected for $1.50 to $2 for steam, which
is usually connected at. only 1 end; for hot water 50c more
ought to be sufficient.
Radiators weigh about 7 Ibs to sq ft; allow $5 per ton
for hoisting.
As with all kinds of work short material and angles take
most labor. The estimator must make allowance for the
character of the job. Approximately allow 25% of price of
material for labor. Wages are 50c per hour for fitters, and
25c for helpers.
From 4 to 7c ought to cover digging and laying of box for
pipe, or for Wyckoff covering, as trench does not require to
be deep. Allow for pipe. Pipe covering ought to be put on
at 3c for small pipe up to 8 or 10 for the largest sizes; but
everything depends upon the number of angles.
LARGE INSTALLATION: — For the heaviest kind of work,
with pipes from 2" to 16", allow 25% of total cost of material
for labor. On a very large equipment with steam, water, and
air pipes, this was exact figure.
RADIATION
There are various rules for obtaining the number of ft of
radiation required. Each room is sometimes taken by itself
on a different basis; again glass is considered, and its surf
with respect to total wall exposure; and Baldwin sets a popu-
lar rule. A building divided into small rooms requires more
than a large hall or room. Halls and sleeping rooms are
not heated so much as parlors. Some take the cf and divide
by 60, and up to 100, or even 150 for large spaces; others go
as low as 30 for a unit. The quotient gives the number of
cf required for steam; hot water requires 20 to 25% more.
290 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
RULE: — A common rule for finding radiation is as follows:
Get the cubical contents of the room in ft, and divide by
100 for sq ft of radiation; get the sq ft of outside wall ex-
posure, not deducting glass surf, and divide by 30 for sq ft
of radiation; then get glass surf and divide by 3. Add the
3 figures together for total.
Thus a corner room 10x15x10 high would have 15 sq ft
for contents; 8.3 for wall exposure; and 12 for glass, with 2
windows each 3x6; or a total of 35.3 sq ft of radiation. The
same room not on a corner, with 15' to the street, would
have 32 sq ft. A room 12x20x10, 3 windows, would have
53 and 49, for corner and inside with long side to street.
Multiples are usually in 5, so the sq ft would be 55 and 50 in
the last case. But supply pipes are usually included in the
radiating surf.
RULES FOR RADIATION: — One large supply house sends
out the following rules for 10 below zero.
STEAM HEATING— DIRECT RADIATION
Frame Residences, down stairs 1 sq ft to 50 cf air
Frame Residences, up stairs 1 sq ft to 60 cf air
Brick Residences, down stairs 1 sq ft to 60 cf air
Brick Residences, up stairs 1 sq f t to 70 cf air
Office Buildings 1 sq ft to 60 cf air
Factories 1 sq ft to 125 cf air
Churches and Assembly Halls 1 sq ft to 200 cf air
Indirect Radiation, 50% more surface.
Direct-Indirect Radiation, 25% more surface.
HOT WATER HEATING— DIRECT RADIATION
Frame Residences, down stairs 1 sq ft to 25 to 30 cf air
Frame Residences, up stairs 1 sq ft to 30 to 40 cf air
Brick Residences, down stairs 1 sq ft to 28 to 35 cf air
Brick Residences, up stairs 1 sq ft to 40 to 45 cf air
Office Buildings 1 sq ft to 40 cf air
Factories 1 sq ft to 70 cf air
Churches and Assembly Halls 1 sq ft to 100 cf air
Indirect Radiation, 50% more surf
Direct-Indirect Radiation, 25% more surf
For ordinary buildings divide the cf by 45 and mult the
sq ft of radiation thus obtained by $1 for the cost with;
HEATING AND LIGHTING 291
boiler. Plain buildings are sometimes heated with coils for
as low as 1.4 to 2c per cf without boiler. An exact estimate
can be had by making a piping plan and taking off the
material and labor in the ordinary way. Both steam and hot
water can be installed with either the single or dbl pipe sys-
tem. The water may be returned to the boiler in the same
pipe by which steam or hot water is supplied, but a heavier
pipe is required, and many experts prefer the 2 pipe system.
For steam, allow 35% of straight pipe for fittings, for hot
water, 40. When there is little time to take off a bill in
detail this will serve for an estimate. —*»•-•-—«»- ^s,
The pipe radiator is not so much used now, as the others
serve for both steam and water instead of steam only as it
does. Each loop or section has from 5 to 10 sq ft of heating
surf, varying with height and width, so that a price can not
be set without size and number of loops if the work is
taken in detail.
HOT BLAST: — I have had something of a prejudice against
the fan system since No. 3 was built. There the hot air
was pumped from the basement at such a rate that it went
through the roof without having time to call on the offices.
The tenants used to sit with their overcoats on while the
fireman worked below throwing coal into the boilers. The
coal and vacant office bills ran so high that the system was
torn out and steam put in its place. I have been assured that
office buildings are now successfully heated by this system —
the 13 story Builders' Exchange at Buffalo, for example.
But for halls, schools, theatres, manufacturing buildings
etc, the system is a success if carefully installed. Nos. 7, 8,
and 14 are heated with it. As a rule the manufacturers put
in the plant themselves. An aver figure for complete system
is from ^ to &c per cf. But this does not include any boilers
or supply pipes leading from them. There are various
methods of installing the plant; sometimes ducts are used
below the floor; sometimes pipes overhead. Prices vary ac-
cording to plans.
FURNACES: — Approximately, allow $17 per room in houses
for furnaces ready for lighting. Some may run more, some
less — 5 to 7 rooms about $19. The heating capacity is found
292 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
by cubing the entire house if it is all to be heated. The figures
in the first column of the following table give the outside
diam of the furnace casing; in the second col the number of
cf heating capacity; in the third col the price del'd at build-
ing, but not set. There are, of course, a hundred different
styles with as many different claims, so that some allowance
has to be made for a departure from an aver type.
36" 10,000 to 12,000 cf . . . $56
40" 12,000 to 15,000 cf 67
42" 15,000 to 18,000 cf 80
44" 18,000 to 23,000 cf 94
48" 23,000 to 30,000 cf 109
50" 30,000 to 40,000 cf 120
A margin of safety is allowed, however, as a furnace should
not be driven to the limit. A 40" is usually put in a 5 to
7 room cottage complete at $117. A soft coal furnace is a little
cheaper than one for hard coal.
Pipes of an aver size may be estimated in place at 25c
all through. These are double; 6x22 single, lined with
asbestos paper, 35c in place. An easier way is to allow $3.50
to $4 per run for all pipes to first floor; and $8 to second,
including box and shoe.
Elbows run from $3 to $6 per doz; 8" and 9", about $3.50.
After material is made ready it does not cost much to put
it in place; aver 8 room houses run from $20 to $28 for all
labor on furnace, pipes, and registers. One roll of asbestos
paper is sufficient for the large pipes when they are used.
The carpenter sometimes makes the fresh air duct from the
nearest window.
CARLOAD: — There is about 35 furnaces to a carload.
REGISTERS: — There are many kinds of registers; but a fair
idea of value may be had from this list:
Size in Floor
Inches Register Reg Face Border
4x8.. $0.45 $0.30 $0.28
7x10 50 .35 .32
9x12 63 .50 .39
10x12 72 .53 .41
10x20 2.69 1.50 1.16
HEATING AND LIGHTING 293
Size in Floor
Inches Register Reg Face Border
10x24 $3.65 $1.75 $1.54
12x20 2.70 1.55 1.20
12x24 3.66 1.75 1.56
16x30 8.00 3.80 3.60
18x36 11.40 4.90 3.60
30x30 15.00 5.60 4.85
38x42 36.00 15.00 11.00
These prices are for black japanned; white jap are 20 to
30% higher; gold, silver, copper, nickel plated or bronzed
finish registers are also about 30% more than black jap.
There are many other finishes and designs with special
prices. The ordinary wall frame is 2" deep; 4" costs about
50% more.
HOT WATER HEAT: — For a house of 8 rooms allow $400 for
hot water heat.
GAS WATER HEATERS, $10 to $15 for an 8 room house.
ELECTRIC LIGHTING
PRICE: — Allow $2.50 on aver house work, for each It with
wiring, switches, cut-outs, sockets, etc, complete. This is for
open work, weatherproof wire. For concealed work with
rubber covered wire, $3. For open work, wire only, $2 per It.
These prices are per It, not outlet, as an outlet might have-
a dozen Its. Push button switches, $1 extra. No. 14 wire
is used for ordinary work.
An arc It costs about $30. It is impossible to set a figure-
on the large work for such buildings as Nos. 7 and 8; and
the bids showed that even experts do not agree on values.
CONDUIT WORK: — For railroad work in pipes about half an
inch in diam, allow from $5 to $6 per It.
COST OF HOUSE: — For a house of 8 rooms allow $40 to $50
for wiring; and about the same for fixtures. But wiring
might be dbl that figure; and fixtures 10 times as much.
DUPLEX: — For each lamp controlled^ duplex switch, add
about $6.
FACTORY: — For factory Its with large number of drops
to tables, benches, etc, $2.50 per lamp.
294 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
•PASSENGER STATION:— For the aver passenger station,
100 to 125' long, with fixtures, $140 to $200.
FREIGHT DEPOTS:— For freight depots 100' long, $80 to
$125.
For each It in such stations $4; but $6 is required on some
buildings.
ENGINE HOUSES:— $70 per stall.
PRICES:— No. 14 rubber-covered wire, $12 per 1,000'.
Green drop cord 5c per yd.
Incandescent lamps, 16 c p 20c.
Arc lamp (not set or wired) $12.
Electro duct 8c per ft.
LIGHTING
ACETYLENE is conveyed in pipes the same as gas, so that
that part of an estimate goes on the 12 to 15c a ft price as
gas pipes do. The basis for usual illumination is 25 c p to
each square — the incandescent lamp is rated at 16 c p. A
room 10x10 lighted with acetylene would therefore have more
than 1£ incandescent power. Burners are $4 per doz. Fix-
tures are of all prices, like those for gas and electricity.
The generators fob Omaha run about as follows:
For 35 light $120 For 75 light $200 For 150 light . . . $360
For 50 light 140 For 100 light 240 For 200 light ... 400
The installation of the generator is merely a case of low-
ering it into place and connecting it. It is easier set than
a small furnace.
Sometimes a dbl generator is used and this runs up the
price, but makes a better plant. Then some manufacturers
put in better material than others, or charge a higher per-
centage for their work. With good fixtures complete I have
seen bids for 150 Its, dbl generator at $784; 200, $822; 300,
$894; 400, $1,000; and again a plant to run 75 to 100 Its, single
generator, with fixtures complete for $425.
The government has lighted Fort Meyer, Va., and many
Indian schools with acetylene.
CHAPTER XX
TILING
PRICE: — Out of 18 designs at hand 17 run from 50 to 65c
per sq ft of hearth tile fob Omaha. The exception is a white
body and white and gold for a border. That runs to 80c.
The sand and cement are to be added, and also the laying.
Usually everything has to be prepared for the tilelayer up to
within 1 inch of finished surf, so that there is only \" to f"
of mortar. A layer and helper should finish a hearth in a
day; with 2 in a house 14 days are usually sufficient. But time
is taken up going from building to building as the work does
not last long. The surf is small, so that profit can not bo
made very large at best; expressage is to be paid both going
and coming, and store rents are always collected. Allow
from 75 to 90c per sq ft in place for the average hearth.
All these hearth prices include border.
FLOORS:— Marble tile, black and white, about lOxlOxf, 45
to 50c per sq ft laid with \" of cement. Tennessee marble,
6x6, with concrete, 60 to 75c per sq ft.
CEMENT TILE laid on 2" of concrete 28c for sq blocks
about 10x10; for octagon, 2c less. Concrete from 2 to 3 inches
deep is put from 7 to 8c per sq ft and included.
Hexagon, white, vitreous tile, 3", with concrete, 70 to
7f>c — on a large piece of plain work 50 to 55c is enough even
for 1|" and 1" hexagons, as in bath rooms.
Hex, buff, unglazed. 3", with concrete, 40 to 45c.
Encaustic tile, including 2" of concrete, 45 to 50c.
TERRAZZO floors in the east run from 20 to 30c per sq ft.
Contractor's profit is- included in the foregoing prices, which
are for work done or from bids put in.
SIZE: — But the size of tile has to be considered. The fac-
tory list has 4 divisions according to number of pcs in a sq
ft; 4 to 65; 65 to 129; 129 to 513; 513 and more. The follow-
ing vitreous list, fob Omaha, will give a fair idea of the dif-
ference in price:
296 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
White, Cream 36c 48c 60c 72c
Silver Gray 37c 49c 61c 73c
Celadon, Sage, Light Green, Light Blue.. 43c 55c 68c 80c
Dark Blue, Dark Green 52c 54c 76c 91c
Pink 58c 71c 83c 96c
In plain colors, semi-vitreous, 7 varieties, 4 divisions; 24c,
40c, 54c, 70c.
THICK TILE:— f, 30c; 1", 35c; unglazed in 7 plain colors.
Glazed tiles are worth from 30 to 60% more than unglazed.
Imitation mosaic tiles from 30 to 55c per sq ft.
Inlaid tiles, unglazed, above l$xl$, from 70c to $1.50, de-
pending upon the colors. Glazed, from 30 to 60% more.
Round tile are sold at the same rate as sq tile of same size.
Enameled tile in the 4 divisions run 50c, 65c, $1.30, $1.85.
These prices are for various colors; ox-blood, red enamel is
about 15c per sq ft extra in each division.
For antique or dull-finish tiles on white body add 25c per
sq ft to enamel prices.
100 KINDS: — Out of more than 100 floor designs with un-
glazed tile the lowest price is 24c and the highest 65c. Most
are between 25 to 35c. Borders are the same, or a little more
or less, depending upon the pattern.
Ceramics, \" thick, mounted on paper or twine, run to 35c
per sq ft in several dozens of patterns. Borders are about
the same. These tiles are usually about f to 1" round, sq,
or hexagon.
Ceramic, mosaic, enameled tile are about 3x£xJ, and cost
65c.
For all kinds of floor tile add lOc per sq ft if less than 25 sq
ft in order. Letters or numbers, lOc each.
WAINSCOTING: — With cap and base included from 55 to 65c
per sq ft. Special designs are of course higher, but the fore-
going prices fob give a beautiful piece of work in enameled and
majolica. But white enameled 6x2 can be set complete on a
good sized piece of work for 65c; white opalite about lOc less;
and there are wall tiles at 40c set; 75c to $1 is safe.
MANTEL FACINGS: — Here we enter the region of high art
with prices to correspond. For the 6x6 size 17 tiles are al-
TILING 297
lowed to a mantel; for the 4^x4^, 26. For the set, enameled,
from $2 to $6; gold decorated, $8 to $12; Palissy decorated,
$4; gold and Palissy, $12. But in renaissance the prices soar
from $10 to $50. If special designs the cost is even more.
DECORATED TILE:— Palissy, embossed, from 80c to $1.75
per sq ft; gold, $1.50 to $3; gold and Palissy, $2.15 to $3.75.
Solid gold on plain tile, $4 to $5. Hand painted work is
priced according to the reputation of the artist.
BASE, CAPE, COVE, AND BEAD TILES:— The prices run
from 12 to 25c for each piece 6" long. Angles are 50% dearer.
These prices are for glazed or enameled tile — gold decorated
work is from 2 to 3 times as much more.
MARBLE BASE, $1.65 per ft in place.
BRASS FOOT RAIL, $1.25, in place.
BATH ROOM BASE with cove, 65c in place, profit included.
If walls are tiled, 75c per sq ft.
MEASUREMENT: — An accurate plan should be sent to the
factory. One plan is better than 10 letters. Tile should be
measured by the sq ft; cap and base for wall tile may be
taken by the If, each tile figured 6" long. Special care must
be taken with all angles, stops and returns.
QUANTITY: — There is always waste in laying. The factory
sends 2% more than enough to cover the surface unless
special orders to the contrary are given, so that this extra
must be included in the price. Tile, unlike pressed brick,
may be returned. One bbl of Port cement will lay 100 ft
of tile. Make mortar 1 to 1. Concrete should be 3" deep,
of 1 to 3 if natural cement is used. (See Chap III.) Wood
strips are required for guides. The " Tile Manufacturers of
the U. S." specify Keene's imported cement for wall tile joints.
"FACTS ABOUT TILE." Enameled and wall tiles when
packed weigh about 5£ Ibs to ft; plain unglazed floor tiles,
about 6 Ibs; vitreous floor tiles, 6£. Ceramic, mosaic, tiles,
i" thick, 2J Ibs to ft; plain and vitreous floor, as well as
enamel and wall tiles, are about i thick. A large bbl holds
about 85' of wall or enamel tile; small bbl, 50 to 60'; lar&e
bbl, 60' of plain unglazed tile; small bbl, 52.
298
THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
BASE: — Concrete is often put down upon a rough wood floor;
sometimes the floor or support is cut in between the joists;
again, ex metal is used: the base must be estimated in its
proper place separate from tile. All work is usually prepared
to within 1" of finished surf for the tiler, unless a specially
thick tile is used. Allow half an inch for mortar in all cases.
LABOR: — The prices already given, unless otherwise speci-
fied are fob Omaha. Hauling, mortar, and labor are to be
added. Ceramics are not much more difficult to lay than
ordinary tile for they are all mounted on paper or cord.
Number of pcs of different sized tile in a sq ft.
Size
In a
Sq Ft
Size
6 x6
4
9 x3
41 x41
8
71x3|
3 x3
16
6 x4
21 x2i
32
6 x3
2 x2
36
6 x2
14 xi4
64
6 x!4
128
6 xl
1 xl
144
6 x |
1 x |
256
6 x 4
1 „ 1
576
6 diag
8
41x14
44 diag
16
41x1^
3 diag
32
41x |
24 diag
64
4 x4
2 diag
72
3 x!4
14 diag
1^ diag
128
256
3 xl
3 x |
1 diag
288
3x4
1 diag
512
3x1
4 diag
1152
In a
In a
SqFt
Size
Sq Ft
54
2 xl
72
54
21x1 }V
64
6
I4x i
128
8
6" oct
4;
12
41" oct
9.
16
3" oct
i8i
24
6 x3 hex
10^
32
6" hex
6J
48
3" hex
24
16
2* hex
54
22f
1" hex
205
32
3" lozenge
184
45
9
3" triangle
14" triangle
37
144
32
| Round
250
48
Stars
44
64
Cross
63
96
14 Round
814
192
Cusps
298
COMPARISON: — As a comparison of cost a large contract
was listed as follows: For tiling on tables, $1.15; on floors,
$1.05; on walls, 95c.
Labor should not be more than 35c per sq ft on tile alone,
not including base of concrete.
INTERLOCKING RUBBER TILE is laid preferably on a
cement base. It is f" thick, waterproof, noiseless, lasting,
— and expensive. One brand costs 85c fob Philadelphia. With
TILING 299
base of concrete at 8c, laying of tile 8c, we have a price of
$1.01 per sq ft without freight.
Another maker lists his at $1.35. Still another price is $1
fob New York; and a maker in Akron, O., gives $1 fob there.
BASE: — For a rubber baseboard, 2 members, 6|" high, $1.05
per If, New York. Setting, about 6c per If. One maker allows
3 to 5c.
STEP NOSINGS, $1 per If
Any colors are supplied.
CORRUGATED floor rubber per yd, $1.30.
AN ASBESTOS SANITARY COMPOSITION floor is one type
of several. It takes 2* Ibs of dry material to the sq ft \"
thick. For every 2$ bbls of dry material, or 750 Ibs, 1 bbl of
liquid is supplied, 600 Ibs. In Philadelphia the price is 6£c
per Ib for the dry, but the liquid is included. For a floor
18x50, or 100 sq yds, an estimate would be, without freight:
2,250 Ibs of dry at 6£c $146.25
Labor of cement finisher and laborer 18.00
Unloading, etc 10.00
$174.25
Or per sq $19.36. This is about 20c per sq ft without freight
or profit. Quantities are usually given too small by manu-
facturers.
ASBESTOLITH, another floor of the same kind, is laid in St.
Louis for 35c per sq ft, profit included, and base for 50c per If.
" MONOLITH," another floor costs 25c, and base I8c.
" MARBLEOID " costs about 85c sq ft laid; and " SANITAS "
fireproof floor, 35c.
CORKOLIN costs from 14 to 18c per sq ft laid.
WOOD PULP floors, per sq ft, 28c.
CHAPTER XXI
COST OF BUILDINGS PER SQ AND CF
Only approximate estimates can be taken from the follow-
ing figures. Local conditions affect the result so much that
one building might cost 25% more than another of the same
size, in the same section of the country, and at the same
rate for labor and material. In the one case the ground might
be 12' below grade, and in the other as much above; piling
might be required in the one and rock blasting in the other.
Sometimes 25% of the total cost of a building is expended
before foundations are up to grade. But for aver buildings
approx figures are useful.
SCHOOL HOUSES:— No. 12 built about 15 yrs ago, of plain
design, $75 per scholar; 8 rooms, 400 seats; brick and wood
construction. Another Omaha school house erected later of
the same size costs $115. Material and labor are higher, and
the design is more ornate. In the country the cost might be
reduced from 10 to 15%.
An addition to the Omaha high school, finished in 1913,
strictly fireproofed, Bedford stone on 3 fronts, 16c per cf.
The complete cost was about $775,000. With 4 stone fronts
the cost might have run to 18c.
The H plan for school houses has been adopted in New
York. "Upwards of eighty school buildings have been con-
structed since 1896, and the aver cost of building has been
only 18c per cf." They are fireproof. These 80 cost about
$12,000,000.
A high school erected in Boston, Mass., cost 22.39c; and
another 24.98, both fireproof.
A number of schools in St Louis, not fireproof, ran from
14 to 17c per cf; and from $5,600 to $6,700 per room.
A fireproof school in Palo Alto, Cal., cost 18c per cf.
From lOc per cf up to 15c will build non-fireproof schools;
and from 18c to 30c fireproof ones.
300
COST OF BUILDINGS PER SQ AND CF 301
FIRE ENGINE HOUSES: — At low cost an Omaha house was
built for 6c per cf ; at high, the city paid $4.25 per sq ft for
one; and lie per cf for another.
WAREHOUSES:— Three of the largest in Omaha, built when
prices were low, cost from 6£ to 8c per cf. They are of mill
construction, and from 5 to 6 stories high. Bids on 2 others
ran under 7c. One of cheaper construction cost 5£c. One
story 12' high, no basement, 1.80 per sq ft.
Another building with 600,000 cf cost 16c, but this figure
was reduced to 13c, if heavy retaining wall, — not properly to
be charged to structure, — steel roof, and piling were omitted.
Partly used for office. Tile roof.
WAREHOUSE: — "The Railroad Gazette," in a good article,
gives the comparative cost of slow burning wood, and a steel
frame factory building with brick walls. The floors are
designed for load of 100 Ibs to sq ft. The size is 60'xlOO',
7 stories high. Cost of slow burning construction, $35,000;
fireproof, $57,000. Per cf 6.2c and 10.2c; per sq ft of entire
area 83c and $1.36. Cost of floors and cols per sq ft 27c and 75c,
SLOW BURNING FIREPROOF
Excavation 1,800 cy 1,800 cy
Cellar floor 6,000 sq ft 6,000 sq ft
Foundation concrete. . 150 cy 150 cy
Brick 39,000 cf 39.000 cf
Windows, 4'x7' 238 238
Roofing 60 sqs 60 sqs
Timber, yp 116,000 ft bm, Steel Columns. . 105 tons
Flooring, yp 73,000 ft bm, Steel Beams... . 252 tons
Flooring, f" yp 46,000 ft bm, Concrete Floors
Iron Work 46 tons and Roof 42,000 sq ft
The building is very plain. Basement walls, 24"; 17" for
next 4 stories; 13" for 2 top stories.
For ordinary construction lOc is now (1912) a fair price
in the up-to-date part of the continent; but 7c might be
enough where material and wages are low. As to fireproof
work it may run from 16c to 50c. A fine building erected in
302 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
1904 in Atlanta, for example, cost 41c. The Letter Building,
Chicago, wholesale and retail store, with granite on 3 sides,
8 stories, cost in 1892, less than 20c.
A very plain storehouse of 2 stories, no basement, brick
walls, reinforced concrete floors, and galv iron frames in 1907
ran to $6.34 per sq ft of ground area, and 161c per cf, but this
included $5,000 for shelving. Size 49'-4" by SO', and 153,900 cf
to under side of first floor.
" CONCRETE BUILDINGS are practically the same in cost
as similar ones of steel frame construction up to about 6
stories in height in most parts of the United States.
"For warehouses and manufacturing buildings, concrete is
as reasonable as timber in first cost, unless the latter is com-
paratively cheap. Late bids on 10 and more story loft and
office buildings in New York City were approximately 10%
higher than bids for steel frame buildings received at the
same time. On the other hand, bids for manufacturing build-
ings 6 stories high were the same percentage lower for con-
crete than for steel frames. First costs for mill construc-
tion warehouses up to 8 stories in height were slightly less
than for similar buildings of concrete. One story structures can
be erected with flat concrete roofs under favorable circum-
stances as cheaply as in timber, unless the latter may be of
open joist construction.
In general, little can be saved by building in concrete, ex-
cept in liability of loss by fire and its attendant inconveni-
ences, delays, etc.
In engine beds, col footings, etc, the old style unreinforced
design, which has proved eminently satisfactory in the past,
is often cheaper than the new style of reinforced work." —
Engineering Record.
FACTORIES: — Cotton mills are usually estimated by the sq
ft taken on all floors. In New England the cost runs from
85c to 1.25, while in some southern states 70c is a large
enough figure.
In 1884 Mr. Edward Atkinson gave the following estimates:
COST OF BUILDINGS PER SQ AND CF 303
MILL with 3 stories for machinery and a basement, 75 to
80c.
MILL with 2, as above, no basement, 65c.
MILL with 1 story, about 1 acre of floor, and small basement,
85c.
The cf price is from lOc to 14c.
" FACTORY BUILDINS of reinforced concrete," says one au-
thority, " including windows, doors, and roofing, cost from
8 to 16c per cf."
SPRINKLER SYSTEM:— For a system installed in a 7 story
building with 56,000 sq ft of ceiling, the cost was $5,500, or
practically lOc per sq ft.
The following extracts of a letter from an Eastern Mutual
Fire Ins Co., give some useful figures on sprinklers:
COST: — "In general the cost of automatic sprinkler system
installed (wet pipe) is not less than $3 per sprinkler, this,
however, including only the pipe inside the building. In
large cities where cost of labor is heigher and hours shorter,
this cost runs up to something over $4. If a dry pipe sys-
tem is installed it will add about $1 for each sprinkler head
installed.
AREA: — The aver area covered by 1 sprinkler is perhaps 75
sq ft. Under light forms of construction the area is not over
60 sq ft, whereas in the better types of fireproof and slow
burning construction the area per sprinkler varies between
90 and 100 sq ft. This will give some idea as to the approx
cost of equipping the building.
SUPPLY: — To these figures there has to be added the cost of
the water supplies. In some cases elevated tanks are needed
in connection with fire pumps and in other cases public ser-
vice connections are made with either tank or pump as may
be deemed best to suit the conditions.
The cost of tanks and pumps varies considerably from time
to time."
GRAIN 'ELEVATORS:— To build an entire plant— dryer
house, power house, coal sheds, office, etc., allow $11.00 per
304 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
sq ft of elevator proper taken on ground floor only. For
elevator alone, $8.60. For equipment, allow about 30% of
total cost of all buildings. This plant cost nearly $220,000.
Minor buildings of brick, main one of wood.
Another cost $11 on basis of sq ft of elevators proper on
ground floor; and $7.50 for elevators alone. About $320,000.
Brick and wood as on first.
BRICK STORES AND FLATS ABOVE:— I have put in bids
for a large number of these buildings, but have let the sizes
slip. A figure of 10 to 14c per cf seems about right. For
frame buildings 7 to lOc.
FLATS: — For dbl 2-story and basement brick, hardwood fin-
ish on first floor, $210 per If from front to back; £5 per sq ft
on area of first flooor, or 16c per cf.
I built a pair in 1907-8, and the assessor got the value cor-
rectly enough — much more so than on large business build-
ings. This figure does not include any profit.
For frame, 15% less.
But what are known as flats in New York, with fine
masonry, elevators, and strictly modern equipment run as
high as 25 to 35c for fire resisting floors and wood con-
struction.
TENEMENTS: — Allow from $375 to $450 per room.
HOSPITALS:— No. 2, strictly fireproofed, 14c per cf; No. 1,
of wood construction, about half as much; but both are only
shells with practically no partitions. For fireproofed build-
ings fully equipped, 30 to 40c. General hospitals per bed,
$550 to $800. Cottage, $1,100 to $1,200. Complete hospital
"plant," per bed, $1,800 to $2,400.
HOTELS: — From 20c for brick with ordinary construction to
50c per cf for fireproof work.
Brown-Palace hotel, Denver, 30c; fireproof hotel, New York,
44c.
RESIDENCES: — Anywhere from lOc per cf. One of the best
houses in Omaha cost from 20c to 22c, brick; a better one of
stone, about 37c, but neither is fireproofed. Chicago price
for city dwellings, 17 to 20c. For frame houses without mod-
ern improvements, with shingle roofs, $300 to $350 per room;
COST OF BUILDINGS PER SO AND CF 305
with modern imps, and part or all hardwood finish, slate roofs,
$450 to $700. Brick houses, 8 to 10 rooms, 16c, ordinary finish
with hardwood on first floor.
Two story flats as already given are $5 on ground area, or
$2.50 if both floors are taken. Residences may run all the
way from $1.50 per sq ft of floor space to $10, and this with-
out dealing with palaces.
VENEERED houses 15 to 20c.
For a 2 story frame, brick basement, 27,x56', finished for
family on each floor, heated and modern, pitched roof, $3.60
per sq ft of ground floor, and 10*c per cf.
COTTAGES:— See Chap XXVII.
SLAUGHTER HOUSES:— Seventeen cents per cf.
DRILL HALLS:— Sixteen to 20c or $2 to $3.
CHURCHES:— Twenty to 50c; $5 to $14 per sq ft; per sitting
$60 to $150.
PUBLIC BATHS:— From 35c to 45c.
THEATRES:— Per chair, $60 tc $120 per cf, 30c to 50c.
ORDINARY CITY HALLS:— From 25 to 40c.
COURT HOUSE:— Cook Co., Chicago, said to be the largest
in the United States contains 12,000,000 cf, and the unit cost
was 35c. Ordinary 25 to 30c.
GARAGE: — Of cement construction 16 to ISc per cf.
STABLES:— From 18 to 22c; $2.50 to $3.25; per animal $230
to $100 on ordinary building.
DAIRY BARNS: — Large frame barns, $1.50 per sq ft, 5c to
6c cf. Concrete basement. Brick, 7 to 8c.
GREENHOUSES: — Ordinary construction, 50c per sq ft; with
brick foundations, 60. This is for the very cheapest style of
construction, heated by supply from another building.
The following figures are from the leading greenhouse
builder in the United States. At best they are approximate,
because each installation has its own details and environ-
ments. Some require a temperature of 45 to 50 degrees;
306
THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
others, 65 to 70; there are all cypress wood benches; iron
frame benches and with cypress sides and bottom; or cypress
and porous tile or slate; and the same ground plan might
have an elevation costing twice as much as another.
The first col gives the cost of house proper, the " extras "
col is for excavation, foundation, boiler, cellar, work room,
and hauling. No grading included, as that item is uncer-
tain, water supply not brought to. building, and no cement
sidewalks included outside.
Area of house proper only is taken for both cols: work
room is about 12'x20'.
THE COST is given within a hundred miles of New York.
The construction is of iron frame ventilated, heated, water
piped, galv iron plant bench with cypress sides and porous
tile bottoms for greenhouses; and the same with slate tops
for palmhouses.
Description
1|
&&
8
2§l
p
1
X
H •
Sq Ft Price
Complete
No. 1, 18'x33' 4", Shingles 3' 0" High on
Studs and Boarding; above Straight
Double Slope Roof
$1,500
$2.50
$380
$3.30
No 2 18'x66' 8" as above
2,700
2.25
460
2.64
No. 3, 1,167 sq ft, Curved Roof, Masonry
Walls about 3' above ground
3 100
2.66
900
3.43
No. 4, 1,000 sq ft, Curved and Straight
Roofs Masonry a<s on No 3 •
3 300
3 30
1100
4 40
No. 5, 1,465 sq ft, otherwise as No. 4...
No. 6, 600 sq ft, Curved and Straight
Roofs and Masonry as No 3 ...
4,300
2,000
2.94
3.34
1100
800
3.68
4.67
No. 7, 2,000 sq ft Curved and Straight
Roofs, High Palm house in Center,
Masonry as No 3
7 400
3.70
1400
4.40
OFFICE BUILDINGS:— About 1897 to 1905 several fine
Chicago office buildings, fireproofed, were erected for 20 to 22c
COST OF BUILDINGS PER SQ AND CF 307
per cf, but this is too low a figure now; 50c is about right
Mr. Kidder gives a list of 20 fireproof buildings running from
25 to 63c with an average of 40. For wood construction, 18 to
25c.
No. 3 taken at the level of the first floor cost complete $20
per sq ft. It is of wood construction, but fireproofed with tile
throughout.
The following percentages are taken by permission from
" Fireproof Magazine," Chicago. They relate to an office
building:
"The Foundation Cost Ifc per cf of building
Steel Framing 2\
Granite and All Masonry ll\
Cornice, Roofs and Skylights f
Fireproof Floors • f
Partitions (Tile) f
All Plastering (Plain and Ornamental) 1 \
Elevator Fronts and all Ornamental Metal
Work 2
Marble Work 3
Hardware
Joiner Work
Glass T6¥
Painting and Varnish -fa
Electric Wiring $
Heating 1£
Plumbing |
Elevators 1
Stairs, scenic structural framing, "making
ends meet," lamp fixtures, etc. What
might be called a fair amount for "con-
tingencies" in such a building, including
lesser items not mentioned here but grouped
together 4^
Architect's Fe6 If
In all 34T5¥ cents a cf for a
building of that character ready to have furniture moved in.
To show that some of those figures remain pretty constant,
in the same relation to total size, the Chicago Post Office, a
building of 12,000,000 cf and of monumental character and
308 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
finish, costs, in some of its items, pretty nearly the same as
that office building.
Its Foundation Cost Ifc a cf of entire building
The Steel Framing 2|
Granite and Masonry 13j
Fireproof Floors
Plaster, Plain and Ornamental I1,
Ornamental Metal Work
Marble
Plumbing
Heating
PER SQ FT: — An office building erected for a R.R. with 2
stories, no basement, brick walls, tile roof, wood construc-
tion, 8,500 sq ft, cost $7.50 per sq ft of ground area, which
is a far too high figure for a plain building, especially when
heated from a central plant.
THE VENTILATING SYSTEM for above building cost, for
pipes and ducts, $750; motor and fan, $850; registers, $75.
FRAME OFFICES:— Owing to the high cost of lumber in
some sections of the country 1-story frame office buildings,
with shingle roofs, now run from 8 to 12c per cf, or $1.40 to
$1.60 per sq ft.
VAULTS:— Ordinary with hollow brick walls. One 10'xlO'x
8'-9" with 13" and 9" walls, no shelving, but lining and door,
$450.
Steel shelving complete, $850.
LIBRARIES: — Allow for the fireproofed buildings 30 to 50c
per cf; for wood construction, 18 to 25c.
Y. M. C. A.'s: — From 12 to 24c per cf in brick and wood. The
Omaha building finished in 1907 is 132'xl57', and 76' above
the ground in front. It contains 100,000 sq ft of floor space,
and 1,768,000 cf. It cost $230,000 or $2.30 per sq ft; 13c per cf;
about $11 on area of street floor.
SEPTIC TANKS:— On a style usefl by the U. S. Government,
$675 for 40 families. No piping leading to building.
COST OF BUILDINGS PER SQ AND CF 309
A large manufacturer supplies the following prices for his
system:
Residences occupied by an average number of 8 people,
$250.00; residences occupied by an average number or' 10
people, $275; residences occupied by an average number of 12
people, $300.00.
School buildings occupied by 300 people, $600.00; school
buildings occupied by 350 people, $650.00; school buildings oc-
cupied by 400 people, $700.00; school buildings occupied by
500 people, $800.00.
Institutions occupied by an average number of 100 i-eople,
$600.00.
Another maker quotes $100 on steel tanks of 200 galls each,
for 10 people. Freight, brickwork, excavation, etc, would be
about $100 more.
It has been proposed to put septic tanks in the basements
of the skyscrapers. The United Gas Improvement Co. build-
ing, Philadelphia, has had a satisfactory one since 1901. In
these tanks the sewage is changed by bacteriological action,
and nothing left but a comparatively pure water. Smaller
sewers would serve under this system, and the disposal of the
effluent be easier. Jerusalem was said to be a clean city be-
cause each householder swept before his own door. In the
future each building may be made to purify its own sewage.
EXPOSITION BUILDINGS:— At Chicago the Forestry Build-
ing cost 75c per sq ft; the Administration, $9.18; 2 others
$2.12 and $2.35; and the rest from $1.04 to $1.69.
At St. Louis the Art Pavilions, $5.45; Government buildings,
$2.43; agriculture, 58c; and the others from 77c to $1.38.
POST OFFICES: — They run from 21c up to $1.23 per cf.
Omaha, Neb $0 . 71 per cf Fort Scott, Kans ...$0.31 per cf
So. Omaha 25 per cf St. Louis, Mo 97 per cf
Lincoln 43 per cf Kansas City, Mo 57 per cf
Beatrice 31 per cf Chicago, 111 49 per cf
Nebr. City 21 per cf Denver, Colo 50 per cf
Co. Bluffs, Iowa 45 per cf St. Paul, Minn 65 per cf
Sioux City, Iowa. . . .17 per cf New York 1 . 03 per cf
Wichita, Kans 23 per cf Boston. 1 . 23 per cf
310 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
INSURANCE ADJUSTERS ALLOWANCES AS COMPILED
BY JAS. N. BROWN, ST. LOUIS, 1902
FARM AND COUNTRY PROPERTY per CF Cta
Dwellings, Frame, Small Box House, no Cornice 4
Dwellings, Frame, Shingle Roof, Small Cornice, plain 5 to 6
Dwellings, Brick, Same Class 7 to 8
Dwellings, Frame, Shingle Roof, Good Cornice, Sash
Weights, Blinds, Good House 7 to 8
Dwellings, Brick, Same Class, Good House 9 to 10
Barns, Frame, Shingle Roof, not Painted, Plain Finish.. . 1$ to 2$
Barns, Frame, Shingle Roof, Painted, Good Foundation.. 2J to 3
Stores, Frame, Shingle Roof, Painted, Plain Finish 5 to 7
Stores, Brick, Shingle Roof, Painted, Good Cornice and
Finish 7 to 9
Ordinary Wood Churches and Schools 5 to 7
Ordinary Brick Churches and Schools 8 to 10
If Slate or Metal Roof Add £c per ft.
CITY AND VILLAGE PROPERTY
Dwellings, Frame, Shingle Roof, Pine Floors and Finish,
no Bath Room or Furnace, Good House 6 to 7
Dwellings, Brick, Same Class 8 to 9
Dwellings, Frame, Shingle Roof, Hardwood Floor in Hall
and Parlor, Bath, Furnace and Fair Plumbing 8 to 9
Dwellings, Brick, Same Class 8 to 10
Dwellings, Frame, Shingle Roof, Hardwood First Floor,
Good Plumbing, Furnace, Artistic Design, Interior
Ornamentation, Well Painted 10 to 12
Dwellings, Brick, Good Plumbing, Bath, Hot and Cold
Water, Pine Finish, Well Painted, no Hardwood Finish,! 1 to 12
Prices have risen since 1902 and the foregoing figures
should be increased about 10 to 15%.
DEPRECIATION
Several buildings in Europe are more than a thousand years
old, and from that down to a hundred the list is without end.
Many frame houses in the United States are more than a
century old, and will last for a long time to come. It is well
to remember this in reading the following table:
THE WEAR AND TEAR OF BUILDING MATERIALS
At the tenth annual meeting of the Fire Underwriters' Asso-
ciation of the Northwest, held at Chicago in September, 1879.
COST OF BUILDINGS PER SQ AND CF
311
Mr. A. W. Spalding read a paper on the wear and tear of
building materials, and tabulated the result of his investiga-
tions in the following form:
Material in
Building
Frame Dw'ng
Brick Dw'ng
(Sh'gle Roof)
Frame Store
Brick Store
(Sh'gle Roof)
B
f
1
a.
bo °^
f
Per Cent o
Depreciatio
Per Annum
Average Lif
Years
111
r
III
Brick
75
30
7
7
16
40
50
20
30
30
30
40
30
20
20
16
40
75
11
14
14
6
2i
'2
5
P
5
5
6
if
16
5
5
16
30
30
40
13
25
25
20
30
30
13
20
16
25
40
20
20
6
8
4
4
5
8
5
6
4
2|
66
30
6
6
16
40
50
13
30
30
20
30
30
13
20
16
30
66
16
16
6
2i
2
8
5
3J
8
5
6
3i
1*
Plastering
Painting, Outside
Painting, Inside. .
Shingles
20
5
7
16
40
30
50
20
30
30
30
40
30
20
20
16
25
50
5
20
14
6
P
5
3*
2£
I1
5
6
4
2
Cornice
Weather-board'g .
Sheathing . .
Flooring
Doors, Complete.
Windows, Com'e
Stairs and Newel.
Base
Inside Blinds
Building Hard'e.
Piazzas & Porches
Outside Blinds. . .
Sills and first-floor
Joists
Dimension Lum'r
These figures represent the averages deduced from the re-
plies made by eighty-three competent builders unconnected
with fire insurance companies, in twenty-seven cities and
towns of 11 Western states.
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT ALLOWANCE
The estimate used by the United States Government is as
follows :
Per Ct Per Year
Brick, Occupied by Owner ................. 1 to 1
Brick, Occupied by Tenant ................. U to 1
Frame, Occupied by Owner ................. 2 to 2$
Frame, Occupied by Tenant ................ 2$ to 3
312 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
According to that a frame house occupied by a tenant will
not last more than 40 years, so that the rent should be high
• enough, not only to pay interest on the investment, but to es-
tablish a sort of a sinking fund to replace the building. These
figures allow for ordinary repairs. With care half of that de-
preciation is enough.
GRAIN ELEVATORS are allowed at about 3 per cent, per
annum.
RAILROAD: — A Chicago railroad allows the following figures
for taxation returns — and the annual depreciation is made
large enough to wipe the buildings off the slate in a few
years — for taxable purposes — as they are not returned when
down to 20% of their value.
PILE AND TIMBER TRESTLES.
Minimum condition 20%
Annual depreciation 12%
COALING STATIONS.
Minimum condition 20%
Annual depreciation 5%
STEEL BRIDGES.
Annual depreciation 2%
STEEL TURNTABLES.
Annual depreciation ,.... 5%
BRIDGES.
Howe Trusses, annual depreciation 6%
Howe Trusses, minimum condition 20%
BUILDINGS.
Minimum condition 20%
Frame, annual depreciation 7%
Brick, annual depreciation 5%
Stone, annual depreciation 2%
In " Work and Wages " the late Prof. Rogers, of Oxford,
says: " Now the quality of the work in the old times of which
I have written is unquestionable. It stands to this day a proof
COST OF BUILDINGS PER SQ AND CF 313
of how excellent ancient masonry was . The building is
still standing as it was left 4 centuries ago. I am per-
suaded that such perfect masonry would have been incom-
patible with a long hours' day. You may still see brickwork
of the next century, which I venture on asserting no modern
work would parallel; and within 5 minutes' wralk of it
Roman brickwork, probably 16 centuries old, which is as
solid and substantial as when it was first erected. The arti-
zan who is demanding at this time an 8-hour day in the
building trades is simply striving to recover what his ances-
tor worked by 4 or 5 centuries ago. It is only to be hoped
that he will emulate the integrity and thoroughness of the
work which his ancestor performed."
By this it may be inferred that there is something seriously
wrong when the life of aver brickwork is limited to 75 years.
BARN: — On page 158 reference is made to a large barn in Vt.
Another of a similar nature and size is described in "Car-
pentry and Building," July, '09, for Maine.
This one is 40' x 104' with 18-ft posts above a 10-ft base-
ment. The cost was less than $2 per sq ft of ground area;
and 5c per cu ft of total capacity. (See cut at end.)
The following tables of cost were made by the builder, A. W. Jos-
lin of Boston. Carpenters' wages were from 31 to 44c per hour :
Excavation, cost $0.2918 per cu- Nails, delivered 1.13
bic yard. Labor 7.41
Foundations, concrete, $7.202 •
per cubic yard. Per M in place in building $30.54
Spruce frame, per M feet: Cost per square, $3.279.
Lumber, delivered at site $22.91 Above walls were boarded ver-
Nails, delivered at site . . 1.00 tically.
Labor 11.56 Windows, average total cost :
. Sash, frame and hard-
Per M feet in place in ware, etc $4.36
building $35.47 Labor 1.32
Spruce and hemlock plank under Cost of one window in-
floor, planed one side, per M stalled $5.68
T feeu' B>JVI,'-: *oo™ Sliding doors; 2 3-4 in. thick
Lumber delivered $2?-°0 pine, hung on Coburn hangers.
Nails, delivered 1.35 Total square feet of surface of
Labor 2.05
doors, 565.
Lumber milled and deliv-
Per M in place in building $25.40 ered .T.... ..... ..... $0.3326
Cost per square (100 sq. Hangers and other hard-
ft. surface) , $6.06. ware 097
Matched spruce upper floor, laid Labor 0884
diagonally :
Lumber, delivered $22.00 Total cost per square foot
Nails, delivered 1.10 of door $0.488
Labor • 8-30 Clapboards ; No. 2 pine, 4 in. to
Per M in place in building $31.40 ClapbSuflV and nails deliv-
Cost per square, $3.63. e*ed $47.00
Matched Norway pine wall and Labor 12.60
roof covering :
Lumber, delivered $22.00 Per M in place on building $59.60
CHAPTER XXII
RAILROAD BUILDINGS PER SQ AND CF
(SEE CHAP XXIII FOR ENGINE HOUSES.)
STATIONS AND DEPOTS
SqFt
FRAME STATIONS with living rooms, pile foundations 1.70
FRAME STATIONS with brick or stone foundations... 1.70
PASSENGER AND FREIGHT DEPOTS, frame, pile
foundations ;..... 1.50
PASSENGER AND FREIGHT DEPOTS, frame, brick
or stone foundations $1.80 to 2.60
If not a standard the cost might be increased from 10 to 50
per cent.
PASSENGER STATIONS, MODERN:— Brick, stone, slate
roof, hardwood finish, aver of 6 designs built, $3.60; running
from $3.41 to $3.77. One of larger and better design cost
$4.20.
A western station, built about 20 yrs ago, with offices
on 2d floor, cost $7.17 per sq ft of ground area. It is of
stone with a slate roof. This includes area of baggage room,
etc.
BAGGAGE ROOMS, EXPRESS ROOMS, and such minor parts
of the main structure run from $2 to $3 per sq ft if taken
alone.
FRAME STATION:— A small frame station built in 1903 cost
$2.50 per sq ft. The details of special work raised the cost.
FREIGHT DEPOTS:— Brick, $2.25 to $2.75 per sq ft with
boiler room below. About 35c less without boiler room.
SIGNAL TOWERS:— These buildings are expensive when
their small ground area is considered. For one 15'x25', con-
crete basement, and 2 stories above, plate glass on 2d story,
and furnace, but no equipment, $5.65 per sq ft, or 18c per cf.
314
RAILROAD BUILDINGS PER SQ AND CF 315
Another of the same style ran to $7 and 23c.
But these prices might be cut in 2 for some kinds of towers.
SHOP PLANTS
POWER HOUSES:— From $4 to $5 per sq ft for shell of build-
ing only, without any equipment. See " Power Plants."
BRICK CHIMNEY STACKS:— The cheapest one I know of is
sq, 150' high, and cost without profit, $35 per ft, foundation in-
cluded. One of large radial brick, 175', 10' to T core, $45; an-
other 200, 11 to 9 core, $55; both circular, but foundations are
not included. A stack of radial brick 100'xS', $2,200; 125x6,
$3,200, without foundations — but distance from yard, etc,
affects price.
FOUNDATIONS:— On the 200' stack the foundation would
run about as follows:
Excavation $210
Piling (if required) 600
Concrete 1,900
$2,710
REINFORCED CONCRETE STACKS:— For the following ap-
prox figures I am indebted to the Weber Co., of Chicago,
This company has built about 500 stacks. Under this system
the foundation necessarily goes with the stack so that the re-
inforcement can be anchored.
Height Diam. Foundation Total Cost
200 10 $400 $6,000
175 8 300 5,000
150 6 200 3,300
125 5 200 2,500
The foundations, on fair soil, go about 8' deep on a 200*
stack on 6' on one of 175' high.
One Reinforced Stack in Butte, is 350'xl8*
One Reinforced Stack in Tacoma, is 300'xl8'
One Reinforced Stack in Georgetown, is 275'xl7'
One Reinforced Stack in New Orleans, is 250'xl5'
One Reinforced Stack in London, Eng., is 250'x2(/
316 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
STEEL STACKS:— Self-sustaining steel stacks 7' diam, 150
ft high, without foundation, $29; 9' and 200', $33 set. For
small guyed stacks allow per ft at factory as follows:
24" 30" 36" 42" 48"
No. 14iron $1.35 $1.71 $2.07 $2.43 $2.79
No.l2iron 1.84 2.32 2.80 3.28 3.76
No. 10 iron 2.38 2.92 3.46 4.00 4.54
Allow setting extra at $15 to $40. Wire rope, f", 3c per ft;
i", l£c. For sizes not given allow 4 to 4£c per Ib at factory.
In 1904 a short 10'' stack cost 80c; 14", $1; 24", $1.15.
See also Chap XIII, page 222.
MACHINE AND ERECTING SHOPS:— With areas of 50,000
to 100,000 sq ft the aver of 5 built when prices were low, was
$1.80. The figures ran from $1.27 to $2.40. The Rock Island
shop 860 ft long, is given in " The Railway Age " of Feb. 26,
at $1.50. But cost of shops is heavily affected by foundations,
and by style of construction. Foundations to grade may
easily cost 25% of the total; and the lean-to style of the R. I.
shop is far cheaper than if the outside walls were carried to
level of main roof.. Everything is ready for cranes but none
included. Piling if required, 14c per sq ft of total area. The
highest price per cf, heated, should not exceed 8c.
A M. & E. shop erected in 1902 with piling and extra heavy
concrete foundations cost $2.97 per sq ft and 5.7lc per cf.
Area 60,000 sq ft.
BOILER SHOPS:— From $1.30 to $1.85 with aver of $1.56 on
4 large ones built when prices were low. Piling about 9c if
required per sq ft of total area.
On one built in 1903 the sq ft cost was $2.67, and cf, 5.8c.
Area 46,000 sq ft.
BLACKSMITH SHOPS:— The aver of 4 of large area in
widely separately part of the country was $1.32 per sq ft
when prices were low. The figures ran from $1.15 to $1.70.
Piling if required, 6 to 7c.
A shop built in 1906 cost $2.20 per sq ft. Area 34,000 sq ft.
IRON HOUSE:— Per sq ft, $2.00.
COAL SHED:— From $1.00 to $1.50.
The following are the detailed percentages of a modern
RAILROAD BUILDINGS PER SQ AND CF 317
BLACKSMITH SHOP AND A FOUNDRY
B 'smith Foundry
Excavation 46 1.11
Piling .... 1.98 2.55
Concrete Foundations and Small Floors . . 5 . 70 8 . 09
Concrete Water Table 60 .52
Cut Stone Window Sills 60 .51
Brickwork 13.70 14.81
Lumber 3.25 2.94
Millwork and Glass 3.62 3.29
Carpenter Labor 2.31 2. 19
Gravel Roof 1 .39 1 .43
Skylights 7.20 3. 11
Steel Lintels 2.58 3.58
Floor Track 1 .40 .22
Hardware, Ladders, Lantern Gearing 1 . 31 1 . 47
Painting , . 2.67 1.40
Galv Iron and Copper 1 .79 .80
Lockers 1.15 .84
Plumbing 4.10 2.66
Plaster 24 .07
Heating, Blast, Exhaust, Sump 3.34 7.73
Structural Steel 12.55 28.28
Structural Steel, Erecting 1 .54 3.41
Piping for Air, Steam , Water, Oil 5 . 27 4 . 20
Bins , Outside and Motor Platforms 3 . 70 4 . 79
Machine Foundations 7.01
Wiring, Lighting, Power 6.00
Furnaces and Foundations 4 . 24
Water Filter.., .40
100.00 100.00
SQ FT:— Blacksmith shop, $2.20 per sq ft; foundry, $3.25.
Add from 50 to 100% to cost of buildings proper for tools and
equipment. No grading or filing. No fee or percentage.
BINS: — Outside foundry bins for coal, etc., 23c per sq ft on
ground.
LABOR: — Carpenter labor on blacksmith shop, 5c per sq ft
of area over building; car shop, 4$c; paint and wheel shop,
5.4c; foundry, 5.6; mill, 6.6c; all at 40c per hour.
SQ AND CF COST: — A comparison of sq and cf prices on
actual cost of buildings proper runs as follows: Machine
and erecting shop, $2.964 sq, 5.71c, cu; Boiler Shop, $2.665,
318 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
5.78c; Storehouse, $3.99, 12.2c; Pattern Shop, $2.863, 7.54c;
Oil House, $2.03, 10.7c.
STOREHOUSES: — Of the heaviest construction, 2 stories, no
basement, concrete, brick, steel, $3.80 sq ft. Without electric
elevators, fireproof shutters, etc, $3.50. Deduct 25c if plat-
forms are not required. A large storehouse, 2 stories and
basement, was built for $3.05. But I know of another build-
ing of the same nature and height with more and better out-
side and inside finish, plumbing, elevators, electric wiring,
etc, which ran to $5.25, or 13c per cf. For shelving and
uprights allow about 2| ft for each sq ft of total net floor
space. Piling, if required, 13c sq ft of ground floor.
But the Rock Island storehouse at Moline, 111., is given in
the " Railway Age " of Feb. 26, '04, at $1.50 per sq ft. It is
a 3 story brick, wood construction inside, and the price is
based on the ground area only. The total area is 5 times
as large as that of the new Union Pacific storehouse, Omaha.
The size is 500'xlOO'; and and 3.6 per cf matches the price
given on the sq ft basis. It seems too low a figure; but the
cost is not official.
The storehouse for the Seaboard Air line at Portsmouth,
Va., cost $1.17 per sq ft on ground floor; but it is brick only
to the window sill, and unsheeted frame above covered with
galv iron. It is 2 stories and a basement.
The frame building described on page 35 is a kind of a
storehouse. It is sheeted inside on first story, and has shelv-
ing, refrigerator, and office in 1 end. Without any founda-
tion, $1.16 per sq ft.
OIL HOUSES AND PLATFORMS:— From $2.50 to $3.50 per
sq ft of building, but this included platforms. Platforms are
about 50% more than buildings proper. Concrete and brick.
But here it may be worth while to say that to get good
results from either the sq or cf basis it is necessary to have
a building of reasonable size. An oil house might be 150'
long, or it might be 20, but in both cases 2 gables are required.
The cost is distributed over a large area in the one case, and
a small in the other.
RAILROAD BUILDINGS PER SQ AND CF 319
CAR SHOPS
The detailed percentages of two large buildings will serve
as a guide for an approx estimate.
No. i No. 2
Excavation 66 .23
Concrete Foundations 7.40 5.38
Concrete Coach Pits 3.73 1
Concrete Floor in Coach Repair Shop 1 . 38 (• 7. 22
Concrete Floors in Two Lavatories 23 J
Concrete Water Table and Door Sills 38
Stone Window Sills 28
Brickwork 12.47 11.22
Lumber 5.56 3.68
Millwork and Glass 2.68 2.84
Carpenter Labor 2.67 2.73
Steel Lintels 2.05 1.84
Structural Steel (450 tons) 20 . 08 23 . 02
Unloading and Setting S. Steel 2 . 47 2 . 55
Galv Iron and Copper 1.58 1.73
Skylights 9.39 9.21
Gravel Roof 1.58 1.93
Floor Track 1.58 1.61
Hardware, Ladders, Lantern Sash Device 1.41 1.68
Lockers 74 1.10
Painting 1.51 1.58
Plumbing 3.51 2.10
Heating 8.24 8.48
Air, Steam and Water Pipe 8. 24 8. 52
Plaster in Lavatories 18 .06
100.00 100.00
REMARKS: — In No. 1 the total area over the walls was
85,980 sq ft. The cost as above, without architect's fee or
contractor's percentage, 6c per cf; $1.70 per sq ft. The
height to eaves 25; 4". No grading or filling is allowed.
Owing to nature of ground the foundations had to run deep
—one-half the amount might be sufficient for foundations and
pits. If piling is required allow 7c per sq ft of total area. In
some shops pits are not used.
The total area of No. 2 was 84,113 sq ft. The cost as on
No. 1, $1.68. The height to eaves 25' 4". No grading or fill-
ing. Foundations were as deep as on No. 1, but did not have
to be so far spread as there was no piling.
320 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
In both the figures for heating and piping are approximate
and safe.
WOODWORKING:— On 3 built, $1 to $1.40.
CAR AND COACH SHOPS: — From $1.25 to $2 on several.
PAINT AND FREIGHT:— From $1.25 to $2 on several.
DRY KILN:— From $1.60 to $3.
LAVATORIES: — Separate 1-story brick buildings, with the
finest plumbing, ex metal lockers, etc, $3.70 to $4.25 per sq
ft. The aver of 3 is $3.75. Inside of main building, $3.
Approx, 12c per sq ft of complete ground floor area of main
buildings. Ex metal lockers, $5 each.
All figures given are for best construction of concrete,
brick and steel.
SAND HOUSES: — On 2 the estimates were 78c and 80c per
sq ft without crane. Size 14'x20' and 16'x20'. Crane com-
plete with base and labor, $156.00. On house proper labor is
50% of material.
LUMBER SHEDS:— Allow 48c per sq ft of actual ground
surf, with deep concrete piers set 16' centers. With piers
about 4' deep instead of 9', 40c. About 16' high, with second
story floor over £ of area.
BUNK HOUSES:— From $1.05 on pile foundations to $1.25
for stone or brick.
ICE HOUSES: — On 8 houses with floor space from 5,000 to
11,000 sq ft the estimated cost was from 80 to 96c per sq
ft, with an aver of 89c. Machinery, $600 to $900 each house
extra. For dbl platforms $5.00 per If.
On a house of later design, $1.30 per sq ft; 57c per sq ft
of outside walls to level of wall plates, not including gables;
5.4c per cf to level of wall plates. Material 63%; labor 37%
of total. Size 24'xl60'x24' high to plates. No machinery or
percentage.
For houses 32' high $1.50 to $2.
But sometimes the sq ft cost is doubled, and the labor
instead of being reasonable is several times higher than it
should be.
RAILROAD BUILDINGS PER SQ AND CF 321
AN ARTIFICIAL ICE plant costs about $1,000 per ton
capacity.
YIELD OF ICE:— An acre of ice, 12" thick, yields about 1,000
tons. It costs from 80c to $1 to put ice in house. The
shrinkage from time of packing to August is about 12% in
an unopened house.
ICE HOUSES for private families, 8'x8'x8', are described in
" Carpentry and Building," Aug., '07. They cost from $100
to $200.
STAND PIPE:— Mansfield, 12", $320; 10, $220. Pit, $125.
One of reinforced concrete, 40'xlOO', $34,000; in steel,
$37,500 bid; Attleboro, Mass.
SHELTER SHEDS: — Wood posts, flooring and gravel roof,
no floor, 2 coats mineral paint, 33 to 45c per sq ft of roof
surf — depending upon length, etc.
COACH SHOP: — The Seaboard Line Coach shop, brick to
window sills, studs unsheeted, covered with galv iron, 68c;
planing mill of same style, $1.29.
The published figures of cost of the WABASH PLANT AT
DECATUR:
cf
Power House 3.4c
Blacksmith and Machine Shop 3.0c
Car Shop 2.7c
Store and Office 5.5c
Wood Mill 2.9c
Tin, Cabinet and Upholstery 4.5c
Dry Kiln ll.lc
Lavatory 5.4c
Dry Lumber Sheds 2.3c
Iron, Coal and Coke . 3.5c
The buildings are of timber frames with No. 24 ex metal
and plaster 1£" thick outside, 1" inside, and an 8" air space.
The following useful figures are taken from the Railroad
Gazette of July 1, 1904. They are compiled by Master
Mechanics:
322 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
COST OF LOCOMOTIVE REPAIR SHOPS
" In selecting units on which to base cost figures the sq ft
and the cf have generally been used for buildings; in . power
plants the engine h p, boiler h p and generator kilowatts
have also been used;- in roundhouses the stall has been taken
as the proper unit. In computing the sq ft of buildings, the
outside dimensions have been used (giving the ground area
covered) ; in computing the cf of buildings, the aver external
height has been taken ( giving the total volume occupied).
In the figures which follow, the different items are identi-
fied by reference numbers only, with such explanatory notes
added as will aid in interpreting the unit prices; shops built
prior to 1895 are designated as " old," those built since 1895,
as "modern;" in a few cases the notes are based on uncer-
tain information and are followed by an interrogation
mark (?).
It is believed that in most cases the cost of a proposed
shop will be asked for as soon as the layout plan has been
completed, and that the following is the best basis for mak-
ing an estimate: List up all the buildings, with their ground
area in sq ft, all the miscellaneous structures, either on the
sq ft, the If, or the unit basis (as may appear best), all the
track on the If basis, the turnouts on the unit basis, etc;
assign a unit price to each item, as determined by the special
local conditions, carry out the cost extensions and totalize;
to the total thus obtained add a percentage to cover inci-
dentals and items not shown by the layout plan; this per-
centage may vary from a minimum of 10% to a maximum of
25%, according to the completeness of the layout plan and
the degree of confidence which may be felt in the unit prices
assumed; the grand total should represent the approx
cost of the plant, exclusive of the cost of land and grading,
which should be estimated separately, these two items not
being susceptible of reduction in a unit basis. If the build-
ings have been designed in detail their cost may be checked
upon the cf basis.
The report is signed by R. H. Soule, Chairman; L. R.
Pomeroy, T. H. Curtis, S. F. Prince, Jr., A. E. Manchester.
RAILROAD BUILDINGS PER SQ AND CF 323
POWER PLANTS— TOTAL COST
Cost per Cost per
Engine Generator Cost per Cost per
Item HP K W Sq Ft CF Notes
131 131.33 219.00 11.40 .40 Far West, modern; a sub-
stantial effective plant
devoid of ornamentation
refinement; coal dumped
from trestle and shoveled t
ashes shoveled.
132 140 . 27 210 .00 7 . 00 .18 Middle West modern; build-
ing has considerable orna-
mentation inside and out,
but the equipment auxili-
aries are simple; overhead
crane in engine room.
133 115.00 167.00 12.20 .28 East, modern; building has
considerable ornamenta-
tion alternating current
apparatus inside and out;
principally with auxiliary
direct current equipment.
134 185.06 278.00 11.50 .36 Middle West, modern; in-
cludes (besides boilers, en-
gine generators, and air
compressors, induced
draft apparatus, coal and
ash handling apparatus,
hydraulic plant, etc.
135 129.28 210.60 14.62 .33 Middle West, modern; a
very complete plant both
mechanically and architec-
turally.
136 123.00 191.00 14.30 .36 Middle West, modern; large
enough to allow for a one-
third increase in capacity
of plant.
137 129.00 225.00 10.40 .58 East, modern; fireproof con-
struction throughout.
138 90.90 151.50 10.40 .24 West, modern; a simple
but "effective plant limited
to direct current, no coal
or ash handling apparatus.
139 128.60 211.00 10.55 .31 Middle West, modern; con-
densing equipment.
324 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
ERECTING AND MACHINE SHOPS
Cost per Sq Ft of Ground Area Cost per CF
Item Building only Tools Misc. Eqpt. Total Building only Total
140 3.50 1.08 .71 5.34 .076 .115
141 1.03 2.49 .187 3.70 .034 .123
142 .706 1.78 .... 029
143 1.67 2.05 .086 3.79 .051 .118
144 2.43 .81 .... 051
145 1.65 2.69 .... 041
146 1.80 1.65 .... 046
147 1.82 .050
148 3.08 1.65 .073
140. East, modern; brick and steel transverse shop, erect-
ing shop has both heavy and light cranes; machine shop
has crane service throughout, saw tooth roof.
141. Middle West, old; brick and wood, transverse shop
in 2 parts, 1 part 1 story with slate roof, the other part
2 stores with gravel roof.
142. Middle West, old; stone and wood, transverse shop,
gravel roof supported by posts.
143. Middle West, old; brick with wood and iron roof
trussing and shingle roof, longitudinal shop, machine shop on
one side, traveling cranes in erecting shop.
144. Middle West, modern; brick and steel, transverse
shop, high for f of width with heavy crane, the remaining
£ being low, with saw tooth roof.
145. Middle West, 3 old, £ new, brick and steel, transverse
shop, new part 2 stories; no traveling cranes.
146. Pacific Northwest, modern; brick and steel, over-
head crane.
147. Pacific Southwest, modern; brick and steel, overhead
crane. \
148. Far West, modern; brick and steel, overhead crane.
MACHINE SHOP
Cost per Sq Ft of Ground Area Cost per CF
Item Building only Tools Misc. Eqpt. Total Building only Total
157 .952 .038
157. Middle West, old; brick and wood, gravel roof sup«
ported by posts.
RAILROAD BUILDINGS PER SQ AND CF
BOILER AND TANK SHOPS
325
Cost per Sq Ft of Ground Area
Cost per CF
Item Building only Tools Misc. Eqpt. Total Building only Total
158
159
160
161
162
163
2.98
1.58
.84
1.66
.99
1.53
.72
.40
.94
.48
'.96
,84
!676
,083
4.54
i!87
2.24
.083
.049
.033
.059
.025
.095
.127
'.075
.080
158. East, modern; brick and steel, cranes cover entire
floor, saw tooth roof.
159. Middle West, modern; brick and steel, one-half width
high for crane service, the other half lower and without crane.
160. Middle West, old; brick and wood with slate roof.
161. Middle West, old; brick and wood, shingle roof, gal-
lery along one side, cranes over part of floor space.
162. Pacific Southwest, modern; brick and steel, overhead
crane, smith shop in one end.
163. Middle West, f old, £ new; brick and wood, new part
2 stories, no overhead cranes. (?)
SMITH SHOPS
Cost per Sq Ft of Ground Area
Item Building only Tools Misc. Eqpt.
.110
.171
.050
.348
164
....
.734
165
2.'63
.982
166
1.79
.144
167
.432
2.26
168
1.06
1.09
169
2.25
t
170
1.43
'.'665
171
1.50
....
172
2.37
i.'96
173
1.21
....
174
1.38
175
.91
.60
3.78
2.77
2.22
4.68
Cost per CF
Total Building only Total
.080
.049
.019
.035
;642
.'052
.041
.115
.074
.104
.055
164. Middle West, old.
165. East, modern; brick and steel, high and light,
thoroughly equipped.
166. Middle West, modern; brick and steel, 100' wide,
hip roof without posts.
326 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
167. Middle West, old; brick and wood with slate roof.
168. Middle West, old; brick and wood, shingle roof.
169. Southeast, modern; brick and steel, unusually high
(33' from floor to lower chord of roof truss.) (These figures
should be used with caution, as they are not official, but
were taken from a published statement.)
170. Middle West, modern; brick and steel.
171. Middle West, modern; brick and steel, tile and gravel
roof.
172. Middle West, modern; brick and steel, brass foundry
and car machine shop under same roof, equipment very
complete.
173. East, modern; concrete and steel, 80' span, no posts.
174. Northeast, modern; brick and wood, 60' span, no
posts, simple construction.
175. Middle West, § old, J new; brick and wood (?).
IRON FOUNDRY
Cost per Sq Ft of Ground Area Cost per CF
Item Building only Tools Misc. Eqpt. Total Building only Total
176 3.18 ....
176. Brick and steel, modern; U. S. Navy Yard, Bremer-
ton, Wash.
PATTERN AND UPHOLSTERY SHOP
Cost per Sq Ft of Ground Area Cost per CF
Item Building only Tools Misc. Eqpt. Total Building only Total
178 .857 .... .131 .988 .043 .050
178. Middle West, old; modern building, 2 stories.
PASSENGER CAR REPAIR SHOPS
Cost per Sq Ft of Ground Area Cost per CF
Item Building only Tools Misc. Eqpt. Total Building only Total
179 1.24 .016 1.25 .042 .043
180 1.20 .... ....
181 2.64 .044 .096 2.78 .099 .105
182 1.34 .... .015 1.35 .056 .057
183 .68 .003 .057 .74 .026 .028
184 .83 .029
RAILROAD BUILDINGS PER SQ AND CF 327
179. Middle West, modern; longitudinal shop, brick and
wood.
180. Southeast, modern; transverse shop, brick and wood,
has upholstery and cabinet shops under same roof. (These
figures should be used with caution, as they are not official,
but were taken from a published statement.)
181. Middle West, modern; transverse shop, brick and
steel, includes upholstery and trimming shop and hot air
heating.
182. East, modern; transverse shop, brick and steel, with
cement foundation, saw tooth, wooden roof.
183. Southeast, modern; transverse shop, brick up to
window sills, corrugated galv iron sheathing on wooden
frame above, gravel roof, granolithic floor, used also for
painting and varnishing. (Identical with Passenger Car
Paint Shop No. 193.)
184. Middle West, old; brick and wood (?).
PASSENGER CAR PAINT SHOPS
Cost per Sq Ft of Ground Area Cost'per CF
Item Building only Tools Misc. Eqpt. Total Building only Total
185 1.24 .044 1.24 .04 .04
186 1.94 .055 .092 2.09 .072 .178
187 1.02 .... .... 033
188 1 . 20
189 1.01 .... .039 1.05 .035 .036
190 .35
191 2.36 .009 .056 2.43 .081 .084
192 1.13 .... .009 1.14 .051 .052
193 .68 .003 .057 .74 .026 .028
194 .89 .... .... 032
185. Middle West, modern; longitudinal shop, brick and
wood.
186. East, modern, longitudinal shop, brick and steel,
saw tooth roof, hot air heating.
187. Pacific Southwest, modern; transverse shop, brick
and steel.
188. Southeast, modern; transverse shop, brick and wood,
has varnish room and pipe shop under same roof. (These
figures should be used with caution, as they are not official,
but were taken from a published statement.)
328 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
189. Northeast, modern; longitudinal shop, brick and
steel, includes small paint, varnish and boiler rooms at one end.
190. South, old; wooden structure.
191. Middle West, modern; transverse shop, brick and
steel, includes cleaning room , varnish room and hot air
heating.
192. East, modern; transverse shop, brick and steel with
cement foundations, saw tooth, wooden roof.
193. Southeast, modern; transverse shop, brick up to win-
dow sills, corrugated galv iron sheathing on wooden frame
above; gravel roof, granolithic floor, used also for coach re-
pairs. (Identical with Passenger Car Repair Shop No. 183.)
194. Middle West, old; brick and wood (?).
FREIGHT CAR REPAIR SHOPS
Cost per Sq Ft of Ground Area Cost per CF
Item Building only Tools Misc. Eqpt. Total Building only Total
195 .40 .... .016 .415 .022 .023
196 2.12 .123 .047 2.29 .075 .080
197 .29 .... .... .29 .015 .015
195. Middle West, old; wooden building, longitudinal,
entirely enclosed.
196. Middle West, modern; brick and steel, longitudinal,
includes cabinet shop and hot air heating.
197. Middle West, old; large shop, longitudinal, construc-
tion not known, but probably wood with partly open sides.
CAR SMITH AND CAR MACHINE SHOPS
Cost per Sq Ft of Ground Area Cost per CF
Item Building only Tools Misc. Eqpt. Total Building only Total
199 .77 1.06 .... 028
199. Middle West, old; brick and wood (?)
WHEEL AND AXLE SHOP
Cost per Sq Ft of Ground Area Cost per CF
Item Building only Tools Misc. Eqpt. Total Building only Total
200 4.03 2.16 .72 6.91 .16 .276
200. West, modern; brick and steel, for car work only.
CAR REPAIR SHOP AND PLANING MILL
Cost per Sq Ft of Ground Area Cost per CF
Item Building only Tools Misc. Eqpt. Total Building only Total
201 .975 ,.031
RAILROAD BUILDINGS PER SQ AND CF 329
201. Pacific Southwest, modern; brick and steel, has inter-
mediate 2-story section for sub departments.
PLANING MILLS
Cost per Sq Ft of Ground Area Cost per CF
Item Building only Tools Misc. Eqpt. Total Building only Total
202 .487 .54 .010 1.04 .026 .056
203 1.15 1.18 .25 2.58 .045 .102
204 .76 1.21 .292 2.26 .033 .098
205 1.85 .... ....
206 .37 .... ....
207 2.54 1.44 .082 4.06 .095 .153
208 2.53 .558 .... 057
209 .39 .50 .... 014
210 .74 .485 .239 1.47 .037 .073
202. Middle West, old; wooden building, tools and equip-
ment very light.
203. Southeast, modern; brick up to floor line, then cor-
rugated galv iron on insulated wooden frame, basement and
1 story, gravel roof, mechanical power in annex, cabinet shop
in wing.
204. Middle West, old; brick and wood, slate roof.
205. Southeast, modern; steel and brick. (These figures
should be used with caution, as they are not official, but were
taken from a published statement.)
206. South, old; wooden structure.
207. Middle West, modern; brick and steel, does not in-
clude cabinet shop, which is separate.
208. Middle West, old; brick and wood, includes pattern
shop (?).
210. West, modern; wooden (?).
STOREHOUSES.
Cost per Sq Ft of Ground Area Cost per CF
Item Building only Tools Misc. Eqpt. Total Building only Total
211 1.142 .168 1.31 .044 .050
212 3.60
213 3.05 .67 3.72 .073 .089
214 2.40 .... 2.72 .110 .124
215 2.00 .... .... 050
211. Southeast, modern; brick up to window sills, then
corrugated galv iron on unsheathed wooden frame, 2 stories,
gravel roof, platform, bins, shelves, etc., complete.
330
THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
212. Southeast, modern; brick and steel, 2 stories and
basement, extensive offices in 1 end on both floors. (These
figures should be used with caution, as they are not official,
but were taken from a published statement.)
213. Middle West, modern; brick and wood, 3 stories.
214. East, modern; concrete construction, 1 end 2 stories,
upper floor used for offices.
215. Middle West, old; brick and wood, 2 stories (?).
OIL HOUSES
Cost per Sq Ft of Ground Area
Item Building only Tools Misc. Eqpt.
216
217
218
219
216.
5.41
3.52
1.33
2.15
Cost per CF
Total Building only Total
1.43 6.84 .208 .263
1.55 5.07 .196 .302
089
1.34 3.49 .097 .159
Middle West, modern; brick and steel, basement and
1 story, full equipment of tanks, etc.
217. East, modern; concrete walls and roof, 1 story with
deep basement.
219. West, modern; brick and steel, tile roof, 2 stories.
Item
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
ROUNDHOUSES
Cost per Stall
No. of Stalls Building only Tools Misc. Eqpt.
18
46
10
10
30
13
8
7
33
44
30
25
48
25
18
23
44
40
1,388.88
1,155.00
2,400.00
1,757.70
1,040 ! 66
2,750.00
1,033.00
1,998.00
4,150.00
1,950.00
2,480.00
1,719.00
1,011.00
1,065.00
1,740.00
1,875.00
133.00
328.00
87.50
787.50
Total
2,090.00
1,500.00
2,200.00
1,845.00
2,459.00
2,455! 66
2,750.00
RAILROAD BUILDINGS PER SQ AND CF 331
220. Middle West, old; 63' span, brick and wood, slate roof,
trussed (no posts).
221. Pacific Southwest, modern; 80' span, brick and wood,
roof supported by posts.
222. Far West, modern; part 75' span, part 85' span, brick
and wood, gravel roof, supported by posts.
223. Far West, modern; 85' span, brick and wood, gravel
roof, supported by posts.
224. Middle West, old; 65' span, brick and wood, gravel
roof, supported by posts.
225. Middle West, old; 78' span, brick and wood, gravel
roof, supported by posts.
226. Middle West, modern; 89' span, brick and wood,
gravel roof, supported by posts.
227. Middle West, old; 80' span, brick and wood, gravel
roof, supported by posts.
228. East, modern; 81' span, brick and steel, gravel roof,
supported by flat truss (no posts), rolling steel doors, cost
does not include heating equipment.
229. Northwest, modern; 84' span, brick and wood, gravel
roof supported by posts, cost does not include heating equip-
ment.
230. Northeast, modern; 80' span, brick and wood, gravel
roof, supported by posts, annex with boilers, heating appara-
tus (hot air), and air compressor.
231. East, modern; 90' span, brick and steel, slag roof,
with crane runway covering outer half of span, has very
heavy pile and stone foundation.
232. East, modern; 80' span, concrete and wood, gravel
roof, supported by posts.
233. Northeast, modern; 75' span, brick and wood, gravel
roof, supported by posts.
234. Northeast, modern; 75' span, brick and wood, gravel
roof, supported by posts.
235. Northeast, modern; 72' span, brick and wood, gravel
roof, supported by posts.
236. West, modern; 80' span, brick and wood, gravel roof,
suppor.ted by posts.
332 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
237. Middle West, part old, part modern; 70' and 85' spans,
gravel roof, supported by posts ( ?) .
LAVATORY
Cost per Sq Ft of Ground Area Cost per CF
Item Building only Tools Misc. Eqpt. Total Building only Total
239 .... 2.55
239. Middle West, modern; aver of 3 large lavatories (in-
cluding water closets, urinals, wash room and locker rooms) ;
buildings of concrete and brick with tile roofs on wooden
trusses; cement floors, complete with contents, ready to use.
OFFICE BUILDINGS
Cost per Sq Ft of Ground Area Cost per CF
Item Building only Tools Misc. Eqpt. Total Building only Total
240 .306 .030
241 8.01 .557 .295 8.86 .167 .187
242 1.04 .... .034
240. Middle West, old; frame building with brick founda-
tion, includes M. M. store department, steam heat.
241. Middle West, modern; brick and wood, basement, 2
stories and attic, ornamental architecture.
242. Middle West, old; wooden, 2 stories and base-
ment (?).
TRACK
Cost Add for
Item per LF each Switch NOTES
243 0.70 170.00 Based on use of " fit " (second hand) 67 Ib
rail.
244 1.00 180.00 Based on use of "fit" (second hand) 85
Ib rail.
fl.OO 75.00]
245 \ to to \ Based on use of new rail, according to
[1.25 125. 00 J weight.
TURNABLES
Item Diameter Cost NOTES
246 70 ft $3,000 Exclusive of pit.
247 70 ft 5,091 Including pit (?).
Item
248
249
RAILROAD BUILDINGS PER SQ AND CF
TRANSFER PITS AND TABLES
333
Cost per Sq Ft of Pit
Pit Table Total
.31 .17 .48
.43
.16
.59
NOTES
Far West, modern; to handle the
heaviest class of engines.
East, modern; pit of concrete through-
out; capacity of table, 200 tons.
Item
250
251
252
253
254
255
MISCELLANEOUS STRUCTURES
Name Cost
Ash Pit $30.20 per If.
Coal Chute 65 per sq ft.
Water Tank 1,900 .00 total
Water Pipe, Underground Laid. . .
Sewer Pipe, Underground Laid —
Long lines of Wrt Iron Pipe
(for Air, Gas or Water), with Usual
Proportion of Valves, Fittings, etc.,
in Place.
NOTES
1.43 per If.
2. 88 per If.
25. 00 per 100 If I" diam.
45. 00 per 100 If 2" diam.
85. 00 per 100 If 3" diam.
130. 00 per 100 If 4" diam.
251. Two sided with trestle approach (?)
252. Fifty thousand gall capacity on timber trestle (?)
252. Large system, pipes from 12" down to 4".
254. Large system, pipes from 24" down to 12".
255. Given by large pipe contracting firm of PTttsburg.
MINOR BUILDINGS
Cost
Item Name per SF
256 Iron Storehouse 24
257 Brass Foundry 1 . 96
258 Upholstery Shop 58
259 Paint Mixing Shop.. .58
260 Paint Storehouse 1 . 75
261 Freight Repair Shed . 11
262 Dry Kiln 79
263 Lumber Shed 21
264 Storehouse Shed 31
265 Coal Shed 24
266 Coal Shed 25
267 Charcoal shed 21
268 Ice House 57
269 Ice House 60
270 Crematory 2.52
271 Small Office Building .50
Cost
perCF
.011
.098
.029
.029
.087
NOTES
Old, Wooden (?).
Old, Brick and Wood (?).
Old. Brick and Wood (?).
Old, Brick and Wood (?).
Old, Brick and Wood (?).
New,Wooden,OpenSides(?).
.039 Old, Wooden (?).
Old Wooden ,OpenSides(?)
Old. Wooden (?).
Old, Wooden (?).
Old, Wooden (?).
Old, Wooden (?).
.015
.020
.021
.017
.028
.030
.210
Old, Wooden (?).
Old, Wooden (?).
. . Old, Wooden, One Story.
(The Report of the Master Mechanics ends here.)
334 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
SHOP EQUIPMENT
FOUNDATIONS FOR STEAM HAMMERS:— The following
figures are approx, as depth, soil and manufacturers' ideas
differ. On good soil piles are unnecessary. See page 45 for
cost of concrete for machine foundations:
800 Ib HAMMER:
1,050' lumber $31.25
15 yds excavation 7.50
12 piles 72.00
12 cy concrete 84.00
Bolts 5.00
$199.75
1,100 Ib:
1,650' lumber $49.50
15 yds excavation 7.50
12 piles 72.00
12 cy concrete 84.00
Bolts , 8.00
$221.00
2,500 Ib:
2,150' lumber $64.50
25 yds excavation 12.50
16 piles 96.00
25 cy concrete 175.00
Bolts 12.00
$360.00
5,000 Ib:
3.350' lumber $100.50
30 yds excavation 15.00
22 piles 132.00
28 cy concrete 196.00
$443.50
RAILROAD BUILDINGS PER SQ AND CF 335
CRANES:
50 ton electric, 75' span $19,000
25 ton electric, 75' span 12,000
10 ton electric 6,200
15 hand 1,000
Motors included. Prices vary according to span, etc.
15 ton electric, 50' span and 5 ton auxiliary hoist. . $4,800
10 ton electric, 53' 3,750
2 ton electric, 24' 2,000
20 ton electric, 50 4,750
60 ton stationary, electric 7,000
2 ton jib, electric 450
5 ton jib, electric 1,300
1 ton wall, electric 150
10 ton gantry, 53' 4,600
No freight or erection.
SAND CRANE installed, $175.
CUPOLAS FOR FOUNDRIES:— For 63", $975; 78", $1,380.
CONDENSER for 2,000 h p, $10,000.
BLUE PRINTING:— Electric machines (large) from $230 to
$400.
BENCHES
BRAZING with I" steel top, 3" plank, drawers and doors,
$6.00 per If.
CABINET MAKERS' BENCH fully equipped, to special
design, $75.
MACHINE BENCH, covered with |" steel top, 4 large
drawers, 15 trays, both of steel, and doors, $8 per If.
CARPENTER'S BENCH on average building, $4.10.
BOILERS
For 250 h p marine, $3,900, not set.
For 100 h p, $1,100, not set.
For 2 42"xl4' set up, $1,450.
336 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
MOTORS
For 12 h p, 185 r p m $700
For 5 h p, 870 r p m 140
For 5 h p, 1,100 r p m 180
For 3 h p, 1,600 r p m 80
For 3 h p, 1,100 r p m 105
For 7 h p, 1,180 r p m 140
For 7£ h p, 1,456 r p m 185
For 10 h p, 1.175 r p m 170
For 2 h p, 1,200 r p m 80
For 30 360
FANS:
For 60" $400 Chicago
For 45" 330
With 4 and 3 h p motors.
For 36" with motor attached $180.00 net
For 30" with motor attached 140.00 net
For 24" with motor attached 110.00 net
For 18" with motor attached 85.00 net
WATER METERS
2" $66
3" 140
Crown 4" 251
Crown 6" 500
See also Chap XVIII.
WATER FILTERS:— For 240 men, $300 in place, 7 to 14 galls
per minute. For 15 to 30 galls, $400 set up; 24 to 48 galls,
$630; 100 to 200 galls, $1,700. For domestic use from $10 up.
TURNSTILES:— From $40 to $200.
TRANSFER TABLES AND PITS:— Pits may cost from $25
to $35 per If, depending upon depth and sections; for an 80'
table $6,600; 90', $7,000 to $7,500.
REFRIGERATORS:—! 7'xlO'xl2', $225.
1 9'xl9'xl2', $460.
Or 27c and 23c per cf for common work of 3 thicknesses of
flooring, 4 of paper, and 1£" of mineral wool.
RAILROAD BUILDINGS PER SQ AND CF 337
HEATER BOX:— One 12'xl4'x9'-6" high, ceiled both sides, and
lined with No. 22 galv iron, heated by coils, $360, complete,
or 23c per cf. Coils 40c per sq ft.
SILVERING TABLE: — Copper lined, $2 per sq ft.
LIGHTNING RODS: — They should weigh not less than C oz
to the foot. They are worth in place for ordinary buildings
45c per ft; and for chimney stacks, $1.
WINDMILLS:— For 12', $250; 20', $400; 25', $475.
TRACK: — Standard gauge $1.25 per ft; 2' gauge light rails,
65c. Turntables $50.
WATER PIPE:
Laid, 6" $1.40 per ft
Laid, 8" 1.60 per ft
Laid, 10" 1.80 per ft
Laid, 12" 2.20 per ft
Laid, 18" 3.50 per "ft
Laid, 24" 5.00 per ft
Laid, 36" 8.75 per ft
Laid, 48" 15.50 per ft
LABOR on laying 18", 50c; 24, 75c; 36, $1; 48, $1.50, included
in total.
But cast iron pipe varies greatly in weight, according to
use, pressure, etc. See table in Chap XXVIII.
SEWERS:— See under "Municipal Work."
SHOP FLOORS: — For a damp proof floor, 8 bbls cinders to 1
of coal tar, laid 6" thick, allow 8c per sq ft; and for the 3"x4"
bedded 16" on centers in the mixture, and covered wth 3"
flooring, 16c making a total of 24c per sq ft. Various kinds
of these floors run from 24c to 30c.
COAL TAR costs more than water gas tar. Bids on a
large quantity ran from $2.70 to $3.90 per bbl of 52 galls.
Water gas, about $2.00 to $2.50. Coal tar is used on gravel
roofs.
CHAPTER XXIII
STANDARD 10-STALL 79.5, 85, AND 90 ENGINE HOUSES
ALSO A 50-STALL RECTANGULAR ENGINE HOUSE
The standard engine house is now being increased from
80 to 85 and 90' on main lines of railroad.
Standards naturally differ on different roads, but a fair aver
may be obtained from the following figures. As the 85 and
90' houses are of recent growth the estimate will be of value,
but a few remarks are necessary to remind the reader that
all kinds of changes are possible and that local conditions
might seriously affect the total. Length is over walls — not
inside:
EXCAVATION:— The allowance is about 4' below base of
rail. Instead of excavation a fill might be necessary, or the
natural surf might be several ft too high, perhaps adding
hundreds of dollars to the cost. Then the pits might not
require to be excavated in the center, but only for footings
run down on each side in the firm soil.
CONCRETE OR RUBBLE : —Quantity depends upon the sec-
tion used, and price upon locality. Footings are estimated
3' wide. The bottom of pits might be of same thickness full
length; or might have to be level on base and the slope of
solid concrete. There is more labor required on pits and
angles than on a straight wall. Am. Portland is estimated.
CUT STONE:— Water table and sills are estimated at 8x8;
for ordinary work 5x7 is used. Door sills are est stone.
Water table might be of concrete. Window caps might be of
stone, and not old rail to be cut and set. Pier blocks might
be iron and not stone as below. A local stone might be sup-
plied for $1.20 per cf instead of $1.40 as estimated. Unload-
ing and setting, 15%, total, $1.61. -Range work might have
to be added.
338
ENGINE HOUSES
339
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340 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
BRICK: — Walls ought to be 17", but in a fit of economy they
might be cut to 13"; and height might be changed. Size and
number of openings; price of brick, pilasters, and cornices
are all subject to change. Pressed brick might be used.
Number is given in wall measure.
LUMBER: — This material is of various prices in different
sections of the country; millwork varies by 20 to 30% even
in the same section; carpenters are paid 30c in one place and
45 in another; and paving might be used in one house and
left out in the next. An extra line of inside posts is used on
the 90' house.
There is no painting ets'd on brick, posts or ceiling. Smoke
jacks and ventilators are of wood — add $230 if steel is wanted.
PITS: — Pits are deducted from paving; and length is in-
creased to correspond with house.
PIPING is for air, steam and water.
There is no gutter.
Net prices are used.
DROP PIT: — If drop pit is used allow $400 extra.
The aver contractor would take such buildings for a profit
of 5%, or about $800 additional; and out of this pay insur-
ance, etc. If thrown open to bidding a cut of 10 to }5% might
be made — and the usual crop of accidents, liens, lawsuits,
etc, sprung up to vex the earth.
On the basis of 17 used on No. 2 (See Chap V). 160,600,
170,700, and 179,800 actual brick are required; at 17£ to the
cf, as with very small brick, 165,350, 175,800, 185,100; at 15$
for very large, 146,500, 155.700, and 164,000, or a difference
of about 20,000. On the 16i basis used on No. 8 153,550,
163,200, 171,900 for the 3 different houses in round numbers,
with brick clear to grade.
INSIDE STALLS
For inside stalls on same basis:
Excavation... 95 cy 103 113 $28.50 $30.90 $33.90
Concrete 61 68 75 335.50 374.00 412.50
Cut Stone 25 25 28 40.25 40.25 .45.10
Brick 11,500 11,800 12,100 126.50 129.80 133.10
Old Rail.. 12.00 12.00 12.00
ENGINE HOUSES 341
Lumber 10,20010,70011,500 183.60 192.60 207.00
Millwork 80.00 80.00 80.00
Carp Labor.... 87.00 95.00 105.00
Gravel Roof. . . 63.00 67.95 72.90
Hardware 30.00 30.00 30.00
Painting 20.00 20.00 20.00
Smoke- jack & vent 55.00 55.00 55.00
Track 48.00 51.00 54.00
Piping 160.00 165.00 170.00
Paving 119.00 130.00 138.85
Total $1,388.35 $1,473.50 $1,569.35
Add whatever profit is considered possible to total cost price.
For 8 inside Stalls $11,106.80 $11.788.00 $12,554.80
For 2 Outside Stalls 4,785.20 5,099.40 5,387.85
$15,892.00 $16,887.40 $17,942.65
For 1 Outside Stall $2,392.60 $2,549.70 $2,693.95
For 1 Inside Stall 1,388.35 1,473.50 1,569.35
Difference $1,004.25 $1,076.20 $1,124^0
At 17 brick to the cf an inside stall requires 8,700, 8,900,
9,150.
PIT:— For the excavation of a standard pit allow 34 cf to
each If full length of pit. and add 3 cy for the deep end.
For concrete or rubble deduct the 2 ends, or 6' 2", from
extreme length, and allow 184 cf for them; then multiply
each If of straight pit by 21.07, and add 184 to the result
for the total in cf.
PILES: — If piles are used, staggered about 4' centers, allow
for walls and piers, 64 for the 2 end stalls, and 14 for each
inside stall. For each pit, 36. At $5 per pile, $268 per stall
on a 90', 10 stall house.
If concrete is used instead of timbers, allow 2.5 cf to each
If of pit, a total of 23.57 cf.
RECTANGULAR ENGINE HOUSE:— When finishing the
foregoing estimates I saw a plan of a rectangular engine
house in "The Engineering News," New York, N. Y. It is
rather an interesting substitute for the ordinary roundhouse,
and as the cost was not given among the other advantages
or drawbacks I made an estimate, as nearly as possible with-
out working plans, so that a comparison might be had with the
342
THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
85' radial house. To correspond with that the size of the
plan was changed to 85' over walls instead of inside. The
depth of footings and height of walls are the same; roof is
est at i" rise to the ft; prices are same. Steel lintels are
put over triple openings, and that increases the cost; but
there would not be sufficient light with 2 ordinary windows.
Skylight and lantern are extra, and none too large.
The cost of a transfer pit recently erected was $21 per If;
but in some cases with deep concrete this might run as high
as $35; with end walls not necessary in " Eng News" plan,
and with 1 wall fewer in center the cost is $18 on same sec-
tions and depth. Pit is given separately, although enclosing
walls necessarily go with building. Paving is not figured in
pit. Traveling crane, drop pit, etc, are not estd, but both
buildings kept on same basis.
Summary of "Eng News" plan of a 50 stall, 85' rectangular
engine house, 240'x471':
Excavation . $1,590 Skylight $4,300
Concrete 18,293 Hardware and Lantern
Cut Stone 2,700 Gearing 1,200
Brickwork 6,636 Painting 1,050
Steel Lintels 2,590 Smoke- jacks and V's 2,750
Lumber 12,384 Track 2,326
Millwork 4,000 Piping 7,500
Carpenter Labor 6,000 Paving 6,875
Gravel Roof 4,644 Flashing 200
Summary of Transfer Pit : $85,038
Excavation $1,800
Concrete 5,462
Rail, Bolts, and Clips 908
Transfer Table 6,600
Side Coping Timber 240
$15,010
Summary of a 50-stall, 85 ft, radial engine-house: * '
2 Outside Stalls $5,100
48 Inside Stalls 70,728
1 Turntable 5,125
50 New Frogs 1,000
5000' Track bet Table and Doors 4,000
$85,953
Difference.. $14,095
ENGINE HOUSES 343
The roundhouse is 16% cheaper than the rectangular plan,
The plain L. S. D., "dollars and cents," argument is against
a change unless other reasons than cost carry the day. And
Mr. Nichols admits that a turntable is still necessary in the
yard. If the transfer table is cut out the walls can be ma-
terially shortened and the cost reduced, but a new method of
working is required.
FIRE: — Fire walls are not estimated on either plan. For
a radial house, if used, allow $800 to $900 each, complete.
HEATING: — In these estimates the pipes are in place ready
for steam heating: if the hot blast system is used instead,
the supply has to be brought to the blower from which dis-
tribution is made. The cost is about the same as with the
pipe system. Of 6 engine houses in different parts of the
country heated by the blast system the aver of the work was
$191 per stall; the price ranged from $165 to $245. If the
highest figure is eliminated the aver is $181.
STANDARD: — The standard house is, of course, different on
railroads, but the one from which the detailed figures are
given is heavy enough to serve as a safe building to estimate
from an approx estimates.
COST: — On another plan an 8 stall 90' house cost $24,000 in
one place, and $21,700 in another; and had 100,000 actual brick,
with 15,000 for the two outside stalls. In the first case the
cost per stall is $3,000, which is far too high. Careful esti-
mates are as nothing in the face of incompetent management.
A 90' FRAME HOUSE should not cost over $1,550 per stall.
REINFORCED CONCRETE ENGINE HOUSES:— At Gale-
wood, 111., the estimated cost of 36 stalls was $80,000, or
$2,200 per stall. This was for concrete up to the window
sills and brick above.
Another of the same design and 30 stalls was built at West
Milwaukee for $65,000, $2,167 per stall. Both were 84' over
all.
SMOKEJACKS are of various styles and prices. A cast iron
fixed one is $87 fob Chicago; another $100; 3 styles of asbestos
building lumber are $90, $150, $165. Wood, from $40 to $75.
344 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
LIGHTING: — Allow in addition to all foregoing estimates $70
per stall for electric lighting, if required.
TURNTABLES
For a 72' table allow $2,300 fob Chicago— wt, 31 tons; 1,000
cy excavation; 127 cy concrete or rubble; 60 cy gravel for
slope; 21 piles if any are used; $200 for ties, bolts, coping,
and labor; $70 for 70 Ib pit rail; $30 for catch basin; and $300
for bending rail, unloading and setting table, a total without
the piles of $4,078.50, with excavation at 30c, concrete at $5.50,
and gravel at $3. Piles, freight and percentage to be added
if required.
For a 75' table allow $2,650, Chicago, — wt, 38 tons; 1,070 cy
excavation; 136 cy concrete; 66 cy gravel; 21 piles; $225
for ties, bolts, etc; $73 for pit rail; $30 for catch basin; and
$330 for unloading, bending and setting, a total of $4,575.
Add piles, etc, if necessary same as on 72' table. The 66'
table is now out of date.
For an 80' turntable and pit complete, allow $7,200.
For an 8' table, plain top, weight, 5,800 Ibs, $200, at Chicago.
STREET CAR BARNS :
Per sq. ft.
Timber barn, two-track bays, sides covered
with corrugated iron $0.55 to $0.70
Timber barn, three-track bays, brick or stone
walls 1.10 to 1.30
Fireproof concrete barn, three-track bays, con-
crete or brick walls 1.25 to 1.50
Clear span steel roof, eight to ten tracks, brick
walls 1.40 to 2.00
CHAPTER XXIV
STANDARD SIZES AND GRADES
The theory of standard sizes and shapes is correct. After
the pattern is made it serves for many castings as easily
as for one. Only one drawing has to he made, and this, too, is
worth noting.
CUT STONE:— The sizes are marked on plans, for most of
it is special; but if not specified, window sills are 5"x7" for
ordinary walls, but always wide enough to reach about 2"
under the wood. The lugs extend 4" on each side into the
brickwork, unless slip sills are used. If thicker sills are
wanted the size must be marked or specified.
Door sills are 1\" thick and of width to suit the thickness
of the wall— 11", 15", 19". They extend about 1" outside of
brick, and should always, unless for some special reason,
join with the floor below the door so that joint can not be
seen from outside or inside. They usually extend 4" in on
each side like window sills and lintels.
Lintels are 8" in height by thickness to reach to the face of
frame, thus giving the mould for cover.
Unless otherwise specified ashlar may be used all over
only 4" thick. An ordinary front is laid in 4 and 8" blocks.
BRICKWORK:— In the majority of American cities the
national size is now standard, although some makers still
use their old sizes in spite of law which makes 2£x4x8i com-
pulsory for common brick. For the sizes of pressed brick,
see Chap V.
CEMENT AND LIME:— A bbl of Port cement weighs 376 to
380 Ibs net, and comes in 4 sacks of cloth or paper if not
barreled.
Natural cement weighs about 266 Ibs for western and 300
for eastern brands, and is delivered in 2 cloth, or usually
3 paper sacks.
Lime weighs about 200 Ibs, and equals 2£ bus.
345
346 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR _
LUMBER: — There is so much trouble and confusion with'
sizes and quality of lumber that it is worth while to clear up
a few points — but those who know how the lumbermen them-
selves quarrel over grades will not expect much here.
The subject is as wide as the continent; and the Forest
Service, Washington, D. C., sells for 15c a book of 126 large
pages, entitled, " Rules and Specifications for the Grading of
Lumber."
LENGTHS: — It would, of course, be absurd to change the
design of a building to suit the standard lengths of lumber;
but sometimes without going so far a useless waste might be
avoided if architects would only remember that it comes
with a difference of 2' in length. It sometimes seems that
it might be cut to the odd as well as to the even sizes; but
lumber men know their own business best, and we have to
accept what they give.
But unless for a weighty reason why make a space 19' 8"
instead of 19' 4"? In some cases there is no possibility of
changing the width, and the material must be lost; in others
it might just as well be made to suit 20' joists. It is not
always best to space purlins exactly the same; sometimes by
the change of a few inches 2' of lumber can be saved on both
sides clear across a roof hundreds of ft long. This 24" dif-
ference in length is worth some attention when dealing with
flooring, ceiling, shelving, etc. The lengths upon which prices
are based are 12, 14, 16; lumber 10' long usually costs more,
because it has to be cut from 20' lengths. Above 16 the
price rises, and the longer the timber the higher the price.
For yp, the " Association " rules are :
" The standard lengths are multiples of 2', 10 to 24', inclu-
sive, for boards, strips, dimension, joists, and timbers. Longer
or shorter lengths than those herein specified are special. Odd
and fractional lengths shall be counted as of the next higher
even length.
On stock width shipments of No. 1 common and better lum-
ber, either rough or dressed 1 or 2 sides, no piece shall be
admissible that is more than ^" scant on 8" and under; |"
scant on 10", or \" scant on 12" or wider. All 4" and wider,
No. 2 common stock may go \" scant in width."
STANDARD SIZES AND GRADES 347
Flooring and ceiling are never more than 16' long; above
that length is special, and more so than with dimension lum-
ber. It is necessary for both architect and estimator to
watch the spacing of the first joist at the wall, and especially
if mill construction with centers of 4 to 8' is used. The floor-
ing or ceiling has to reach the wall, past the center of the
wall joist; and therefore the spacing must be from the wall
or else the ceiling and flooring will only reach the edge of
the further joist; and with wide centers this means waste.
When ordering large quantities of flooring or ceiling it is
safer to give the proportion of lengths that will be accepted,
or the whole bill may come in 12's.
The following sizes are from the lumbermen's printed list
for yp; 95% of southern lumber is graded and classified ac-
cording to these rules:
STANDARD SIZES OF DRESSED LUMBER
FINISHING:— 1" SIS, or 2S to if, 1|" SIS or 2S to 1&, !$'»
SIS or 2S to 1J4, 2" SIS or 2S to If".
MOULDED CASING AND BASE:— }§. 1x4 SIS shall be 3i"
wide, finished; 1x6 S4S shall be 5i" wide finished.
FLOORING:— The standard of 1x3, 1x4 and 1x6" shall be
}§x2i, 3i and 5i; U" flooring shall be W thick.
DROP SIDING:— D and M |x3i and 5$".
DROP SIDING:— Shiplap, fx5" face, 5$ over all.
PARTITION:— |x3i and 5i".
CEILING:— f" ceiling, &"; \" ceiling, TV'; f" ceiling, &"; f"
ceiling, }J". Same width as flooring. The bead on all ceil-
ing and partition shall be depressed ^ of an inch below surf
line of piece.
BEVEL SIDING: — To be made from stock S4S to }|x5£ and
resawed on a bevel.
WINDOW AND DOOR JAMBS: — Dressed, rabbeted, and
plowed as ordered, worked i" scant of width.
BOARDS AND FENCING:—!" SIS or 2S to }|".
SHIPLAP:— 8, 10, and 12". }§x7|, 9& and 11£".
D AND M:— 8, 10, and 12". }|x7|, 9J, and 11 J".
348 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
GROOVED ROOFING:— 10 and 12" SIS and 2E to }|x9£ and
lli".
DIMENSION:— 2x4 D1S and IE to Ifx3f"; 2x6 D1S and IE to
11x51"; 2x8 D1S and IE to Ifx74"; 2x10 D1S and IE to
Ifx9£"; 2x12 D1S and IE to Ifxlli"; 4x4 and 4x6 D1S and IE
to f" off side and edge; S4S 1" off each side.
Dimension lumber comes from f to \" less than the speci-
fied size, for, in Omaha, at least, it is always surfaced on
1 side and 1 edge. If wanted rough it has to be so ordered,
and the price is $1 extra per M on account of freight charges.
This applies to yp. With Oregon fir it is different, for it is
never surfaced unless so ordered; but it is surfaced on 1 to
4 sides as required. While yp loses § to $" in surfacing 1 side,
Oregon fir is surfaced 2 sides with a loss of only i". Thus yp
8x12 would come about TixllJ, while Oregon fir would be
Vfxllf. But again, the Oregon figures are not always reli-
able; the price list calls for i extra on each side for sur-
facing if exact dressed size is required.
JOISTS: — Years ago the Omaha architects made a fight
against this surfacing, and specified that no joists would be
accepted under 1|" thick; but they had to end by accept-
ing market sizes which will be sustained by any court. The
remedy is to place the thin joists closer together, or to
specify 2i thick; and in either case the price is increased,
the owner refuses to build, the architect is in danger of los-
ing his percentage — and eagerly accepts any thickness and
iurns his eyes in the other direction.
DROP SIDING AND SHIPLAP : — Drop siding and shiplap
come about the same as flooring of equal width. While 6"
shiplap is a standard size it is never seen in this territory;
8" is usual; 10" is seldom handled.
SIDING:— V siding is 5i" wide; 4", 3£.
SHEETING: — Sheeting or common boards come about tfie
same as dimension lumber — i" narrower than the theoretical
size. Here it is worth while to state that sheeting and
sheathing are not the same, although often used for each
other. Sheeting is sheathing; but sheathing may not be
sheeting. According to the latest dictionary it may be
STANDARD SIZES AND GRADES 349
tongued and grooved bds, metallic shingles, paper, tile, or
indeed anything that sheaths or encloses. A specification is
not complete when it calls for sheathing unless it gives the
kind. Whether specified or not all sheeting, Oregon fir in-
cluded, is surfaced 1 side, but 1 side only.
SHINGLES: — There are 250 dimension shingles 4" wide in
a bunch; in common, there are enough of varying widths to
cover the same surf. The thinning process has gone so far
with them too that architects now specify that the thickness
of 5 at butts shall not be less than 2'.'. The thinner shingles
— 6 to 2 — are also narrower and require more to the sq.
LATH: — A bundle contains 50 pcs 4' long, which suit joists
at either 16 or 12" centers. A shorter length — 32 — which
does not suit 12" centers is now on the market.
FINISH: — Unlike joists and dimension lumber finish comes
within a trifle of the thickness; and the rough size is never
taken when making out a bill. All good finish comes sur-
faced on 2 sides so that it is not necessary to specify sur-
facing. A cheaper kind is SIS only; but when wanted, it
must be specially mentioned.
By referring back to the table it will be seen that the thick-
ness is marked if, 1& and 1J$. Contractors never use these
sizes, but J, 1$, 1§, 1£, If, and 2", for the various kinds. It
is better to keep to the common usage which is understood
by all who handle lumber. One sometimes sees |" finish speci-
fied in 3 or 4 different ways-— f, }|, f, and 1". It is not safe
to use f for |, as there is a thin finish that is occasionally
seen on the market.
White pine is graded here as No. 1, 2, and 3 ; Chicago grades
are A, B, and C. The price increases with the thickness.
LENGTH: — The longest length of finish in this market is
16'; special lengths are seldom seen as standard sizes can
easily be joined.
STOCK BDS: — Stock boards, which are cheaper than yp
finish, are used for shelving. They are S2S, and never more
than 12" wide.
So far as the lumber yard is concerned, then, this prin-
ciple is clear: all sawing and surfacing are done inside of the
350 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
specified size. Even down to furring strips this holds good;
for they come ifxlf instead of 1x2.
FINISH: — But the width on a drawing or order is preserved
at the planing mill when finish is billed. Corner-bds come
to the exact size, and so does all such work when both edges
are exposed. But a frieze, or plancher may be a trifle nar-
row as the bed moulding covers the joint. With corner bds,
belt courses, etc, it is better to give the exact width, but
with ridges, cornice lumber, etc, to send the boards and let
the carpenter do the fitting. Sometimes a ridge may be
better if put on wider than shown on drawing, owing to
spacing of shingles; and this is just one illustration"
BOARD MEASURE: — Lumber or timber is estimated in
" bm," or reduced to 1" thick.
READY RECKONERS:— Most of the lumber yards hand out
measurement tables. To get the quantity in bm mult the
section or end of the dimension lumber in inches and divide
by 12, then mult the If by the product. Suppose we have 100
pcs of 6"x6"xl6'; 6 mult by 6 equals 36, which divided by 12
gives 3, which mult by 1,600 gives 4,800' in bm. If 2x4, the
result would be 1,067, or £ of the If, for 8 is § of 12. If 2x10,
2,667, for 20 divided by 12 equals If. A timber 14x16x24
has 444' bm, for 14 mult by 16 and divided by 12 equals 18§,
which mult by length is 444. The disadvantage of some
tables is that each piece is figured by itself without fractions,
and when many are required with a fractional ending there
is apt to be a slip, while by reducing to If the fraction can
come only once. Thus a 2x8x16 is sometimes listed at 21'
bm; it really contains 21 £'; and if this figure were used for
100 pcs the total would be 33J' more.
Flooring, ceiling, siding, shiplap, etc, are taken at standard
width, and everything less than 1" thick is counted as 1".
But the price per M sometimes differs. This rule applies to
finish also — 4" thick counts as 1". A flooring board 16' long
by 4", contains £ of length in bm ; and so for any width the
same rule applies: 5" would contain ^ of length, but unless
for some special reason odd sizes are counted even.
GRADES:— White pine flooring is graded No. 1, 2, 3, 4, or A,
B, C, D. The best quality of yp flooring is variously known
STANDARD SIZES AND GRADES 351
as rift sawed, q s, vertical grain, straight grain. There are 3
grades of this flooring — A, B, and C. The angle of the grain
must not be more than 45° from the vertical; if more angle is
shown the flooring is classed as flat grain. Flat grain is
also classed as A, B, and C; and below are No. 1 and 2 fence.
Yellow pine ceiling is graded as A, B, No. 1 and 2 common.
Yellow pine drop siding, A, B, No. 1 common. Bevel sid-
ing the same.
Yellow pine partition: A, B, and No. 1 common.
Yellow pine casing and base, A and B; window and door
jambs the same.
Yellow pine common boards, shiplap and barn siding; No.
1, 2, 3, common; fencing the same. Yp finishing is graded
1st, 2d, 3d, clear.
Most people would naturally look upon No. 1 as being the
best of its kind, but it is only the best common. A, B, and
sometimes C, come before this grade. There have been
quarrels enough over grading, but it would still seem that
either the alphabet or figures might be chosen and grades
based accordingly with less chance of confusion.
MILLWORK: — It is not always an evidence of genius to
change from a stock pattern to- something new. It is not
without reason that mill books have as an opening sentence,
" It is economy to conform to regular sizes and styles as
much as possible."
One mill book charges everything less than 100' as 100
for changing machine for odd work; another 60c extra for
the same work; and 10% extra for all moulding if less than
200' are taken.
MOULDING: — It is sometimes necessary to mark the size
of a moulding on a drawing so that it may be examined and
criticized; but not on a bill of material; take the advice of
the mill man and order by number. The moulding book is
universal. Nearly 500 pcs are listed. Sash, doors, blocks,
gable ends, porch posts — everything is listed by number.
FLOORING: — Fine flooring is usually supplied by the mill-
man. Maple and other hardwood floors have to be watched,
as 2 to 16' lengths are standard. Some architects specify
352 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
long lengths, but this means an increase in price. There is
a brand sold at only 9" to 20" long. It means a spoiled floor.
MAPLE: — No. 1, or clear maple, is the standard; and coloi
must not be considered. Strictly clear is from $10 to $15
per M more. No. 1, 4 to 16', and trimmed with matched ends
to ft and half ft. Proportion of 4 to 5£' long may be 10%.
No. 2 small knots, sound, 2 to 16.
No. 3, or factory, is inferior with some waste in cutting.
The standard width of 2" is If face; 2f, 2 face; 3, 2£ face;
4, 3J. Maple, No. 1 grade is made from f to If thick; but
I, i, f» fig is made in If and 2 face only if maple; but i and f
in other woods sometimes run to 2£. The same lengths and
widths apply to maple, oak, birch, cherry, and walnut.
SASH: — The listed thicknesses are 1&, If, and If: the actual
are only a trifle less. Stables, coal sheds, and such buildings
are fitted with 1$; and they are also used for storm sash.
The If are for cottages with 4" studding; and most of them
have that width.
"Doors, blinds, and sash are often ordered 1£, 1$, and 2"
thick. Do not use these terms, as it only delays orders."
An extra price is charged for thicknesses not listed.
The width of a window is of course regulated by the glass.
Add for 2 It windows 4&". This gives the size of the frame,
as J" is allowed for play, and the wood is 2" beyond the
glass on each side. All 2 It standard windows are 6" longer
than glass, and this also gives frame. With sash and doors,
the order is width, length, thickness. Thus a specimen order
might be, " 10 win, 2 lit, 24x24xlf , SS — " or DS as the thick-
ness of glass, single or dbl strength. It is safer to specify
check rail if wanted. The size of the frame would be 2'
4i"x4' 6".
The length of a 4 It window is the same; but 5" wood in-
stead of 4, as center bar is f thick. The frame for a 15x24
is 2' Il"x4' 6". For an 8 It window, 5" of wood; but length
is same, as cross bars are not quite £ thick. An 8 It, 10x12
frame is 2' I"x4' 6".
For 12 It window cross bars are i. Frame for 10x12 is
2 10*x4' 6".
STANDARD SIZES AND GRADES 353
It is sometimes desirable to use wider sills and thicker
cross bars, and the frame has to be increased to suit. Store
sash have 3£ stiles and 4i bottom rail.
DOORS: — Standard thicknesses are 1|, If, if. There are
doors H thick, but they are of small value. The mill book
gives a long list of standard sizes, and it would be well if
they were always followed. Doors may be sent open or
glazed as ordered. Mill glazing is generally cheaper.
BLINDS: — They are listed at U, and If thick, both for out-
side and inside. The thicker ones are seldom seen. Outside
blinds are seldom used now.
STAIR WORK: — Balusters, If; newels, 5 and 6". But there
is endless variety.
PANELED WAINSCOTING:— Thickness is usually 1J; but J
is also made.
CHAPTEE XXV
ODDS AND ENDS
MINERAL WOOL: — This is a fibrous material of the nature
of glass. Wood strips are sometimes used and must be in-
cluded in estimate according to thickness of wool on floor.
Sometimes strips are nailed on sides of joists and boards
laid across to support the wool in the same way that almost
all houses in the United Kingdom are deafened with cinders
and mortar. Details should be seen before estimate is made.
Floor is at least 1$" thick. Outside walls are often packed
full width of studs.
For ordinary wool allow 1 Ib per sq ft for each inch in thick-
ness, but deduct all openings, chimneys, studs, joists, etc, and
proceed on exact surf. For selected wool £ Ib is the allow-
ance. The material is packed in 3 bushel bags, for which a
price of lOc is charged, but as with hard plaster, etc, they
are returnable at cost if freight is prepaid. The following
table gives weight, price, etc:
Cost per 100 Ibs
Lbsper Sq Ft CF (in ton lots) Cost per CF at
Average CF 1" thick to Ton at Fact 'y Fact'y in ton lots
Ordinary Slag Wool 12 lib 166 $1.00 12c
Selected Slag Wool 9 fib 223 1.67 15c
Extra Slag Wool 6 \ Ib 333 4.00 24c
Ordinary Rock Wool 12 lib 166 2.00 24c
Selected Rock Wool 8 $ Ib 250 4.00 32c
Extra Rock Wool 6 Jib 333 7.00 42c
Note. — In less than ton lots add 25c per 100 Ibs to factory
prices.
The wool usually put in buildings costs about $17 per ton
fob Omaha in car load lots — 30% more in small lots. A mini-
mum car load is 10 tons. The labor of putting it in place
varies according to thickness. It may be averaged at 12c
per cf, although floors should not cost more than half. But
both for labor and material it is necessary to watch ceil-
ings as joists are sometimes stripped with a band of corru-
354
ODDS AND ENDS 355
gated iron, stapled on edge with metal lath below and wool
laid on top of lath. Strip is at least 1" wide, but sometimes
2 for fire protection. Staples for lath may have to be 3"
long.
Brick walls are sometimes furred, dbl boarded with paper
between, then lined with mineral wool between studs, and
boarded on face before finishing. This to emphasize the
necessity of seeing full details. The complete cost of pro-
tecting a house is set at from $75 to $250 according to size.
DEAFENING QUILT:— This material is made 1 yd wide and
bales contain 500 sq ft. Single ply bales occupy about 8 cf
of space.
Per Bale Half-Bale
Single ply $4.50 $2.50
Double ply 5 . 50 3 . 00
Asbestos 9 . 00 4.75
Delivered on board cars or boat at Boston. Freight as far
as Omaha is $1 per bale.
Agents and dealers should add freight.
Bales containing 500 sq ft each; half bales 250 sq ft.
Weights: Single ply, 85 Ibs; dbl ply, 140 Ibs; asbestos, 170
Ibs per bale.
REFRIGERATORS: — In residences the best plan is to order
refrigerators with door to feed the ice from the outside.
They may be had of all styles and price from $40 up.
AIR TIGHT DOORS: — The Stevenson door has been installed
in thousands of cases for refrigerators, smoke houses, lime
houses, etc.
Doors are of yp, no varnish. For 2'x7', about $23; for
4x6, $26; if track above as in beef doors add $6. A 4x6 heavy
special door $47. Lined on back as well as front, add $10.
For bronze hardware, 2 hinges, add $11. Galv hardware is
included in door price. Prices are fob Chester, Pa.
UNLOADING: — Given the proper place, car, and facilities,
we are now assured that a car can be emptied for Ic. Build-
ing contractors have neither place, car nor facilities for this
kind of work.
To unload crushed stone from cars allow from 20 to 25c
per ton. More than 1,000 tons on No. 7 and other buildings
356 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
were unloaded for 20c. Equal quantity of sand cost lOc.
But sand costs more in winter. On some of the cars for
No. 2 the sand froze in such shape that it cost twice as much
to move it. At all times bank sand is easier handled than
river saiid. The one is worth 5c per yd more to handle than
the other. On railroad work earth and ballast are dumped
from cars for 10 to 16c. Loading of gravel, 7 yds for 1 man
in 10 hours.
BRICK: — Allow 25c per M to unload from car and put on
wagon; loading at brickyard is worth from 25 to 40c.
UNLOADING SLATE:— See Chap XVI.
LUMBER: — Allow 50c per M for 2" lumber; f is worth about
75c.
WRECKING: — Each building has its own environments —
only a hint can be given. Allow for brick basement and
frame above, 3c per sq ft where everything is handy; twice
that price might not be enough. For 2 and 3 story brick
buildings, 5 to 8c. If work is laid in good cement more time
is taken than if old, lime mortar falls out of joints. On a
high wall the cost of carefully taking down 185,000 brick,
wall measure, was $450. Then the inside might be full of
well framed carpentry, or might be vacant. For 1 story brick
S^ to 4c ought to be enough if there is no basement. In
general the brick taken out of old walls do not more than half
pay for wrecking and cleaning.
RAISING ROOFS: — For heavy roofs about 20 to 30' from
ground allow 8 to 9c per sq ft of floor surf.
BUILDING DIRECTORY: — Complete with plain unlettered
black cards. All quotations are fob Chicago.
Space Size Tiers Spaces each Width-Height
50 1 11 f "x26}"— Single Door $15 . 00
100 2 50 19i"x26i"— Single Door 30 . 00
150 3 50 26 £"x26i"— Single Door 45 . 00
200 4 50 381"x26}"— Double Door 60.00
300 6 50 53f"x26i"— Double Door 90 . 00
75 1 12i"x361"— Single Door 22.00
150 2 75 19£"x36F— Single Door 44 00
225 3 75 27 i"x36 J"— Single Door 66 . 00
300 4 75 39*"x36y— Double Door 88 . 00
450 6 75 54|"x361"— Double Door 132 . 00
ODDS AND ENDS 357
ELEVATORS:— For hand elevator 4x4 to 5x5 with 2,000 Ibs
capacity, 1 story building, erected complete, $125 to $140.
Allow $10 additional for each extra story. For 8x8, 5,000 Ibs
capacity, electric, with motor, 1 story, $1,300 to $2,000. Safety
gates extra, about $35 a floor.
For passenger to 5 or 6 story building, $4,500, with shaft,
doors, etc, all made ready for the elevator company. Less
would do on some buildings — and 50% more could be put on
others.
PUSH BUTTON AUTOMATIC, for 2 stories, $2,800, 4'x6'.
GASOLINE ENGINES:— For an approx price:
6 HP.. ..$400
8HP... 450
10 H P 500
32 H P 1,100
40 H P 1,300
50 H P 1,550
BONDS AND INSURANCE:— Something was said in the in-
troductory part about insurance. It is now necessary to give
the cost of fire, accident insurance, surety bonds, etc. As-
soon as a building is enclosed it may be insured for the regu-
lar rates and periods. An owner sometimes does this, and
the contractor finishes his work without expense for insur-
ance. Sometimes, again, insurance has to be taken out as
payments are made on the work, and the owner puts this on
the contractor's shoulders. Annual policies can be taken out
by contractors as work goes along and cancelled at short
rates when the job is safely accepted and paid for. In
Omaha the charge is $"1 per $100 for 1 yr on all kinds of
property for builders' risk.
The short rate scale is the same as it was 15 yrs ago,
as I find on referring to an old list, but the annual premium
is now less. The rate is given for about 50 periods — for our
purpose a few are sufficient.
For 5 days 7% of annual premium.
For 10 days 10% of annual premium.
For 15 days 14% of annual premium.
For 20 days 17% of annual premium.
358 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
For 30 days 20% of annual premium.
For 40 days 26% of annual premium.
For 50 days 28% of annual premium.
For 60 days 30% of annual premium.
For 70 days 36% of annual premium.
For 80 days 38% of annual premium.
For 90 days or 3 months, 40% of annual premium.
For 120 days or 3 months, 50% of annual premium.
For 150 days or 3 months, 60% of annual premium.
For 180 days or 6 months, 70% of annual premium.
For 240 days or 8 months, 80% of annual premium.
But the $1 rate is on basis of houses distant from each
other at least 25'; if between 25 and 15 add 5c more for each
exposure; under 15 add. lOc. Thus a house under 15 on 2
sides would be rated at an annual premium of $1.20 per $100.
ACCIDENT INSURANCE:— A guarantee is given to protect
contractor from all damage suits and verdicts in return for
a premium based upon wages paid during a year, which is
usually taken as a unit. A policy may be taken out for
$1,000 or $100,000 of wages. When the specified wages are
paid a new policy has to be taken out, as the basis is for
an amount of money and not for a period. On a small amount
like $5,000, the rate is about 3$%; on a large amount, 2$.
SURETY BONDS: — For small bonds about 1% is charged;
for large, £ of 1% on the amount of the contract. Thus on
a bond for $3,000, $30 would be charged; on a $60,000 con-
tract, $300. These are the top rates for the highest price
company. A millionaire can naturally get a bond at a lower
rate than a man with only $50 capital. Formerly the pre-
mium for the bond covered the whole expense until the
building was finished and accepted; now it is again collected
at the end of a year. A careful understanding as to whether
rate is annual, or for an accepted building should be seen
to, and a receipt taken. But if the building is finished before
the end of the second yr a proportion of the second pay-
ment is returned.
A lower priced company furnishes bonds for 25c per $100
of the contract price. This would be $150 on a $60,000 con-
tract.
ODDS AND ENDS 359
PRICE BOOK: — Prices sometimes change in a week, and
estimates must change with them.. An alphabetically in-
dexed pocket price book is useful, as each change of price
can be entered under the proper date. A book of this kind
soon becomes valuable and should last for years. I recently
saw a good one 10 yrs old. Under N comes nails, $2.25 to
$2.60 as may be; C, cement, L, lime, etc.
Cement, Am Portland, $1.50, 6-20-1912.
Cement, Am Portland, $1.60, 6-18-1913.
A card index system is also of great value.
POLES: — The total number of poles, more than 20 ft. long,
purchased during 1906 by telegraph, telephone, electric com-
panies, etc, according to a circular of the U. S. Forest Ser-
vice, was 3,574,666, valued at $9,471,171 at the point of pur-
chase. The average value per pole at point of purchase of
the principal kind of round poles was as follows:
Length— 25ft. 30ft. 35ft. 40ft. 45ft.
Cedar $1.19 $3.22 $4.94 $6.17 $9.08
Chestnut 1.42 2.52 3.35 4.64 7.08
Cypress 1.09 1.24 3.04 4.42 6.28
Juniper ..,1.62 2.70 3.68 4.09 5.76
Pine 1.68 3.18 4.84 5.13 12.41
Oak 1.16 2.11 .... .... 2.44
Fir 1.49 2.31 2.72 2.85 4.00
These costs are "at the point of purchase," without freight,
profit of retailer, etc.
DIGGING:— The cost of digging 600 holes for a trolley line
is given in "Engineering-Contracting," March, '08. The holes
ran from 6' to 12' deep, and had to be large enough for one
3' cross brace underground.
A comparison of the cost of each group is shown in the
following table, also the average cost for the entire job:
Total Cost per Cost per No.
cost. hole. cu. yd. poles.
Group I $123.15 $1.50 $0.60 82
Group II . . . 106.10 1.21 1.16
Group III
Group IV
Group V
Average .
427.15 1.33 0.81 320
49.50 0.79 1.10 64
66.00 0.96 0.72 69
1.24 0.82
It will be noticed that the cost per hole varied directly with
the size of the hole Adding to the diameter and the depth
increased the cost. The cost per cubic yard was high when
the hole was small and low when the hole was large.
CONCRETE POLES:— For a 30', $7.50, 2000 Ibs; for a 45',
$17.50, unset.
CHAPTER XXVI
HINTS ON HOUSE BUILDING
This chapter and the following one were not written for archi-
tects or builders, but for their " victims," and may be passed
over, if desired, by those who are well enough acquainted
with all the tricks of the trade. It is not the want of informa-
tion that keeps us back — there are libraries with a million
volumes, and still we lag.
There are only a few hints given here for plain people who
build plain houses. The other kind can hire experts. There
are figures enough elsewhere in this book; these two chapters
are for the aver man and his wife, and are written in a popu-
lar way.
DESIGN
As to general design I prefer the plain gable roof, because
a fine attic is always possible, while the roof that pitches to
the center has too small an enclosed space to be of much
use. By pitching the roof to the center the only saving is
the gables for the areas of the two kinds of roof are practically
the same; and the extra cost of a hip roof about swallows up
the saving by leaving the gables off, so that there is the loss
of the attic space without any real gain in money. Of course
there is also a loss of attic stair space on the second floor
to be considered with the gable plan.
Fashions come and go — it used to be the "Dutch" roof,
now it is the square hip roof, but as the gable plane was
fashionable centuries ago so it will always be. It is not only
safe, but useful. If there is a shortage of money the attic
need not necessarily be floored and finished when the house
is built. But it is ready at any time for an extra or storage
room.
As to the bungalow, now so fashionable, see Chap XXVII.
360
HINTS ON HOUSE BUILDING 361
BRICK OR STONE VERSUS WOOD
I never saw a wood house before I reached the shores of
the United States, and one of the strangest and most beau-
tiful panoramas that has never faded out of my memory in
a score of years, was Staten Island and the white houses
stretching 'over the land. They were not only interesting
and strange in themselves, but had an added charm because
I knew that the " Yankees " lived in them.
The best architect is he who can put up fine buildings with
the material at hand. In Greece he used marble, but in the
Low Countries he was driven to brick; and the development
of the frame house in the United States shows that the plenti-
ful woods of the forests can be made attractive enough in
design and treatment to take the place of any material used
in the older countries.
Which is best — marble, stone, brick, concrete or wood?
They are all best, but it often seems that the wood house
is by far the most attractive, especially when newly painted.
The aver European idea of a wood house is a shelter of logs
with the bark on, a hole in the roof to let out the smoke, and a
few pairs of wolves' eyes glaring in the darkness. We know
that they are a very different character.
The danger in a frame house is from fire, but when a fire
breaks out the difference between brick and wood is not so
very great after all. There is really no good reason why
houses should be built within 2 ft of each other, as is often
done. A visitor from Mars might inquire if there was a scar-
city of land or wonder to see one-fourth of residence parts of a
city lying vacant. A city law might be made compelling
owners to leave 10 ft between the nearest cornices of adja-
cent buildings, unless divided by a wall of fireproof construc-
tion. For light, ventilation, and consequent good health, as
well as fire protection, a law of this kind should be in force.
But in Baltimore and San Francisco we had a lesson from
a fire that went through all kinds of buildings.
If the workmanship is good, if the timbers are of the right
size, and the outside covering of the proper quality, a frame
house can be built as near perfection, from all standpoints,
as any dwelling inhabited by man. Of course, it must not be
362 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
forgotten that there is now a new danger with frame houses
— that is a quicker decay. With good wp and cypress
shingles a well built house ought to last for a century, with
proper care; but wp siding is now scarcely ever seen, and
cypress shingles are expensive.
All joints where water is apt to go should be painted with
white lead and oil when they are put together; nailed to-
gether when they open; and the house should be painted
every 4 or 5 yrs, and so on. By the time the original extra
good work is paid for, and $1 to $1.50 per month allowed
as a sure depreciation of painting on an 8 roomed house,
one is apt to think that, what with high lumber and other con-
siderations the era of cheap frame houses is gone with the
age of chivalry.
MOISTURE:— A brick house absorbs moisture, but it can
easily be protected by wood furring or by the inside lining
of 4" hollow tile that is now becoming popular. The plaster
is put on the rough tile, without furring strips, and the dan-
ger from fire running behind the lath is obviated.
COMPARATIVE COST: — As compared with frame a reason-
able brick house is about 15% extra; but $12 to $15 per
annum is saved on paint on an 8 roomed house, and that is
good interest on $200.
The choice of material is largely a matter of taste, loca-
tion, and purse, except in some rather dull looking cities
which do not permit frame houses inside their limits. Of
course it is reasonable that certain portions of a city should
be protected from the danger of fire traps, but frame houses
are an ornament to any residence district.
EXCAVATION
Digging a hole in the ground does not require much ex-
planation— almost any one can do that part of a contract.
Sometimes a house is set upon posts to save expense, and if
a cellar is afterwards required, the digging has to be done
at a much increased cost.
PLASTERING: — Cellars are often plastered with cement on
the hard natural earth. In some soils this system is satis-
HINTS ON HOUSE BUILDING 363
factory; in others it is merely a waste of money, as the earth
crumbles away and leaves the broken surf. A lining of
brick is better even for a cheap cellar.
FOUNDATIONS
THICKNESS: — On page 63 the thickness of the walls of a
1 story cottage is given at 2'. This is one extreme; the other
is 9". Just about between the two is safe. For a basement
of more than 6' high the walls should be 13", or 3 bricks in
width. If of stone they are usually made 16", as that is
about as cheap as 12". Concrete should not be less than 10".
A 9" basement wall, even T high, is safe enough if really
good brick are used, and if they are carefully laid in cement;
but very often inferior brick are used, carelessly laid in lime
mortar, and in the end there is trouble that far outruns the
original saving. In cement stone an 8" or 9" wall, 7' is safe
enough also if good work is done, and if not too deep in the
ground so as to have a heavy earth pressure. A poor founda-
tion is a luxury that few can afford.
PLASTERING: — The walls below the ground should be care-
fully plastered on the outside with good Port cement not less
than I" thick, in the proportion of 1 cement to 2, or even 3,
of sand, if the 3 is not made 4. It is strange that this simple
precaution against water going through the wall is often
neglected. A trifling saving is made, but there is, at least in
some locations, a spoiled wall to watch and repair. As a
safeguard of health, cellars or basements should have cement
floors, and walls should be plastered on the outside below
grade. Port cement should be used for the \" top covering
in the cellar, but the concrete below may be made of natural
cement, although the other is better all through. The floor
should be made about 3" or 4" thick, although 2" can be made
to serve. No. 2 has only 2V'.
HARD BRICK: — The outside face brick ought to be hard. 4
There is no cure for a soft brick in an outside wall but re-
moval, and this is apt to be expensive. It is better to be
careful at the start.
While, of course, hard brick are to be preferred all through,
there is not much risk in a soft brick in the center of the wall.
364 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
Unless of a very inferior nature a practical bricklayer would
just about as soon as not use a soft brick in his own house,
when concealed, but with face work it is different. Inside
as well as outside it should be of good material with joints
struck neatly with the edge of the trowel, and not with the
flat in a plasterer's fashion.
PORCH PIERS: — Porch piers should not be less than
12"xl2"; for good porches they should be 17x17.
KIND OF MATERIAL: — A first class foundation can be made
of stone, brick, concrete, or the artificial stone now becom-
ing so popular. The chief danger is poor workmanship, and
too much sand.
PRESSED BRICK: — Many people prefer pressed brick for
the outside walls. There are beautiful shades on the market,
and it is a pleasure to look at a fine front, but first class
work can be made with good, common, hard brick. Europe
has brick buildings hundreds of yrs old, of good, plain ma-
terial and they are among the most beautiful specimens of
the brickmaivs art. Some of the American architects are
getting back to the old style, the indispensable condition of
successful work being brick made of good clay, well burnt
and shapely.
Many fine pressed brick fronts are spoiled after a rain
storm by the alkali coming out; there is no danger of this
with common brick, so that all things considered, no one
should be depressed by the fact that purse or locality forbid
the more stylish article.
SIDEWALKS: — It is best to put down permanent walks at
first, and save trouble afterwards. Wood begins to rot as
soon as laid. If it is used the stringers should be of wp.
Yp rots in a very short time.
Cement or brick pays in the long run. (See pages 18, 21,
90, 110; for prices of plank and permanent sidewalks.)
CHIMNEYS: — Hard brick should be used for all exposed
work, and more especially above the roof. To repair a chim-
ney above the roof is rather expensive, as a scaffold is re-
quired. Why not make it of first class labor and material
and be done with it for 20 yrs? A stone or iron cap should
HINTS ON HOUSE BUILDING 365
be put on, as the brick loosen at the top if left unprotected;
or a heavy coat of good Port cement may be used. It is bet-
ter to lay all the chimney brick above- the roof in Port
cement, and to make no projecting courses.
FIRES: — A startingly large proportion of fires are due to
deflective flues. In most cities now, tile linings inside of the
brick are obligatory. If they are not used the joints should
be struck on the inside and all the surf afterwards plastered.
In time the plaster burns out, and the fire gets through to
the woodwork, Carpenters should not be allowed to drive
plugs of wood into chimneys.
A chimney should be as straight as possible, and be car-
ried up above the highest point of the roof to draw well.
ROOMS: — Make them as large as you can, but not too large
either. Why heat useless space? "A little house well filled,
a little farm well tilled." In most houses with stoves only one
room is really well heated in winter. The one selected should
be made the largest.
As a rule, make the second story rooms full height. There
is not much economy in half story rooms with a part of the
slope of the roof used, and they are hot in summer.
I have followed this method of construction several times
and regretted it. Rather than do so for a home one should
leave off all the lath, plaster, and finish on the full height top
story, and wait until money enough was at hand to finish
a house that would always please and not sometimes provoke.
Of course, some have to be content with this construction,
but it is not desirable.
DORMER WINDOWS: — The half story house often make
them necessary. If there is any place that requires care it
is a dormer window. If they once begin to leak there often
seems to be no cure but tearing down to find the trouble.
The best tin, the best workmanship, the best paint are neces-
say. See page 29 for cost.
CLOSETS: —In spite of the newspaper jokes, neither archi-
tect nor contractor delights in small closets. There are, of
course, some who waste money enough on useless ornamenta-
tion to give plenty of closet space, but in general small
366 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
closets are due to small pocket books. Many, in fact, most,
women do not have any idea of sizes when marked on a
plan, and are disappointed when the house is built. It often
seems that a good idea would be to have a covered enclosure
in a city where for a small fee 2"x4" plates would be laid
down and moved to suit the actual sizes wanted. It is easy
enough to make rooms and closets of any required size if
the cost is not limited, but it is hard to supply a No. 1 article
at a No. 4 price.
CEILINGS:— Some are made 11' high, others 9'. For the first
floor 9' 6" is the lowest height that ought to be used, and
10' 0" makes a better house. For the second floor 9' 0" is
low enough, but 8' 6" is sometimes used. These heights are
between finished floor and plaster. Allow for sheeting, if put
on, top floor, and plaster, or 3" altogether.
WOOD FRAMING
SILLS: — Some prefer a solid sill laid on the basement walls,
and others use a " box " sill of 2 planks, the one flat, and the
other of the same width as the joists standing on edge on
top of it, and flush with the studs, which are set on a plate
of their own width nailed to the planks. I like the box sill
as the full strength of the joist is insured, but some cities
make the solid sill obligatory.
When a solid sill is used a notch has to be made for the
joists which are then cut to fit. Usually they are cut about
half way up, and the whole bearing comes on the upper half,
while the lower is left to swing free instead of being blocked
up on the foundation. We know that a good carpenter does
not do such work — we also know that in half the houses
built the joists have their throats cut in just this fashion.
Sills are sometimes 6x6 or 6x8 for ordinary houses. The
joists are put flush at bottom line, and stand up above the
sill. A piece should be nailed on top of the sill and even
with the top of the joist, so that the floor would close the
space to keep back cold air, fire, or mice.
GIRDERS: — Many cottages are spoiled for want of a central
girder with posts set on wide foundations to support the
HINTS ON HOUSE BUILDING 367
joists. When the weight of the plaster is put on the floors
begin to sag.
JOISTS:— The joists should be 2xlO's well bridged; 2x8's are
strong enough if the span is not too great. Even for an
attic floor not less than 2x8's should be used. The saving
in using 2x6's is not very much, and if the span is wide the
floor is spoiled and the plaster below cracks. On a 1-story
cottage 22'x40' the difference in cost in 2" of width is only
about $12, for joists set 16" centers. Why spoil a house for
$12? All floor joists should be bridged when the span is
more than 8'. Below partitions, joists should be doubled, or
2x4's spiked in between the 2 bearing joists.
WALLS AND PARTITIONS:— The walls of the aver house-
are usually built of 2x4's set 16" centers; 2x6's- are better,
unless for small cottages, as, after surfacing, the 2x4's are
only I|"x3f". Rough lumber costs about $1 per M more,
owing to freight. All window and door openings should have
dbl studs. All corners and doors should have nailing blocks-
for base, as there is no nailing on the stud after the thick-
ness of the plaster is deducted, in the corner, and after the
door casing is put on. A 2" thick fire stop should be cut in
behind the ribbon strip, between stories. There is a good
deal of difference between a well built house and one of the
other kind.
HEATING: — For furnace heating pipes all partition studs on
first floor should be 2x6's.
RAFTERS: — In some cheap houses the rafters are set at 2'
centers— they should not be set more than 20" in any house;
and 16" or even 12" is often used for long spans, slate or
tile roofs, etc. For cottages, 2x4's are large enough, but 2x6's
should be used for a really good house. Too many carpenters
neglect to brace and tie ceiling joists and rafters together,
and the roof sags. Many roofs are spoiled before the car-
penter has time to finish his contract, for want of a little
care and a slight expense.
PITCH:— The least pitch of a shingle roof should be $. A
pitch of 4 is better, especially if attic is to be used. (See
page 174.) For a gravel roof 1" rise to 12" is enough.
368 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
BOARDS: — Roof covering is best laid close in cold climates,
but it is sometimes kept about 2" apart to save lumber.
SHINGLES: — The best on the market should be used. There
are many places to economize, but the roof covering is not
one. I have a cottage with cypress shingles put on about 19
yrs ago. They have never been repaired, and are still in fair
condition. Exactly 6 yrs ago, I shingled another cottage with
a second grade quality of white pine shingles. They are
already loose, the nails are rusted, the nail holes worn, and
in about a couple of yrs a new roof covering will be required.
That is a practical illustration of quality. As the labor on
a poor shingle is often more than on the best, the advantage
of putting on the best is easily seen. Galv nails should be
used, as they do not rust like the common kind. Shingles
should not be laid more than 4$" to the weather, unless on a
very steep roof. Even on that, 5" is the limit. Cypress
•comes first, then redwood, then cedar. One table gives the
life thus:
Spruce 5 to 7 yrs
Cedar 12 to 15 yps
Sawed pine 16 to 20 yrs
Cypress 30 to 50 yrs
The asbestos shingles described under " Fireproofing " are
•called " Century " also, because, according to the makers,
they are to last 100 yrs.
There are some excellent stains on the market, and it
pays to dip the shingles. For the cost se.e pages 269, 270.
If stain is not at hand linseed oil may be used, as it is a
good preservative. Common paint is not desirable , as it
glazes over the the surf and ends, catches water, and induces
dry rot, while the oil or stains go into the pores. Some
roof paints are rather suspicious. Good linseed oil, the base,
costs 50c to 60c per gall — how can paint be sold for 40 to
"50c if the requisite proportion of oil is used?
BOARDING: — Either common boards, shiplap, or flooring
-will do for the outside covering. Usually the boards are
mailed on horizontally, but sometimes on an angle of 45°.
HINTS ON HOUSE BUILDING 369-
Waste and labor are greater, but the framework is better
braced with angle boarding. Sometimes, again, men without
a conscience nail the siding directly on the studs; in buy-
ing a house built in a boom town it is advisable to see that
there is sheathing between the siding and the framework.
Paper must be used between boards and siding.
BASE AND CORNER BOARDS: — Good houses have a board
around them at level of foundation. The sheeting should be
flush with the masonry, and the base board set down about
an inch to cover the joint. The water table is nailed on top-
to receive the siding. Corner boards and frame casings
should be !£" thick. Sometimes the base board is not used,
but the siding is put clear down. As a picture looks best
inside of a frame, so does a house inside of a border.
SIDING: — White pine siding is the best, but it is not so com-
mon now as formerly. A good substitute is California redwood
or cypress. Siding looks well when mitered at the corners,
but costs more than if corner boards are used. But unless
the lumber is dry the corner board shrinks, and a bad joint
is tfie result, clear from base to roof. With mitred siding
the danger is that all the joints will open in time.
Either 6" or 4" siding is standard, but the narrow kind is
now used on the best houses. It costs more than the wide..
(See Siding in Index.)
Sometimes the sides of a house are shingled. I do not like
the style, but it is a matter of choice. Gables, bay windows,
bands, etc, look well when treated in this way, but an entire-
house covered with shingles is rather monotonous.
PORCHES: — Do not make the posts too large for a cottage.
In former yrs they used to be about 4"x4" — now they are 12"
in diam. A 4 room cottage is not a Greek temple. Why put
up such disproportionate cols for a little porch? Is there
no fair medium between the spindle and the " monolith " ?
The ordinary porch of a dozen yrs ago was spoiled bjr
being made too narrow. The minimum width from house
to outside edge or floor should be 6': 6" of that, at least,
are lost by posts and railing. The wide veranda is becoming:
popular: 10' is now common; 8' is about right.
370 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
TOWERS:— There is a difference between a cottage and a
castle. Each may be a beauty, but what fits one may be
out of place on the other. Be sparing of towers, drawbridges,
moats and battlements on an ordinary house. After all,
plain Mose Smith is a far better neighbor than Sir Brian de
Bois Guilbert would be.
THE LINE OF BEAUTY: — For outside work in general,
an architect of experience will not use much fancy scroll
cut material, brackets, ridges, circles, curves, etc.. The ama-
teur and the country carpenter delight in that kind of dis-
play, but the owner of the house has to pay the bill in a very
few yrs when the sun and rain do their work. Just as with
marble, stone, brick or wood houses, the architects of all
countries in the yrs behind us have had to adapt themselves
to the materials at hand, and local environments, so their
brothers of America might just as well accept the July sun
as an established fact and stop fighting it. The contest is
too unequal.
There is a difference between the simple, beautiful, square
house with the plain roof, and the one we built when Queen
Anne was the reigning monarch. The bills for repairs have
been coming since then.
WINDOWS: — In many ways the little details of American
houses are more convenient than those of European ones —
but rattling sash are unknown in Europe, while they are
everywhere here, and they are anything but a blessing.
The trouble is with the outer sash. It is made to fit easy,
and it fits loose. As the blind stop and the parting strip
between which it slides can not be moved the rattling comes
as soon as the wind rises. If the meeting rail were left
wide enough to plane, and fitted hard against the one on the
inner sash, the pressure would prevent rattling there espe-
cially after the lock was in place; but machine made stuff
must be ready to slide without planing and there is no mar-
gin for a proper fit.
The inner sash can easily be fixed right, as the stop can
be moved in to suit. Stops should be screwed on, but they
are usually nailed in ordinary houses.
HINTS ON HOUSE BUILDING 371
FLY SCREENS: — They are most serviceable when they
cover the entire window on the outside, as both sash can
then be moved, but they cost more than half screens and rot
sooner owing to exposure to the weather. Outside blinds
can not be used with full screens.
BLINDS: — Neither outside nor inside blinds are so popular
as they once were, especially for good houses. Heavier glass,
sometimes plate, is used, and the danger of breaking from
hail is ended. But, of course, the New York ruralists will
cling to them for ages yet. As salt goes with egg, corned
beef with cabbage, and butter with bread, so with them,
green blinds go with white houses, one and inseparable now
and for evermore. They are truly rural.
GROUNDS: — To keep the plaster straight it is better to use
grounds all over the house. There are from f" to I" thick
x 2" wide, planed smooth on one side, and are nailed around
all openings, and under base, wainscoting, etc. In cheaper
houses the window frames and finished door frames are used,
so that the expense of grounds may be saved. (See pages
164, 177.) But the plaster stains the wood, and if natural finish
is used instead of paint the blemish is always seen. If
grounds are not put around window openings care should be
taken to keep lath clear of the frame which is often pushed
in far past the straight line.
Grounds may be left off under base if the plasterer is care-
ful with his work. But if they are not used the position
of the studs should be marked on the floor before the plaster-
ing is done, so that the base may be nailed solidly, and
not merely to the lath.
FINISH
FLOORS: — Yellow pine flooring is not well adapted for out-
side work, at least north of Mason and Dixon's line. When
laid near the ground it rots in a few years. Wp is the best;
Oregon fir is a fair substitute.
UNDER FLOORS: — If the expense is not too much, under
floors of sheeting, shiplap, or cheap flooring should be put
down all over the house. The plastering is then done before
372 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
the finish floor is laid. On the first floor, at least, an under
floor should be put down, and after the plastering is finished,
building paper and the finish floor. It is better laid on an
angle of 45°, not merely for bracing, but because of a more
equal surf than when the boards run parallel with the top
floor. The inequalities of the under floor are not then repro-
duced on the upper one.
OAK FLOORS: — The new and better style is to use rugs
instead of carpets, and good floors, or at least, good borders
are necessary for them. Good oak floors cost money. (See
page 22.) But if |" material is used a hardwood border
only may be put down, and the center of the room filled in
with ordinary flooring. There is no real necessity of cover-
ing the whole floor with hardwood, but it is, of course, better
to do so. The thin material may be treated in the same way,
but special flooring is required for the center, while any lum-
ber yard carries |" material.
When laid after plastering, and well smoothed and var-
nished, good yp makes a beautiful floor, as fine a floor, indeed,
as the aver man could desire. 'Tis the aver woman who
sighs for the other.
TWO KINDS: — Quarter sawed or "rift" sawed, yp is
by far the best material. There are several grades
of this. The common flat sawed flooring becomes
in time a source of trouble with slivers. There are
several grades of this common stock. The difference
between edge grain, or q s, and the common No. 1
in a house 22'x40' is about $13 per story. If the q s
is not used for the main part it should certainly be used for
the kitchen, as there is no possibility of slivers arising from
the edge grain, owing to the way the tree is sawed at the
mill. The old flat grain is never used in a good house now.
WIDTH: — Flooring should not be wider than 4", or 3|" face,
except for an attic store room. Narrower than that is bet-
ter, but more expensive. Care should be taken to prevent
the use of too many short lengths. (See page 352.)
MAPLE: — Narrow maple really makes the best kitchen floor,
but it costs money to put it down. (See page 22.) Sq
edged is not adapted for houses.
HINTS ON HOUSE BUILDING 373
OAK: — Oak floors are used in the front rooms. They are
even more expensive than maple, and require to be carefully
laid. They ought to be q s to look well. The £" are best,
but the thin floor is often used. (See pages 22, 162.) White
and red oak are used. White is harder and better than red —
and costs more. Plain red oak floors are really good enough
for most purses.
DAMP: — It is a mistake to lay floors too soon, unless in sum-
mer when the plaster soon dries. Neither architect nor con-
tractor is to blame for dampness in a new house, as natural
conditions can not be forced; but kiln dried flooring, doors,
etc, immediately begin to swell when put in the building.
The doors have to be stripped until they will close, and when
they dry they are too narrow to look well. The floors shrink
until they are spoiled. We are a very illustrious people here,
as it were, but we have acquired the unfortunate habit of
planting a bush at night and going out to pluck a rose next
morning.
Usually bath room floors are of tile, and also the base.
JOINTS: — 111 trained carpenters often make the joints of
a floor all clustered together, owing to the length of boards,
when they might as well be distributed; and they join mem-
bers of base, cornice, etc, within too short a distance,
thus spoiling the look of the finished work and weakening
its strength.
STAIRS: — Make sq platforms, unless winders can not be
avoided. See that steps and risers are grooved together
and blocks glued in behind, or the stair will soon creak. Try
to so arrange a plan, for even a cheap house, that there is
a separate entrance to the kitchen from the stairway. This
is often done by making one stair serve from the second
floor to the first landing, but running two flights from there
down to first floor, one to the back, another to the front part
of the house. But there should always be a straight passage
from the kitchen to the front door without going over steps,
and this should be at side of stair so that the main rooms
need not be used.
DOORS: — Narrow doors are a source of much trouble. Front,
kitchen and cellar doors should not be less than 3' 0"
374. THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
wide; main room, 2' 10"; bed room, 2' 8"; closet, 2' 4". A
closet door may be 6' 0" high when below a stair, etc, but
6' 8" is the least desirable height for any door, and 7' 0" is
better. Doors ought to be on a level if possible. Transoms
give light and ventilation to halls. Some do not like them.
CASINGS AND BASE:— Finish of all kinds is easiest treated
when plain. The Japanese, among their other eminent quali-
fications, have the knack of living in simple houses with
simple furniture. We fill houses full of hard work, and scrub
and fight and worry over useless mouldings, useless furni-
ture, useless stair ornamentation, grilles like Chinese puzzles,
and a score of other useless dust collectors. It is done to
please " flub-dub " architects who talk of " Louis Quatorze,
Quinze, Seize," or some other man or woman with a thou-
sand servants.
OPEN PLUMBING: — Why were we so slow in discovering
open plumbing? It seems strange that we should have used
tEe old kind so long. Our descendants will say, "Why were
they so long in discovering simplicity of style in houses and
furniture? Why did they keep their shoulders below use-
less loads?" Here, we are at least further advanced in tfie
right direction than the British and Germans. They box
everything, and make their furniture heavy enough to last
for a thousand years.
VENTILATION: — The under side of the casings of a window
should be within 6" of the ceiling, if we are to believe the
sanitarians. This gives good ventilation, but spoils ttie
border for paper and picture mould. Each builder must decide
for herself whether esthetics or health is to have first place.
HEAT: — If house is to be heated by furnace, steam or hot
water, be sure to let door jambs and plinth blocks, or casings,
run clear down to the under floor, so that when the wood
joists shrink the jambs will still be covered. On flats I
put up in 1907 the joists shrunk nearly £" in some places,
but the jambs had been let down, so that no harm was done.
On one large apartment house I know of, pieces had to be glued
in below jambs, blocks, and base. The small moulding at
floor on base can usually be left unchanged if it has been
nailed to the floor and not to the base.
HINTS ON HOUSE BUILDING 375
WAINSCOTING: — The walls of kitchens and bath rooms are
seldom wainscoted now. They are either plastered with
hard plaster or tiled. This style of finish is much better.
Of course, paneled wainscoting is still used in fine houses.
Dining rooms look well with paneled wainscoting. It gives
a kind of a " baronial " flavor to the ordinary house, but it
costs a good deal. (See Index.) A plate rail may be
used if wainscoting is too expensive.
WOODS: — There are a score of woods to choose from. Wp —
or yp as we used to called it on the other side, our yp being
know as "pitch " pine — is better for paint and better than
yp even for oil finish. The best grades are now so expensive,
however, that some millmen would just as soon supply red
oak, which, of course, requires more labor to put in place.
The usual fashion for a house costing from $1,800 up, is to
finish the main rooms on the first floor in oak, or some other
hardwood, and make yp, cypress or a cheap wood serve for
the kitchen and upstairs. White oak is more expensive than
red; q s than plain, but the difference is seen in the finished
work.
GLASS: — Beveled plate looks well, but again we come to the
old trouble — it costs more than common plate. Plate glass
is far superior to common glass, AA, common to A, and A to
B. Dbl thick is naturally stronger than single. (See page 205.)
When good plate is put in it can scarcely be seen, if well
cleaned. There are two qualities of plate.
BENT GLASS: — In general, it is a mistake to use circular
or bent glass. If a light gets broken it is often necessary to
wait for weeks before another comes from the factory, and
the price is several times as much as for straight.
BEDDING:— The best work is bedded with putty before the
glass is laid in the rabbet, then small galv angular brads, or
points, are pressed in to hold the light in place. Common:
work, mill glazed, is often left without back putty.
TIN
GUTTERS: — Some prefer gutters built up on the roof rather
than those which hang at the eave. The roof gutter looks
376 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
a, little better, but costs more. Other gutters are concealed
inside of the cornice, clear of the walls, just as the hanging
ones are, so that there is no danger of water going through
the boarding if a leak takes place. The roof gutter should
also be clear of the main wall.
DOWNSPOUTS:— All downspouts should be connected to
sewer or if there is no sewer, some means should be taken
to lead the water away from foundation. They should be
made of I X or galv iron.
QUALITY: — It it cheapest in the end to use the best tin, but
even if the poorest material is used, with a hanging gutter
there is no trouble in putting on a new one. It is otherwise
with those that are built up. The tin goes under the shingles,
and several courses have sometimes to be taken up where
repairs become necessary, and the expense is considerable.
The best material should be used when running under
shingles, and it snould be painted two coats of mineral paint
on the under side before being laid, to prevent rust, and
two coats on the upper also when in place.
VALLEYS: — In valleys, especially, where two roofs meet, the
one plane running north and the other east, for example, see
that the best quality of tin is put down regardless of the cost.
Economize on something else than tin in such a place, for if
poor material is used and the shingles — all cut to an angle
at the bottom — have to be lifted on both sides to get the
new tin under, repairs are unusually expensive. The old
proverb of penny wise, pound foolish applies here.
The difference,. then, is clearly seen: one may use poor tin
for Hanging gutters, or they may be left off altogether, for
that matter, but flashing around chimneys, dormers, valleys,
tin shingles on corners, and such work as can not be easily
repaired without tearing up the roof should be of the best
material carefully painted.
BRANDS: — Some of the best brands of tin are Taylor's Old
Style, M. F., and Merchants Old Method. These brands are
stamped in the sheet. I X of the various brands should
be used for valley linings. It is the tinning and not the iron
that makes for durability, but where rough usage is expected
the stiffer brand should be used.
HINTS ON HOUSE BUILDING 377
Galv iron is now often substituted for tin, and it is bet-
ter than the cheap brands, but not so good as the ones men-
tioned above. (For prices, see Chap XV.)
SIDING, ETC:— Pressed brick siding, rock faced siding, tin
shingles over entire roof, and such devices to imitate better
material, are seldom seen in cities, but are much admired by
those whom the New York Sun — " The Impartial Shiner " —
calls " the ruralists."
LATH AND PLASTER
LATH: — Metal lath is the best, but it is more expensive than
wp, the next best. It is seldom used for ordinary dwellings,
but both for clinching the mortar and for fire protection it
is superior to wood. But for metal the joists or strips, espe-
cially on ceilings, should not be more than 12" centers, as it
sags at a wider distance When joists are wider they are
usually furred with Ix2's.
For wood the joints are broken every 15" or so to keep the
plaster from cracking in a straight line from iloor to ceiling.
Outside brick walls are now often lined with 4" hollow brick
which take the place of the inside course and make the use
of wood strips unnecessary.
In Scotland split lath is used almost exclusively, and it ia
much better than the sawn lath, as the surf is necessarily
straight grained and not cut across, thus weakening the
strength of the wood.
Lathers should not crowd lath against window frames.
MORTAR: — Cement plasters have now taken the place of
the old lime kind. (See page 3.)
SAND: — Sand for all plasters should be screened. It is pos-
sible to spoil the plaster by using too much sand.
COATS: — The ordinary small house is finished in 2 coats,
but all, except the very cheapest, should have 3. The first
coat, the brown coat, usually put on at the same time as the
first, and, after thorough drying, the white, or putty coat.
Sand finish is not usually put on dwellings, but it is best for
halls and large rooms where the surf is to be painted instead
378 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
of papered. Three coats are necessary for metal lath, as the
first has to be thin and dry before the next is put on.
PROTECTION: — The walls of kitchens, pantries, corridors,
halls, stairs and bath rooms are now often finished to a
height of 3 or 4' with the hardest of cement plasters, such
as Best Brothers', Keene's Cement, and no wood wainscoting
used. It is the cleanest and best finish short of enameled tile
or such expensive material. At base, wood wainscoting, and
around all openings where wood finish is to be nailed on, the
plaster should be carefully straightened.
METAL CORNERS: — Use metal corners at angles. Then
the plaster can not be broken. Wood corner beads or strips
are not nearly so good. They are only 5c or less per ft.
SCREENS: — It is sometimes hard to keep even the best
plaster from cracking. Muslin screens should be put over all
openings to keep out the hot summer air which dries the
mortar too soon.
BURLAP: — After a time, where paper is not used, burlap is
put on the side walls and unbleached muslin on the ceiling
and the surf painted, but ordinary houses are not usually
treated in this way The burlap is either plain and painted
after it is put on, which appears to be the more satisfactory
way, or it can be bought already stained in various shades.
The joints should of course be butted and not lapped like
some cheap wall paper, as it is thick. It is too heavy for
ceilings.
SUBSTITUTES: — There are several "Board" inventions to
take the place of plaster. They are extra good when repair-
ing a house where one does not care to spoil floors with
plaster; but are not in general favor for new houses.
HARDWARE
See page 223, and buy according to your purse. Good, ser-
viceable, and even beautiful hardware may be had at a very
reasonable price. All the rest is leather and prunella, bow-
ing in the house of Rimmon, and so forth — but the hard-
ware men are as much entitled to their share of the extrav-
agance as other merchants, and they can supply a quality of
HINTS ON HOUSE BUILDING 37£
goods which would have surprised the founders of this repub-
lic. We excel in hardware on this side of the Atlantic.
KINDS: — Use loose pin surf or ordinary butts, so that doors
can be removed without using a screw driver. Cast iron is
cheap, and may serve for years, but may be broken in a day;
wrt iron is safer. Put on mortise locks, not rim locks. Slid-
ing doors should be hung from the top. Some run on tHe
floor, other on side devices. Sash should be hung on weights,
and not on any kind of balances. (See page 166.) If fly screens
are to be put on the inside, flush sash lifts should be used, as
the book or bar lifts project from the sash.
PAINT: — Under no circumstances should hardware be put
on before the painter is finished. It is next to impossible to
paint around it without smearing. With varnish the results
are worse than with paint, for the one is seen, and the painter
has to be careful, but the other is tnot, and is run over the
face of locks on doors and windows, clogging them and pre-
venting working. The hardware man is often blamed when
the painter is at fault.
PAINTING
SHINGLES should be dipped, but not painted.
NO. O~F COATS: — Houses are often painted with only 2 coats
on the outside, but at least 3 are necessary to give a proper
finish. White lead mixed with linseed oil is the best material
for the first, and subsequent costs, with the coloring matter
added. We live in an era of adulteration, when even food
is poisoned, and baking powder partly made of ground rock,
and why expect pure white lead? Ochre is not so good as
lead, but it is cheaper, and is often used for the first coat.
NO. OF COLORS: — The former style of decorated painting
is now out of date. Houses are often painted in only one color
with the exception of the sash. Pure white looks well but
it can not be produced with fewer than 3 coats, and 4 or even
more, are better. A. shade of coloring matter hides many
deficiencies at first, and much dust afterwards.
PUTTY: — A good painter will never do any puttying before
the first coat is put on. The raw wood absorbs the oil
380 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
from the putty, and it dries and falls out. For the same rea-
son the rabbets of sash must be primed before the glass is
put in.
There is more opportunity for using poor material in paint-
ing than almost any other branch of building. Architects
usually specify that all materials must be brought to the job
in original packages. Good paint lasts for a long while; poor
paint fades in less than a year.
INSIDE PAINTING: — There is the choice between paint and
finishing in the natural color, or staining and varnishing
(See page 270 for standard finish.)
FINE PAINT: — White and gold make a fine combination,
Si beautiful finish, but from five to eight coats are required
to cover the raw wood and bring out the proper shade. Such
work is expensive. It is not possible to get the white effect
with 2 coats. A little color, inside even more than outside,
covers all blemishes, and makes a cheaper finish than the
pure article. Yp is not adapted for painting nearly so well
as wp. or cypress.
VARNISH: — A cheaper finish than the pure white may be
had with the usual hard oil treatment. Of course, this does
not mean the first quality of work with the requisite number
of coats, and rubbing down, but merely a presentable finish
at a cheaper rate than for pure white paint. But with a little
ground pumice stone and linseed oil any one can do the
rubbing down to the much admired " egg shell gloss," and
save that part of the painter's bill, or, indeed, buy the ma-
terial and put on all the coats. (See page 267.)
FLOORS: — There are a hundred and one preparations for
hardwood floors. Painters stand by the regular finish, and
it is sure: Paste filler, 2 coats of grain alcohol — not wood
alcohol — shellac, 1 coat of good varnish, sand papered be-
tween coats and slightly rubbed down on the last. For all
work sandpapering is essential, and it should be done with
the grain of the wood, and not across.
Another good finish is filler, and waxing 2 coats with a
weighted brush. Still another is filler, 1 coat of shellac, and
1 of wax. Or filling and 2 coats of floor varnish, or florene,
but this is not so good as the shellac treatment. Floor var-
HINTS ON HOUSE BUILDING 381
nish costs about $1.75 per gall; white grain, and not wood
alcohol, shellac, $3.50.
An experienced painter gave me his choice for floors as
follows: No. 1: Filler, 1 coat of shellac, 2 of varnish, and
rubbing down. Cost, with profit included, 50c per sq yd.
No. 2: Filler, 1 coat shellac, 1 of wax, 30c. Such woods as
oak require to be filled owing to the pores; yp, wp, etc, do
not require filling.
MAPLE FLOORS: — It is hard to say what is the best finish
for maple floors. There are a dozen and one guaranteed
finishes, and 11 of them are almost sure to fail.
There is one good finish, and if it will not glisten, neither
will it come off. Carpenters used to polish up their beech
planes according to this one. Maple, is, of course, not so-
porous as beech.
Take a rag dipped in boiled linseed oil and rub the floor
all over with it, then at once rub it off with a cloth to a dry
surf. If the oil is not rubbed off the floor will be " oily,5'
and half spoiled. After the oil has had time to soak in apply
another coat in the same way and dry thoroughly at once.
Repeat the coat once a week and after a time once in two
weeks, and always be ready, with a kind of pride, to give
it a coat and a dry scrub just the same as a horseman gives
his horse a currying.
After a certain time a dull egg shell gloss wiTl be there
" for keeps," because the oil will have soaked into the pores
so deep and thoroughly that the boards would have to be
planed down a quarter of an inch to get the original color
of the wood.
This takes patience, but I have often seen planes glisten-
ing with this finish. It means a spoiled floor if the oil is
not carefully rubbed off.
On the other hand some painters say never to put lin-.
seed oil on a floor, but they mean in the ordinary way. For
a time — quite a time — linseed oil on any floor Is a disap-
pointment. But once on, it can not be marred with casters
or chair legs.
If this system is followed it must be with the same
patience that a smoker uses to color a meerchaum pipe.
.382 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
The only reward is a sight of the finished article. Finis
•coronat opus!
MAPLE FLOORS: — The Painters' Magazine recommends
what for most people will be a more satisfactory treatment
-of the much discussed maple floors. It is as follows:
Use 2, or better still, 3 coats of bleached grain alcohol
shellac — not wood alcohol — when the natural color of the
"wood is to fte preserved. After shellac is dry rub on a coat
'of floor oil composed of 9 parts raw linseed oil and 1 part
drier. This will give a smooth dull finish. Once a month
or oftener go over with a floor oil, 8 pints of raw linseed,
2 pints turpentine, and 1 pint white or orange grain shellac
Tarnish. Apply with a brush, and rub in by wrapping a
cloth around a weighted floor brush. Paraffine oil, pale and
light, will also clean off floor and preserve shellac body
PLASTER: — If plaster is painted in ordinary fashion, it is
often stippled to take off the brush marks and the gloss. But
"bath rooms, etc, are often finished in enamel paint. A coat
<of glue size is used on new plaster before painting.
HEATING
Stove heat is good, furnace heat is better, and hot water
Tieat is ftest. In our foolish days they used to drill us on
Positive, Comparative, and Superlative, and here they face
us once more. The first cost of the hot water plant is often
'35 to 100 per cent more than the furnace one. This
makes it superlative in two senses.
In the chapter on "Heating" the cost of furnaces is given
at $19 per room for an aver. From a large number of plans
examined I find that hot water heating, as set forth by the
manufacturers of the system, costs about $30 per room. In
a few cases it is as low as $25; in many it is as high as
$50 anil <even $60. It is impossible to give a price per room,
' as climate, glass surf, and distance from factory or supply
houses must be reckoned with. Coal consumption is said to
be less. But once the temperature is allowed to fall, it takes
more time to reheat than with a furnace. There is danger
of freezing if the fire should go out, and there is a loss of
space -occupied toy radiators.
HINTS ON HOUSE BUILDING 383
The late W. B. Jenney of Chicago, the father of the sky-
scraper, said that every architect should possess a copy of
Kidder's "Architect's and Builder's Pocket Book." Kidder—
now dead also — said, " For residences of 8 or 10 rooms, and
covering not more than 1,200 sq ft the author would recom-
mend hot air heating by means of a good furnace."
Many architects, again, look upon hot water heating as the
ideal system. " For residences of 1,400 sq ft," continues Mr.
.Kidder, " a combination hot air and water system is recom-
mended, or an entire hot water system. For still larger, a
steam or hot water, , . , "
CHAPTER XXVII
COTTAGES IN SPAIN, OR THE BUILDING OF THE NEST
Being an Idyllic and Popular Chapter
PAYS DE COCAIGNE:— We have all heard of castles in
Spain, but our age runs to cottages built in the same delight-
ful country. For a thousand dollars you may have one while
you wait, if the illustrated magazines are to be believed, with
seven rooms, modern plumbing, electric lights flashing from
cellar to roof, and doors and windows made to let in filtered
sunshine and keep out flies and burglars. It is magnificent,
but jealous contractors say that it can't be done. The maga-
zmes, they say, are serving up the strongest quality of
fiction in their advertising pages. It does seem strange that
people can be gulled so easily as to swallow the fables. It
seems stranger still that reputable magazines will print the
absurd advertisements.
It may be accepted as a fact that good building costs a
good strong price; it may also be accepted as a fact that
contractors seldom make more than a close living if they
spend their lives building small cottages in competition.
They are cut to the bone. I have not built any for a dozen
years, and so can give a fair chapter without bias.
On page 304 an approximate figure is given for frame houses
— $300 to $350 per room without modern improvements; $450
to $700 with the best finish. I built my last one in St. Louis.
It cost, without modern improvements, $330 per room; I know
of an Omaha house, solidly constructed, one like scores of
the very best kind with everything modern, and the cost per
room complete is far nearer $600 than $500. These are for
cities at city prices; in the country, prices can be cut, but
not quite 50%.
The St. Louis cottage was 28' wide by 32' long, with no
angles. It was made as plain as possible, and yet looked
well. The ceilings were 9' 6" and 9' 0". A cellar with earth
floor extended throughout the entire area. Walls were of
384
COTTAGES IN SPAIN 385
stone which was supplied free of charge. There were 3
rooms and hall on each floor. Attic has sheeting floor, but
was unfinished. A plain front porch ran across one end,
and there was a small balcony as second floor. Practically
one partition ran each way dividing house into four spaces.
There was a sliding door. The finish was all pine and
painted. The people who are learning from the magazines
how to make resplendent bookcases out of old soap boxes
could build such a house for a few hundred dollars, but a
contractor can not. It was well built. The walls were cov-
ered with sheeting, paper and siding; the floors were of yp.
Sometimes the sheeting is left off.
The parlor was 14' 3"xl5' 4"; sitting room, 14' 3"xl4' 6";
kitchen, 12' 3"xl4' 3"; hall, 12' 3"xlO' 3"; bedrooms,
14' 6"xl4' 3"; 14' 0"xl4' 3"; 12' 3"xl4' 3". There were 2
closets on second floor, and a pantry on first. There were
two chimneys.
Cost Per Cent
Excavation $30 1 . 6
Basement, Chimneys and Pipe Drain. . 240 12.6
Lumber 482 25.3
Millwork and Glass 227 11.9
Carpenter Labor at 40c per hour 475 24.9
Plaster 148 7.8
Hardware 60 3.1
Tin and Kitchen Sink 60 3.1
Electric Wiring 27 1.4
Mantel and Hearth 36 1.9
Paint 122 6.4
$1,907 100.0
That is actual cost; at $330 per room a small margin ia
left for contractor's profit. Nothing is allowed for outhouses,
sidewalks, clothes poles, fly screens, cistern, and broken
glass. A cistern lined with brick is worth about $50. Over
walls, deducting recess, there are 860 sq ft at $2.22.
Labor and material are higher since then. Such a house
is worth $2,300 in Omaha, St. Louis, Chicago, or a dozen of
other cities which might be mentioned. If lumber can be
bought for $9 instead of $18 or $24 that is another story; but
386 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
no one should believe that magazine prices will pass In
the aver city.
(See page 36 for percentage of frame buildings.)
LABOR: — Carpenter labor is one of the largest items, and
runs to about 1,200 hours; the first contract I had was for
a 5 room house and with making much of the millwork by
hand the hours were close .to 1,000. Another house of the
same style, about 900, still another, 950. For a fine 8 room,
hardwood finished house, including oak floors, the time was
2,200 hours. Mitred siding, fine cornices, fancy roofs, and
magazine half tones in general take a great many hours.
(See page 160 for floors.) On the cheapest house I ever had,
the v carpenter hours ran to 460 for 3 rooms, a pantry, a very
plain front porch, and a chimney set in mid air, a building
so plain as to be totally unfit for the pages of a magazine.
The cost was about $500. On an 8 room dbl house to enclose,
build porches and put in sash 2,500 hours.
SOME POSSIBILITIES:— In some parts of this wide con-
tinent foundations need not go more than a foot in the
ground; in other parts they ought to go 4' to clear the frost
line. Dbl floors are used in the best houses; single are suf-
ficient in warm climates. The best shingles are expensive;
the kind sometimes used are scarcely fit for a stable. The
workmanship is often of very poor quality; where studs
should be dbl they are left single. (See " Studs" page 172.)
And so on in a score of ways. But even with the cheapest
material and labor, and the poorest workmanship it is im-
possible tQ keep abreast of the magazine heroes.
In Vermont, I once worked as a carpenter for $1.50 per
day; in Oregon lumber sells for $10 per M; in the Southern
states foundation walls do not require to go very deep; and
in Iowa there is a settlement where the houses are left
unpainted — but the difficulty is to get all these various
advantages " assembled; " and they are all required before
the magazine cottages can be built at the given price.
THE TEST: — The other night a contractor and I looked over
a model plan that might please any small family. It has
appeared in several magazines, and is deservedly populaK
COTTAGES IN SPAIN 387
The perspective of the house is in keeping with the well
designed floor plans.
There are 3 rooms on each floor, and a large hall on the
first floor. There is a bath room in the second floor hall.
On the first floor there is a large pantry and coat closet;
on the second, an alcove and 2 closets. The house stands
high enough to show the cellar lights clear of the ground;
and is crowned and ornamented with the popular Dutch roof.
The St. Louis house was sq and without projections; this-
one has corners and bays spread around, each one adding to
the cost; and instead of one plain cornice there are two heavy
ones. In proportion to size it is in every way a more expen-
sive house to build. The area is about 675 sq ft as against
860, but the cost of houses of nearly the same size is not
in all ways reduced in proportion to area, for there are prac-
tically the same number of openings to consider for mill-
work, and stairs are the same.
We made a rough estimate of the cost and agreed on,
at the very least, $2,000 for Omaha, and other cities; and
we made a cut rate for a cheap locality as follows :
Cost Per Cent
Excavation $25 1 . 5
Masonry 220 13.0
Lumber 320 19 . 0
Millwork and Glass 230 13 . 5
Carpenter Labor 350 20. 6
Plaster, 600 yds at 22c (very cheap). . . 132 7.7
Hardware 50 3.0
Tin 40 2.3
Mantel and Hearth 30 1.7
Paint 100 5.9
Plumbing 200 11.8
$1.697 100.0
Contractors are popularly supposed to make large profits*
The usual allowance may be added for them. Electric wir-
ing is not included, as the specifications were not at hand,
but that and other extras may perhaps be specified also.
As we looked at our figures and the published price there
was a considerable difference. According to> the magazine
388 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
advertisement the house has been built several hundred times
for $1,125, presumably including a good profit for the con-
tractor. No wonder the plans are selling. That is only
$188 per room with plumbing thrown in.
A CHEAP HOUSE: — But for a "cheesebox " cottage the low
figures will pass; and a plain house that is owned by the
occupants is more to be desired than a stylish one owned
by some one else.
Take a 1-story house 18'x36', with no projections, 4'x9"
foundation, 9' ceiling, 3 rooms and pantry, plain porch,
chimney set on a bracket, and the cost at city prices, should
not run over $648, or $1 per sq ft. If posts and sheeting
are substituted for brick foundations, $600 is enough. Paint-
ing, set at $50, might be done later on, and $550 taken as
the figure. But this means a hole dug in the ground for
a cellar, pine finished, no fancy angles outside or inside, no
blinds, no sink, water supply, or cistern. In some localities
half that figure would be enough. Omaha, Chicago, St.
Louis, Salt Lake City, New York, represent the one extreme;
the mountains of North Carolina, the forests of Washington
and the pleasant climate of Florida make the other possible.
The porch left off cuts the price down $50 more; and for
those who prefer a home of their own without plaster to a
plastered one belonging to some one else, for the course of
the summer, a deduction of $75 may be made. But a con-
tractor could not build such cottages and live. A good car-
penter, just starting out, is willing to take such small con-
tracts for the chance of making a little more than by work-
ing by the day.
But let the distinction be kept clear between such ordinary
shelters and the miniature palaces shown in the magazines.
ANOTHER: — In looking through some recent trade journals,
I found a house almost the same as the St. Louis one, and
the trade publications have to present another kind of esti-
mates than those in the illustrated magazines, for their
* readers are acquainted with prices.
The size is 28'x30' over all, there is a cellar throughout
entire house. There is no hall, but 4 rooms and a pantry
on first floor, and 4 rooms with closets above. The divi-
COTTAGES IN SPAIN 389
sion of the partitions is practically the same, but a box stair
is used. There are only 4 corners, and the finish, outside
and inside, is of the plainest. The ceilings are 9' 0" and
8' 6". It is as plain a house as could be built, and yet the
cost per room is $278, and the rooms are small. The cost
and percentages are as follows:
Cost Per Cent
Excavation and Masonry $315 14 . 2
Lumber 538 24.2
Millwork and Glass 390 17 . 5
Carpenter Work 420 18. 9
Hardware and Tin 100 4.5
Kitchen Sink 40 1.8
Plaster 180 8.1
Painting 140 6.3
Incidentals.. 100 4.5
$2,223 100.0
There is no plumbing except the sink.
On the St. Louis house some of the millwork was made
by hand fhus reducing cost of this item and raising carpenter
work; on the foregoing house the mill work is figured ready
to put on. The rate per hour of carpenters is not given.
But the two houses made a very close comparison.
On the first the cost per sq ft is $2.22; on this one the
cost is $2.65; on still another plan, originally made by a
friend for competition in " The Ladies Home Journal," but
never sent in, the cost is $4.14, the difference being due to
furnace, plumbing, detail work and better finish.
"Did you send in the plan?" I asked him,
"No," he replied, "when I found that the cost ran to
more than $4 per sq ft without contractors' prolt I let it
go."
His plan is sq, 29'x32' with a cemented basement all
through; attic is floored but not finished; there are halls
and 4 rooms on each floor besides 2 bath rooms, and plenty
of closets with windows. Counting bath rooms, makes 10
rooms at $384 each. The estimate made for him by a con-
tractor is given below:
390 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
Cost Per Cent
Excavation and Masonry $492 12 . 82
Lumber 500 13.03
Millwork and Glass 906 23 . 61
Carpenter Labor 758 19 . 75
Plastering 234 6 . 09
Hardware 77 2 . 01
Tin 65 1.70
Painting 280 7 . 30
Heating and Mantel 200 5 . 22
Plumbing 325 8.47
$3,837 100.0
BUNGALOWS: — The real American palace, we are told, is
a bungalow. Like a palace, in one respect, the cost some-
times runs higher than is expected. The bungalow fad is at
present sweeping over the land in rather a strong way.
The little nook and corner castle makes a pretty picture,
but has weak points as well as strong ones.
I have seen many of them in the beautiful semi-tropical
country around Los Angeles, and there is their proper home.
Often a structure of plain rough boards and battens, such as
we use in other regions for a coal shed, is built, and what
with stained walls, roses, palms, and luxuriant foliage, it
makes a picture for an artist. But that style will not do in
zero weather.
In California, near the sea, no basement or cellar is re-
quired, as meat hangs in the open air. Then, a founda-
tion is not really necessary even on top of the ground, to
say nothing of going below the frost line. A cheap shelter
can easily be built there.
From a Bungalow Book at hand I find that sq ft prices run
from $1 to $2.10 for well finished, beautiful structures. What
with foundations, cellars, the necessity of guarding against
zero weather and high cost of special millwork, usually
shown, these prices might easily be doubled. The founda-
tion and roof area of a bungalow is necessarily much larger
than those of a 2 story house; and a roof costs almost as
much, even at the same area, on a 1-story house as on a 2.
One bungalow put up in Omaha in 1908 cost $4,000. The
size is 24'x36' on ground floor, so that the rate per sq ft is
COTTAGES IN SPAIN 391
$4.50. There is a cemented basement all through, oak finish
on first floor, rooms in the attic, and everything finished in
the best manner. Ceilings are only 8'-6" and 8'-0", which is
too low. For general purposes a 2-story house is more to
be desired.
Two others cost $3; one with a single story, $2.50.
Then, in a bungalow the bed rooms are usually on the first
floor — and if the door happens to be left open when the
preacher calls at 4 P. M., and through some accident the
work is left undone, there is soon apt to be a sermon on the
ant, that marvel of industry.
If foundations have to run down 3'-6" for frost, and floor
is, say, 2'-6" above ground there is a brick walF 5'-0" deep
around a space about 30x45 instead of one 24x28. In the 2
story, you can excavate all the space, and have enough room
— if you do this in the bungalow you have far too much room,
the work is too expensive, especially if you put in a concrete
and cement floor, and if you excavate only a part, there is
the rough earth to look at instead of a finished wall.
A reinforced concrete bungalow was put up in 1907 at Fort
Thomas, Ky. It cost about $3,800, or $3.90 per sq ft of ground
area. Regular first floor rooms, and also attic. Red tile
roof.
The bungalow is an artistic and suitable building for the
bungalow country, and, indeed, for any country if you can
afford the expense. Of course a summer home can be built
cheaply enough anywhere, but for a permanent winter home
in a zero country, strictly well built, a bungalow is a high
priced luxury.
SOD: — For sod around buildings the charge in Omaha is 12c
per sq yd laid. In Chap VI we see bids were put in on
230,000 yds for 2 and 3 cents.
No matter how well you build your house it will not satisfy
every one. There are many different tastes, and it is well
that there are. In "The Canadian Architect and Builder,"
for instance, there is a pleasant little article which may be
read with profit:
392 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
MISTAKES IN HIS NEW HOUSE.
O. M. Weand, a railroad contractor, of Reading, Pa., has
just finished building a house for himself and to commemo-
rate the event, has published an illustrated pamphlet of 50
or more pages containing the criticisms of leading citizens.
The title of the book is " The Mistakes I Made in Building a
House." Following are some of the criticisms of his friends:
" Of course, you are building the house, but if it were mine,
I would run an open porch around the corner so as to con-
nect the 2 porches."
" I would prefer one large window in the second story front,
instead of the dbl window."
"You'll make a mistake if you don't pebble dash the
exterior."
"You better run the 13 inch walls all the way up. It
gets pretty windy out here sometimes."
" I think the ceilings are too low.
" My! How small the rooms are."
" You ought to be on the other side of the street."
"If it were my house, I would prefer to have the cornice
several inches higher."
"By all means put a dbl line of boards on the first floor.
It keeps the cellar dust from coming through."
" Those chimney tops look like tombstones."
" The lawn steps should have been immediately in front of
the main entrance."
"Why didn't you set the house in the middle of the lot? "
" Personally, I prefer steam heat to the hot water system."
CHAPTER XXVIII
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
PROPERTIES OF THE CIRCLE
Diam X 3. 14159 = circumference.
Diam X .8862 = side of an equal sq.
Diam X .7071 =side of an inscribed sq.
Diam2 X .7854 = area of a circle.
Radius X 6.28318 = circumference.
Circumference -r- 3 .1 41 59 = diam .
1st. The circle contains a greater area than any plane figure, bounded by
an equal perimeter or outline.
2d. The areas of circles are to each other as the sq of their diam.
3d. Any circle whose diam is double that of another contains four times
the area of the other.
4th. Area of a circle is equal to the area of a triangle whose base equals
the circumference, and perpendicular equals the radius.
TABLE OF DECIMAL EQUIVALENTS
8THS
1/8 equals 125 5/8 equals 625
1/4 equals 250 3/4 equals 750
3/8 equals 375 7/8 equals 875
1/2 equals 500
16THS
1/16 equals 0625 9/16 equals 5625
3/16 equals 1875 11/16 equals 6875
5/16 equals 3125 13/16 equals 8125
7/16 equals 4375 15/16 equals 9375
32DS
1/32 equals 03125 17/32 equals 53125
3/32 equals 09375 19/32 eqpals. 59375
5/32 equals 15625 21/32 equals 65625
7/32 equals 21875 23/32 equals 71875
9/32 equals 28125 25/32 equals 78125
11/32 equals 34375 27/32 equals 84375
13/32 equals 40625 29/32 equals 90625
15/32 equals 46875 31Z32 equals 96875
393
394 , THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
Table of Decimal Equivalents— Continued
64THS
1/64 equals 015625 33/64 equals .515625
3/64 equals 046875 35/64 equals 546875
5/64 equals 078125 37/64 equals 578125
7/64 equals 109375 39/64 equals 609375
9/64 equals 140625 41/64 equals 640625
11/64 equals 171875 43/64 equals 671875
13/64 equals 203125 45/64 equals 703125
15/64 equals 234375 47/64 equals 734375
17764 equals 265625 49/64 equals 765625
19/64 equals 296875 51/64 equals 796875
21/64 equals 328125 53/64 equals 828125
23/64 equals 359375 55/64 equals 859375
25/64 equals 390625 57/64 equals 890625
27/64 equals 421875 59/64 equals 921875
29/64 equals 453124 61/64 equals. 953125
31/64 equals 484375 63/64 equals 984375
USEFUL MEMORANDA AND TABLES
1 ci of Cast Iron weighs 0.26 Ibs
1 ci of Wrought Iron weighs 0.28 Ibs
1 ci of Water weighs 036 Ibs
1 cf of Water weighs 62.321 Ibs
1 United States gall weighs 8.33 Ibs
1 Imperial gall weighs 10. Ibs
1 United States gall equals 231. ci
1 Imperial gall equals 277.274 ci
1 cf of Water equals 7.48 U. S. gall
CONVENIENT MULTIPLES
For the side of an equal sq of a circle, mult diam by .8862. For the surf
of a sphere, mult sq of diam by 3.1446. For the Solidity of a sphere, mult
cube of diam by .5236. For the side of an inscribed cube, mult the radius
of a sphere by 1.1547. The area of the base of a pyramid, or cone, whether
round, sq or triangular, mult by one-third of its height, equals the solidity.
The base of a triangle mult by half the height equals the area.
RULE
For finding the weight of castings or forgings by the weight
of their patterns.
Mult the weight of the wp pattern by
16 for cast iron, 25 for lead,
17.1 for wrt iron, 12.2 for tin,
17.3 for steel, 13 for brass,
18 for copper, 11.4 for zinc,
and the product is the weight of the casting.
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
395
CIRCUMFERENCES AND AREAS OF CIRCLES
Diam
Circum
Area
Diam
Circum
Area
1
3.1416
.7854
64
201.06
3216.99
2
6.2832
3.1416
65
204.20
3318.31
3
9.4248
7.0686
66
207.34
3421.19
4
12.5664
12.5664
67
210.49
3525.65
5
15.7080
19.635
68
213.63
3631 .68
6
18.850
28.274
69
216.77
3739.28
7
21.991
38.485
70
219.91
3848.45
8
25.133
50.266
71
223.05
3959.19
9
28.274
63.617
72
226.19
4071 .50
10
31.416
78.540
73
229.34
4185.39
11
34.558
95.033
74
232.48
4300.84
12
37.699
113.1
75
235.62
4417.86
13
40.841
132.73
76
238.76
4536.46
14
43.982
153.94
77
241.90
4656.63
15
47.124
176.71
78
245.04
4778.36
16
50.265
201.06
79
248.19
4901.67
17
53.407
226.98
80
251.33
5026.55
18
56.549
254.47
81
254.47
5153.
19
59.690
283.53
82
257.61
5281.02
20
62.832
314.16
83
260.75
5410.61
21
65.973
346.36
84
263.89
5541.77
22
69.115
380.13
85
267.04
5674.50
23
72.257
415.48
86
270.18
5808.80
24
75.398
452.39
87
273.32
5944.68
25
78.540
490.87
88
276.46
6082.12
26
81.681
530.93
89
279.60
6221.14
27
84.823
572.56
90
282.74
6361.73
28
87.965
615.75
91
285.88
6503.88
29
91.106
660.52
92
289.03
6647.61
30
94.248
706.86
93
292.17
6792.91
31
97.389
754.77
94
295.31
6939.78
32
100.53
804.25
95
298.45
7088.22
33
103.67
855.30
96
301.59
7238.23
34
106.81
907.92
97
304.73
7339.81
35
109.96
962.11
98
307.88
7542.96
36
113.10
1017.88
99
311.02
7697.69
37
116.24
1075.21
100
314.16
7853.98
38
119.38
1134.11
101
317.30
8011.85
39
122.52
1194.59
102
320.44
8171.28
40
125.66
1256.64
103
323.58
8332.29
41
128.81
1320.25
104
326.73
8494.87
42
131.95
1385.44
105
329.87
8659.01
43
135.09
1452.20
106
333.01
8824.73
44
138.23
1520.53
107
336.15
8992.02
45
141.37
1590.43
108
339.29
9160.88
46
144.51
1661.90
109
342.43
9331.32
47
147.65
1734.94
110
345.58
9503.32
48
150.80
1809.56
111
348.72
9676.89
49
153.94
1885.74
112
351.86
9852.03
50
157.08
1963.50
113
355.
10028.75
51
160.22
2042.82
114
358.14
10207.03
52
163.36
2123.72
115
361.28
10386.89
53
166.50
2206.18
116
364.42
10568.32
54
169.65
2290.22
117
367.57
10751.32
55
172.79
2375.83
118
370.71
10935.88
56
175.93
2463.01
119
373.85
11122.02
57
179.07
2551.76
120
376.99
11309.73
58
182.21
2642.08
121
380.13
11499.01
69
185.35
2733.97
122
383.27
11689.87
60
188.50
2827.43
123
386.42
11882.29
€1
191.64
2922.47
124
389.56
12076.28
62
194.78
3019.07
125
392.70
12271.85
-63
197192
3117.25
126
395.84
12468.98
396
THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
LEAD PIPE
Weight per LP
Inside
Diam.
Thickness in In
A
i
A
*
1
i
1
I
in
Ibs
Ibs
Ibs
Ibs
Ibs
Ibs
Ibs
Ibs
.427
.97
1 65
2.44
4.38
.548
1.21
2.01
2.93
5.11
7.79
.670
1.46
2.38
3.42
5.85
8.77
i2'.2
.791
1.70
2.74
3.90
6.58
9.75
13.4
i7'.6
.911
1.95
3.11
4.39
7.31
10.7
14.6
19.1
1
1.03
2.19
3.47
4.88
8.04
11.7
15.8
20.5
1.28
2.69
4.21
5.85
9.5
13.7
18.3
23.4
1.52
3.18
4.94
6.83
11.
15.6
20.7
26.3
1.76
3.67
5.67
7.81
12.4
17.6
23.2
29.3
2
2.01
4.16
6.40
8.78
13.9
19.5
25.6
32.2
2.25
4.65
7.13
9.76
15.4
21.5
28.1
35.1
2.49
5.14
7.86
10.7
16.8
23.4
30.5
38.
2.73
5.63
8.59
11.7
18.3
25.4
32.9
41.
3
2.98
6.12
9.32
12.7
19.7
27.3
35.4
43,9 -
i
3.46
7.10
10.8
14.6
22.7
31.3
40.3
49.7
4
3.95
8.08
12.2
16.6
25.6
35.2
45.2
55.6
CAST IRON PIPES
Weight of a LF
gfi
Thickness of Metal in In
&s
i
1
i
i
f
1
1
H
U
11
Ibs
Ibs
Ibs
Ibs
Ibs
Ibs
Ibs
Ibs
Ibs
Ibs
2
5.52
8.74
12.27
16.11
20.25
24.70
29.45
34.52
39.88
51.54
2i
6.75
10.58
14.73
19.18
23.95
28.99
34.36
40.04
46.02
58.91
3
7.93
12.43
17.18
22.24
27.61
32.29
39.27
45.56
52.16
66.27
3i
9.20
14.27
19.64
25.31
31.29
37.58
44.18
51.08
58.29
73.63
4
10.43
16.11
22.09
28.38
34.98
41.88
49.09
56.60
64.43
80.99
4i
11.66
17.95
24.54
31.45
38.66
46.18
54.00
62.13
70.56
88.36
5
12.89
19.79
27.00
34.52
42.34
50.47
58.91
67.65
76.70
95.72
5i
14.11
21.63
29.45
37.58
46.02
54.76
63.81
73.17
82.84
103.08
6
15.34
23.47
31.91
40.65
49.70
59.06
68.72
78.69
88.97
110.45
7
17.79
27.15
36.82
46.79
57.06
67.65
78.54
89.74
101.24
125.17
8
20.25
30.83
41.72
52.92
64.43
76.24
88.36
100.78
113.52
139.90
9
22.70
34.52
46.63
59.06
71.79
84.83
98.18
111.83
125.79
154.63
10
25 16
38 20
51 54
65 19
79 15
93 42
107 99
122 87
138.06
11
27.61
41.88
56.45
71.33
86.52
102.01
117.81
133.92
150.33
12
30.07
45 56
61 36
77 47
93 88
110 60
127.63
144.96
162.60
13
32.52
49! 24
66! 27
83 .'60
101 ! 24
119il9
137.45
156.01
174.87
14
34.98
52.92
71.18
89.74
108 . 61
127.78
147.26
167.05
187.15
15
56.60
76.09
95.87
115.97
136.37
157.08
178.10
199.42
..'!!!
16
60 29
80.99
102.01
123.33
144 96
166.90
189.14
211.69
18
67.65
90.81
114.28
138.06
162!l4
186.53
211.23
236.23
20
100 . 63
126.55
152.79
179.32
2Ofi 17
233 32
260 . 78
22
110.45
138.83
167.51
196.50 225.8(1
255.41
285 . 32
24
120.26
151.10
182.24
213.68
245.44
277.50
309.87
NOTE. For each joint add a ft in length of the pipe.
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
397
U. S. GALL IN ROUND TANKS
For One Ft in Depth
Diam
of
Tanks
No.
U. S.
Gall
CFand
Area in
SF
Diam
of
Tanks
No.
U. S.
Gall
CF andl
Area in
SF
Diam
of
Tanks
No.
U. S.
Gall
CF and
A.rea in
SF
1'
5.87
.785
5' 8"
188.66
25.22
19'
2120.90
283.53
1' 1"
6.89
.922
5' 9"
194.25
25.97
19' 3"
2177.10
291.04
1' 2"
8.
1.069
5' 10"
199.92
26.73 '
19' 6"
2234.
298:65
1' 3"
9.18
1.227
5' 11"
205.67
27.49
19' 9"
2291 .70
306.35
1' 4"
10.44
1.396
6'
211.51
28.27 |
20'
2350.10
314.16
1' 5"
11.79
1.576
6' 3"
229.50
30.68
20' 3"
2409.20
322.06
1 6"
13.22
1.767
6' 6"
248.23
33.18
20' 6"
2469.10
330.06
1' 7"
14.73
1.969
6' 9"
267.69
35.78
20' 9"
2529.60
338.16
1' 8"
16.32
2.182
V
287.88
38.48
21'
2591.
346.36
1 9"
17.99
2.405
r 3"
308.81
41.28
21' 3"
2653.
354.66
1' 10"
19.75
2.640
7' 6"
330.48
44.18
21' 6"
2715.80
363.05
1' 11"
21.58
2.885
r 9"
352.88
47.17
21' 9"
2779.30
371.54
2'
23.50
3.142
8'
376.01
50.27
22'
2843.60
380.13
2' 1"
25.50
3.409
8' 3"
399'88
53.46
22' 3"
2908.60
388.82
2' 2"
27.58
3.687
S' 6"
424.48
56.75
22' 6"
2974.30
397.61
2' 3"
29.74
3.976
8' 9"
449.82
60.13
22' 9"
3040.80
406.49
2' 4"
31.99
4.276
9'
475.89
63.62
23'
3108.
415.48
2' 5"
34.31
4.587
9' 3"
502.70
67.20
23' 3"
3175.90
424.56
2' 6"
36.72
4.909
9' 6"
530.24
70.88
23' 6"
3244.60
433.74
2' 7"
39.21
5.241
9' 9"
558.51
74.66
23' 9"
3314.
443.01
2' 8"
41.78
5.585
10'
587.52
78.54
24'
3384.10
452.39
2' 9"
44.43
5.940
10' 3"
617.26
82.52
24' 3"
3455.
461.86
2' 10"
47.16
6.305
10' 6"
640.74
86.59
24' 6"
3526.60
471.44
2' 11"
49.98
6.681
10' 9"
678.95
90.76
24' 9"
3598.90
481.11
3'
52.88
7.069
11'
710.90
95.03
25'
3672.
490.87
3' 1"
55.86
7.467
11' 3"
743.58
99.40
25' 3"
3745.80
500.74
3' 2"
58.92
7.876
11' 6"
776.99
103.87
25' 6"
3820.30
510.71
3' 3"
62.06
8.296
11' 9"
811.14
108.43
25' 9"
3895.60
520.77
3' 4"
65.28
8.727
12'
846.03
113.10
26'
3971.60
530.93
3' 5"
68.58
9.168
12' 3"
881.65
117.86
26' 3"
4048.40
541.19
3' 6"
71.97
9.621
12' 6"
918.
122.72
26' 6"
4125.90
551.55
3' 7"
75.44
10.085
12' 9"
955.09
127.68
26' 9"
4204.10
562.
3' 8"
78.99
10.559
13'
992.91
132.73
27'
4283.
572.66
3' 9"
82.62
11.045
13' 3"
1031.50
137.89
27' 3"
4362.70
583.21
3' 10"
86.33
11.541
13' 6"
1070.80
143.14
27' 6"
4443.10
593.96
3' 11"
90.13
12.048
13' 9"
1110.80
148.49
27' 9"
4524.30
604.81
4'
94.
12.566
14'
1151.50
153.94
28'
4606.20
615.75
4' 1"
97.96
13.095
14' 3"
1193.
159.48
28' 3"
4688.80
626.80
4' 2"
102.
13.635
14' 6"
1235.30
165.13
28' 6"
4772.10
637.94
4' 3"
106.12
14.186
14' 9"
1278.20
170.87
28' 9"
4856.20
649.18
4' 4"
110.32
14.748
15'
1321.90
176.71
29'
4941.
660.52
4' 5"
114.61
15.321
15' 3"
1366.40
182.65
29' 3"
5026.60
671.96
4' 6"
118.97
15.90
15' 6"
1411.50
188.69
29' 6"
5112.90
683.49
4' 7"
123.42
16.50
15' 9"
1457.40
194.83
29' 9"
5199.90
695.13
4' 8"
127.95
17.10
16'
1504.10
201 .06
30'
5287.70
706.86
4/ g*
132.56
17.72
16' 3"
1551.40
207.39
30' 3"
5376.20
718.69
4' 10*
137.25
18.35
16' 6"
1599.50
213.82
30' 6"
5465.40
730.62
4' 11"
142.02
18.99
16' 9"
1648.40
220.35
30' 9"
5555.40
742.64
5'
146.88
19.63
17'
1697.90
226.98
31'
5646.10
754.77
5' 1"
151.82
20.29
17' 3"
1748.20
233.71
31' 3"
5737.50
766.99
5' 2"
156.83
20.97
17' 6"
1799.30
240.53
31' 6"
5829.70
779.31
5' 3"
161.93
21.65
17' 9"
1851.10
247.45
31' 9"
5922.60
791.73
5' 4"
167.12
22.34
18'
1903.60
254.47
32'
6016.20
804.25
5' 5"
172.38
23.04
18' 3"
1956.80
261.59
32' 3"
6110.60
816.86
5' 6"
177.72
23.76
18' 6"
2010.80
268.80
32' 6"
6205.70
829.58
5' 7"
183.15
24.48
18' 9*
2065.50
276.12
32' 9"
6301 .50
842.39
31 i Gall to 1 Bbl
To find the capacity of tanks greater than the largest given in the table, look
in the table for a tank of one-half of the given size and mult its capacity by
4, or one of one-third its size and mult its capacity by 9, etc.
398
THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
C3
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S I
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co £
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WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
399
WEIGHT OF FLAT BAR IRON PER LF
ridth
Thickness in In.
iln.
A
4
A
1
A
1
A
i
i
I
I
1
Ibs
Ibs
Ibs
Ibs
Ibs
Ibs
Ibs
Ibs
Ibs
Ibs
Ibs
Ibs
.21
.42
.63
.84
1.05
1.26
1.47
1.68
2.11
2.53
2 95
3.37
.24
.47
.71
.95
.18
1.42
1.66
1.90
2.37
2.84
3.32
3.79
.26
.53
.79
1.05
.32
1.58
1.84
2.11
2 63
3.16
3.68
4.21
.29
.58
.87
1.16
.45
1.74
2.03
2,32
2.89
3.47
4.05
4.63
.32
.63
.95
1.26
.58
1.90
2.21
2.53
3.16
3.79
4.42
5.05
.34
.68
1.03
1.37
.71
2.05
2.39
2.74
3.42
4.11
4.79
5.47
.37
.74
1.11
1.47
.84
2.21
2.58
2.95
3.68
4.42
5.16
5.89
s • • •
.40
.79
1.18
1.58
.97
2.37
2.76
3.16
3.95
4.74
5.53
6.32
.42
.84
1.26
1.68
2.11
2.53
2.95
3.37
4.21
5.05
5.89
6.74
.45
.90
1.34
1.79
2.24
2.68
3.13
3.58
4.47
5.37
6.26
7.16
.47
.95
1.42
1.90
2.37
2.84
3.32
3.79
4.74
5.68
6.83
7.58
.50
1.00
1.50
2,00
2.50
3.00
3.50
4.00
5.00
6.00
7.00
8.00
.53
1.05
1.58
2.11
2.63
3.16
3.68
4.21
5.26
6.32
7.37
8.42
.55
1.11
1.66
2.21
2.76
3.32
3.87
4.42
5.53
6.63
7.74
8.84
.58
1.16
1.74
2.32
2.89
3.47
4.05
4.63
5.79
6.95
8.10
9.26
.63
1.26
1.90
2.5
3.16
3.79
4.42
5.05
6.32
7.58
8.84
10.10
!•''
.68
1.37
2.05
2.74
3.42
4.11
4.79
5.47
6.84
8.21
9.58
10.95
i
-74
1.47
2.21
2.95
3.68
4.42
5.16
5.89
7.37
8.84
10.32
11.79
.84
1.68
2.53
3.37
4.21
5.05
5.89
6.74
8.42
10.10
11.79
13.47
i!!!!
,95
1.90
2.84
3.79
4.74
5.68
6.63
7.58
9.47
11.38
13.26
15.16
1.0
2.11
3.16
4.21
5.26
6.32
7.37
8.42
10.53
12.63
14.74
16.84
i"i!
1.16
2.32
3.47
4.63
5.79
6.95
8.10
9.26
11.58
13.8916.21
18.52
.26
2.53
3.79
5.05
6.32
7.58
8.84
10.10
12.63
15.16
17.68
20.21
i'.'..!
.36
2.73
4. TO
5.47
6.84
8.21
9.58
10.94
13.68
16.42
19.16
21.88
.47
2.94
4.42
5.90
7.36
8.84
10.32
11.79
14.74
17.68
20.64
23.58
i"!!
.58
3.16
4.74
6.32
7.90
9.48
11.06
12.64
15.78
18.94
21.11
25.50
.68
3.36
5.05
6.74
8.42
10.10
11.78
13.48
16.84
20.20
23.58
26.34
i"!!
.79
3.58
5.36
7.16
8.94
10.74
12.52
14.32
17.90
21.48
25.06
28.53
1.90
3.79
5.68
7.58
9.48
11.36
13.26
15.16
18.95
22.75
26.52
30.32
i'.'.!'.
2.00
4.00
6.00
8.00
10.0012.00
14.00
16.00
20.00
24.00
28.00
32.00
2.10
4.21
6.32
8.42
10. 52 12. 64 14. 74116. 84
21.05
25.26
29.48
33.68
i!!!l
2.21
4.41
6.64
8.84
11.0513.26
15.4817.68
22.10
26. 52;30.95
35.36
i".::
2.32
2.42
2.52
4.64
4.84
5.05
6.95
7.26
7.58
9.2611.58113.90
9. 68|12. 1014.52
10.00'12.64il5.16
16.2118.52
16.9419.36
17.68'20.20
23.16
24.20
25.26
27.7832.42
29.0633.90
30.32'35.36
37.04
38.74
40.40
WEIGHTS AND DIMENSIONS OF ROUND AND SQ BAR
IRON PER RUNNING FT IN LBS
am
Wt per ft, Ibs
Diam
Wt per ft, Ibs
Diam
Wt per ft, Ibs
Diam
Wt per ft, Ibs
In
Rd
SQ
In
Rd
Sq
In
Rd Sq
In
JRd | Sq
V-
.01
.0131
2.975
3.80
2|...
11 9 15.15
4J ..
44.85 57.2
.0411
.0525
11*'.'.
3.338
4.25
2
13,3 17.
f
47.54
60.75
fr'.
.0925
.1182
k*.
3.725
4.73
2
14.7518 5
4;
50.33
64.35
.1651
.2103
if!::
4.12
5.25
2
! ! !
16.4120.5
53.32
68.
.2573
.3200
4.545
5.78
2
18.1 23,1
4
56.34
72.
.'.
.371
.4735
i|
5.
6.35
2
19.8525-2
4
59.44
75.65
k'
.505
.657
.6445
.84
if-
5.455
5.945
6.95
7.55
2
3
21.5 27.5
23.7 30.06
51
62.62
65.88
79.80
83.8
L
.835
1.063
6.445
8.2
25.5532.75
5i
69.23
88.25
i:
1.031
1.235
1.314
1.59
1£:
6 975
7.52
8.85
9.57
3$'.'.'.
27.8135.5
29.8538.25
5} !!
5f ..
72.65
76.18
92.5
97.15
1.475
1.891
if .
8.05
10.30
3i!
32.2541.15
5J
79.75101.
i!
1.74
2.221
1 1 3
8.65 111. 05
3f
34.4544.15
5| ..
83.45105.8
2.015
2.575
1$
9.25 11.83
3! ! ! !
37.1 47.20
5f ..
87.20110.5
i'.'.
2.317
2.95
i *4
9.9 S12.62
ft*.. •
39 5 50.25
5J
91.50115.15
2.625
3.35
21.!!
10.55
13.4
14 ...
41.9553.75
6 1!
95. 1120.25
For steel, mult tabular number above (for size) by 1-01.
400
THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
WEIGHT OF MACHINE BOLTS PER HUNDRED
1,
]
)iamete
r
a
3
i
A
I
A
i
1
I
1
1
li
Ibs
3.37
Ibs
6 00
Ibs
9.68
Ibs
13.81
Ibs
17 62
Ibs
33 87
Ibs
Ibs
Ibs
i
3.81
6 50
10.43
14.68
21.25
35.81
V
4.12
7 00
11.18
15.68
22 43
38 25
59 3i
21
24
2f
3
?
J*
?
«»
4.38
4.85
5.30
5.80
6.30
7.25
7.90
8.80
9.70
10.60
7.50
8,00
8.50
9.00
10.00
11.00
12.00
13,00
14.00
15,00
11.68
12.25
13.68
14.06
15.68
17.20
18.73
20.26
21.70
23.20
24.73
26 26
16.68
17.68
18.68
19.68
21.68
23.68
25.68
27.68
29.68
31.68
33.68
35 68
23.87
25.37
26.50
27.80
30.40
33.00
38.08
35.48
40.68
43.28
45.88
48 48
40.25
42.25
44.25
46.25
50.25
54.25
58.25
62.25
66.25
70.25
74.25
78 25
61.87
65.00
68.12
70.62
76.62
82.62
88.62
94.62
100.62
106.62
112.62
118 62
'io3.i2
109.38
115.00
123.00
131.00
139.00
147.00
155.00
163.00
171.00
179 00
' i 77.50
188.04
198.58
209.12
219.66
230.20
240 74
7i
27.80
37 68
50.08
82 25
124 62
187.00
251.28
8'
9
29.32
39.68
43 68
52.68
57.88
86.25
94 25
130.62
142 92
195.00
212 00
261.82
283.82
10
47 68
63 08
102 25
155 22
229 00
305 82
11
51.68
68.28
110 25
167 52
246 00
327.82
12
55 68
73 88
118 25
179 82
263 00
349 82
13
79 48
126 25
192 12
280 00
371.82
14
.
85 08
134 25
204 42
297 00
393 82
15
90.68
142 25
216 72
314 00
415.82
16
96 28
150 25
229 02
331 00
437 82
17
101.88
158 25
241 32
348 00
459 82
18
107 48
166 25
253 62
365 00
481 82
19
113.08
174 25
265 92
382.00
503.82
20
118 68
182 25
278 22
399 00
525 82
WEIGHT OF LAG SCREWS PER HUNDRED
"S
Diamete
r
|
A
1
A
i
&
s
1
i
1
1 ^
Ibs
4 75
Ibs
7 10
Ibs
9 88
Ibs
13 90
Ibs
Ibs
Ibs
Ibs
Ibs
1J
5.25
7.60
10.87
14.95
2
5 75
8 10
11 63
15 80
24
26 25
01
6 25
8 70
12 50
16 90
25
27 75
r
3i
4*
5
5*
6
7
6.75
7.75
8.75
9.75
10.75
11.75
12.75
13.75
9.35
10.65
11.95
13.30
14.70
16.10
17.50
18.90
13.40
15.10
16.50
18.60
20.40
22.10
23.80
25.50
29.25
17.90
19.87
22.
24.30
26.87
29.
31.50
34.
39.
26.
28.
31.
34.
37.
40.
43.
46.
52.
29.25
33.50
36.50
39.50
42.20
46.
49.40
53.
60.
46.50
51.50
56.50
61.50
67.
72.25
78.
83.50
94.
'73."
79.
85.
91.
97.
103.
110.
125.
ios.
112.
121.
130.
140.
150.
170.
8
9
33.00
44.
49.
58.
64.
67.50
75.
104.50
115.
140.
156.
190.
210.
10
54.
70.
82.50
126.
172.
230.
11
76.
90.
137.
188.
250.
12
82.
98.
148.
204.
270.
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
401
MACHINE BOLTS
With Square Heads, Square Nuts and Finished Points
List Aug. 1, 1912. Price per 100. Discount Aug., 1913, 75 per cent.
g
9/ie
fl"S
%
5/16
%
7/l6
%
and
%
%
1
1%
1%
^a
%
JtolJ
$1.70
$2.00
$2.40
$2.80
$3.60
$5.20
$7.70
$10.50
$15.10
$22.50
$30.00
2
1.78
2.12
2.56
3.00
3.86
5.58
8.25
11.20
16.00
23.70
31.50
2J
1.86
. 2.24
2.72
3.20
4.12
5.96
8.80
11.90
16.90
24.90
33.00
3
1.94
2.36
2.88
3.40
4.38
6.34
9.35
12.60
17.80
26.10
34.50
3*
2.02
2.48
3.04
3.60
4.64
6.72
9.90
13.30
18.70
27.30
36.00
4
2.10
2.60
3.20
3.80
4.90
7.10
10.45
14.00
19.60
28.50
37.50
41
2.18
2.72
3.36
4.00
5.16
7.48
11.00
14.70
20.50
29.70
39.00
5
2.26
2.84
3.52
4.20
5.42
7.86
11.55
15.40
21.40
30.90
40.50
5i
2.34
2.96
3.68
4.40
5.68
8.24
12.10
16.10
22.30
32.10
42.00
6"
2.42
3.08
3.84
4.60
5.94
8.62
12.65
16.80
23.20
33.30
43.50
6J
2.50
3.20
4.00
4.80
6.20
9.00
13.20
17.50
24.10
34.50
45.00
7
2.58
3.32
4.16
5.00
6.46
9.38
13.75
18.20
25.00
35.70
46.50
71
2.66
3.44
4.32
5.20
6.72
9.76
14.30
18.90
25.90
36.90
48.00
8
2.74
3.56
4.48
5.40
6.98
10.14
14.85
19.60
26.80
38.10
49.50
9
2.90
3.80
4.80
5.80
7.50
10.90
15.95
21.00
28.60
40.50
52.50
10
3.06
4.04
5.12
6.20
8.02
11.66
17.05
22.40
30.40
42.90
55.50
11
3.22
4.28
5.44
6.60
8.54
12.42
18.15
23.80
32.20
45.30
58.50
12
3.38
4.52
5.76
7.00
9.06
13.18
19.25
25.20
34.00
47.70
61.50
13
3.54
4.76
6.08
7.40
9.58
13.94
20.35
26.60
35.80
50.10
64.50
14
3.70
5.00
6.40
7.80
10.10
14.70
21.45
28.00
37.60
52.50
67.50
15
3.86
5.24
6.72
8.20
10.62
15.46
22.55
29.40
39.40
54.90
70.50
16
4.02
5.48
7.04
8.60
11.14
16.22
23.65
30.80
41.20
57.30
73.50
17
4.18
5.72
7.36
9.00
11.66
16.98
24.75
32.20
43.00
59.70
76.50
18
4.34
5.96
7.68
9.40
12.18
17.74
25.85
33.60
.44.80
62.10
79.50
19
4.50
6.20
8.00
9.80
12.70
18.50
26.95
35.00
46.60
64.50
82.50
20
4.66
6.44
8.32
10.20
13.22
19.26
28.05
36.40
48.40
66.90
85.50
21
29.15
37.80
50.20
69.30
88.50
22
3025
3920
52.00
71.70
91.50
23
31.35
40.60
53.80
74.10
94.50
24
42.00
55.60
76.50
97.50
25 '
33.55
43.40
57.40
78.90
100.50
26
34.65
44.80
59^20
8L30
103.'50
35.75
46.20
61.00
83 70
106.50
28
B6.85
47.'60
62.'80
88.10
109.50
29
....
....
....
....
!'. !!
37.95
49.00
64.60
88.50
112.50
30
39.06
50.40
66.40
90.90
115.50
The following extras are to be understood as a part of the above list :
Bolts with Hexagon Heads or Hexagon Nuts, 10 per cent, extra.
If both Hexagon Heads and Hexagon Nuts, 20 per cent, extra.
Joint Bolts with Oblong Nuts, 10 per cent, extra.
Bolts with Tee Heads, Askew Heads and Eccentric Heads, 20 per cent,
extra.
Key Bolts, 20 per cent, extra.
Bolts with Cotter Holes, 25 per cent, extra.
Special bolts with irregular Threads and unusual dimensions of Heads
or Nuts wil be charged extra, at the discretion of the manufacturer.
Machine Bolts when fitted with U. S. Standard Square Nuts, add 5
per cent.
Machine Bolts when fitted with U. S. Standard Hexagon Nuts, add 15
per cent.
Machine bolts packed other than standard packing to be charged
extra at discretion of manufacturer.
402 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
NUMBER OF RIVETS IN 100 LBS
3$
MO)
&
Diameter of Rivets
i
* '
i
A
I
A
i
1
H
I
{
1
,
|
Ij
1
lj
1
Ij
1^
1
2
3j
2
i
2
2
2
2
3
3'
1
4-
I
5
5
1
e
6
6
7
7
7
7
8
!
1
i
i
i
17500
16000
14400
13500
12000
11600
10800
10000
9300
8700
8100
15900
13800
12200
10900
9800
9000
8300
7600
7100;
'6366
8000
7000
6300
5700
5200
4700
4400
4100
4000
3800
3500
3400
3000
'2800
5100
4500
4100
3700
3400
3100
2900
2700
2500
2300
2200
2000
1900
'isoo
3200
2900
2373
2190
2034
1898
1780
1675
1582
1498
1424
1356
1295
1238
1187
1139
1095
1052
1017
982
949
890
837
791
1900
1800
1476
1371
1280
1200
1129
1066
1010
960
914
872
834
800
768
738
711
687
662
636
611
581
548
519
1103
1030
968
910
862
815
776
740
707
672
648
623
599
577
556
537
519
503
487
459
433
411
395
390
372
355
339
325
312
300
289
279
642
604
571
541
514
489
462
446
428
411
395
381
367
354
343
332
321
311
302
285
270
257
250
244
233
223
214
205
197
190
183
177
171
165
160
155
150
146
142
138
400
382
365
350
335
324
311
302
293
285
277
269
261
253
245
237
230
218
208
198
195
189
180
172
166
160
154
149
144
139
135
131
127
123
119
116
113
110
345
322
311
295
284
275
266
257
249
240
233
226
219
212
206
201
196
186
177
168
165
161
155
149
143
136
131
127
123
118
114
110
107
104
100
97
94
92
'208'
206
204
201
199
192
185
178
172
167
162
157
152
148
144
140
132
126
120
119
115
110
1-5
101
97
94
91
88
85
82
79
77
75
73
71
69
67
'i32'
128
124
120
116
112
108
104
100
96
92
88
85
82
79
"77"
75
73
71
69
67
65
63
61
59
57
55
53
51
49
47
45
::;::
5600
'5666
4600!
2500
1700
4200
2300
1500
; \\
3900
3600
3400i
3200
2200
2000
1900
1800
1400
1300
1200
1175
'•'•
3000i
1700
1600
1500
1475
1400
1350
1300
1250
1200
1100
1050
1000
925
900
850
825
775
750
749
700
650
625
600
575
550
525
500
400
...
The measure of countersunk head rivets is over all. All
other styles are measured from under the head. Boiler
rivets less than 1 inch long are £ cent per Ib extra. Tank
rivets ^ inch in diam and less are sold at a list price and
subject to discount.
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES 403
ESTABLISHED WEIGHTS OF GALV SHEETS
u. s.
Stand
Gauge
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
WITT
per V
sf Ibs \
5.781
4.531
72.5
3.281
52.5
2.656
2.156
34.5
1.656
1.406
1.156
18.5
1.031
.9062
14.5
.8437
13.5
.7812
.7187
.6562
Wgt. /
per k
sf oz i
92.5
42.5
26.5
22.5
16.5
12.5
11.5
10.5
Size of
Sheet
WEIGHT OF SHEET — POUNDS
24x 72
69
54
39
32
26
20
17
14
12
11
10
9
9
8
24x 84
81
63
46
37
30
23
20
16
14
13
12
11
10
9
24x 96
93
73
53
43
35
27
23
19
17
15
14
13
12
11
24x120
116
91
66
53
43
33
28
23
21
18
17
16
14
13
26x 72
75
59
43
35
28
22
18
15
13
12
11
10
9
9
26x 84
26x 96
26x120
88
100
125
69
79
98
50
57
71
40
46
58
33
37
47
25
29
36
21
24
30
18
20
25
16
18
22
14
16
20
13
15
18
12
14
17
11
12
16
10
11
14
28x 72
81
63
46
37
30
23
20
16
14
13
12
11
10
9
28x 84
94
74
54
43
35
27
23
19
17
15
14
13
12
11
28x 96
108
85
61
50
40
31
26
22
19
17
16
15
13
12
28x120
135
106
77
62
50
39
33
27
24
21
20
18
17
15
30x 72
87
68
49
40
32
25
21
17
15
14
13
12
11
10
30x 84
101
79
57
46
38
29
25
20
18
16
15
14
13
11
30x 96
116
91
66
53
43
33
28
23
21
18
17
16
14
13
30x120
36x 72
145
104
113
82
82
59
66
48
54
39
41
30
35
29
26
23
21
20
18
16
25
21
19
16
15
14
13
12
36x 84
121
95
69
55
45
35
30
24
22
19
18
16
15
14
36x 96
139
109
79
64
52
40
34
28
25
22
20
19
17
16
36x120
173
136
98
80
65
50
42
35
31
27
25
23
22
20
42x 72
121
95
71
56
45
34
29
24
22
19
18
16
15
14
42x 84
42x 96
142
162
111
127
80
92
65
74
53
41
34
39
28
32
25
29
22
25
21
24
19
22
18
20
16
18
60
46
42x120
48x 72
202
159
115
93
75
52
58
40
49
34
41
28
36
25
33
22
29
20
27
19
25
17
23
16
139
109
79
64
48x 84
162
125
92
74
60
46
39
32
29
25
24
22
20
18
48x 96
185
145
105
85
69
55
45
37
33
29
27
25
23
21
48x120
231
181
131
106
86
66
56
46
41
36
34
31
29
Price
perlb
12c
12c
12c
12c
13c
13c
14c
14c
15c
15c
16c
17c
19c
21c
Discount prices 75%. See Chapter XV. for Chicago prices.
404
THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
LARGE SIZES
No. 18 and heavier. Extra
Over 36" to 40" wide, inc $0.01
Over 40" to 44" wide, inc 01 i
Over 44" to 48" wide, inc 02J
No. 19 and lighter. Extra
Less than 24" wide to 12"
Over 32" to 36" wide, inc
Over 36" to 40" wide, inc
Over 40" to 44" wide, inc
Over 44" to 48" wide, inc
$0.01
.01
.02
.03
.05
WEIGHT OF CORRUGATED SHEETS
Per Sq
BLACK
GALVANIZED
Gauge
No.
2" 2J* 3'
Corrug
U"
Corrug
2" 21" 3"
Corrug
li"
Corrug
Sheets 25" and 26*
16
271 Ibs
286 Ibs
wide after corrugating
cover 24" (approxi-
18
217 Ibs
232 Ibs
20
163 Ibs
170
178 Ibs
185
mately). 2" corruga-
tions furnished in No.
21
150 Ibs
156
165 Ibs
22
23
136 Ibs
123 Ibs
142
128
151 Ibs
138 Ibs
157
18 and lighter. f"
corrugations furnished
24
25
110 Ibs
96 Ibs
114
100
124 Ibs
111 Ibs
129
in No. 24 and lighter.
A" corrugations fur-
nished in No. 26 and
26
83 Ibs
86
98 Ibs
101
lighter.
27
76 Ibs
79
91 Ibs
94
28
68 Ibs
72
85 Ibs
87
NUMBER OF SHEETS IN 1 SQ
100 Sq Ft
CoTTUg
Width
Flat
Width after
Corrug
LENGTH OF SHEET
72"
84"
96"
108"
,120"
2" 2J* 3"
28"
26"
7.692
6.593
5.7<:9
5.128
4.616
H"
28*
25"
8.000
6.857
6.000
5.333
4,800
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES 405
ESTIMATED WEIGHTS OF BLACK SHEETS
U. 8. Standard Gauge. Weight per Sheet in Lbs.
U.S.
Gauge
10
12
14
16
16
18
20
22
24
26
27
28
29
30
Lbs
per SF
TEkF
T
5.825
A
4375
3.125
2312
2.50
2.00
1.50
125
1.00
.75
.6875
.625
.5625
.50
A
A
i*t
A
*
32.00
33.67
36.00
40.00
46.00
48.00
34.67
36.47
39.00
4333
4933
52.00
3733
39.28
42.00
46.67
40.00
42.08
45.00
50.00
57.50
60.00
38.50
48.00
54.00
60.00
69.00
72.00
44.92
56.00
63.00
70.00
80.50
84.00
5133
64.00
72.00
80.00
92.00
96.00
A
24.00
2525
27 .00
30.00
34.50
36.00
26.00
27.35
29.25
32.50
3738
39.00
28.00
29.46
31.50
35.00
30.00
31.56
33.75
37.50
43.13
45.00
2838
36.00
40.50
45.00
51.75
54.00
33.69
42.00
4725
52.51
60.38
63.00
38.50
48,00
54.00
60.00
69.00
72.00
A
20.00
21.04
22.50
25.00
28.75
30 XX)
21.67
22.79
24.37
27.08
31.15
32.50
23.33
24.55
2625
29.17
25.00
26.30
29.12
3125
35.94
37.50
24.06
30.00
33.75
37.50
43.13
45.00
28.07
35.00
39.37
43.75
50.31
52.50
A
Tin
AS
A
10.00
10.52
1125
12.50
14.38
15X0
10.83,
11.40
12.19
13.54
15.57
1625
11.67
1227
13.13
14.58
12.50
13.15
14.06
15.63
17.97
18.75
•I*
A
24x 06
101
108
120
138
144
26x 96
101
108
120
138
144
28x 96
101
108
120
30x 96
101
108
120
138
144
36x 77
96
108
120
138
144
42x 77
96
108
120
138
144
48* 77
96
108
120
138
144
54x 77
96
108
120
138
144
60x 77
06
108
120
138
144
90.00
94.69
101.25
112.50
129.38
1350)0
97.50
102.58
109.69
121.88
140.1&
146.25
105.00
110.47
118.13
131.25
112.50
118.36
126.56
140.63
161.72
168.75
108.28
135.00
151.88
168.75
194.06
202.50
12633
157.50
177.19
19638
226.41
236.25
14438
180.00
202.50
225.00
258.75
270.00
162.42
201.50
227.82
253.13
291.09
303.75
70.00
73.65
78.75
87.50
100.63
105.00
75.83
79.78
85.31
94.79
109.01
113.75
81.67
85.92
91.88
102.08
187.50
92.06
98.44
109.38
125.78
131.25
8422
105.00
118.13
131.25
145.47
157.50
9826
122.50
13731
153.13
176.09
183.75
11229
140.00
157.50
175.00
201 .25
210.00
12633
1157.50
17720
19638
21821
23625
50.00
52,60
5625
62.50
7138
75.00
54.17
57.00
60.94
67.71
7737
8125
5833
6137
65.63
72.92
62.50
65.76
7031
78.13
89.84
93.75
60.17
75.00
8438
93.75
10731
112.50
70.18
87.50
98.44
10938
125.78
13125
8021
100.00
112.50
125.00
143.75
150.00
45.00
47.34
50.68
5625
64.69
67.50
48.75
5129
5484
60.94
70.08
73.13
52.50
5523
59.06
65.63
5625
59.18
62.69
7031
8036
8438
54.14
67.50
75.94
8438
97.03
10125
63.16
78.75
88.59
98.44
113.20
118.13
72.19
90.00
10125
112.50
129.38
135.00
40.00
42.08
45.00
50.00
57.50
60.00
4333
45.59
48.75
54.17
6229
65.00
46.67
49.09
52.50
5833
50.00
52.60
5625
62.50
71.88
75.00
48.13
60.00
67.50
75.00
8625
moo
56.14
70.00
78.75
87.50
100.63
105.00
64.17
80.00
90.00
100.00
115.00
120.00
16.00
1634
18.00
20.00
23.00
24 JOO
17.34
18.24
19.50
21.67
24.92
26.00
18.67
19.64
21.00
2333
20.00
21.04
22.50
25.00
28.75
30.00
12.00
12.63
13.50
15.00
1725
18.00
13.00
13.68
14.63
1625
18.69
19.50
14.00
14.73
15.75
17.50
15X0
15.78
1638
18.75
21.56
22.50
11X0
11.57
12.38
13.75
1531
16.50
11.92
12.54
13.41
14.90
17.13
1738
12.83
13.50
14.44
16J04
13.75
14.47
15.47
17.19
19.77
20.63
0X0
9.47
10.13
1125
8.00
8.42
9X0
10X0
0.75
10.26
10.97
12.19
8.67
9.12
1033
10.50
11.05
1131
13.13
1125
933
932
10.50
11.67
.....
. .-.. «•
19.25
24.00
27.00
30.00
34.50
36.00
22.46
28.00
31 .5C
35.00
40.25
42 00
14.44
18.00
20.25
22.50
25.88
27 XX)
1634
21.00
23.63
26.25
30.19
31.50
1925
24.00
27.00
30.00
34.50
36.00
1323
16.50
18.56
20.63
23.72
24.75
15.44
19.25
21.66
24.06
27.67
2838
17.65
22 JOO
24.75
27.50
31.63
33.00
12X3
15.00
16.88
18.75
21.56
22.50
14X4
17.50
19.69
21.88
25.16
2624
16.04
20X0
22.50
25.00
28.75
30.00
. . ..^.
l'« «X
• •» »• .
32.08
40.00
45.00
60.00
57.50
60.00
25.67
32.00
36.00
40.00
46.00
48.00
9026
112.50
126.57
140.63
161.71
168.75
NOTE
Above estimated weights are based on U. 8. standard
gauge for Iron. For steel, add 2 %. These figures
are given for convenience in estimating only, and may
vary somewhat in actual practice. The sizes below the
heavy black line will probably considerably exceed the
weights given, and it is safe, therefore, to allow for an
overweight of at least 10 %.
180.48
225.00
253.12
281.26
328.44
337.50
14036
175.00
19638
21936
251.56
262.50
406
THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
ROUND COPPER RODS
Weight per Ft
Wgt per ft
iameter in length
| 424 Ibs
Diar
H
If
I5
Wgt per ft
neter in lengths
4 71 Ibs
755 Ibs.
5 71 Ibs
1 19 Ibs
6 79 Ibs
1 69 Ibs.
7 94 Ibs
.... 2 31 Ibs
If
9 21 Ibs
3. 02 Ibs.
H
..10.61 Ibs.
3. 82 Ibs. 2" 12.08 Ibs.
METALS
Weight per Sq Ft
Thickness
Wro't
Iron
Cast
Iron
Steel
Copper
Brass
Lead
Zinc
Ibs
2 51
Ibs
2 34
Ibs
2 55
Ibs
2 89
Ibs
2 67
Ibs
3 69
Ibs
2 34
i"
5.03
4,69
5.10
5.78
5.35
7 38
4 68
1 //
7 58
7 03
7 66
8 67
8 02
11 07
7 02
**
10.07
9.38
10.21
11.56
10.7
14 76
9 36
5 //
12.58
11 73
12 71
14 45
13 37
18 45
11 7
f "
15.10
14.07
15.31
17.34
16.05
22.14
14 04
7 //
17 62
16 42
17 87
20 23
18 72
25 83
16 34
9*
20.14
18.77
20.42
23.12
21.4
29 53
18 72
9 //
22 65
21 11
22 97
26 01
24 07
33 22
21 08
f "
25.17
23.46
25 52
28 90
26 75
36 91
23 44
ll//
27 69
25 81
28 08
31 97
29 42
40 60
25 80
V/f
30 21
28.15
30 63
34 68
32 1
44 29
28 13
A"
32 72
30 50
33 18
37 57
35 19
47 93
30 49
»*
35.24
32.85
35 73
40 69
38 28
51 67
32 81
44"
37 76
35 19
28 28
43 35
41 37
55 37
35 17
1"
40.28
37.54
40.83
46.25
43.75
59.06
37.50
BRICK: — Common brick of the national size weigh from 4£
to 5 Ibs; pressed and paving, from 6 to 7, depending upon
clay, burning and size.
LIME: — On the basis of 53 Ibs to the cf lime weighs about
66 Ibs to the bushel, but in bulk it is often sold on the basis
of 80 Ibs or 200 Ibs to the bbl of 21 bushels.
WEIGHTS OF VARIOUS SUBSTANCES PER CF
Names of Substances
Ash, American White, Dry
Asphaltum .
Average
Wgt, Lbs
38
Brass (Copper and Zinc) Cast. ............. . ! 504
Brass Rolled 524
Brick, Best Pressed 150
Brick, Common Hard 125
Brick, Soft, Inferior 100
Brick, Fire 137
Brickwork, Pressed Brick.
Brickwork, Ordinary
140
112
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES 40T
Average
Names of Substances Wgt, Lba
Cement, Hydraulic, Ground, Loose, American, Rosendale 56
Cement, Hydraulic, Ground, Loose, American, Louisville 50
Cement, Hydraulic, Ground, Loose, English, Portland 90
Cherry, Dry 42
Chestnut, Dry 41
Concrete 140
Copper, Cast 543
Copper, Rolled 548
Ebony, Dry ' 76
Elm, Dry 35
Flint 162
Glass, Common Window .. . 157
Gneiss. Common 168
Granite 170
Gravel, about the same as Sand, which see
Hemlock, Dry 25
Hickory, Dry 53
Ice 50 to 58
Iron, Cast 450
Iron, Wrt, Purest 485
Iron, Wrt, Average 480
Lead. 711
Lime, Quick, Ground, Loose, or in Small Lumps
Lime, Quick, Ground, Loose, Thoroughly Shaken 75
Lime, Quick, Ground, Loose, Per Struck Bushel 66
Limestones and Marbles 168 j
Limestones and Marbles, Loose, in Irregular Fragments 96
Mahogany, Spanish, Dry
Mahogany, Honduras, Dry I 35
Maple, Dry 49
Marbles, see Limestones.
Masonry, of Granite or Limestone, well dressed 165
Masonry, of Mortar Rubble 154
Masonry, of Dry Rubble (well Scabbled) 138
Masonry, of Sandstone, well dressed 144
Mortar, Hardened 103
Oak, Live, Dry 59
Oak, White, Dry 52
Oak, Other Kinds 32 to 45
Pine, White, Dry 25
Pine, Yellow, Northern
Pine, Yellow, Southern 45
Plaster of Paris ,
Quartz, Common, Pure
Sand, of Pure Quartz, Dry, Loose 90 to 106
Sand, Well Shaken 99 to 117
Sand, Perfectly Wet 120 to 140
Sandstones, Fit for Building 151
Shales, Red or Black 162
Slate 175
Snow, freshly fallen 5 to 12
Snow, Moistened and Compacted by Rain 15 to 50
Spruce, Dry 2&
Steel...... 490
Sycamore, Dry jg
T^cast.-.:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 459
Walnut, Black, Dry 38
Water, Pure Rain or Distilled, at 60° Fahrenheit °£l
Water, Sea
Zinc or Spelter • . 437
Green Timbers usually weigh from one-fifth to one-half more than dry.
408 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
WEIGHT OF WINDOWS
There are so many scores of different sizes and thicknesses
that it is best to refer to millbook for weight. A fair idea
is given in chapter on niillwork.
WEIGHTS OF FOUR PANEL PINE DOORS
SIZE THICKNESS
i" ii" IF ir
2'0"x6'0" 17 22 33 45
2'4"x6'4" 21 27 35 48
2'6"x6'6" 23 29 - 36 53
2'8"x6'8" 24 31 42 56
2'10"x6'10" 33 44 53
3'0"x7'0" 85 42
3'0"x7'6"
F»r moulded doors add to above five pounds for each side moulded.
Approx weights of veneered hardwood doors.
If thick, 3 Ibs to the sf 1 \" thick, 3i Ibs to the sf 21" thick, 4J Ibs to the sf
SQUARE COLUMNS
4x4 4x4 4x4 5x5 5x5 5x5 6x6 6x6 6x6
8-0 9-0 10-0 8-0 9-0 10-0 8-0 9-0 10-0
Poplar.... 18 24 27 38 44 52 50 70 79
Fir 22 25 28 42 49 65 56 75 82
BUILT UP COLS
8x8 8x8 8x8 10x10 10x10 10x10
8-0 9-0 10-0 8-0 9-0 10-0
Poplar 65 73 80 70 88 100
Fir 75 78 85 75 93 - 105
PORCH NEWELS
4x4 5x5 6x6 Balusters— Poplar about 1 Ib each
4-0 4-0 4-0 Spindles— Poplar about \ Ib each.
Poplar 6*lbs 11 Ibs 16 Ibs.
Fir 7 Ibs Hi Ibs l^i Ibs.
MANTELS
The Woodwork for 1 Mantel will weigh about 300 Ibs.
The Tile for 1 Mantel will weigh about 75 Ibs.
The Grate for 1 Mantel will weigh about 75 Ibs.
STAIRWORK
6x6 Starting Newels about 30 Ibs. 5x5 Angle Newels about 25 Ibs.
Stair Rail per ft about 2J Ibs. Stair Balusters each about 2 Ibs.
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
409
WEIGHT OF LUMBER
Southern Lumber Manufacturers' Association
WEIGHTS OF YELLOW PINE. The schedule marked "A"
applies from short leaf pine district. The schedule marked
"B" applies from long leaf district. Revised and adopted at
Memphis, Jan. 15, 1902.
"SCHEDULE "A" Lbs
Flooring if .Plain Back 2,000
Flooring if Hollow Back 1,900
Ceiling, f" 1,000
Ceiling, \" '.
Ceiling, |".
'„ \" •
1 ,300
.1,500
Ceiling, 1" 1,800
Siding from 1" stock 1,000
Siding from U" stock 1,250
Drop Siding and Moulded Casing. 1,800
Moulded Base 2,000
Finish, inch, S 2 S 2,500
Finish, H, li & 2", S 2 S . . .2,700
Finish, 1, 1J, 1J and 2", Rough. .3,100
Shiplap, D & M 2,300
Grooved Roofing 2,400
Com. Boards and Fencing, SIS
or 2S 2,500
Com. Boards, and Fencing,Rough 3,200
2x4, 2x6 and 2x8, S 1 S 1 E, to If ...2,500
2x4, 2x6 and 2x8, Rough 3,200
2x10 and 2x12, S 1 S 1 E, to If . ...2.600
2x10 and 2x12, Rough 3,200
2x14 and 3x12, S 1 S 1 E 3,200
2x14 and 3x12, Rough 3,700
4x4 and 6x6, S 1 S 1 E 3,200
4x4 and 6x8, Rough 4,000
8x8 and Over, Rough 4,000
SCHEDULE "B" Lbs
Flooring, ifxSJ. . . .2,100
Flooring, ifxSJ 2,300
Ceiling, f" 1,000
Ceiling, I" 1,300
Ceiling, |" 1,600
Ceiling, \" 1,900
Bevel Siding, from 1" stock 1,000
Bevel Siding, from \\" stock. . .1.400
Drop Siding, |x5i" 2,000
Moulded Casing, ifx4J to 5J". .2,000
Moulded Base if* from 8, 10 and
and 12", Stock 2,100
Finish, inch S 2 S to H 2,600
Finish, 11, 1 1, and 2", S 2 S to
Standard Thickness 2,800
Finish, Rough 3,400
Shiplap, D.& M.. if 2.500
Grooved roofing if* 2,600
Common Boards, Si S or 2 S
to if" 2,700
Fencing, S 1 S to if" 2,700
Common Boards and Fencing,
Rough 3,400
2x2, 2x6 and 2x8, S 1 S 1 E,
to 1| 2,700
2x4, 2x6 and 2x8, Rough 3,400
2x10 and 2x12, S 1 S 1 E, to If ..,2,800
2x10 and 2x12, Rough 3,400
2x14 and 3x12, S and E, \ off
g'n 3,600
2x14 and 3x12 Rough, Green . .4,200
4x4 and 6x6. S and E, Green . . . 3,600
4x4 and 6x6. Rough, Green... .4,200
6x8 and Over, Rough 4,300
6x8 and Over, S 4 S, Green... .3,800
NORTHERN WEIGHTS
Pine and Hemlock
Norway and Y P
Oak and Walnut
Ash and Maple
Oregon and Wash. Fir.
Dry Partly Seasoned
2500 2700
3000 4000
4000 5000
3500 4000
2800
3000
Green
3000
5000
3300
WEIGHTS OF LUMBER, ETC, DRY
Flooring, Dressed and Matched, per 1 000' ............. 1 ,800 Ibs
Poplar Box Boards, per 1,000' .................................. 2,000 Ibs
Siding, Dressed, per 1 ,000'
Ceiling, f" Thick, per 1,000'
800 Ibs
800 Ibs
900 Ibs
Ceiling, \" Thick, per 1 ,000' ................. .
Boards, Dressed, One Side, per 1,000 ............................ 2,000 Ibs
410
THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
Weights of Lumber, Etc., Dry— Continued
Boards, and Dimension, Rough, per 1,000''
Shingles, per 1,000 pcs
Lath, per 1,000'pcs
Pickets, Dressed, per 1,000 pcs
Pickets, Rough, per 1,000 pcs
Weight of Mouldings, 1x1", per 100 If, 15 Ibs.
WEIGHTS OF HARDWOOD FLOORING
Flooring Weighs, per 1,000'.
Flooring Weighs, per 1,000'.
Flooring Weighs, per 1,000'.
Flooring Weighs, per 1,000'.
and Thicker Weighs, 1,000'.
2,400 Ibs
240 Ibs
500 Ibs
1 ,800 Ibs
2,400 Ibs
1,000 Ibs
1,200 Ibs
1,500 Ibs
2,000 Ibs
2,500 Ibs
LUMBER RECKONER
Length in Feet
Size in
1
In
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
24
26 28
30
32
2x4
6*
8
95
10*
12
134
14*
16
174 18*
20
21|
2x6
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
24
26 28
30
32
2x8
2 xlO
134
16*
16
20
18$
234
31
24
30
26*
334
294
36*
32
40
34* 374
434 46*
40
50
42f
681
2 x!2
20
24
28
32
36
40
44
48
52 56
60
64
2 x!4
2 x!6
234
26*
28
32
32*
374
374
42*
42
48
46*
534
514
58*
56
64
60* 654
69i 74*
70
80
ill
24x12
25
30
35
40
45
50
55
60
65 70
75
80
24x14
24x16
334
35
40
40$
46*
46*
534
524
60
584
66*
64*
734
70
80
III
81*
934
874
100
93*
106|
3x6
15
18
21
24
27
30
33
36
39
42
45
48
3x8
20
24
28
32
36
40
44
48
52
56
60
64
3 xlO
25
30
35
40
45
50
55
60
65
70
75
80
3 x!2
30
36
42
48
54
60
66
72
78
84
90
96
3 x!4
35
42
49
56
63
70
77
84
91
98
105
112
3 x!6
40
48
56
64
72
80
88
96
104
112
120
128
4x4
134
16
18*
214
24
26*
294
32
34*
374
40
42f
4x6
20
24
28
32
36
40
44
48
52
56
60
64
4x8
26*
32
374
42*
48
534
58*
64
694 74*
80
85*
4 xlO
334
40
46f
534
60
66*
734
80
86* 934
100
106f
4 x!2
40
48
56
64
72
80
88
96
104
112
120
128
4 x!4
46*
56
654
74*
84
934
102*
112
1214
130*
140
1494
6x6
30
36
42
48
54
60
66
72
78
84
90
96
6x8
40
48
56
64
72
80
88
96
104
112
120
128
6 xlO
50
60
70
80
90
100
110
120
130
140
150
160
6 x!2
60
72
84
96
108
120
132
144
156
168
180
196
6 x!4
70
84
98
112
126
140
154
168
182
196
210
224
6 x!6
80
96
112
128
144
160
176
192
208 224
240
256
8x8
8 xlO
534
663
64
80
74|
934
854
106*
96
120
106*
1334
1174
146*
128
160
138* 1494
1734 186*
160
200
170*
213*
8 x!2
80
96
112
128
144
160
176
192
208 224
240
256
8 x!4
10 xlO
934
83|
112
100
130*
116|
11494
1334
168
150
lief
2054
1834
224
200
242* 2614
216* 2334
280
250
298*
266*
10 x!2
100
120
140
160
180
200
220
240
260 1 280
300
320
lOx 14
10 x!6
1163
133i
1140
160
163J
186|
186*
2134
210
240
2334
266*
256*
2934
280
320
3034
346*
326*
3734
350
400
373i
426*
12 x!2
120
144
168
192
216
240
264
288
312
336
360
384
12 x!4
140
168
196
224
252
280
308
336
364
392
420
448
12 x!6
160
192
224
256
288
320
352
384
416 I 448
480
512
14 x!4
14 x!6
1634
186^
196
224
228^
261 i
2614
2983
294
336
326*
3734
3594
410*
392
448
424* 4574
4854 522*
490
560
522*
597J
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
411*
There are several books and devices which save the
trouble of using the above table. I have used a little book
sold by B. L. Jenks, Cleveland, O., for several years.
TABLE OF BOARD MEASURE
Width
Length
10
12
JM
16
18
20
4 ..
3J
4
5J
6
6|
5
4J
5
5|
6$
7i
8}
6
„ 5
6
7
8
9
10
7
55
7
8}
w
10J
Hf
s
. . . 6$
8
9\
10$
12
13J
9
7i
9
10i
12
13i
15
10
8J
10
11$
13J
15
16f
11 . .
9fc
11
125
14$
16J
18J
12
.10
12
14
16
18
20
13
10|
13
15J
17i
19J
21$
14
11$
14
16J
18$
21
23 J
15
12i
15
11 i
20
22i
25
16
13j
16
18$
21J
24
26f
17
14J
17
19!
22$
25J
28 J
18...
..15
18
21
24
27
30
FORM SHEET FOR BILLS OF MATERIAL
Amount
No. of
Pieces
Description
Size
Length
Quan'y
Rate
Material
Labor
40
200
180
100
?
Sills
Joists
Studs
Bbls Portland
Crushed Stone
Sand
White Lead
6x8
2 x 12
2x6
20
16
18
3200
3200
3240
9640
$25
23
21
8
$1.80
1.75
1.00
$0.07
$81.00
73.60
68.05
$77.15
100 tons
55 yds
400 Ibs
$221.65
$77.15-
$180.00
175.00
55.00
$410.00
$135.0O
$28.00
412
THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
WAGES TABLE
FOR TWENTY OR THIRTY AMERICAN CITIES
(The rate is given in cents per hour.)
Masons and Bricklayers
Carpenters
Structural Iron Setters
Hoisting Engineers
Sheet Metal Workers
Roofers
Plumbers, Steam and Gas Fitters
Lathers
Plasterers
Stone and Marble Cutters and Setters
Cement Finishers
Tile Setters
Painters
Laborers and Hod Carriers
Note: — Stone masons' wages are usually from five to ten cents below brick-
layers'.
The wages in the high column are usually owing to special circumstances,
such as the large amount of building in San Francisco. While, of course, they
vary from year to year the table gives a fair average.
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
LENGTH SURFACE
12 inches = 1 foot 44 square inches = 1 sq. ft
3 ft. =1 yd. 9 sq. ft. = 1 sq. yd.
5i yds. = 1 rod 640 acres = 1 sq. mile
40 rods = 1 furlong
8 fur. = 1 mile
SQUARE
A square in the building trades is 100 sq. ft.
CUBIC OR SOLID WEIGHT
1728 cu. in. = 1 cu. ft. 16 ounces = 1 pound (Ib.)
27 cu. ft. = 1 cu. yd. 2000 pounds (Ibs.) = 1 ton
Average
Highest
Lowest
65
87 Yz
50
45
62 yz
30
51
62 y2
40
51
75
40
43
62 y?.
35
42
62 y*
30
58
81
'.0
48
62 H
30
61
87 y2
50
53
70
45
48
75
35
55
75
40
41
56
30
29
50
20
128 cu. ft.
2150.42 cu. in
= 1 cord
= 1 bushel
2240 pounds
1 long ton
DECIMAL EQUIVALENTS OF INCHES, FEET, AND YARDS
Frac. of
an Inch
1-16 =
3-16 -
5-16 -
j-i. =
9-16 =
11-16 =
13-16 =
Dec. of
an Inch
: .0625 =
= .125 =
= .1875 =
« .25
.3125 =
.375 =
.4375 =
.5
.5625 =
.625 =
.6875 =
.75
.8125 :
.875 =
Dec. of
a Foot
.00521
.01041
.01562
.02083
.02604
.03125
.03645
.04166
.04688
.05208
.05729
.06250
.06771
.07291
Ins. Feet Yards
1 = .0833 = .0277
2 = .1666 = .0555
3 = .25 = .0833
4 = .3333 = .1111
5 = .4166 = .1389
6 = .5 = .1666
7 = .5833 = .1944
8 = .666 = .2222
9 = .75 = .25
10 = .8333 = .2778
11 = .9166 = .3055
12-1. - .3333
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
413
SQUARE FEET OF RADIATING SURFACE OF PIPE
PER LINEAL FOOT
On all lengths over one foot, fractions less than tenths are added
to or dropped.
Size of Pipe
COn
3*
3
1
H
H
2
2*
3
4
5
6
7
.3
i
.275
.346
.434
.494
.622
.753
.916
1.175
1.455
1.739
1.996
2.257
2
.5
.7
.9
1.
1.2
1.5
1.8
2.4
2.9
3.5
4.
4.5
3
.8
1.
1.3
1.5
1.9
2.3
2.7
3.5
4.4
5.2
6.
6.8
4
1.1
1.4
1.7
2.
2.5
3.
3.6
4.7
5.8
7.
8.
9.
5
1.4
1.7
2.2
2.4
3.1
3.8
4.6
5.8
7.3
7.7
10.
11.3
6
1.6
2.1
2.6
2.9
3.7
4.5
5.5
7.
8.7
10.5
12.
13.5
7
1.9
2.4
3.
3.4
4.4
5.3
6.4
8.2
10.2
12.1
14.
15.8
8
2.2
2.8
3.5
3.9
5.
6.
7.3
9.4
11.6
13.9
16.
18.
9
2.5
3.1
3.9
4.4
5.6
6.8
8.2
10.6
13.1
15.7
18.
20.3
10
2.7
3.5
4.3
4.9
6.2
7.5
9.1
11.8
14.6
17.4
20.
22.61
11
3.
3.8
4.8
5.4
6.8
8.3
10.
12.9
16.
19.1
22.
24.9
12
3.3
4.1
5.2
5.9
7.5
9.
11.
14.1
17.4
20.9
24.
27.1
13
3.6
4.5
5.6
6.4
8.1
9.8
11.9
15.3
18.9
22.6
26.
29.4
14
3.8
4.8
6.1
6.9
8.7
10.5
12.8
16.5
20.3
24.3
28.
31.6
15
4.1
5.2
6.5
7.4
9.3
11.3
13.7
17.6
21.8
26.1
30.
33.9
16
4.4
5.5
6.9
7.9
10.
12.
14.6
18.8
23.2
27.8
32.
36.1
17
4.7
5.9
7.4
8.4
10.6
12.8
15.5
20.
24.7
29.5
34.
38.4
18
5.
6.2
7.8
8.9
11.2
13.5
16.5
21.2
26.2
31.3
36.
40.6
19
5.2
6.6
8.3
9.4
11.8
14.3
17.4
22.3
27.6
33.1
38.
42.9
20
5.5
6.9
8.7
9.9
12.5
15.
18.3
23.5
29.1
34.8
40.
45.2
21
5.8
7.3
9.1
10.4
13.
15.8
19.2
24.7
30.5
36.5
42.
47.4
22
6.
7.6
9.6
10.9
13.7
16.5
20.2
25.9
32.
38.3
44.
49.7
23
6.3
8.
10.
11.3
14.3
17.3
21.1
27.
33.5
40.
46.
52.
24
6.6
8.3
10.4
11.9
14.9
18.
22.
28.2
34.9
41.7
48.
54.2
25
6.9
8.6
10.9
12.3
15.6
18.8
22.9
29.3
36.3
43.5
50.
56.4
26
7.1
9.
11.3
12.8
16.2
19.5
23.8
30.5
37.8
45.2
52.
58.6
27
7.4
9.4
11.7
13.3
16.8
20.3
24.7
31.7
39.3
47.
54.
61.
28
7.7
9.7
12.2
13.8
17.4
21.
25.6
32.9
40.7
48.7
56.
63.2
29
8.
10.
12.6
14.3
18.
21.8
26.6
34.1
42.2
50,4
58.
65.5
30
8.3
10.4
13.
14.8
18.7
22.5
27.5
35.3
43.6
52.1
60.
67.7
31
8.5
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13.5
15.3
19.3
23.3
28.4
36.4
45.1
53.9
62.
70.
32
8.8
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13.9
15.8
19.9
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29.3
37.6
46.5
55.6
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72.2
33
9.1
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14.3
16.3
20.5
24.8
30.2
38.8
48.
57.4
66.
74.4
34
9.4
11.7
14.7
16.8
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25.6
31.1
40.
49.5
59.1
68.
76.7
35
9.6
12.1
15.2
17.3
21.8
26.3
32.
41.1
50.9
60.8
70.
79.
36
9.9
12.5
15.6
17.8
22.4
27.
33.
42.3
52.4
62.6
72.
81.3
37
10.2
12.8
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18.3
23.
27.8
33.9
43.5
53.8
64.3
74.
83.5
38
10.5
13.2
16.5
18.8
23.7
28.5
34.8
44.6
55.2
66.
76.
85.8
39
10.7
13.5
16.9
19.3
24.3
29.3
35.7
45.8
56.7
67.8
78.
88,
40
11.
13.8
17.4
19.8
24.9
30.1
36.6
47.
58.2
69.5
80.
90.2
41
11.3
14.2
17.8
20.3
25.5
30.8
37.6
48.2
59.6
71.3
82.
92.5
42
11.5
14.5
18.2
20.8
26.1
31.6
38.5
49.4
61.1
73.
84.
94.8
43
11.8
14.9
18.7
21.3
26.8
32.3
39.4
50.6
62.5
74.8
86.
97.
44
12.1
15.2
19.1
21.8
27.4
33.1
40.3
51.7
64.
76.5
88.
99.3
45
12.4
15.6
19.5
22.2
28.
33.8
41.2
52.9
65.5
78.2
90.
101.6
46
12.7
15.9
20.
22.7
28.6
34.6
42.2
54.
67.
80.
92.
103.8
47
12.9
16.3
20.4
23.2
29.2
35.3
43.
55.2
68.4
81.7
94.
106.
48
13.2
16.6
20.8
23.7
29.9
36.1
43.9
56.4
69.8
83.5
96.
108.4
49
13.5
17.
21.3
24.2
30.5
36.8
44.8
57.6
71.2
85.1
98.
110.5
50
13.8
17.3
21.7
24.7
31.1
37.6
45.8
58.7
72.7
87.
100.
112.8
NOTE: The figure piven after the decimal point represents so many inches and
Dot the decimal part ol feet.
PLASTER TABLES
DIRECTIONS
FOR USING THE FOLLOWING TABLES, WHICH ANY BUILDER
AND CONTRACTOR WILL FIND VERY VALUABLE
AS EACH TABLE HAS BEEN VERIFIED AND
CAN BE RELIED UPON AS CORRECT
8^" These tables give the number of square yards and feet in
several thousand sized rooms.
EXAMPLE
To obtain the number of square yards in a room 12X15X7.
Turn to the table giving measurement of rooms with 7-foot ceil-
ing; follow down the column of figures on the left until you come
to 12, then follow the figures to the right until you come to the
figures directly under the figure 15, at the top of the page; the
answer is 62 square yards. When the half-foot comes in the
dimensions of a room, both ways, take the next largest number on
one side. When it comes on one side only, add one yard and it
will be close.
For ordinary rooms the chances are that closer results will be
obtained by using the tables than by tedious figuring. A single
mistake in taking oft" quantities may spoil an estimate far more
than any trifle of a few inches as to the width or length of a room.
It must be noted, however, that the rooms are figured "solid,"
or without any deductions for openings, which is a different method
from the one in use all through the "Estimator." Allowance can
be made for this. No other method could be used in a table, as
no two rooms are alike with respect to openings.
The tables are copyrighted by the United States Gypsum Com-
pany, and are used here by permission.
414
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
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420
THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
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WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
421
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422
THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
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WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
423
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424
THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
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WEIGHTS AND MEASURES 425
HAND VERSUS MACHINE "LABOR.
The following data are from actual work done, and are
reliable. In many industries the hand method has gone
altogether, but in quite a number of others it still holds the
field, -to at least some extent. Occasionally, even in our age,
the old method has to be relied on, as in mining camps and
mountain regions where machinery has not yet been intro-
duced, but where preparations are being made for it.
The following records are of value for this and other work,
and are here presented in shape for general use. The time
is given in hours and minutes for one person, and not for
two, as in the rest of the book.
These tables are reliable, — but I always suspect a man
who pretends to too much accuracy in estimating. Even in
mathematics we find that it is often impossible to get some
of our figures correct. The exact area of a circle has never
yet been found. Patient men have carried out the decimals
to 600 places, and given up the task. Perhaps 600 more
would be figured out without finding a place to stop. The
first 127 are given below, and they are enough for ordinary
use. The other 473 are only for the contractors who need
them in their business.
To get the exact circumference of a circle you must not
multiply by 3 1-7 or 3.146, but by the 600 decimals. Even
then you will not be correct. So it is best not to pretend
to be too accurate. For probably thousands of years men
have tried to "square the circle," or to find out the exact
size of a square that holds the same area as a given circle.
The contract is still open for any one to sign.
3.1415926535897932384626433832795028844197369399375105
820974944592307816406286208998628034825342117067982148
0865132723066470938446
About the time this table was being printed I was making
an estimate on more than a score of granite columns 3' in
diameter and over 20' long. At least a hint of the time re-
quired to manufacture them is given in the first table which
includes a marble column 2' in diameter and about 16' long.
Hints are sometimes useful.
426
THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
BRICK AND STONE WORK
Description
Quantity
Handwork
Machine
Propor-
tion
Making common brick
1000
1000
100-ft.
52
14 If
10 If
1
20 If
112 If
48 sq. ft.
100 sq. ft.
18 If
100 If
106
5
8
8
10
35
25
1
1
1
25
100
30
1
100
100
100
10 tons
216
100
Hrs.
20
33
8
8303
246
31
388
106
244
75
64
60
134
35
12
60
92
4
20
6000
155
82
234
79
650
89
30
504
36
166
11
400
50
Mins.
36
52
44
23
56
10
35
22
30
39
18
10
10
37
39
47
9
40
10
10
12
40
32
Hrs.
7
8
2
653
137
18
321
31
59
38
9
21
21
29
9
10
11
3
6
11
44
7
104
23
10
14
1
131
11
101
8
78
4
Mins.
30
43
12
26
25
46
15
2
46
40
6
36
42
10
57
7
30
20
44
10
43
52
30
23
50
22
50
15
4
25
3 to 1
4tol
4 to 1
13 to 1
2 tol
2tol
3 to 1
4 to 1
2tol
7 to 1
3 to 1
6tol
6 to 1
8 to 1
•3 tol
537 to 1
3* tol
10i to 1
2tol
4 to 1
65 tol
5i to'l
22 to 1
4 to 1
3 tol
lUol
5 to 1
11 to 1
Making paving brick
Making sand and cement sewer pipe,
9"
Granite balusters, 2' 4" long, base 4|"
x6", cap 3^"x6"
Carving granite block 5j" wide f"
relief, Romanesque
Tracing ivy leaf design on polished
granite block. Design, 4" wide . . .
Cutting marble column, 15' 9" long,
diam. at base, 2' 1 *", at top, 1' 10". .
Cutting marble cornice 102", O. G.,
double fillet, Q. R. section
Cutting marble wainscoting cap,
fillet and O. G. . .
Dressing granite, 6-cut work
Dressing granite, 6-cut work
Cutting iV'xli" flashing groove in
granite block
Cutting f"xl" flashing groove in
Cutting l" and 2" letters in polished
Cutting 4" letters, 10-cut finish, in
polished granite slab
I*olishing granite, sq. ft
Sawing marble slabs, 8' 4"xl/' . . .
Cutting granite urn, 20" high, diam-
eter of bowl, IS", of neck, 8"
Cutting marble urn, 24", 10", 5*
Cutting granite vase, 30", 18", 8" ...
Cutting sandstone window sills, 7"x
5"x4'
Breaking 100 cu. yds. stone
Drilling 2$" holes, 18" deep, in
granite rock
Drilling 2" hole, 12' deep in hard blue
Quarrying granite, cu. ft
Quarrying granite, cu. ft
Quarrying granite, cu. ft
Quarrying limestone
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
WOODWORK
427
Description
Quantity
Handwork
Machine
Propor-
tion
Making oak bookcase, 3' 7"x5' 6". . . .
Making open oak bookcase, 2' 6"x5'. .
Cutting out lumber for No. 1 cases
12
12
Hrs.
654
480
24
48
120
120
36
48
120
36
36
6
120
443
28
90
20
84
13
6
24
24
18
18
18
11
49
364
1224
792
470
970
40
110
Mins.
40
Hrs.
157
43
2
2
9
3
156
1
4
4
4
60
108
8
2
6
3
2
1
4
11
1
13
66
287
280
39
182
4
4
Mins.
14
12
6
24
45
53
45
48
5
11
40
8
24
21
31
11
44
8
50
24
12
48
5
45
31
30
4tol
lOtol
9tol
20 to 1
12tol
40 to
18 to
25 to
30 to
8 to
8 to
33 to
2 to
4 to 1
3tol
37 to 1
3 to 1
24 to 1
6 to 1
4 to 1
5 to 1
2 to
45 to
90 to
22 to
10 to
4 to 1
5 to 1
4tol
3 to 1
12 to 1
5toi
10 to 1
26tol
Same for No. 2
Planing and jointing lumber for No.l .
Same for No 2
Smoothing before putting together,
No 1
Same for No. 2 . ... ...
Lock mortising for No. 1
Making plain drawer pine bureaus . . .
Making plain 4-drawer walnut
bureaus 16"x42"
12
12
Cutting lumber for No. 1, above. . . .
Same for No. 2
Planing, jointing and gluing, No. 1 . .
Same on No. 2
Dovetailing drawers, No. 1
Grooving, No. 1
••
••
Smoothing No 1
Molding No. 2
Tenoning No. 2
Drawer fitting No. 2
Lock fitting No. 2* ...
Clothes horses, 3'x4'
12
12
12
12
12
1
Oak combination desks and book-
case^, 28"x54"xl2" deep, carved lids
Oak, 8 drawer.fl at top desks, 28"x48"
x30" high
Walnut 9 drawer, flat top desks, 27x48
x30" high
Ladies' oak desks, 26"x42"xl4" deep .
Sideboards, oak antique, quartered,
7'x8', 2 cupboards, 5 drawers, 5
shelves
Making moldings for above
Making curved work for above
*A lock fitting machine has a capacity of 1300 per day.
428
THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
Wood Work —Continued
Description
Quantity
Handwork
Carving above
Hrs.
300
4
210
1380
354
117
40
26
103
58
9
12
462
696
487
37
62
25
25
150
83
196
144
27
10
1385
325
75
100
100
150
702
120
100
75
Mins.
30
40
15
30
30
30
30
30
20
50
30
1
Dovetailing drawers
Putting together above
Oak dining tables, 6'x4', 5 leaves,
carved feet, round ends
Walnut tables, 6'x3'4", 3 leaves ....
Poplar, kitchen tables, 36"x48", square
12
12
12
1 cord
1 cord
12
12
Preparing kindling wood, 6* pine . . .
Preparing kindling wood, 9" pine . . .
Ladders 30 ft. spruce and oak
Stepladders, 6 ft. spruce
Planing for 30-ft. ladders
Boring for above
Making W. P. outside blinds, 27"x63"
3 sections, rolling slats
50 pr.
50 pr-
50 pr.
As above, but 31x65, stationary slats .
As above, but Y. P., rolling slats
Rabbeting No. 1
Smoothing No. 1
Planing for No 2
Tenonin^ for No 2
Brackets, oak, mantel, 9x15", carved
12
12
Brackets, rough carving above
Brackets, whitewood, shelf, 5"xll" . .
Shaping above ... ....
Making cherry, 5 panels door, 3' x 6'
6", solid panels, veneered rails and
stiles
50
Cutting out lumber for above
Cutting veneering on above
Planing after gluing
Cutting lumber to exact size
Doors, oak, 4-pan, 2'8"x6'10" raised
50
Planing for above . .
Mortising for above
Tenoning for above
Machine
Hrs.
98
0
18
700
134
15
3
2
46
14
1
2
114
56
110
4
3
3
3
1
2
63
24
3
510
20
12
16
8
32
131
8
4
Mins.
30
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
Wood Work — Continued
429
Description
Quantity
Handwork
Machine
Propor-
tion
Doors, W. P., 4-pan., O. G., 2'4"x6'8"
50
1
50 pr.
Hrs.
412
38
37
42
300
56
12
37
37
18
312
170
383
325
71
8
Mins.
30
15
30
30
30
45
30
20
40
Hrs.
87
5
10
12
21
1
2
2
2
30
9
92
71
16
2
Mins.
30
15
30
30
15
30
15
30
20
5 to 1
7tol
3i to 1
3Jto 1
14 to 1
112 to 1
10 to 1
18 to 1
18tol
9tol
10 to 1
18 to 1
4 to 1
4*tol
4itol
4 to 1
Mortising above
Tenoning above
Mantel, oak, 60x76", 10"shelf, 12"x36"
mirror, piano finish
White pine window sash, 4 Its., 12x24,
Planing for above
Laying out above
Tenoning above
Mortising above
Molding above
Sash, Y. P., 12 Its. 10x15
Stair risers and treads, getting out,
3' wide, 17 R, 16 steps
Window frames, W. P., for brick,
2'10'/x6'10'/
50 pr.
10 sets
50
50
50
5000
Same for frame houses
Window screens 30x30
Loading lumber B. M
PIPE WORK
Description
Quantity
Handwork
Machine
Propor-
tion
Hrs.
Mins.
Hrs.
Mins.
Cutting off and threading 3" iron pipes
Tapping pipe for l" pipe
100
100
100
26
40
6
1
40
5
16 to 1
25 to 1
The lesson all through is that it is useless to fight the machine. But the
hand figures are valuable for estimating. Both together, especially on mill work,
give a good guide for pricing special stuff.
430 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
HOW TO GET THE AREA OP A ROOF
The ordinary rules are easily found in any arithmetic.
Each part or plane has to be taken off separately. On a cut
up roof it is a tiresome kind of a job. There is a quicker
way that is exact; and by using it there is no chance of
missing some corner.
The rule is, Get the exact area of the plan on the outside
of the walls, level with the wall plate where the rafters rest,
and add as follows:
For y2 pitch add 42 per cent., or 142 on the rake to 100 on
the level. This means that every square on the level of a
half pitch roof requires 42 sq. ft. extra for the rake. Lay
it out on a board and try it, or better still, figure it up. It
does not matter how short or long, wide or narrow, any part
of the roof is, this proportion must hold. If you get the
exact area on the level you cannot miss it on the rake.
Look at No. 11 in this book. If the slopes are all the same
the area is easily obtained, but you can see what it means
to figure it in the old way.
TABLE OF ROOF PROPORTIONS FOR AREA.
Pitch Percentage Pitch Percentage
to add to add
One-half 42 Three-eighths 25
One-third 20 Five-eighths 60
One-fourth 12 Three-fourths 80
The three ordinary pitches are given first. See page 174
for definition of pitch. For an odd pitch, work the problem
in simple proportion.
If there is a deck it is easily deducted, because 100 of
deck means 142 of pitched surface, and simple proportion
does the rest.
But this rule applies only to exact area on a plumb line
outside the walls, and does not include gable or cornice pro-
jections of any kind. They are easily taken off and added.
Dormer roofs, and all kinds of little roofs are safely included,
but no projections.
EXAMPLE: Suppose we have a plan at the level of the
wall plate that measures 40x22' outside of the walls. The
area is 1008. For a half pitch the roof is 1432; a third, 1210;
a fourth, 1129; three-fourths, 1815. The figures are not down
to a fraction, but that is not required on roof measurements.
CHAPTER XXIX
COUNTING THE COST
If you are building with a hammer what chance has your
work to stand if another man is destroying with a sledge?
Of what avail is a careful estimate if the man in charge of
the construction has practically no acquaintance with
building, and time required to perform work. It would
need a mint to keep some of the theorists going. They ap-
pear to have unbounded faith in the old proverb, "Fill, and
fetch more." Money flows, rather than talks with them.
They can execute any piece of work on earth if careful at-
tention is paid to their primary want — an unlimited supply
of money. What they need is a reservoir of cash with a
pipe at their side and a full head behind it. Then it would
be not so much a case of "Let her rip!" as of "Let her
flow!"
Mr. Carnegie had such a system of keeping costs that the
men used to grumble that they could not get a brick with-
out the bookkeeper knowing of it. There is such a thing as
overdoing this much advertised "system" — such a devotion
to gathering useless details as makes it necessary to spend
$5 to keep track of $2.50; but the system that cautions one
not to burn electric light, at Ic per hour, or waste pencils,
and keeps no record of cost on $100,000 buildings is top
heavy.
Nine building contractors out of 10 are able to tell how
much each item cost 'them — how much for sand, cement, or
lumber; carpenter, brick, paint, or other kind of labor, and
that without any complicated diagrammatic nonsense. The
contractor has to be able to tell or go into bankruptcy; he
has to do the work in a simple, sensible way, for life is too
short and money too valuable to do it in any other. The
poorest system that can give actual costs in detail is better
than the most costly and elaborate that fails here.
431
432 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
There is no use thinking that returns in buildings are
going to compare in all respects with careful estimates; the
clever schoolboy may look for that kind of work, but not
the practical builder. There may be delays; the ground that
was to have been excavated dry may have been flooded; the
planing mill which gave the low figure may have failed,
and the figure may have to be increased 50%; or the expen-
sive retaining wall may have been washed in. There are
a score of changes possible, sometimes on the good side,
often on the bad.
But if reasonable allowances are made there should still
be a tolerably close resemblance to the estimate if it was
properly prepared, and is not dated too far back when
prices were different.
Reference is made elsewhere to a temporary cement
house that cost $375 for a building 40'xlOO', 1-story.
Now, a builder would think himself extravagant if he
spent $375 for that.
On No. 2, for example, a much larger building, I put up
one for perhaps $50, but $75 would seem to the average
man to be the limit. What became of the other $300?
For engineering, there was a charge of $350 or so. As
the owner did the work by day labor there was no use for
any supervision except that by a good foreman, yet the
"engineering" cost $350. About $10, on such a building, is
what contractors pay for their engineering. What of the
loss of at least $300 here?
The brickwork cost $29 per M for labor alone. On one
large building, as already seen, labor, high scaffold and pro-
fit cost $641; and some pressed brick work is given on page
93 for $4.75 to $5.75 for labor. As the theoretical student
would say. "There is a slight discrepancy here," — large
enough, however, to get a contractor into trouble unless he
had a reservoir behind him. There is much virtue in a
reservoir.
I remember once, years ago, making a bill of material
which called for a certain number of brick. A theorist
' |£f COUNTING THE COST 433
ordered over 100,000 more, on a building having something
like half a million. Some one blundered. They were de-
livered, and although, owing to a change, 22,000 extra were
used, there was still a train load to haul awray. The un-
loading was extra, the reloading also, and there were
enough left to build a dbl flat. A contractor has to keep
costs, and that kind of work does not pay. He can not af-
ford to let this brick be figured by logarithms. They are
good — in their place — but too much of a luxury near a com-
mon, ordinary brick pile.
You must keep the cost, and put men at work they are
familiar with. I once knew of more than 8 tons of sash
weights ordered and delivered, and not one of them could
be used. No carpenter would have ordered them, because he
knows the size of window boxes. That bill amounted to
more than $200.
Years ago I knew of a small building that cost $10,000
more than the estimate, and that after all the very large
allowances for extras. No one knew where this small for-
tune went. How much did the brick cost? No one knew,
apart from the woodwork or wiring. How much was the
labor on the brick and carpentry? "There is no way of
finding out." No check on waste, no division among the
labor to see which branch is at fault and take the proper
course, no anything — but a big reservoir with a good pres-
sure behind it. Keep costs! It pays! Do not figure paint-
ing by the higher mathematics. It does not pay.
There is need for technical man and practical man, but it
is usually vanity that makes the former believe he knows
his own sphere and the other's also. While he has been.
finding out about curves and cosines, or the Five Orders,
the other has not been idle. The practical man never
knows what the theoretical man knows — but the rule works,
the other way also. Both may be educated to the tips of
their fingers, but the education is along different lines. The
one is complementary to the other, and not antagonistic,
and it is only the narrow minded and incapable who sup-
434 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
pose that either one should be held inferior to the other.
There are some who seem to think that all knowledge may
be held in one head. They are amusing. It was a wise
man who said that God made men, not man, in order that
the one should help the other.
I have climbed up to the top of "Liberty" near New York
Harbor. It is made of copper, for this metal lasts. An
educated man once asked what color the copper cornice
of a building he was superintending was to be painted.
His education did not embrace the building line. He was
out of his element. Costs are seriously affected if the
wrong man is in charge. Can a mason navigate a ship?
Why go to a blacksmith to have a prescription filled.
If several of the wrong men are in charge the flow is
large enough to tap a hole in the reservoir, especially when
"Fill and fetch more," is the motto, without any check.
Once there was a stoical oriental potentate visiting the
czar. The guest was shown all the wonders, but scarcely
paid any attention to them.
The Russians did not like this, and at last the czar hit
upon a happy thought, "Show him the building accounts of
the Moscow Railroad," he whispered, "if that does not as-
tonish him nothing will."
When contractors visit your city and refuse to be im-
pressed take them to some of the railroads which lump
their labor returns in one glorious integer and show them
that.
A few illustrations have been given to point out the ne-
cessity of having a check on labor returns, of insisting that
each trade shall be returned separately, so as to see where
the leakage is, and to show also that while every allowance
must be made for accidents and so forth, there should be
a stop put to wasting thousands of dollars.
I have come to the conclusion: In building, as in every-
thing else, experience counts. In these days all is being
subdivided — there are municipal engineers, for example,
who confine their practice to sewers alone, others to pav-
COUNTING THE COST 435
Ing, and so forth. You can take the sewer engineer and tell
him to go ahead and put up a building, and send the
builder to plan the sewer, but if cost is any object the other
course is better. Whatever the sewer man may believe, he
is not long at the work, even with the "executive ability" we
hear so much about, before the average apprentice knows
through the smiles of the men, that he is a shining success
elsewhere. He is not worth $50 per month at the work —
to a contractor, he is worth so much less than that, that it
would often pay to give him $50 per month just to stay at
home. What contractor has a purse deep enough to stand
a drain of $29 per M for labor on brick?
The conclusion of the whole matter is just this: Do not
put men at work they are not acquainted with: Keep
costs separate; for unless you do, this book is of no value to
you any more than it was to a man who told me he did not
need it, even while the brick he was laying cost $10 for
labor. He had a pipe to the reservoir. If you have you are
lucky, and do not have to compile dusty books.
CHAPTER XXX
ACTUAL COST OF REINFORCED CONCRETE
The reinforced concrete system of construction is becoming
so popular that it has been considered well to give more data
than is contained in Chapter VII. By far the best figures ob-
tainable are the following from a paper by Mr. Leonard C.
Wason, President of The Aberthaw Construction Company,
Boston.
The paper was presented at the Convention of the Na-
tional Association of Cement Users at Cleveland, in January,
1909, and published in " Cement Age, " March of the same
year.
Mr. Wason is progressive enough to give actual costs to
the public, unlike the old-style builder who keeps everything
under lock and key. He wishes the cost to be so well known
that bids will run as reasonably close together on this com-
paratively new class of work as on brickwork or cement side-
walks. He gives the 'figures for protection, and not " for
pure philanthropy." We are glad to get them for any
reason.
Mr. Wason says of reinforced concrete :
" In the writer's opinion, there is no class of construction
where more painstaking skill, and often technical knowledge,
is required, than in reinforced concrete. When well done, the
resulting building is satisfactory to the owner beyond that ob-
tained from any other material, and when poorly done, is the
least desirable, even if not actually dangerous. Concrete is
either good or bad. There is no half-way state, and the dif-
ference in cost of materials to the builder, between perfect
results and a dangerous structure, is only five per cent.
Therefore, there is likely to be serious injury done to a rap-
idly-growing industry by novices, either on account of igno-
rance, though coupled with honest, well-meaning intent, or
through skinning a job on which they are sure to lose money.
Moreover, the older firms in the field have little to fear from
the beginner, because so much depends on personal ability as
430
ACTUAL COST OF REINFORCED CONCRETE 437
well as experience. With growing competition, improvements
are constantly being developed. The standard of cost is not
yet fixed, but is being reduced steadily. The desire of reduc-
ing the present wild bidding and having only intelligent com-
petition, as well as saving some poor builder a loss he cannot
afford, is the real inspiration of this paper. The author has
undertaken it with the understanding that other competent
writers would discuss it so that a greater good will result.
METHOD: — In order to have an intelligent understanding of
the meaning of the figures hereinafter given, the method of
collecting data will first be described. When making up an
estimate of the cost of a building, in scaling the plans, it is
found convenient to take off the volume of excavation and
back-filling, the cubic feet of footings, foundation and wall,
the square feet of forms for walls of foundations and above
grade, the lineal feet of belt courses, moldings, cornices, etc.;
also the size of special features of exterior treatment. Simi-
larly, the superficial area of column and floor forms are meas-
ured by themselves. Concrete of each different mixture is
scaled off in cubic feet and totaled separately. Steel of each
kind is taken off in pounds. Granolithic finished surfaces in
square feet, and so on, in detail, every item is measured. As
the work progresses, it is desired to know weekly how the
actual experience compares with the estimate and at com-
pletion to compile correctly the costs of each item, to com-
pare with estimate, and to aid in obtaining the true cost of
future structures of a similar kind. The method of account-
ing was developed to fit the estimate."
BOOKKEEPING: — The system of bookkeeping employed by
the Company is described, and the paper goes on:
METHOD OF ESTIMATING — "Carpenter work on forms is
reported by the number of square feet of surface in contact
with the concrete erected. Thus, walls are measured two
sides without deducting doors and windows, as it is usual to
let the form work run straight across these unless it is im-
possible on account of moldings, in which case the framing of
the opening will cost as much as the form work omitted.
438 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
Beam floors are measured around the perimeter of the beam
and the flat surface of the panel and around the perimeter of
girders. No deduction is made for the loss of area by the
intersection of beams and girders, and small openings in the
floor are not deducted. Anything as large as an elevator or
stairway is usually deducted. Form work for columns is
measured for entire area of surface contact between wood
and cement, all four sides. These reports are made out on
the job daily and sent to the office. The bookkeeper works
these reports up into units of measurement, as cost of labor
per cubic foot of concrete and number of cubic feet of con-
crete per barrel of cement, number of square feet of form
work erected, etc., and from this it is easy to obtain the unit
costs hereinafter given. The bookkeeper can take the reports
of four or five jobs, employing in the aggregate five or six
hundred men, and in a single day work up the complete re-
port for a week's time; thus it will be seen that there is
really little extra labor involved in the sub-dividing of reports
into a useful form over merely reporting the time so that
the payroll can be accurately made.
MASTER CARD: — When a job is entirely completed and the
ledger account is closed, a master card is worked out giving
the complete history of the cost. On one side of the card are
written the items which went into the original estimate, such
as excavations, back-fillings, footings, foundations, columns,
floors, walls, stairs, etc. In parallel columns is placed the
actual amount of the estimate with the actual experience,
reduced to cost units, such as cubic feet, square feet of form
work, etc., and the percentage of profit or loss between the
estimate and actual results. On the reverse side of the card
the principal items are worked out more in detail. Thus,
form work is reduced to cost of labor, lumber and nails, wire
or other sundries used in the forms per square foot of sur-
face. Concrete is itemized into the superintendent's general
labor, labor of mixing and placing, cost of cement, sand,
stone, miscellaneous expenses such as teaming, plant and
other general items reduced to cubic foot measurement,
which makes the total cost of the concrete in place in each
ACTUAL COST OF REINFORCED CONCRETE 439
division of the building itemized for ready reference when
making up future estimates on work of a similar character.
An exhibit is given of these forms in an appendix.
COST: — It is well known that the costs of materials and labor
in different parts of the country vary somewhat. It has been
the writer's experience that, although the rate of wages and
cost of materials vary somewhat in different parts of the
country, the variations frequently offset one another so nearly
that the sum total of the unit cost obtained in one place may
be used in another.
PROPORTIONS:— In general the standard mixture for all
floors has been either 1 : 3 : 6, or 1 : 2 : 4, if the floor is sub-
jected to extremely heavy loads and service. Walls are mixed
1:3:6 and columns usuallyl : 2 : 4; in some cases where they
are very heavily loaded, a richer mixture is used. As these
mixtures are common to nearly all construction, the costs
here given may be applied with little danger of error from
neglecting the mixture on any work. Of course, it can read-
ily be understood that in the large number of jobs which
have entered into the averages given (there being as many
as eighteen in the case of beam floors) different methods of
conducting the work have been used, and many different fore-
men. Therefore, while the general average is doubtless safe
for any work of an average character, some latitude may be
allowed the judgment in determining whether any specific
case is likely to be difficult, easy or average. The writer has
found quite a difference, for instance, in cost of identical
work handled by different foremen, due to the personal equa-
tion of their painstaking, supervision and ability.
CLASS OF WORK : — In the following tables only typical
jobs are given, whose results are correctly known. It appears
to the writer that the results from a few typical jobs would
be of more interest than a mass of figures from all kinds,
eome of which would be of no value. Enough are given for
a fair average, except in the case of long span flat slab, which
is, by comparison, a recent type of construction. The figures
for the highest, lowest and average totals in the fourth and
440
THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
last columns are taken from the vertical column in which
they stand and have no relation to the other figures in their
horizontal line."
COST OF FOOTING AND MASS FOUNDATIONS
Forms per Sq. Ft.
Concrete per Cu. Ft.
fc
1
Location
ll
J
IE
13
!i
g!
|
.2
?J
"c
1
>-5
&j
p
H
|
d
S1|
V
tc
Slag
J3
Pi
f
6
^
z
6"
O
M
<!
£
827
Power-House
Greenfield, Mass .
.119
.077
.002
.198
.065
.020
.098
.092
.008
.016
.299
824
Eng. Foundation,
Taunton, Mass . . .
.054
.025
.001
.080
.045
.002
.065
.048
.004
.017
.181
817
Head Gates,
Shawmut, Me ....
.071
.043
.003
.117
.033
.001
.074
.099
.003
.014
.224
815
Canal,
Lowell, Mass ....
.039
.025
.001
.065
.025
.011
.080
.078
.004
.042
.240
807
Foundation, Prov-
incetown, Mass . . .
.069
.043
.002
.114
.039
.004
.073
.099
.011
.049
.275
783
Dam, Mer-
rimack, N. H
.066
.037
.003
.106
.081
.008
.090
.055
.008
.031
.273
598
Foundation,
Boston, Mass
.011
.006
.001
.018
.035
.004
.061
.072
.006
.010
.188
597
Eng. Foundation,
Boston, Mass
.095
.039
.003
.137
.037
.013
.061
.084
.013
.015
.223
491
Gas Holder,
Springfield, Mass .
.034
.031
.002
.067
.043
.001
.061
.068
.005
.010
.188
488
Foundation,
Providence, R. I. .
.016
.011
.001
.028
.051
.002
.047
.076
.010
.010
.196
Highest
.119
.077
.003
.198
.081
.020
.098
.099
.013
.049
.275
Lowest
.016
.006
.001
.018
.025
.001
.047
.043
.003
.010
.181
Average of 10 ....
.057
.034
.002
.093
.045
.007
.071
.077
.007
.021
.229
ACTUAL COST OF REINFORCED CONCRETE
441
COST OF FOUNDATION WALLS
Forms per Sq. Ft.
Concrete per Cu. Ft.
1
$
Location
l|
1 s
1
§g
1
0}
|jj
^ 8
1
1
"O
"3
"cj
*-5
~ —
I
&
1,3
IH
i
0>
1
P
&
"o
H
O
**
£
0
°
<
H
831
Filter, Warren,
R. I
.103
.048
.004
.155
.062
.037
.086
.068
.012
.031
.296
809
Tar Well, Spring-
field, Mass
.071
.031
.002
.104
.040
.015
.094
.075
.013
.040
.277
757
Tunnel, New
Bedford, Mass. . . .
.048
.045
.001
.094
.213
.019
.203
.092
.057
.015
.599
756
Filter, Exeter,
N. H
.124
.067
.002
.193
.064
.021
.071
.116
.034
.019
.325
729
Filter,
Lawrence, Mass . .
.058
.042
.001
.101
.046
.017
.083
.054
.012
.032
.244
708
Theatre, Port-
Land, Me
.081
.024
.003
.108
.112
.013
.073
.078
.003
.020
.303
685
Warehouse,
Portland, Me
.053
.009
.001
.063
.040
.019
.060
.070
.029
.017
.235
673
Residence, North
Andover, Mass . . .
.047
.019
.001
.067
.108
.006
.082
.045
.015
.010
.266
*541
Filter, Lawrence.
Mass
.048
.035
.002
.085
.055
.006
.039
.027
.011
.010
.148
637
Residence, North
Andover, Mass . . .
.065
.019
.001
.085
.087
.012
.6V72
.045
.013
.010
.239
633
Retaining Wall,
Naugatuck, Conn .
.134
.047
.001
.182
.097
.018 .056
.032
.022
.010
.235
621
Hospital,
Waltham, Mass . . .
.048
.028
.001
.077
.043
.019
.038
.063
.026
.010
.199
544
Greenhouse,
Brookline, Mass . .
.032
.035
.001
.068
.051
.007
.078
.043
.013
.010
.202
543
Hotel,
Brookline, Mass . .
.037
.018
.001
.056
.043
.002
.080
.054
.010
.010
.199
Highest
.134
.048
.004
.193
.213
.037
.203
.116
.057
.040
.599
Lowest
.032
.009
.001
.056
.040
.002 .038
.027
.003
.010
.148
Average
.068
.033
.002
.103
.076
.015
.080
.062
.019
.017
.269
442
THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
COST OF CONCRETE COLUMNS
Job No.
Location
Forms per Sq.,Ft.
Concrete per Cu. Ft.
Carpenter
Labor
Lumber
Nails and
Wire
H
Concrete
Labor
«l
o^
Cement
1
1
Team and
Misc.
1
£
I
865
788
'762
747
733
732
731
685
499
Office Building,
Portland, Me
Coal Pocket,
Lawrence, Mass . .
Mill, Southbridge,
Mass
.133
.057
.097
.093
.080
.098
.071
.118
.061
.133
.057
.082
.039
.024
.082
.022
.056
.047
.051
.016
.013
.082
.013
.036
.001
.001
.002
.001
.001
.002
.002
.001
.001
.002
.001
.001
.173
.082
.181
.116
.137
.147
.124
.135
.075
.181
.075
.130
.064
.166
.073
.110
.108
.089
.070
.087
.095
.166
.064
.096
.004
.003
.056
.014
.048
.043
.028
.027
.019
.056
.003
.027
.087
.073
.107
.062
.100
.069
.072
.087
.109
.109
.062
.085
.084
.041
.035
.038
.037
.055
.058
.070
.027
.084
.027
.049
.012
.008
.027
.013
.013
.017
.041
.039
.018
.041
.008
.021
.022
.016
.030
.034
.034
.013
.020
.025
.015
.034
.013
.023
.273
.307
.328
.271
.340
.286
.289
.335
.283
.340
.271
.301
Mill, Attleboro,
Mass
Mill, Southbridge,
Mass.
Coal Pocket,
Hartford, Conn. . .
Garage, Brook-
line, Mass.
Warehouse, Port-
land, Me. .
Textile Mill,
Lawrence, Mass . .
Highest
Lowest
Average of 9
ACTUAL COST OF REINFORCED CONCRETE
443
COST OF BUILDING WALLS ABOVE GRADE
Forms per Sq. Ft.
Concrete per Cu. Ft.
o
J?
1
Location
Carpenter
. Labor
1
3
Nails and
Wire
I
Concrete
Labor
dS
o3
1
Aggregate
1
I
H
852
Fire Station,
Weston, Mass ....
.116
.038
.004
.158
.100
.007
.069
.053
.026
.039
.294
804
Mill, Greenfield,
Mass
.062
.038
.002
.102
.060
.011
.084
.086
.007
.055
.303
802
Waterworks,
Waltham, Mass. . .
.137
.024
.001
.162
.146
.007
.058
.057
.014
.047
.329
788
Coal Pocket,
Lawrence. Mass . .
.118
.056
.002
.176
.042
.004
.073
.043
.009
.019
.190
747
Mill, Attleboro,
Mass
.103
.024
.001
.128
.129
.018
.074
.048
.017
.043
.329
732
Coal Pocket,
Hartford, Conn . .
.096
.047
.002
.145
.118
.052
.097
.055
.017
.013
.350
729
Filter, Lawrence,
Mass
.046
.032
.001
.079
.046
.017
.083
.054
.012
.032
.244
704
Italian Garden,
Weston, Mass ....
.101
.073
.002
.176
.102
.008
.105
.081
.019
.010
.325
703
Stable, Beverly,
Mass
.099
.030
.002
.131
.078
.019
.071
.062
.018
.010
.258
680
Residence, North
Andover, Mass . . .
.078
.016
.001
.095
.096
.014
.046
.050
.008
.010
.174
648
Observatory,
Milton, Mass ....
.056
.038
.002
.096
.095
.012
.060
.187
.058
.005
.417
640
Office, Boston,
Mass
.105
.030
.002
.137
.096
.033
.066
.114
.066
.005
.380
638
Tunnel, Boston,
Mass
112
.045
.005
1R2
.126
.016
.066
.106
.077
.005
.330
621
Hospital,
Waltham, Mass. . .
.058
.028
.001
.087
.089
.017
.034
.063
.023
.010
.236
536
Residence,
Boston, Mass
.108
.036
.001
.145
.110
.015
.077
.069
.026
.005
.446
515
Coal Pocket,
Providence, R. I .
.087
.020
.001
.108
.052
.005
.102
.090
.015
.010
.274
500
Italian Garden,
Brookline, Mass . .
.064
.027
.001
.092
.048
.011
.080
.071
.019
.010
.239
Highest
.136
.073
.005
.176
.146
.052
.105
.187
.077
.055
.446
Lowest
.046
.016
.001
.079
.042
.004
.034
.043
.007
.005
.174
Average of 17
.085
.036
.002
.128
.090
.016
.073
.076
.025
.019
.301
444
THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
COST OF FLAT SLAB FLOORS
Forms per Sq. Fr.
Concrete per Cu. Ft.
!|
' Location
1 K
§8
1
IB
3
is
«8
"a
I
N
"S
1
E
T
1
Ja
03
0
1
r
s
^
865
Office Building,
Portland, Me
.078
.039
.001
.118
.043
.004
.087
.084
.012
.022
252
852
Fire Station,
Weston, Mass ....
.067
.038
.003
.108
.103
.007
.092
.053
.026
.039
.320
727
Church, Boston,
Mass
.067
.037
.002
.106
.146
.017
.109] .072
020
010
374
Highest
.078
.039
.003
.118
.146
.017
.109 .084
.026
.039
.374
Lowest
.067
.037
.001
.106
.043
.004
.087! .053
.012
.010
,252
Average
.071
.038
.002
.111
.097
.009
.096
.070
.019
.024
.315
COST OF CONCRETE SLABS BETWEEN STEEL BEAMS
Forms per Sq. Ft.
Concrete per Cu. Ft.
£
1
Location
Carpenter
Labor
Lumber
Nails and
Wire
I
Concrete
Labor
gl
0$
Cement
1
1
<,
"O
••i
Ji
[ '.
1
£
"3
S10
Bleachery,
East Hampton . . .
.054
.027
.002
.083
.092
.007
.137
.073 .012
.046
.367
799
Machine Shop,
Milton, Mass
.087
.027
.003
.117
.090
.033
.114
.075
.016
.034
.362
792
Foundry, New
Britain, Conn ....
.078
.046
.002
.126
.095
.021
.076
.078
.004
.022
.296
778
Stable, Boston,
Mass
.064
.012
.001
.077
.101
.019
.129
.070
.020
.015
.354
774
Residence,
Milton, Mass
.110
.071
.003
.184
.105
.048
.132
.080
.053
.010
.428
752
Power-House,
Pittsfield, Mass. . .
.029
.030
.001
.060
.131
.008
.123
.068
.013
.010
.353
725
Laundry,
Boston, Mass
.058
.024
.001
.083
.092
.021
.098
.089
.022
.010
.332
676
Prison, Ports-
mouth, N. H. ....
.068
.017
.001
.086
.073
.005
.208
.075
.006
.010
.377
652
Paper Mill,
Mittineague
.097
.071
.002
.170
.144
.033
.143
.062
.027
.010
.419
584
Power-House,
Quincy .Mass ....
.047
.025
.001
.073
.073
.021
.159
.085
.064
.020
.422
583
School,
Waltham, Mass. . .
.029
.028
.001
.058
.138
.009
.102
.078
.018
.015
.360
494
Foundry, Provi-
dence, R. I
.028
.020
.001
.049
.084
.012
.114
.026
.026
.010
.272
494
Foundry, Provi-
dence, R. I
.043
.021
.001
.065
.111
.010
.128
.029
.029
.010
.317
Highest
.110
.071
.003
.184
.144
.048
.208
.080
.064
.046
.428
Lowest
.028
.012
.001
.049
.073
.005
.076
.026
.004
.010
.272
Average
.061
.032
.002
.095| .102
.019
.128
.068
.024
.017
.359
1
ACTUAL COST OF REINFORCED CONCRETE
445
COST OF BEAM FLOORS OF REINFORCED CONCRETE
Forms per Sq. Ft.
Concrete per Cu. Ft.
o
fc
•g
Location
Is
1
IB
"3
Is
ao
"S
I
1
S3 o
c
o
*t
ft
8
3
iJ
f
-5
P
•*•%
^3
1
s
M
SS
<3
II
s
£
827
Power-House,
Greenfield, Mass. .
.165
.107
.003
.275
.143
.020
.109
.101
.008
.016
.397
809
Tar Well, Spring-
field, Mass
.064
.041
.002
.107
.076
.005
.026
.075
.013
.040
.335
804
Mills, Greenfield,
Mass.
.106
.061
.004
.171
.077
.011
.109
.086
.007
.055
.345
796
Car Barn,
Danbury, Conn. . .
.044
.051
.001
.096
.128
.013
.086
.071
.011
.010
.319
788
Coal Pocket,
Lawrence, Mass . .
.072
.039
.002
.113
.056
.004
.073
.041
.009
.019
.202
762
Mill, Southbridge,
Mass
.067
.062
.002
.131
.137
.029
.191
.051
.038
.014
.460
747
Mill, Attleboro,
Mass
.062
.032
.002
.096
.071
.023
.098
.062
.021
.055
.330
744
Bridge, Ply-
mouth, Mass
.047
.050
.001
.098
.078
.019
.100
.040
.027
.010
.274
741
Garage, Newton,
Mass
.104
.033
.002
.134
.116
.020
.121
.084
.038
.010
.394
733
Mill, South-
bridge, Mass
.057
.051
.001
.109
.119
.027
.132
.037
.013
.034
.362
732
Coal Pocket,
Hartford, Conn. . . .
.060
.033
.001
.094
.047
.023
.081
.055
.017
.013
.236
731
Garage, Brook-
line, Mass
.105
.038
.002
.145
.160
.032
.088
.058
.041
.020
.399
729
Filter, Lawrence,
Mass
.048
.032
.001
.081
.102
.016
.085
.054
.012
.032
.301
694
Storehouse,
Chelsea, Mass. . . .
.064
.043
.002
.109
.153
.035
.115
.068
.052
.020
.443
685
Warehouse,
Portland, Me
.037
.029
.001
.067
.186
.030
.096
.069
.043
.046
.470
614
Textile Mill,
Lawrence, Mass . .
.045
.042
.001
.088
.130
.013
.071
.037
.025
.010
.286
499
Textile Mill,
Lawrence, Mass . .
.053
.033
.001
.087
.116
.033
.194
.049
.035
.015
.442
471
Chapel, Portland,
Me
.053
.027
.002
.082
.100
.008
.127
.091
.041
.010
.377
Highest
.165
.107
.004
.275
.186
.035
.194
.101
.052
.055
.470
Lowest
.037
.027
.001
.067
.047
.004
.071
.037
.007
.010
.202
Average of 18
.070
.045
.002
.116
.111
.020
.106
.063
.025
.024
.354
446
THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
STEEL
Job
No.
Location
Weight
Cost of
Handling
Cost
per ton
865
852
846
843
829
831
816
809
807
804
799
788
762
759
747
741
733
732
729
685
630
788
729
Office Building, Portland, Me
Fire Station, Weston, Mass. .
324,
8:
65;
8;
55
19
8^
15^
24^
92^
201
28
53^
293
49^
20
30
195
44^
62
199^
tons
«
tt
(i
u
tt
a
"
u
(
(
f ,
r '
- ;
i
i
- :
- "
$5,115.32
40.26
548.81
61.75
506.76
102.59
69.38
59.21
136.84
1,232.01
177.16
461.16
142.76
3,079.60
286.02
86.55
100.03
2,316.60
112.84
462.99
1,547.00
$15.76
4.74
8.41
7.26
9.18
5.40
8.16
3.82
5.58
10.20
8.75
16.47
2.67
10.51
5.78
4.33
3.34
11.88
2.54
7.47
7.75
16.47
2.54
8.52
Mill, Chelsea, Mass
Coal Bins, Dalton, Mass
Dam, Auburn Me
Filter, Warren, R. I. .
Tank, Lincoln, Me.
Tar Well, Springfield, Mass.. .
Monument, Provincetown, Mass.
Mill, Greenfield, Mass
Machine Shop, Milton, Mass. . . .
Coal Pocket, Lawrence, Mass. ...
Mill, Southbridge, Mass
Mill, South Windham, Me
Mill, Attleboro, Mass
Garage, Newton Mass
Mill, Southbridge, Mass
Coal Pocket, Hartford, Conn. . .
Filter, Lawrence, Mass . .
Warehouse, Portland, Me
Standpipe, Attleboro, Mass
Highest .
Lowest . . .
Average of 21
FORMS — " By reference to the general averages on form work
in the foregoing tables of forms per square foot of surface
contact, namely, columns $.13 floors with reinforced concrete
beams $.116, flat floors without beams $.111, short spans slabs
between steel beams, including the fireproofing on the sides
of the beams, $.095, walls exposed to view above ground,
$.128, foundation walls $.103, mass foundations $.093, the
writer believes all higher in price than is usually believed to
be a fair cost by the majority of builders. It is upon the suc-
cess of handling forms that good results financially depend.
CONCRETE: — In regard to concrete, labor is the variable
item which must be carefully considered. Anyone of intelli-
gence can make a careful estimate of the materials to be
ACTUAL COST OF REINFORCED CONCRETE 447
used, but note the average prices per cubic foot of labor,
namely for columns, $.123, beam floors $.131, flat floors $.106,
floors between steel beams $.121, walls $.106, founda-
tions $.091, and mass work in connection with build-
ings $.052; not until the last item is reached is a price ob-
tained in experience which, according to the observation of
the writer, the majority expect to obtain in building work in
general. Many men who have had wide experience in hand-
ling large quantities of concrete in mass have at times at-
tempted a lighter type of construction and been greatly sur-
prised at the large expense connected therewith. It has come
to the writer's notice a number of times that men with this
experience have added from fifty per cent, to one hundred
per cent, to the cost of mass work and felt that they were
amply covered for light structural work. The fallacy of this
can be seen by a very recent experience of the writer's. In
building a dam this past year across the Connecticut River,
about 5,500 cubic yards of concrete were placed. Cement and
aggregates were received on a bridge abutment twenty-six
feet above the river. Aggregates were dumped upon an in-
clined chute where they were to be washed, and from the end
of the chute they fell into bins, from which they were drawn
through measuring hoppers into a mixer and dumped from
this into tram cars four feet above the water. The total ex-
pense for labor of washing, charging, mixing and dumping
into the cars was only $.12 per cubic yard, and for moving it
in cars, an average distance of 700 feet, dumping and placing
was only $.30 per cubic yard, or a total cost of $.0155 per
cubic foot.
MASTER CARD:— In the exhibit at the end is given an exact
copy of a " master card " which gives the complete financial
history of the job when it is finally completed. It will be
seen that on some items a loss was incurred, as well as a
profit on others, showing that it is difficult, even on work
which a company is fairly experienced on, to reach the right
price on everything, and also that when slight changes are
made by the owner or architect they often entail heavy loss.
Take one case of the external walls. The owners furnished
448 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
the window-frames and sash, which were all of metal. The
original design was for a frame with two-sash which could
easily be put into a six-inch wall. They later decided, for
greater fire protection, to use four-sash. This required an
eight-inch wall instead of six-inch, and the form work on
the inside had to be built inward and then the space under
the windows paneled to save material. This slight change,
when the job was entirely complete, showed that the concrete
on the walls showed an actual loss instead of profit, and
that form work cost more than twice what was originally es-
timated that it should cost.
TOOLING : — Regarding the tooling of wall surfaces, we orig-
inally planned to do this when the cement was less than ten
days old, but, on account of the various changes, forms had
to be left on a considerably longer time, and it was incon-
venient to tool the surface until the cement Was so thor-
oughly set that the cost of dressing was considerably greater
than was first anticipated. ••;
MAPLE FLOOR: — Again, by reference to the y8-inch maple
floor which was placed upon the concrete construction, a
cost of $89.44 per M. bd. ft. will be observed, and by refer-
ence to the details on the back of the card it will be seen that
repairing floor cost $248.50 or $12.42 per thousand. This was
due to the fact that the owners did not deliver or set the
window-sash at the time agreed, and therefore the maple
floors lay exposed to the weather in the building for several
weeks, swelled, and after laying, shrunk, leaving large
cracks which the owners insisted on being filled before they
would accept the work. These indicate how matters which
appear trivial at the time may cause serious loss, if over-
looked.
As seen by the large list of items entering into the esti-
mate as given by this master card, there are various items
of cost entering into the construction besides those which
are enumerated. Nevertheless, the matter of the forms, steel
and concrete cover by far the largest proportion of the cost
of a reinforced concrete structure, and the minor items are
those which are peculiar to each individual case and which
any person can easily estimate for himself.
ACTUAL COST OF REINFORCED CONCRETE
449
MASTER CARD
Mill, Tappan Bros-. Attleboro, Mass.
Job No. 747
Date, May 24, 1906
Proposal
Actual
Cost
Per
cu. ft.
Profit
Loss
Per
cent
Total
$35,164.55
790.00
1,738.00
1,955.00
1,520.00
8,883.00
2,869.00
832.00
883.00
469.00
348.00
44.00
852.00
1,770.25
253.00
387.00
1,086.00
2,839.00
1,738.00
379.50
98.00
1,255.00
1,009.00
429.00
400.00
300.00
1,860.00
100.00
77.80
$31,330.48
823.18
1,033.57
2,162.02
3,630.08
6,544.16
1,713.51
676.65
910.35
636.53
164.33
35.64
729.99
1,656.35
257.06
654.00
835.12
1,431.69
1,788.88
533.19
70.07
1,026.06
647.54
316.90
375.00
218.91
2,271.73
120.00
67.97
.021
.137
Per sq. ft.
.190
.125
.339
.237
Per lin. ft.
1.470
.912
Per sq. ft.
.056
Each
2.19
Per sq. ft.
.189
Per M.
52.17
33.30
89:44
98.89
Per sq. ft.
.094
.211
.175
$3,834.07
704.43
2,338.84
1,155.49
155.351
183.67
8.36
122.01
113.90
250.88
1,407.31
27.93
228.94
361.46
112.10
25.00
j 81.09
9.83
$33.18
207.02
2,110.08
27.35
167.53
4.06
267.00
50.88
153.69
411.73
20.00
11
Footings and fn
Exterior walls
Wall and fn. centers
Floors, 6f thick ....
Roof, 5J" thick
Columns, 20"x20"
Stairs
Tool surface
Ornaments and cornice
Ventilators on roof . . .
Set windows and door
frames
Interior partitions ....
Bolts and iron works . . .
Stair railing and grill . .
Screens and setting ....
2" spr. plank and lay-
ing .
|" Maple, laying
Motor shaft
Motor shaft foundation
Roofing and conductors
Retaining Wall —
Centers per sq. ft. . .
Concrete per cu. ft. .
Painting
Steel footings and
walls .
Plant, frt., etc
Bond
Extras
Mr. Wason then goes on to the cost of concrete buildings.
" It has been a common method to estimate the approximate
cost of a building by either the square foot of floor or the
cubic foot of space enclosed. As stated, after making this
comparison, I am convinced that neither method is accurate
enough to put much reliance on, but that the square foot
method is a little safer than the other. Four additional tables
are presented herewith. In each case the total cost includes
450
THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
masonry and carpentry work without interior finish or deco-
rating, plumbing and heating. The effort has been made to
put the buildings upon a comparative basis as regards the
amount of work done on each.
The first table consists of the total cost of actual contracts
executed. The second table consists of bona fide bids on
complete buildings on which we were not the lowest bidders,
but where the difference was not, as a rule, very great. The
third and fourth tables are bona fide bids on work by an-
other contractor whose experience was similar to our own.
As a rule, cubic foot measurements are given in cents only,
seldom being carried to any closer subdivision. In reference
to Table IV. on second-class buildings, it will be noted that
for the largest building a variation of one cent per cubic
foot amounts to over $28,000, while the smallest one in the
list amounts to only a little over ,$5,400. Again, on the last
three items, the cubic foot price is practically identical, while
the square foot measurements corresponding vary by more
than 100 per cent, with no easily apparent reason in the
design.
TABLE I.
COST OF FIREPROOF COMPLETED CONTRACTS
Floor
Unit
Cost
Kind of Building
Job Cost
in Cu. Ft.
Area in
Sq. Ft.
Per Cu.
Ft.
Per Sq.
Ft.
Offices and stores ....
Offices and stores ....
Factory
$181,194
61,646
12,774
1,365,830
496,780
112,440
90,474
39,840
7,519
$.133
.124
.114
$2.00
1.545
1.70
Factory
44,652
746,674
49,546
.060
902
Factory ....
39,830
312,000
24,960
.127
1.60
Garage
10,436
156,198
10,806
.085
1.23
Filter
19,993
149,250
19,208
.134
1.04
Fire Station
6,757
44265
2,982
.153
226
Observatory
Filter ....
3,625
20,076
9,734
59,991
657
5,243
.373
.333
5.45
3.82
Highest
Lowest
.333
.06
3.82
.90
Average
—
—
—
.138
1.72
ACTUAL COST OF REINFORCED CONCRETE
451
TABLE II.
COST OF FIREPROOF COMPLETE BUILDINGS
Kind of Building
Job Cost
Volume
inCu. Ft.
Floor
Area in
Sq. Ft.
Unit Cost
Per Cu.
Ft.
Per Sq.
Ft.
Storehouse
$141,755
60,800
61,646
200,051
19,292
141,529
76,796
91,377
136,880
13,064
75,604
23,332
1,714,448
703,692
496,780
1,535,000
212,400
1,327,868
1,140,000
1,380,500
693,840
105,600
1,211,364
180,000
168,696
57,654
39,840
154,000
15,000
106,022
146,000
90,240
56,552
8,800
74,604
16,394
$.0827
.0865
.124
.13
.091
.107
.0685
.067
.197
.124
.0625
.129
.197
.0625
.1088
$ .84
1.05
1.545
1.30*
1.28
1.335
.575
1.01
2.42
1.485
1.01
1.42
2.42
.575
1.27
Hospital
Office building,
Cold storage
Factory
Factory .
Storehouse
Mfg. building
Office
Factory
Factory
Factory
Highest .
Lowest
Average
In Table III. another discrepancy is noticed. In the first
and the last items, the highest and the lowest per cubic foot,
as well as per square foot, are on office buildings of similar
type which were within one mile of each other where there
is no apparent reason for such discrepancy in the design or
difficulty of access in the erection of the building. I would
recommend that very little reliance be placed upon this class
of estimates.
452
THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
TABLE III.
COST OF FIREPROOF BUILDINGS
Volume
Floor
Unit
Cost
in Cu. Ft.
Sq. Ft.
Per Cu.
Ft.
Per Sq.
Ft.
Office building
$ 70690
441,000
35,854
$ .159
$1.97
Cold storage
Hospital
132,365
44,451
1,016,400
348,320
101,640
34,832
.13
.127
1.30
1.27
Hospital . . .
51,574
414,732
29,838
.124
1.73
Bank
65,580
533,750
.123
Masonic
180,197
1,479,456
;
.122
Warehouse
31,280
259,700
24,500
.120
1.28
Garage
Warehouse
59,105
275,723
497,420
2,597,000
212,000
.118
.106
1.30
Hotel
220,646
2,116,106
.104
Hospital
49724
485,789
38,247
.100
1.30
Office
25,151
264,687
.095
Cold storage
Club .
82,711
43,586
909,240
513,808
66,745
.091
.085
1.24
Office . . .
60,003
501,575
67,400
.084
1.12
Highest
159
1.97
Lowest
Average
—
—
—
.084
.113
1.12
1.39
5 variatiop high
and low
—
—
—
53.8%
57.0%
ACTUAL COST OF REINFORCED CONCRETE 453
TABLE IV.
COST OF MILL CONSTRUCTION OR SECOND-CLASS
BUILDING
Volume
Floor
Unit
Cost
Kind of Building
Job Cost
in Cu. Ft.
Area in
Sq. Ft.
Per Cu.
Ft.
Per Sq.
Ft.
Mill ...,..:..'.:.
$ 66,516
544,788
44,172
$.122
$1.51
Warehouse
337 000 '
2 808,850
.121
Mill
113 288
1,271,300
129,920
.089
.875
Storehouse . ...
101,098
1,714,448
168,696
.059
.60
Mill
90,703
1,622,128
152,200
.056
.60
Mill
72,048
1,331,200
83,200
.054
.865
Mill
85,754
1,752,609
81,500
.048
1.05
Mill
122,128
2,641,000
98,059
.046
1.25
Mill
94341
2,036,731
174,000
046
.542
Mill
129,405
2,867,535
157,730
.045
.82
Highest . .
.122
1.51
Lowest
,
.045
.542
Average
.069
.90
COST OP MODERATE PRICED DWELLING HOUSES
OF REINFORCED CONCRETE.
So much has been said regarding the cost of moderate
priced dwelling houses of reinforced concrete that an esti-
mate has been made on four of the prize designs of the com-
petition held by the Association of American Portland Ce-
ment Manufacturers. These have been figured out on aver-
age unit costs given in the preceding tables. First prize was
for a $2,000 house, single and double, and for a $4.500 house,
single and double. The first figure is for a house as designed
by the successful competitor, the second figure for a dis-
tinctly monolithic fireproof house en the same design. It
will be seen that these houses cost more when estimated,
based upon experience hereinbefore given, than the sort given
in the competition. It is nevertheless the writer's opinion
that small detached houses cannot be built as cheap, as a
rule, as the average unit price upon which the estimate is
based, because these unit prices are obtained from much
454 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
larger buildings, the majority of which are much plainer in
design, which thereby simplifies the construction.
There has been some inquiry regarding the cost of work-
men's cottages, and a design has been made for a block
house to be built in not less than 20 at one time in blocks of
10 or more in length. These are two-story houses with cellar
for storage of coal, two rooms on the first floor, four cham-
bers and toilet on the second; 17 feet front, 27 feet deep, fire-
proof throughout. These could be built for $1,600 each, or
16.9 cents per cubic foot, and $1.73 per square foot of floor
space. If built of the same design, only of wood, the cost is
estimated to be $1,355, or 14^ cents a cubic foot, $1.48 a
square foot, — a saving between concrete and wood of $245 or
15.3 per cent. Considering the severe wear and tear such a
house receives from the class of pople who occupy it, this
difference in price is very well justified. Prices given here
are for everything necessary for the building complete, ready
for immediate occupancy.
Cost of Four Houses. — Prize Designs from the Competition
Held by the Association of American Portland Cement
Manufacturers.
(The houses are complete except for heating, lighting and
plumbing. The third column is figured out by unit costs
given in the preceding tables for a house with concrete walls
and wooden interior as per the competition; the fourth col-
umn is for the same house built entirely fireproof.)
No. 158. EUGENE WARD, JR., Architect
Single house, 26 feet front by 20 feet 8 inches deep;
2 stories and cellar; 4 rooms and bath $2,000 $ 3,694 $ 4,315
No. 177. ANDREW LINDSAY, Architect
Double house, 66 feet 6 inches front by 28 feet deep;
If stories and £ cellar; 4 rooms and bath $4,000 6,716 8,385
No. 156. EUGENE WARD, JR., Architect
Double house, 72 feet 8 inches front by 30 feet 10
inches deep; 2$ stories and cellar; 8 rooms and
bath $9,000 10,440 12,507
No.. 96. W. CORNELL APPLETON, Architect
Single house, 33 feet front by 28 feet deep; 2 stories
and cellar; 7 rooms and bath $4,500 5,847 7,112
Mr. Wason's valuable paper ends here.
ACTUAL COST OF REINFORCED CONCRETE 455
At this Cleveland Convention another expert gave the fol-
lowing comparison of cost : —
" Reinforced concrete buildings of reasonable size, that is,
costing $60,000 and upwards, can be and actually have been
erected at costs running from 10 per cent, to 20 per cent,
lower than the best bid received for steel construction on the
same plans. On medium propositions concrete will not ex-
ceed first-class mill construction by more than 10 per cent.,
and in several instances where the estimated cost of the
building has run over $150,000, the figures submitted by the
concrete contractors have been slightly lower than those of
the mill construction men."
THE FERRO-CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION COMPANY.
Another excellent record of actual costs was sent me near
the end of 1909 by The Ferro-Concrete Construction Company
of Cincinnati. This Company put up the 16-story Ingalls
building, one of the first of the new style; and has since
erected nearly 200 other structures of all sorts and sizes.
METHODS : — Mr. Anderson, the president, says :
" To make a proper estimate the cost of the form work
should always be kept separate, and as a general thing, this
cost is about the same as the entire cost of the concrete itself,
including material and labor on the concrete, as the cost
varies with the type of building. For instance, the cost of
form work for the fireproofing of a steel building is much less
per square foot than the cost on a reinforced concrete build-
ing where there is no steel frame. The reason for this is that
where there is a steel frame the carpenters have the height of
the floor fixed by the steel work, also all the positions of the
beams and girders are fixed, while in a strictly reinforced
concrete building all of these dimensions have to be care-
fully measured and determined by the carpenter.
COSTS: — "The unit cost of high and narrow buildings, such
as the Ingalls, is much greater than buildings which are
more spread out. Each floor has to be concreted before do-
ing any work on the one above, and this causes delay. Then
456 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
the men do not work so fast on the outside work when so
high in the air.
COST OF FORMS:— "The actual costs on the Ingalls Build-
ing for form work came to 11.39c. per square foot; the cost
of lumber and nails being $5,669.11, and the cost of labor
being $22,910.58, making the unit cost of material 2.2Tc. per
square foot, and the cost of labor 9.12c. per square foot. At
this time we were paying 37.5c. for carpenters.
MEASUREMENT:— "In getting the number of square feet
of form work we count on form work that comes in contact
with the concrete, making no allowances for the deductions
which actually occur at intersections, thus on the walls we
count for each square foot of wall two square feet of form
work, as both sides touch the wall.
" In figuring columns we figure all sides and count the full
story height, making no deduction for the thickness of the
floor itself.
" In figuring girders we figure the full length of the build-
ing, making no deductions for that portion where the girders
go through a column, which has already been counted in the
column forms; likewise, we make no deduction where the
beams and girders intersect. Also we make no deductions
for stair openings or elevator openings, as the additional
cost of framing around these places more than overcomes
the amount saved by the opening.
" These rules in so far as intersections and openings go also
apply in obtaining our quantities for concrete and steel.
MIXING AND PLACING: — "The cost of placing concrete on
the Ingalls Building was $1.46% per cu. yd. with labor at
17M>c. per hour.
COST OF FORMS: — " The costs of form work on some of our
other jobs were as follows:
ACTUAL COST OF REINFORCED CONCRETE
457
Name and Address
Labor
Cents
Material
Cents
Total
Cents
Carpentry
Per Hr.
Cents
Richardson Paper Co., Lockland,
Ohio
9.23
.92
10.15
Citizens Motor Car Co
10
2.62
12.62
Barney Warehouse, Dayton, O. .
Extension No. 3 Bullock Elec. &
7.3
.8
8.1
—
Mfg. Co., Norwood, Ohio
11.45
4.04
15.49
42.5
Frank Bldg., Cincinnati, O
6.69
3.30
9.99
37.5 and 40
Ware Residence, Ft. Thomas, Ky.
6.62
2.72
9.34
37.5
Hauck Bldg., Cincinnati, O
7.7
2.66
10.36
37.5
American Book Co., Cin'ti, O. . .
6.24
2.08
8.32
37.5
McDonald-Kiley Warehouse ....
7.76
2.84
10.6
37.5
American Snuff Co., Memphis,
Tenn.
5.66
3.29
9.95
45
" The labor cost per cubic yard of concrete and steel in dol-
lars per ton on some of these jobs was as follows:
Name
Concrete
Steel
Extension No. 3 Bullock Elec. & Mfg. Co
American Snuff Co
$1.585
2.46
$ 8.16
6.40
Barney Warehouse
230
1320
Citizens Motor Car Co .
1032
Henderson Litho. Co
___
11.04
Richardson Paper Co
2.99
14.04
Hauck Building
1.745
8.32
W^are Residence
2.65
" These are actual costs taken from our records.
" It would be well, however, for me to tell how we make our
estimates before these would mean much. There are certain
fixed expenses which of course we do not include in these
costs and which on the average amount to about 10 per cent.,
wo that these figures would have to be increased by 10 per
cent, to get the actual costs. The expenses I refer to are
general operating expenses, liability insurance on our work-
men, superintendents, watchmen and similar expenses.
458
THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
" In some of the costs for form work the material cost was
very low. This was due to the fact that we had other jobs
we could take the lumber from, and so a low lumber cost
was thus obtained.
" Of course anyone starting in business will probably have
their costs run higher at the start than would be the c.-ise in
an old established firm, as the latter naturally know how to
handle their work better and are apt to have better work-
men."
TRUSSED CONCRETE STEEL COMPANY
One of the largest companies doing reinforced-concrete
work is the Kahn Co., or Trussed Concrete Steel Co. of De-
troit. Some data from this company are already given on
pp. 124-125. The following figures sent me in 1909 from their
Hy-Rib engineer deal with this new development. They are
supposed to apply to all the larger cities of Ohio, Indiana,
Illinois, Wisconsin, and Michigan, if not to any city in the
country, with the possible exception of New York, Philadel-
phia and Chicago, where higher prices prevail. One large con-
tract this company secured in 1908 was the Ford Motor Co.
factory at Detroit— 75'x862'x4 stories; and the cost was only
5c. per cubic ft.
Floor costs are given complete.
"'All the figures given are actual costs, not including con-
tractor's profit, with the exception of the figure given on side
walls made with Hy-rib, where we have named the contract
prices as well as actual costs.
The figures below are based upon the following unit
costs:
Portland cement $ 1.10 per bbl.
Good clean sand 1.00 per cu. yd.
Crushed stone 1.35 per cu. yd.
Common labor 20 per hour
Skilled labor for concrete work 40 per hour
Carpenter labor 40 per hour
Plasterers' labor 50 per hour
Plasterers' helpers 20 per hour
Lathers' labor 40 per hour
Lumber for shoring 18.00 per thousand
28 gauge Hy-rib painted or unpainted 3.75c. per sq. ft.
f.o.b. Youngstown, 0.
ACTUAL COST OF REINFORCED CONCRETE 459
26 gauge Hy-rib painted or unpainted 4.2c. per sq. ft.
f.o.b. Youngstown, O.
24 gauge Hy-rib painted or unpainted 5.5 c. per sq. ft.
f.o.b. Youngstown, O.
TYPE A : — A floor like type A, on 6' spans to support 100 Ibs.
per sq. ft. live load will cost about 24.5c. per sq. ft. of floor
area. This figure includes the fireproofing of the beams.
The same floor on an 8' span will cost 26.5c. per sq. ft.
TYPE B: — Referring to type B, this floor to support 100 Ibs.
per sq. ft. live load will cost about 19c. per sq. ft. on 6' spans
and about 21c. per sq. ft. on 8' spans. These costs include the
fireproofing of the beams.
TYPE C: — Referring to type C, this floor to carry a live load
of 100 Ibs. per sq. ft. would cost on G' spans about 26c. per
sq. ft., and on 8' spans about 28.5c. per sq. ft.
TYPE D:— Referring to type D, this floor to support 100 Ibs.
per sq. ft. live load would cost about 17.5c. per sq. ft. for 6'
spans and about 19.5c. per sq. ft. for 8' spans. These costs
include the fireproofing of the beams as shown.
TYPE E: — Referring to the upper figure marked type E,
where the arched Hy-rib is used on steel I beams, this floor
will cost on 6' spans about 18.5c. per sq. ft.,, and on 8' spans
about 21. 5c. per sq. ft. This slab will support a load of 600
to 800 Ibs. per sq. ft.
None of the above figures include the cost of the steel frame
work.
All the above figures include the cost of fireproofing the
beams as shown in the sketches, and in fact the cost of the
completed floor just as shown, including the plastering un-
derneath the Hy-rib, as per specifications in the new Hy-rib
Catalogue.
In all those cases where a wooden finished floor is not
shown we have figured on 1" of first-class cement finish on
the top of the concrete slab itself, this finish being figured at
a cost of 21/4c. per sq. ft. in place.
460 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
ROOFS: — The cost of the roof depends largely on the span.
The standard thickness of roof slab constructed on Hy-rib is
1*£" above the base of the Hy-rib and about %" plastered on
below. This slab will cost, in addition to the cost of 26 gauge
Hy-rib itself, about 8c. per sq. ft. complete, besides the spe-
cial waterproofing, such as Carey Roofing or Barrett Speci-
fications or something of that kind. (This waterproof roofing
will usually cost somewhere between 2% and 3M>c. per sq. ft)
This cost is made up of the following items:
Removing Hy-rib from car and placing on the roof, 7%c.
per sq. ft.
Temporary shoring (if 26 Hy-rib is used on spans greater
than 4' or if 24 Hy-rib is used on spans greater than 5') ^c.
per sq. ft.
l1/^" of best 1:2:4 rock concrete in place, 4c. per sq. ft.
Plastering underneath, 2.75c. per sq. ft.
If thicker roof slabs are required lc* per sq. ft. for each
additional %" in thickness is a liberal allowance.
The figure of %c. for temporary shoring is based on sup-
porting the Hy-rib along one line at the middle of its span.
If the span is so great as to require two supports, %c. per
sq. ft. of floor should be used instead of %c.
REGARDING COST OP WALLS:— Hy-rib side walls are be-
ing built, the total thickness being usually 1%", for 11 to 13c.
,per sq. ft. complete. The writer knows at the present time
of contracts covering several hundred thousand square feet
of this wall at a price of 12^. per sq. ft, all openings being
deducted in figuring the cost. In this price is included 26 Hy-
rib at 4^c. per sq. ft. with freight allowed to destination.
We ordinarily recommend 28 Hy-rib which is approximately
%€. cheaper per sq. ft.
The above figures for Hy-rib walls are the contract prices
and include a contractor's profit. The actual cost not in-
cluding profit will run from 10 to 12c. per sq. ft. of actual
area, openings being deducted.
SOLID PARTITIONS:— Solid partitions built with Hy-rib
having a thickness of 1%" to 2" will cost complete in place,
ACTUAL COST OF REINFORCED CONCRETE 461
including the finish coats of plaster on both sides, about $1.05
per sq. yd. This cost includes all labor and all material.
HOLLOW PARTITIONS:— If desired to use Hy-rib for hol-
low partition construction the studding can be spaced at least
4' apart and the Hy-rib sheets run horizontally. A partition
thus constructed with studding about 4' on centers, with Hy-
rib run horizontally, and plastered on the outside only as or-
dinary lath is plastered, would cost about $1.10 per sq. yd.
complete.
CEILINGS: — An ordinary ceiling made with 28 gauge Hy-rib
on joists or studding spaced 16" on centers would cost about
65c. per sq. yd. The joists could as well be spacec1 3' on cen-
ters so far as the Hy-rib is concerned and the corresponding
saving be made in the cost of the ceiling.
On suspended ceilings where it is necessary to have a fram-
ing of light steel work spaced about 4'-6" center to center to
which the Hy-rib is to be attached, the cost of the completed
job including steel framing, Hy-rib, and all labor and ma-
terials will average about 95c. per sq. yd.
REGARDING SILOS: — A silo with a single wall can be con-
structed for about loc. per sq. ft. of wall area. This, how-
ever, does not include -the doors, the roof, nor foundation, but
simply the walls. If a double wall is desired this figure
should be increased to about 25c. per sq. ft. of wall. This
figure also does not include the doors, roof, nor foundations.
REGARDING WALLS FOR RESIDENCES:— The cost in
Detroit of such a wall will be 20 to 21c per sq. ft. of actual
wall surface. This cost includes the studding, the furring
strips, the asbestos board or building paper, the 6" strips of
building paper, the Trus-con Bonding Coat, the Waterproof
Filler, the Hy-rib Sheathing, the Rib Lath, the Cement mor-
tar, the interior plastering, and all labor of putting all these
materials in their place. There is absolutely no question
about the strength, durability and artistic appearance of this
construction."
462
THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
The following cuts are the ones referred to in the forego-
ing statement. The short descriptions are to give a clearer
understanding of the system.
HY-RIB FLOOR— TYPE A.
HY-RIB sheets are laid on top of steel beam, concrete poured
in, and under surface plastered — no centering is used.
HY-RIB FLOOR— TYPE B.
Finished concrete slab is flush with top of steel beam, giv-
ing greater head room below beams — HY-RIB sheets are
supported on the sides of beam boxes used as centering for
the steel beam fireproofing — no other centering is necessary.
HY-RIB FLOOR— TYPE C.
Flat ceiling is secured by constructing HY-RIB slab on
the lower flange of beam — a light cinder fill over the slab
brings the finished floor flush with top of steel beam — no
centering is necessary.
ACTUAL COST OF REINFORCED CONCRETE
463
HY-RIB FLOOR— TYPE D.
Ends of HY-RIB sheets are curved and rest on lower
flange of beams. HY-RIB provides the fireproofing of steel
beams without the use of any centering. With reinforced
concrete beams the sides of the beam boxes are done away
with as the ends of the HY-RIB sheets rest on the bottom
board.
HY-RIB FLOOR— TYPE E.
Arched concrete floors used for carrying heavy loads.
HY-RIB comes to the job bent to exact curve. Ends of
sheets rest on lower flange of beam. Concrete is poured in
above and plaster applied to the lower surface. No center-
ing is necessary.
HY-RIB FLOORS WITH REINFORCED CONCRETE
BEAMS— TYPES A, B AND C.
HY-RIB sheets are supported on the sides of the beam
boxes used for centering the concrete beams — no other cen-
tering necessary. If HY-RIB extends over concrete beams,
punch out the lathing between the ribs to permit filling of
the beam.
464
THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
HOOFS: — The construction of roofs is similar to that of
floors, except that the loads are lighter and a correspondingly
lighter construction is desirable. In this field HY-RIB is
especially useful, as slabs as thin as 1% inches can be built.
It saves in the dead weight of the construction, and conse-
quently permits the use of lighter roof trusses.
Concrete construction has at times been rejected when
desired for roofs of industrial plants, • solely because of the
prohibitive cost of the falsework when roofs are 20 to .50
feet above the ground. With HY-RIB no centering is neces-
sary, and it can be as readily installed as ordinary wood
boards.
ACTUAL COST OF REINFORCED CONCRETE
465
€.Or\C gElT E. ^.l-AS 1
BE-jT!
£j
a&a
,rnr-
5
L-A
CEILINGS.
HY-RIB, as used in ceilings, does away entirely with the
small channels, T's, angles, and studs necessary where the
ordinary type of lath is used.
HY-RIB is placed with the lath surface downward, pre-
sents a straign true surface for plastering, and requires a
minimum amount of material.
Full Size Cross Section Hy-Rib Slab or Wall.
Note rigidity and perfect surface for plastering.
THE ROEBLING CONSTRUCTION COMPANY.
This system is not a purely reinforced concrete one, but is
used in combination with steel columns and floor girders.
As noted in Mr. Wason's paper, all heights of stories and
spacing of beams are already attended to before any form
work has to be laid out, and this part of the contract is
cheaper in consequence. The following figures were sup-
plied by the company in the early part of 1910.
COST:— " SEGMENTAL ARCH, with concrete filled flush
with the top of the beams and with the flat steel and wire
466 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
lath ceiling construction, will average about 23c. per sq. ft.
between 10" beams in spans of 6' or less between beams.
COVERING: — For the concrete column and girder protection
with interior steel anchors, providing for a minimum thick-
ness of 2" at the corners of the members, an average price of
about 16c. per sq. ft. of plastering surface should be allowed.
FOR OUR SEGMENTAL ARCH system, without ceiling
protection and with the soffits of the beams protected, the
price will generally average 20c. per sq. ft. in spans of 7' or
less between 15" beams. The soffit protection provides a
minimum thickness of 2" of concrete to the beam.
FLAT SYSTEM: — For the flat reinforced concrete floor con-
struction , Type 10, the price per square foot, between
10" beams and spans of 7' or less with the concrete slab 4'*
in thickness and including the flat light steel and metal lath
ceilings, will average 20c. The column and girder protec-
tion the same as already named.
PANELED: — For the flat system paneled ceiling effect, Type
No. 6, without flat wire ceilings, the price is 17c. per sq. ft.
between 10" beams and in spans of 7' or less. The Type
10, with 4" concrete slab flush with the bottoms of shal-
low beams, that is, beams not exceeding 9" in depth, the
price is 14c. per sq. ft.
CONCRETE FILLER: — None of the above figures include
any plaster work, wood work, or concrete fill. Our standard
fill consisting of one part Portland Cement to ten parts steam
boiler cinders (without sand) is worth about Ic. per sq. ft.
per inch of depth when the fill is 2" or more in depth.
PARTITION:— In the partition construction, the solid 2"
concrete partition is worth about $1.35 per sq. yd., erected in
place; similarly, the hollow partition, finishing 4" thick, is
worth about $1.10 per sq. yd. The single partition finishing
2" thick is worth about 70c. per sq. yd. The above prices in-
clude only metal work and framing around door and sash
openings and include no plaster or wood work.
ACTUAL COST OF REINFORCED CONCRETE
467
CORNICES, ETC.: — Furring and lathing for ornamental cor-
nices, coves, etc., where the perimeter does not exceed 2', 15c.
per sq. ft. of plastering surface. The plain boxing of girders
where the surfaces are plain and the corners square, simply
furring them out to larger dimensions, the price is about
lOc. per sq. ft. of plastering surface.
DOMES: — Large ornamental domes, vaulted ceilings, groined
arches, etc., 20c. to 40c. per sq. ft. of plastering surface, in-
cluding the furring and light metal supports and metal lath
ready to receive plaster."
The following illustrations show the " Types " referred to
in the Roebling statement.
TYPE 1.
This illustrates the flat construction with a 4-inch thick re-
inforced cinder concrete slab finishing 2 1-2 inches above the
top of the beams and 2 inches below the bottom flange of the
beams.
This type was designed to meet the requirements of the new
building code of New York City.
This shows the 4-inch reinforced cinder concrete slab con-
struction, finishing flush with the top of the beam, and the
same as Type 1, in other respects.
468 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
TYPE 9.
Another method of flat construction, showing the method used
in attaching wire lath ceiling. Used extensively in residential
and office building construction in New York City and else-
where.
TYPE 10.
This illustrates the reinforced cinder concrete slab construc-
tion, finishing flush with the top of the beam and without soffit
protection, and showing the wire lath ceiling clipped direct to
the under side of the beam.
TYPE 19.
/.'•/•'•I
^Vi
* *
•V
The reinforced cinder concrete slab construction illustrated
here finishes either flush vith the bottom or 1 1-2 inches below
the bottom flange of the beam, with a cinder fill on top of
same to and flush with the top of the beam.
THE REINFORCING used throughout consists of 2x1-8 inch or
1 1-4x3-16 inch flat steel bars set on edge and spaced 16 inches
on centers with the bars, attached to the beams by clamping
their ends around the top flange of same, or by hanging them
in stirrups from the top flanges. These bars are held in posi-
tion by separators made of No. 5 round rods, and are placed
two to a span.
A STANDARD MIXTURE for this type of construction is one
part cement, two parts sand, and five parts cinders..
ACTUAL COST OF REINFORCED CONCRETE
469
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470 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
THE HENNEBIQUE SYSTEM
This is one of the pioneers in the new construction. The
company has already put up 22,000 buildings in Europe,
Africa, China, Mexico, and the Americas. As contractors it
has finished more than $100,000,000 worth of work; and em-
ploys also a corps of consulting engineers.
There have been many official tests of reinforced concrete,
but the Hennebique Company supplied one of the best tests
yet devised; and it was an unexpected one. Two five-story
grain warehouses in Tunis settled and leaned over like the
tower at Pisa. They were loaded with sand on the high side,
and by excavating on the same side were brought back to
position uninjured.
It has been said that the more a man knows about any-
thing the greater he sees his ignorance to be; and this com-
pany, while willing to give costs on any specific work, did
not like to give tables of averages for " The New Building
Estimator," as the other companies already quoted, owing to
differences due to location, nature of building, etc.
The following useful figures are from their printed cata-
logue:
ECONOMY: — "The cost of the Hennebique System of Ar-
mored Concrete ranges between that of mill construction and
steel skeleton fireproof construction. Considering the item
of insurance, however, Armored Concrete becomes more eco-
nomical than the apparently cheaper mill construction.
In the item of insurance alone the saving on premiums for
three or four years would more than make up the increased
cost of Armored Concrete over the other non-fire systems.
Take, for example, a Warehouse which would cost say
$100,000, and in which merchandise to the amount of $200,000
would be stored. The insurance premiums for mill construc-
tion at the rate of $1.40 per hundred would amount annually
to $4,900. If built in the Hennebique System the premiums
would be at the rate of 35 cts. per hundred, or $1,050 per
annum, an annual saving of $3,150, equal to 3.15 per cent,
of the investment.
As Hennebique structures are but 10 per cent to 15 per
ACTUAL COST OF REINFORCED CONCRETE 471
cent, more expensive than non-fireproof constructions, in
three or four years the increase in cost of the building will
have been saved by the reduction in insurance premiums.
In replacing structural steel or masonry by Armored Con-
crete, a reduction in the thickness of the walls and floors of
structures is possible. Where a twenty-four inch brick wall
is required a seven or eight inch concrete wall will replace
it. The dead space is considerably reduced and the renting
space of the building is consequently increased. If we take
an ordinary office building in which seven-inch walls are
used instead of brick walls, the increase, of renting space
would be about 15 per cent, per floor. By using an Armored
Concrete floor the thickness of the floor is also reduced and
this permits a saving of space in the total height of the
building.
We often use five-inch slabs for long spans where steel
and fireproofing would require a fourteen-inch thickness of
floor. This causes a saving of nine inches for each floor, or
ten feet six inches on a fourteen-story building, thus saving
an entire story in the height, a gain of 14 per cent.
The use of Armored Concrete makes it possible, in New
York, to construct an eight-story tenement house of the same
height as a seven-story building if other materials are used.
The small dimensions of Armored Concrete structures are
not only of importance in saving dead space of buildings, but
also in dimensions of foundation and retaining walls, where
the saving is a great one. Where a foundation of five or
six feet is required in ordinary masonry, it is possible to do
this in Armored Concrete with a fifteen-inch footing."
OTHER DATA: — The foregoing figures give a valuable pre-
sentation of the cost of reinforced work, both detailed and
complete, by the leading construction companies; and taken
together with Chap. VII supply what builders require for
comparison. The following items of cost, etc., are from vari-
ous sources, and are also worth preserving:
In " Carpentry and Building," August, 1909, there is a sum-
mary from Emile G. Perrot's paper on the Cost of Reinforced
Concrete Buildings. A few of the conclusions are as follows:
THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
" Reinforced concrete costs from 10 to 30 per cent, more
than slow burning mill construction." But the cheaper in-
surance has to be considered.
In comparing the cost of reinforced concrete construction
with steel construction fireproofed, we find that concrete
construction is cheaper. Actual bids on the two types of con-
struction for the same buildings obtained reveal some inter-
esting facts.
REINFORCED CONCRETE VS. STEEL CONSTRUCTION
For the Ketterlinus Building in Philadelphia, which is an
eight-story and basement building, reinforced concrete was
decidedly cheaper by about 20 per cent., and made a much
stiff er building to resist the shocks of ^the heavy lithographic
presses in the fifth and sixth stories of the building.
Another notable instance of the saving effected by the use
of reinforced concrete is the Boyertown Building, Philadel-
phia. The owners saved about $60,000 by the skillful use of
reinforced concrete for the entire construction, representing
a saving of about 30 per cent. It is 10 stories and basement,
built of a concrete cage having the front veneered with gran-
ite in the first story and brick and terra cotta in the upper
stories.
To sum up, the cost of reinforced concrete buildings can
best be considered by classifying them under several head-
ings:
1. Warehouses and manufactories. Cost 8 to 11 cents per
cubic foot.
2. Stores and loft buildings. Cost, 11 to 17 cents per cubic
foot.
3. Miscellaneous, such as schools and hospitals. Cost, 15
to 20 cents per cubic foot.
These costs include the building complete, omitting power,
heat, light, elevators and decorations or furnishings."
COST OF FORMS, ETC.: — The average contractor cannot ex-
pect to handle this class of work so well as those who make
it a specialty. The following figures from Fred. W. Hagloch
are worth noting as a caution to some who want to walk be-
fore they creep:
ACTUAL COST OF REINFORCED CONCRETE 473
" The labor cost in concrete form building is a very uncer-
tain figure as no two men do the same amount of work per
day. I have had a squad of carpenters and helpers that
would build forms for 24 by 24-inch columns at less than 10
cents per foot height and again I have seen it cost as much
as 35 cents per foot. Then conditions make a wide differ-
ence and I recall an instance where forms cost as much as
70 cents per cubic foot of concrete, as no form could be used
over again in stories higher up. The side wall forms are
worth from 6 to 20 cents per square foot for labor, but it is
all guess work, for even the nature of the lumber affects the
labor cost data. Besides that, the cost of forms is always
the big item in reinforced concrete, and until we have a sys-
tem of changeable forms, it always will be. I recall an in-
stance where a contracting firm underestimated the cost of
forms $28,000 on a building which they contracted to build
for the sum of $230,000. In fact, their estimate as to cost of
forms was only $17,000 and the total cost amounted to $45,000.
The cost of labor per cubic yard for reinforced work of
sizes given will be as follows: First-story columns, $2.35
per yard; walls, $2.75 per yard. Second-story columns, $2.66
per yard. Walls, $3.00, and so on up. These figures are based
on machine mixing and elevator."
UNLOADING MATERIAL:— The following data by T. Her-
bert Files in " Engineering-Contracting," April 7, 1909, are
valuable for cost of unloading. Actual costs are given for
all the figures. The wages paid per hour ran to I7%c. for
unskilled labor; 19%c. for concrete workers; for steel, 25c.;
rough carpentry, 30c.; carpenters, 41c.; foremen in their or-
der, 30c., 40c., 30c., 50c.
UNLOADING: — FOR CEMENT unloading directly into stor-
age shed, with little carrying 6 men can handle 600 bags or
150 barrels in 3 hours, at a unit cost of 2c. per barrel. If
unloaded by wheelbarrows with a distance of 100 ft, it will
cost 4c. per barrel, but may run up to 5c. or 6c. if the men
are not handled in the proper manner.
SAND AND GRAVEL will cost on an average of 8c. per cu.
yd. for unloading, laborers shoveling it from the car to the
474 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
storage pile nearby. The cost varies from 6 to 10c., depend-
ing upon conditions.
REINFORCING STEEL BARS can be unloaded at a cost
varying from 35c to $3.00 per ton, depending upon the carry-
ing distance. Here are some actual costs:
Unloading %"x20' twisted steel, from box cars and piling
it on ground beside car, 32c. per ton.
Unloading from gondola cars, carrying 300 ft. and piling on
racks in steel shed, $3.00 per ton.
LUMBER: — The unloading of lumber differs considerably in
cost, same depending upon the distance carried and the size
of the sticks. It was found, however, from our records that
it cost from 70c. to $1.00 per 1,000 ft. B. M. to unload, haul
200 ft. and pile form sheathing.
FORMS: — The following are some of the costs of forms made
in a field carpenter shop, which consisted of two saw ma-
chines, a planing and a boring machine, with a shop foreman
in charge.
Per Sq. Ft.
of Surface.
Girders and beams 5 cts.
Floor panels 2 cts.
Wall panels 3 cts.
The cost of setting forms for the floors, which included
time spent in the moving of the forms from one floor to an-
other, erecting and setting the forms of columns, beams, and
floor panels and the falsework supporting them, was figured
per sq. ft. of floor surface. The costs of different floor set-
ups varied, because the men at first were unskilled and not
well organized. From 1,300 to 1,800 sq. ft. of floor were set
up in a day These costs ranged from 13c. per sq. ft. for the
first set-up to 4.7c. for the roof set-up, making an average of
8.4c. per sq. ft.
The stripping of the floor forms cost from 2.5c. to 1.5c. per
sq. ft, or an average of 1.9c. per sq. ft. of floor. This makes
the cost of setting up and stripping of forms for floors aver-
age 10.3c. per sq. ft. of floor.
ACTUAL COST OF REINFORCED CONCRETE 475
The curtain walls, between columns, were put in place after
the floors and cost from 6 to lOc per sq. ft. of form surface
for setting up, or an average of 8c. The cost of stripping
these was y2c. per sq. ft. Partition walls and outside plain
walls cost from 4 to 8c. per sq. ft of form surface, or an
average of 5c. for setting and y2c. per sq. ft. for stripping.
STEEL:— The cost of the steel work is divided as follows:
Per Ton.
Unloading $2.00
Making up steel 5.50
Carrying 1.75
Placing 1.00
Total $10.25
CONCRETING: — The greatest wheeling distance was 350 ft.
and the least 50 ft., making the average distance 200 ft. The
cost of concreting columns and floors ranged from 2.8c. to-
4.2c. per cu. ft., or an average cost of 3.5c. per cu, ft.
CENTERING OR FORMS: — A word of caution is necessary
as to the difference of cost of form work for rough and fin-
ished surfaces. If an extra smooth surface is insisted on,
then the inside of the forms has to be carefully built, and, ac-
cording to one expert, the cost is at least doubled.
EXPANDED METAL SHEETS:— The ordinary 3'xl2' sheets
can be laid by two men at the rate of 125 to 150 in a day,
when working under average conditions. The lighter material
naturally costs more than the heavy sheets. The cost per
ton can be estimated according to the rate of wages.
PERCENTAGES: — On a number of office buildings the per-
centage of cost ran as follows:
Labor 40 Steel 20
Cement 14 Lumber 11
Stone and sand 10 Miscellaneous 5
DETAILED COSTS:— In "Engineering-Contracting" for
April 29, 1908, there is an account of a factory building 100'
xlOO', with extension of 55' on one side. The first story was
476
THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
18', the second 12'. There were 847 cu. yds. of concrete used.
It was machine mixed and hoisted. The figures are valuable
for the average contractor:
MATERIALS
Per
Cu. Yd.
Cement at $2.05 per bbl $ 3,314 $ 3.91
Sand and gravel at $1.25 per cu. yd 1,054 1.20
Reinforcement at $55 per ton 2,314 2.75
Form lumber 4,944 5.84
Nails, etc 107 0.13
Total materials $11,733 $13.88
LABOR
Building runs, hoisting and mixing engineer,
378 hrs. at 25 cts $ 94.50 $ 0.111
Laborers, 3,826 hrs. at 17£ cts 669.55 0.790
Carpenters, 308£ hrs. at 35 cts 107.98 0.127
Total $872.03 $ 1.028
PLACING AND TAMPING
Laborers, 3,211^ hrs. at 17$ cts $562.00 $ 0.663
PLACING REINFORCEMENT
Laborers, 1,263 hrs. at 17| cts. 42 tons $221.00 $ 0.260
BUILDING AND ERECTING FORMS
Carpenters, 4,700 hrs. at 35 cts $ 1,645.00 $ 1.942
Carpenters, 1,212 hrs. at 30 cts 364.50 0.430
Total $ 2,009.50 $ 2.372
STRIPPING CENTERING, CLEANING UP
Carpenters, 420 hrs. at 30 cts $ 126.00 0.148
Laborers, 1,451 hrs. at 17£ cts 253.93 0.299
Total 379.93 0.447
SUPERINTENDENCE
Foreman, 44 days at $6 264.00 .311
Superintendent, 2| months at $100 250.00 0.295
Engineering inspecting, inc. trav. exp 200.00 0.236
Total $ 714.00 $ 0.842
Tools and depreciation 338.00 0.386
Total labor $ 5,096.46 $ 5.998
Total materials and labor $16.829.46 $19.878
ACTUAL COST OF REINFORCED CONCRETE. 477
SUMMARY: — The experience of several of the largest firms
is better than that of any one man or company; and costs
compiled from many buildings in different sections are su-
perior to those that are found by taking only one building in
one corner of the United States. It is well, however, to re-
member that Mr. Wason's experience is that location does
not affect costs as much as is often supposed, as one item
frequently offsets another.
The cost of reinforced-concrete work is being steadily re-
duced, according to the Aberthaw records; but the ordinary
contractor who only occasionally erects a concrete building
will seldom be able to equal, let alone reduce, the figures in
this chapter; and thus for general use they may be held to
be as nearly correct as is possible to obtain for a fair com-
parison and check, for a long time to come, or until radical
changes are made in the system of forms used.
SETTING STEEL
A great variation in the cost of setting steel per ton is
shown on page 446. Figures are given on pp. 216-218 for
ordinary and special work of this kind.
On an 18-story building erected in 1912 the steel was set
for $11 per ton complete, with one coat of paint, and a haul
of half a mile included.
SURFACING CONCRETE:— Business buildings are not usu-
ally covered with stucco or other material as dwellings
are, but may be treated in another manner. One way is to
improve the surface with various tools driven by compressed
air. Another is by sand blasting.
These methods break through the glazed surface that, in
damp climates, at least, many would rather see preserved,
but gives a finish that does away with all appearance of
joints, irregular and rough surfaces. Bush hammers, bush
chisels, and sand blasting are the principal agencies. Some
cost figures are given in "Concrete" for January, 1912.
Working with hammers and chisels on panels, balustrades,
molding and soffits of arches the cost came to 5 1-2 cents
478 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
per square foot with labor at 30 cents per hour. This does
not include compressed air.
With concrete 30 days old 100 sq ft of fiat surface was done
in 9 hours, but only 40 to 50 on more intricate surfaces.
From 10 to 20 per cent more can be done with concrete only
4 days old.
SAND BLASTING: — A complete outfit of machinery for this
work comes to about $450 in eastern cities, with freight to
be added for other points. The hose for the air costs about
50 cents per foot, with 80 ft included in the above price.
With such an equipment 600 sq ft can be blasted in a day,
at a cost of from 4 to 5 cents per sq ft.
Some contractors figure such work at 8 to 10 cents per
sq ft. The height of the work from the ground has to be
considered, and whether scaffolding is in place or has to
be supplied. The character of the surface naturally governs
the price. Some buildings are plain all over, and others are
covered with pilasters, pediments, balustrades, and moldings.
A large amount of this kind of work has been done in
renovating the facades of the brownstone houses in eastern
cities, and especially in New York City. (See page 72.)
WHITE CEMENT: — On page 72 allusion is made to La Farge
cement, an imported article used for non-staining purposes
on stone setting. For this purpose, and also for white ar-
tificial stone, there are now several brands made in the
United States. The price runs from $4 to $6 per barrel, de-
pending upon freight, etc.
Some of the brands are supplied by the Atlas Portland
Cement Company, Sandusky Portland Cement Company, Vul-
canite (Berkshire) Portland Cement Company, Blanc Stain-
less Cement Company, Allentown, Pa.
LARGE WINDOWS: — On such buildings as are shown in
the cuts, Nos. 7 and 8, the area of glass may run to 30 or
40 per cent. In one of them it is 40. In reinforced concrete
buildings as much as 80 per cent may be openings.
The new style of reinforced concrete construction, coupled
ACTUAL COST OF REINFORCED CONCRETE. 479
with the desire for strictly fireproof buildings, has brought
with it metal window frames and sash to suit. One of the
most popular of these makes is the Fenestra, manufactured
by the Detroit Steel Products Company. The square foot
prices given below were furnished for this work by the com-
pany. Of course they are approximate only, as different
sizes of glass, weight of metal, and other factors affect the
price.
There are about 200 standard makes for all purposes. The
sash get one factory coat of paint, and the glazing is done
after erection. The putty goes on the inside of the building.
It is made of lead and linseed oil, but has 20 per cent of
litharge. It may be supplied by the factory at a cheaper
rate than it can be manufactured by the contractor. A 10x16
light requires 9 ounces, and a 12x18 about 11, but this is
approximate.
The following prices are fob Detroit, and consequently
freight, hauling from depot, putty and erection have to be
added. The glass size all through is 12x18 standard. For
10x16 the price would be 5 or 6c per sq ft extra. The glass
is not included, as different kinds may be used. (See p 206
for price of common, ribbed, wire, plain or polished.)
Per Sq Ft
WINDOW A, semi-circular head 25c
WINDOW B, camber head '. 31c
WINDOW C 22c
WINDOW D 24c
WINDOW E 19c
WINDOW F 22c
The necessary hardware is included to attach the frame
to the masonry or steel work.
ERECTION:— As a general rule the allowance of 5c per
sq ft covers the work. In a steel frame it can be done for
3 1-2 to 4c.
LABOR GLAZING:— The cost of this, including the putty,
runs from 8 1-2 to 9c per light. This does not include glass.
480
THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
ACTUAL COST OF REINFORCED CONCRETE
481
482
THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
i:
ACTUAL COST OF REINFORCED CONCRETE 483
As the standard light is 12x18, or exactly 1 1-2 sq ft, the cost
per sq ft may be set at 6 cents. On page 206 lights of 10x14
are noted as being set for 1 l-2c without putty on the win-
dows of Nos. 7 and 8, but the sash were handled on the
ground, while the Fenestra is glazed after erection.
VENTILATORS are swung on pivots. They may be of any
size desired.
TOTAL: — Window A 25c for sash and frame; 5c erection;
6c glazing and putty; 12x18, D. S. common glass, 11; total
47c per sq ft. Allow freight and hauling extra.
COMPARISON:— The 60-light windows in Nos. 7 and 8 cov-
ered 250 sq ft. The cost unglazed, but delivered at the build-
ing; is given on page 182, also the weight of the sash. Each
frame included 3 sets of windows. Allowing at 25c in
stead of 22 the frame and sash come to $62.50; 180 lights
10x14, S. S., $11.70: setting same, $2.70; putty, 25 Ibs.
at 4c, with points, $1 (see page 206, bottom) ; carpenter la-
bor, $18; sash cord, weights, lifts and locks, $8; total, $103. 90,
or about 42c per sq ft complete. But 22c would more than
cover cost if thinner sash were used, as 2" was the thickness.
An allowance of 38c would be fair.
Using type E as a comparison with Nos. 7 and 8 in wood,
we have 19c for frame and sash; and 22c for the other items,
a total of 41c. But the 12x18 was allowed in the first total
for the Fenestra at D. S. glass while the wood had S. S.
On page 206 we see that the difference is about 4c, leaving
the Fenestra at 37c.
There is no freight or hauling to be added on the wood
construction. It should be noticed, however, that E is the
cheapest type, while on page 181 a lower figure than 22c is
given for frame and sash delivered and glazed with S. S.
glass, and even with D. S. Labor and hardware have to be
added.
On page 192 glazed prices without frames are also given.
TILE ARCHES:— On some buildings, old style or reinforced
concrete, the ceilings and domes are covered with mosaics.
484 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
and tiles of various descriptions. On a large railroad sta-
tion for which I made a valuation the mosaic cost $1.50 per
sq ft. On the same station the Sienna marble was valued
at $2.50 per sq ft, 1" thick.
Domes in churches, stations, etc., are of so many kinds
that only an approximate idea of cost can be given. The
following figures were supplied by the Comerma Company,
New York City.
Approximate Cost of Cohesive Tile Arches per sq ft.
CARRYING WEIGHT. WITHOUT WEIGHT.
Unglazed Glazed Matt Unglazed Glazed Matt
Glazed Glazed
Flat' Arches ... $0.93 $1.01 $1.10 $0.78 $0.86 $0.95
Domes 1.01 1.09 1.18 .86 .94 1.03
The above figures are on the basis of building the arches
or domes themselves, as well as the tile lining below, but
do not include any filling above. The construction carries
its own weight, and the floor load. The scaffold is not in-
cluded below the spring of arch or dome.
ITALIAN MARBLE wainscoting set in place, $1.10 to $1.25
per sq ft.
CHAPTER XXXI.
MEASUREMENT OF BUILDING WORK
SYSTEM:— On pages 10, 49, 61, 74, 134, etc., the system of
measurement adopted for this "Estimator" is explained.
It is based upon actual quantities, as a rule, with a few tri-
fling exceptions, one of which may be noted at the bottom of
page 259. But there is such a difference of opinion among
contractors ^as to the respective merits of this manner of
estimating buildings, and the old trade rules based upon
increasing quantities rather than prices for exceptional work,
that the subject is worth examining to some extent.
First of all, as a contractor I had been in the habit of
figuring masonry, plastering, etc., in the trade way, and get-
ting into trouble over the usual list of many exceptions to
one rule. I then went to the engineering department of a
railroad where part of my duty was to make estimates and
bills of material for buildings, large and small. I followed
the trade custom for a time, but finally adopted the engin-
eering one of taking actual quantities only. This system
is better in every way.
Assume that the brickwork of a building is estimated in
the trade way: The corners are doubled; an extra length is
allowed on intersecting walls to make up for the time lost
plumbing the corners; and pilasters, ledgings, and such flat
surfaces are taken by a special rule that changes according
to projection; while piers are measured on two or three*
-sides depending upon their size. Ordinary openings are not
deducted .those above a certain number of square feet are
deducted, if of a certain area half the surface is deducted,
and so on. It is the same with stone, plaster, paint, and
other factors entering into construction.
DETAILS:— After I had a building estimated I usually had
to make out the bills of all material for the complete struc-
ture. Before getting at the quantities required the work had
485
486 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
to be gone over again to take out the double corners, all or
part of the openings; and the rest of the trade jumble set
to rights. Brick and mortar are not necessary at the open-
ings, and are not doubled at the corners, and concrete and
plaster are required for only the actual surface, or capacity.
But when the exact surface is taken at first all brick,
lath or mortar can be at once detailed out without another
calculation. Where only one building comes up in a
month, or only a few contracts are secured in a year, the
method followed does not matter so much, but when sev-
eral have to be detailed out in a week there is no time
for useless work.
The old system wastes time, and is not so good as the new,
and is, furthermore, quite frequently a source of quarreling
and dissatisfaction between the owner and the contractor. I
know of one set of large buildings where a settlement was
held up for a long time owing to the contractor's desire to
double all corners and intersections in a heavy concrete
foundation, instead of taking actual quantities. The differ-
ence between the systems amounted to something like a
couple of thousand dollars.
LOCAL CUSTOM: — Another trouble comes from the fact
that different sections of the country have customs that
vary; and some states have had building measurements en-
acted into laws by the legislature. The courts have held
that local custom governs, so that the only method of pro-
venting misunderstanding is to have a clause in the specifi-
cation saying that only actual quantities will be allowed.
Law suits are undesirable.
In the case of railroads running into various states, and
into different sections of these states, with local measure-
ments to suit the varying ideas, the danger of confusion is
too great. Consequently, with most, if not all, railroads
square and cubic feet and yards are used on actual measure-
ments, and not cords and perches that mean 16 1-2 cu ft
here, and 24 1-2 there, coupled with trade rules enough to
fill a pamphlet.
MEASUREMENT OF BUILDING WORK 487
LARGE OPENINGS:— Again, with such shops as are shown
on illustrations 7 and 8, this book, the openings amount to
from 35 to 40 per cent of the walls, and the only proper way
to make an estimate is to deduct them entirely, to take the
actual surface, and to raise the unit price to suit the work
of plumbing the corners. Reinforced concrete buildings often
have one-half of their wall area in openings, and some have
as high as 80 per cent.
EXTRAS: — There is no gain by using the trade rules in
competitive bidding, because the cost of the work can be
found by the actual method as well as by the trade one. The
sole chance of gain lies in the possibility of extras, just as
with the concrete foundation already alluded to, when the
measurement is raised enough to create ill feeling on the
part of the owner who thinks he is victimized.
NET FIGURES: — Many of the largest contractors now fol-
low the actual measurement system, and change the price
unit for difficult work. One of the leading contracting com-
panies in the United States is the Aberthaw Construction
Co. (see pages 436, 440-450). Commenting upon the Rules
of the Chicago Associations in the Building Age for May,
1911, an official of this company says that the fundamental
law of measurement is that all quantities of material and
labor should be measured net as finally left in the building
or structure, and that all extra labor, waste, etc., should be
allowed for in the price and not in the measurement. That
is to say, the extra work on brick pilasters, cornices, piers,
and corners should be considered when estimating, and the
price for the work per thousand raised to suit; and that a
carpenter laying a floor should not be paid for the waste in
the boards, which often require one-fourth more material
than the actual area, and neither for the ends of the boards
that are cut off, no matter if he is flooring an angle, circle,
or octagon, but only for the actual number of sq ft left when
the work is finished.
SCAFFOLDS: — Further remarks on this interesting subject
by the Aberthaw official are: "All work of temporary char-
488 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
acter should not be measured unless it forms a distinct labor
item which can be taken separately; for example, staging
for brick masons, or painters, sheeting for trenches, etc.,
should not be measured separately, but should be included
in the unit price of brickwork, painting or excavation. On
the other hand, forms should be measured separately, be-
cause they are a separate and distinct operation of labor
necessary to the construction of concrete work, and simi-
larly, painting on structural steel should be measured sep-
arately and not included in the price per ton.
CONCRETE: — "The committee has disregarded the cost of
placing concrete in thin walls and floors, and has also en-
deavored to eliminate all measurement of forms to concrete
work, allowing an excess measurement of concrete to pay
for both. There are a number of difficulties in the way of
paying for forms for concrete work at unit prices, among
them being the fact that they will not be seen when the
building is finished, and furthermore, that there is no estab-
lished unit of measure for them. For example, an extrava
gant use of lumber is apt to result if board feet are desig-
nated as the unit for basing prices. The most logical method
seems to be to base estimates for form work on the square
foot of concrete surface in contact with forms. This does
give a definite and unchanging unit, as there will always be
the same number of square feet to center in the under side
of a floor, and the sides of a beam, although the lumber used
on similar work by different contractors may vary. Much
here depends on the design of forms used.
"To show how erratic the application of these rules (The
Chicago ones) to concrete work might be, let us take an
actual instance of their working. Assume two walls, one 6"
and one 12" thick, with a unit price of 30c per cu ft. The
rules would allow 1 1-4 cu ft of concrete per sq ft for the 6"
wall, and 1 1-2 cu ft for the 12". Assuming the actual cost
of concrete without forms to be 25c per cu ft, this would leave
25c in the first case, and 20c in the second, although the
work is the same. Again, if a richer mix were adopted for
MEASUREMENT OF BUILDING WORK 489
another 6" wall, and the unit price raised to 35c, we should
have 28 3-4c left for forms, the same as those paid for at
25c and 20c in the other wall. It appears that the funda-
mental error is the effort to adjust quantities rather than
prices.
"On municipal work especially, adjusting quantities as a
basis of measurement might bring the contractor or others
into embarrassing situations, for it would be practically im-
possible to make an untechnical committee see the justice in,
for example, charging for 70 cu ft of concrete in a column
containing only 10."
UNIFORMITY: — The trouble would be in getting an ideal
set of rules adopted over the entire country, even of the
kind the trade rule men would approve. The state legisla-
tures, or some special interest, might block a uniformity
that is desirable enough. But there is one system that is
already known and understood in every part of the United
States, and that is the one that is based on actual measure-
ments, with price as the unit instead of quantity. If not
customary locally, it is easy enough to make it obligatory
by a clause in all specifications.
DIFFICULTIES: — In some cases it is hard to get mathe-
matical rules to suit estimating. Just to give one illustra-
tion, the best way of getting at the cost of forms for con-
crete is by the square foot in contact with the surface, as al-
ready noted in the Aberthaw comments; but even that metn-
od is not perfect. A hint is given of another way on pages
45 and 46 merely as a check.
PIERS: — Take, for instance, two piers with many angles:
it is not the few feet of plank that count, but the labor in
making the forms. Assuming one pier with 8 angles x 10 ft
deep, and girt of 16 ft, and another with the same angles
and depth, but measuring 24 ft around. There is a differ-
ence of 80 sq ft, or say 220 ft B. M. of lumber, allowing for
studs, braces, etc. This amounts to about $6 extra for
lumber and nails. There is not much difference in the labor
490 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
in both cases, for the extra comes on the plain plank, and
not on the angles, and would not be more than $2, making
a total of $8. Yet setting the sq ft price at 20c. the one
would take $32 and the other $48.
ANGLES: — In making forms for isolated piers, especially
battered ones, it is angles that count, and not square feet,
and even when a high unit price is set the one pier might
cost, twice as much as the other owing to the angles, although
all through a foundation the average has to be struck. For
this reason machine foundations are very expensive. The
labor on the forms is noted on page 45 as 5 times as much
as for straight work.
QUANTITY: — On page 46 it is stated that each 1,000 yds of
concrete required 7,000 ft. B. M. of lumber. On the con-
crete foundations of the Woolworth building 24,000 yds took
75,000 ft B. M.
A SET OF TRADE RULES
As many contractors like the old system the following
trade rules are given. The first set relates to excavation
and concrete, and was adopted in 1911 by the Chicago Con-
tractors' and Masons' Association, the Chicago Architects'
Business Association, and the Western Society of Engineers
— and thus there is the weight of good authority behind what
seems to be a bad system:
RULES OF MEASUREMENT FOR EXCAVATING AND
CONCRETE WORK.
EXCAVATION OF CELLARS AND BASEMENTS.
1. Excavation to be measured and computed by the actual
amount of material displaced. If unit price is based upon
loose measurement, add forty (40#) per cent, to actual bank
measurement, except if consisting of sand and gravel, when
only twenty (20£) per cent, will be added. If rehandling be-
comes necessary, same to be done at a special price agreed
upon in addition to the above.
MEASUREMENT OF BUILDING WORK 491
EXCAVATION OF TRENCHES AND PITS.
2. Excavation of trenches, pier holes, or pits when more
than 3 ft. wide to be computed on actual contents when less
than 5 ft. deep.
When less than 3 ft. wide excavation of trenches, pier
holes or pits to be computed on actual contents if less than
2 ft. deep.
If more than 2 ft. deep, compute contents of trench on
base of 3-ft. width, even though same is narrower.
If less than 2 ft. in depth, estimate actual width.
For pits and pier holes more than 2 ft. deep and less than
12 sq. ft. in area estimate area of same on base of 12 sq. ft.
multiplied by depth of same down to 5 ft., and of more than
5 ft. deep, estimate on same basis as given below for addi-
tional depth of trenches, with the same percentages of in-
creases added.
Add 75 per cent, to actual contents of excavation of
trenches, pier holes or pits for depth between 5 ft. to 10 ft.
Add 150 per cent, to actual contents of excavation of
trenches, pier holes or pits, for depth between 10 ft. and
15 ft.
Add 225 per cent, to actual contents of excavation of
trenches, pier holes or pits for depth between 15 ft. and 20 ft.
Add 300 per cent, to actual contents of excavation of
trenches, pier holes or pits for depth between 20 ft. and 25 ft.
Add 375 per cent, to actual contents of excavation of
trenches, pier holes or pits between 25 and 30 ft. in depth.
Add 450 per cent, to actual contents of excavation of
trenches, pier holes or pits between 30 ft. and 35 ft. in depth,
and so on, adding 75 per cent, accumulative for every 5 ft.
additional depth.
BACK FILLING AND GRADING.
3. Soil required for back filling or grading to be meas-
ured by computing from cross-sectioning cubic contents of
area to be filled or graded.
4. Sheet piling and lagging to be estimated per thousand
feet of lumber required. Kind of lumber to be specified.
492 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
5. Shoring of earth banks to be done at unit price, per
square foot of shored surface of bank.
6. Pumping or bailing when required to be done at special
price, in addition to excavation unit price, as the excavation
rules are based on dry work; this, however, does not apply
to rain or storm water.
CONCRETE FOUNDATIONS.
7. Foundations for walls to be measured actual contents
when made with square and level off-sets.
Footings with sloping or beveled off-sets less than 30 per
cent, from the horizontal multiply area of base by greatest
height of footing. This applies to piers also, except when
courses in pier foundations are less than 12 ft. in area, when
1 cu. ft. will be added for each corner for every foot in
height of such course.
8. Foundations for all projections, such as chimney
breasts, pilasters, buttresses, or flues, connected with walls
to be measured actual contents contained therein, and 1 cu.
ft. added thereto for each corner for every foot in height.
9. Recesses and slots in foundations to be measured solid
and in addition thereto allow two (2) cubic feet for every
foot in height or length.
10. Arches in foundations. Multiply length of chord at
spring arch by height from chord to extrados by thickness of
arch, and add to the wall measurement. Height of arch ring
equal to thickness of wall.
11. Circular or polygon foundations to be figured at double
actual contents.
12. For wall 14 ft. or less in height, 24 in. or more in
thickness, use the actual thickness as basis in computing the
volume. For walls less than 24 in. in thickness, add one-half
the difference between the actual thickness and 24 in. in
computing the volume. If walls are more than 14 ft. in
height between floors, add to cubic contents fifteen (15) per
cent, for every additional 4 ft. in height, on accumulative
scale, as given for trench excavation.
MEASUREMENT OF BUILDING WORK 493
13. For circular walls of radius sufficiently large to obvi-
ate the necessity of using specially prepared lumber for
forms, add one-fifth of length to girt of wall, and figure cubic
contents, on the same basis as prescribed for external and
division walls, paragraph 12.
14. For battered or sloping walls, estimate contents on
same basis as for external and division walls, and add one-
half of contents of wedge, or batter to same when narrower
on top than 24 in. See paragraphs 12 and 17.
Intersection and division walls, 24 in. thick or less
(bonded together in any manner not abutting), to be meas-
ured as slot or recess. When thicker, add 1 ft. to length of
wall for every intersection when measuring.
15. In retaining walls, reinforced with beams, columns or
girders, figure concrete casing a minimum thickness of 12 in.
from outside edge of steel on side next to earth bank and 6
in. from outside edge of steel on opposite side — i. e., compute
wall 1 ft. 6 in. thicker than width of steel.
For all other retaining walls, compute on same basis as
for external walls, paragraphs 12 and 17.
No deduction in cubic contents of concrete to be made for
metal imbedded in same.
16. Hollow walls to be at special rates.
17. For each corner of wall more or less than 90 deg., add
1 ft. 6 in. to girth length of walls in measuring.
The term corner is used for salient angles of walls, and
angle for re-entering angles.
18. All plain projections, such as chimney breasts, piers
connected with walls and pilasters, to be measured actual
contents contained therein, and 1 cu. ft. added for each cor-
ner for every foot in height.
19. Independent plain square piers to be measured by
same rule, i. e., add 1 cu. ft. for each corner for every foot
in height. For plain polygon or round piers, add 4 cu. ft. for
each foot in height.
20. Recesses and slots to be measured solid. In addition
thereto allow 2 cu. ft. for every foot in height or length.
494 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
21. In vaults, multiply length of chord at spring of arch
by height from chord to extrados by thickness of arch.
In walls, find contents of arch by same rule and add same
to wall measurement, as called for in paragraph 10.
In sewers and tunnel arches, multiply length of extrados
by thickness of arch.
OPENINGS WITH FRAMES BUILT IN.
22. Deduct contents of windows, doors and other open-
ings, measuring from jamb to jamb and from top of sill to
spring of arch, and add 2 ft. of wall for each jamb for every
foot in height of opening when plank frames are used; if
box frames are used, add 4 ft. of wall for each jamb for
every foot in height.
OPENINGS WITHOUT FRAMES.
23. Deduct contents of openings, same to be measured
from top of sill to spring of arch and shortest distance be-
tween concrete jamb for width, and add for each jamb 2 it.
of wall for every foot in height of opening.
Circular, oval or other special shaped openings to be fig-
ured at special price.
CHIMNEY BREASTS, FLUES AND PILASTERS.
24. All flues or hollows in chimneys or walls less than 2
ft. in area figure solid and add 2 cu. ft. for every foot in
height. All flues and hollows in chimneys or walls from 2
ft. to 4 ft. in area to be measured solid. When larger, de-
duct one-half of contents of flue.
Detached portions of chimneys in buildings and plain
chimney tops above roof to be measured solid, and 1 cu. ft.
to be added for each corner for every foot in height.
25. Detached chimney stacks to be figured at special
rates.
26. No deductions allowed for omissions of concrete for
cut stone, terra cotta or other trimmings, bond blocks, tim-
ber, joists or lintels.
All ornamental or moulded work in cornices, gutters, belt
or sill courses, etc., to be figured at special rates.
MEASUREMENT OF BUILDING WORK 495
27. Cutting and patching of joists, girder, or other holes,
slots, panels, recesses, etc., to be paid for on basis of time
and material required.
28. When ordered by owner, architect, engineer, or the
superintendent in charge of the work, to rack or block in
consequence of delay of delivery of iron, steel, stone, terra
cotta, or other material, the concrete that may connect
with such racking or blocking shall be measured as extra
work, as follows: Increase girt length of such line by one-
half and multiply by thickness of wall.
CONCRETE FLOORS ON SOIL AND TILE ARCHES.
29. Floors to be measured by the superficial surface be-
.tween outside walls of building. No deductions to be made
for floor sleepers, conduits, pipes, drains, division or partition
walls. No deduction to be made for any piers, columns,
chimney breasts, pilasters or other projections of walls of
10 ft. or less in area.
CAISSONS.
30. Owing to grillage in caissons being left at different
heights in same building, unit price for caissons will be com-
puted on excavated contents, including necessary wood-lag-
ging and rings for same. Cubic contents of excavation of
caissons to be computed from top of first set of lagging to
bottom of caissons and from outside to outside of lagging.
If steel or any other special casing is required, same to be
paid for additional at special unit price per pound.
31. Area of bottom of bell to be multiplied by height of
bell to neck for cubic contents.
32. For caissons 7 ft. or more in diameter, estimate actual
contents from outside to outside of lagging.
For caissons from 7 to 6 ft. 6 in., inclusive, add 5 per cent,
to actual contents.
For caissons under 6 ft. 6 in. to 6 ft., inclusive, add 15 per
cent, to actual contents.
For caissons under 6 ft. to 5 ft. 6 in., inclusive, add 25 per
cent, to actual contents.
496 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
For caissons under 5 ft. 6 in. to 5 ft., inclusive, add 35 per
cent, to actual contents.
For caissons under 5 ft, add 50 per cent, to actual contents.
33. If compressed air is required, same to be paid for in
addition to the above.
34. If rings are ordered left in caissons, same to be paid
for additional at unit prices per pound.
35. Pumping and bulkheading to be paid for at additional
price.
36. No deduction to be made for cubic contents of metal
imbedded in concrete.
Concrete for filling of caissons to be computed on actual
contents per cubic foot of concrete, but no deduction to be
made for any metal imbedded in same.
REINFORCED CONCRETE WORK.
37. Reinforced walls: Compute concrete on same basis as
specified in sections 12 and 17 for external and division walls,
and add to same cost of reinforcing metal put in place. If
through changes or revisions cutting of reinforcing metal de-
livered or ordered becomes necessary, estimate the full
length of such bars or metal fabric, and add to same cost of
cutting and fitting required. Reinforcing metal to be com-
puted on unit price per pound or square foot. No deductions
to be made in estimating cubic contents of concrete for any
metal imbedded in same, such as wire netting, expanded
metal, bars, beams, columns, etc.
COLUMNS.
38. Measuring of plain uniform size column to be cov-
ered by the foregoing paragraph 19 relating to piers.
39. Capitals, cap, brackets, panels, moulding or other
ornamental or moulded work to be figured special rate.
GIRDER, FLOOR BEAMS OR OTHER DROP PROJEC-
TIONS BELOW FLOOR SLAB.
40. For projections named in this paragraph, add for each
corner and angle to cubic contents 1 cu. ft. for each foot in
length. For each chamfered or rounded corner or angle add
MEASUREMENT OF BUILDING WORK 497
y2 cu. ft. for each foot in length in addition to the above.
41. Floor and roof slabs to be estimated on same basis
as called for in paragraph 29 for floors on soil, and at a mini-
mum thickness of 6 in. Less than 6 in. in thickness will
be computed as 6 in.
42. No deductions to be made in floor area for opening of
less than 20 sq. ft. For larger openings, after deducting full
area of opening, add one superficial foot to floor area for
each foot in length of girt of opening, and 1 cu. ft. extra for
each corner or angle.
43. For pits, baskets, or other depressions in floor, add
one superficial foot to the area of walls and floor of same
for each foot in length of each corner and angle.
44. Setting of facias, frames, pipes, sleeves, bolts, rods,
clamps, etc., imbedded in concrete to be paid for additional
at special price.
FLOOR BASE AND COVES.
45. Floor base and coves to be estimated at special price
per lineal foot, with 1 ft. added to length of same for each
corner and angle. For base or cove around round columns,
estimate three times girt of column, and for square or poly-
gon columns, add 1 ft. for each corner to girt of same.
46. Concrete stairs to be estimated square foot area of
face of treads and risers. Stair landings and platforms be-
tween floors to be same unit price per foot as stairs.
47. Curbs and roofs of skylights to be estimated on same
basis as called for in sections 40 and 41, except that quanti-
ties for same shall be doubled.
48. Sidewalks laid on soil or tile brick arches to-be esti-
mated same as floor slab, section 29, with special unit price.
MISSOURI MEASUREMENT LAW
The following law was passed by the Thirty-eighth General
Assembly (To apply when special agreements are not made.)
Section 1. EARTH WORK:— Earth excavation shall be
measured by the cubic yard. For all trenches and pier holes
double measurement shall be allowed. When the earth is
498 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
left in a cellar to protect the adjoining banks or walls the
same may be charged double the amount when required to
be removed.
Section 2. STONEMASONRY WORK:— Rubble masonry
shall be measured by taking the length on the outside of the
wall, including the corners, multiplied by the width or
thickness of the wall, and this product multiplied by the
height will give the amount of cubic feet contained in the
wall; this divided by 22 will be the amount in perches.
PROJECTIONS from the face of the wall, including chimney
breasts, flues, pilasters, and the like, 12 inches and under,
shall be measured by taking the face and adding the two
returns to the same; this multiplied by the " thickness and
height will give the contents. For projections exceeding 12
inches, measure the length and add one return to it, and
then proceed as last above provided.
PILASTERS or buttresses, beveling from top to bottom,
shall be calculated the same as projections, except that the
measurement shall be taken at the bottom.
FOR ISOLATED WALLS measure length and add two jambs
(thickness), multiply by width (thickness) and height. All
walls under 18 inches thick shall be measured as 18.
FOR ARCHES in walls, the superficial face of the arch mul-
tiplied by the thickness shall be added to the full measure-
ment. Separate arches shall be calculated at double meas-
urement.
ALL CUT STONE WORK backed with rubble masonry shall
be measured as rubble masonry in full. No deductions shall
be made for openings, but if the same exceed 6 feet in
length they shall be deducted, less the amount of jambs on
both sides of the opening.
AREA WALLS shall be measured by taking the outside mul-
tiplied by the height, and with the latter calculated at not
less than 18 inches. Slides and rises under steps shall be
measured by taking the length multiplied by the width and
MEASUREMENT OF BUILDING WORK 499
thickness of same, the latter at never less than 18 inches.
CHIMNEY TOPS shall be ^measured by taking the full face
and adding two return (widths), and multiplying this amount
by the width and height.
FOR CIRCULAR WORK double measurement shall be al-
lowed. For all corners more or less than a right angle, and
carried up plumb, add for each 18 inches additional measure-
ment.
FOR SQUARE, ISOLATED PIERS 3' 6" square and under
double measurement shall be allowed; from 3' 6" up to 5'
square, l1/^ measurement; from 5' up to 7', Ij^; over T sin-
gle, or actual contents. For all battering piers take the
average width and allow double measurement.
RANGE WORK shall be measured by the superficial foot,
and all openings shall be deducted, less the returning jambs.
Steps, sills, caps, and coping shall be measured by the lineal
foot. Arches over openings are taken in addition to wall
measurement. Should there be a different price stipulated
for pier work, it shall be measured only for actual contents.
Section 3. BRICKWORK: — To ascertain the amount of
brickwork done in a building, it shall be an established rule
that a wall being 4 inches, or one-half a brick wide, or thick,
shall be calculated at 7 bricks to the superficial foot; a
9-ineh, or one brick wide wall, at 14 bricks to the superficial
foot; a 13-inch, or iy2 bricks, at 21; an 18-inch, or 2 bricks,
at 28, and raising 7 bricks for every additional brick in
width.
METHOD: — To find the amount of brickwork done, measure
the length of the wall by the height of the same, which will
give the superficial area in feet, then multiply this amount
by either 7, 14, or any other number of bricks respectively,
as the thickness of the wall is one-half, one and one-half or
other number of bricks wide, and the result will give the
exact amount of brickwork done, including the mortar.
EXAMPLE:— Thus, for an illustration of the rule, and an
example: A wall measuring 30 feet in length, 21 in height,
500 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
and one brick wide has how much brickwork? 30x21x14=
8820.
EXTRA MEASUREMENTS: — Measure outside from corner
to corner, thus allowing double measurement for each corner
in the building. For gable and other triangular shaped walls,
measure the length, multiply by one-half of the height, and
by the respective number of bricks for the thickness. Pro-
jections on walls, chimney breasts, flues, pilasters, etc., are
measured by adding one return to the length, multiplied by
the height and respective thickness; no deduction shall be
made for the inside vacancy.
CHIMNEY TOPS shall be measured by taking the face and
one return for the length, multiplied by the height above wall,
and by the number of bricks. Example: A chimney top's
face measure is 4'xl8"x6' high: how many bricks? Answer:
4+11 6"=5' 6"x6'x28=924. No deduction shall be made for
inside flues.
ALL CHIMNEY STACKS, whether square, circular, or octa-
gon shafts are measured solid cubic contents, and allowed
at 21 bricks to the cubic foot.
ALL OPENINGS in walls shall be deducted, less the reveals
or jambs outside of frames. When openings have arches,
deduct for height of openings the distance from the sill to
the spring of the arch. Openings built without frames shall
have the jambs on each side deducted from the width. For
example: If an opening in a 13-inch wall measures 4' in
width, the deduction will be only 1' 10" multiplied by the
height and respective thickness; or, in this case, by 21
bricks.
NO DEDUCTIONS are to be made for plates, bond timbers,
joists, sills, caps, lintels, etc., but 2" in height is to be al-
lowed for bedding plates where no brickwork is over them.
TO MEASURE CORNICES take the length and height by the
greatest projection, which in no case shall be less than 4"
wide, all fractions to be put in the next higher class; caps
are to be measured the same as cornices.
MEASUREMENT OF BUILDING WORK 501
FOR MEASURING PARTITIONS take the dimensions clear
of the front and rear walls. For fire walls and gables add 2
courses of bricks, or 5", for cutting the brick and waste
thereon. / \$
PILASTERS are measured over face and one side for length,
multiplied by height and thickness.
ARCHES, ETC.: — No deductions are to be made for circular
or semi-circular openings for arches, vaults, sewers, etc.;
take outside circumference by the length and thickness. For
arches in solid walls add to the measurement the super-
ficial area, multiplied by the thickness of the wall. Project-
ing arches are to be measured by the length and height from
.the spring to top of center of the arch by the thickness of
the projection, which in no case shall be less than 4", or
one-half brick wide. Vault arches are to be measured one
and a half times the outside girth. Ovens, coppers, boilers,
etc., are to be measured as solid work, deducting only the
ash holes, but the fire bricks, tiles, etc., are not deducted.
PIERS AND WALLS: — In measuring isolated piers take the
face and one return for the width, and multiply by the height
and thickness. Isolated walls are to be measured by adding
to the face two returns, or thickness of wall, for the length,
multiplied by the height and thickness; on corners more or
less than a right angle, allow additional the thickness of
the wall for each corner in the length.
FACE BRICK: — In measuring stock pressed brick fronts
take the area and returns at each corner and deduct open-
ings; all openings where frames occur to be deducted, less
the reveals. When the openings are without frames and
have the jambs faced through the full thickness of the wall,
both jambs to be measured, and 4" on the inside to be al-
owed. A superficial foot of facing to front will take 7
bricks. Pointing fronts is to be measured by the superficial
foot.
BRICK PAVING is to be measured by the superficial yard,
and 40 bricks to the yard allowed when laid flat. In brick
502 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
paving, paving on edge or border, allow double the afore-
said measurement, and in brick on end allow four times
the aforesaid measurement.
Section 4. STONECUTTING WORK:— For plain rubbed
face to ashlar, platform, posts, water-tables, cornices, take
the superficial measurements upon all parts of the work
where exposed. For moulded work to cornices, architraves,
imposts, etc., girth the whole face of the mouldings, begin-
ning with the tape at the extreme edge, and emerging it
into the hollows and quirks across the whole face. The
dimensions multiplied by the length will give the superfi-
cial feet.
CIRCULAR AND PANEL WORK:— Take all flat circular
work at one and a half times the straight, add when of a
quick sweep 15" radius or under, twice the straight. Panel
work measures double.
LABOR PER LINEAL FOOT:— Measure the different kinds
of work for labor as follows, only by the lineal foot: Rough
bush-hammered work, 1' and under; checks under 10" and
over 2", measure double. Rebates, steps, and moulded nos-
ings, window sills with nosings, window caps, moulded string
course, pier caps, plain pilaster caps, moulded cornice,
moulded fence coping. Returns for the whole of the above
to be measured double. If over 1' high, measure superficial;
ditto, tooled.
LABOR PER SUPERFICIAL FOOT:— The following kinds
of W7ork for labor only shall be measured by the superficial
foot: Bush-hammered door sills, bush-hammered piers of 2, 3
or 4 sides, lintels, pier blocks, base blocks, plinths, measur-
ing 4' and less, measured double beveled ashlar. All returns
for above, measured one and one-half times. Ring stones,
saddle back coping, fence posts of various kinds, coarse fire
wall coping, chimney tops, double measurement. Platforms
measured same as steps, 1' from front, the balance per
superficial foot. If the bottom bed is worked to be charged
the same as ashlar. Bed over 12" wide to be paid for as
MEASUREMENT OF BUILDING WORK 503
rough bush-hammered work, with the exception of plinth
blocks. Rusticated quoins under 12" in bed, superficial
measurement; over 12" thick, cubic measurement. Rusti-
cated ashlar, superficial measurement.
Section 5. PLASTERING WORK:— Plain plastering is
to be measured by the superficial yard. In measuring take
the girth of the walls in a room for the length and multiply
by the height from floor to ceiling. From this product deduct
one-half of the amount of the openings, such as doors, win-
dows, etc.
ALL CORNICES and mouldings, and all work where run-
ning mould is used, are to be measured from the nose of
the moulding to the wall, and a moulding is designated as
being so many inches according to the girth; the length
is taken on the wall line, and 1' lineal is allowed to each
miter. Measure all plain or moulded cornices under 12"
girth by the running foot at their separate values. The plain
parts of ornamental cornices shall be first taken as plain,
and the several enrichments therein taken per running foot
at their separate values, which added to the price of the
plain moulding will give the correct value per foot run of
the whole cornice. Complete mouldings encircling centers
to be measured as mouldings.
SPECIAL WORK: — All circular work double measurement.
All inclined or raking ceilings under an angle of 22 degrees
wit'i the horizon to be measured as level; over 22 degrees,
one and a half measurement. Twenty-two degrees is equal to
one-fifth of the span. Closets and presses under 4x8 ft double
measurement. Privies shall be measured double; all ex-
ternal angle beads and quirks per running foot; furring,
regulating or stripping on all lath, per square.
Niches and centers are valued at so much each. Cast and
enriched centers to ceilings, fixed and put on complete, so
much each according to diameter. All circular enrichments
to be twice the price of straights of the same description.
When the enrichments are moulded from original designs,
504 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
the expense of moulding to be paid for extra. All work done
on stone walls with cement or mastic, measured same as
plastering, but no openings deducted.
WHITENING AND COLORING to be measured in the same
manner as plastering.
Section 6. ROOFING WORK: — Slaters' work is to be
measured by the square of 100 superficial feet of covering;
to this add 6" run for the trouble of cutting the slates on each
side of the hips, eaves, valleys, or wherever cut to irregular
lines. No deductions are made for dormer windows, sky-
lights, chimneys, etc., unless they are over 50 superficial feet
contents, then one-half is deducted.
COMPOSITION AND TIN ROOFING is measured in the
same manner as the slate roofs, with the exception that
nothing is added for hips, eaves, valleys, etc.
(NOTE: SUB-HEADINGS have been inserted, and para-
graphs and some slight verbal changes made in the forego-
ing legal code.)
ROOF MEASUREMENT:— The standard rule for slate roofs
runs as follows: For plain roofs measure the length and
multiply by the length of the rafter. For roofs with hips,
valleys, gables, etc., measure each section through the center
and multiply by the length of the rafter. In addition to
the actual surface of such roofs multiply the length of all
hips and valleys by one foot wide; also what the first, or
eave course, shows to the weather by the length of the eave.
No deduction is made for dormer windows, skylights,
chimneys, etc., unless they measure more than 4' square,
when one-half is deducted; if more than 8' square the whole
is taken out.
OMAHA SYSTEM
One of the best set of rules of measurement under the old
system is
THE OMAHA MASONS' MEASUREMENT
NUMBER OF BRICKS (See page 75).
MEASUREMENT OF BUILDING WORK
505
HOLLOW WALLS: — All hollow walls to measure as solid
wall in same ratal as above up to 4" hollow space, and all
above that measure to deduct one-half up to 8", and deduct
all above 8" inches, and measure both sides only as wall.
HEIGHTS: — The heights of all walls, piers, chimneys,
breasts, etc., to be their net measurements.
The lineal measurements of all walls to be taken over their
longest points, as shown by the following diagram, with
dotted lines, witness marks, etc.:
CROSS WALLS: — All cross or partition walls to measure
one-half way through the wall against which they come in
contact.
PIERS: — All iy2 brick piers and under to measure
two ends and one side for lineal measure, thus
and all piers over iy2 bricks The thickness of
thick to measure one end and
one side for lineal measure,thus :
a pier to be gov-
erned by the wall
joining or above it, but where they are beneath columns and
not in conjunction with any walls, their thickness is to be
considered the narrowest way.
PILASTERS, CHIMNEY BREASTS, FIRE PLACES, ETC.:
of one brick projection from walls, or less, to measure both
ends and their face for lineal measure; and more than one
brick projection to measure one end and their face, and to be
counted as wall their projection from the wall, but in no
case to count less than one-half brick wall.
506 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
LEDGINGS: — Ledgings for joists, etc., to be measured
square, their height and projection from wall to be counted
as wall the amount of their projection, but in no case to
count less than one-half brick.
COPINGS: — Coping course projections of one or more
courses each side of wall to be allowed, same as ledgings.
CHIMNEYS above walls to be measured same as piers, and
as solid work. The projection of caps of chimneys to be
pleasured same as ledgings and coping courses, according
to their styles. The measurements for lengths of chimney
caps girth the chimney on the projection of the cap, and the
bases and chimneys to be governed by the same rules that
govern the caps.
Angle chimneys to measure across their _< o >
longest sides for lineal measure, and from
a to ft for thickness of wall, thus:
FOUNDATIONS, FOOTINGS, ETC.:— Foundation walls,
footings, etc., to be measured from out to out, same as walls
of superstructures, and of their average thickness.
Foundations of footings of partition walls to measure one-
half way through their cross walls, same as partitions.
Every two courses in height of footings to measure 6" in
height.
Foundations of piers, pilasters, etc., to be governed by the
same general rules of measurement that govern their super-
structures.
CORNICES: — Brick cornices to be measured their height
and projection as solid wall, and in no case to be less than
one-half brick wall, and all over one brick to count as one
and one-half, and so on.
Circular and octagonal smoke stacks, chimneys, etc., to be
counted square at their mean diameter, and counted as solid
wall.
CISTERNS, ETC.: — Cisterns, catch-basins, wells and circular
privy vaults, etc., to be measured on outside girth and of
their mean heights.
MEASUREMENT OF BUILDING WORK 507
CORBELINGS: — In places where corbelings occur, the ad-
ditional thickness o fwalls to measure from the bottom of
corbels.
OPENINGS: — No deductions to be made for any openings
measuring less than 100 square feet; and for all openings of
more than 100 square feet and less than 150 square feet, one-
half of all over 100 square feet will be deducted; and for all
openings of more than 150 square feet and less than 200
square feet, two-thirds of all over 100 square feet will be
deducted; and for all over 250 square feet the entire opening
will be deducted; but the return of the jambs will be allowed
as lineal measure to the wall. In openings where deductions
are made, the measurements will be taken from jamb to
jamb and from sill or bottom of opening to the springing of
the arch.
STORE FRONTS: — Nothing will be allowed to measurement
for store fronts, and all measurements of brick work above
store fronts to be taken from the bottom of the lintels.
In store fronts where isolated brick piers occur, they will
be measured under the head of piers. But when a pier occurs
in a store front on the end of a longitudinal wall, the face
of the pier will be allowed to the lineal measure of the wall;
if the pier breaks out on the side of the wall it will be meas-
ured as under the head of piers, and the lineal measure of
the wall will cease at the back of pier.
When return store front windows occur, with iron columns
on the corner, the lineal measure of the side wall will stop
off at the window, but the return jamb will be allowed to the
lineal measure of wall, and when there is a brick pier on
the corner, the wall and the face of the pier will be allowed
to the lineal measure of the wall, and the opening will be
governed as under the head of openings.
Where the ends of walls are faced with iron pilasters the
lineal measure will be the net length of the wall.
VAULTS: — the walls of vaults to be governed by the same
general rules above specified, except the arches, which will
508 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
be measured solid from the springing to their crowns, and
from the inside of the walls, and all grating, concreting, etc.,
to be measured as solid brick work.
No deductions to be made for any lintels, ends of timbers
or joists, bond-timbers, cut-stone, boxing for window or door
frame, etc.
CHURCH BUTTRESS:— Buttresses in church work, etc., to
be measured as under the head of piers, the height of the
buttresses to be measured net from bottom of piers to top
of each coping.
PLASTERING to be measured by the square yard, and no de-
ductions to be made for any opening of less than 150 square
feet.
All walls to measure from floor to ceiling, and no deduc-
tions to be made for any base casings, except wainscoting
not plastered behind, and all ceilings to be measured from
wall to wall. Attic rooms to be measured square.
When quarter circles, cornices, etc., occur, the plain plas-
tering to measure same as square angles, and where there
is an off-set below or above the quarter circle, the amount of
the off-set to be added to the wall or ceiling, as the case may
be.
Cornices to be measured by the running foot, the measure
to be taken on the wall, and to girth all chimney breasts, etc.,
that the cornice breaks around, and one foot of measurement
to be added for each and every angle and circle made by the
cornice.
PAINTERS' WORK
The following set of trade rules from the BUILDER AND
CONTRACTOR gives a fair idea of the old-style way of
measuring paint work.
ALL SURFACES where the brush touches must be meas-
ured.
OUTSIDE WORK: — Measure solid. No opening under 100
sq ft to be deducted. Count windows and doors separately,
and charge so much each.
MEASUREMENT OF BUILDING WORK 509
LATTICE WORK: — Double measurement on each side.
HANDRAILS AND BALUSTRADES:— Double the measure-
ment on each side.
PLAIN CORNICES: — Where ladders and scaffolding are used
measure one running foot as one sq yd.
ORNAMENTAL CORNICES:— Multiply the length by three
or four times the girth.
DIPPING SHINGLES:— Multiply each square by four.
STAINING SHINGLES:— Measure solid. Allow additional
price if work is difficult to get at. Allow scaffold extra if
required.
INSIDE WORK: — Count all doors and windows and charge
BO much each.
BASE BOARDS, PICTURE MOLDINGS, PLATE AND
CHAIR RAILS: — Measure in running feet, and allow so much,
per ft.
DADOES AND FRIEZES: — If plain measure solid, and if
paneled allow two or three times the width according to the
number of panels.
WALLS AND CEILINGS:— Measure solid, including open-
ings under 100 sq ft.
"ADD 33 1-3 per cent to net cost for profit, rent, taxes, in-
surance, tools, and fixed charges."
CHAPTER XXXII.
COMPARATIVE COSTS
In a discussion of the use of reinforced concrete buildings
for textile mills before the Cotton Manufacturers, and also
before the Machine Tool Makers, Mr. J. P. H. Perry of the
Turner Construction Company gave the following figures as
to time of construction and cost:
TIME: — One building 60x70xlO-story took just 47 working
days after the foundation was put in for erection. In all,
the time of erection was three and a half months, before turn-
ing over to the owners.
Another 40x80x7-story and basement took only 48 working
days to put on the roof after the excavation was finished,
and three months in all before the owner moved in.
Still another 75x600x6-story and basement had the roof on
in 63 working days after the piles were driven.
These are fast records — but builders have noticed that
many reinforced structures have fallen on account of hav-
ing the forms removed too soon.
THE COST FIGURES are as follows:
"REINFORCED CONCRETE will generally run from 5 to 15
per cent higher in first cost than first-class 'mill construc-
tion,' and will be from 10 to 20 per cent lower than steel
construction fireproofed. A large warehouse in Brooklyn
was begun in May, 1908. At that time new construction
work was scarce and all contractors figured very closely.
The successful reinforced concrete figure was $30,000 lower
than the best bid on the same plans in fireproofed structural
steel. A large factory in Philadelphia was designed in steel.
The architects considered an alternative in reinforced con-
crete and saved $60,000. A large publishing house and loft
building was recently completed in Springfield, Mass., of re-
inforced concrete throughout, thereby saving $40,000 over
510
COMPARATIVE COSTS 511
the probable cost in steel. These three instances represent
respectively savings of 12, 25 and 10 per cent. In competi-
tion with mill construction the percentage depends almost
entirely on the size of the building.
For structures costing $40,000 and less, and of a height of
four stories or less, the brick and wood construction will run
about 15 per cent less than concrete. On larger buildings,
however, concrete gets closer to the cost of the mill con-
struction. The designers of a very large hardware building
in Minneapolis were surprised to find concrete figures
slightly under those of mill construction. A similar case oc-
curred in Toledo, Ohio. Both of these propositions exceeded
$150,000 in value.
In considering the costs of different types of construction
the initial cost should not be the only criterion. There are
certain fixed charges which enter into the relative values of
buildings. These may be briefly summarized as follows: In-
surance, maintenance, depreciation, amount of light available,
freedom from vibration, elimination of vermin and the as-
surance that a fire cannot destroy the building. It is difficult
to put an exact monetary value on these different items.
Each plant manager would have his own views and local
conditions would alter materially any assumptions. If, how-
ever, due consideration be given to the saving which can be
obtained on each of these items by the use of reinforced con-
crete building, it will generally be found that even though
the concrete structure cost complete 10 per cent more than
mill construction, there will be a saving annually of from
IMs to 2 per cent."
(See also pages 39, 113-115, and 472 for other data.)
The following table is presented in "Factories and Ware-
houses," by the Assoc. of Am. Portland Cement Manufac
turers.
512
THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
COMPARATIVE COST OF BUILDINGS OF MILL
CONSTRUCTION AND CONCRETE
Initial cost of
Building
Yearly charges: —
Interest at 6^
Taxes at \%
Fire Insurance:
Building
Contents
Depreciation
Items charged against
mill construction only:
(a) Loss due to vibration,
Mill Construction
$100,000
Reinforced Concrete
$115,000
at 70c.
at 90c.
at
(b) Increased light, \%
increase in efficiency of
labor. Assume labor
equal to 1-4 value of
contents or $50,000 ...
(c) Vermin losses
(d) Heating charge
(e) Protection against fire
at 0.5$ on value of
50$ of building and
contents
$6,000
1,000
700
1,800
1,250
450
500
100
100
750
at 25c.
at 60c.
at 0.25$
$6,900.00
1,150.00
287.50
1,200.00
287.50
$12,650 $9,825.00
Annual saving of concrete over mill construction $2,825
If the saving of $2,825.00 per year be capitalized at 6 per
cent; it would represent an investment of $47,083.00. In
other words, a concrete building, though 15 per cent higher
in initial contract cost than a mill building of similar design,
would save each year 2 8-10 per cent on all fixed charges.
(But the depreciation on the concrete building is too low. A
period of 400 years is unreasonable for a factory structure.)
THICKNESS: — In the early days of reinforced concrete sev-
eral large buildings were erected with walls only 2 and 3
inches thick. San Francisco in the ordinance of 1910 sets
the minimum thickness at 6 inches when the wall space be-
tween the columns does not exceed 300 sq ft; between
300 and 400, 8 inches thick; and 12 inches when the area is
over 400.
DWELLINGS:— At the 1911 meeting of the National Build-
ing Brick Manufacturers' Association a paper was read by
Mr. J. P. B. Fiske giving the results of a careful investiga-
COMPARATIVE COSTS 513
tion of the cost of the average 8-room house when con-
structed of various materials. A set of plans was made,
specifications prepared for the various types, and bids taken
from 5 contractors on 9 different styles of outside wall con-
struction. One of the types was actually built.
DESCRIPTION
TYPE NO. 1: — Frame covered with boards and finished with
clapboards over building paper; inside surface furred, lathed
and plastered.
TYPE NO. 2: — Frame covered with boards and finished with
shingles over building paper; inside surface furred, lathed
and plastered.
TYPE NO. 3: — A 10" brick wall, that is, two 4" walls tied
together with metal ties and separated by a 2" air space;
inside surface plastered directly on the brickwork.
TYPE NO. 4:— A 12" solid brick wall, inside surface furred,
lathed and plastered.
TYPE NO. 5: — Hollow terra cotta blocks, 8", stuccoed on
the outside and plastered directly on the inside.
TYPE NO. 6:— Hollow terra cotta blocks, 6", finished with
a 4" brick veneer on the outside and plastered directly on
the inside.
TYPE NO. 7:— Frame covered with boards and building
paper, furred and covered with stucco on Clinton wire
cloth; inside surface furred, lathed and plastered.
TYPE NO. 8: — Frame covered with boards (building paper
omitted) and finished with a 4" brick veneer on the outside;
inside surface furred, lathed and plastered.
TYPE NO. 9:— Frame finished on the outside with a 4"
brick veneer tied directly to the studding (boarding omit-
ted); inside surface furred, lathed and plastered.
(It is not usual to fur frame dwellings on the inside, and
this is probably a misprint.)
514
THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
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COMPARATIVE COSTS 515
DETAILS COMMON TO ALL TYPES
A — Foundations Local Stone
B — Cellar Floor. Finished with 2" concrete of Portland cement
C — Chimney Faced with Brick costing $17.50 per M.
D — Fireplaces . . Faced with Brick costing $17.50 per M.
E — Plastering First-class "two-coat" work
F— Exterior Finish Cypress-
G — Blinds White Pine
H — Screens Copper bronze on white pine frames
I — Window Frames Hard Pine
J — Floors. .. .Double Floors throughout, with paper between
except in unfinished attic; Georgia pine upper
floors; main hall on first floor of oak.
K — Inside Finish North Carolina Pine
L — Doors Washington Cedar
M — Hardware Bronze finish of ordinary type, costing
$60.00 for the job.
O— Conductors Copper
P — Flashing Tin
Q — Electric Fixtures Costing $80.00
R — Hot Water Heating Costing $250.00 complete
S — Wiring Costing $68.00
T — Plumbing Costing $370.00
U — Painting. Exterior and interior; clapboard house, $225.00;
other houses, $130.00.
V — Glazing Double thick German Glass-
Note: — Shades, kitchen range and tile work not included.
DETAILS: — It is, of course, possible to increase the cost of
any house by using expensive materials, such as the highest
grades of pressed brick, or the more expensive tapestry
qualities. And so on in other fields than masonry.
Tapestry bricks are of many styles and colors, but the
tints are burned in instead of coming from artificial mixtures.
There is a great variety of colors. The usual sizes are
8x2i4x3%; 12x2*4x4; 18x2x6. The mortar joints run as wide
as 1%", so that a wall with this size has half the surface of
mortar. The face patterns are of all kinds.
516 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
For the ordinary work with a rough joint, the laying is, if
anything, easier than for common pressed brick; but the
pattern work takes more time according to design.
(See also pages 117 and 454 for some other dwelling data.)
RIVALRY: — The success of the reinforced system of con-
struction has rather stirred up the "old line" fireproof com-
panies and the brick manufacturers. Competition is the life
of the interesting comparisons that are always being made
between the costs of the various systems. It should be
remembered that in an ordinary dwelling or structure it is
principally the framework that is affected by the kind of
material used. The newer fittings of fireproof finish for
doors, base, etc., are not applied, even in a house that is
called fireproof. Walls, floors, ceilings, partitions being
attended to, the millwork, plumbing, plaster, electric fixtures,
painting (inside) and other factors should not enter into a
comparison. They are but slightly affected by the style of
construction.
The National Fireproofing Company, dealing in hollow tile,
publishes a table giving costs of various types of construction,
based on an average frame dwelling costing $10,000 complete
in the vicinity of New York City. The figures are based on
averages taken from two architects and two builders witb
experience in the type selected.
TABLE OF COST
(A) $10,000 Frame.
(B) 11,000 Brick outside walls, wooden inside.
(C) 10,000 Brick outside walls, backed up with Natco hol-
low tile.
(D) 10,250 Stucco on expanded metal, wooden inside.
(E) 10,500 Natco hollow tile, stuccoed, wooden inside.
(F) 12,000 Natco hollow tile, stuccoed, fireproof throughout
except roof.
(G) 14,000 Natco hollow tile walls faced with brick, fire-
proof floors and roof.
(H) 15,000 Brick walls, fireproof floors and roof.
COMPARATIVE COSTS 517
INSURANCE: — The method of allowing for this item in a
non-fireproof building is shown on page 115. This expense
should always be considered in comparing the fireproof
structure with the ordinary type. If an expense of $100 per
annum has to be met this means an investment of $2000, at-
the rate of 5 per cent. The difference in the yearly insurance
bill should first of all be ascertained to see if the principal
necessary to produce the amount would not be better put in
a fireproof building.
LOSS: — Another danger is loss of business through a fire.
This sometimes amounts to a great deal. Still another is
loss of rentals, and one more is depreciation, which is more
on ordinary structures than strictly fireproof ones.
EXTERIOR WALLS:— COST OF SOME TYPES PER SQ. FT.
With Net
Rubble with 16" walls and cut stone openings area
trimmings for doors and windows 30 cents 34 cents
Rubble as above covered with rough cast 35 " 39
COMMON BRICKWORK (On basis of 1000 sq ft.)
Thick- Number Number Cost at $12
ness Required Required in per M in
of in Wall Actual or Wall
Wall Measure Kiln Count Measure
(22V2) (17)
4%" 7500 5667 9c per sq ft.
9" 15000 11334 18c
13" 22500 17000 27c
17" 30000 22668 36c
PRESSED BRICKWORK (On basis of 1000 sq ft.)
Actual number required, 6500 at $20= - - - $130.
Labor laying 75.
Mortar - - 10.
$215.00
Profit 21.50
$236.50
Allow per sq ft 24 cents
£18 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
COMMON BRICK FACED WITH $20 PRESSED
Thickness over all Per sq ft
9" 33 cents
13" 42 "
17" 51 "
21" 60 "
COMMON BRICK FACED WITH $40 PRESSED
(Pressed brick alone, 39 cents.)
Thickness over all Per sq ft
9" 48 cents
13" 57 "
17" 66 "
21 75 "
MOISTURE PROOFING:— Add for this, per sq ft, 2 coats,
3 cents.
FURRING: — 16" centers (no lath): Add per sq ft frotri
2 to 3 cents, (see page 136.)
PLASTER: — 2-coat on moisture proofing, per sq ft 3 cents.
PLASTER: — 2-coat on wood lath, per sq ft 4 cents.
(See page 136.)
BRICK VENEERING
(On basis of 1000 sq ft.)
COMMON BRICK: —
Number required in wall measure, 7500.
Number required in actual or kiln count,
6000 at $8 - - •; - .- .' -'•-• $48
Mortar - - - V* *• :X» 10
Labor • - - - - * 78
Profit, 10^ - - - - v '.-.' - 14
Per sq ft 15 cents $150
PRESSED BRICK AT $20— VENEERING
6500 brick at $20 .... $130
Mortar 12
Labor - 90
Profit, 100 23
Per sq ft 26 cents $255
COMPARATIVE COSTS 519
PRESSED BRICK AT $40— VENEERING
6500 brick at $40 - - - - $260
Mortar 12
Labor 100
• Profit 37
Per sq ft 41 cents $409
MOLDED or other stone sills, clips, etc., not allowed.
NOTE: — In making a comparison of walls there is one point
that has to be remembered with a 9" brick one: When on
an upper story it requires a 13" wall below. That it does
not always have a p.oper foundation is beside the question.
It ought to have one.
For a stud wall on a common dwelling a 9" foundation is
usually made to serve, and it is strong enough if well laid
in mortar with not less than half cement, and with an oc-
casional buttress, bay extension or partition to brace it. A
mortar of cement alone is naturally better.
Take, for illustration, the wall of a common flat. Assume
that it is 8' 6" from the bottom of footings to the top of the
first floor, 9' 6" clear, and 1 ft to top of second floor, a total
of 19ft high by 1ft wide, or 19 sq ft at 13". The second story
9ft in clear, and averaged 2ft for slope of roof, a total of
11 sq ft of 9".
The 19 sq ft of 13" common brick, at 27 cents=$5.13; the
11 sq ft of 9" at 18 cents=$1.98, a total of $7.11. Dividing
this by the total number of sq ft=23.7 cents, or practically
24 averaged all over the wall. To get a fair average of a
certain class of wall the necessary foundation ought to be
included, and the price taken from footing to the coping, or
plate.
Take next a building with one story and basement: Allow
8' 6"xl3" from bottom of footings to top of floor as before;
and Il'x9" for the top story. On the same unit prices the
cost of the basement wall, 1ft wide, is $2.30; and of the top
story, $1.98, a total of $4.28. This divided by the total sq ft
gives an average of close to 22 cents. In comparing a 9"
brick wall with a stud one, therefore, the foundation must be
520 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
remembered, for a light 9" may be used with frame con-
struction. In all cases the figure should be from, footing to
top of wall.
CEMENT BLOCK WALLS
For 12" and 8", 2-story, averaged per sq ft at 30 cents
For 8". 1-story 25 cents
MOISTURE PROOFING or furring to be added the same as
already given for brick.
AVERAGE: — All that the figures are expected to give is an
average. For example, the brickwork ought to be cheaper
for a 17" wall than for a 9" per M, but there is no change in
the table.
FRAME WALLS
(See pages 24-27.)
DETAILED COST OF 1 SQUARE OF WALL WITH 2x4
STUDS AT 16" CENTERS:—
Studding, 80ft B. M. at $24 $1.92
Labor at $12 per M 96
Nails 10
$2.98
Sheeting, 116ft B. M. at $27 .$3.14
Labor at $7 per M 82
Nails 10
$4.06
Paper .25
Siding, 6" plain work with corner boards,
120ft at $34 $4.08
Labor , 1.60
Nails 10
$5.78
Painting, 3 coats 2.75
Profit, 10£ 1.58
Total ~ $17.50
Per sq ft 18 cents
NOTE: — The cost of this wall is the same as the one with
9" common brick, but the difference comes in the use of a
13" wall for a basement in the brick building, while a 9"
COMPARATIVE COSTS 521
serves in the frame. But the sill must be added for the
frame.
AVZRAGE: — It would be easy to make a wall cost from 25
to 100 per cent more than the PLAIN one detailed above.
Angles, bays, projections, etc. are costly. Corner boards,
outside base, window or door frames, cornice, etc. are not
included.
With the above detailed wall as a basis, the following
figures are made: per sq ft
Wall as given without plaster, (No. 1) 18 cents
" " with inside 2-coat plaster, (No. 2) 22 "
" " with other plasters see page 136.
" " with share of sill on 1-story bldg.
add 2 cents per sq ft; for 2-story
add 1 cent. For No. 1 19 and 20
With inside plaster No. 1 23 and 24
(A 6x8 sill at 20 cents per lin ft is allowed.)
Wall with angle sheeting instead of level 20
Wall with 2x4 studs set 12" instead of 16" 19
Wall with 2x6 studs, 16" centers, instead of 2x4 19%
Wall with 2x6 set 12" centers 20%
Wall with 4" siding instead of 6", with corner boards. .20%
Wall with 6" mitered siding instead of corner boards
Wall with 4" mitered siding instead of cor. bd. and 6".
Shingles, undipped, plain work 18
Shingles, dipped in creosote 21
(See page 26 for itemized, approximate figures)
Plaster on the inside is not given above except on the
No. 2 wall. The allowance for sill is not included, except
as noted.
FOR PLASTER:— Wall as above detailed out, without siding
and paint, but including furring strips at 10" centers on
outside, metal lath and plaster 24%
Add for sill, cornice, etc. as may be required.
There are some substitutes for metal lath on the market,
but. in general, it is not advisable to use them on the
outside.
CHAPTER XXXIII.
CORNICES AND CANVAS ROOFS
As a contribution from a practical cornice maker the
following material is worth putting by the side of the other
information on pages 240-241. It appeared originally in "Tiie
Sheet Metal Shop."
PER FOOT: — "The best way is to estimate as nearly as
possible the cost of the -labor and materials required per
foot of cornice and then add for each miter, after which an
addition should be made of the allowance determined as the
proper percentage to charge for general expenses.
WIDTH: — "To get the amount of the material add the height
of the cornice to its projection, and the result will generally
be about the girth, unless there is a foot mold with a pro-
jection, in which case twice the projection should be added.
Then, if the cornice cover is to be included, it should be added
also, making an allowance of 3 or 4 inches for it to turn
up against the wall, and an allowance of 6 inches for a
cap flashing. After figuring the cost of the galvanized iron
add the iron lookouts, if they are to be included, and then
add any stamped zinc work, panels, or dentils, including
with each the labor required to solder or rivet these to the
cornice.
"This gives the unit cost per foot of cornice.
"Multiplying this by the number of feet gives the cost
of the cornice at the shop. To this should be added so much
for each miter, and for cartage, labor erecting, etc.
"DENTILS: — In figuring the dentils the number per foot
should be averaged, the size noted, and the cost of making
and attaching each set down as nearly as possible. Find
from this the cost per foot for dentils.
522
CORNICES AND CANVAS ROOFS 523
"MODILLIONS and brackets should be figured in the same
way of getting the cost of each, and then per foot of cornice
for these items.
"ZINC: — The cost of this item must be carefully figured
from the catalog and discount sheet. The cost is regulated
by the figures chosen, some being shallow, stamped, and
cheap; while others are of the highest priced designs, with
stamping deep and bold, and possibly undercut.
"SPECIALS: — Still other work may require stamped designs
that have to be especially made, and are thus more costly
than stock, especially if quantity is small.
"It will thus be seen that a small stamped mold of a
^•ertain design might cost:
10 cents per foot in a shallow stock design;
25 cents per foot in a heavy better grade of stock design;
$1 per foot, probably, for a small quantity of special design.
A liberal price should be made, as express charges are
heavy on this material.
"METHOD: — It is better to make an estimate this way than
to figure the total cost of all the iron for the whole job,
then the number of brackets, etc., and add a lump sum for
the labor of making and erecting, because it is easier to find
how much time will be required to make a foot of cornice
than to lump it all together, for then the tendency is to
get the total too high or too low. And by figuring the cost
per foot, it is easy to make any changes in price made
necessary by addition to or deduction from the job. A further
advantage is that the unit price gives the estimator a chance
to compare the price per foot with other similar jobs.
"EXAMPLE: — A practical illustration of this method is
about as follows:
Take a building 30'x60' with a cornice all the way around,
3' high by 2' projection, with a foot mold projecting 4"; to
have one row of 3" egg and dart mold, and a frieze enrich-
ment 10" wide; plain modillions 8" deep x 10" wide x 18"
projection, all outside measurement, spaced 3' on centers.
524 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
with a row of 3"x2"x3" dentils. The material to be No. 26
galvanized iron put on wood lookouts furnished by general
contractor. An estimate would run like this:
Building 30'x60'x2'= 180'
Add for 4 projections 8'
Add for laps, 1%" for each 10' length= 2'
Total number of feet 190'
Projection 2', height 3f, foot mold 4"x2=total of 5' 8".
Allowing for laps make the girt 6' even.
"No. 26 galvanized iron weighs about 9-10 Ib. per sq ft,
and thus the total for 6 sq ft is 5.4 Ibs. The galvanized iron
costs us, say, 31/& cents per Ib. at the freight station. Adding
cartage, handling, storing, etc. will easily bring the price
to 4 cents. Many estimators make the mistake of figuring
the iron at the invoiced price, forgetting cartage, handling
and the loss of the band iron holding the sheets together,
but it is a question if y2c per sq ft extra is enough to cover
these items.
"We have, then, per lin ft 5.4 Ibs of galvanized iron at 4c
=21.6, or 22c in even figures.
LINEAL FOOT COSTS
For 5' 8" girt, figured at 6' $0.22
Labor molding same 08
Mold, 3" egg and dart, and express charges .10
Labor putting on egg and dart mold 05
Enrichment for frieze, 10" zinc at 20c 20
Solder and labor putting on enrichment 05
Modillions, 3' apart, 90c each, per ft 30
Dentils, per ft , .15
Total cost of cornice at shop $1.15
Total number of feet required 190x$1.15= $218.50
Addition for making 4 miters at job . . 4.00
Addition for cartage 2.00
CORNICES AND CANVAS ROOFS 525
Labor erecting (scaffold furnished by general
contractor) :
One man 3 days at $3.50 *. 10.50
Two helpers 3 days at $2 12.00
Total cost of labor and material $247.00
Addition for general expense, 10 per cent 24.70
Total cost of job $271.70
Allow for profit, 20 per cent 54.34
Bid for the work $326.04
The cost per lineal ft of net size of the building is $1.81.
In case of extras, such as scaffold, board for out of town
work, freight, etc. an allowance has to be made.
CANVAS ROOFS
ROOFING: — After the cornice, comes the roof covering.
Prices on many kinds are found from Index, but canvas roofs
are not included. They are popular in eastern states espe-
cially, and almost anywhere on the sea coast.
As an average the following prices are taken for New
York and St. Louis, Boyle & Company.
FOR PORCH ROOFS, PIAZZA FLOORS, ETC.
GULF STREAM ROOFING CANVAS
Widths Grades per yd
D P H J
26" $0.45 .39 .35 .29
30" 52 .45 .40 .33
36" 62 .54 .48 .40
The discounts on the above are 30 per cent off for rolls
of about 100 yards, and 20 per cent for smaller quantities.
For roofs and porches where there is much walking grades
D and F are best; where there is no walking, H or J.
Labor laying and painting have to be included.
526 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
BAYONNE ROOF AND DECK CLOTH
Fabric 1287
Fabric 1288
Fabric 1299
Color 0-107
Color 0-107
Color 0-107
$0.59
.74
.86
.68
.82
.95
Widths 30"
36"
The discounts on the above are 35 per cent off for full
rolls of about 100 yards, and 25 for cut lengths.
LAYING: — First of all, a smooth surface of jointed boards
is imperative for a foundation. The GULF STREAM brands
are unpainted canvas. The method of laying them is to
give the wood one coat of lead and oil paint and lay the
canvas when the paint is wet. Roll canvas on a stick to keep
taut. Laps must be at least l1/^". Tacks not more than %"
apart. The edges must be painted before lapping. After
laying give two coats of lead and oil in the regular way.
The BAYONNE is laid in the same way, but without
painting the boards, or the laps. The canvas is prepared
in a way that preserves the fibre, and unless there is much
walking, requires only one coat of paint after laying. It
does not buckle as the ordinary material often does, and
while the first cost is greater, the fibre lasts longer,
and is really more economical. The tacks are 17oz, tinned.
One method of laying is described above, but sometimes
roofing paper is laid down on rough boards. This is not
so good as when laid down on smooth boards. After the
canvas is wet, it is painted with lead and oil before it dries
to waterproof it. The painting is then done on top, and a
finish made with an iron-clad paint.
As may be seen, the cost of a good roof runs into money
when covered with canvas, just as it does with other
materials.
Take a 36-inch width of Bayonne at 95 cents. In a square
there are 11 1-9 yards, but allowing for laps and a little
waste, 12yds would be required. This comes to $11.40, less
CORNICES AND CANVAS ROOFS 527
a discount of 35 per cent, on the basis of using at least a
roll. The net sum is $7.41.
Material per square $7.41
Labor laying (See page 247) 54
One coat of paint on top 1.00
$8.95
Or, selecting a cheaper grade of 36" J at 40 cents per yard,
the figures would be:
Material per square $4.80 less 30^ $3.36
One coat of paint on boards : . . . . 1.00
Labor laying 60
Two coats paint on top 2.00
$6.96
Profit has to be added. On large surfaces the figures may
be reduced.
CHAPTER XXXIV.
THE SPRINKLER SYSTEM
COST: — On page 303 the average cost of sprinkler equip-
ment is given. The systems differ so much, however, that
to get the exact value, a plan and bill of material have to
be made on the complete installation in the regular manner.
Neither the square foot nor the cubic foot systems will work
for anything else than an approximate idea of the cost; and
a better way of getting this is to count the outlets.
In New England, where mill building has been reduced to a
science, the cost is lower than elsewhere, being only about
$2.75 per head or outlet. For fireproof work in the same
section $4 is sufficient. But in such cities as New York and
Chicago mill outlets may run to $4, and in reinforced con-
crete buildings and other fireproof structures to $6 and $6.50.
A former fire chief of New York City gave the value of a
complete sprinkler equipment as 4 per cent of the cost of the
building. As may be judged by what has been already
written, this is only an approximate figure.
What is said to be the largest system of sprinklers in the
United States was installed in 1911 in the Armour packing
plant in South Omaha. According to the newspaper report
the cost was $160,000. In this system there are 50 miles of
pipes, 28,000 sprinkler heads, high pressure pumps, and a
steel tank with a capacity of 100,000 gallons. A separate
water system is used. When a sprinkler head is released
it sounds an alarm in the engine room, and starts the fire
pumps going. Every room in the plant, every bridge and
platform is protected. The cost is about $6 per head.
A western planing mill has a system that takes care of
166,000 sq ft. The cost was 6 cents per sq ft, but the instal-
lation was made when figures were low, or about $3 per
head, not including tank and connections. For this kind of
work a figure of $5 to $6 is not unusual.
528
THE SPRINKLER SYSTEM • 529
The Boston Manufacturers' Mutual Fire Insurance Com-
pany, 31 Milk St., Boston, issues a pamphlet with full instruc-
tions for various layouts, with sizes of supply, etc. All plans
are examined, criticised and approved, free of charge, before
insurance is granted. By this system the hest expert advice
is obtained, and expensive changes are never necessary.
AUTOMATIC SYSTEM: — Some of the special rules of this
company are given here, so that sizes of supply and other
pipes may be judged for appraisal where plans are not ob-
tainable.
VALVE: — First of all, there has to be a valve about 40 to 50
ft away from the building. In general, the supply or con-
necting pipes from the valve in to the building should not be
more than 6"; but sometimes 8" are used, with 2 risers of
6". Small buildings with not more than 50 sprinkler heads
may have a 4" supply.
An independent system should be used if possible, and not
one connected with the regular fire supply, especially when
that comes from a tank. "Supplies from two independent
sources are necessary, at least one of which should be auto-
matic." It is considered a good idea to put up a tank dis-
charging into the yard system and serving both fire hose and
sprinklers. The capacity should not be less than 30,000 gal-
lons, and the bottom of the tank should be from 75 to
100 ft above the yard level. The supply does not come
directly from the tank, but from the yard system, which is
reinforced by the extra pressure.
HANGERS: — They are made of round iron rod. The size
for %" to 2" pipe is 5-16"; 2 Ms" to 3", %"; Zy2" to 6", %";
7" to 8", %". If the rods are threaded, they msut be about
ys" more in diameter than the foregoing.
PIPE: — The best is galvanized iron, painted every year with
red lead and linseed oil.
WINDOWS, CORNICES, and other parts of a building are
often supplied with sprinklers to let down a sheet of water.
DANGER: — One of the dangers of the sprinkler system is
530 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
the accidental release without any fire. This results in great
damage from water. But the best modern systems are safe-
guarded against this contingency.
EFFICIENCY: — Manufacturers and merchants all over the
country are now paying more attention to sprinklers than
formerly. The system has so many advantages that it is
considered to pay for itself in six or seven years through the
reduction in the rate of insurance. In the first quarter ol
1911, of 1086 fires under sprinkler risks, 646 were practically
or entirely extinguished, 403 were checked, and in only 37
did the system fail to give satisfaction. Sprinklers are ready
all the time, start only when the head or outlet melts under
a temperature of 140 to 160 degrees, throw the water only
where needed as the fire spreads and melts new heads, and
keep going in a heat and smoke where firemen could not live.
SPECIAL CONDITIONS:— In the case of an appraisal the
size and distance of the inside pipes can be seen, as distin-
guished from those that are buried in the ground. If, in
spite of the sprinkler system, the building is a total loss,
and an estimate has to be made of the piping, it is rather
hard to do anything without a plan or a knowledge of the
number of outlets. The latter may have been 8' apart in 12'
bays, or 12' apart in bays of 6' for ordinary hazard; and 7'
to 11' if the hazard is special. According to the regular
table this would be when the water pressure exceeded 20
Ibs. per sq. inch. When less, or -supplied by a tank the fig-
ures for centers of outlets would be 7' to 11' for ordinary-
risk, and 6' to 10' for special.
The foregoing is for regular mill construction. For
joisted ceilings the figures in the first case would be 8' to
10', ordinary; 7% to 9' special; in the second with tank
supply, 7% to 9'; and 6^ to 8'.
Unless a plan is available or sizes and centers known, ?t
is thus seen to be rather a difficult undertaking to get an
accurate valuation of a sprinkler system if the building is
burnt; and we must always remember that it was in Boston
THE SPRINKLER SYSTEM
531
itself, the center of the best sprinkler installations, that the
fire chief said he knew of only one really fireproof struc-
ture, and that was "the reservoir.
For ordinary work without long runs or special require-
ments the sizes of pipe for a minimum number of automatic
sprinklers are as follows:
%-inch pipe,
1 inch pipe,
1*4 inch pipe,
iy2 inch pipe,
2 inch pipe,
2y2 inch pipe,
3 inch pipe,
3y2 inch pipe,
4 inch pipe,
5 inch pipe,
6 inch pipe,
1 Automatic
2 Automatic
3 Automatic
5 Automatic
10 Automatic
20 Automatic
36 Automatic
55 Automatic
80 Automatic
140 Automatic
200 Automatic
Sprinkler
Sprinklers
Sprinklers
Sprinklers
Sprinklers
Sprinklers
Sprinklers
Sprinklers
Sprinklers
Sprinklers
Sprinklers
DATA: — The size of the risers may be estimated from the
table. The center of the system is naturally the best place
to put the riser, but sometimes it is put on the side when
the branch lines are not too long. Not more than 6 sprink-
lers should be put on a branch. The size of the distributing
pipe tapers from the riser down to the end of the run. The
following figures show layouts from which a fair idea of
systems and sizes may be obtained for valuation.
532
THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
3 in.
Acceptable Arrangement.
COST OF INSURANCE: — When a good sprinkler system is
installed the rates of insurance are lowered from 50 to 35
per cent, depending upon the character of the work. On the
wet-pipe system, double supply, the above reductions are put
in force in Boston. With Sprinkler Notification the rate is
35 per cent off; with Automatic Fire Alarm, Watch Supervi-
sion, and Sprinkler Notification, 50 per cent. The Boston
Chamber of Commerce Committee set forth the advantages
of the Sprinkler system in September, 1911, thus:
"The following illustration is typical of the cost of insur-
ance before and after sprinkling. This illustration is taken
for a building which has about 35,000 sq. ft:
Value of building $ 53,000.00
Value of contents 150,000.00
Five-year rate on building per $100 before sprinkling,
$0.36 per annum, which makes the insurance $ 190.80
Annual rate on contents, $1.15, which makes the cost
of insurance of contents before sprinkling 1,725.00
Total cost of insurance per annum $1,915.80
THE SPRINKLER SYSTEM
533
"The cost of the installation of sprinklers would be ap-
proximately $1750, and the reduction in insurance premiums
would be 40 per cent. Forty per cent of $1915.80 is $766.32.
That is, an investment of $1750 would make a saving of
$766.32 in insurance rates. If we charge 15 per cent interest
and depreciation on the investment, it still leaves a net profit
of $503.82, by which the sprinkler installation would pay for
itself in three and a half years."
CAST-IRON WATER PIPES:— For factory yards the sizes
are given by the Mutual Fire Insurance Companies. To clear
the frost the depth of earth covering over the top of the pipe
should run from 2' 6" in the south to 5' 6" in Canada, New
England, Northern New York. Local conditions have to
settle this matter, which involves the cost of excavation.
HYDRANTS ought to be set about 50 ft away from the build-
ing protected, so that they will not be smashed by falling
walls. They may be better protected from danger behind a
low building or other barrier.
LENGTH of pipe is 12 feet, exclusive of socket.
The three following tables give the sizes, etc., for pres-
sures that do not ordinarily exceed 125 Ibs, but may occa-
sionally go as high as 150 without danger. The tables are
those of the Water Works Associations:
Class E
of New England W. W. Assoc. Specifications.
Nominal In-
side diam.
of pipe
Thickness
of shell.
Weight
per length
incl. socket.
Weight per
ft. including
socket.
Weight per
ft. excluding
socket.
(inches)
(inches)
(pounds)
(pounds)
(pounds)
4
.39
230
19
17
6
.46
380
32
29
8
.53
575
48
44
10
.60
810
67
64
12
.65
1040
87
82
14
.70
1310
109
103
16
.75
1600
133
125
18
.80
1910
159
148
20
.85
2260
188
176
24
.95
3000
250
234
30
1.10
4340
361
338
36
1.25
5900
492
460
534
THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
Class C of American W. W. Assoc. Specifications.
Nominal In-
side diam.
Thickness
of shell.
Weight
per length
Weight per
ft. including
Weight per
ft. excluding
of pipe
incl. socket.
socket.
socket.
(inches)
(inches)
(pounds)
(pounds)
(pounds)
4
.48
280
23
21
6
.51
430
36
33
8
.56
625
52
48
10
.62
850
71
65
12
.68
1100
92
85
14
.74
1400
117
108
16
.80
1725
144
133
18
.87
2100
175
162
20
.92
2500
208
191
24
1.04
3350
279
258
30
1.20
4800
.400
367
36
1.36
6550
546
498
5. Lead and Jute. The approximate amount of lead and
jute yarn required for making joints is shown in the table
below. This is based on pipe in twelve-foot lengths. Where
many fittings and bends are required, larger amounts should
be allowed. The lead in each joint should be run at a single
pouring.
WEIGHT OF LEAD AND JUTE REQUIRED IN LAYING
PIPE.
Size of Pipe
(inches)
Lbs.of Lead
per ft. of Pipe j
perSft°fof1pfpe j -020 -024 -028 -034 Ml '°48 -052 -062 -069 -085 -105 -120
4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 24 30 36
0.5 0.8 1.0 1.3 1.5 1.8 1.9 2.3 2.5 3.0 3.8 4.5
CHAPTER XXXV.
SILOS.
SHAPE: — The makers of silos are agreed upon at least one
proposition, and that is that the round form is the best. It
gives more capacity for the least material, and packs better.
But this shape has one drawback, so far as the concrete silo
is concerned: the forms are expensive. Even when all the
labor is given free by a farmer this shape is hard to make
and handle. If several silos are to be built of the same diam-
eter, the cost is spread among them.
SIZE: — The diameter of a silo should not exceed half the
height, or be more than 20 ft for general use; but some are
made as wide as 24 ft, and one is listed at 60 ft inside by 40
high. A limit of 36 ft is used for height, as a rule, but there
are silos as high as 50, and even 60 ft. Wind pressure has-
to be guarded against with unusual heights. Some wood silos
have been blown over.
It is often better to build two of smaller diameter than one
of large, in order to be able to use enough silage to keep
ahead of the mold — about 2" per day — and for ease of filling.
When more than 400 tons are required in a season it is ad-
visable to use two. The well-known rule as to capacity of
circular bodies should always be remembered in arranging
for silos— circles are to each other as the squares of their
diameter. Thus, a silo 10 ft inside has just about half the
area of another at 14, for 10x10=100, while 14x14=196,
or close to twice as much. A silo of 20 ft., or just twice as
much as the 10-ft one. has four times the area and capacity
per ft of height.
The following table gives the silo data used in most calcu-
lations. The average feed for one animal is 40 Ibs per day.
535
536 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
SILO DATA.
NUMBER
OF Cows
IN HERO
FEED FOR 180 DAYS
FEED FOR 240 DAYS
|||
Kg
03 O a
111
W°
Size of Silo.
tfusg
i!'
l«
§s
•OOQ £
1*1
||l
WB
Size of Silo
.iss
w
&s
•U
J£
Q
1
i
1
1
1
10
12
15
Tons
36
43
54
72
90
108
126
144
162
180
216
252
Feet
10
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
16
17
18
19
Feet
25
28
29
32
33
34
34
35
37
37
39
40
Acres
2i
3
4
5
6
7i
81
10
11
12
14|
17
Tons
48
57
72
96
120
144
168
192
216
240
288
336
Feet
10
10
11
12
13
15
16
17
18
19
20
Feet
31
35
36
39
40
37
38
39
39
39
40
Acres
31
4
5
1*
10
11
13
14|
16
19
20
25
30 .
35
40
45
50
60
70
EXAMPLE: — Assume that we are going to build a silo with
12 ft inside diameter and 24 ft high.
EXCAVATION: — First of all comes the excavation, which
must be made deep enough to clear the frost and leave banks
to resist wind pressure, but not more than 6 ft below the barn
floor. In some soils the hole can be made of the exact out-
side size, while in others the excavation has to be extended
far enough past the building line to keep the earth from
falling in.
Let us allow the outside walls at 10-in, as in a cement block
silo, although the concrete ones are only 6-in. This makes
the outside size 13' 8". An extra 2 ft on each end will usually
be sufficient for the slope that may be necessary on soft
earth, to a depth of 5 ft. Across the top of the circle would
thus be 17' 8", or say, 18' even. At the bottom, in even
figures, 14', an average excavation of 16 x 5 deep.
SILOS
537
APPROXIMATE CAPACITY IN TONS OF ROUND SILOS
(The diameter is shown at the top of the columns and depth at the left)
HEIGHT II
OF SILO
INSIDE DIAMETEK OF SILO IN FEET AND THE CAPACITY IN TONS (2000 Ibs.)
10ft.
11 ft.
12ft.
13ft.
14ft.
15ft.
16ft.
17ft.
18ft.
19ft.
20ft.
Feet
Tons
Tons
Tons
Tons
Tons
Tons
Tons
Tons
Tons
Tons
Tons
20
26
21
28
22
30
36
23
32
39
24
34
41
49
25
36
43
52
26
38
46
55
64
27
40
49
58
68
28
42
51
61
71
83
29
44
54
64
75
87
30
47
56
67
79
91
105
31
49
59
70
83
96
110
32
51
62
74
86
100
115
131
33
53
65
77
90
105
121
138
31
56
68
80
94
109
126
143
162
35
58
70
84
98
114
132
149
169
36
61
73
87
102
118
136
155
176
196
37
63
76
90
106
123
142
161
183
204
38
66*
79
94
110
128
148
167
191
212
237
39
68
82
97
115
133
154
174
198
221
247
40
70
85
101
119
138
160
180
205
229
256
280
Referring to the table of areas of circles on page 395, we
find that a 14-ft one has 201 sq ft, which, multiplied by 5
equals 1005 cu ft, or practically 37 cu yds. A trench is
sometimes cut around under the walls, and the ground may
be unequal — a fair allowance for a silo of this diameter and
depth in the ground in soft soil would be 40 yds of excava-
tion; in hard soil, allowing 14 ft diam, or 154 sq ft area, about
28V& yds, or 30 in even figures would be close enough. The
cost might be $8 to $6 in country districts, depending upon
rate, and nature of soil.
First of all, get the area of the circle to suit the nature of
the soil, multiply by the depth in feet, divide by 27 to get
the yards, and then figure at the local rate for hard or soft
soil. Some silos go 20 feet in the ground; most of them from
538 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
4 to 5. For a deep silo see the chapter on Measurement, this
book, and get rate allowed by the Chicago contractors ac-
cording to depth. (See page 41 for data.)
TABLE OF EXCAVATION:— On page 397 of the "Estimator"
there is a table that gives the gallons in round tanks. The
area in sq ft is also given, and as the figures are made out
on the basis of 1 foot deep, the area corresponds to the cubic
feet also. Thus, a tank 26' 9" inside contains 562 sq ft, and
for each foot of depth 562 cu ft. If, then, we divide the 562
by 27 we get the number of cu yds to each diameter of inside
or outside size, as may be selected.
The excavation of a silo or any circular body is easily
figured from this table. We get the distance over the walls,
or the footings if they extend, look in the table for the nearest
figure that suits the diameter, and multiply by the depth.
Thus, a tank or silo 18' 9" over the walls, and without any
extension for footings or soft soil, has an area of 276.12 sq ft.
Assuming that it goes down 8 ft in the ground, the excavation
would be 276.12x8, and divided by 27 equals 2208.96 cu ft,
or close to 82 yds.
CONCRETE BASE
On the bottom of the silo there should be a concrete base.
A thickness of 4" is sufficient on hard soil, but some silos
have 6. In wet soils I have seen water come through 18"
and more in thickness, and this when mopped tar paper was
spread in between layers of concrete. Here, again, each case
must be settled for its own conditions.
The size we have selected, 12' inside diameter and 10"
walls, makes 13' 8" over all. The area of a circle 13' 9" is
148.49 sq ft. This is close enough for our purpose. There
are 16^ sq yds. On page 59 the price of this kind of plain
work is given under various conditions. The ordinary price
for sidewalks in cities is 13c per sq ft. At this unit the cost
is $19.30, labor included. Allow $20. For ordinary conditions,
a mixture of 1 of cement, 3 of sand, and 6 of stone is suffi-
cient, but wet soils must have 1, 2, 4. This increases the cost
a little.
SILOS 539
FOOTINGS: — If a trench has to be cut for wider footings
than the walls themselves provide, multiply the diameter by
3 1-7 for the length around, and by the section for the con-
tents; or the circumference may be found for even figures on
page 395. Thus, the size of 13' 8" over the walls we are
figuring would be 12' 10" to the center line, or so close to 13
ft that we call it that for concrete. Assuming that the ring
is 18" wide and 12" deep, we have 41 ft practically around
x 1' 6" x 1', or Gl1/^ cu ft. A more exact way is to get the
areas of the outside and inside circles, and subtract the one
from the other.
QUANTITIES FOR CONCRETE BASE, FLOORS, SIDE-
WALKS, ETC.
RULE: — From the total thickness deduct the surfacing, then,
find the actual number of cu yds in the base. Multiply by
the Quantities given on pages 54 and 55, according to the:
proportion and size of stone selected.
For example, in the floor of a silo 13' 9" over all there are
148 -sq ft. At 4" thick this makes 49 1-3 cu ft, or, for the
calculations of a building contractor, 2 cu yds,' allowing a
little to fill inequalities in the ground, waste, etc. For a 1,
3, 6 mixture, using 2%" stone, the quantities are 2 bbls ce-
ment, 1 yd sand, and 2 yds stone.
The surfacing has to be added, as given on page 60, for the
above is supposed to be the base alone. But silos do not
require a fine surface.
The excavation and concrete base may apply to any kind
of'a silo. We have now to consider different kinds of super-
structures.
CEMENT BLOCK SILOS.
The advantages of this style are that no forms are re-
quired, and that the blocks have hollow spaces to keep out
damp and frost. In the more severe latitudes this provision
is not always enough, and double walls with air space
used.
540 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
About every third course the cement block silos are rein-
forced by an iron rod embedded in the masonry, in a special
groove. Many of these block silos have been wrecked for
want of reinforcement.
A farmer might supply all the labor on a solid wall, rein-
forced concrete silo, and in this way, if forms were at hand,
find it cheaper than the cement block one, because the blocks
are usually made in machines too expensive to buy for a
single silo, and the labor and profit of the block-maker have
to be paid for. Occasionally a farmer gets over this by
making a wood mold for the blocks. A thickness of 10" 13
usually allowed for the lower third of the cement block silo,
and 8" for the upper two-thirds.
The distance around the outside of a 13' 8" silo is 43 ft, on
the 3 1-7 principle. The total height is 24 ft, or 1032 sq ft in
all. There are, then, 344 sq ft at 10", and 688 at 8". Practi-
cally the difference in cost is not great, for the heavy blocks
are as easy laid a little below and above ground level as the
lighter ones are higher up, and the material does not cost so
much extra. At 20c per sq ft, without profit the total is
$206.40, including scaffolding, etc.
REINFORCEMENT would be a Vz" rod every 2 ft in height.
Allowing for laps, each rod would be 46 ft long. There would
be 10 above ground,=460 ft=303 Ibs x 3c=$9.10. Allow $10.
GROUTING:— The inside is often plastered with a very thin
coat, or a grout made and the finish put on as in a cistern,
with equal parts of cement and sand. For this work and
pointing up all the outside allow $18, which is a third more
than many would charge. Other items are given in the table.
COST OF CEMENT BLOCK SILO, 12 FT INSIDE X 24 HIGH
Excavation $ 8.00
Concrete base 20.00
Cement blocks 206.40
Reinforcing rods (horizontal only) 10.00
Cement wash and pointing 18.00
Doors (4) 40.00
SILOS 541
Roof and vent 40.00
Small dormer 18.00
Ladder rungs and bolts 10.00
, Profit for contractor, 10^ 37.00
$407.40
SOME UNIT PRICES:— The area is 147 sq. ft on the
ground, and this gives $2.77 per sq ft. It seems a high price,
but few contractors would care to take the contract at city
rates for only one. What allowance is there for liability
insurance? In my "Contractors' and Builders' Handbook"
there are some cases given for only one state where verdicts
were rendered for sums ranging from $5000 to $40,000 for
deaths by accidents or carelessness. Farmers who build silos
seldom think of the risk of accident or death and heavy
verdicts.
The rate per cu ft is 11.6 cents; per sq ft taken on the out-
Bide of the walls, 39.5 cents.
The actual figures on a cement block silo built in Michigan
are given below. The size is 14 ft inside diameter x 35 ft
high. The lower third is of 10" blocks, and the upper two-
thirds of 8". A reinforcement of y2 rod is used every 2 ft
horizontally. The blocks are 8" x 16" face size. The mortar
1 cement to 2 sand.
COST OF CEMENT BLOCK SILO 14 FT INSIDE X 35 HIGH
50 Barrels of cement $62.50
37 Loads of sand and gravel 22.50
Iron door and frame 15.00
Steel reinforcement 41.30
Roof complete 27.30
Labor (except roof) 139.70
Extra team work 2.00
$310.30
UNIT COSTS:— There is no profit allowed in the above
figures, but net cost. Even at that the total is low. Allow-
ing $350 with profit, the unit costs are per sq ft on ground,
$42 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
$1.82; per cu ft, 5.2 cents; per sq ft taken en the outside of
the walls, 20.3 cents.
Some small items like ladder rungs are not given.
A reasonable allowance is made for a silo given in a lead-
ing farmers' journal. It is 16 ft inside diameter x 34 ft high,
with 12" solid concrete walls without reinforcement, and
being inside of a large barn has no roof. A total of 74 cu
yds of concrete is put at $8 per yd, making $592. Excavation
is not required. Allowing $15 for a light floor, $40 for doors,
$10 lor ladder rungs, etc., the figure is $657, or $725 including
a profit. But a silo inside a barn is hard to fill, and some
say there is danger of tainted milk.
UNIT COSTS: — This is at the rate of $2.85 per sq ft of
ground size; a little less than 8^c per cu ft; and about 38c
per sq ft around the walls.
ANOTHER EXAMPLE: — The actual figures on a silo of 10
ft inside diameter x 31 ft deep with 6" concrete walls were
as follows:
EXCAVATION through stone and gravel, 11' x 13' deep, took
18 days for 1 man. The total is 46 cu yds, or 2 6-10 yds per
day.
LABOR on the silo itself was 41 days for 1 man.
MATERIAL for the silo proper was $70. There were 20 yds
of concrete in the walls.
Putting the excavator's time at $1.75 per day, the total for
this item is $31.50. Allowing a constructor's and laborer's
time at $2.50 for 41 days, or $5 for half that time, we get
$102.50. Without any profit or reinforcement, $204. Allow-
ing $21 for a small profit, $225. The lumber was used over
again, and the cost of this item is not given.
A plain roof was put on, covered with prepared roofing.
UNIT COSTS:— The sq ft cost, ground size, is $2.37; cu ft
cost, less than 7% cents; and the cost per sq ft of wall sur-
face around the outside, 21 cents.
The above, however, is one of those structures so economi-
cally put together that the average contractor could not make
a living building them.
SILOS
543
IDEAL SIZE: — One Michigan farmer gives the best size of
silo for general use as 15 ft inside diameter by 25, 30, or 33
ft, as may be desired. Of course, in the cement blocks the
smooth wall has to be on the inside, and the change from 10"
to 8" thickness shown on the outside. This allows the silage
to sink and pack easily.
REINFORCED CONCRETE SILOS.
This is a common and excellent system of construction,
but the trouble comes with the forms. Farmers sometimes
join together and make one set to serve a dozen silos.
The following "Atlas" table gives the necessary data for
the construction of silos of the sizes listed. The stone used
DATA FOR REINFORCED CONCRETE SILOS
(Including 6-inch Floor)
Proportions: 1 Part "Atlas" Portland Cement to 2 Parts Sand
to 4 Parts Gravel or Stone
HORIZONTAL
Height
Inside
Diameter
Thickness
of Wall
REINFORCEMENTS
Cement
Sand
Stone
O]7ft
Spacing
Qize
C. to C.
Feet
Feet
Inches
Inches
Inches
Bbl
CuYds
CuYd
10
5
6
1
12
61
2
4
10
10
6
12
181
4
8
15
5
6
12
9^
3
6
15
8
6
12
14£
4
8
15
12
6
12
24
6|
13
20
8
6
12
19|
5
10
20
12
6
12
29£
8
16
20
15
6
12
38
10
20
25
10
6
12
27|
7£
15
25
15
6
12
45
12
24
25
20
6
12
62
*6|
33
30
10
7
12
37
10
20
30
15
7
12
58
15|
31
30
20
7
12
80
22£
45
40
15
8
12
80
22 £
45
40
20
8
12
114
30|
61
40
25
8
1
12
147
38|
77
Place vertical rods same size as horizontal, 2J feet apart.
A cubic yard is about H single load or J of a double load.
544 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
should not be large, except on the bottom if desired. A
size of %, or gravel, is better than the ordinary sizes. The
table allows for a 6" floor. The proportion for the walls is
1, 2, 4; for the floors, 1, 3, 6 is considered right for dry
ground. The quantity of cement allowed is ample.
QUANTITIES: — The proportions may not always be the
same as given in the table, and the walls may not go clear
around as there figured, but have a continuous opening 2'
6" wide for doors. The method shown below will apply to
any mixture or sizes. The idea is, as already explained for
base, sidewalks and floors, to find the number of cubic yards
and then use the tables on pages 54 and 55.
EXAMPLE:— Take a silo 12 ft inside diameter by 20 high,
and with the usual 6-inch walls. The outside diameter is 13
ft, and this is close enough for such calculations, although
12' 6" should be used, or the area of the inside circle sub-
tracted from that of the outside one to find the surface of the
6-inch ring.
The distance around a 13-ft diameter circle is 40.841 ft, as
is shown on page 395. This is 40' 10". Multiplied by the
height of 20 ft, the area is 816.82 sq ft, say, 816 at 6" thick.
This means 408 cu ft. equaling 15 cu yds. With a 1, 2, 4
mixture, using stone not over 1", as large stone is not fit for
silo walls, we require 1.46 bbls. cement, 0.44 yd of sand, and
0.89 yd of stone. For 15 yds the quantities are 21.9 bbls.
cement, or 22 in even figures, 6.6 yds sand, 13.35 yds stone.
All this for the walls only.
The floor has an area over the walls of close to 133 sq ft
(See page 395). At 6" thick this is 66.5 cu ft, or 2.46 cu yds.
A mixture of 1, 3, 6 is usually sufficient for a floor, and large
stone may be used if desired. The units given on page 54
for 2y2 stone are 1.06, 0.48, 0.97, or, close enough for this
work, a bbl of cement, half a yd of sand, and a yd of stone.
We require 2y2 bbls of cement, l1^ yds of sand, 2% yds of
stone.
The totals are 24^ bbls cement, 7.85 or 8 yds of sand, and
15.85 or 16 yds stone. The allowance in the table is high
SILOS 545
for cement, but with thin walls there is sometimes waste; a
footing course is often used, and all the work is spoiled if
enough cement is not put in the mixture. Then the floor
may be 1.2.4 instead of 1.3.6, as above figured, and some may
want a sidewalk surface.
LABOR:— Of 110 silos investigated by the Universal Port-
land Cement Company, 74 were built by contractors, 9 by
owners with foremen, and 27 by owners alone. The labor is
given without the height as follows:
Hours
Diameter
Days
per day No. men
8
10 to 14
4 4
12
10 to 16
4 4
16
10 to 16
4 4 to 5-
20
10 to 20
4 5
22
12 to 20
4 5
CHUTE: — Some silos are built with a chute. Material must
be allowed extra for them. A good size for monolithic con-
struction is 3 ft x 4 ft inside measurement. For a block
construction as close to this as the blocks allow.
EXAMPLE:— Two ailos 16x40 inside were built for the fol-
lowing detailed figures, each:
45 cu yds of gravel, at 30 cents $13.50
68 bbls ot cement, at $1.25 85.00
1700 Ibs of iron, at $2.15 per hundred 36.55
Use 01 lumber for scaffold 10.00
Hauling of gravel 20.00
Excavating 6.00
Labor, 6 men for 7 days, at $2 84.00
Use of concrete mixer 35.00
Superintendent, and use of forms 80.00
$370.05
THE WALLS were from 9" to 10" at bottom, and 5^" at
top. The iron used was %", round for the uprights, and
546 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
square for the level. The uprights were set at about 2 feet
centers, and the horizontals about 9 inches.
THE DOORS were 26" x 60", with about 3 feet of solid wall
between the head of the one and the bottom of the other.
A %" iron .was used across the center of the door, and ex-
tending into the concrete on each side about 5 feet. Square
irons were placed up the sides of the doors.
A MIXER does the work faster and better, but the labor
costs as much, for, with small buildings, hand labor is about
as cheap.
The foregoing silos were built in Indiana.
NO FORMS: — Some of the expanded metal companies recom-
mend a silo built on a removable framework of 2 x 4's. The
studs are set up all around close enough to make the circle,
a small diameter requiring more than a large, and the metal
is bent around on the inside and fastened. The plaster is
then applied on the inside only. After it dries the studs are
removed and reinforcement wound around the outside. Then
the plaster is put on in the usual way, making the total thick-
ness about 3".
Still another method is to leave the studs standing and
lath on the outside with the metal, thus giving a hollow
space. Steel studs are sometimes used. As with other build-
ing structures, there is quite a variety in silo construction.
The Universal Portland Cement Company of Chicago and
Pittsburg collected some excellent silo data to encourage the
use of its product. Some of the figures are used below.
LARGE SILO:— The largest silo built up to 1912 is 60 ft in
diameter by 40 high. The capacity is 2250 tons; the cost was
$2500, or $1.11 per ton capacity. It is in Waukesha, Wiscon-
sin. It is monolithic, or made out of mixed concrete, and
not cement blocks.
The next one in the high price column is $1600. The size,
24 ft diameter by 50 ft high. The cost per ton capacity, 97
cents.
AVERAGE COST PER TON CAPACITY:— For silos under
100 tons, $2.89 monolithic; $3.52 cement block; from 100 to
SILOS 547
200, $2.38 and $2.88; over 200 tons, $2.18 for monolithic.
Average of more than 100 silos investigated, $2.30 for mono-
lithic, and $3.11 for cement block. The lowest cost of mon;>
lithic is in Wisconsin, at $2.10, and the highest cement block
in the same state at $3.36.
As already stated, the cost per ton of a large silo may be
as low as 97 cents and $1.11 for monolithic, but the smaller
sizes come to more per unit. Thus, a 12x27x58 tons is
$4.15; a 16x30x120 is $4.16; a 14x28x83 tons is $4.8Q
Two at 20x40x282 tons are $1.76.
Average figures are all that can be given, unless the cost,
of material and labor is known. Where there is a clear range-
of figures from 97 cents per ton to $4.80, several factors have
to be considered — material, labor, effect of size upon price,
the skill of the builder, whether profit is included or not,
and so on.
The concrete block silos cost a little more than the mono-
lithic. Of 30 listed, the lowest is $1.42 per ton, and the high-
est $5.70. A farmer can build a monolithic silo easier that-
a block one. The small sizes cost more here, as elsewhere*
with ordinary buildings. An 8 ft x 37 x 40 ton cost $5.70; a
10 x 20 x 36, $4.20; a 12% x 38 x 100, $5. The lowest is 20 x
60x530, $1.42.
FORMS: — For a reinforced silo the forms are usually made
about 3 ft high, with a wood framework covered with No. 24
galvanized iron. They are raised a little less than 3 ft after
eacn filling, so that they will not come above the finished
work. For lumber, bolts, sheet metal, labor and scaffold a
price of 25c per sq ft of forms is low. Thus, on an inside
diameter of 10 ft the outside and inside forms would have a
surface of 200 sq ft, at 3 ft wide, and this would make a figure
of $50. The scaffolding is sometimes only a few planks laid
around on top of the forms. A few uprights are required
for a lever to lift up the forms.
For an inside diameter of 15 ft x 3 there would be practi-
cally 300 sq ft=$75. Once made, a set of forms might be<
used for a hundred silos of the same size, with proper care..
548 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
EXAMPLE:— A reinforced concrete silo 15 ft inside and 36
ft high took the following material. The roof is of concrete,
reinforced the same as the wall. No forms included. The
entire labor took 5 men 13 days. Allowing $3 for a foreman
and $1.75 for the others, the wage bill is $130.
COST OF REINFORCED CONCRETE SILO, 15 FT
INSIDE X 36
Crushed rock, or screened gravel, 40 cu yds, at $1.10,. .$44.00
Sand, 20 cu yds, at $1.00 20.00
Portland cement, 54 bbls., at 2 108.00
Reinforcing, 425 pieces of %" x 10', 1564 Ibs, at 3c 46.90
Labor 130.00
Ladder rungs, etc 10.00
Toors 40.00
Profit 40.10 '
$439.00
UNIT COSTS: — The sq ft cost, ground size, is $2.19; cu ft,
•€ l-10c; per sq ft of wall surface less than 25c; reinforcement,
less than 9-10 Ib to sq ft of wall surface; cost per cu ft of
wall, not including floor or roof, $13.14. But in this silo, as
in others, local prices for material and labor have to be filled
in before a new total is found to suit location. The forego-
ing silo seems to be high in cost, but there is not much profit
to induce a builder to risk taking the contract. Most men
who do such work fail to carry liability insurance. They
taka the chance of an accident.
HOLLOW WALLS:— In this class of silos the forms are set
about 12" apart, instead of 6" as for the single wall, and
4" filling pieces made to fit the circle are placed all around
before the concrete is poured in. The fillers are. kept wide
enough apart to allow ribs to connect the two walls.
The outside ring is made 3", and the inside one 5". The
cost of this style of construction is set at 25# more than for
the single-wall silo. The quantity of concrete is increased
from 6" to 8", and fillers are to make and set The main
SILOS 549
forms are the same, except as to a slight change in diameter,
and the work of raising them is no greater. The hollow
space is not started until the ground level is reached.
SPACING OF RODS:— In the table already given the vertical
or upright rods are spaced at 30" centers, and the horizontal
ones of different stees at 12". In the silo 15' x 36 the vertical
rods were set at 18" centers, and from the top down the hori-
zontals were 7" from 36 ft to 30; 8", from 30 to 25; 10", from
25 to 20; 12", from 20 to 15; 15", from 15 to 10; and 18", from
10 ft to bottom.
QUANTITY: — The Atlas Portland Cement Co. gives an illus-
tration of a silo 20 ft inside diameter x 28 ft x 12" reinforced
walls. There were 111 bbls of cement used. This just fits
the allowance of 1.46 bbls to the cu yd given on page 54 for a
1, 2, 4 mixture.
FORMS: — These do not cost any more for a 10-inch wall
than for a 6, and thus per cubic foot of concrete they are
cheaper.
SOME SILO EXTRAS.
HY-RIB: — There is a cost figure given on silos made with
this material on page 461, but several items have to be added
to the total of the walls. These items may be found under
the detailed cost of a cement block silo, with changes to suit
the diameter, etc. But the price of 15c, as given by the man-
ufacturer, is too low for most localities.
FERRO INCLAVE:— On page 127 the cost of this system is
given for straight work. The curved sheets for silos cost a
little more. One advantage of this system is that no forms
are required. The sheets come curved to the circle neces-
sary to suit the diameter. They are made with a dovetail on
both sides that holds the plaster. The ends of the sheets are
pushed together and riveted. The plaster is put on in three
coats, and it should be at least 2" thick.
COST: — From a large percentage of silos the manufacturers
put the cost of the finished wall at 22c per sq ft, but this
does not include anything except the wall proper. Excava-
550 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
tion, base, foundation, doors, roof, profit, etc., have to ue
added.
WOOD SILOS.
Many silos are built up of staves, hooped on the outside
and drawn air-tight. The walls are of 2" lumber for ordinary
use, but any required thickness may be had. The finished
thickness is, as usual, about 1%". For silos of ordinary di-
ameter this thickness is sufficient, but for the largest some
specify more. Yellow pine and Oregon fir are mostly used.
ERECTION: — The companies usually sell F. O. B. factory,
and let customer put up the work themselves. Foundations,
etc., have to be attended to as for a concrete silo. Four or
five men make the best erecting force, and the time required
is from a day on medium and small sizes to three days on
the largest. This does not include the roof, which, however,
may be bought in several sections ready to set in place.
ANCHORS: — Wood silos have to be anchored or tied to
another building as a protection against wind. Three to
eight, anchors should be used. They cost about $2 each for
ordinary diameters and lengths.
ROOFS: — Sectional roofs cost from $2.50 to $3 per ft of
diameter supplied at the factories. Thus, a silo 16 ft diame-
ter at $2.50 would require an allowance of $40 extra for a
roof. This does not include covering, but matched boards are
often considered sufficient. The following table gives the
factory price of roof framework alone without boards at
Waterloo, Iowa:
PRICES FOR
FRAMES FOR
SILO ROOFS.
Silo
Diameter of
Weight
Price
10 ft
210 Ibs
$7.75
12 ft
235 Ibs
8.05
14 ft
250 Ibs
8.65
16 ft
265 Ibs
9.00
18 ft
400 Ibs
10.90
20 ft
500 Ibs
15.30
SILOS
551
The following table shows factory prices for 2" silos.
Erection, tar inside, if used, freight, hauling, and painting
have to be added.
TABLE OF PRICES FOR SILOS
These prices do not include the roof or anchor rods
Diameter
Ft.
¥
>>
11
u
0
Number
Cows
I1
<!
rt
q|
*g
8a
5|
10
18
26
8
4,100
$ 86.90
12
20
45
12
4,450
107.50
14
20
61
17
5,900
128.70
16
20
75
20
6,600
143.75
12
22
48
14
4,750
115.00
14
22
68
19
5,900
140.00
16
22
77
22
7,200
157.00
12
24
54
16
5,350
137.50
14
24
74
20
6,900
166.45
16
24
96
27
7,900
190.00
18
24
122
34
8,800
213.75
12
26
58
16
5,700
150.00
14
26
80
22
7,500
182.15
16
26
104
29
8,500
203.75
18
26
132
40
9,500
232.50
14
28
86
26
8,150
193.75
16
28
112
31
9,150
222.50
18
28
137
42
10,200
253.75
16
30
121
34
9,900
237.50
18
30
152
46
11,100
270.00
20
30
187
55
12,400
296.25
16
32
131
40
10,500
250.00
18
32
166
50
11,750
283.75
20
32
205
60
13,100
310.00
Another price list, F. O. B. Des Moines, Iowa; Anderson,
Ind.; or Kansas City, Mo., gives more variety and detail,
including the extra cost for creosoting.
552
THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
COST OF WOOD SILOS
SIZES
la '3
II
Estimated
Weight
1
II
IB!
2-Piece
Southern
Pine
Creosoted
For Creosoting
1-Po. and 2-Pc.
Fir No. 2 Clear
and Better add
10x20
30
4,115
$145.00
$130.50
$140.00
$130.00
$10.00
10x28
44
5,593
205.00
184.50
199.00
185.00
14.00
10x32
53
6,406
235.00
211.50
221.00
205.00
16.00
12x20
45
4,762
170,00
153.00
150.00
135.00
15.00
12x28
66
6,639
245.00
220.50
216.00
195.00
21.00
12x32
84
7,563
275.00
247.50
244.00
220.00
24.00
12x36
105
8,508
305.00
274.50
267.00
240.00
27.00
14x20
60
5,592
190.00
171.00
181.00
165.00
16.00
14x28
90
7,853
270.00
243.00
242.40
220.00
22.40
14x32
110
8,883
310.00
279.00
275.60
250.00
25.60
14x40
150
11,434
390.00
351.00
352.00
330.00
32.00
16x20
80
6,348
230.00
207.00
215.00
190.00
25.00
16x28
111
8,917
310.00
279.00
275.00
250.00
25.00
16x32
130
10,148
350.00
315.00
305.00
280.00
25.00
16x40
181
12,859
450.00
405.00
375.00
340.00
35.t)0
18x20
100
7,104
245.00
220.50
235.00
205.00
30.00
18x28
140
10,036
345.00
310.50
315.00
285.00
30.00
18x36
190
12,850
445.50
400.50
405.00
370.00
35.00
18x40
220
14,334
495.00
445.50
450.00
410.00
40.00
20x24
140
9,407
325.00
292.50
310.00
275.00
35.00
20x32
200
12,675
445.00
400.50
385.00
350.00
35.00
20x36
235
14,426
505.00
454.50
440.00
400.00
40.00
20x40
271
15,828
565.00
508.50
500.00
460.00
40.00
24x30
270
14,875
540.00
510.00
510.00
450.00
60.00
24x34
330
16,255
612.00
570.00
570.00
510.00
60.00
24x40
400
20,000
720.00
660.00
660.00
600.00
60.00
Silo prices include skeleton roof-frame and each silo 14 feet
or less in diameter is equipped with six complete anchors,
three long and three short, also two inside galvanized iron
hoops, one for the top and one for the center. The anchors
are attached to the inside hoops by "U" bolts; all silos 16
feet and larger in diameter are equipped with eight anchors
and two inside hoops described as above.
No. 2 clear and better fir silos, either one or two-piece
staves, are not creosoted. The price of creosoting as given
SILOS 553
in last column is extra on that grade of silos only. Prices on
two-piece pine and two-piece special grade fir silos include
creosoting.
SILO ROOFS.
For 10-ft. diameter Silos $15.40 Est. Weight 190 Ibs.
For 12-ft. diameter Silos 20.00 Est. Weight 252 Ibs.
For 14-ft. diameter Silos 26.50 Est. Weight 357 Ibs.
For 16-ft. diameter Silos 30.00 Est. Weight 413 Ibs.
For 18-ft. diameter Silos 35.50 Est. Weight 489 Ibs.
For 20-ft. diameter Silos 39.00 Est. Weight 536 Ibs.
INSIDE HOOPS AND EXTRA LOWER ANCHORS
COMPLETE AS FOLLOWS:
For 10-ft. diameter Silos, 2 hoops and 3 anchors $12.00
For 12-ft. diameter Silos, 2 hoops and 3 anchors 13.00
For 14-ft. diameter Silos, 2 hoops and 3 anchors 14.00
For 16-ft. diameter Silos, 2 hoops and 3 anchors 15.00
For 18-ft. diameter Silos, 2 hoops and 4 anchors 18.50
For 20-ft. diameter Silos, 2 hoops and 4 anchors 20.00
For 22-ft. diameter Silos, 2 hoops and 4 anchors 21.20
For 24-ft. diameter Silos, 2 hoops and 4 anchors 22.40
CONCRETE TANKS.
Sufficient data for square or rectangular tanks may be
found on pages 398, 440-444, after adding the reinforcement.
REINFORCEMENT:— This is different for each tank, de-
pending upon diameter and height, and whether the tank is
on ground level, or like a cistern with solid earth bracing.
PROPORTION: — A 1, 2, 4 mixture has to be used, for an
ordinary one would let the water through.
A fair idea of the cost of reinforcement above ground is
to allow for the bottom of small tanks, 4' x 4', 4' x 6' and such
sizes, 6 cents per sq ft for the floor, and for the sides to the
depth of 5' to 7', 12 cents. This allows for both uprights and
horizontals. For the bottom of a large tank, say 10 ft in
diani. x 15 high, allow 10 cents per sq ft for the reinforcement,
and 28 to 30 cents for the 10" walls.
554
THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
The accompanying table from the "Concrete Review" gives
the 'standard size and reinforcement for tanks of various
capacities on top of ground. The spacing begins at 4" to 8"
at the bottom, depending upon the tank, and widens out until
it reaches 18" to 20" at the top, where the water pressure is
less. The spacing is varied gradually.
REINFORCEMENT TABLE.
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
(8)
Depth
Diameter
Thick-
ness of
Concrete
in wall
Diameter
of Hori-
zontal
Rods
Spacing
Horizon-
tal Rods
at
Bottom
Spacing
Horizon-
tal Rods
at
Top
Diameter
Vertical
Rods
Spacing
Vertical
Rods
Feet
Feet
Inches
Inches
Inches
Inches
Inches
Inches
5
5
6
i
8
18
I
36
5
10
6
6
12
30
10
10
8
1
6
18
&
36
10
15
9
1
4
18
|
36
15
10
10
1
4
18
|
30
15
15
12
I
6
20
f
30
A REINFORCED TANK is often built on the top of a silo to
serve house and stock.
CONCRETE STORAGE CELLAR
The popular size is 10x14 inside x 5 high at the walls
where the arch begins to rise, or at the spring, as a builder
calls it; and T 8" in the center. The roof is usually made
of reinforced concrete.
Sometimes these cellars are useful in case of a cyclone.
In ordinary times they are used for storing apples, potatoes
and other vegetables; milk, butter, and eggs. The floor is
4" in ordinary soil, but may have to be more if soil is damp
or wet; the walls are 8" and the roof is 5". A set of con-
crete steps usually runs down at one end with side walls,
or wings, to keep back the earth, and support the sloping
door.
SILOS 555
A bill of material for one built, with labor and profit added,
of the size given above is:
Crushed stone, 13 cu yds $13.00
Sand, G1^ cu yds 6.50
Portland cement, 22 bbls, $2 44.00
Reinforcing rods, 220 Ibs, 3c 6.60
Ventilators, sloping doors, etc 12.90
Form material 20.00
Complete labor on concrete 50.00
Excavation, 40 yds at 20c 8.00
Profit, 10 per cent 16.00
$176.00
UNIT COST:— This is at the rate of $1.10 per sq ft for a
structure fit to last a century if well built. One trouble
with such installations as small individual silos, tanks, cis-
terns, storage cellars, etc., is that contractors can not, as a
iule, take them at the rate of profit given. If they are
part of a larger contract and the men and materials are on
xhe ground, it is altogether different; but no one can go
miles to a farm and take out materials, tools, and supplies
for any such margin. Farmers are doing much of this
work themselves and giving costs in the agricultural journals
without labor or profit — or any liability insurance where the
laws are such that a death from one accident might bring
about such a verdict as would take the whole farm to satisfy;
and an injury might cost the farmer all his stock.
CHAPTER XXXVI.
DEPRECIATION
On pages 310-312 there is something said about deprecia-
tion. Since that was written I have had a special experience
in estimating the fall in the value of buildings, often accord-
ing to their age, but occasionally due to other causes. Dur-
ing the greater part of 1910, I valued practically all the large
buildings north of the Platte River, and one far-spread group
to the south, in Nebraska, for the State Railway Commission.
This question, as always, gave more trouble than any other
feature of the work.
I sent in between five and six million dollars worth of
appraisals.
DECAY: — As noted on pages 310 and 313, there are many
old historic buildings in Europe, but they are mostly of a
public character — structures built by the Romans, churches,
castles, municipal halls, towers, and semi-public mansions.
Ordinary houses even there seldom last more than two or
three centuries. So good a judge as Macaulay, writing of
London in his "Life," said that when he considered the fire
of 1666 and the natural progress of demolition and rebuilding
he doubted whether there were as many as fifty dwellings in
that immense city dating as far back as 1550. He wrote in
1830. But up to the time of the fire, London was mostly
built of wood and for that reason suffered like San Francisco
in 1906. The same Macaulay, however, found that the build-
ings in Rouen were older than the London ones; and that
the oldest mansion in London was modern as compared with
many in Venice reaching as far back as the year 1400.
And frame houses well built will endure for centuries. In
1912, the oldest house in the United States was torn down,
as it was considered unsafe. It was built in 1618 in South-
ampton, N. Y.
556
DEPRECIATION 557
METHOD: — The matter of the great variation in the price
list as shown in the chapter on "Physical Valuation, General
Principles," £eing understood and remembered, there are
two methods of finding values and depreciating — one to
allow a certain number of years for the life of a group of
buildings, classified according to their nature, or freight-cars,
engines, or anything else, and to make a "mortuary" table,
averaging the value according to the years of service; and
the other, to inspect each structure or car individually to
ascertain its value. For cars, passenger-coaches, engines,
etc.. the individual method is rather impracticable, although
it is carried out with 40,000 freight-cars in the Michigan val-
uation. For such work, and for ordinary standard buildings,
the average age method of a table is preferable, and less
costly than the other, although the appreciation in prices
must be first applied. Apart from this ordinary classifica-
tion, each building should be examined, estimated in detail,
and the depreciation settled both from age and condition.
LIMIT: — In the course of my work in Nebraska, I ran across
only one individual building that is likely to stand for a
century, according to the opinion of the architect and my
own, but considered with reference to accommodation, it is
likely to be worthless long before that. But a group of stone
shops with extra heavy walls was set at a life period of a
century. Still another group (two are shown in figures 7
and 14 of this book) was so built with pile and concrete
foundations and steel superstructure that a life period of 100
years would have been reasonable, except for the fact that
the brick work and other subordinate features would not
last half that time.
CONTRAST: — Herein lies another trouble with depreciating
buildings: In a case where a heavy concrete and pile found-
ation goes down, an allowance of 1 per cent would be ample,
for such foundations last for centuries, but the superstructure
may have to be set at a life of 40 or 50 years. Each case
has to be considered on its own merits; and a table does
not do justice to all structures, nor an average always suit.
558 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
SUITABILITY: — There is another feature in railroad valua-
tions that make them differ from such as the Cleveland one,
for example, where 400 people were engaged; Perhaps a
certain class of shops or stations, if considered merely as
separate structures under our present conditions of use and
population might last for a century, but who will guarantee
that the runways for the traveling cranes of a shop, or the
turntables in the yards will be sufficient for the engines in
use in coming years? Or that the population of a city will
not be multiplied several times over, just as Vancouver grew
from 55,000 in 1906 to 150,000 in 1911?
The ordinary locomotive weighs, say, 100 tons; but in 1910
the Santa Fe road exhibited one weighing 420 all through
the southwest, or at least where bridges would carry it
on the main line. Bridges, runways, turntables, might be
set at the longest life period so far as concerned the use for
which they were designed, but they are useless for the new
conditions. What value will be set on them? Salvage
value? It all depends upon what the expert wants to prove.
The Grand Central station, New York, was taken down
long before the end of its natural life period, and this is but
the history of hundreds of valuable railroad structures. On
what basis, then, shall the life period be set? And if a rail-
road in a physical valuation is to be allowed the value of
improvements necessarily thrown aside by new inventions or
increase of population, why should not the theory be applied
in other fields? Many a man loses his whole investment
of trade or professional skill through a new invention. In
1911, thousands of actors were deprived of their living on
account of moving picture theatres; the linotype displaced
printers by the carload, and in a score of lines, year after
year, men and women are suffering the loss of their invest-
ments in certain callings through the work of the inventor.
Are investors in railroad securities to be held safe through
this class of depreciation? If the monorail should come, as-
the flying machine has, who is to pay for the slump in
values ?
DEPRECIATION 559
Railroads have been practically reconstructed, so far as the
main lines are concerned, since the end of the last century,
and in some cities tracks have been raised and electrified.
In the building field only stations and old shops have had to
give way to new; and engine-houses have had to be extended
or taken down. In the motive power department the dis-
covery of high speed steel cutting made old machines worth-
less. Far heavier ones were required to stand the pressure.
So on in every department. New tracks, bridges, buildings,
equipment, etc., have been required; but all through, the old
would not have been discarded unless the new had held out
the certainty of better returns.
I once put up a building where the heating plant did not
work. It was taken out and $10,000 put into a steam system.
In making a valuation of the building would the owners have
been credited with the value of the old plant? certainly not.
They would have had their building valued according to what
it would have cost to reproduce it.
IMPORTANCE: — The question of depreciation is vital in any
physical valuation. Suppose half a dozen good contractors
agree that it would cost $100,000 to reproduce a certain
building at current rates, but that it was 20 years old, how
much would it be worth? Three of them might set a life-
time at 40 years, and the other three at 50. In the one case
there would be an annual depreciation of 21/& per cent, to
deduct, and in the other 2. Yet this would make one figure
$50,000 and the other $60,000. What does the most exact
detailed estimate amount to when there might honestly be
such a great difference over the one factor that practically
decides the amount? There is so much room for an honest
and a dishonest difference of opinion on this question of
depreciation in buildings, bridges, tracks, and rolling stock
of a railroad that, at its best or worst, a physical valuation
is but a drawn battle.
METHOD:— In the Michigan and Wisconsin valuations of
railroads, the individual method was followed, and each
structure, engine, or car, valued and depreciated according
560 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
to condition; in the Washington valuation the original
records were dug up, or the date of building or purchase
ascertained and the depreciation done according to a
mortality table. A part of the Washington report says:
"It is a well-established fact that a freight-car has a useful
life exceeding 20 or 25 years. If the average car has a life
of 25 years, it loses 4 per cent, of its life every year. Hence
by multiplying its age in years by 4 per cent, its lost life
or depreciation is accurately ascertained; and, by subtract-
ing this depreciation from 100, the remainder will give its
'present value' expressed as a percentage of its value new."
"If practically all the structures shown in the accounting
records are still in existence, and the money expended each
year for each class of structure is known, it is a very simple
matter to figure the average age of the money invested in
estimating the present value. To illustrate, suppose there
are a number of station buildings in existence, whose age
is not known. Suppose, however, that $10,500 was spent for
such buildings in 1896, $20,000 in 1900, and $5,000 in 1902.
Then, in 1906, the average age of the money invested in these
buildings is ascertained thus:
$10,500x10 years= $105,000 one year
$20,000x6 years= 120,000 one year
$5,000x4 years= 20,000 one year
"This gives a total of $35,500 invested in 7 years; for
$245,000 divided by $35,500 gives 7 years approximately.
"The rule to be followed in all such cases is to multiply
the money expended each year for structures of a given class
by the age in years, add all these products together, and
divide by the total cost of all the structures under consider-
ation. The quotient is the average age of all of the struc-
tures, or, more strictly speaking, the average age of the
money invested in the structures. If some of the structures
are no longer in existence, this method can still be applied.
Take railway crossties, for example. Ascertain the total
value of crossties in the track, then go back through the
DEPRECIATION 561
records of the tie renewals, by years, until the total cost of
renewals adds up to the total value of ties now in the track.
Then compute the average age as above shown. If the price
of ties has fluctuated, ascertain the actual price paid, and
reduce all yearly expenditures for renewals to the present
price."
APPRECIATION: — On a railroad track for four or five years
after it is built, there is a betterment owing to the "season-
ing," or to what has been given the high-sounding name of
Adaptation and Solidification. There is an appreciation of
about 10 per cent, instead of a depreciation, as the road
settles down and all the minor defects are put to rights; but
this does not apply to buildings. If a building cracks, there
is usually no way of making it as good as new, and the rate
of depreciation has to be raised. On a grain elevator
alluded to on page 304, a special depreciation of $20,000 was
made in addition to the regular one, on account of a settle-
ment that made the structure lean 15" out of plumb. Some
buildings have such special defects that a depreciation of 10
per cent, per annum has to be used.
The Nebraska table is given in the following pages. It
is only an approximate guide. Some of the building rates
are too high.
DEPRECIATION TABLES
PHYSICAL VALUATION OF RAILROADS
Nebraska Depreciation Table
Minimum Depreciation
usable value rate
Item d of new per annum.
1. Right of Way and Station Grounds . . 100
2. Real Estate 100
3. Grading . . .... *. 100
4. Tunnels
Wooden liafcig .05
Brick lining .02^
Stone and concrete lining .02
562 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
5. Bridges
Steel for main line service 33% .02
Steel for branch line service 20 .02
Steel salvage %c per Ib
Concrete and stone .02
Pile and timber trestles and wooden
trusses 20
For main line .12%
For branch line -03%
Timber salvage $7.50 per M ft B. M.
Culverts 20
Wooden Box .10
Cast iron pipe .02
Vitrified pipe .05
Cement pipe .02
Concrete and stone .02
6. Ties — Cross (In all old track deter-
mine by inspection)
For new track
Estimated
average life
Oak (white) 12 yrs .08%
Oak (mixed) 7 yrs .143-10
Fir and pine 6 yrs .16%
Cedar 12 yrs .08%
Tamarac 8 yrs .12%
Hemlock 6 yrs .16%
Cypress 6 yrs .16%
Treated— all kinds 12 yrs .08%
All old side tracks . . 25 yrs
Switch (In all old track determine by
inspection).
For new track ditto as for cross ties
NOTE: — Above depreciation of ties to apply in earth and
poor grade of ballast. Where ties exist in good stone bal-
last increase the life of tie 1-5, decreasing annual deprecia-
tion rate proportionately.
DEPRECIATION 563
7. Rail— Estimated average life 38 4-10
years 33% .026
Salvage $10 per ton.
NOTE: — Above depreciation of rail is considered only under
a proper balanced condition of traffic and use. Misused rail
as per special instructions.
8. Frogs and switches 33%
Stands and guard rail — conditions
same as attending rail.
Frogs .039
Split points and attachments .052
Crossings — Determine by inspection.
Salvage, $10 per ton.
9. Track fastenings 33%
Base plates, tie plates, angle bars,
rail braces and bumping posts,
condition same as attending rail .026
Salvage, $10 per ton.
Spikes .08%
Bolts and nut locks .05
10. Ballast 25
Cinders and sand .15
Crushed stone and granite .02
Gravel and burned clay (Nebraska and
similiar products) .05
NOTE: — This treatment of ballast only to be considered un-
der proper balanced conditions of construction. Otherwise
as per special instructions from investigation.
11. Tracklaying and surfacing 100
12. Roadway tools 33%
Hand cars .07
Section men's tools (average) .12%
Salvage of metal, %c per Ib.
564 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
13. Fencing — Right of Way 20
Wooden fencing entire .06%
Wooden posts — wire panels .05
Cement and iron posts — wire panels .04%
14. Crossings and signs 20
Crossing plank .25
Roadway signs — posts and boards . . .08%
15. Interlocking and other signal apparatus
— average 33% .05
Salvage value 5^ of new.
16. Telegraph and telephone lines 20
Poles and pole attachments .05
Wire .04
Instruments
Telegraph (salvage val. 15^ of new) .04
Telephone (salvage val. 8^ of new) .OS1/-*
Switch boards (salvage val. 10^ of
new) .04
Battery 33%
17. Station buildings and fixtures 20
Wooden frame buildings .03
Brick (salvage material only 8^) ... .02%
Concrete and stone (salvage material
only 8^) .02
Steel frame, brick and stone (salvage
material only 10^) .02
18. General office buildings and fixtures —
treat same as item 17.
19. Shops, engine houses and turntables:
Buildings — treat same as 17 above.
Turntables 20
Combination steel, iron and wood. . . . .05
Steel .04
Salvage of all metal %c per Ib
DEPRECIATION 565
20. Shop Machinery and Tools 33%
Machinery .05
Tools .x. .75
Salvage of all metal %c per Ib
21. Water stations.
Pump house machinery 33% .05
Buildings treat same as item 17 above
Water tanks
Wooden 20 .05
Steel— including water softeners . . 20 .03
Galvanized iron 20 .10
Wind mills 33% .12%
Salvage, value all metal %c per Ib.
22. Fuel stations
Wooden structures 20 .03%
Steel structures 20 .03%
Machinery in above 33%
Salvage value all metal %c per Ib.
23. Grain elevators — treat same as item 17
above.
24. Storage Warehouses — treat same as
item 17 above.
25. Dock and wharf — not treated.
26. Electric light plants 30
Boiler plant .05
Engine and dynamo .08%
Incidental apparatus .08%
Salvage value 10^ of new.
27. Electric power plants 30
Boiler plant .05
Engine and dynamo .08%
Incidental apparatus .08%
Salvage value 10^ of new.
506 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
28. Electric power transmission 30
Pole and wire attachments .05
Wire and cable (salvage value 33 1-3^
of new) .05
29. Gas producing plants — not treated.
30. Miscellaneous structures.
Buildings — treat same as item 17 above
Wooden platforms 20 .08%
Cement platforms and walks 20 .03
Brick platforms and walks 20 .03
Concrete and stone curbing 20 .03
Wooden curbing .05
Cinder and gravel platforms and walks 20
No Curbing .04%
Wooden curbing - V -08%
Stock yards fence 20 .06%
Stock scales 20 .06%
Salvage value all metal %c per Ib.
31. Adaptation and solidification of roadway 100
o2. Engineering and superintendence 100
33. Steam locomotives — including tanks... 25 .04
Salvage value 5%</ of new.
j°
NOTE: — Special treatment should be made of this item con-
sidering wooden frame vs. steel frame of tanks.
34. Electric locomotives — not treated.
35. Passenger cars 25 .04
Express, baggage and mail (salvage
value 8rf of new).
Coach and chair cars (salvage value
6^ of new).
36. Freight cars (salvage value 20^ of new) 20 .05%
DEPRECIATION 567
37. Work equipment
New equipment (salvage val. e1/^ of
new) 25 .05
Built up equipment (salvage value 20^
of new) 25 .06*4
58. Rent and repairs of equipment during
construction 100
39. Inspection and purchase of equipment . 100
40. Transportation of material 100
41. Stores and supplies for Nebraska
New 100
Not new — treat as under its proper
class as hereinabove provided.
42. General expenditures 100
ANOTHER THEORY:— After much is said and done on the
theory of depreciation, and the one set of experts are agreed,
another comes forward and says that there is no such thing
as depreciation in the physical property of a railroad — own-
ers of ordinary buildings might wish they could say the same
of their investments. To quote the Minnesota Report, dis-
senting from this view:
"The opinion is entertained by some that there is no de-
preciation in the physical properties of a railroad, but that
as a working tool, its efficiency, as maintained, is at all
times the equivalent of the new, and that a specific facility
is in some instances worth less than its reproduction cost,
only because in the progress of time and development it has
become inadequate for the purposes required of it; and again
it is expressed that an old road through thorough main-
tenance and for other numerous and good reasons, is more
serviceable and valuable than a new road.
"It is entirely tenable that the value of an economically
constructed, judiciously financed, and efficiently managed
568 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
railroad property, or the contra thereof, is not measured by
its cost, and, for the instant, it seems necessary to recur to
the elementary that cost and value are not synonymous, and
that the determination of the present value of the physical
properties, using reproduction cost as a basis, bears no
relation to value in the sense of utility, or as an investment."
The Washington Report says: "The commission con-
cluded that on an established road, maintained to a proper
standard of efficiency, there would be no continuing depreci-
ation; that on a newly constructed line there would be a rapid
depreciation of certain elements during the first few years.
This would apply particularly to ties, and, in a lesser degree,
to wooden structures and equipment. On the other hand,
there would be an appreciation of roadbed on a new line,
due to the seasoning and hardening which follows its use. . .
Such appreciated value of roadbed would largely offset the
depreciation of the value of the other items. . . . But the
depreciated value of a road in profitable operation does not
equal its market value. To this depreciated value must be
added a sufficient amount to cover the enhanced value due
to building up a successful transportation business." One of
the Washington roads was put at a market value of only
half its depreciated physical valuation. It was considered
a bad investment.
The depreciation tables used in the Cleveland valuation
are given herewith:
DEPRECIATION
569
DEPRECIATION TABLES
Store Buildings and Dwellings
(NOTE: — The percentage of depreciation is given under
Good, Fair, Bad, as to quality of buildings.)
BRICK
Years
1
2
3
5
6
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
Good
2
4
6
8
10
12
13
14
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
25
26
26
27
27
28
28
29
29
30
30
31
31
32
32
33
33
33
34
34
34
35
36
36
37
37
38
38
39
39
40
40
Fair
3
5
8
10
12
13
15
17
18
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
30
31
32
32
33
34
34
35
35
36
36
37
37
38
38
39
40
40
41
41
42
42
43
43
44
44
45
46
46
47
Bad
6
11
15
18
21
24
27
29
32
34
36
38
40
41
43
45
46
47
49
50
51
53
54
55
56
57
57
58
59
60
31
61
61
63
64
65
65
66
67
38
68
69
70
71
72
72
73
74
75
75
FRAME
Years
Good
Fair
Bad
1
3
4
10
2
6
7
17
3
8
10
23
4
10
12
27
5
13
15
31
6
15
17
34
7
13
15
27
8
18
21
40
9
20
23
42
10
22
25
45
11
23
26
47
12
25
28
49
13
26
30
51
14
28
31
5S
15
29
32
55
16
30
34
57
17
31
35
58
18
32
36
60
19
33
37
61
20
34
38
63
21
34
30
65
22
35
40
66
23
36
41
68
24
37
42
69
25
37
43
71
26
38
44
72
27
39
45
74
28
39
46
75
29
40
47
79
30
41
48
80
31
41
48
80
32
42
49
82
33
42
50
83
34
43
51
85
35
43
52
86
36
44
53
88
37
45
53
90
38
45
54
91
39
46
55
93
40
46
56
95
41
47
57
42
47
59
43
48
59
44
48
59
45
49
60
46
50
61
47
50
61
48
51
63
49
51
64
no
52
64
570 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
OFFICE BUILDINGS.
First Class, Steel Frame.
Years Depreciation Years Depreciation
1 2$ 14 16£
2 4 15 16
36 16 17
4 7 17 18
58 18 19
6 10 19 19
7 10 20 20
8 12 21 20
9 13 22 21
10 13 23 21
11 14 24 22
12 15 25 22
13 15
In addition to this depreciation on individual buildings
there was often a special depreciation in Cleveland used for
locations that had become undesirable for their original pur-
pose, etc.; and there was usually a discount of 10 per cent,
on residence property facing street-car lines.
NO ALLOWANCE: — This question of depreciation is seldom
understood or attended to by the average citizen when build-
ing for investment. He gets a rent that may return 10 per
cent, per annum on the cost of the property, but there are
several items to be deducted before the net income is found.
One of these items is depreciation.
Disregarding the value of the lot, which may increase or
decrease in value, or be leased, let us consider a case where
a $5000 house brings in $40 per month, and that a deduction
has been made for the lease or return for the lot, leaving the
$40 for the building proper. Rental agencies usually calcu-
late one month per annum for vacancies, and there are also
insurance, taxes and repairs to consider. A depreciation of
l1/^ per cent, per annum cuts off $75, or practically $6 per
month. The net amount is really only $34. If depreciation
is not allowed there will be nothing to show at the end of
the 66% years. There will thus be a dead loss of $5000.
The answer to that is that few of us look forward 66%
years. We may take more thought for the morrow than we
should, but not such a long look ahead as two generations.
CHAPTER XXXVII.
PHYSICAL VALUATION. GENERAL PRINCIPLES.
In constructing large buildings a double ladder is often
made. It is wide enough for one man to go up while another
is coming down.
If A. stands at the foot of this ladder on the first floor, and
B. at the top on the second, and each begins to use it, it is
clear that if A. takes two steps while B. takes only one he
will be on the second floor at the time when his slower
brother is but half-way down.
RISE AND FALL: — In this illustration A. stands for an ap-
preciation made by a rise in prices, and B. for a deprecia-
tion caused by the law of natural decay. There is no fixed
proportion as is indicated above, and, indeed, when prices
are falling the operation of the law is totally changed. The
depreciation would not be offset by any rise in the price list,
and B. would reach his floor, while A. would have to remain
stationary or descend into the cellar. But the principle of the
forces working against each other holds on a rising market.
Owing to change in prices the physical valuation made the
one year has to be revised the next, no matter how carefully
it is done. Everyone engaged in this kind of work should
understand the causes that make careful computations out
of date almost before they are summarized.
UNIT: — Of course a structure in itself does not become more
valuable, but goes down hill from the day it is built. When
we say that the $8000 house is worth $8300 the year after
construction, all we mean is that wages and material have
risen in price, and that we are regarding the dollar value
only.
There may be some causes at work that seem to make
buildings more valuable, as value is expressed in dollars, but
this appreciation does not hold when a comparison is made
571
572 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
with other structures or commodities, One building worth
40, or any other, percentage of another still retains that rela-
tion regardless of whether prices are high or low.
HIGH PRICES: — For an illustration of a period that was
marked by a rise in prices, but that yet left structures on the
same relative plane of values, we have the 21 years ending
in 1910. The price of building materials rose, and so did the
wages of mechanics. For the best class of fireproof struc-
tures, so built as to last, say, a couple of centuries, the dollar
value was greater in 1910 than in the low price year of 1897.
Lumber and building materials which were then listed at 94
were 196 in 1910; and wages had also gone up, although not
in the same proportion. The half of one per cent, of depre-
ciation in a structure fit to last for two hundred years was
made up, so far as is expressed in dollars, by the general rise
in prices. It is, therefore, not a safe guide to go to the books
of a company or individual to find out the original cost of im-
provements, and work solely from that basis on any ordi-
nary theory of depreciation to get present valuation.
The period from 1890 to 1910 shows that book values have
been rendered worthless owing to the change in prices. If
a detailed estimate is made of a structure at current rates,
that is another matter.
DATA: — We are helped considerably in this investigation by
the publication of a Bulletin of the Bureau of Labor, from
the Department of Commerce and Labor, Washington, D. C.
This Report is so thorough that it is unnecessary to go be-
yond it for data. It was issued in March, 1911. In it there
are 200 pages taken up with the wholesale prices of 257 lead-
ing commodities from 1890 to 1910 inclusive.
A summary of the conclusions of the Department is that
"Wholesale prices during 1910 were 19.1 per cent, higher
than, in 1900; 46.7 per cent, higher than in 1897, the year of
lowest prices in the 21-year period from 1890 to 1910; 16.6
per cent, higher than in 1890; and 31.6 per cent, higher than
the average price for the 10 years 1890 to 1899."
PHYSICAL VALUATION — GENERAL PRINCIPLES 573
"Wholesale prices in March, 1910, were higher than at any
time in the preceding 21 years, being 10.2 per cent, higher
than in August, 1908, 7.5 per cent, higher than in March,
1909, 21.1 per cent, higher than the average yearly price of
1900, and 49.2 per cent, higher than the average yearly price
of 1897."
In the face of such forked lightning changes the best phy-
sical valuation that was ever made is good only for the
month it was finished, and a year from date may be entirely
obsolete. Before beginning depreciation the reproduction
value must be first established.
"Comparing 1910 with 1909," continues the Bulletin, "the
group of commodities showing the greatest increase in prices
was lumber and building materials, the increase in the group
as a whole being 10.7 per cent."
RISE: — In the building material group there are 28 items
listed. In 1910, therefore, so much of these materials as had
been put in place in a structure in 1909 were worth practi-
cally 10 per cent. more. Even admitting the accuracy of the
depreciation table given on page 311 of the "Estimator," we
find that sheathing, for example, is allowed a life of 50 years,
or a depreciation of 2 per cent, per annum. Assuming that
the cost was $25 per M, the fall during the year 1909-1910 on
100,000 ft. B. M. would be $50; but the increase would amount
to $250. Carried all through a large building a percentage
like this amounts to a substantial figure. The depreciation
is more than blotted out by the appreciation in prices of ma-
terials, and if wages have risen also, the case is even more
pronounced.
Sometimes, however, commodities that used to be brought
long distances, or even imported from another country are
lowered in price by being manufactured where required.
Pressed brick are cheaper in many parts of the country
than they were in 1900, for example; and Portland cement
that once sold for $3.50 from Germany, or England, may be
had for half the price.
574
THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
RELATIVE PRICES OF ALL COMMODITIES, 1890 TO 1910.
[Average for 1890 to 1899=100.0.]
RfUTM
micfs
100 1691 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 !89tl699 f900 1961 IWi I9& 1964- OK t96C I90J 1966 1969 1910
134
132
130
128
126
124-
122
120
118
116
114.
112
no.
108
106
104.
102
100
96
96
94
92
90
86
/
/
/
\
/
/
\
7
/
\
/
\
/
1
\
/
^
/
/
/
/
/
/
;
/
^*>
^^^^
/
X,
i
1
\
1
\
f
\
1
\
1
\
\
I
I
i
I
\
I
\
y
\
/
\
/
\
/
\
/
/
s
/
5
/
^
\
/
\
/
^^
/
PHYSICAL VALUATION GENERAL PRINCIPLES 575
WAGES, ETC.:— The accompanying table from page 319 of
the Bulletin tells the story of the general rise in prices for
the 21 years. As a matter of arithmetic, all wages, salaries,
rents, pensions, income from bonds, interest accounts from
savings banks, etc., should have risen in the same propor-
tion, in order that those drawing them should be able to buy
the same quantities of the 257 commodities listed by the
government Bulletin. The units to be considered are Things
to be purchased, and not Dollars. The reproduction value of
a building has to be expressed in Things — lumber, iron,
paint, glass, hardware, plaster — before we begin to even think
of depreciation.
Many of the great strikes that have vexed this country,
and European countries, have simply been the outbursts of
men and women who could not get the same allowance of
Things that their incomes formerly provided. The materials
for a house, for example, cost far more than they used to.
Boards listed in the government table at 98.1 in 1890, and at
90.6 in 1898, are 140.3 in 1903 and 200.1 in 1910. The wages
or income would have to be more than twice as much in 1910
as in 1890 to get the same number of feet of boards for a
cottage.
A general view of the rise in building material for the 21
years is given in the accompanying table taken from page
322 of the Bulletin; and an average basis for each year from
1900 to 1910 in the list from page 328.
The reason why so many fail to grasp the underlying prin-
ciple of fluctuating values is that they assume the monetary
standard to be fixed. Instead of being a "constant," how-
ever, it is a "variable," just like potatoes or boards. Gold
buys brick, but brick and steel beams buy gold. A great
flood of gold would change all our physical valuations. For
this reason it is commonly agreed among the authorities of
all nations that a commodity basis is the best one for a cur-
rency. But it is hard to get one, and we have to keep to
gold and watch it rise and fall.
576
THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
PRICES OF BUILDING MATERIAL.
Year or
Month
Metals and Implements
Lumber and building materials
Relative
Price i
Per cent of increase —
Relative
Price *
Per cent of increase-
In 1910
over each
Preced-
ing Year
In Decem-
ber, 1910,
over each
Preceding
Month of
Year
In 1910
over each
preced
ing year
In De-
cember
1910,over
each Pre-
ceding
Month
or year
40.9
44.3
52.1
53.5
62.4
66.2
67.5
73.0
63.3
47.8
35.2
34.0
31.6
28.8
27.5
22.5
11.6
6.5
17.5
13.0
2.1
4.8
3.2
3.4
2.9
3.4
3.2
1.8
.8
.3
.3
2.1
1890
119.2
111.7
106.0
100.7
90.7
92.0
93.7
86.6
86.4
114.7
120.5
111.9
117.2
117.6
109.6
122.5
135.2
143.4
125.4
124.8
128.5
129.7
129.3
128.9
131.5
129.9
129.1
128.2
127.0
127.0
127.2
127.1
126.8
7.8
15.0
21.2
27.6
41.7
39.7
37.1
48.4
48.7
12.0
6.6
14.8
9.6
9.3
17.2
4.9
25.0
2 10.4
2.5
3.0
6.4
13.5
19.6
25.9
39.8
37.8
35.3
46.4
46.8
10.5
5.2
13.3
8.2
7.8
15.7
3.5
2 6.2
2 11.6
1.1
1.6
2 1.3
2 2.2
2 1.9
2 1.6
2 3.6
2 2.4
2 1.8
2 1.1
2.2
2.2
2.3
2.2
111.0
108.4
102.8
101.9
96.3
94.1
93.4
90.4
95.8
105.8
115.7
116.7
118.8
121.4
122.7
127.7
140.1
146.9
133.1
138.4
153.2
149.3
151.5
151.3
152.0
151.2
151.6
153.2
155.6
155.9
155.9
156.5
156.4
38.0
41.3
49.0
50.3
59.1
62.8
64.0
69.5
59.9
44.8
32.4
31.3
29.0
26.2
24.9
20.0
9.4
4.3
15.1
10.7
1891
1892
1893
1894
1895 . .
1896
1897
1898
1899
1900
1901 . ...
1902
1903
1904
1905
1906 .
1907
1908
1909
1910
1910
January ....
February . . .
March
April . .
May
June
July
August
September . .
October
November . .
December . .
1 Average for 1890-1899 = 100.0. 2 Decrease.
PHYSICAL VALUATION GENERAL PRINCIPLES 577
AVERAGE PRICES
Metals and Implements Lumber and Building Material
1900 . ..120.5 1900 115.7
1901 111.9 1901 116.7
1902 117.2 1902 118.8
1903 117.6 1903 121.4
1904 ...109.6 1904 122.7
1905 122.5 1905 127.7
1906 135.2 1906 140.1
1907 143.4 1907 146.9
1908 125.4 1908 133.1
1909 124.8 1909 138.4
1910 128.5 1910 153.2
IF BOOK VALUES are taken, a start should be made on
the basis of the figures given for the year of erection, and
the rise or fall of prices made to suit the year of valuation.
As many materials entering into a building are not listed
in the Government Bulletin it would either be necessary to
find out the percentage of rise or fall for them also, or to as-
sume that the general average found for the 28 applied to all.
When the difference in wages is considered, say, between
1893 and 1911 another factor comes in to make trouble, and
modify original costs.
BIDS: — Of course, all through it has to be remembered that
responsible bidders often vary on their bids from a few dol-
lars to 20 per cent, and over. How or why it would be hard
to say, but we know that it is done; and thus book values
"cooked" up to suit a percentage of rise or fall in prices
would probably come as close to the real value as the bid of
some contractor. Really, the only safe method is to take off
a bill of material and figure up the building in the regular
way, adding a contractor's profit, and an architect's percent-
age. But unless for special buildings this is not necessary
for assessors or Railway Commissions.
MATERIALS:— The building materials listed in the Bulletin
are common brick, cement, lime, hemlock, red cedar and cy-
press shingles, pine, maple, oak of various kinds, boards of
various kinds, glass of various kinds, poplar, white lead, tur-
pentine, linseed oil, tar, putty, doors, and oxide of zinc.
578
THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
Another list headed "Metals and Implements" includes
many materials used in building, such as bar and pig iron,
builders' hardware, nails, copper, lead pipe, steel rails, sheets
and billets, and tin.
Steel rails are averaged at 121.9 in 1890, 92.1 in 1894, 107.9
in 1899, 123.9 in 1900, 104.9 in 1901, and — singularly enough —
107.4 from 1902 to 1910 inclusive. Builders' hardware rises
from 103.7 in 1890 to 216.1 in 1910, but nails fall from 131.2
to 94.4 in the same period. The general rise in this Metal
and Implement group has been already given.
The accompanying Table on building material was used in
the Cleveland Valuation, that went into effect in December,
1911. It was compiled from the figures given by the Bureau
of Labor. It is supposed to be used for a general figure, and
not for 23 items only, as in the 1911 Bulletin. Thus, the ma-
terial in a building valued at $111.8 in 1890 would be listed
at $146.9 in 1907.
RELATIVE
WHOLESALE
PRICES OF BUILDING
MATERIAL.
Per cent, of
Relative
increase of 1907
Year.
price.
prices over pre-
ceding years.
1890
111.8
31.4
1891
108.4
35.5
1892
102.8
42.9
1893
101.9
44.2
1894
96.3
52.5
1895
94.1
56.1
1896
93.4
57.3
1897
90.4
62.5
1898
95.8
53.3
1899
105.8
38.8
1900
115.7
27.0
1901
116.7
25.9
1902
118.8
23.7
1903
121.4
21.0
1904
122.7
19.7
1905
127.7
15.0
1906
140.1
4.9
1907
146.9
PHYSICAL VALUATION GENERAL PRINCIPLES 579
"That is to say," explain the compilers of the Table, "the
1907 prices are 4.9 per cent, higher than the 1906 prices, 15
per cent, higher than the 1905 prices, etc." The 1910 index
prices on further investigation proved to be about the same
as in the year of 1907."
HOUSES: — In an investigation in Philadelphia of the cost
of standard 2-story dwellings of a cheap type, apart from the
value of the land, the following table was made out:
Year Cost Year Cost Year Cost
1895 $1458 1899 $1588 1904 $1981
1896 1484 1900 1712 1905 2038
1897 1567 1901 1746 1906 2500
1S98 1595 1902 1756 1907 2093
1903 1821
The general rise is seen in the table, which starts at prac-
tically $1500 and ends at more than $2000.
ARCHITECTS: — In addition to the increased cost of ma-
terials and labor, many architects have raised their percent-
age on small buildings, and especially on residences. Some
charge as high as 10 per cent.; but there are others who do
work for as low as 3. All factors have to be taken into ac-
count before finishing a physical valuation.
CAUSES: — One discouraging feature of this physical valua-
tion of large properties is the continual change of prices.
Everyone engaged in this work should understand some of
the main causes for the changes, even if they lead into an-
other field of investigation, for prices are going to rise in the
future.
The Government Bulletin does not go very far into this
side of the question. "The causes are too complex," it is
said, "the relative influence of each too uncertain, in some
cases involving too many economic questions, to permit their
discussion in the present report."
Some of the influences are given, however. They are "va-
riations in harvest, which contract or expand supply, and so
increase and decrease price, not only of the particular com-
modity itself, but of others dependent upon it; changes in de-
580 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
mand due to changes in fashions and seasons; inspection as
to purity of food, etc.; improvements in methods of produc-
tion; cheapening of transportation or handling; cornering of
products; panics; expanding or contracting credit; unusual
demand; short supply; organization or combination; and all
hinging on one another."
GOLD: — But the chief cause of all is ignored. This is the
startling increase in the supply of gold.
We are far enough away from the free silver, "16 to 1"
days to look at this question in a somewhat more dispassion-
ate manner than was then common. One of the main argu-
ments against the theory was that all fixed incomes, sal-
aries, returns from bonds, etc., would have had less purchas-
ing power — in other words, that prices would have risen.
The mortgage or bond would have been satisfied with the
same number of dollars, but the owners of such securities
would not have been able to get an equal number of feet of
lumber, or quantity of other commodities. This theory was
correct. The same cause is operating now to raise prices,
and will continue to operate, only the gold that was lauded
to the skies in 1890-96 is the main factor that is disturbing
all values.
Two specially good articles on the subject appeared in
Success Magazine for August, 1907, and the Atlantic Monthly
for October, the same year. The one is entitled, "The Flood
of Gold;" and the other, "The Gold Output and the Higher
Cost of Living." These articles, like many others appearing
in the eastern publications, give the key to the chief trouble
with physical valuations that mount the appreciating side of
the ladder at a faster rate than they go down the depreciat-
ing one.
The Success article says that from 1821 to 1840 the entire
world's production of gold was averaged at $11,446,000; from
1896 to 1905, $305,760,000; in 1907, about $425,000,000. The
Financial Chronicle gives the figures for 1909 at $455,965,831;
for 1910, $455,984,828; and for 1911, $460,000,000.
PHYSICAL VALUATION GENERAL PRINCIPLES 581
The New York World Almanac gives the gold production
for 1893 at $157,494,800; for 1900 as $254,576,300; for 1908 as
$441,932,200. The same authority gives $113,996,000 as used
in the arts over all the world. Making all allowance for ar-
tistic requirements and increase of population, that require
more currency, it is yet seen how the figures are leaping.
The Success writer says, "Even as late as 1848 the total
amount of gold was only $2,800,000,000. Beyond a doubt we
shall duplicate this amount in the next six years." The fig-
ures for 1911 show that is being done. "The medium by
which all values are determined has almost doubled in ten
years." "The gold standard is doomed."
The conservative "Republican," of Springfield, Mass., also
says that a more unstable and dishonest dollar than the yel-
low one does not exist.
A clear presentation of the effect of gold production on
prices is given in the Saturday Evening Post for March 16,
1912. The theory accepted in the article is that if gold in-
creases the price of buildings, and everything else must rise.
If this increased production continues we might go on for
ever making physical valuations and find them worthless in
a comparatively short period.
CONTINGENCIES: — When making original estimates for
groups of buildings it is customary to allow 10 per cent, for
contingencies. In making a valuation after they are built,
however, there are no contingencies to be taken into account.
In Minnesota an allowance of 5 per cent, was nevertheless
allowed by the State. This matter is settled when the gen-
eral summary of all the factors in a complete railroad is made
and the part of a building appraiser is to allow contractor's
prolit, architect's percentage, and end there.
INTEREST during construction and such items are all at-
tended to in the general summary. There may be quite a
few of such accounts that have to be added at the end. There
are store expenses, for instance, sometimes set at 5 per cent,
on the material delivered, and use of tools and equipment on
construction charged for at 2 per cent, on the total.
582 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
SEVERAL FACTORS: — After the physical valuation of a
railroad is made the work is only well started. A celebrated
Frenchman once gave the right rule for doing anything. It
ran, "First of all, define your terms." The cost of a railroad
is not its value, reproduction value is an indefinite term,
there is, or there is not such a thing as depreciation, and so
on, words without end, Amen.
Some believe in public ownership of railroads and other
utilities, and others do not. Regardless of which is right,
it may be safely concluded that few men are doing more for
the success of thepublic ownership theory than the lawyers
who take hold of a physical valuation and make a rubber
band of it, stretched long or short to suit the side that hired
them. Regulation has failed in some countries and govern-
ment ownership has come. Those who do not like that
should do their best to get everything connected with their
particular semi-public utility regulated on a fair basis.
The Supreme Court of Minnesota considered that the cost
of reproduction is practically the only element necessary to
be considered by the state in fixing rates; the Supreme Court
of the United States declared this to be only one element of
several. The Washington State Commission before determin-
ing the market value ascertained
(1) The original cost of construction.
(2) Cost of reproduction new.
(3) The depreciated value.
(4) The amount and market value of outstanding stocks
and bonds.
<5) The density of population and traffic.
(6) The nature and permanency of population and traffic.
(7) Facilities for doing business.
(8) The physical conditions under which the road is
operated.
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
PHYSICAL VALUATION. DETAILS.
TOOLS: — When A. B. C. is sent to measure up for appraisal
railroad buildings stretching over several hundred miles of
a state, he is almost sure to forget to take something with
him that is as valuable as a tape line, a long rule, and a note
book. That is a kodak. Some one has said that an ounce of
notes taken on the place is worth a pound of recollection;
and a small picture brings back features of a building in a
way that the memory alone can never do. With field notes,
memory, and a picture of any special structure, or unusual
part connected with it, the office work of figuring up and sum-
marizing the items becomes almost as easy as if one were on
the ground. It is quite often possible to get a picture of a
railroad building for a few cents, as most towns have their
prominent improvements photographed.
A good set of plans makes the best picture of any build-
ing, especially if there is a specification with them, but they
are not always obtainable, and actual measurements have
to be taken, often in the dark cf a basement, or up in smoky
roofs thick with the dust of a quarter century.
CHANGES: — Even if plans are provided it is not safe to rely
upon them without an examination of the special structures.
Some buildings shown on a yard plan have been taken down
or have been burned, and others have been added to until the
original structure is scarcely recognizable from the plans.
BLANKS: — About the poorest way of conducting such an in-
vestigation is to oblige the valuator to make notes on every-
thing connected w;ih a building. The city of St. Paul, with
about 25,000 building, and 150.000 lots, was measured for
assessment about the beginning cf this century under the
Somers svstem; ard *v»e s*m» svstem was used in Cleve-
land in 1910 to anr^a'pe IOOPAO buildings, and 145,000 par-
cels cf land. Ela^ -«? -- rrp ivr^ed in each case, and the
583
584 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
descriptions of the buildings merely filled in with a circle
over the selected word. This is not only a quicker way of
getting the necessary information, but a surer, for it is hard
for a man with a notebook to get all the hundreds of items
in each building. It is true, as has been pointed out by one
Railroad Commission, that no one blank can be made to em-
brace everything, but it is easy to attend to any unusual fea-
tures. There are so many items in a building connected with
excavation, piling, concrete, steel frame, brickwork, cut stone,
carpentry and millwork, plaster, plumbing, heating, paint,
sheet metal, skylights, electrical work, floor and wall tile,
roofing, piping under and over, floors and sidewalks, that it is
not only wasteful of time to follow the notebook method
alone, but decidedly unfair to the estimator. Printing is
cheap, and blanks pay for themselves a hundred times over.
In Cleveland, for example, a city badly cut up with creeks,
rivers, runs, valleys, railroads, lake coast, and inequalities
in general, and thus hard to value, the cost of making out an
entirely new assessment roll for 145,000 parcels of land was
only 87 cents each. Philadelphia pays $3.40; the New York
yearly revision cost 99 cents.
When a physical valuation of this kind is once carried
through it is an easy matter to keep it up to date. If prices
rise a percentage can be added to the building; and the
usual allowance deducted for depreciation. The people of
Vancouver have ended the system of taxing buildings, and
raise the necessary funds for city expenses from land values
only. This is an excellent law for architects and builders,
as it almost compels the owners of vacant property to build
in order to get returns for the city treasurer, and it exempts
their building when finished. In 1901 the population of Van-
couver was about 26,000; in 1911, 130.000,
Here, then, we have some requirements for appraising
almost any building or property — tape line, long rule to reach
high, kodak, notebook, and, above all, printed blanks.
A sample of the blanks used in Cleveland is given here-
with. The small circles are put over the necessary word.
PHYSICAL VALUATION — DETAILS 585
Examined. ../^.*?r???V../.s?. .1910
one side of one ol Duple*
double house row bouse
No. .......
Assistant Assessor
NO..
Material -siding drop. lap. shiQles. br&. common,
stone, cut. rough, concrete tile T. C. Trimmii „ .
.t«fle. cQ. rough T. C.. brick, woo?. Upon a foundation ol
stone, brflk. tile, concrete, posts. «"»"' floor ^et above ground
Dimensions— vfo& 40ty wide, deep, wide, deep, wide; deep.
*J story wide deep, Wide, deep. wide. deep. s£lSH
0L~ high
Injections -One^tjry two story three story tower
bay window bay window bay window I
/OS&7-1-
Boof-shingrles, slO. tile: srravel. composition, tin. copper. Hip. gaCJ,
flat, mansard • donjjjs or gatjto Cornjceplffll. orna.
mental, -wo0. metal, stone, T. C.
Ditisloua— nasement. celO. unOrwhOe. frout^ middle, year, containing.
1st story, h^> parlor. sitQif .library, diAtf - kitc»O. **th bed
room. rooTu. room, room
2nd story. bed3bm. bath rOm. otherQ»n»
3rd story, bed rooms. bath room oiher room*
4th story bed bath other Attlc,
'_,
room, room, rooms nN finished.
Inside Fiuisli- Main part, lower story ornamental. plaO. hardUGod. pinO
dt3X>aint. Upper story hardwoQ. piO ojQpaint
Heating—stoves furnace. hot Oter. steam. combination.
Water -Open city. in yard. base- first second third
well nient. story story story
wa9f *"*£. lau-*y si^K barn pluinMn? opQ closed
g -Gas EledQlc. Oil Fixtures P1&.Q OrnaQntal
Drainage -Cesspool. seOt. Building in g<^3> fair. bad. repair.
Vacant. occufi^J. ownQ tepaut. who estimQts. pays, rent a
per month* states buildings were constructed in
Name of OO1*. Agent Tenant.
586 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
It u&
V-T7... — Kate ..... .....£*•*•— per~ ....-..$" ...... — square .......... $ — .—..-foot-.......-
Barn, -wood.. brick, stone, wfile. deep. stories high
contains «talls. livin* room$
Sidewalk -wood. st<O. cement, brick. o0 wood. sto0. granite
Condition, BoQ, fair bad.
tot Surface —uGk uneven; about / feet «bO- below grade
Uaru $ ...... _ .......................... _ ........ Blu Board ................................. ........ ; ......
A literal reading of these markings is as follows:
READING OF BUILDING SLIP.
District 29, Map 1, Block 2, Lot 4, Page 76, Line 14;
Examined March 15, 1910.
A single house, No. 10720 Laurel Avenue, S. W. The
lower story constructed of pressed brick; the upper story
frame; covered with shingles. Plain cut stone trimmings on
lower story and wood trimmings on the upper story. Built
upon a foundation of brick, the main floor being three feet
above the surface of the ground.
Dimensions, 25 feet wide by 37 feet deep, two stories high.
Projections, one 1-story bay window; a front porch 13x6, a
side porch 10x22, and a rear porch 5x4. Roof slate in gable
form, containing three dormer windows and two gables.
Finished with a plain cornice of wood.
Cellar under the whole house, containing storage room,
water closet, heating plant, and laundry tubs.
First floor has a hall, sitting room, dining room and kit-
chen; second floor has three bed rooms, one bath and one
other room. There are two rooms finished in the attic. The
main part of the lower story is finished in hard wood and
pine, dressed in oil. Upper story the same.
It is heated by a hot water system. The house has city
water in one bath room, two water closets, two wash basins,
laundry tubs and two sinks. Plumbing is open.
The house is lighted by electricity and has both plain and
ornamental fixtures. Drainage is by a sewer.
PHYSICAL VALUATION — DETAILS 587
The building is in good condition, occupied by the owner,
who estimates that it would rent for $35 per month, and
states that the building was constructed in 1909.
The sidewalk in front of this property is stone with a stone
curb in good condition. The lot surface is level about one
foot above the grade of the street.
From the foregoing reading of the building slip, this build-
ing is placed in Class 4, of Building Schedule No. 1, as a two-
story house, plus three points on account of the large porch
areas and on account of the lower story being brick, making
the price read $4.80 per square foot; less depreciation for one
year makes the net price $4.60 per square foot. The area of
the building being 962 square feet, this gives $4,483, as the
present value of the building, as it is located in a district
where dwelling houses are not depreciated, it is placed on
the duplicate at that sum.
SQUARE FOOT:— In city valuations for taxation the square
foot method is the nearest approach to a detailed estimate
that is used. In most cities the assessor merely guesses at
the value, or takes a figure from the newspapers or other
hearsay — and the department watches the transfers of real
estate. Much railroad property in a physical valuation, in
addition to standard buildings always taken by the square
foot, has to be valued by this quick method to save time, but
almost all builders would agree with the opinion quoted at
the bottom of page 449, this book.
TABLES: — There is another method that goes a little more
into detail, but stops far short of taking off the quantities in
the regular way. This is by using the tables, and figures
given from pages 11 to 40 in this Estimator. Brick walls
are not hard to estimate, if the building is of masonry, and
then floors, partitions, ceilings, roof, and all plain work is
measured up and a price per square set to suit local rates.
Plaster is easily found by using the tables on pages 415-424,
windows and doors are allowed at so much per opening, in-
cluding hardware, painting can be guessed at in a lump sum,
and so can plumbing, and usually heating, but the latter can
588 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
be checked by the figures given elsewhere for the cubic foot
of space. This method I used on many buildings to save
time, and also to get a more reliable valuation than is possi-
ble under the square foot system.
SPECIALS: — Engine houses, ice houses, and platforms are
so plain that there is usually no necessity of estimating them
in detail, for the price per stall and per square foot is well
enough known among railroad men. But, on the other hand,
some small special buildings such, for example, as fireproof
oil houses, may run to twice the cost that one would judge
upon a first examination, and the only way to be safe is to
follow the contractor's method. In the chapter on square
foot costs it is pointed out that the smaller the building the
greater is the unit in dollars per sq. ft. The detailed estimate
is made up in rather a slow way. It has been calculated by
a lumber dealer that there are in a $3000 house from 45,000
to 50,000 separate pieces of wood. But this includes all mill-
work, with doors and sash estimated according to the num-
ber of pieces, shingles taken separately, floor and other
boards the same way.
I have made out the following Schedule for more items
than are usually met with in any one building, but the ones
not required are to be left blank. To save confusion in val-
uing buildings in large railroad shop grounds, a strict line
should be drawn between the buildings proper and the yard
work. Everything inside of the structure should belong to
it, but nothing outside, unless directly connected with the
main unit. Sometimes there are concrete tanks, compressed
air tanks, or subways that belong more properly to the
building than to the yard systems. But as far as possible
the yard work and building work ought to be listed sepa-
rately.
PHYSICAL VALUATION DETAILS
589
MAIN SCHEDULE
Name of architect
Date of erection
Date of erection of any addi-
tions
Grading of site
Grading for building proper
Filling of site
Filling building proper
Excavation
Piles
Concrete
Brickwork
Reinforced concrete
Granite, outside and inside
Stonework
Cut stone, or other trimming,
outside or inside
Carving
Fireproofing
Structural steel and iron
Ornamental iron
Lumber
Millwork and glass
Carpenter labor
Hardware
Roofing
Galvanized iron, or other sheet
metal work
Skylights
Plaster
Floors, other than wood
Plumbing, to bldg. lines only
Marble work
Clocks
Piping
Water filter
Heating
Drinking fountains
Elevators and dumb waiters
Electrical work
Fire escapes
Fire shutters
Fire alarm system
Telephone system, bldg. only
Call buzzer system, bldg. only
Vault doors
Lockers
Refrigerator
Scales, not portable
Painting
Papering and decorating
Tanks and vats
Awnings and shades
Platforms, directly connected
only
Tracks, inside of bldg. only
Turntables and pits
Removing old buildings
Fences, for bldg. only
Retaining and other walls at
bldg.
Sidewalks, for bldg. only
Paving, for bldg. only
Curbing, for bldg. only
Miscellaneous
Contractor's percentage
Architect's percentage.
There is no space for contingencies. On a completed struc-
ture there is no percentage required for this item.
Most of the items in the main sheet have to be subdivided.
The idea is not only to save time with such blanks, but to
make sure that all items are included. It is not hard to over-
look an important item when doing field work, and the neces-
sary data can not afterwards be secured without expense. It
590
THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
would be easy to neglect to get th'e height of a wall, or to
note down the fact that pressed brick were used, and so with
other details.
DETAILED SCHEDULE
EXCAVATION:—
(See pages 40-42)
Engineer's fee
Main
Boiler room
Special depths
Pits, engine, coach, drop, etc.
Subways and pipes
Sump, cistern, well
Steam hammer (See p. 234)
Machine foundations (See
page 41)
Footings
Piers, inside and outside
Backfilling
Grading around building
Nature of soil — rock, loose
or solid, gravel, earth, mud
Testing expense
Blasting
Disposing of dirt
PILING: —
Wood
Concrete
Sheet
FOOTINGS:— (for all items
under Excavation)
Concrete
Concrete forms ^
Stone
Brick
Cement stone
Plank
Concrete ducts
Dwarf walls
Piers
Drains
Area walls
Porches
Chimneys
Waterproofing
BASEMENT WALLS— to 1st
floor level: —
Concrete
Rubble
Cut stone
Bricks
Cement stone
Hollow tile
Plank
Whitewashing
BRICKWORK:—
Thickness of all walls, hight,
etc.
Walls above basement — from
floor to floor
Garden walls, etc.
Common
Hollow tile
Pressed, quality, how laid
(ordinary bond, Flemish,
etc.)
Molded
Reveals, how deep
Arch
Arches, common
Fire
Fireplace
Wall coping
Enamel
Enamel molded
Pilasters
Cornices
Veneering
Flue linings
Sidewalk arches
Boiler setting
Cesspool
PHYSICAL VALUATION DETAILS
591
Cistern
Piers
Waterproofing
Pointing and washing
Well
Septic tank
Paving
Plastering walls with cem-
ent mortar, asphaltum,
etc.
Chimneys
Anchors, tie-rods, ashpit
doors, thimbles
CHIMNEY STACKS:—
Common brick, round, square
Radial brick
Self-sustaining steel
Guyed steel
Reinforced concrete
GRANITE OR MARBLE:—
Plain
Squared
Molded
Polished
Columns
Steps
Fountains or ornamental
work
STONEWORK:—
Kind of stone
Rubble
Ashlar, rock faced, squared
Ashlar, smoothed
Ashlar, hammer dressed
Ashlar, 2 and 1 work
Ashlar, thickness, average
Ashlar, rustic
Carvings
Belt courses
Columns
Steps
Sills
Lintels
Ornamental work
Coping
Caps
Base
. Cornice
Brackets
Pointing
Washing
Backing
TRIMMINGS:— (Outside and
Inside
Cut stone
"Terra cotta
Artificial stone
Water table
Sills
Lintels
Coping
Band courses
Steps
Ornamental
FIREPROOFING:—
Doors and interior finish
Floors
Ceilings
Roof
Partitions
Stairs
Columns
Beams
Walls
Plaster on outside
Other finishes on outside
Steel reinforcement
Forms
Concrete
Nails and wire
HAULING OR FREIGHT AL-
LOWANCE for entire
building
STEEL AND IRON:—
Grillage in concrete footings
Columns, steel or cast iron
Anchors and straps
Stirrups
Separators and bolts
592
THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
Tie rods and castings
Columns, steel or cast iron
Girders
Trusses
Lintels
Runways for cranes, etc.
Shelving
Steps and railings
Cast plates
Column bases
Floor beams
Roof beams
Ceiling framework
Bracing
Tanks
Caps and bases
Bolts
Cleanout doors
Coal hole covers
Coal chute
Gratings
Railings
Entrance plates
Threshold
Safety treads
Chimney caps
Chimney archors
Metal doors and frames
Metal shutters
Wheel guards
Sidewalk doors
Sidewalk lights
Flag poles '
Fire escapes
Fire ladders
Fire standpipes
Fire brackets
Shelving
Erection
ORNAMENTAL IRON
Vault doors, etc., fixtures
Grilles for windows, etc.
Screens
Elevator fronts, sides,
grilles, glass, etc.
Stairs and railings
Gates
Window guards
Lamp posts
Lamp brackets, standards
Kick and push plates
Cornices
Posts
Downspouts
Mail chute
Lockers
Miscellaneous: canopies, mar-
quises, heads, balconies
LUMBER:—
Walls
Posts
, Sills
Girders
Joists and sleepers
Bridging
Under floors
Upper floors
Partitions
Ceilings, frame
Ceilings, woodcovering
Roof framing
Roof covering
Furring and grounds
Corner boards
Cornice, base, etc.
Siding or shingles
Asbestos shingles
Asphalt shingles
Other special covering
Tower, flag pole ,
Porches
Special work
Building papers
Fences, sidewalks, etc (tem-
porary)
Coal bins, basement work
MILLWORK:—
Outside finish
Kind of wood
Frames
Doors, and finish
PHYSICAL VALUATION — DETAILS
593
Windows, and finish
Windows, including glass
Interior partitions with glass
Store front
Ceiling sash
Weather strips
Transoms
Bulletin boards
All stairs or steps
Base and picture mold
Plate rail
Chair rail
Chalk rail
Cornice, ceiling
Beams, ceiling
Glass, plate
Glass, special (sideboard,
bookcase, mirror, prism
Glass, leaded
Glass, prism
Glass, floor
Upper floors (see lumber)
Paneling, outside and inside
Wainscoting in dining room,
etc.
Railings, outside and inside
Blinds, outside and inside
Columns, outside and inside
Pantries
Cases, drawer, book
Mantels
Sideboard
Medicine cab.
Seats
Clothes chute
Refrigerator
China closets
Hook strips and shelving
Storm doors and windows
Fly screens
Factory doors and windows
Porches, and sash or screens
Brackets
(See pages 180 to 240 for
items)
Revolving door
HARDWARE:—
If work is figured by the
square the tables on pp. 14-
29 include nails. Shelf hard-
ware has to be added to
doors and windows. (See pp.
228-234 for items.)
ROOFING:—
Asbestos
Slate
Tile
Gravel and slag
Prepared
Shingle under lumber)
SHEET METAL WORK:—
Roof, tin, galv. iron, copper,
zinc, lead or shingles
Ventilators and registers
Ordinary skylights
Speaking tubes
Piping for ventilators and
other systems
Cornices
. Cresting and finials
Metal ceilings
Siding
Fire windows and doors, cov-
ering
Tin clad doors
Metal windows and wire
glass
Gutters
Valleys
Conductors
Flashing
Painting
SKYLIGHTS, LARGE:—
Copper ribs and frame
Galvanized iron ribs and
frame
Charcoal iron ribs and frame
Flashing
Glass, wire
Glass, common ribbed
Netting
594
THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
PLASTER:—
(See p. 136, also 415-424)
On lath, metal
On lath, wood
On masonry
3-coat dry
2-coat
Sand finish
Cornices
Centers
Ornamental work
Sackett board
Other special finishes
Compo board
Outside plaster, kind of lath,
etc.
Outside columns, beams, etc.
Wire lath
Metal lath
Wood lath
Back plaster
Basement and attic
Wainscoting
Blackboards
Beams
Corner beads, metal
FLOORS (OTHER THAN
WOOD:—
Mosaic
Tile
Pulp
Terazzo
Concrete
Rubber
Special •
(See page 299)
Fireplaces
Bathrooms
Concrete fill
PLUMBING:—
Supply beyond bldg line
Sewer beyond bldg line
Supply and sewer inside
Drains
Soil pipes
Closets
Urinals
Sinks
Wash basins
Baths
Marble
Slate
Doors
Meters
Tubs
Water heater
Boiler
Floor traps
Grease traps
Hydrant, small
Pumps
Tanks
Valves
Boilers
Gas pipe
Vacuum cleaner and piping
Toilet doors
Toilet hardware
MARBLE, ETC.:—
Partitions
Wainscoting
Base
Ceilings
Ceilings, mosaic or tile
Casings
Moldings
Shelves
Artificial marble
Special ornamental
Caps
Thresholds
Stair treads
Stair Soffits
Stair balustrade
Cornices and beams
Columns
Pilasters
Scagliola
Arches
PHYSICAL VALUATION DETAILS
595
CLOCKS:—
In large railway stations
they may cost from $300
each to several thousands
PIPING (except for plumbing
and heating) : —
Fire protection system
Compressed air system
Gas system
Oil system
Steam, for mechanical use
Sprinkler system
Water filter supply
Main supply pipes inside
bldg.
HEATING: —
(See cost for shops, page 291)
Steam supply inside of bldg.
All galvanized or other pip-
ing, above or below floor
Fans
Coils
Expansion tank
Pipes
Radiators
Thermostat
Motors
Concrete ducts (to be taken
in footings)
Boiler, and covering
Breeching
Stack
Furnace, complete
Pipe covering
Decoration
Boiler foundation
Valves
ELEVATORS:—
Passenger
Automatic
Freight
Dumb waiters
Sidewalk lifts, for ashes,
baggage, etc.
ELECTRICAL WORK:—
Light
Power
Signal : burglar, watchman,
fire
Switchboards
Conduits, above and below
floors
Cables
Fans
Window lights
Cornice lights
Fixtures
Switches
Cabinets
Panels
Elevator Its.
Bells
Telephones
Clocks
Pole lines
(Generators and heavy
power house machinery are
not included with the build-
ing. The modern system of
electrical work is so com-
plicated that it requires a
special expert to get a fair
valuation.)
TANKS AND VATS:—
(These are not, strictly
speaking, a part of a build-
ing, but rather belong to
equipment. A builder, how-
ever, is usually better quali-
fied to get at the value than
a machinery expert.)
Oil house tanks
Oil house piping, not includ-
ing motive power machin-
ery
Oil tanks to serve various
shops
Oil furnaces, etc., when en-
closed with masonry
Lye and other vats
596
THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
PLATFORMS:—
(All outside platforms to
be included with building
only when they might rea-
sonably be considered a part
of it.)
Gravel
Wood
Brick
Concrete
Cinder
On ground level?
Or 4 ft 6 in up?
Gutters
Sewers
Curbing — wood, stone, con-
crete
PLATFORM FRAMEWORK:—
Posts
Brackets
Area of roof
Rafters
Roof covering
Gutters
Conductors
Painting
TRACKS (INSIDE OF BUILD-
INGS) : —
Standard gage, lin. ft.
Narrow gage, lin. ft.
Turntables, small, diameter
TURNTABLES AND PITS:—
Diameter
Steel
Wood
Wall, concrete
Wall, stone
Wall, brick
Wall, plank
FENCES:—
Wood
Iron
Wire
Gates
PAVING:—
Brick on edge
Brick on flat
Concrete
Stone
Asphalt
Creosoted block
CURBING:—
(See pages 97-98 of the
Estimator)
MISCELLANEOUS :—
Bins, racks, cases, small
bldgs. in yard
Bonds
Building permits
Insurance — fire and liability
Patents — allowance for use
of
Water
It is impossible to get every item in a modern building
listed, but by going over the foregoing lists as the work pro-
gresses nothing of importance will be omitted in even a large
railroad shop yard or passenger station. A good deal of in-
formation can occasionally be obtained from local contrac-
tors or others as to the value of structures with which they
have been connected; and an experienced builder knows
what many items cost without figuring them.
PHYSICAL VALUATION — DETAILS 597
A LIST OF SOME MAIN STRUCTURAL ITEMS REQUIRED
FOR VALUING A SPECIAL BUILDING FROM FIELD
NOTES.
(1) A small plan in notebook with ground sizes, and sizes
for floors above ground, if different. (If a set of plans is not
given).
(2) Depth of structure in ground, on an average, for ex-
cavation. If piles are used, approximate them at 3 ft. cen-
ters, double row.
(3) Get width and thickness of footings if obtainable.
(4) Height from top of footings to top of ground floor, if
the thickness of wall is the same clear up.
(5) Thickness of walls below the top of ground floor.
(6) Complete height of walls above the top of ground floor
to wall plate, if the thickness is the same all the way up; if
not, the height of each thickness to be taken separately. The
height of all ceilings in the clear to be taken as a check, and
to serve for plaster. If the walls are too high to be con-
veniently measured, count the courses of brickwork, or siding
boards, and average at the same number to 36 inches, say,
as those within reach. Get the thickness of all masonry
waJls, especially, and mark in the detailed sheet the qual-
ity of face brick or stone.
(7) Count all openings, and deduct the average size from
each thickness of masonry to which it belongs, multiplied
by the number.
(8) Get the area and thickness of gables. Include cop-
ing.
(9) Allow extra for all buttresses, pilasters, cornices, off-
sets, by actual measurement, and not by trade rules. If
chimneys are of the ordinary size figure per lineal foot, in-
cluding flue linings. (See page 84).
(10) Figure all inside walls, below or above ground, and
watch each story for them. Be sure to mark thickness.
(11) List all piers, with sizes, outside and inside. If small,
set a price down for them on the spot. It is often impossible
598 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
to get sizes without crawling below floors. On one shop I
listed 150 stone piers, 8 ft. deep, and 8 ft. center to center.
Even at the top where the wood girder rested they were 3'
6" square. The entire cellar was full of stone, with only a
passageway of about 3 feet between the piers at ground level.
Through all the buildings of that particular shop yard the
same system cf piers was used. It is unsafe to guess at what
is below the main floor.
(12) Measure the surface of all pressed brick work, and
count an average of molded, arch, and enamel brick.
(13) Get the area, thickness, and description of all con-
crete and other floors.
(14) Keep the list of all outside work separate — such as
paving, cesspool, retaining walls, etc., that do not strictly
form 'a part of the building, and yet belong to it. Get
heights, thicknesses, and sizes.
(15) Find the cost of the ordinary building materials, and
the local rate of wages.
(16) List all trimmings, if they are many, apart from the
brick or other masonry: — Such as cut stone, terra cotta, etc.
(17) If walls are of stone write a short description of its
quality, and get the local price. Mark the thickness of walls.
Estimate the value of carved pieces on the ground.
(18) Describe the kind of floors, and get area. Get posts,
girders, sizes and centers of joists. So with ceiling joists,
roof joists, and partitions.
(19) Figure the weight of one steel truss where there are
several, and allow bracing to suit. A better idea may be had
on the ground of weight, etc., than from notes. Consult
pages 29, 215, 216. Get diameter of cast iron columns, and
height from No. 6, this list. Give lintel widths, and depths.
List thickness of sills.
(20) Price all ornamental iron on the spot, or take a pho-
tograph.
(21) Price counters, stairs, special openings, and such
work on the ground.
(22) If a plan is made and the size of each room marked,
PHYSICAL VALUATION — DETAILS 599
all base, picture mold, and plaster, can be figured from it
along with No. 6.
(23) For plumbing, heat, electric work, and other special
installations try, locally or otherwise, to get a fair valuation
from any one in the business.
(24) Mark down your idea of percentage of value as com-
pared with a new structure.
(25) Mark down quality of glass — S. S., D. S., Plate, etc.,
on a fine building. Get size of plate.
(26) Mark down price of racks, cases, etc., on the ground.
(See Chapter entitled, Short Cuts).
(27) Get a set of plans if possible, and mark changes from
them as made on the building.
YARD WORK: — The buildings of a modern shop plant are
all connected with a network of subways, pipes and tracks.
The trackage system and everything connected with it is en-
tirely beyond the province of a builder, and is managed by
engineers; but the subways and the piping systems are often
left to him. Unless a plan can be seen, the best estimator
is he who can guess easiest what lies below the ground, and
how deep it is buried. Without a plan no one can tell the
length, diameter or thickness of the heavy pipes, and when
this uncertain kind of work is carried all through a modern
railroad yard, the terminals of the two contending artists
who make the estimates for the Railroad Company and the
State Commission are apt to be beyond hailing distance.
CHAPTER XXXIX.
RAILROAD FIGURES.
In Chapter XXII the cost of many different kinds of rail-
road structures is given: here only a few actual records are
set down to serve for an approximate estimate; and some
useful detailed figures.
PUMP HOUSES, average of half a dozen, $1.40 per sq. ft.
ORDINARY WATER TANKS:— Average of a score, $2000,
at 24 ft. diameter. Prices from $1800 to $2500. Labor, 50
per cent, of material. (See elsewhere in this Chapter for
tables of cost).
STEEL WATER TANKS AND FRAMEWORK:— An approxi-
mate price for elevated steel tanks is as follows:
For 50,000 gallons capacity, 100 feet to the top, erected
complete, $4000; for 100,000 gallons, same height, $6000.
TRACK SCALES: — For 50-ft, 80-ton, average of a dozen,
$1250; labor 1-3 of total. For (2) 40-ft., 80-ton, $1500 each.
For 40-ft., 100-ton, $2600.
TURNTABLES: — On page 344 some figures are given for 3
diameters. The average of 5 built, 72 ft, was $5000, which is
over the figures set on page 344. An average price for half
a dozen regular 66-ft. tables, complete with pit walls, etc.,
was $4000.
CHICAGO PRICES: —
For a 50-ft. Gallows frame turntable $490.00
For a 60-ft. Lassig 2100.00
For a 70-ft. Lassig 2300.00
For a 70-ft. King 1950.00
For a 50-ft. gallows frame, pile center, rail,
etc., complete, 1725.00
For a 70-ft. Lassig, concrete, pile center and
circle, 4200.00
600 .
RAILROAD FIGURES 601
DETAILS: — Some of the unit figures given below are a little
too high, while others are too low, but they may be changed
to suit local prices. Different kinds of tables are detailed:
70' Table and Pit — Masonry Center on Piles and Pile Circle
and Curb.
2500 lin. ft. cedar pile (40 tons) at 29c $725.00
10 cu. yds. cut stone (20 tons) at 5.40 54.00
5 cu. yds. crushed stone (6^ tons) at 1.75 8.85
10 bbls. Port, cement (2 tons) at 1.92 19.20
22 M. lumber (36.7 tons) at 27.25 599.46
Bolts, rails, spikes and circle rail (7.14 tons) 214.43
1 70' Lassig Turntable (30.05 tons) 2,200.00
Total material $3,820.94
Excavating 1175 cu. yds. at 50c $587.50
Shoring 51.56
Placing 5 cu. yds. concrete at 2.00 10.00
Setting 10 cu. yds. stone at 5.00 50.00
Driving 2500 lin. ft. piling at 20c 500.00
22 M. lumber framed and placed at 15.00 330.00
Placing table and circle rail . 100.00
Grand total (Lassig) $5,450.00
Grand total (King) 5,100.00
70' Turntable and Pit — Concrete Center and Circle
400 lin. ft. piles at 20c $116.00
5269 B. M. ties and floor 138.22
10 M. B. M. 3"x8" sheet piling at 25.60 256.00
1792 B. M. circle wall coping, 3"xl4" 49.26
1480 B. M. 6"x8" oak ties for circle rail 40.33
4575 Ibs. circle rail and fastenings 58.43
640 Ibs. bolts, nails and castings 18.16
33 cu, ft. cut stone at 20c 6.60
350 cu. yds. concrete at 3.98 1,393.00
1 70' Lassig turntable . . 2,200.00
Total material $4,276.00
602 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
*Excavating 1208 cu. yds. at 50c $604.00
Driving 400 lin. ft. piling at 20c 80.00
Shoring 4600 sq. ft. at 6%c 300.00
Placing 350 cu. yds. concrete at 2.00 700.00
Setting center stone 5.00
Placing and framing 8540' lumber at 15.00 125.00
Putting in drain 10.00
Placing table 100.00
Grand total (Lassig) $6,200.00
Grand total (King) 5,850.00
*For each foot less in depth deduct 165 cu. yds.
Material Weights for Above
34.84 tons Timber and Piles.
2.78 tons Oak Ties.
2.60 tons Circle Rail and Hardware.
30.05 tons Lassig Turntable.
26.25 tons King Turntable.
2.48 tons Cut Stone.
109.50 tons Crushed Stone.
84.00 tons Cement.
262.5 tons Sand.
70' Turntable and Pit, Masonry Center and Circle on Piles
and Concrete.
142 piles, 3550 lin. ft, at 29c $1,029.50
76 cu. yds. concrete at 3.98 302.48
10 cu. yds. 1st class masonry at 5.09 50.90
278 cu. yds. 2d class masonry 917.40
1 70' Lassig turntable 2,200.00
4968' B. M. decking timber 125.00
200 Ibs. bolts and hardware 6.00
1575 B. M. wall coping, 3"xl4", at $28 44.10
Turning levers and locks 18.41
RAILROAD FIGURES COS
3156' B. M. circle rail ties at 27.00 85.21
Circle rail and fastenings 75.00
10 M. sheet piling, 3"x8", at 25.60 256.00
Drain for pit 5.00
Total material $5,115.00
800 cu. yds. excavation between piles at 70c 560.00
640 cu. yds. excavation at 50c 320.00
3550 lin. ft. piling driven at 20c 710.00
3300 sq. ft. shoring at 6^c 215.00
76 cu. yds. concrete placed at 2.00 152.00
10 cu. yds. 1st class masonry set at 4.00 40.00
278 cu. yds. 2d class masonry set at 3.50 973.00
9700 B. M. lumber set at 15.00 145.00
Placing table 100.00
Placing drain 10.00
Grand total (Lassig) $8,340.00
Grand total (King) 7,990.00
Weights of Material
63.32 tons Cement.
30.05 tons Lassig Turntable.
26.25 tons King Turntable.
4.3 tons Circle Rail, Bolts and Turning Lever.
88.92 tons Crushed Rock.
383.00 tons Stone.
89.64 tons Lumber.
187.70 tons Sand.
60' Turntable, Masonry Cent, on Pile and Concrete — Pile
Circle and Curb.
1155 lin. ft. piling at 29c $334.95
9000 ft. B. M. timber 253.13
60 lin. ft. decking, L. & M 177.00
1012 Ibs. iron 25.56
30 cu. ft. cut stone at 20c 6.00
7 cu. yds. concrete 41.8$
604 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
1 60' Lassig turntable 2,000.00
715 cu . yds excavation at 50c 375.50
1155 lin. ft. piling (driving) at 20c 231.00
9000' B. M. lumber framed and placed at 15.00 135.00
Setting center 10.00
Placing table 75.00
Total $3,665.00
Weights of Material
40.58 tons Lumber and Piles. .
2.29 tons Hardware.
27.30 tons Turntable.
9.70 tons Stone.
5.25 tons Sand.
50 Gallows Frame Turntable — Pile Center and Circle
458' B. M. 14"xl4" $ 12.53
318' B. M. 4"xlO" 7.46
360 B. M. 12"xl2"
2100 B. M. 12"xl4" 67.90
760 lin. ft. piling 220.40
75 7-8"x22" drift bolts 3.75
30 clamps 187
1 50' gallows frame turntable (23.25 tons) 477.10
Circle rail, 1.32 tons at 28.00 36.96
760 lin. ft. piling (driving) at 20c. 152.00
3226 ft. B. M. lumber framed and placed 50.03
260 cu. yds. excavation 130.00
Erection of table . 50.00
Total $1,210.00
Weights of Material
17.56 tons Lumber and Piles.
24.68 tons Table, Rail, etc.
RAILROAD FIGURES 605
ENGINE HOUSES
64 Ft. Houses
3-Stall 64' House, Brick-lined Frame.
216 lin. ft. pile heads at 29c $ 62.64
38,850' B. M. lumber 1,068.07
64,640 common brick at 7.00 452.58
25 bbls. cement at 1.92 48.00
50 bbls. lime at 65c 32.50
375 Ibs. paint at 3c — 59.4 squares 11.25
40% squares gravel roofing at 2.53 102.46
Millwork 88.03
Bolts, nails and hardware — 3813 Ibs 93.05
3 Smoke jacks 150.00
180' of 8" sewer pipe 144.40
135 cu. yds. excavation at 50c 67.50
64,640 brick laid at 8.00 517.00
38,850 B. M. lumber placed at 20.00 777.00
40% sqs. roofing at 1.25 50.62
Door and windows 105.00
59.4 squares painted 42.00
180' of 8" sewer laid . 18.00
Total • $3,700.00
Each Additional Stall, 64' Brick-lined Frame
44 lin. ft. pile heads at 29c $ 12.76
9150' B. M. lumber 256.56
14,000 common brick at 7.00 98.00
5 bbls. cement at 1.92 .9.60
10 bbls. lime at 65c 6.50
45 Ibs paint at 3c. — 8.1 squares 1.35
12% sqs. gravel roofing at $2.53 31.63
Doors, windows and millwork 20.66
Bolts, nails, hardware 21.21
1 smoke jack 50.00
20' 8" sewer pipe 1.60
45 cu. yds. excavation at 50c. . 22.50
€06 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
14,000 brick laid at 8.00 112.00
9150' B. M. lumber framed and placed at 20.00 . . 183.00
I2y2 sqs. roofing placed at 1.25 15.63
Doors and windows placed 35.00
8.1 sqs. of painting 5.00
20' sewer pipe laid 2.00
Total $885.00
ICE HOUSES: — A figure on large ice houses is given on
page 320: the detailed figures for a small house are given
below:
Standard — 4" Air Space, Pile Head Found, 12" Cinder Floor,
6" Drain Tile through center of house,2"x4" Studs separated
by I"x6" Fencing Flooring, I"x6" Lining Fencing Flooring,
I"x6" Drop Siding on I"x6" Fence Floor, with tar paper be-
tween, Shingle. Roof, Floor to plate 16'. -
28'x32' House
90 lin. ft. pile heads at 29c $ 26.10
15,500 ft. B. M. lumber 395.51
11,500 shingles at 2.70 31.05
445 Ibs. tar paper at 1.75 cwt 7.79
1000 Ibs. rods, bolt and nails 27.27
42' drain tile, 6" 1.68
32 cu. yds. cinders for filling at 20c 6.40
140 Ibs. paint at 3c. — 22 squares 4.20
Total material $500.00
Placing pile heads $ 18.00
Placing 15,500' lumber at 20.00 ; 310.00
Placing 11,500 shingles 20.00
Laying tile 2.00
Unloading, placing and tamping cinders . . . 20.;)0
Painting 22 squares 30.00
Total labor and material $900.00
RAILROAD FIGURES 607
EACH 16' SECTION
(Capacity, 170 tons per 16' Panel.)
20 lin. ft. pile heads at 29c $ 5.80
6400 ft. B. M. lumber 164.55
6250 shingles 14.18
165 Ibs. tar paper 2.89
285 Ibs. hardware 7.84
30 Ibs. paint at 3 c 90
16' 6" tile 64
12 cu. yds. cinders at 20c 3.20
Total material $200.00
Placing pile heads $ 10.00
5400' lumber at 20.00 108.00
Shingling 5250 10.00
Laying tile 1.00
Unloading, placing and tamping cinders 11.00
Painting 10.00
Total labor and material $350.00
ICE HOUSES: — As a fair idea of the relative value of out-
side and inside houses of a larger type than the above, the
following figures are given: Frame, 32 ft. x 112 x 32 ft. high,
outside houses, $4800; inside, $3800. The outside houses
have an exterior wall, and the half of an inner; the inside
houses have 2 half walls, or 1 whole, inside wall. The di-
vision walls are of cheaper construction than the outside
ones, and are unpainted. A wall 112x32 is worth about $600,
including foundation of pile heads and bases. (See also
page 320).
608 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
FENCE
MATERIAL AND COST FOR WIRE FENCE
Kind of Fence
Cost of
Material per
lin. foot
Cost of
Labor per
lin. foot
Total
Cost per
lin. foot
3 Wire
$.01061
$.00939
$.020
4 Wire
.01295
.01295
.025
5 Wire
.01368
.01332
.027
6 Wire
.01521
.01479
.030
7 Wire
.01674
.01526
.032
8 Wire
.01827
.01673
.035
9 Wire
.01980
.01820
.038
3 Wire & 26" W. W
4 Wire & 26" W. W
1 Wire & 42" W W. .
.02306
.02459
.02560
.01394
.01541
.01440
.037
.040
.040
2 Wire & 42" W. W. .
.02712
.01488
.042
58" W. W.
.02830
.01670
.045
NOTE — On above, Posts 16J' C to C. Braces and Brace Wire included.
FENCE WIRE
Barbed Wire $2.45 per cwt.
26 " Woven Wire 0.1992 per rod
42 * Woven Wire 0.2904 per rod
58" Woven Wire 0.36 per rod
Weighs 1 Ib. per rod
Weighs 8.3 Ibs. per rod
Weighs 11.9 Ibs. per rod
Weighs 14.9 Ibs. per rod
BOARD PARK FENCE
7' Cedar Posts, Spaced 8' with I" x 6" Boards, 2-1 x 6 braces
per panel with 1" x 6" face board on front of posts.
Cedar Posts @ 10^ .............. 0.41 Tons
312' B. M. I"x6"-16' @ $24.60 . . .0.52 Tons
12 Ibs. Nails @ $2.20 per cwt ..... 0.006 Tons
Labor Post Holes @ 5£ ..........
312' B M. Placed @ $8 .........
Total for 100 lin. ft.
GAS PIPE PARK FENCE
7' Cedar Posts, Spaced 9'-3-l|
Cedar Posts @ 10j£
300 '-1 1 " Wrought Iron Pipe
Labor
Total for 100 lin. ft...
Wro't Iron Pipe Rails
7c.
$1.20
21.00
2.80
$25.00
RAILROAD FIGURES 609
FENCES: — Here it may be well to remind the reader that
fences are built under various conditions, and on soils that
change the labor cost considerably. It is easy to set posts on
ordinary ground but difficult in a swamp or among rocks;
and the weather has also to be taken into account.
UMBRELLA SHEDS: — A set of long ones on a large sta-
tion had 100 Ibs. of steel to the lineal foot. This is a hint for
an approximate figure to save estimating laced columns, etc.
The variety in this field is as great as in others. On page 30
we see that a shed roof may be put on for 48 cents per sq. ft.
The newest style of shed is wider than the ordinary one,
and slopes from the coaches to the center of the platform.
The foregoing weights and figures apply only to what
might be called ordinary construction. Such sheds as the
"Northwestern" ones in Chicago with heavy framework and
concrete roofs, occupy another field altogether.
APPROACHES: — Coaling stations of several types, and many
power houses require approaches where the cars are backed
up to the required height. A fair approximate valuation is
$11 per lineal foot without any masonry, but with piling;
with masonry and piling, $12; without piling, $10. Add con-
tractor's profit, and engineering percentage. But some ap-
proaches run as high as $14 net, without profit.
A detailed figure for one type of approach is as follows:
Length, 186 ft:
Excavation, no grading $18.00
Masonry 198.00
Piling 120.00
Woodwork, (bents, girders, ties, etc.) 1600.00
Hardware 90.00
Rail (for approach and all structure) 176.00
Contractor's percentage, 10^ 220.00
Engineering and supervision, 5^ 121.00
$2543.00
Per lineal ft. $ 13.6?
610 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
VIADUCT PLATFORMS of the heaviest design, except for
teaming, $4 to $5 per sq. ft. Steel beams, and the best of
paving throughout.
TRANSFER PIT with walls of creosoted timber. Size, 92
ft. x 370. Cost, $10,285. Table extra, $7000.
DRY KILNS: — The square foot costs of two were $2 and
$2.33. The area in the one case was 1700 sq. ft., and 1900 in
the other.
PITS for coaches, engines, etc., are of various depths and
thicknesses of walls, and thus have to be estimated to suit.
A fair average is $6 per lineal foot for coach pits, and $7 for
the heavier class for engines. This does not include piling.
Profit for contractor, and the usual allowance for making
plans and supervision to be added at the final summary. (See
also page 341).
CINDER PITS in timber, $8 to $10 per lineal ft.; in masonry,
$10 to $20.
DRINKING FOUNTAINS in railroad shops may run from $5
to $100 each. A fair installation costs $85, not including sup-
ply and waste piping below floors, etc. Many shops have
merely a faucet.
FOLDING DOORS are much used now in freight houses.
They are cut through the center like a Dutch door, and ara
worked with chains and weights. Sizes, and special require-
ments regulate prices, but an ordinary door costs $85 F. O.
B. cars at Chicago. This is about $1 per sq. ft. Allow from
$10 to $12 for setting.
SLIDING DOORS lined all over with tin, 90 cents per sq. ft,
on cars. Allow freight and hanging.
COAL BUCKETS used in the old style stations are mostly of
a standard size, and weigh 1000 Ibs.
COAL BINS are usually made on the basis of 40 cu. ft. to the
ton. The city sealer of Chicago made out a table of 26 kinds
of coal ranging from 34,30 cu. ft. to the ton to 45.61, Scran-
RAILROAD FIGURES 511
ton Nut being the low, and Indiana Block the high. Coke
required 76 cu. ft. Scranton Nut weighs 58.25 Ibs. to cu. ft.,
and Indiana Block 43.85. Coke, 26.30 Ibs.
BRICK CHIMNEY STACKS:— The prices given on page 315
are for ordinary conditions, and this list below is on the same
basis. Under 800 degrees Fahrenheit stacks for boilers are
of a standard type, but for high temperature work special de-
signs are necessary for each installation, and approximate
prices are hard to set. No two cases are alike.
Foundations are not included on any of the sizes given.
(See page 315 for cost of a large foundation). The diameters
given below are the internal ones, at the top of the stack.
As may be noticed on page 315 the bottom diameter is always
greater.
Size Cost Size Cost
80x4 $1150 150x6 $3600
90x4 1350 175x7 5150
100x4 1600 200x9 6850
125x5 2500
A comparison with page 315 shows that the actual cost of
two sizes was much more than given above: 175x7 at top
runs to $7875; and 200x9 to $11,000. Temperature and other
factors have to be taken into account.
CHIMNEY WRECKING:— Most wrecking has to be done on
the piecemeal system, but occasionally a quicker method is
possible. The common method of razing lofty chimneys now
is to underpin one side with wood and afterwards set it on
fire. The cut is made according to the direction in which
the chimney is to fall. Up to 1912 one man had razed' about
a hundred by this manner in England. Some were from 200
to 250 feet high. There was not an accident connected with
the work.
COST OF BRIDGES: In making a physical valuation of a
railroad the buildings are kept separate from bridges, and*
the same valuator does not usually cover both. It sometimes;
happens, however, that an approach, small viaduct, etc., is
612 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
so connected with the building that it is desirable to include
it in the total. The following figures are for an approximate
estimate only, and for such cases, merely to supply a hint
for an emergency in a field entirely apart from the one this
book deals with. Most of the figures are taken from the
"History of Bridge Engineering," by H. G. Tyrrell, Evanston,
111., 1911.
DEPRECIATION: "There are Roman and other bridges 2000
years old, and still likely to last for some time."
"A wooden bridge in Thibet was built in 1650, and lasted
150 years. . . Another in Bethlehem, Pa., was built in 1816."
"But there are few wooden bridges now standing more
than 100 years old. The normal duration of those which were
roofed and protected from the weather was generally 30 to
40 years, while the open ones without covering would last
about one-third as long." But piles were found in good con-
dition after 1100 years.
"Cast iron, though brittle, and less reliable than steel, has
the merit of little or no corrosion from rust, and bridges of
this material are still in use, long after later ones of wrought
iron and steel have been destroyed." But "the failure of an
iron Howe truss in 1876 with a span of 154 feet, in which
accident 90 people were killed, resulted in discarding cast
iron entirely by the railroad companies, and four or five years
later it was also abandoned for highway bridges."
"In 1888 statistics showed that, for ten years or more, truss
bridges on American railroads had been falling at the rate
of 25 per year."
"On the 190,000 miles of railroad in the United States there
are 80,000 metal bridges, not -including wooden trestles, or
1400 miles in all."
A table of viaducts given in the book shows lengths from
800 to 5327 feet, heights from 180 to 435, and weight per ton
per foot. On two about 200 feet high and 800 long the weight
is approximately a ton to the foot; the heaviest is 2.3 tons
to the lineal foot, 314 feet high, and 5327 long.
RAILROAD FIGURES 613
COSTS: "In the 1908 competition for the Connecticut Avenue
viaduct at Washington, with steel arch spans from 282 to
410 feet, length of 1320 feet, and width of 70 the estimated
cost was $4.00 to $5.00 per sq. ft. of roadway.
"On a steel bridge in Pittsburg with a 400-ft arch and a
total length of 800 feet, the cost was $4.50 per sq. ft. of
deck."
On a station approach detailed as to cost fn 194-0 the fig-
ure ran to $4 per sq. ft, and this for the heaviest work with
paving, etc., complete.
Sometimes the cost is given by profile area, as the cost
naturally varies with the height. In two cases cited in
"Bridge Engineering" this ran to $2.16 and $2.20 per sq. ft,
but both examples are from European bridges, and lower
than would be ordinarily the case here — although a Burmah
bridge was built by Americans at $75 per ton, while the low-
est bid from Europe ran to $130.
SOLID CONCRETE:— "The Walnut Lane bridge of Philadel-
phia has a clear span of 233 feet. The total length is 585
feet, by 60 wide. The cost, $7.40 per sq. ft. of roadway. The
height is 147 ft. above the river.
A Connecticut Avenue bridge in Washington is 120 ft^
above the valley, has five semi-circular arches of 150-ft. span,
and two of 82. The total length is 1341 feet. The false, work
cost $50,000, on which there was a salvage of $15,000. The
framing of the false work cost $9 per M. The molded ce-
ment blocks cost $15 per cu. yd. The whole bridge cost
$850,000, equal to $639 per lineal ft, or $12.30 per sq. ft. of
surface."
REINFORCED CONCRETE bridges naturally vary greatly in
price according to purpose, profile, etc. A light bridge across
a small ravine in a park does not belong in the same class as
one for railroad traffic. For pedestrians a light park bridge
may be built for $1.50 per sq. ft. of roadway. Several river
bridges built from 1902 to 1905 with seven spans cost about
$2 per sq. ft A bridge at Dallas, Texas, 5106 feet long, with
51 arches cost $2.10 per sq. ft of roadway. A figure of $2.50
614 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
per sq. ft. ought to cover this class of bridges under or-
dinary conditions.
SOME CONCRETE BRIDGES:— A concrete bridge 708 feet
long was built in Cleveland for $210,000, or close to $300 per
lineal foot. It has one of the greatest concrete arches in
the world, the span being 280 feet. The roadway is 40 feet
wide, and on this basis the cost runs to $7.42 per square foot.
There are two subways 3' 3" x 11' 6". It is a beautiful struc-
ture.
In 1909 a fine concrete bridge was thrown across the Ar-
kansas River at Witchita, Kansas. It is 557 feet long, with
a total width of 56 feet and a roadway of 40. The cost was
$100,000, or about $180 per lineal foot, $3.21 per square foot
of width over all, and $4.48 per sq. ft. of roadway width.
A beautiful iron and concrete bridge was built over the
river Sitter in Switzerland in 1909. It has a clear span of
255 feet, and a total length of 459. It is 230 feet above water
level. The bridge proper cost only $80,000, but wages are
lower there than here. In round figures this is at the rate
of $175 per lineal foot.
(See also pages 107 and 108 for some bridge details.)
WELLS AND ROOFS: — Many shop yards have large wells
instead of being connected to the city supply. Here a de-
tailed figure of one 16 ft. inside diameter x 24 ft. deep is
given.
Allowing the stone walls 16" thick, the total distance over
them, is 18' 8". The nearest figure in the table of areas on
page 397 is 18' 9". This is close enough. The area in even
figures is 276 sq. ft, which multiplied by 24 gives a little over
245 cu. yds. The unit price for excavation has to depend
upon the local rate of wages, and the character of the soil.
At a certain depth down mud might be reached instead of
solid earth, and pumping be necessary. All that can be done
is to use an average figure, say, in this case, of $1.25.
For the stone, the outside circumference is 58' 8", which
multiplied by the depth of 24 ft., and the thickness of 16"=
RAILROAD FIGURES
615
close to 70 cu. yds. Around the top of most such wells the
circle is squared to below the frost line to provide a base for
a roof. At 18" above ground, and 3' 6" below to fill out from
the circle, an extra allowance of 8 cu. yds. is necessary.
Excavation, 245 yds at $1.25 $306.25
Stonework in cement mortar, 78 yds. at $7 546.00
Roof and level floor under 80.00
Iron ladder 24.00
Painting 10.00
Contractor's profit, 10^ 97.00
$1063.25
No pumping machinery or piping. No allowance for cost
of drawings. This is at the rate of $44 for each foot of
depth. But some wells are only half that depth — and in the
chapter on Measurement we see that the Chicago rules allow
four times the actual contents for depth between 20 and 25
feet; but only two and a half times between 10 and 15 feet.
The masonry is also easier laid.
On another well 17 ft. inside diameter, of the same depth,
and with the same unit figures the total is $1139. Per foot
of depth, $47.50. Taken on the basis of the relative squares
of diameters — 256 and 289 — the figure would be $1200; in
proportion to the circumference of a 16 ft. and a 17 ft. inter-
nal size— 50.2 and 53.4— the figure is $1131.
On a 12 ft. internal diameter x 24 deep with unit figures,
etc., as above, the total is:
Excavation, 152 cu. yds. at $1.25 $190.00
Stonework, 62 yds. at $7 434.00
Roof, etc. 60.00
Iron ladder 24.00
Painting 8>0o
Contractor's profit, 10^ 72.00
$788.00
616
THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
The cost per foot of depth is $32.83. Using the squares
of the diameters, and reducing in the proportion of 6 to 12 — •
256 and 144 — the total is $598; in proportion to the circum-
ference of a 16 and a 12 ft — 50.2 and 37.7 — the figure is about
$800.
TANKS AND TOWERS
The following tables of cost are from the catalog of the
"W. E. Caldwell Company, Louisville, Ky. They are naturally
approximate, as local conditions differ in many ways. They
are priced F. O. B., knock down at factory, and freight and
erection must be added, as well as foundation. A barrel
throughout is figured at 3ly2 gallons.
HEAVY STEEL TANKS AND COVERS
FOP Storage of Water, Oil, Turpentine, Etc.
Gallons
Diameter
Height
Price. Tank
Price. Cover
1,000
| 6 feet
i 5 feet
1 $42.00
| $11.10
2,000
7 feet
7 feet
65.40
15.12
3,000
8 feet
8 feet
84.55
15.72
4,500
10 feet
8 feet
109.75
22.26
7,000
10 feet
12 feet
149.00
22.26
10,000
12 feet
12 feet
223.15
36.72
15,000
14 feet
14 feet
296.65
48.54
20,000
16 feet
14 feet
349.65
92.52
26,000
18 feet
14 feet
520.80
112.26
30,000
18 feet
16 feet
573.85
112.26
40,000
20 feet
18 feet
822.15
207.90
50,000
22 feet
18 feet
936.10
254.10
60,000
24 feet
18 feet
1,053.15
347.82
65,000
24 feet
20 feet
1,146.60
347.82
80,000
24 feet
24 feet
1,321.95
347.82
100,000 |
26 feet
26 feet
1,530.90
403.92
The smaller sizes of tanks are built of %-inch steel; the intermediate sizes
of %6-inch and %-inch, and the larger sizes of %-inch and %6-mch.
RAILROAD FIGURES
617
GALVANIZED STEEL TANKS
Galvanized Round Storage Tanks
Diameter
Feet
Height
Feet
Capacity
Gallons
Price
2V2
i 2i/2
78
$7.00
3
3
157
11.50
4
4
338
16.50
4
5
423
19.00
5
5
675
25.50
6
5
1,000
30.00
6
8
1,600
49.00
8
6
2,400
56.00
10
8
4,500
95.00
12
12
10,000
165.00
14
14
15,000
195.00
16
14
20,000
215.00
16
16
23,000
245.00
These capacities are, however, not meant to be absolutely exact, but
reasonably close.
Prices do not include covers.
List prices of all tanks are based on No. 20 Gauge. For tanks 6 ft. di-
ameter, 6 ft. high, to 8 ft. diameter, 8 ft. high, inclusive, we recommend
No. 18 Gauge; for tanks 10 ft. diameter, 8 ft. high, and 10 ft. diameter,
10 ft. high, No. 16 Gauge; for tanks 12 ft. diameter, 10 ft. high, and 12ft.
diameter, 12 ft. high, No. 14 Gauge. Larger tanks, No. 12 and No. 10
Gauge. No. 18 Gauge increases the price 30 per cent.; No. 16, 60 per cent.;
No. 14, 90 per cent.; No. 12, 140 per cent.; No. 10, 200 per cent.
RECTANGULAR TANKS cost a little more than the above round ones,
and square ended rectangular cost more than round ended.
The following prices are for the steel towers only, and do
not thus include tank. The panels are all cross braced with
turn buckle rods. An iron ladder is supplied, also the wood
base for the tank to rest on.
PRICE LIST OF TUBULAR COLUMN STEEL TOWERS
CLASS O
For 1000 to 1500 Gallon Tanks.
.s
d
|
I Jh'
iL
11
It
|o|g
ii
11
w d
II
1JI.S
15
1,592
$59.16
20
2,044
83.80
27
2,183
92.12
39
2,822
127.12
$15.00
51
3,614
171.74
63
4,438
216.22
75
5,318
263.70
Extra for I-Beam Foundation, $20.00
.CLASS A
For 2000 to 3000 Gallon Tanks.
G
J3
.SP-S
o> 55
Bfc
Weight in
Pounds.
Prices
Complete.
Estimated
Cost of
Foundations
in Ground.
15
20
27
39
51
63
75
87
2,428
3,047
3,191
4,006
4,939
5,893
6,910
8,244
$81.12
114.24
122.22
165.68
217.08
267.96
322.14
391.06
$20.00
Extra for I-Beam Foundation, $20.00
618
THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
PRICE LIST OF TUBULAR COLUMN STEEL TOWERS- Continued.
CLASS B
For 5000 to 7000 Gallon Tanks.
CLASS E
For 20,000 to 23,000 Gallon Tanks.
Height in
Feet.
JS
II
II
J
<D B"
ll_
1 il
I!1J
tSto sO
&8Z.3
a
IK
0> o
w^
£
il
11
1
111
•Hi
Pu,0
•
i h
l!^l
sin
15
20
27
39
51
63
75
87
100
3,385
4,275
4,450
5,596
6,888
8,225
9,650
11,168
12,597
$109.10
155.50
164.64
223.84
292.52
361.58
435.02
513.08
584.78
$25.00
15
20
27
39
51
63
75
87
100
8,220
8,840
10,419
12,753
15,236
17,966
20,648
23,581
26,663
$278.08
316.12
402.72
533.48
671.46
817.56
969.08
1,128.94
1,296.10
$50.00
Extra for I-Beam Foundation, $25.00
Extra for I-Beam Foundation, $100.00
CLASS C
For 10,000 to 12,000 Gallon Tanks.
CLASS F
For 25,000 to 33,000 Gallon Tanks.
15
20
27
39
51
63
75
87
100
5,014
5,924
6,536
8,171
9,983
11,863
13,884
16,016
18,274
$156.56
203.80
232.72
313.80
405.76
499.12
598.90
703.76
814.64
$32.50
15
20
27
39
51
63
75
87
100
11,508
12,578
14,086
16,802
19,667
22,679
25,844
29,162
32,636
$368.66
430.32
513.10
664.34
822.92
988.60
1,161.50
1,342.28
1,530.50
$60.00
Extra for I-Beam Foundation, $60.00
Extra for I-Beam Foundation,.'$166.00
CLASS D
For 15,000 to 17,000 Gallon Tanks.
CLASS G
For 35,000 to 45,000 Gallon Tanks.
15
20
27
39
51
63
75
87
100
6,330
6,986
8,132
10,030
12,047
14,185
16,444
18,826
21,331
$196.82
230.66
286.30
380.38
480.10
585.54
696.22
812.86
935.38
$40.00
15
20
27
39
51
63
75
87
100
14,715
15,379
17,908
21,271
24,818
27,547
32,461
36,566
40,851
$538.36
578.70
715.96
901.10
1,0?4.94
1,297.34
1,508.50
1,728.66
1,957.58
$75.00
Extra for I-Beam Foundation, $100.00
Extra with I-Beam Joists, $110.00
The Foundations in ground may be of concrete, brick or stone.
The heights given above are standard, and are from the ground or grade
line to the bottom of the tank.
The prices of Towers include Timber Foundation at top of Tower for
Tank, with extension for Octagonal Walk-Way with Iron Hand-Rail and
with Iron Ladder, except Class G, which has I-Beam caps or girders. Note
«xtra price for I-Beam Foundation.
These Towers take a very low rate of freight.
RAILROAD FIGURES
C19
ALL-WOODEN TOWERS (No Tank)
CLASS A. ESTIMATED FOUNDATIONS, $20
Height
in
Feet
Capacities
of Tanks
Towers will
Support
Shipping
Weight Iron
Work
Lbs.
Cost Iron
Work
Shipping
Weight
Tower
Complete
Lbs.
Cost of
Tower
Complete
15
2,000
412
$ 32.56
3,244
$ 85.57
39
to
646
54.66
6,070
157.22
63
3,000
920
77.38
9,889
247.65
75
gallons
1,082
91.08
12,206
302.67
CLASS C. ESTIMATED FOUNDATIONS, $33
15
7,000
572
44.91
5,945
145.38
39
to
908
•73.31
10,211
249.10
63
10,000
1,331
110.89
15,611
382.08
75
gallons
1,561
130.41
18,481
452.20
CLASS E. ESTIMATED FOUNDATIONS, $50
15
15,000
796
62.28
9,568
227.18
39
to
1,197
98.43
15,912
377.23
63
20,000
1,768
140.18
23.620
555.78
75
gallons
1,925
165.26
27,965
655.38
CLASS F. ESTIMATED FOUNDATIONS, $60
15
20,000
988
76.96
13,053
306.63
27
to
1,213
95.70
17,085
398.35
51
75
25,000
gallons
1,806
2,484
148.15
206.48
26,576
37,590
621.35
877.75
620
THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
GRAVITY TANKS TO SUIT INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS
These prices are for tanks built to suit the requirements of
either the Factory Mutual Insurance Companies or any of the
Stock Companies. Such tanks are required to be built of a
certain size for a given capacity and to be provided with,
round iron (not steel) hoops of a specified number and size.
They must be constructed of 2^-inch material if of 20,000
gallons or less, and of 3-inch for larger sizes.
If furnished complete, the tanks must be provided with a
Shingled Conical Roof covered with Shingles, Rubberoid or
Metal, and an Inside Flat Cover for frost proofing, together
with an Indicator or Tank Register, an Inside Wooden Ladder,
an Outside Iron Ladder extending three feet above tank with
ends curved over, and sub-joists or bed pieces for the support
of the bottom of tank.
Towers are not included, as these tanks quite often rest
on the top o-f brick walls clear of the roof.
Tank with Plain Conical
£
g> •
Cover, Cypress Shingles, Flat
Cover, Ladders, Indicator and
d
II
it
JO'S
if
&
Dunnage.
11
31
i£
if
Gallons.
Ft. In.
Ft. In.
Lbs.
£8
5,000
10.0
11.4
5,451
$245.86
7,500
11.6
11.4
6,819
291.53
10,000
12.6
13.4
8,236
355.86
12,000
13.6
13.4
9,259
390.01
15,000
14.0
15.4
10,615
453.41
20,000
16.0
15.4 *
12,589
535.24
25,000
16.0
17.4
15,494
726.44
30,000
18.0
17.4
18,193
809.83
40,000
19.6
19.4
22,212
1,031.79
50,000
22.0
19.4
26,451
1,226.20
60,000
24.0
19.4
30,936
1,441.46
75,000
24.0
23.4
36,956
1,850.72
100,000
28.0
23.4
47,380
2,374.72
RAILROAD FIGURES 621
KEY TO PRICELIST OF ROUND WOODEN TANKS
LIST PRICES are for Round tanks without a top head or
cover. They are based on 2-inch material for tanks up to and
including 20' 0" in diameter, and for 3-inch above that.
THICKNESS of Cypress Tanks furnished is 1%, 2, 2% and
3-inch. Of White Pine and Poplar is 2-inch, and tanks of
these woods are not supplied over 16 feet in diameter.
Of Yellow Pine is 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8-inch.
We recommend 1^-inch Cypress for tanks as large as 8 ft.
0 in. in diameter and 8 ft. 0 in. high, and it is often used in
much larger tanks. Two-inch material is used right along in
tanks 16 and 18 feet in diameter, and sometimes 20 feet. We
advise 21/&-inch, however, for 17 to 20 feet diameter, and 3-
inch for larger sizes.
SHIPPING WEIGHTS for tanks 20 feet in diameter and less
are based on 2-inch material for either Cypress, Poplar, Fir
or White Pine. 1^-inch Cypress tanks weigh about 20% less;
21/2 and 3-inch about 40% and 60% more respectively.
Yellow Pine tanks weigh about 40% more than Cypress.
622
THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
LIST PRICES OF ROUND TANKS.
Cypress, White Pine, Yellow Pine, Fir and Poplar.
Number
Gallons
Inside
Diameter
Inside
Depth
Swlgh.g
Price
Ft. Li.
Ft. In.
Lbs.
Louisville
1
127
3.0
2.5
199
$11.12
2
158
3.0
221
12.38
3
180
3.5
251
14.04
4
174
3 (\
2.5
234
13.08
5
216
3.0
260
14.58
6
246
3.5
295
16.48
7
226
4 0
2.5
274
14.70
8
281
3.0
304
16.34
9
321
3.5
344
18.46
10
413
4.5
404
21.76
11
288
4 «
2.5
314
16.90
12
357
3.0
346
18.66
13
407
3.5
392
21.04
14
526
4.5
458
24.66
15
501
5 0
3.5
443
22.86
16
587
4.0
479
24.74
17
648
4.5
521
26.90
18
794
5.5
608
31.32
19
317
6 0
1.5
357
17.68
20
422
2.0
417
20.60
21
527
2.5
461
22.80
22
720
3.5
562
27.82
23
845
4.0
606
30.02
24
934
4.5
658
32.54
25
1,145
5.5
768
37.92
26
1,356
6.5
872
43.04
27
1,567
7.5
980
48.34
28
1,778
8.5
1,068
52.74
29
1,989
9.5
1,176
58.08
30
1,096
6 6
4.5
721
35.64
31
1,344
5.5
839
41.44
32
* 1,592
6.5
950
46.90
33
1,840
7.5
1,069
52.72
34
2,088
8.5
1,163
57.42
35
2,336
9.5
1,381
63.22
36
1,271
7 0
4.5
790
39.06
37
1.659
5.5
917
45.24
38
1,847
6.5
1,042
51.40
39
2,135
7.5
1,162
57.30
40
2,423
8.5
1,271
62.68
41
2,711
9.5
1,404
69.18
42
1,790
7 «
5.5
991
49.00
43
* 2,120
6.5
1,128
55.56
44
2,450
7.5
1,255
61.82
45
2,780
7 0
8.5
1,371
67.56
46
3,110
9.5
1,513
74.50
47
563
8 0
1.5
545
26.90
48.
751
2.0
613
30.28
4<r
939
2.5
669
33.08
50
1,294
3.5
815
40.18
51
1,656
4.5
938
46.30
52
2,031
5.5
1,082
53.28
Sizes printed in black type are the standard sizes for the capacity mentioned.
'Sizes marked with a star preceding are the standard sizes used with towers.
THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
623
LIST PRICES OF ROUND TANKS- Continued.
Number
Gallons
Inside
Diameter
Inside
Depth
Shipping
Weight
Price
Ft. In.
Ft. In.
Lbs.
Louisville
53
2,406
8.0
6.5
1,217
$59.96
54
*2,781
7.5
1,361
66.96
55
3.156
!
8.5
1,490
73.30
56
3,531
1
9.5
1,669
81.90
57
4,281
1
11.5
1,971
96.56
58
2,299
8{6
5.5
1,163
57.28
59
2,723
6.5
1,306
64.30
60
3,148
'
7.5
1,459
71,76
61
3,o72
• <
8.5
1,597
78.56
62
3,696
•
9.5
1,784
87.48
63
4,844
1
11.5
2,106
103.10
64
2,577
9.0
5.5
1,259
61.92
65
3,053
M
6.5
1,420
69.74
66
3,529
"
7.5
1,580
77.56
67
4,OO4
"
8.5
1,727
84.80
68
4,479
"
9.5
1,865
93.36
69
5,429
"
11.5
2,242
109.72
70
881
10.0
1.5
758
37.40
71
1,175
H
2.0
862
42.44
72
1,468
«
2.5
934
46.04
73
2,006
"
3.5
1,113
54.70
74
2,592
•«
4.5
1,255
61.80
75
3,182
"
5.5
1,450
71.26
76
3,770
•<
6.5
1,631
80.02
77
4,357
M
7.5
1,809
88.64
78
4,945
"
8.5
1,969
96.56
79
*5,532
"
9.5
2,165
106.00
80
6,706
"
11.5
2,539
124.08
81
7,880
"
13.5
2,897
141.50
82
6,100
10.6
9.5
2,290
112.08
83
1,269
12.0
1.5
1,004
49.66
84
1,692
2.0
1,133
55.88
85
2,115
«»
2.5
1,217
60.08
86
2,891
"
3.5
1,431
70.50
87
3,737
«
4.5
1,623
80.00
88
4,582
<*
5.5
1,837
90.44
89
5,428
"
6.5
2,050
100.86
90
6,274
"
7.5
2,284
112.24
91
7,110
i
8.5
2,479
121.76
92
7.956
«
9.5
2,715
133.16
93
9,658
'
11.5
3,164
154.96
94
11,350
i
13.5
3,637
177.84
95
13,042
1
15.5
4,154
202.62
96
7,726
12.6
8.5
2,602
127.78
»7
8,644
M
9.5
2,844
139.68
98
*10,481
"
11.5
3316
162.38
99
12,317
M
13.5
3,717
186.10
100
14,153
"
15.5
4,345
211.88
101
10,080
13.6
9.5
3,122
153.04
102
12,220
11.5
3,650
178.52
Sizes printed in black type are the standard sizes for the capacity mentioned.
*Sizes marked with a star preceding are the standard sizes used with towers.
NOTE. — Tanks 14.0 and 16.0 foot diameter are usually built of 2 inch
material and often 18-foot diameter tanks, but 2l/i inch is advised for tanks
over 16 feet diameter to 20 feet inclusive, and 3 inch for larger sizes.
624 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
LIST PRICES OF ROUND TANKS- Continued.
No.
Gallons
Bottom
Diameter
Inside
Depth
Shipping
Weight
Lbi.
Price
f. o. b.
Louisville
Ft. In.
Ft. In.
103
8,540
14;«°
7.5
2,766
$135.74
104
9,691
8.5
2,990
146.78
105
10,843
M
9.5
3,264
159.96
106
13,146
"
11.5
3,835
187.38
107
* 15,449
M
13.5
4,382
213.76
108
16,600
"
15.5
5,038
245.18
9
109
11,631
14.6
9.5
3,403
166.78
110
14,102
11.5
3,996
195.24
111
16,573
"
13.5
4,560
222.40
112
21,761
15.6
15.5
5,705
277.04
113
11,155
16.0
7.5
3,308
162.12
114
12,659
M
8.5
3,561
174.56
115
14,163
M
9.5
3,872
189.54
116
17,171
"
11.5
4,578
223.10
117
*20,179
"
13.5
5,319
258.36
118
23,187
«
15.5
6,062
293.70
119
26,195
M
17.5
6,827
329.92
120
29,203
"
19.5
7,661
369.12
121
15,988
17;<0
9.4
4,266
208.26
122
19,384
11.4
5,017
244.10
123
22,639
"
13.4
5,771
280.00
124
*26,035
"
15.4
6,532
317.28
125
29,431
"
17.4
7,398
357.00
126
18,924
18/(0
9.4
4,672
228.42
127
21,730
11.4
5,442
265.38
128
25,378
"
13.4
6,247
303.92
129
29,184
1 "
15.4
7.128
346.68
130
*32,990
•«
17.4
8.050
389.48
131
36,796
"
19.4
9,126
439.62
132
34,252
19.6
15.4
7,828
379.60
133
38,726
17.4
8,927
431.06
134
*43,200
"
19.4
10,023
482.26
135
22,130
20.0
9.4
5,417
264.40
136
26,830
"
11.4
6,270
305.22
137
31,334
<«
13.4
7,230
350.74
138
36,035
"
15.4
8,227
397.82
139
40,725
<<
17.4
9,417
453.12
140
45,435
19.4
10,558
506.32
Sizes printed in black type are the standard sizes for the capacity mentioned.
'Sizes marked with a star preceding are the standard sizes used with towers.
CHAPTER XL.
GRAIN ELEVATORS.
In a physical valuation of railroads there are many grain
elevators to be taken care of, and it is quite an undertaking
to get at the actual cost of reproduction, especially if time is
limited. There are many types of these structures. The
quantities and figures given in this chapter belong to the or-
dinary wood elevator only.
These figures are given here for a check when estimating
other buildings of a similar nature, that can not be so de-
tailed on account of a lack of plans, physical difficulties in
getting below foundations, or of reaching in the air, or the
impossibility of finding the thickness of cribbing, etc. In
such cases even an approximate figure is valuable as a
check.
NO. 1: — The ground size is 98' x 200', but the cribbing above
is only 72' x 200'. The capacity is 1,000,000 bushels. A dryer
building, small power-house, and shop are attached.
Valuation of No. 1.
Grading and excavation (no hauling) 7100 yds., 30c. $2100.00
Concrete footings, 1071 yds., $6.50 6962.00
Pier stones, 29,740 cu. ft, 30c 8922.00
Rubble, 3500 yds., $6 21,000.00
Brickwork, 134,000, $12 1608.00
Cut stone 300.00
Concrete reservoir, 50,000 gall 1500.00
Brick and pipe tunnels 850.00
Steel boot tanks (8) 1100.00
Heavy timber, dimension and boards, l,07a,000 ft.
B. M. $42 45,066.00
Cribbing, 1,208,000 ft .B. M., $31 37,448.00
625
626 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
Doors and windows, 198 openings, $10 1980.00
Roofing and wall covering, iron, 1072 sqs., $6 6432.00
Gutters and downspouts 400.00
Floors and roof of power-house 900.00
Gamers, scale hoppers, and leg casings 2900.00
Scales — 8 at 1000 bushels each . '. 3300.00
Distributing spouts, car-spouts, and bin-spouts . . . 2900.00
Passenger elevator and stairs 800.00
Office, and heating same 300.00
Hardware, blacksmith work, and painting 900.00
Power transmission machinery 13,000.00
Grain handling and cleaning machinery 12,000.00
Dust collecting system 4600.00
Electric wiring and signals 560.00
Staiidpipe, hose, and water barrels 540.00
Hale sprinkler system 820.00
Journal alarm system 1300.00
Hess Dryer, and building 16,000.00
Workshop and tools 550.00
Boilers, (3) 60" x 16', and setting 4100.00
Feed pumps (2) and heater 400.00
Deep well pump and well 360.00
Corliss engine, 18 x 42 4400.00
Automatic engine 8' x 10 ' 560.00
Automatic engine, 7' x 8' 400.00
Standard pump, 16' x 8' x 12 660.00
Steam and water piping 2400.00
10 Kilowatt generator and switchboard 550.00
Liability insurance for construction 1000.00
$211,868.00
Contractor's profit is included. The rate of depreciation on
such elevators is 3 per cent, per annum. A special deprecia-
tion of $20,000 was allowed on this elevator on account of its
leaning out of plumb. (See also pages 155, 156, 303, 312.)
GRAIN ELEVATORS 627
Valuation of No. 2.
In this elevator the ground size contains 29,850 sq. ft.; the
power house, 2840; the stack, 14' x 14' at base x 165' high;
there is a frame shop of 800 sq. ft.; an office with 500 sq. ft;
a dryer building with 490 sq. ft. x 50' high; the capacity is
1,500,000 bushels; the cost per bushel approximately 21 cents.
The sq. ft. costs are given on pages 303, 304.
Excavation, 6256 cu. yds. at 30c $1877.00
Piling, 98,400 lineal ft., 30c 29,520.00
Concrete footings, 790 cu. yds., $6.50 5135.00
Cap stones, 1200 cu. ft, 35c 420.00
Pier stones, 68,200 cu. ft, 30c 20,460.00
Rubble, 526 yds., $6 3156.00
Concrete floors, 800 sq. yds., $1.80 1440.00
Power-house 6000.00
Stack 5000.00
Shop and tools 500.00
Office building 600.00
Vault 650.00
Dryer building, dryer and purifier 13,000.00
Steel reservoir, 50,000 galls 1800.00
Timber, dimension, boards, spikes, etc., 789,000 ft
B. M., $42 33,138.00
Cribbing and spikes, 2,987,000 ft B. M. $31 92,597.00
Doors and windows 1731.00
Rods, castings, blacksmith work and hardware . . 4000.00
Roofing and iron covering 8850.00
Gutters and downspouts 516.00
Structural and sheet steel 900.00
Passenger elevator and stairs 1000.00
Steam heating 400.00
Posts and steel beams for scales . . 2200.00
Liability insurance for construction . 1500.00
$236,390.00
628 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
Equipment.
Steel boot tanks (6) $1800.00
Garners, scale hoppers, and leg casings 3045.00
1400 bushel scales (6) 3000.00
Spouts 3705.00
Power transmission machinery 19,932.00
Grain handling and cleaning machinery 11,610.00
Dust collecting system 3900.00
Electric wiring and signals 715.00
Standpipe, hose and water barrels 1650.00
Sprinkler system, G. F. E. Co 10,000.00
Boilers (4) set, 60" x 16' 6000.00
Feed pump, heater and tank 900.00
Journal alarm system 1600.00
Corliss engine, 24 x 48 5000.00
Underwriters' Fire Pumps, (2) 100 galls 2640.00
Electric generator, engine and switches 935.00
Steam and water piping, etc 2600.00
$79,032.00
Total for entire plant, $315,422.00.
SMALL ELEVATOR: — This one is given as a contrast to the
large ones. The cost per bushel is a good deal higher, but
the sq. ft. cost is less. The cost per bushel is 44c.; per sq.
ft., $6.51; per cu. ft, 25 cents.
Elevator— 26'x26' 26' Studding, 10,000 bus., 20 H. P.
Boiler, 15 H. P. Engine, 2 Elevators, Corn
Sheller, Corn Cleaner, Grain Separator, Shipping
Scales, Office and Wagon Scales, Well and
Pump $4,400.00
CHAPTER XLI.
SQUARE FOOT COSTS.
APPROXIMATION: — On page 300 it is pointed out that only
approximate figures can be obtained by either the square or
cubic foot method; but even these are very useful, especially
in physical valuations. All the city of Cleveland was valued
on the square foot system. It is by far more accurate than
the guessing contest used by assessors over all the country.
EXCEPTIONS. — But too much reliance is often placed solely
on this system. It needs to be checked by all ways we can
think of, sometimes including the cubic foot one, and always
by our experience. Thus, I ran across two passenger stations
in 1910 built from the same plan and specifications, and alike
in every respect excepting one: the first had straight outside
walls, and the other had a "jog" of 4 ft. x 40, or 160 sq. ft.
As the cost of the first ran to $4 per sq. ft. when1 estimated
in detail, it would have seemed reasonable to make the other
$640 less, but the difference came to only about $200. With
such rectangular or square jogs the only gain is in the floors,
ceiling, and the roof. The outside walls have the same num-
ber of lineal feet, and so has the cornice.
We often see dwellings recessed in the same way, and the
porch put in the jog. The gain as compared with a straight
line plan is never in proportion to the loss of floor space, for
the walls cost just as much. Of course there is a saving in
the cubic feet enclosed, and this counts in the heating.
In the case of the two stations the jog might have been 10
x 40, and at the unit rate of the straight-line one this would
have made a valuation of $1600 less, but such an undue re-
629
630 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
duction is checked by noting that the outside walls are of the
same length in both types. All factors have to be watched.
In another case of the same nature, applied to a large
blacksmith shop, the Annex if taken alone was worth $2 per
sq. ft., while the main structure that seemed to be far more
expensive, was set at $1.60. But the Annex for 650 sq. ft. of
floor space required 82 lineal feet of wall, while the main
building with 6000 measured only 320 ft. around. Here, then,
in both cases, is one check — the lineal ft. of outside wall.
CUBING: — Then, with cubing to get a check on a valuation,
it is clear that the smaller the building the higher ought to be
the unit price. Take, for illustration, two 1-story buildings,
to reduce the problem to an elementary proposition, the one
10' x 10' x 10', and the other 20' x 20' x 10.. There are 100
sq. ft. in the first, and 400 in the second; and 1000 cubic ft,
and 4000. So far the parallel goes accurately enough; but we
find that it takes 40 lineal feet of expensive outside wall to
enclose 100 sq. ft. of space; while 80 lineal ft. instead of en-
closing only 200, take in twice as much.
SIZE UNITS: — An interesting article from data compiled by
Charles T. Main was given in the Building Age for July, 1910,
upon this subject of difference of cost according to size. The
cost decreases as the width is increased. This shows
one more feature that those who rely exclusively upon
the square foot method seldom think of. In fact, the more
the subject is studied the clearer it becomes that the only ac-
curate way is to take off a bill of material, and figure that
and labor at current rates. This is not necessary for or-
dinary buildings when valued for assessment or physical pur-
poses with rate making in view. Cleveland, St. Paul, Phila-
delphia, Columbus, O., Springfield, Joliet, East St. Louis, Den-
ver, Houston, had all been valued on the sq. ft. method up
to 1912.
The figures from the Main article are based on a 3-story
building with 30,000 square feet on each floor, for illustration,
but the principle is not tied to this particular size:
SQUARE FOOT COSTS 631
Cost per sq. ft Outside wall
Size in cents in feet
50 x 600 99 1300
75x400 87 950
100x300 83 800
125x240 80 • 730
"The exact figures will vary, but the relative values will
remain practically unchanged.
"The minimum cost per sq. ft. is reached with a 4-story
building. A 3-story costs a trifle more than a 4-story, a 1-
story is the most expensive, because:
a. The cost of foundations does not increase in proportion
to the number of stories.
b. The roof is the same for 1-story as for more.
c. The cost of columns, piers, and castings does not vary
much per story as the stories are added.
d. As the number of stories increases, the cost of the walls,
owing to increased thickness, increases in a greater ratio
than the number of stories, and this item is the one which in
a 4-story building offsets the saving in foundations and roof."
SAVING: — According to the table an investor by building a
3-story structure 125 x 240 instead of 50 x 600 would save
about $17,000. In the suburbs of cities, or in country towns,
where many manufacturers are now locating, land might be
acquired to suit the one size about as cheaply as the other.
DATA WANTED: — This opens up a wide field for discussion.
There ought to be a thorough investigation by some govern-
ment body or responsible society to find the economical
sizes, number of stories, heights of ceilings, of buildings of
all kinds, and to give a description of the best qualities and
quantities of materials that are often wasted as things now
are. For example, it is pointed out on page 300 that the H
school has been practically adopted by the city of New York
as the most economical, and this after long experimenting.
As may be noted in this chapter, the cost of the Boston
schools, like that of all cities, is rising very high. The tax-
payers there are objecting, and those in authority are trying
to change from the first to the second class of construction
632 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
for the sake of economy. These, and the mills investigated
by Mr. Main, are but two classes of buildings. There are
many others.
TOTAL VALUE: — As an investment, of course, the problem
is further complicated by the cost of the lot. A 4-story
building, according to the figures just given, is the most
economical for some purposes; but it has been found that an
8-story, fireproof one pays better returns upon the invest-
ment if the lot is high-priced. With a lot costing $40,000, for
example, each fioor in a 4-story structure has an investment
of $10,000 upon which returns are expected, while an 8-
story has only $5000. With modern hoisting apparatus there
is no such vital difference between the cost of the high
stories over the low ones when we get above ground level,
although every floor above the second costs more than the
one below; yet the lot investment decreases in proportion to
the number of stories by which the price is divided. Heavier
foundations and walls are necessary, but even 9" of extra
thickness of common brick in a building measuring 200 ft.
around, for an ordinary story, is only about $350. On high-
priced land this is a small investment.
SKYSCRAPERS:— The sq. ft. cost allowed in the Cleveland
assessment for this class of buildings is given further on.
It will be noticed that $3.50 is added per unit, per story. It
really costs more on the upper stories, however. It has been
estimated that the rentable — not the constructive — cost per
sq. ft. rises from $5.25 for the second and third floors to $6.30
for the fourth, and so on increasing to $124 for the sixty-
fourth. The ground floor and basement combined are put
at $10.
"The construction cost of the ground floor is $20 per rent-
able sq. ft. The ratio of rentable area in a 20-story sky-
scraper to the total ground area is 60 per cent. The construc-
tion cost per rentable sq. ft. of the second story is $18."
SKYSCRAPER PERCENTAGES:— On pages 34-38, and 317,
318 there are percentages given for various classes of build-
SQUARE FOOT COSTS
633
ings. The figures below are for a modern office building of
the skyscraper class, built in 1911.
Cost Per cent
Wrecking $ 4,158.00 .33
Excavating 47,990.00 3.79
Shoring 34,876.00 2.74
Steel work 156,563.00 12.33
Stone, cement, and concrete 95,525.00 7.52
Fireproofing 38,865.00 3.07
Brickwork 56,222.00 4.44
Metal lathing 9,100.00 .71
Plastering 39,560.00 3.11
Millwork 86,100.00 6.77
Carpenter work 117,000.00 9.22
Terra cotta 40,000.00 3.15
Heating 75,330.00 5.93
Elevators 106,200.00 8.36
Electric work 40,500.00 3.17
Sheet metal 21,840.00 1.72
Plumbing 51,520.00 4.06
Painting 20,335.00 1.60
Waterproofing 9,500.00 .75
Ornamental iron 75,900.00 5.98
Tile and marble 90,000.00 7.09
Weatherstripping 1,025.00 .08
Vaults 24,750.00 1.94
Hardware 1,500.00 .12
Vacuum systems 5,000.00 .36
Mail chute 2,250.00 .18
Revolving doors, etc 5,700.00 .45
Steel lockers 8,335.00 .66
Refrigerating machinery 3,827.00 .30
Roofing 950.00 .07
$1,270.421.00 100.00
Architect's percentage has to be added; and some account-
ants would want an allowance for interest on money during
634 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
construction. The figures are useful and interesting as
showing relative costs of a modern structure.
SUMMARY: — A general summary of the economical sizes
of buildings is very desirable from dwellings to skyscrapers.
There is not so much difference between the cost of a 1-story
and a 2-story house containing the same number of rooms.
If a high basement is used the 1-story type costs too much
for this part, and the roof that requires even a greater area;
while the 2-story has only about half the space to cover.
CLEVELAND VALUATION.
The following sq. ft. unit prices were used in the 1910 valu-
ation of the above city. There are so many types of build-
ings classified that the list suits for any city. Thus, there
are 42 kinds of residences: 32 of flats and tenements; 29 of
store buildings, hotels, banks, halls, etc.; 40 types of fac-
tories, warehouses, mills, etc.; and 25 of the highest class of
office buildings.
The following schedules were used as the square foot
value of the buildings:
SCHEDULE NO. 1:— Single house, one side of double house,
one of row, duplex house.
Cheap construction, set on posts, only small cellar, no
plumbing except kitchen sink and W. C. Plain pine finish.
Class 1 —
1-story 1%-story 2-story 2^-story 3-story
Frame $1.00 $1.50 $1.80 $2.10 $2.60
Brick 1.20 1.70 2.00 2.30 2.80
Brick or stone foundation with full basement, with furnace,
Class 2—
1-story 1^-story 2-story 2%-story 3-story
Frame 1.60 $2.10 $2.40 $2.70 $3.20
Brick 2.30 2.30 2.60 2.90 3.40
Same as above, except medium porches (150 sq. ft), laun-
dry trays, two one-story bay windows. Plain pine finish and
plain fixtures; open or closed plumbing.
SQUARE FOOT COSTS 635
Class 3—
1-story 1^-story 2-story 3-story
Frame $2.20 $2.70 $3.00 $3.90
Brick 2.40 2.90 3.20 4.20
Same as above, except plain hardwood finish. Plain elec-
tric or gas fixtures; more than two one-story bay windows;
large porches, open plumbing; two baths.
Class 4 —
1-story 1^-story 2-story 3-story
Frame $3.00 $3.80 $4.50 $5.60
Brick 3.20 4.00 4.80 6.00
Same as above, except two or more baths; ornamental
trimming and cornices; ornamental inside finish and fix-
tures; hot water or steam heat.
Class 5 —
l^-story 2-story 3-story
Frame $5.30 $6.30 $8.00
Brick or stone 6.00 7.00 10.00
SCHEDULE NO. 2:— Flats for families, tenements and
apartments.
Cheap construction, foundation piers or wall in trenches,
small cellar, no plumbing except for kitchen and W. C.
Class 1 —
2-story 3-story 4-story
Frame $1.90 $2.80 $3.70
Brick 2.10 3.00 3.90
Brick or stone foundation with full basement ,with furnace,,
bath in common.
Class 2—
2-story 3-story 4-story
Frame $2.40 $3.20 $4.00
Brick 2.80 3.40 4.20
Same as above, with addition of bay windows. Porches or
balconies, laundry trays and private baths. Plain pine fin-
ish; four one-story bay windows.
636 ,THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
Class 3 —
2-story 3-story 4-story
Frame $3.00 $3.90 $4.80
Brick 3.20 4.20 5.30
Same as above, except hardwood finish, electric lights,
steam or hot water heat.
Class 4—
2-story 3-story 4-story
Frame $4.50 $5.60 $6.60
Brick 4.80 6.00 7.00
Same as above, except ornamental outside and inside finish
and ornamental fixtures. Elevators; reinforced floors and
other high-class features.
Class 5 —
2-story 3-story 4-story 5-story
Frame $5.50 $6.60
Brick 5.80 7.00 9.00 12.00
SCHEDULE NO. 3: — Store buildings, hotels, bank buildings,
halls, etc.
Cheap construction; foundation of piers or walls in
trenches; without basement; common glass; short floor
spans; plain trimmings and cornice; plumbing, W. C., sink
wash basin:
Class 1 —
1-story 2-story 3-story 4-story
Frame $1.00 $1.80 $2.60 $3.40
Brick 1.20 2.00 2.80 3.60
Ordinary construction; brick or stone foundation with full
cellar (9-ft.), 12-foot ceilings; medium floor spans; heating
plant; common joist construction; plate glass front; plumb-
ing open W. C. for each floor; sink for each flat; plain trim-
mings and cornice; plain pine finish:
SQUARE FOOT COSTS 637
Class 2 —
1-story 2-story 3-story 4-story
Frame $1.60 $2.40 $3.20 $4.00
Brick 1.80 2.60 3.40 4.20
Same as above; wall bearing; large floor spans; plumbing,
private baths in each apartment; ornamental trimmings or
cornice; steam heat; hardwood finish:
Class 3 —
1-story 2-story 3-story 4-story
Frame $2.20 $3.00 $3.90 $5.80
Brick 2.40 3.20 4.20 6.10
5-story 6-story 7-story 8-story 9-story
Brick $7.20 $8.30 9.40 $10.50 $11.60
The above schedule applies to buildings of ordinary con-
struction and ornamentation. Special ornamental buildings,
or massive construction, not coming into a class, are specially
estimated.
SCHEDULE NO. 4: — Warehouse, factory, mills, foundry,
garage, stable, shed.
Class 1—
Cheap construction; pier foundation or walls in trenches;
small basement; main floor near grade; composed of dirt;
flat roof; plain trimmings and cornice; joist floor construc-
tion without trusses:
1-story 2-story 3-story 4-story 5-story
Frame $ .60 $1.20 $2.00 $2.80 $3.50
Brick .90 1.50 2.20 3.10 3.80
Class 2 —
Ordinary construction; brick or stone foundation; full
basement; main floor several feet above grade; wood floors;
flat roof; joist floor construction without trusses; plain trim-
mings and cornice:
1-story 2-story 3-story 4-story 5-story
Frame $1.00 $1.80 $2.60 $3.40 $4.20
Brick 1.40 2.20 3.00 3.80 4.60
638 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
Class 3 —
Same as above, except mill construction; wood trusses:
1-story 2-story 3-story 4-story 5-story
Frame $2.00 $2.90 $3.80 $4.70 $5.60
Brick 2.40 3.30 4.20 5.10 6.00
Class 4—
Modern fireproof manufacturing building; steel frame; one
elevator; flat roof. Rate per sq. ft:
1-story 2-story 3-story 4-story 5-story
$2.70 $3.80 $4.90 $6.00 $7.60
6-story 7-story 8-story 9-story 10-story
$9.00 $10.40 $11.80 $13.20 $14.60
SCHEDULE NO. 5:— Office buildings, non-fireproof; steel
floor construction; plain trimmings and cornice.
Class 1 —
1-story 2-story 3-story 4-story
Rate $3.60 $4.80 $6.00 $7.60
5-story 6-story 7-story 8-story 9-story
Rate $9.20 $10.80 $12.90 $15.00 $17.10
Additional points for outside and inside ornamentation.
Class 2 —
Best class: office buildings; steel frame; fireproof; includ-
ing plumbing; heating; plain marble wainscoting and floors;
plain cornice and trimmings. Ground floor area between
4,000 and 15,000 square feet. Rate per square foot.
1-story 2-story 3-story 4-story
Rate $ 6.15 $9.75 $13.25 $16.75
5-story 6-story 7-story 8-story
Rate $20.25 $23.75 $27.25 $30.75
9-story 10-story 11-story 12-story
Rate $34.25 $37.75 $40.25 $43.75
13-story 14-story 15-story 16-story
Rate $47.25 $50.75 $54.25 $57.75
This rate does not include deposit vaults. Additions must
be made for more than ordinary marble floors or wainscot-
SQUARE FOOT COSTS 639
ing; for ornamental exterior and ornamental interior finish,
ranging from $.10 to $1.50 per square foot per floor.
For construction not above fully provided for, modifica-
tions were especially estimated.
SCHOOL BUILDINGS: — The cost of some schools is given
on page 300. The cost per pupil is reasonable, but, like
everything else, it is mounting year by year. In the table of
Boston schools there are some startling figures for the con-
sideration of taxpayers. It is questionable if such expendi-
tures are warranted. The tendency seems to be to make the
casket so fine that there is a chance of forgetting what
schools are built for. When $940 is required to accommodate
each pupil it is time to do some thinking. According to the
following extract a limit of $150 ought to be set.
Woods Hutchinson, A. M., M. D., in Good Housekeeping:
"In larger towns and cities quite an appreciable share of
the additional money needed for the grounds could be saved
on the building.
The ideal schoolhouse is not a magnificent architectural
triumph, nor a monument for future generations, but an in-
expensively constructed, light, roomy, day nursery, never
exceeding two stories in height, with broad staircases, wide
hallways, and at least one-third to one-half the wall space of
each room in the shape of movable window sash or shutters,
so that it can be converted into a porch or shed in fine
weather.
Thoughtful students of the health of the child are coming
to the same conclusions as experts have come to, in regard
to hospitals for tuberculosis, that every dollar spent in con-
structing a building in excess of $150 a patient, is wasted —
and worse!"
Open air, or Forest schools, are becoming popular in all
countries, but especially in Germany. Even in the cold cli-
mate of Canada there are quite a few. They are naturally
much cheaper than the classical type. The pupils have to
be dressed to suit the weather. It is possible to overdo the
640 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
one style of building as much as the other, and make un-
necessary suffering; but such extravagance as the Boston
tables show is unwarranted.
SUMMARY: — The following summary is taken from the
Building Age of October, 1911:
"The cost per cu. ft. of building averages for 30 buildings
about 22.8 cents. The building contract itself averages for
the 30 buildings 83.7 per cent, of the total cost of the struc-
ture, with extremes of 77 and 86 per cent.
"The heating and ventilating contract averages 9.5 per
cent, of the total cost of the building, with extremes of 15
and 7 per cent. The average cost of the plumbing contract
amounts to 4.6 per cent, of the total cost of the building, and
the average cost of the electrical work amounts to 3.4 per
cent, of the total cost of the building. Three of the 30 build-
ings are high school structures, and for the 27 common
schools the cost of building per pupil figures out at $178.
One of the high school buildings, designed to accommodate
540 pupils, cost $548.25 per pupil; a normal school, $940.65;
and another high school, $495.19."
A part of the Boston table is given here;
SQUARE FOOT COSTS
641
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THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
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644 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
CONCRETE COTTAGES:— The Atlas Portland Cement
Company send out a pamphlet with many styles of dwell-
ings of this kind. The walls are mostly monolithic, with re-
inforcements above openings. Some of them have studs with
solid concrete filled in between, scoured to a sand finish while
green, and bands nailed over the studs to make a panel in
the half timbered style. In this system the walls are 4
inches thick to fill out to the stud on both sides. In most of
the other houses illustrated the basement walls are 10
inches, and the ones above, 8.
COST PER ROOM: — Of 12 cottages, not including bathroom
or halls, there are 4 costing $60,0 per room, 2 at $640, and
$645, 1 at $682, and the highest at $833; 2 of simpler con-
struction cost $418, another, $566; and 1 is set at $226, which
appears to be too low. Detailed estimates are given.
GARAGES: — The old question of, How long is a string?
might be amended by asking, What is the cost of a garage?
It all depends upon the string, and the size and style of the
building. There are hundreds of thousands of "autos" now
in existence, and most of them have individual houses. Some
with a few boards nailed together in Southern California or
Florida may cost less than 30 cents per square foot, and
there are many at $5, with all kinds of prices between these
limits, and many above the highest. There might be a score
of classifications of these small buildings in a city valuation.
The figures given on page 305 will suffice for a good type;
those on pages 450, 452 are rather low.
A garage 20 x 30, of 6-inch terra cotta blocks plastered
both sides, with auto space, bedroom, and bathroom, all
on one floor in Boston, cost $3.35 per sq. ft. and 18.7 per cu.
ft. from the bottom of the footings to the average height of
the shingle roof, at 1911 prices. Heat is supplied from a
small plant connected with the garage.
PORTABLE FIREPROOF GARAGES.
Some companies make a specialty of manufacturing gal-
vanized iron garages, hunting lodges, cottages, etc. Freight
SQUARE FOOT COSTS 645
is paid east of the Rocky Mountains on the Pruden type.
Concrete or other floors, erection, painting, if desired, haul-
ing from the cars, and profit, have to be included.
PRIVATE GARAGE FOR SINGLE CAR.
Standard equipment furnished with each building:
1 Pair Double Entrance Doors with Yale Locks.
1 Single Entrance Door.
3 Windows (wire glass, unless clear glass specified).
1 Ornamental Gable.
2 Ventilators.
2 Ridge Terminals.'
2 Door Stops for Double Doors.
4 Metal Corner Shelves.
2 Metal Side Shelves.
All bolts, nuts, screws, rods, etc., for the complete assem-
bling of these buildings included.
Side walls are 8 ft. to eaves. May be 10 ft., if desired,
for 15# extra.
Net Prices.
Length 12 14 16 18 20 24 28 32 42
Width, 10 $160 $175 $189 $204 $218
Width, 12 177 194 210 228 244 $278
Width, 14 212 232 252 272 308 $348
Width, 16 261 284 306 349 391 $455
Width, 18 316 340 388 436 484 $604
Width, 20 375 427 480 533 665
PRIVATE GARAGE FOR TWO CARS.
Equipment same as for Single Garage, except that there
are two pairs of Double Entrance Doors with Yale Locks.
Ne«t Prices.
Length 18 20 22 24
Width, 18 $328 $352 $376 $400
Width, 20 387 413 439
646 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
GARAGE FOR THREE OR MORE CARS.
Equipment same as for Single Garage, except that there
are a paid of Double Entrance Doors for each car capacity,
as well as one Window for each car capacity. ,
Net Prices.
3 Cars 4 Cars 5 Cars 6 Cars
Length 26 34 42 50
Width, 16 $401 $497 $593 $680
Width, 18 432 540 648 756
Width, 20 461 582 702 822
INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS: — Two examples are here given
to show Cost and Insurance rates. The rate per square foot
is actual surface on all floors, and not on ground alone.
Both structures are of reinforced concrete.
Bush Terminal Co., buildings Nos. 5 and 6. Each build-
ing is 600' x 75' in plan, 82' high — 6 floors. There is a con-
necting wing between the two buildings which is 100' x 205'.
94' high — 7 floors. Designed floor load, 200 pounds per square
foot) windows, 50 per cent, of wall area; beam and girder
construction; column spacing, approximately 25' x 18'; con-
crete curtain walls; roof, concrete covered with Barrett roof-
ing: floors, granolithic concrete; fire protective devices,
sprinklers, hose, tanks, fire doors and wire glass; insurance
rate varies from 8.4 cents to 11.9 cents per $100 on buildings.
Cost of construction, 6 cents per cubic foot; 81 cents per
square foot.
Sugar and coffee warehouse of Arbuckle Bros., Brooklyn,
N. Y. Size, 206' x 200' in plan, 162' high — 12 floors. Designed
floor loads, 200 and 300 pounds per square foot. Windows, 50
per cent, of wall area. Beam and girder construction; col-
umn spacing, 18' 2" x 22'; concrete curtain walls; loose, cold
twisted bars for reinforcing; roof, concrete, covered with
Barrett roofing; floors, granolithic and also maple flooring.
Protective devices, sprinklers, hose, tanks, fire doors, wire
glass and scuppers. Insurance rate, 14.6 cents per $100 on
building and 46.6 per $100 on contents.
SQUARE FOOT COSTS 647
UNIT COSTS OF REINFORCED CONCRETE STRUCTURES
The following table is used by a large eastern designing
firm. As an approximate allowance it is of value, but it will
be noticed that the units are much lower on Machine Shops,
Power House, and Store Houses than those given on pp.
316-333.
Type of
Building
Dimensions
Live load
per sq. ft.
Cost above f dtn.
Costs inc. fdtn.
sq. ft.
cu. ft.
sq. ft.
cu. ft.
Machine Shop . .
120 x 50
150#
$1.05
$0.08
$1.17
$0.09
4 sto.
Machine Shop . .
220 x 100
....
1.65
0.09
1.75
0.10
1 sto.
sawtooth
skylights
CartridgeFactory
223 x 56
300#
1.40
0.09
1.55
0.10
2 sto.
Cotton Mill
550 x 129
75#
0.99
0.07
1.06
0.075
2 sto.
Weave Shed . . .
341 x 231
125#
1.66
0.064
1.79
0.07
1 sto.
sawtooth
skylights
Power House . .
90 x"62
2.53
0.115
2.67
0.12
Store House . . .
181 x 56
150#
1.08
0.065
1.15
0.07
4 sto.
Store House . . .
256 x 100
150#
0.90
0.09
0.98
0.105
12 sto.
Store House . . .
223 x 56
300#
1.20
0.08
1.35
0.09
2 sto.
and 1000#
Coal pockets above 3,000 ton capacity cost from $6.00 to
$7.50 per ton. Reinforced concrete stand pipes above the
foundation cost from 2% to 3 cents per gallon.
RAILROAD SHOPS: — The most expensive ones in Ne-
braska are valued at $4.20 per sq. ft. This high price is on
account of heavy stone walls laid up in a first class manner.
CHAPTER XLII.
APPROXIMATE COST OF WOOD TRUSSES.
SCAFFOLDING: — No allowance is made. It might be neces-
sary to erect a special scaffold in one case, and in another
the scaffold in use might serve.
PROFIT: — Net cost is given without profit, which ought to
be added in a lump sum for all the building, and not sepa-
rately for each part of it.
LEGEND: — Lower chord, L. C.; top chord, T. C.; Rafters,
R.; struts, S.
TRUSS A:— Span 60 ft; height 13 ft.
Chords and rafters 12" x 12"; struts,
8" x 12"; including splices, waste lumber,
etc., 2100 ft. B. M. Rods, iy2 diameter.
Lumber, $30; labor, $25.
2100 ft. at $55 $115.50
Rods, plates, bolts and nails 12.50
$128.00
A similar truss to the above has a span of 100 ft, yet
there are only about 500 ft., B. M., of extra lumber in it. The
labor is worth at least $10 per M more, for the cost of rais-
ing is greater in proportion to the amount of lumber. A fig-
ure of $175 is fair.
Truss A. Truss B.
648
APPROXIMATE COST OF WOOD TRUSSES
TRUSS B:— Span 50 ft; height, 11 ft.
Chords 8" x 10"; struts 8" x 8".
Center rod 1%"; side rods, 1".
Lumber, $28; labor, $22.
900 ,ft B. M. at $50
Rods, plates, etc
649
$45.00
6.00
$51.00
Truss C.
TRUSS C:— Span 64 ft; height, 16 ft
Chords and rafters, 10" x 10"; struts,
8" x 10".
Center rod, 1%; side rods, l1^.
Lumber, $30; labor, $28.
1700 ft B. M. at $58 $98.60
Rods, plates, bolts, etc 16.40
$115.00
Truss D.
TRUSS D:— Span 84 ft; height, 19 ft
Chord is 2 rods iy2" diameter.
Rafters, 2 pieces 6" x 12"; struts,
6" x 8".
Rods, 2" diameter.
1400 ft B. M. (lumber only) at $30 $42.00
Rods and eyes (1400 Ibs.) 3c 42.00
Plates and bolts 8.00
Total labor . 40.00
$132.00
650
THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
Truss E.
TRUSS E:— Span 75 ft; height, 23 ft.
Lower chord 3 pcs., 3 x 10.
Rafters 10 x 12.
Struts (average) 8x8.
Rods, 2 center, iy2; side, %.
Lumber, $30; labor, $35.
2300 ft. B. M. at $65
Rods, plates, bolts, shoes, etc.
TRUSS F:— Span 44 ft.: height, 12 ft.
330 ft. B. M. $27
Labor
Bolts and nails .
$149.50
30.50
$180.00
$8.90
5.95
3.15
$18.00
The truss P. is merely a good strong rafter put together in
a simple manner.
Truss P.
Truss G.
TRUSS G:— Span 45; height, 10 ft.
520 ft. B. M. at $28 14.55
Labor, $25 13.00
Rods, plates, bolts, etc $6.45
$34.00
APPROXIMATE COST OF WOOD TRUSSES
651
Truss 32x14.
Truss 39x13.
Truss 30x11.
Truss 50x12.
Truss 32' x 14' high $65.00
Truss 39' x 13' 80.00
Truss 30' x 11' 55.00
Truss 50' x 12' 90.00
The above 4 are strong trusses to carry purlins, and not of
the light construction of trusses P. and G.
Howe Truss (Shown for double and single).
HOWE TRUSSES.
Lumber is allowed at $30, and labor, $45. Owing to dif-
ferent loads and conditions, the same span and height often
have heavier timbers in given trusses. Type A in the fol-
lowing table is taken as an average standard; and an extra
allowance made for a heavier truss under B.
652 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
TABLE OF NET COST OF HOWE TRUSSES, INCLUDING
RODS.
Span
Hight Chords
Braces
Cost,
A
Cost,
B
Lumber, Lumber,
A B
36'
6'
8"x 8" 6'
'x 8"
$53
$73
600BM.
730BM.
42
7
8
xlO
8
x 8
75
100
860BM.
1080
48
8
8
xlO
8
x 8
75
110
980
1240
54
9
10
xlO
8
x 8
113
140
1340
1640
*60
10
10
xlO
8
xlO
130
160
1500
1880
70
11
10
x!2
10
xlO
175
215
2100
2640
80
13
10
x!4
10
xlO
240
280
2780
3450
*On page 152 there is a description of a truss with 60 ft.
span, but only 6 ft. in height. The high cost of the labor
was owing to the construction. While the lower chord was
made up of four timbers with the struts running down be-
tween, and thus easier handled than a solid one, there were
many pieces 1" thick bolted between, and also notched into
both sides. Thus, for every upright piece there were several
notches in the timbers. The rods were also double instead
of single. Part of the extra cost was owing to the ceiling
which made more scaffolding necessary than is usual. Each
truss cost about $275, but this included the scaffolding. This
illustration shows that the figures in the table have to be
taken as average, and that special construction or condi-
tions as to height of ceiling, etc.. might raise the amount.
The design of the truss on page 152 was bad. It was too
low, as there was plenty of chance to make it higher. The
centers sank after a time, and had to have posts put in; and
when an additional story was added the trusses were re-
moved. The contractors were scored for minor defects in
the timbers, yet the whole design was spoiled. So it often is.
TRUSSES 100 ft. span by 25 ft. high in two long buildings
were estimated at $275 each. They were supported in the
center by two columns to each, , and thus lighter timbers
served than for a Howe truss of the same span. They were
of the usual triangular style. Each contained about 3500
ft. B. M.
See Index for figures on other trusses, including some of
steel.
CHAPTER XLIII.
SHORT CUTS.
BINS, CASES, ETC. : — In making a physical valuation of such
a great plant as a yard full of railroad shops there are many
smaller items outside of the buildings proper that can not
be neglected, because in the aggregate they run into a large
sum of money; but they are of such a nature that a greater
amount of time can be consumed in making a detailed esti-
mate of them than is justified by the results. Such are
boxes, bins, racks, cases, and shelving, the former covering
large areas when considered collectively, and sometimes fill-
ing whole buildings, and the latter running into tens of
thousands of square feet. Whatever may be claimed, there
is no one who can guess anywhere near the value of all these
items. About the only way is to make a standard price for
a certain size of opening and thickness of materials, and
then to count the openings; and a price per sq. ft. for the
shelving. With iron shelving, sizes have to be taken and
the weights figured up. In a certain building I estimated in
detail $10,000 worth of iron racks and shelving, and at a
guess most men would have considered half that amount suf-
ficient. But where hundreds of standard buildings are taken
by the sq. ft. there is no reason for taking off carloads of
lumber in racks and bins. The shorter way gives close
enough results.
DEPTH:— The depth of a large area of racks, or box-like
openings, regulates the price to some extent, if there is a
back, for this costs no more on a deep case than on a shal-
low one. In most yards the bins, shelving, and racks have
been used so many years that while they can not be neglected
it is easily seen by their condition that the best estimate can
only be approximate, and that, therefore, a fair price per
opening or per sq. ft. is all that can be reasonably expected
653
654 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
to be set, and the depreciation allowed on the reproduction
value after this is done.
SIAMESE TWINS: — Another trouble comes with the depre-
ciation for this class of property: When a large set of new
bins is attached to a building worth onlv 30 per cent, of its
value new, the bins have to be depreciated with the build-
ing, for they are made useless by the removal or destruc-
tion of the main structure. So with platforms, except for the
small allowance for salvage, wrhen they are taken down.
Each case has to be decided on its own merits, and can best
be done on the ground.
EXTRAS: — Sometimes % casings and ledges are nailed on
the face of the bin openings. There might be such condi-
tions attached to the building of a particular bin as to
greatly increase the cost; or so much time wasted as to
make the labor bill run to twice as much as it should do.
It might be, again, that a man was sent a hundred miles to
build a case worth $12, and that he might have to wait a day
for material. No allowance is made for contingencies like
this in the following estimates. They are based on the sup-
position that a good workable number of cases are to be
built at the same time, and that the undertaking can be gone
about systematically. Much railroad work is necessarily
done under the piecemeal system, and costs more than it
would if all done at once. Here is another factor that those
who want a high valuation could properly urge in favor of
a greater total than a contractor would allow.
NO PROFIT: — Cost price without profit is given. The labor
is set at 40 cents per hour — and it would often pay railroads
to employ 40-cent carpenters instead of 22y2 cent men who
"learned carpenter work on the farm with father." Lumber
is set at $26. Some extra lumber is allowed for blocking.
Nails are included.
No. 1. Bin, 6 ft. high x 30 ft. long x 24 in. deep with back.
All of plain 2" plank. Openings, 4 in height x 18 in length —
18" x 20" centers— 72 in all. Lumber, 1550 ft. B. M. Total,
SHORT CUTS 655
$55: 31 cents per sq. ft, and 77 cents per opening. If bin is
set on a platform and lower shelf is not required, make 29
cents per sq. ft., and 71 per opening.
No. 2. Same bin and conditions as No. 1, but only 18"
deep. Lumber 1250 ft. B. M., $44, 25c. per sq. ft, and 61 per
opening, with bottom shelf included.
No. 3. Same as No. 1, but only 12" deep. Lumber 970 ft
B. M., $35, 20c. sq. ft, 49c. per •opening.
No. 4. Without a 2" back for above bins the sq. ft. price
would be 7c. less; and 3V& cents for % boards.
No. 5. Bin 6' x 30'. No back; 12" deep; 3 openings in
height x 12 in length; 2" plank; openings to centers, 24" x
30". Lumber, 450 ft B. M.; $16; 9c. per sq. ft; 45c. per
opening.
For 18" deep, and as above, add 50 per cent.
For 24" deep, double the total.
Add back if required at 7c. per sq. ft for 2", and 3^
for %.
No. 6. Bin 5' x 20' x 12" deep. No back; 5 openings in
height x 8 in length — 12" x 30" centers— 2" plank, 370 ft. B.
M.; $13; 13c. per sq. ft; 33c. per opening.
For 18'.' deep add 50 per cent
For 24" double.
Add back if required.
No. 7. Bin as above and 12" deep, but with % uprights=320
ft B. M.; $12; 12c. per sq. ft; 30c. per opg.
Add for extra depth and back if required.
No. 8. Bin or counter, 3' x 16' x 12" deep; 3 openings in
height x 5 in length— 12" x 38" centers — 2" plank; 170 ft
B. M.; $7; 15c. per sq. ft; 47c. per opg.
Add for extra depth or for back if required.
No. 9. Bin or counter on top of No. 8, 4' x 16' x 12" deep;
4 opgs. in height x 12 in length — 12" x 16" centers — 2" up-
rights, % shelving; 200 ft. B. M.; $8; 13c. per sq. ft 17c. per
opg.
Add for extra depth or back if required.
656 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
DOUBLE: — Many such bins are double, and thus require
only one back between the two sides. After figuring accord-
ing to width both bins — north and south — the back can be
added.
CHEAP: — All of the above work is of the plainest character
— merely rough planks and boards squared across and nailed
into divisions for bolts, nuts, washers, hangers, hinges, and
all the large and small miscellaneous equipment of railroad
shops. There is no painted work included, nor is the lum-
ber estimated to be of the kind that gets painted, except
sometimes with the standard red mineral.
BOARDS: — The following cases are made of ordinary %
boards squared and nailed together without dadoing. Like
the plank bins, these are not for paint, but for the roughest
work. They are not to be compared with such cases as are
listed on pages 32 and 171, for example, where from 3 to 5
cents per sq. ft. is allowed for labor alone. The allowance
here is $26 for lumber, and not more than $25 for labor, de-
pending upon the size of the compartments, for the smaller
ones take more time. A back is not allowed, but can be
added at 3y2 to 4c. per sq. ft, as the cases with most com-
partments take more labor for nailing on back. A bottom
shelf is allowed about 4" up from the floor. If strips are
nailed on the front add from 1 to 2c. per lineal foot. Add
profit.
No. 10. Case 7' x 20' x 12" deep; 10 openings in height x
20 in length — 8.4" x 12" centers — 400 ft. B. M.; $21; 15c. per
sq. ft; 10.5c. per opening.
Add for extra width or back if required.
No. 11. Case T x 20' x 12" deep x 6 opgs. in height x 20 in
length; — 14" x 12" centers — 320 ft B. M.; $16; 12c. per sq.
ft; 14c. per opg.
Add for extra width or back if required.
No. 12. Case 7' x 20' x 12" deep x 5 opgs. in height x 16 in
length— 17" x 15" centers— 280 ft. B. M.; $13; lOc per sq. ft;
16c. per opening.
Add for extra width or back if required.
SHORT CUTS 657
No. 13. Case 3' x 16' x 12" deep x 3 opgs. in height and 10
in length— 12" x 19" centers— 110 ft. B. M.; $6; 13c. per sq.
ft; 20c. per opening.
Add for extra width or back if required.
DETAILING: — Nothing is allowed for detail drawings for
the above work. The sizes are supposed to be given to a
foreman as sufficient for such rough bins. When drawings
are made for storehouse cases, as for the 60,000 ft. B. M.
alluded to on page 171, the details are so different for each
case, and there are so many compartments, that 10 per cent,
ought to be added for drafting. The two classes of work are
entirely different. Pages 32 and 17 deal with the painted
and varnished class.
The following case is also mill made and the only one
listed here:
No. 14. Case with back, 161 holes, 2%" x 10%" x 13 deep;
5' 9" x 6' 6" over all, dadoed, and painted, spruce, $53, or 33
cents per opening, including profit of millman.
PROFIT must be added at the end of the summary of cost
of all the cases, and there would have to be quite a few
made at one time before a contractor could afford to fix a
reasonable figure; and it must be also considered that draw-
ings may have been required.
RACKS: — It is hardly possible to set a figure for racks. The
posts are of all kinds, and are spaced closely in the one rack,
and wide apart in the next, depending upon the load; the iron
supports in one are light pipes, and in others solid rods 1"
in diameter; and the compartments are of all kinds of sec-
tions and lengths. Very often an approximate figure can be
guessed at — and in a yard where the machine shop may run
to $200,000 or twice as much, and the trackage to more, the
proportion of wrong guessing on racks is easily swallowed up.
FINE SHELVING, CASES, AND COUNTERS:— See pages 32,
33, 171, 188, for good approximate figures. The counters on
page 188 are as near as can be approximated for ticket
658 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
offices in cities. The price might easily be doubled if the
designer wants to. It is all a matter of detail.
OFFICE PARTITIONS are found on page 187. There are
usually some in ticket offices, and detail regulates price. As
a, mere hint of cost of equipment in ticket offices in cities of
50,000 to 150,000, of a half dozen the cheapest was worth $700
new, and the most expensive $2000. But the latter with
electric lighting system, and some other extras included
would have amounted to $2500. This applies to offices in the
city proper, and not at the station. These figures would be
far too low for the finely equipped offices in the larger cities,
some of them costing a small fortune.
EXCAVATION: — For an ordinary house wall allow 1-3 cu.
yd. to the lineal foot.
For a heavier factory wall allow % cu. yd.
The above will suit in northern climes to go below the
frost line where the depth can not be ascertained, and allow
a little for backfilling.
ENGINEERING: — Some of the unit costs used in the Wash-
ington valuation are given below:
Clearing of ground per acre $100.00
Grubbing per sq. rod 1.65
Cutting trees, each , . 2.00
Ballast with gravel, per mile 1,100.00
Siding track, labor only, per mile 600.00
Main track, labor only, per mile 700.00
Earth ballast, per mile 600.00
Cattle guards, crossings, and signs, per mile 25.00
Engineering expenses, 3y2 per cent. (The cost is usually
6 per cent., and sometimes runs much higher — one company
wanted 15).
Legal expenses 1 to iy2 per cent.
IN GENERAL:— See pages 11 to 38 for short cut methods,
where square foot cost is not taken, and when it is not de-
sired to make out a bill of material. See Trusses in another
chapter, and in Index.
CHAPTER XLIV.
EQUIPMENT OP BUILDINGS.
FURNITURE AND MACHINES:— In a physical valuation
this is another feature that makes a good deal of work.
Tables, desks, filing cases, safes, typewriters, adding ma-
chines, and a hundred other items do not seem te be of much
account in such a valuation, but taken in the aggregate they
come to a large figure. Some of the newer style of electri-
cally operated adding machines, etc., cost heavily. In one
building the total, including the law library, ran to nearly
$60,000; in another, $40,000; in still another, $10,000; and
this at the depreciated figures. When new the cost would
be much higher.
This kind of valuation is totally distinct from any motive
power work. It related solely to what is connected with in-
stallations for clerical use, and warehouse work.
Generally speaking, the proper method of estimating the
value of all such equipment is to put a present value price
on it. It is not worth while, in nine cases out of ten, to put
down original cost. There is work enough connected with
listing $40,000 to $60,000 worth of old and new furniture,
wall cases and shelving by the thousand sq. ft., typewriters,
and other machines, without putting down two valuations.
There should be no such thing as averaging up the deprecia-
tion on equipment from a few months to forty years old.
Each item, or each class, should be priced on the spot and
finished.
Ordinarily the railroads are willing enough to render all
assistance required. Their furniture expert is sent along, and
the original cost figures given whenever possible. The law
library is priced, and so are all expensive machines. What-
ever law squabbles may be had over the main features of
a railroad valuation running into millions, most recognize
that this class of equipment bears a small proportion to the
659
660 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
complete summary, and that the best way for all is to get
through with it as easily as possible.
LAW LIBRARIES may run to any price— some I saw were
listed, present value, at $9000, and others at $14,000. A li-
brary was valued on the basis of $6 for recent textbooks, $5
for older, but still standard works, and $2.50 for the oldest
books. Some experts allow a rate of $2 per volume averaged
over the whole library.
ENGINEERING: — In the engineering department of a rail-
road there are thousands of drawings, maps, building plans,
and other data; and also costly instruments. There is no
way of valuing the first lot. A road might put almost any
figure upon it, within reason. Surveys are costly, the records
are useful, and remain so. Building plans of a standard type
are used year after year; and the bills of material attached
to them save the work of making new ones as often as an-
other building is erected from the type. What would cost an
architect a hundred or several hundred dollars, can often be
done for a few cents in a railroad office by making a set of
blueprints.
HOTELS. ETC. — Monthly reports are made of all silverware,
dishes, bedding, towels, napkins, and the whole equipment of
such places. By far the easiest way of valuing such stock is
to get the reports. Beds themselves, stoves, tables, benches,
and all the larger items not included in the lists have to be
valued on the ground. Furniture, carpets, and shades, may
be taken at so much per room, unless they are of the more
expensive kinds.
TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE tables and equipment are
not taken in the same classification as the other furniture,
etc , but separately.
REFRIGERATORS: — Here we enter a field without bounds,
We may have a refrigerator for $25 up to as high as we
please. For a house planned to ice from the outside an al-
lowance of $75 is fair. This might be increased to several
hundreds, according to size, number of compartments, style
of finish, etc.
EQUIPMENT OF BUILDINGS 661
One of the largest makers says that zinc lined refrigera-
tors are poisonous. Wood lining is preferred to zinc.
As an approximate price per sq. ft. the following figures
will be useful: (Thus, the front size being 3 wide and 4 high
= 12 sq. ft. Only the front is estimated for size.)
WOOD LINED, ANTIQUE OAK:— From $4 to $6.
WHITE ENAMEL LINED, OAK FINISH:— From $6 to $8.
OPAL GLASS LINED. QUARTERED OAK:— $8 to $12.
PORCELAIN TILE LININGS: NO WOOD OUTSIDE:— $18
up.
RUDD HEATERS: — Dwelling size, $100 on cars, east of Mis-
souri river; $115 on the Pacific Coast.
REVOLVING DOORS: — There are scores of varieties in all
styles of finish, and thus it is impossible to give a price with-
out knowing the requirements. But for a physical valuation
or an approximate estimate a fair idea is better than none.
These doors run higher in cost than is commonly supposed.
About the cheapest door for a good front is $580 in New
York city, or at factory. From this price to $800 may be said
to cover ordinary requirements. Freight and setting have
to be added. A large collapsible door, electrically operated
was installed in a skyscraper in the west in 1912 for $2500.
This price is greatly exceeded for the doors in fashionable
hotels and department stores.
A revolving fire door is an excellent method of checking a
fire. The cost varies with the style and finish. A wood
door, lined with tin, may be used in factories, but not in fine
apartment houses. A price of $300 may be set for an or-
dinary installation.
DAHLSTROM DOORS, ETC.:— There are many kinds of
fireproof doors and windows now on the market. An ap-
proximate price on one kind will serve for an estimate on all.
Doors range from $1.25 to $1.70 per square foot without
glass or hardware, but with hardware fitted. The one panel
doors are the cheapest. Jambs and casings are not included.
662 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
For 6" partitions with 5" casings both sides, the cost is 95
cents per lineal foot. These prices include a grained enamel
finish; a plain color finish is 5 per cent. less. For quantities
of 25 deduct 10 per cent, from above prices, which are F.
O. B. New York.
Doors with 5 panels in the regular style naturally cost
more than with one, as there is welding to do at all joints.
The above prices are based on a door 3' x 7'. Freight, hard-
ware, glass, and erection have to be added.
Office partitions and wainscoting are figured at the same
price per square foot as doors*
The cost of erection is set by the manufacturers at from
20 to 30 per cent, of the cost of material, under ordinary
conditions.
Two sheets of asbestos are used inside the doors, with a
sheet of felt between. A strip of cork iy2" wide is used in-
side the hollow stile to reduce the metallic ring when shut-
ting.
VACUUM CLEANERS.
(The following information is supplied by the McCrum-
Howell Co. for this book. Prices are, of course, changed to
suit conditions.)
There are two kinds of Vacuum Cleaners, viz.: portable
and stationary. Portable machines range in price from
$65.00 to $225.00 depending on size and capacity. Where
practicable, stationary machines installed in cellar are pref-
erable.
Stationary Vacuum Cleaners can be readily installed in
all classes of buildings. The machines are operated by
steam, electricity, or gasoline engine. Machines are rated
according to their sweeper capacity, i. e., a machine may be
capable of operating one sweeper at one time, two sweepers
at one time, etc. For residences, small apartments, etc., one-
sweeper plants are commonly used, while multi-sweeper
plants are installed in large buildings.
EQUIPMENT OF BUILDINGS 663
The following estimates are based on "RICHMOND" elec-
trically driven machines, with positive, rotary pumps.
COST OF MACHINES FOR ONE-SWEEP CAPACITY FOR
RESIDENCES AND SMALL BUILDINGS.
1 H.P. Electric one-sweeper machine $300.00
2 H.P. Electric one-sweeper machine 450.00
3 H.P. Electric one-sweeper machine 700.00
Above approximate figures include complete machine, i. e.,
motor, pump, dust separators, etc., ready to operate, also one
complete set of hose and cleaning appliances. These fig-
ures include freight except in extreme Southern and West-
ern states.
The two chief items connected with installation are pip-
ing and wiring. Piping for one-sweeper plants is usually
iy2" in size. Figure roughly 50c to 60c per foot for 1^"
pipe installed with long sweep drainage fittings.
The cost of wiring depends upon H.P. of motor and length,
of wire to be installed. When required, rheostats are fur-
nished with machines without extra charge. The simplest
form of electrical connection is to connect rheostat direct
with service wires with switch near machine. Cost of this-
style of connection varies from $10.00 to $30.00, depending
on size of motor and length necessary to run.
If desired, remote control system can be installed for
motor, in which case, automatic starter is desirable with
push buttons where required. For automatic starters, both
direct and alternating currents, costs are about as follows:
1 H.P. Automatic Starter $20.00
2 H.P. Automatic Starter 25.00
3 H.P. Automatic Starter 30.00
For wiring and push buttons, add about $15.00 for first, and
$10.00 for each additional push button or remote control
station.
664 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
Below is a typical estimate of 1 H.P., one-sweeper electri-
cal machine for installation in average residence of, say, ten
rooms :
Cost
1 1-H.P. One-sweeper machine complete $300.00
5 1" Service inlets or hose connections, to be placed
on piping 7.50
20' of iy2" Horizontal vacuum main installed in base-
ment, with recessed long sweep fittings 11.00
34' of iy2" Vertical vacuum main installed to third
floor, fittings ditto 18.70
12' of 2" Exhaust pipe from machine to flue 7.80
Electrical connection with one single throw switch in
basement , 15.00
Cartage on machine 5.00
Test and demonstration 5.00
$370.00
Add profit (1,5^) 55.50
$425.50
If remote control for motor with three push mutton sta-
tions is to be installed, add $40.00 to above estimate ($55.00
less $15.00 allowed for straight connection).
For larger buildings which require plants of more than
one-sweeper capacity, all items of cost run higher. On
large installations the entire job is usually laid out in detail.
The cost of plain electric connection will depend on H.P. of
motor and length of wire; from $20.00 to $60.00 should cover
this. Add to the above items, cost of cartage, freight, if any,
installation and setting of machine, testing, and any extras
called for. For rough estimates, the following figures can
l)e used to cover multi-sweeper electric Vacuum Cleaners,
positive rotary pump type. These figures include freight
except for extreme Southern and Western states. With all
EQUIPMENT OF BUILDINGS 665
machines are included the same number of sets of hose and
tools as the sweeper capacity rating.
Sweeper Capacity H.P. Cost
2 5 $1000.00
3 IVz 1400.00
4 10 1800.00
5 12^ 2125.00
6 15 2375.00
Larger plants are used only in very large buildings.
For estimating on size of plant necessary, it can be said
roughly that one operator, with machine sufficiently power-
ful, can clean about 2500 square feet per hour on carpets,
rugs, etc., and about 4000 square feet per hour on bare wood
and tile floors.
Proper size of piping is most important. The following
general rules cover most cases:
1. Use no piping smaller than l1/^".
2. Leave 1" outlets for hose connections.
3. For one-sweeper machines use iy2" pipe.
. For two-sweeper machines use 2" pipe. In case there
are branches on which not more than one-sweeper will be
used at a time, a iy2" can be used.
5. For three-sweeper machines, use 2V2" pipe for mains,
with 2" and iy2" branches, according to number of sweepers
to be operated from branch.
6. For four-sweeper machine, use 3" pipe with smaller
branches.
7. For five-sweeper machine, use 3*£" pipe with smaller
branches.
8. For six-sweeper machine, use 4" pipe with smaller
branches.
9. Always use long sweep fittings with recessed threads,
with brass cleanout plugs at all turns. Sanitary drainage
fittings or "RICHMOND" Smooth-bore fittings are satisfac-
tory. All pipe ends must be carefully squared and reamed.
666 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
On electrically driven reciprocating pump machines, prices
are about as follows:
2 H.P. one-sweeper capacity machine $ 450.00
3 H.P. one-sweeper capacity machine 900.00
iy2 H.P. two-sweeper capacity machine 1400.00
10 H.P. three-sweeper capacity machine 1750.00
15 H.P. four-sweeper capacity machine 2250.00
15 H.P. five-sweeper capacity machine 2625.00
20 H.P. six-sweeper capacity machine 3000.00
Steam aspirator plants are very efficient and economical
when steam is available at 65 Ibs. or over. The following
estimates include complete machines with hose and tools
as per sweeper rating. The installation costs are about the
same as for electric, and the same rules for pipe sizes apply.
One-sweeper capacity $ 480.00
Two-sweeper capacity 720.00
Three-sweeper capacity 960.00
Four-sweeper capacity 1200.00
Five-sweeper capacity 1440.00
Six-sweeper capacity 1680.00
If desired, remote control system can be installed for
motor, in which case, automatic starter is desirable with
momentary contact push button switches on each floor
where required. For automatic starters, costs are about as
follows :
A.C. B.C.
1-H.P. Automatic Starter $20.00 $30.00
2-H.P. Automatic Starter 25.00 32.50
3-H.P, Automatic Starter . 30.00 35.00
CHAPTER XLV.
APARTMENT HOUSES,
METHOD: — In a discussion of the merits of such an exten-
sive physical valuation of property as that of Cleveland
many real estate men said that a better index of value is the
return from the investment. As we have seen in the chap-
ter on Physical Valuation, the amount and market value of
stocks and bonds are taken into account in valuations of
railroad property, and the Supreme Court of the United
States has decided that the reproduction value is only one
element of several to be considered.
It is seen, therefore, that the appraiser of property has to
consider more than the value of the brickwork and other
items in a building. As a guide to getting at the cost of
operating apartment houses the following tables are given.
They are from the accurate book accounts of one of the
large companies in New York City/ that makes a specialty of
caring for this class of property. They are the averages for
three years.
OLD-STYLE, NON-FIREPROOF, HIGH CLASS APART-
MENT HOUSES
DESCRIPTION: — Seven stories; brick on corner lot; high
ceilings; trim, birch, cherry, mahogany; 1 hydraulic and 1
electric elevator; buildings are kept in highest state of re-
pairs, and the service is first class.
No. 1 No. 2
Number rentable rooms (excluding baths
and closets) 96 15&
Cubical contents in feet 327,900 682,700
Gross rents $17,670.00 $28,200.00
Vacancies and loss of rent
667
668 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
COSTS TO GROSS RENTS.
Percentage Percentage
Heat and hot water 6.50
Heat, power and mechanical repairs . . . 8.02
Fuel and removing ashes 7.10
Elevator service 4.80
Elevator labor, repairs and supplies . . . 5.46
Janitor's labor and supplies 3.78 5.97
Public lighting and supplies 1.23 1.80
Supervision 3^ 6.02
Building repairs 11.80 8.05
Insurance 1.44 1.59
Water .99 1.24
Taxes 9.48 16.70
Gross cost of operation 55.19 57.45
Net cost of operation 45.71 38.98
Heat and hot water per 1000 cu. ft. per
season $2.69
Hepairs and supplies per elevator per
annum $180.00 100.00
Janitor's supplies to his labor 7.3^
Electric power per elevator per annum 504.00
Mechanical repairs and supplies to- coal
bill 38^
PER RENTABLE ROOM PER ANNUM.
Gross rent $184.00 $178.50
Heat, power, repairs and supplies 27.80 11.58
Elevator service (labor, repairs and sup-
plies) 10.00 8.60
Janitor service 6.95 10.70
Public lighting 2.26 3.21
Supervision 5.50 10.70
Building repairs 21.60 14.40
Insurance 2.66 2.82
APARTMENT HOUSES 669
Water
Taxes 15.55 29.80
Sundries 4.96 5.38
Vacancies . 3.16
Gross cost of operation per rentable
room per annum $99.11 $102.56
Net return to owner per rentable room
per annum .' 84.89 75.94
Per cent, net return to book value of prop-
erty 3.95 5.34
To the ordinary investor the rate of net return does not
seem large enough to tempt him to buy shares in such a
building — but owners often manage an apartment house
themselves with better results, although they do not always
charge up the proper amount for salaries for their own labor.
Then, there is no allowance in the foregoing table for depre-
ciation. A fund ought to be set aside for that.
MODERN, SEMI-FIREPROOF, MEDIUM GRADE
APARTMENTS
DESCRIPTION:— Seven to eight stories; electric elevators;
two baths per apartment; marble and gilt entrance halls.
No. 1 No. 2
Number of rentable rooms (no closets or
bathrooms) ...................... 110 248
Cubical contents in feet .................. 349,920 701,000
Gross rents ........................... $15,800.00 $35,200.00
Vacancies and loss of rents to gross rents
COSTS TO GROSS RENTS
Percentage Percentage
Heat and hot water ................... 10.45 5.02
Elevator service ...................... 6.88 5.94
Janitor's service ...................... 2.07 2.04
Public lighting ..................... 2.11 3.48
670
THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
Supervision 2.72 2.59
Building repairs 10.10 11.30
Insurance 1.59 .75
Water 2.44 1.09
Taxes 9.70 13.00
Gross cost of operation 48.06 59.61
Net cost of operation (taxes) 38.36 32.21
MISCELLANEOUS COSTS.
Heat and hot water per 1000 cu. ft. of
bldg. per season $4.80 $2.52
Heating, repairs and supplies to cost of
coal .37.100 13.000
Repairs and supplies per elevator per
annum $155.00 $143.50
Elevator and house pump power per ele-
vator per annum 330.00 415.00
Janitor's supplies to his labor 14.100 19.700
PER RENTABLE ROOM PER ANNUM
Gross rent $143.50 $144.00
Heat rent 15.05 7.12
Elevator service 9.87 8.42
Janitor's service 2.94 2.89
Public lighting 3.02 4.90
Supervision 3.90 3.68
Building repairs 14.46 14.88
Insurance 2.83 1.25
Water (No. 1, meter; No. 2, front charge) 3.49 1.16
Taxes 13.86 19.60
Loss of rent and vacancies 20.15
Gross cost of operation 69.42 84.05
Net return to owner 74.08 59.95
Per cent, net return to book value of
property 6.780 5.950
APARTMENT HOUSES 671
GOOD GRADE NON-FIREPROOF FLATS
DESCRIPTION:— Five stories; no elevator; brick; bath and
toilets; cold water; stores on ground floor which bring up
rent average per room; janitor service for halls only; tene-
meDt rented by a good class of tradesmen.
No. 1 No. 2
Number of rentable rooms, equivalent . 120 111
Gross rents $7661 $7000
COSTS TO GROSS RENTS
Percentage Percentage
Janitor service 4.70 6.00
Public lighting 1.90 1.50
Building repairs 12.50 14.80
Insurance 1.10 1.50
Water 2.40 2.10
Taxes 15.00 13.50
Sundries .20 .41
Supervision 5.00 5.00
Operation, gross 42.80 52.00
Operation, net 27.80 31.40
PER RENTABLE ROOM PER ANNUM
Gross rents $64.00 $63.10
Janitor service 3.00 3.78
Public lighting 1.20 1.00
Building repairs 8.05 9.38
Insurance 0.70 0.94
Water 1>56 It32
Taxes 9.60 g.54
Sundries 0.12 0.25
Supervision 3.24 3.14
Vacancies 4 50
Gross cost of operation 27.47 32.85
Net cost of operation . 36.53 30.25
Per cent, net return to book value of
property 4.87 5.15
672 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
INTEREST: — The rate of return on all the classes listed
runs from 3.95 per cent, per annum to 6.78; and there is no
allowance for a depreciation fund. Many real estate men as-
sert that the man with the mortgage or the bond always
comes out ahead in the long run. A net return of six per
cent, on a mortgage is not unusual, and there is no worry on
any account if it is well placed — no vacancies, repairs, cy-
clones, earthquakes, or loss of income through fires.
OPERATING COST:— Some authorities say that four
months' rent should cover all expenses of operating a mod-
ern apartment, or 33 1-3 per cent, of the returns, while others
allow 40 per cent. In case of a panic or dull times the
apartments with the highest rents suffer most.
PHYSICAL VALUATION:— If the valuation is to be based on
the reproduction cost alone and a depreciation allowed, the
rate of net return does not have to be considered as a fac-
tor; but if it has, the foregoing figures may surprise some.
An operating cost ranging from 33 to 40 per cent, cuts down
a high valuation, unless a low percentage is accepted for the
unit.
CHAPTER XLVI.
WAGE TABLES
So far as wages go, the table is self-explanatory; but it
may also be used as a multiplication table, or to check cal-
culations from any numbers from 10 to 90 multiplied by any
from 1 to 60. Thus, 59 times 81=4779; 24 times 14=336.
The rate from 10 cents per hour to 90 will cover all build-
ing work under ordinary conditions, but by adding two num-
bers together a larger rate can be figured. Thus, 85 cents
and 10 make 95, which multiplied by, say, 43 hours=$4.30
added to $36.55=$40.85.
The fractional table is used by adding the two sums to-
gether. Thus, 56 hours at 67^ cents=$37.52 added to
$0.28=$37.80.
Fractional Table
Hours
Rate Iff
Am't
Rate \i
Am't
Rate \t
Am't
Hours
Rate It
Am't
Rate \t
Am't
Rate It
Am't
1
,
*
|
31
71
15*
231
2
i
1
if
32
84
16
24
3
|
1*
21
33
81
16*
243
4
1
2
3
34
8*
17
25*
5
H
2*
31
35
81
17*
261
6
1*
3
4*
36
9
18
27
7
If
3*
51
37
91
18*
271
8
9
2
21
4
6
61
38
39
9*
91
19
19*
28*
291
10
2*
5*
7*
40
10
20
30
11
12
21
3
62
81
9
41
42
101
10*
20*
21
301
31*
13
31
6*
91
43
101
21*
321
14
3*
7
10*
44
11
22
33
15
31
7*
HI
45
111
22*
331
16
4
8
12
46
11*
23
34*
17
41
8*
47
111
23*
351
18
4*
9
13*
48
12
24
36
19
41
9*
, 141
49
121
24*
36f
20
21
5
51
10
10*
15
151
50
51
lit
25
25*
37 *
22
5*
11
16*
52
13
26
39*
23
51
11*
171
53
131
26*
39|
24
6
12
18
54
13*
27
40*
25
61
12*
55
131
27*
411
26
6*
13
19*
56
14
28
42
27
28
29
61
7
71
1!!
201
21
211
57
58
59
141
14*
14f
28*
29
29*
421
43*
441
30
7*
15
22*
60
15
30
45
673
674
THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
HOURLY TABLE OF WAGES
Calculated upon Rate per Hour, from 10 cents to 20 cents
Rate
10*
11*
12*
13*
14*
15*
16*
17*
18*
19*
20*
Hours
Am't
Am't
Am't
Am't
Am't
Am't
Am't
Am't
Am't
Am't
Am't
1
.10
.11
.12
.13
.14
.15
.16
.17
.18
.19
.20
2
.20
.22
.24
.26
.28
.30
.32
.34
.36
.38
.40
3
.30
.33
.36
.39
.42
.45
.48
.51
.54
.57
.60
4
.40
.44
.48
.52
.56
.60
.64
.68
.72
.76
.80
5
.50
.55
.60
.65
.70
.75
.80
.85
.90
.95
1.00
6
.60
.66
.72
.78
.84
.90
.96
1.02
1.08
1.14
1.20
7
.70
.77
.84
.91
.98
1.05
1.12
1.19
1.26
1.33
1.40
8
.80
.88
.96
1.04
1.12
1.20
1.28
1.36
1.44
1.52
1.60
9
.90
.99
1.08
1.17
1.26
1.35
1.44
1.53
1.62
1.71
1.80
10
1.00
1.10
1.20
1.30
1.40
1.50
1.60
1.70
1.80
1.90
2.00
11
1.10
1.21
1.32
1.43
1.54
1.65
1.76
1.87
1.98
2.09
2.20
12
1.20
1.32
1.44
1.56
1.68
1.80
1.92
2.04
2.16
2.28
2.40
13
1.30
1.43
1.56
1.69
1.82
1.95
2.08
2.21
2.34
2.47
2.60
14
1.40
1.54
1.68
1.82
1.96
2.10
2.24
2.38
2.52
2.66
2.80
15
1.50
1.65
1.80
1.95
2.10
2.25
2.40
2.55
2.70
2.85
3.CO
16
1.60
1.76
1.92
2.08
2.24
2.40
2.56
2.72
2.88
3.04
3.20
17
1.70
1.87
2.04
2.21
2.38
2.55
2.72
2.89
3.06
3.23
3.40
18
1.80
1.98
2.16
2.34
2.52
2.70
2.88
3.06
3.24
3.42
3.60
19
1.90
2.09
2.28
2.47
2.66
2.85
3.04
3.23
3.42
3.61
3.80
20
2.00
2.20
2.40
2.60
2.80
3.00
3.20
3.40
3.60
3.80
4.00
21
2.10
2.31
2.52
2.73
2.94
3.15
3.36
3.57
3.78
3.91)
4.20
22
2.20
2.42
2.64
2.86
3.08
3.30
3.52
3.74
3.96
4.18
4.40
23
2.30
2.53
2.76
2.99
3.22
3.45
3.68
3.91
4.14
4.37
4.60
24
2.40
2.64
2.88
3.12
3.36
3.60
3.84
4.08
4.32
4.56
4.80
25
2.50
2.75
3.00
3.25
3.50
3.75
4.00
4.25
4.50
4.75
5.CO
26
2.60
2.86
3.12
3.38
3.64
3.90
4.16
4.42
4.68
4.94
5.20
27
2.70
2.97
3.24
3.51
3.78
4.05
4.32
4.59
4.86
5.13
5.40
28
2.80
3.08
3.36
3.64
3.92
4.20
4.48
4.76
5.04
5.32
5.60
29
2.90
3.19
3.48
3.77
4.06
4.35
4.64
4.93
5.22
5.51
5.80
30
3.00
3.30
3.60
3.90
4.20
4.50
4.80
5.10
5.40
5.70
6.00
31
3.10
3.41
3.72
4.03
4.34
4.65
4.96
5.27
5.58
5.89
6.20
32
3.20
3.52
3.84
4.16
4.48
4.80
5.12
5.44
5.76
6.08
6.40
33
3.30
3.63
3.96
4.29
4.62
4.95
5.28
5.61
5.94
6.27
6.60
34
3.40
3.74
4.08
4.42
4.76
5.10
5.44
5.78
6.12
6.46
6.80
35
3.50
3.85
4.20
4.55
4.90
5.25
5.60
5.95
6.30
6.65
7.00
36
3.60
3.96
4.32
4.68
5.04
5.40
5.76
6.12
6.48
6.84
7.20
37
3.70
4.07
4.44
4.81
5118
5.55
5.92
6.29
6.66
7.03
7.40
38
3.80
4.18
4.56
4.94
5.32
5.70
6.08
6.46
6.84
7.22
7.60
39
3.90
4.29
4.68
5.07
5.46
5.85
6.24
6.63
7.02
7.41
7.80
i 40
4.00
4.40
4.80
5.20
5.60
6.00
6.40
6.80
7.20
7.60
8.00
41
4.10
4.51
4.92
5.33
5.74
6.15
6.56
6.97
7.38
7.79
8.20
42
4.20
4.62
5.04
5.46
5.88
6.30
6.72
7.14
7.56
7.98
8.40
43
4.30
4.73
5.16
5.59
6.02
6.45
6.88
7.31
7.74
8.17
8.CO
44
4.40
4.84
5.28
5.72
6.16
6.60
7.04
7.48
7.92
8.36
8.80
45
4.50
4.95
5.40
5.85
6.30
6.75
7.20
7.65
8.10
8.55
9.00
46
4.60
5.06
5.52
5.98
6.44
6.90
7.36
7.82
8.28
8.74
9.20
47
4.70
5.17
5.64
6.11
6.58
7.05
7.52
7.99
8.46
8.93
9.40
48
4.80
5.28
5.76
6.24
6.72
7.20
7.68
8.16
8.64
9.12
9.CO
49
4.90
5.39
5.88
6.37
6.86
7.35
7.84
8.33
8.82
9.31
9.80
50
5.00
5.50
6.00
6.50
7.00
7.50
8.00
8.50
9.00
9.50
10.00
51
5.10
5.61
6.12
6.63
7.14
7.65
8.16
8.67
9.18
9.69
10.20
52
5.20
5.72
6.24
6.76
7.28
7.80
8.32
8.84
9.36
9.88
10.40
53
5.30
5.83
6.36
6.89
7.42
7.95
8.48
9.01
9.54
10.07
10.60
54
5.40
5.94
6.48
7.02
7.56
8.10
8.64
9.18
9.72
10.26
10.80
55
5.50
6.05
6.60
7.15
7.70
8.25
8.80
9.35
9.90
10.45
11.00
56
5.60
6.16
6.72
7.28
7.84
S.40
8.96
9.52
10.08
10.64
11.20
57
5.70
6.27
6.84
7.41
7.98
8.55
9.12
9.69
10.26
10.83
11.40
58
5.80
6.38
6.96
7.54
8.12
8.70
9.28
9.86
10.44
11.02
11.60
59
5.90
ft 49
7.08
7.67
«.26
8.85
9.44
10.03
10.62
11.21
11.80
60
6.00
6.60
7.20
7.80
8.40
9.00
fi.60
10.20
10.80
11.40
12.00
WAGE TABLES
675
HOURLY TABLE OF WAGES
Calculated upon Rate per Hour, from 21 cents to 30 cents
Rate
2U
22i
23 i
24 1
25t
26£
Hi
28£
29*
30£
Hours
Am't
Am't
Am't
Am't
Am't
Am't
Am't
Am't
Am't
Am't
1
.21
.22
.23
.24
.25
' .26
.27
.28
.29
.30
2
.42
!44
.46
.48
.50
.52
.54
.56
.58
.60
3
.63
.66
.69
.72
.75
.78
.81
.84
.87
.90
4
.84
.88
.92
.96
1.00
1.04
1.08
1.12
1.16
1.20
5
1.05
1.10
1.15
1.20
1.25
1.30
1.35
1.40
1.45
1.50
6
1.26
1.32
1.38
1.44
1.50
1.56
1.62
1.68
1.74
1.80
7
1.47
1.54
1.61
1.68
1.75
1.82
1.89
1.96
2.03
2.10
8
1.68
1.76
1.84
1.92
2.00
2.08
2.16
2.24
2.32
2.40
9
1.89
1.98
2.07
2.16
2.25
2.34
2.43
2.52
2.61
2.70
10
2.10
2.20
2.30
2.40
2.50
2.60
2.70
2.80
2.50
3.CO
11
2.31
2.42
2.53
2.64
2.75
2.86
2.97
3.08
3.19
3.30
12
2.52
2.64
2.76
2.88
3.00
3.12
3.24
3.36
3.48
3.60
13
2.73
2.86
2.99
3.12
3.25
3.38
3.51
3.64
3.77
3.SO
14
2.94
3.08
3.22
3.36
3.50
3.64
3.78
3.92
4.06
4.20
15
3.15
3.30
3.45
3.60
3.75
3.90
4.05
4.20
4.35
4.SO
16
3.36
3.52
3.68
3.84
4.00
4.16
4.32
4.48
4.64
4.SO
17
3.57
3.74
3.91
4.08
4.25
4.42
4.59
4.76
4.93
5.10
18
3.78
3.96
4.14
4.32
4.50
4.68
4.86
5.04
5.22
5.40
19
3.99
4.18
4.37
4.56
4.75
4.94
5.13
5.32
5.51
5.70
23
4.20
4.40
4.60
4.80
5.00
5.20
5.40
5.60
5.80
6.00
21
4.41
4.62
4.83
5.04
5.25
5.46
5.67
5.88
6.09
6.30
22
4.62
4.84
5.06
5.28
5.50
5.72
5.94
6.16
6.38
6.60
23
4.83
5.06
5.29
5.52
5.75
5.98
6.21
6.44
6.67
6.90
24
5.04
5.28
5.52
5.76
6.00
6.24
6.48
6.72
6.96
7.20
25
5.25
5.50
5.75
6.00
6.25
6.50
6.75
7.00
7.25
7.50
26
5.46
5.72
5.98
6.24
6.50
6.76
7.02
7.28
7.54
7.80
27
5.67
5.94
6.21
6.48
6.75
7.02
7.29
7.56
7.83
8.10
28
5.88
6.16
6.44
6.72
7.00
7.28
7.56
7.84
8.12
8.40
29
6.09
6.38
6.67
6.96
7.25
7.54
7.83
8.12
8.41
8.70
30
6.30
6.60
6.90
7.20
7.50
7.80
8.10
8.40
8.70
9.00
31
6.51
6.82
7.13
7.44
7.75
8.06
8.37
8.68
8.99
9.30
32
6.72
7.04
7.36
7.68
8.00
8.32
8.64
8.96
9.28
9.CO
33
6.93
7.26
7.59
7.92
8.25
8.58
8.91
9.24
9.57
9.SO
34
7.14
7.48
7.82
8.16
8.50
8.84
9.18
9.52
9.86
10.20
35
7.35
7.70
8.05
8.40
8.75
9.10
9.45
9.80
10.15
10.50
36
7.56
7.92
8.28
8.64
9.00
9.36
9.72
10.08
10.44
10.80
37
7.77
8.14
8.51
8.88
9.25
9.62
9.99
10.36
10.73
11.10
38
7.98
8.36
8.74
9.12
9.50
9.88
10.26
10.64
11.02
11.40
39
8.19
8.58
8.97
9.36
9.75
10.14
10.53
10.92
11.31
11.70
40
8.40
8.80
9.20
9.60
10.00
10.40
10.80
11.20
11.60
12.00
41
8.61
9.02
9.43
9.84
10.25
10.66
11.07
11.48
11.89
12.30
42
8.82
9.24
9.66
10.08
10.50
10.92
11.34
11.76
12.18
12.60
43
9.03
9.46
9.89
10.32
10.75
11.18
11.61
12.04
12.47
12. SO
44
9.24
9.68
10.12
10.56
11.00
11.44
11.88
12.32
12.76
13.20
45
9.45
9.90
10.35
10.80
11.25
11.70
12.15
12.60
13.05
13.50
46
9.66
10.12
10.58
11.04
11.50
11.96
12.42
12.88
13.34
13.80
47
9.87
10.34
10.81
11.28
11.75
12.22
12.69
13.16
13.63
14.10
48
10.08
10.56
11.04
11.52
12.00
12.48
12.96
13.44
13.92
14.40
49
10.29
10.78
11.27
11.76
12.25
12.74
13.23
13.72
14.21
14.70
50
10.50
11.00
11.50
12.00
12.50
13.00
13.50
14.00
14.50
15.00
51
10.71
11.22
11.73
12.24
12.75
13.26
13.77
14.28
14.79
15.20
52
10.92
11.44
11.96
12.48
13.00
13.52
14.04
14.56
15.08
15.6O
53
11.13
11.66
12.19
12.72
13.25
13.78
14.31
14.84
15.37
15.SO
54
11.34
11.88
12.42
12.96
13.50
14.04
14.58
15.12
15.66
16.20
55
11.55
12.10
12.65
13.20
13.75
14.30
14.85
15.40
15.95
16.50
56
11.76
12.32
12.88
13.44
14.00
14.56
15.12
15.68
16.24
16.8O
57
11.97
12.54
13.11
13.68
14.25
14.82
15.39
15.96
16.53
17.1O
58
12.18
12.76
13.34
13.92
14.50
15.08
15.86
16.24
16.82
17.40
59
12.39
12.98
13.57
14.16
14.75
15.34
15.93
16.52
17.11
17.70
60
12.60
13.20
13.80
14.40
15.00
15.60
16.20
16.80
17.40
18.00
676
THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
HOURLY TABLE OF WAGES
Calculated upon Rate per Hour, from 31 to 40 cents
Rate
310
32 0
330
340
350
360
370
380
390
400
i Hours
Am't
Ain't
Am't
Am't
Am't
Am't
Am't
Am't
Am't
Am't
1
.31
.32
.33
:34
.35
.36
.37
.38
.39
.40
2
.62
.64
.66
.68
.70
.72
.74
.76
.78
.80
3
.93
.96
.99
1.02
1.05
1.08
1.11
1.14
1.17
1.20
4
1.24
1.28
1.32
1.36
1.40
1.44
1.48
1.52
1.56
1.60
5
1.55
1.60
1.65
1.70
1.75
1.80
1.85
1.90
1.95
2.00
6
1.86
1.92
1.98
2.04
2.10
2.16
2.22
2.28
2.34
2.40
7
2.17
2.24
2.31
2.38
2.45
2.52
2.59
2.66
2.73
2.80
8
2.48
2.56
2.64
2.72
2.80
2.88
2.96
3.04
3.12
3.20
9
2.79
2.88
2.97
3.06
3.15
3.24
3.33
3.42
3.51
3.60
10
3.10
3.20
3.30
3.40
3.50
3.60
3.70
3.80
3.90
4.CO
11
3.41
3.52
3.63
3.74
3.85
3.96
4.07
4.18
4.29
4.40
12
3.72
3.84
3.96
4.08
4.20
4.32
4.44
4.56
4.68
4.80
13
4.03
4.16
4.29
4.42
4.55
4.68
4.81
4.94
• 5.07
5.20
14
4.34
4.48
4.62
4.76
4.90
5.04
5.18
5.32
5.46
5.60
15
4.65
4.80
4.95
5.10
5.25
5.40
5.55
5.70
5.85
6.00
16
4.96
5.12
5.28
5.44
5.60
5.76
5.92
6.08
6.24
6.40
17
5.27
5.44
5.61
5.78
5.95
6.12
6.29
6.46
6.63
6.80
18
5.58
5.76
5.94
6.12
6.30
6.48
6.66
6.84
7.02
7.20
19
5.89
6.08
6.27
6.46
6.65
6.84
7.03
7.22
7.41
7.60
23
6.20
6.40
6.60
6.80
7.00
7.20
7.40
7.60
7.80
8.00
21
6.51
6.72
6.93
7.14
7.35
7.56
7.77
7.98
8.19
8.40
22
6.82
7.04
7.26
7.48
7.70
7.92
8.14
8.36
8.58
8.80
23
7.13
7.36
7.59
7.82
8.05
8.28
8.51
8.74
8.97
9.20
21
7.44
7.6S
7.92
8.16
8.40
8.64
8.88
9.12
9.36
9.CO
25
7.75
8.00
8.25
8.50
8.75
9.00
9.25
9.50
9.75
10.00
26
8.06
8.32
8.58
8.84
9.10
9.36
9.62
9.88
10.14
10.40
27
8.37
8.64
8.91
9.18
9.45
9.72
9.99
10.26
10.53
10.80
28
8.68
8.96
9.24
9.52
9.80
10.08
10.36
10.64
10.92
11.20
29
8.99
9.28
9.57
9.86
10.15
10.44
10.73
11.02
11.31
11. eo
30
9.30
9.60
9.90
10.20
10.50
10.80
11.10
11.40
11.70
12.00
31
9.61
9.92
10.23
10.54
10.85
11.16
11.47
11.78
12.09
12.40
32
9.92
10.24
10.56
10.88
11.20
11.52
11.84
12.16
12.48
12.SO
33
10.23
10.56
10.89
11.22
11.55
11.88
12.21
12.54
12.87
13.20
34
10.54
10.88
11.22
11.56
11.90
12.24
12.58
12.92
13.26
13.60
35
10.85
11.20
11.55
11.90
12.25
12.60
12.95
13.30
13.65
14. CO
36
11.16
11.52
11.88
12.24
12.60
12.96
13.32
13.68
14.04
14.40
37
11.47
11.84
12.21
12.58
12.95
13.32
13.69
14.06
14.43
14.80
38
11.78
12.16
12.54
12.92
13.30
13.68
14.06
14.44
14.82
15.20
39
12.09
12.48
12.87
13.26
13.65
14.04
14.43
14.82
15.21
15.60
40
12.40
12.80
13.20
13.60
14.00
14.40
14.80
15.20
15.60
16.00
41
12.71
13.12
13.53
13.94
14.35
14.76
15.17
15.58
15.99
16.40
42
13.02
13.44
13.86
14.28
14.70
15.12
15.54
15.96
16.38
16.80
43
13.33
13.76
14.19
14.62
1.5.05
15.48
15.91
16.34
16.77
17.20
44
13.61
14.08
14.52
14.96
15.40
15.84
16.28
16.72
17.16
17.60
45
13.95
14.40
14.85
15.30
15.75
16.20
16.65
17.10
17.55
18.00
46
14.26
14.72
15.18
15.64
16.10
16.56
17.02
17.48
17.94
18.40
47
14.57
15.04
15.51
15.98
16.45
16.92
17.39
17.86
18.33
18.80
48
14.88
15.36
15.84
16.32
16.80
17.28
17.76
18.24
18.72
19.20
49
15.19
15.68
16.17
16.66
17.15
17.64
18.13
18.62
19.11
19.CO
50
15.50
16.00
16.50
17.00
17.50
18.00
18.50
19.00
19.50
20.00
51
15.81
16.32
16.83
17.34
17.85
18.36
18.87
19.38
19.89
20.40
52
16.12
16.64
17.16
17.68
18.20
18.72
19.24
19.76
20.28
20.80
53
16.43
16.96
17.49
18.02
18.55
19.08
19.61
20.14
20.67
21.20
54
16.74
17.28
17.82
18.36
18.90
19.44
19.98
20.52
21.06
21.CO
55
17.05
17.60
18.15
18.70
19.25
19.80
20.35
20.90
21.45
22.00
56
17.36
17.92
18.48
19.04
19.60
20.16
20.72
21.28
21.84
22.40
57
17.67
18.24
18.81
19.38
19.95
20.52
21.09
21.66
22.23
22.80
58
17.98
18.56
19.14
19.72
20.30
20.88
21.46
22.04
22.62
23.20
59
18.29
18.88
19.47
20.06
20.65
21.24
21.83
22.42
23.01
23.60
60
18.60
19.20
19.80
20.40
21.00
21.60
22.20
22.80
23.10
24.00
WAGE TABLES
677
HOURLY TABLE OF WAGES
Calculated upon Rate per Hour, from 41 cents to 50 cents
Rate
41*
42^
43i
44,5
45^
46ji
47 1
48ji
49^
50^
Hours
Am't
Am't
Am't
Am't
Am't
Am't
Am't
Am't
Am't
Am't
1
.41
.42
.43
.44
.45
.46
.47
.48
.49
.50
2
.82
.84
.86
.88
.90
.92
.94
.96
.98
1.00
3
1.23
1.26
1.29
1.32
1.35
1.38
1.41
1.44
1.47
1.50
4
1.64
1.68
1.72
1.76
1.80
•1.84
1.88
1.92
1.96
2.CO
5
2.05
2.10
2.15
2.20
2.25
2.30
2.35
2.40
2.45
2.50
6
2.46
2.52
2.58
2.64
2.70
2.76
2.82
2.88
2.94
3.00
7
2.87
2.94
3.01
3.08
3.15
3.22
3.29
3.36
3.43
3. SO
8
3.28
3.36
3.44
3.52
3.60
3.68
3.76
3.84
3.92
4.00
9
3.69
3.78
3.87
3.96
4.05
4.14
4.23
4.32
4.41
4.5O
10
4.10
4.20
4.30
4.40
4.50
4.60
4.70
4.80
4.90
5.00
11
4.51
4.62
4.73
4.84
4.95
5.06
5.17
5.28
5.39
5.5O
12
4.92
5.04
5.16
5.28
5.40
5.52
5.64
5.76
5.88
6.00
13
5.33
5.46
5.59
5.72
5.85
5.98
6.11
6.24
6.37
6.&0
14
5.74
5.88
6.02
6.16
6.30
6.44
6.58
6.72
6.86
7.CO
15
6.15
6.30
6.45
6.60
6.75
6.90
7.05
7.20
7.35
7.50
16
6.56
6.72
6.88
7.04
7.20
7.36
7.52
7.68
7.84
8.00
17
6.97
7.14
7.31
7.48
7.65
7.82
7.99
8.16
8.33
8.50
18
7.38
7.56
7.74
7.92
8.10
8.28
8.46
8.64
8.82
9.00
19
7.79
7.98
8.17
8.36
8.55
8.74
8.93
9.12
9.31
9.5O
20
8.20
8.40
8.60
8.80
9.00
9.20
9.40
9.60
9.80
10.00
21
8.61
8.82
9.03
9.24
9.45
9.66
9.87
10.08
10.29
10. SO
22
9.02
9.24
9.46
9.68
9.90
10.12
10.34
10.56
10.78
11.00
23
9.43
9.66
9.89
10.12
10.35
10.58
10.81
11.04
11.27
11.50
24
9.84
10.08
10.32
10.56
10.80
11.04
11.28
11.52
11.76
12.00
25
10.25
10.50
10.75
11.00
11.25
11.50
11.75
12.00
12.25
12.50
26
10.66
10.92
11.18
11.44
11.70
11.96
12.22
12.48
12.74
13.0O
27
11.07
11.34
11.61
11.88
12.15
12.42
12.69
12.96
13.23
13.50
28
11.48
11.76
12.04
12.32
12.60
12.88
13.16
13.44
13.72
14.00
29
11.89
12.18
12.47
12.76
13.05
13.34
13.63
13.92
14.21
14.50
30
12.30
12.60
12.90
13.20
13.50
13.80
14.10
14.40
14.70
15.00
31
12.71
13.02
13.33
13.64
13.95
14.26
14.57
14.88
15.19
15.50
32
13.12
13.44
13.76
14.08
14.40
14.72
15.04
15.36
15.68
16.00
33
13.53
13.86
14.19
14.52
14.85
15.18
15.51
15.84
16.17
16.50
34
13.94
14.28
14.62
14.96
15.30
15.64
15.98
16.32
16.66
17.00
35
14.35
14.70
15.05
15.40
15.75
16.10
16.45
16.80
17.15
17.50
36
14.76
15.12
15.48
15.84
16.20
16.56
16.92
17.28
17.64
18.0O
37
15.17
15.54
15.91
16.28
16.65
17.02
17.39
17.76
18.13
18.50
38
15.58
15.96
16.34
16.72
17.10
17.48
17.86
18.24
18.62
19.00
39
15.99
16.38
16.77
17.16
17.55
17.94
18.33
18.72
19.11
19.5O
40
16.40
16.80
17.20
17.60
18.00
18.40
18.80
19.20
19.60
20.00
41
16.81
17.22
17.63
18.04
18.45
18.86
19.27
19.68
20.09
20.50
42
17.22
17.64
18.06
18.48
18.90
19.32
19.74
20.16
20.58
21.0O
43
17.63
18.06
18.49
18.92
19.35
19.78
20.21
20.64
21.07
21.50
44
18.04
18.48
18.92
19.36
19.80
20.24
20.68
21.12
21.56
22.00
45
18.45
18.90
19.35
19.80
20.25
20.70
21.15
21.60
22.05
22.5O
46
18.86
19.32
19.78
20.24
20.70
21.16
21.62
22.08
22.54
23.00
47
19.27
19.74
20.21
20.68
21.15
21.62
22.09
22.56
23.03
23.50
48
19.68
20.16
20.64
21.12
21.60
22.08
22.56
23.04
23.52
24 .00
49
20.09
20.58
21.07
21.56
22.05
22.54
23.03
23.52
24.01
24.50
50
20.50
21.00
21.50
22.00
22.50
23.00
23.50
24.00
24.50
25.0O
51
20.91
21.42
21.93
22.44
22.95
23.46
23.97
24.48
24.99
25.5O
52
21.32
21.84
22.36
22.88
23.40
23.92
24.44
24.96
25.48
26.00
53
21.73
22.26
22.79
23.32
23.85
24.38
27.91
25.44
25.97
26.5O
54
22.14
22.68
23.22
23.76
24.30
24.84
28.38
25.92
26.46
27.00
55
22.55
23.10
23.65
24.20
24.75
25.30
28.85
26.40
26.95
27.50
56
22.96
23.52
24.08
24.64
25.20
25.76
26.32
26.88
27.44
28.0O
57
23.37
23.94
24.51
25.08
25.65
26.22
26.79
27.36
27. S3
28.5O
58
23.78
24.36
24.94
25.52
26.10
26.68
27.26
27.84
28.42
29.0O
59
24.19
24.78
25.37
25.96
26.55
27.14
27.73
28.32
28.91
29.5O
60
24.60
25.20
25.80
26.40
27.00
27.60
28.20
28.80
29.40
30.00
678
THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
HOURLY TABLE OF WAGES
Calculated upon Rate per Hour, from 51 cents to 60 cents
Rate
5M
52^
53^
54^
55j<
5Gt
57i
58*
59*
60*
Hours
Am't
Am't
Am't
Am't
Am't
Am't
Am't
Am't
Am't
Am't
1
.51
.52
.53
.54
.55
.56
.57
.58
.59
.60
2
1.02
1.04
1.06
1.08
1.10
1.12
1.14
1.16
1.18
1.20
3
1.53
1.56
1.59
1.62
1.65
1.68
1.71
1.74
1.77
1.80
4
2.04
2.08
2.12
2.16
2.20
2.24
2.28
2.32
2.36
2.40
5
2.55
2.60
2.65
2.70
2.75
2.80
2.85
2.90
2.95
3.00
6
3.06
3.12
3.18
3.24
3.30
3.36
3.42
3.48
3.54
3.60
7
3.57
3.64
3.71
3.78
3.85
3.92
3.99
4.06
4.13
4.20
8
4.08
4.16
4.24
4.32
4.40
4.48
4.56
4.64
4.72
4.80
9
4.59
4.68
4.77
4.86
4.95
5.04
5.13
5.22
5.31
5.40
10
5.10
5.20
5.30
5.40
5.50
5.60
5.70
5.80
5.90
6.00
11
5.61
5.72
5.83
5.94
6.05
6.16
6.27
6.38
6.49
6.60
12
6.12
6.24
6.36
6.48
6.60
6.72
6.84
6.96
7.08
7.20
13
6.63
6.76
6.89
7.02
7.15
7.28
7.41
7.54
7.67
7.80
14
7.14
7.28
7.42
7.56
7.70
7.84
7.98
8.12
8.26
8.40
15
7.65
7.80
7.95
8.10
8.25
8.40
8.55
8.70
8.85
9.00
16
8.16
8.32
8.48
8.64
8.80
8.96
9.12
9.28
9.44
9.60
17
8.67
8.84
9.01
9.18
9.35
9.52
9.69
9.86
10.03
10.20
18
9.18
9.36
9.54
9.72
9.90
10.08
10.26
10.44
10.62
10.80
19
9.69
9.88
10.07
10.26
10.45
10.64
10.83
11.02
11.21
11.40
20
10.20
10.40
10.60
10.80
11.00
11.20
11.40
11.60
11.80
12.00
21
10.71
10.92
11.13
11.34
11.55
11.76
11.97
12.18
12.39
12.60
22
11.22
11.44
11.66
11.88
12.10
12.32
12.54
12.76
12.98
13.20
23
11.73
11.96
12.19
12.42
12.65
12.88
13.11
13.34
13.57
13.80
21
12.24
12.48
12.72
12.96
13.20
13.44
13.68
13.92
14.16
14.40
25
12.75
13.00
13.25
13.50
13.75
14.00
14.25
14.50
14.75
15.00
23
13.26
13.52
13.78
14.04
14.30
14.56
14.82
15.08
15.34
15.60
27
13.77
14.04
14.31
14.58
14.85
15.12
15.39
15.66
15.93
16.20
28
14.28
14.56
14.84
15.12
15.40
15.68
15.96
16.24
16.52
16.80
23
14.79
15.08
15.37
15.66
15.95
16.24
16.53
16.82
17.11
17.40
30
15.30
15.60
15.90
16.20
16.50
16.80
17.10
17.40
17.70
18.00
31
15.81
16.12
16.43
16.74
17.05
17.36
17.67
17.98
18.29
18.60
32
16.32
16.64
16.96
17.28
17.60
17.92
18.24
18.56
J8.88
19.20
33
16.83
17.16
17.49
17.82
18.15
18.48
18.81
19.14
^9.47
19.80
31
17.34
17.68
18.02
18.36
18.70
19.04
19.38
19.72
20.06
20.40
35
17.85
18.20
18.55
18.90
19.25
19.60
19.95
20.30
20.65
21.CO
33
18.33
18.72
19.08
19.44
19.80
20.16
20.52
20.88
21.24
21.60
37
18.87
19.24
19.61
19.98
20.35
20.72
21.09
21.46
21.83
22.20
38
19.38
19.76
20.14
20.52
20.90
21.28
21.66
22.04
22.42
22.80
39
19.89
20.28
20.67
21.06
21.45
21.84
22.23
22.62
23.01
23.40
40
20.40
20.80
21.20
21.60
22.00
22.40
22.80
23.20
23.CO
24.00
41
20.91
21.32
21.73
22.14
22.55
22.96
23.37
23.78
24.19
24.60
42
21.42
21.84
22.26
22.68
23.10
23.52
23.94
24.36
24.78
25.20
43
21.93
22.36
22.79
23.22
23.65
24.08
24.51
24.94
25.37
25.80
44
22.44
22.88
23.32
23.76
24.20
24.64
25.08
25.52
25.96
26.40
45
22.95
23.40
23.85
24.30
24.75
25.20
25.65
26.10
26.55
27.00
46
23.46
23.92
24.38
24.84
25.30
25.76
26.22
26.68
27.14
27.60
47
23.97
24.44
24.91
25.38
25.85
26.32
26.79
27.26
27.73
28.20
48
24.48
24.96
25.44
25.92
26.40
26.88
27.36
27.84
28.32
28.80
49
24.99
25.48
25.97
26.46
26.95
27.44
27.93
28.42
28.91
29.40
50
25.50
26.00
26.50
27.00
27.50
28.00
28.50
29.00
29.50
30.00
51
26.01
26.52
27.03
27.54
28.05
28.56
29.07
29.58
30.09
30.60
52
26.52
27.04
27.56
28.08
28.60
29.12
29.64
30.16
30.68
31.20
53
27.03
27.56
28.09
28.62
29.15
29.68
30.21
30.74
31.27
31.80
54
27.54
28.08
28.62
29.16
29.70
30.24
30.78
31.32
31.86
32.40
55
28.05
28.60
29.15
29.70
30.25
30.80
31.35
31.90
32.45
33.00
56
28.56
29.12
29.68
30.24
30.80
31.36
31.92
32.48
33.04
33.60
57
29.07
29.64
30.21
30.78
31.35
31.92
32.49
33.06
33.63
34.20
58
29.58
30.16
30.74
31.32
31.90
32.48
33.06
33.64
34.22
34.80
59
30.09
30.68
31.27
31.86
32.45
33.04
33.63
34.22
34.81
35.40
80
30.60
31.20
31.80
32.40
33.00
33.60
34.20
34.80
35.40
36.00
WAGE TABLES
679
TABLE OF WAGES
Calculated upon Rate per Hour, from 61 cents to 70 cents
Rate
01*
62j<
63^
64^
65^
66^
67^
68^
69^
70^
Hours
Ain't
Am't
Am't
Am't
Am't
Am't
Am't
Am't
Am't
Am't
1
.61
.62
.63
.64
.65
.66
.67
.68
.69
.70
2
1.22
1.24
1.26
1.28
1.30
1.32
1.34
1.36
1.38
1.40
3
1.83
1.86
1.89
1.92
1.95
1.98
2.01
2.04
2.07
2.10
4
2.44
2.48
2.52
2.56
2.60
2.64
2.68
2.72
2.76
2.80
5
3.05
3.10
3.15
3.20
3.25
3.30
3.35
3.40
3.45
3.50
6
3.66
3.72
3.78
3.84
3.90
3.96
4.02
4.08
4.14
4.20
7
4.27
4.34
4.41
4.48
4.55
4.62
4.69
4.76
4.83
4.90
8
4.88
4.96
5.04
5.12
5.20
5.28
5.36
5.44
5.52
5.60
9
5.49
5.58
5.67
5.76
5.85
5.94
6.03
6.12
6.21
6.30
10
6.10
6.20
6.30
6.40
6.50
6.60
6.70
6.80
6.90
7.00
11
6.71
6.82
6.93
7.04
7.15
7.26
7.37
7.48
7.59
7.70
12
7.32
7.44
7.56
7.68
7.80
7.92
8.04
8.16
8.28
8.40
13
7.93
8.06
8.19
8.32
8.45
8.58
8.71
8.84
8.97
9.10
14
8.54
8.68
8.82
8.96
9.10
9.24
9.38
9.52
9.66
9.80
15
9.15
9.30
9.45
9.60
9.75
9.90
10.05
10.20
10.35
10.50
16
9.76
9.92
10.08
10.24
10.40
10.56
10.72
10.88
11.04
11.20
17
10.37
10.54
10.71
10.88
11.05
11.22
11.39
11.56
11.73
11.90
18
10.98
11.16
11.34
11.52
11.70
11.88
12.06
12.24
12.42
12.60
19
11.59
11.78
11.97
12.16
12.35
12.54
12.73
12.92
13.11
13.30
20
12.20
12.40
12.60
12.80
13.00
13.20
13.40
13.60
13.80
14.00
21
12.81
13.02
13.23
13.44
13.65
13.86
14.07
14.28
14.49
14.70
22
13.42
13.64
13.86
14.08
14.30
14.52
14.74
14.96
15.18
15.40
23
14.03
14.26
14.49
14.72
14.95
15.18
15.41
15.64
15.87
16.10
24
14.64
14.88
15.12
15.36
15.60
15.84
16.08
16.32
16.56
16.80
25
15.25
15.50
15.75
16.00
16.25
16.50
16.75
17.00
17.25
17.50
26
15.86
16.12
16.38
16.64
16.90
17.16
17.42
17.68
17.94
18.20
27
16.47
16.74
17.01
17.28
17.55
17.82
18.09
18.36
18.63
18.SO
28
17.08
17.36
17.64
17.92
18.20
18.48
18.76
19.04
19.32
19.60
29
17.69
17.98
18.27
18.56
18.85
19.14
19.43
19.72
20.01
20.30
30
18.30
18.60
18.90
19.20
19.50
19.80
20.10
20.40
20.70
21.00
31
18.91
19.22
19.53
19.84
20.15
20.46
20.77
21.08
21.39
21.70
32
19.52
19.84
20.16
20.48
20.80
21.12
21.44
21.76
22.08
22.40
33
20.13
20.46
20.79
21.12
21.45
21.78
22.11
22.44
22.77
23.10
31
20.74
21.08
21.42
21.76
22.10
22.44
22.78
23.12
23.46
23.80
35
21.35
21.70
22.05
22.40
22.75
23.10
23.45
23.80
24.15
24.50
35
21.96
22.32
22.68
23.04
23.40
23.76
24.12
24.48
24.84
25.20
37
22.57
22.94
23.31
23.68
24.05
24.42
24.79
25.16
25.53
25.90
38
23.18
23.56
23.94
24.32
24.70
25.08
25.46
25.84
26.22
26.60
39
23.79
24.18
24.57
24.96
25.35
25.74
26.13
16.52
26.91
27.30
40
24.40
24.80
25.20
25.60
26.00
26.40
26.80
27.20
27.60
28.00
41
25.01
25.42
25.83
26.24
26.65
27.06
27.47
27.88
28.29
28.70
42
25.62
26.04
26.46
26.88
27.30
27.72
28.14
28.56
28.98
29.40
43
26.23
26.66
27.09
27.52
27.95
28.38
28.81
29.24
29.67
30.10
44
26.84
27.28
27.72
28.16
28.60
29.04
29.48
29.92
30.36
30.80
45
27.45
27.90
28.35
28.80
29.25
29.70
30.15
30.60
31.05
31.50
46
28.06
28.52
28.98
29.44
29.90
30.36
30.82
31.28
31.74
32.20
47
28.67
29.14
29.61
30.08
30.55
31.02
31.49
31.96
32.43
32.90
48
29.28
29.76
30.24
30.72
31.20
31.68
32.16
32.64
33.12
33.60
49
29.89
30.38
30.87
31.36
31.85
32.34
32.83
33.32
33.81
34.30
50
30.50
31.00
31.50
32.00
32.50
33.00
33.50
34.00
34.50
35.00
51
31.11
31.62
32.13
32.64
33.15
33.66
34.17
34.68
35.19
35.70
52
31.72
32.24
32.76
33.28
33.80
34.32
34.84
35.36
35.88
36.40
53
32.23
32.86
33.39
33.92
34.45
34.98
35.51
36.04
36.57
37.10
54
32.94
33.48
34.02
34.56
35.10
35.64
36.18
36.72
37.26
37.80
55
33.55
34.10
34.65
35.20
35.75
36.30
36.85
37.40
37.95
38.50
56
34.16
34.72
35.28
35.84
36.40
36.96
37.52
38.08
38.64
39.20
57
34.77
35.34
35.91
36.48
37.05
37.62
38.19
38.76
39.33
39.90
58
35.38
35.96
36.54
37.12
37.70
38.28
38.86*
39.44
40.02
40.60
59
35.99
36.58
37.17
37.76
38.35
38.94
39.53
40.12
40.71
41.30
60
36.60
37.20
37.80
38.40
39.00
39.60
40.20
40.80
41.40
42.00
680
THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
TABLE OF WAGES
Calculated upon Rate per Hour, from 71 cents to 80 cents
Rate
71*
72£
73^
74j5
75^
76*
77^
78i
79i
80f<
Hours
Am't
Am't
Am't
Am't
Am't
Am't
Am't
Am't
Am't
Am't
1
.71
.72
.73
.74
.75
.76
.77
.78
.79
.80
2
1.42
1.44
1.46
1.48
1.50
1.52
1.54
1.56
1.58
1.60
3
2.13
2.16
2.19
2.22
2.25
2.28
2.31
2.34
2.37
2.40
4
2.84
2.88
2.92
2.96
3.00
3.04
3.08
3.12
3.16
3.20
5
3.55
3.60
3.65
3.70
3.75
3.80
3.85
3.90
3.95
4.00
6
4.26
4.32
4.38
4.44
4.50
4.56
4.62
4.68
4.74
4.80
7
4.97
5.04
5.11
5.18
5.25
5.32
5.39
5.46
5.53
5.60
8
5.68
5.76
5.84
5.92
6.00
6.08
6.16
6.24
6.32
6.40
9
6.39
6.48
6.57
6.66
6.75
6.84
6.93
7.02
7.11
7.20
10
7.10
7.20
7.30
7.40
7.50
7.60
7.70
7.80
7.90
8.00
11
7.81
7.92
8.03
8.14
8.25
8.36
8.47
8.58
8.69
8.80
12
8.52
8.64
8.76
8.88
9.00
9.12
9.24
9.36
9.48
9.60
13
9.23
9.36
9.49
9.62
9.75
9.88
10.01
10.14
10.27
10.40
14
9.94
10.08
10.22
10.36
10.50
10.64
10.78
10.92
11.06
11.20
15
10.65
10.80
10.95
11.10
11.25
11.40
11.55
11.70
11.85
12.00
16
11.36
11.52
11.68
11.84
12.00
12.16
12.32
12.48
12.64
12.80
17
12.07
12.24
12.41
12.58
12.75
12.92
13.09
13.26
13.43
13.60
18
12.78
12.96
13.14
13.32
13.50
13.68
13.86
14.04
14.22
14.40
19
13.49
13.68
13.87
14.06
14.25
14.44
14.63
14.82
15.01
15.20
20
14.20
14.40
14.60
14.80
15.00
15.20
15.40
15.60
15.80
16.00
21
14.91
15.12
15.33
15.54
15.75
15.96
16.17
16.38
16.59
16.80
22
15.62
15.84
16.06
16.28
16.50
16.72
16.94
17.16
17.38
17.60
23
16.33
16.56
16.79
17.02
17.25
17.48
17.71
17.94
18.17
18.40
24
17.04
17.28
17.52
17.76
18.00
18.24
18.48
18.72
18.96
19.20
25
17.75
18.00
18.25
18.50
18.75
19.00
19.25
19.50
19.75
20.00
26
18.46
18.72
18.98
19.24
19.50
19.76
20.02
20.28
20.54
20.80
27
19.17
19.44
19.71
19.98
20.25
20.*2
20.79
21.06
21.33
21.60
28
19.88
20.16
20.44
20.72
21.00
21.28
21.56
21.84
22.12
22.40
29
20.59
20.88
21.17
21.46
21.75
22.04
22.33
22.62
22.91
23.20
30
21.30
21.60
21.90
22.20
22.50
22.80
23.10
23.40
23.70
24.00
31
22.01
22.32
22.63
22.94
23.25
23.56
23.87
24.18
24.49
24.80
32
22.72
23.04
23.36
23.68
24.00
24.32
24.64
24.96
25.28
25.60
33
23.43
23.76
24.09
24.42
24.75
25.08
25.41
25.74
26.07
26.40
34
24.14
24.48
24.82
25.16
25.50
25.84
26.18
26.52
26.86
27.20
35
24.85
25.20
25.55
25.90
26.25
26.60
26.95
27.30
27.65
28.00
36
25.56
25.92
26.28
26.64
27.00
27.36
27.72
28.08
28.44
28.80
37
26.27
26.64
27.01
27.38
27.75
28.12
28.49
28.86
29.23
29.60
38
26.98
27.36
27.74
28.12
28.50
28.88
29.26
29.64
30.02
30.40
39
27.69
28.08
28.47
28.86
29.25
29.64
30.03
30.42
30.81
31.20
40
28.40
28.80
29.20
29.60
30.00
30.40
30.80
31.20
31.60
32.CO
41
29.11
29.52
29.93
30.34
30.75
31.16
31.57
31.98
32.39
32.80
42
29.82
30.24
30.66
31.08
31.50
31.92
32.34
32.76
33.18
33.60
43
30.53
30.96
31.39
31.82
32.25
32.68
33.11
33.54
33.97
34.40
44
31.24
31.68
32.12
32.56
33.00
33.44
33.88
34.32
34.76
35.20
45
31.95
32.40
32.85
33.30
33.75
34.20
34.65
35.10
35.55
36.CO
46
32.66
33.12
33.58
34.04
34.50
34.96
35.42
35.88
36.34
36.80
47
33.37
33.84
34.31
34.78
35.25
35.72
36.19
36.66
37.13
37.60
48
34.08
34.56
35.04
35.52
36.00
36.48
36.96
37.44
37.92
38.40
49
34.79
35.28
35.77
36.26
36.75
37.24
37.73
38.22
38.71
39.20
50
35.50
36.00
36.50
37.00
37.50
38.00
38.50
39.00
39.50
40.00
51
36.21
36.72
37.23
37.74
38.25
38.76
39.27
39.78
40.29
40.80
52
36.92
37.44
37.96
38.48
39.00
39.52
40.04
40.56
41.08
41.60
53
37.63
38.16
38.69
39.22
39.75
40.28
40.81
41.34
41.87
42.40
54
38.34
38.88
39.42
39.96
40.50
41.04
41.58
42.12
42.66
43.20
55
39.05
39.60
40.15
40.70
41.25
41.80
42.35
42.90
43.45
44.00
56
39.76
40.32
40.88
41.44
42.00
42.56
43.12
43.68
44.24
44.80
57
40.47
41.04
41.61
42.18
42.75
43.32
43.89
44.46
45.03
45.60
58
41.18
41.76
42.34
42.92
43.50
44.08
44.66
45.24
45.82
46.40
59
41.89
42.48
43.07
43.66
44.25
44.84
45.43
46.02
46.61
47.20
60
42.60
43.20
43.80
44.40
45.00
45.60
46.20
46.80
47.40
48.00
WAGE TABLES
681
TABLE OF WAGES
Calculated upon Rate per Hour, from 81 cents to 90 cents
Rate
81*
824
§34
8*4
854
864
87 1
884
894
904
Hours
Am't
Am't
Am't
Am't
Am't
Am't
Am't
Am't
Am't
Am't
1
.81
.82
.83
.84
.85
.86
.87
.88
.89
.90
2
1.62
1.64
1.66
1.68
1.70
1.72
1.74
1.76
1.78
1.80
3
2.43
2.46
2.49
2.52
2.55
2.58
2.61
2.64
2.67
2.70
4
3.24
3.28
3.32
3.36
3.40
3.44
3.48
3.52
3.56
3.60
5
4.05
4.10
4.15
4.20
4.25
4.30
4.35
4.40
4.45
4.50
6
4.86
4.92
4.98
5.04
5.10
5.16
5.22
5.28
5.34
5.40
7
5.67
5.74
5.81
5.88
5.95
6.02
6.09
6.16
6.23
6.30
g
6.48
6.56
6.64
6.72
6.80
6.88
6.96
7.04
7.12
7.20
g
7.29
7.38
7.47
7.56
7.65
7.74
7.83
7.92
8.01
8.10
10
8.10
8.20
8.30
8.40
8.50
8.60
8.70
8.80
8.90
9.CO
11
8.91
9.02
9.13
9.24
9.35
9.46
9.57
9.68
9.79
9.80
12
9.72
9.84
9.96
10.08
10.20
10.32
10.44
10.56
10.68
10.80
13
10.53
10.66
10.79
10.92
11.05
11.18
11.31
11.44
11.57
11.70
14
11.34
11.48
11.62
11.76
11.90
12.04
12.18
12.32
12.46
12.60
15
12.15
12.30
12.45
12.60
12.75
12.90
13.05
13.20
13.35
13.50
16
12.96
13.12
13.28
13.44
13.60
13.76
13.92
14.08
14.24
14.40
17
13.77
13.94
14.11
14.28
14.45
14.62
14.79
14.96
15.13
15.30
18
14.58
14.76
14.94
15.12
15.30
15.48
15.66
15.84
16.02
16.20
19
15.39
15.58
15.77
15.96
16.15
16.34
16.53
16.72
16.91
17.10
20
16.20
16.40
16.60
16.80
17.00
17.20
17.40
17.60
17.80
18.00
21
17.01
17.22
17.43
17.64
17.85
18.06
18.27
18.48
18.69
18.90
22
17.82
18.04
18.26
18.48
18.70
18.92
19.14
19.36
19.58
19.80
23
18.63
18.86
19.09
19.32
19.55
19.78
20.01
20.24
20.47
20.70
24
19.44
19.68
19.92
20.16
20.40
20.64
20.88
21.12
21.36
21.60
26
20.25
20.50
20.75
21.00
21.25
21.50
21.75
22.00
22.25
22.50
26
21.06
21.32
21.58
21.84
22.10
22.36
22.62
22.88
23.14
23.40
27
21.87
22.14
22.41
22.68
22.95
23.22
23.49
23.76
24.03
24.30
28
22.68
22.96
23.24
23.52
23.80
24.08
24.36
24.64
24.92
25.20
29
23.49
23.78
24.07
24.36
24.65
24.94
25.23
25.52
25.81
26.10
30
24.30
24.60
24.90
25.20
25.50
25.80
26.10
26.40
26.70
27.00
31
25.11
25.42
25.73
26.04
26.35
26.66
26.97
27.28
27.59
27.90
32
25.92
26.24
26.56
26.88
27.20
27.52
27.84
28.16
28.48
28.80
33
26.73
27.06
27.39
27.72
28.05
28.38
28.71
29.04
29.37
29.70
34
27.54
27.88
28.22
28.56
28.90
29.24
29.58
29.92
30.26
30.60
35
28.35
28.70
29.05
29.40
29.75
30.10
30.45
30.80
31.15
31.50
36
29.16
29.52
29.88
30.24
30.60
30.96
31.32
31.68
32.04
32.40
37
29.97
30.34
30.71
31.08
31.45
31.82
32.19
32.56
32.93
33.30
38
30.78
31.16
31.54
31.92
32.30
32.68
33.06
33.44
33.82
34.20
39
31.59
31.98
32.37
32.76
33.15
33.54
33.93
34.32
34.71
35.10
40
32.40
32.80
33.20
33.60
34.00
34.40
34.80
35.20
35.60
36.00
41
33.21
33.62
34.03
34.44
34.85
35.26
35.67
36.08
36.49
36.SO
42
34.02
34.44
34.86
35.28
35.70
36.12
36.54
36.96
37.38
37.80
43
34.83
35.26
35.69
36.12
36.55
36.98
37.41
37.84
38.27
38.70
44
35.64
36.08
36.52
36.96
37.40
37.84
38.28
38.72
39.16
39.60
45
36.45
36.90
37.35
37.80
38.25
38.70
39.15
39.60
40.05
40.50
46
37.26
37.72
38.18
38.64
39.10
39.56
40.02
40.48
40.94
41.40
47
38.07
38.54
39.01
39.48
39.95
40.42
40.89
41.36
41.83
42.30
48
38.88
39.36
39.84
40.32
40.80
41.28
41.76
42.24
42.72
43.20
49
39.69
40.18
40.67
41.16
41.65
42.14
42.63
43.12
43.61
44.10
50
40.50
41.00
41.50
42.00
42.50
43.00
43.50
44.00
44.50
45.00
51
41.31
41.82
42.33
42.84
43.35
43.86
44.37
44.88
45.39
45.90
52
42.12
42.64
43.16
43.68
44.20
44.72
45.24
45.76
46.28
46.80
53
42.93
43.46
43.99
44.52
45.05
45.58
46.11
46.64
47.17
47.70
54
43.74
44.28
44.82
45.36
45.90
46.44
46.98
47.52
48.06
48.60
55
44.55
45.10
45.65
46.20
46.75
47.30
47.85
48.40
48.95
49.50
56
45.36
45.92
46.48
47.04
47.60
48.16
48.72
49.28
49.84
50.40
57
46.17
46.74
47.31
47.88
48.45
49.02
49.59
50.16
50.73
51.30
58
46.98
47.56
48.14
48.72
49.30
49.88
50.46
51.04
51.62
52.20
59
47.79
48.38
48.97
49.56
50.15
50.74
51.33
51.92
52.51
53.10
60
48.60
49.20
49.80
50.40
51.00
51.60
52.20
52.80
53.40
54.00
682
THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
WEEKLY TABLE OF WAGES
Calculated upon Rate per Week, from $2.50 to $12.00
BATE
2.50
3.00
3.50
4.00
4.50
5.00
6.00
7.00
7.50
8.00
9.00
10.50
12.00
days
.42
.50
.58
.67
.75
.83
1.00
1.17
1.25
1.33
1.50
1.75
2.00
2
.83
1.00
1.17
1.33
1.50
1.67
2.00
2.33
2.50
2.67
3.00
3.50
4.00
3
1.25
1.50
1.75
2.00
2.25
2.50
3.00
3.50
3.75
4.00
4.50
5.25
6.00
4
1.67
2.00
2.33
2.67
3.00
3.33
4.00
4.67
5.00
5.33
6.00
7.00
8.00
5
2.08
2.50
2.92
3.33
3.75
4.17
5.00
5.83
6.25
6.67
7.50
8.75
10.00
6
2.50
3.00
3.50
4.00
4.50
5.00
6.00
7.00
7.50
8.00
9.00
10.50,12.00
7
2.92
3.50
4.08
4.67
5.25
5.83
7.00
8.17
8.75! 9.33 10.50
12.25
14.00
8
3.33
4.00
4.67
5.33
6.00
6.67
8.00
9.33
10.00
10.67
12.00
14.00
16.00
9
3.75
4.50
5.25
6.00
6.75
7.50
9.00
10.50
11.25
12.00
13.50
15.75
18.00
10
4.17
5.00
5.83
6.67
7.50
8.33
10.00
11.67
12.50
13.33
15.00
17.50
20.00
11
4.58
5.50
6.42
7.33
8.25
9.17
11.00
12.83
13.75
14.67
16.50
19.25
22.00
12
5.00
6.00
7.00
8.00
9.00
10.00 12.00
14.00
15.00
16.00
18.00
21.00 24.00
13
5.42
6.50
7.58
8.67
9.75 10.83,13.00
15.17
16.25
17.33
19.50
22.75
26.00
14
5.83
7.00
8.17
9.33
10.50 11.67
14.00
16.33
17.50
18.67
21.00
24.50
28.00
15
6.25
7.50
8.75
10.00
11.25
12.50
15.00
17.50
18.75
20.00
22.50
26.25
30.00
16
6.67
8.00
9.33
10.67
12.00
13.33
16.00
18.67
20.00
21.33
24.00
28.00
32.00
17
7.08
8.50
9.92
11.33
12.75
14.17
17.00
19.83
21.25 22.67
25.50
29.75
34. CO
18
7.50
9.00
10.50
12.00
13.50
15.00
18.00
21.00
22.5024.00
27.00
31.50 36.00
19
7.92
9.50 11.08
12.67
14.25
15.83|19.00
22.17
23.75
25.33
28.50,33.25
38.CO
20
8.33
10.00
11.67
13.33
15.00
16.67
20.00
23.33
25.00
26.67
30.00
35.00
40.CO
21
8.75
10.50
12.25
14.00
15.75
17.50
21.00
24.50
26.25
28.00
31.50
36.75
42. CO
22
23
9.17
9.58
11.00
11.50
12.83
13.42
14.67
15.33
16.50
17.25
18.33
19.17
22.00
23.00
25.67
26.83
27.50
28.75
29.33 33.00
30.6734.50
38.50
40.25
44.CO
46.00
24
10.00
12.00
14.00
16.00
18.00
20.00
24.00
28.00
30.00
32.00 '36.00
42.00
48.00
25
10.42
12.50
14.58
16.67
18.75
20.83
25.00
29.17
31.25
33.33 37.50
43.75
50.00
26
10.83
13.00
15.17
17.33
19.50
21.67
26.00
30.33
32.50
34.67
39.00
45.50
52.00
27
11.25
13.50
15.75
18.00
20.25
22.50
27.00
31.50
33.75
36.00
40.50
47.25
54.CO
28
11.67
14.00
16.33
18.67
21.00
23.33
28.00
32.67
35.00
37.33
42.00
49.00
56. CO
29
12.08
14.50
16.92
19.32
21.75
24.17
29.00
33.83
36.25
38.67
43.50
50.75 58.CO
30
12.50
15.00
17.50
20.00
22.50
25.00
30.00
35.00
37.50
40.00
45.00
52.50 CO.CO
|12.92|l5.50|18.08|20.67|23.25|25.83|31.00|36.17|38.75|41.33|46.50|54.25|62.00
Rate per day when 7 working days constitute the week
.36
•43
•SO
•59
.64
•71
.86
1. 00
1.07
1.14
1.29
1.50
1.71
This Table is calculated upon six working days to the week, and is applicable
to either eight, nine, or ten-hour days. The rate per day, where SEVEN working
days constitute a week, is given in heavy type in the bottom line of table. When
fractional parts of a day are to be reckoned the other tables in this book may be used
-to advantage in connection with the above.
WAGE TABLES
683
WEEKLY TABLE OF WAGES
Calculated upon Rate per Week from $13.50 to $33.00
HATE
13.50
15.00
16.50
18.00
19.50
21.00
22.50
24.00
27.00
30.00
33.00
days
1
2.25
2.50
2.75
3.00
3.25
3.50
3.75
4.00
4.50
5.00
5.50
2
4.50
5.00
5.50
6.00
6.50
7.00
7.50
8.00
9.00
10.00
11.00
3
6.75
7.50
8.25
9.00
9.75
10.50
11.25
12.00
13.50
15.00
16.50
4
9.00
10.00
11.00
12.00
13.00
14.00
15.00
16.00
18.00
20.00
22.00
5
11.25
12.50
13.75
15.00
16.25
17.50
18.75
20.00
22.50
25.00
27.50
6
13.50
15.00
16.50
18.00
19.50 21.00
22.50
24.00
27.00
30.00 33.00
7
15.75
17.50
18.75
21.00
22.75
24.50
26.25
28.00
31.50
35.00
38.50
8
18.00
20.00
22.00
24.00
26.00
28.00
30.00
32.00
36.00
40.00
44.00
9
20.25
22.50
24.75
27.00
29.25
31.50
33.75
36.00
40.50
45.00
49.50
10
22.50
25.00
27.50
30.00
32.50
35.00
37.50
40.00
45.00
50.00
55.00
11
24.75
27.50
30.25
33.00
35.75
38.50
41.25
44.00
49.50
55.00
60.50
12
27.00 30.00
33.00
36.00
39.00
42.00
45.00
48.00
54.00
60.00
66.00
13
29.2532.50
35.7539.00
42.25
45.50
48.75
52.00
58.50
65.00
71.50
14
31.50
35.00
38.50
42.00
45.50
49.00
52.50
56.00
63.00
70.00
77.00
15
33.75
37.50
41.25
45.00
48.75
52.50
56.25
60.00
67.50
75.00
82.50
16
36.00
40.00
44.00 48.00
52.00
56.00
60.00
64.00
72.00
80.00
88.00
17
38.25
42.50
46.75 51.00
55.25
59.50
63.75
68.00
76.50
85.00
93.50
18
40.50
45.00
19.50 54.00
58.50! 63.00
67.50
72.0C
81.00
90.00
99.00
19
42.75
47.50
52.25
57.00
61.75
66.50
71.25
76.00
85.50
95.00
104.50
20
45.00
50.00
55.00
60.00
65.00
70.00
75.00
80.00
90.00
100.00
110.00
21
47.25
52.50
57.75
63.00
68.25
73.50
78.75
84.00
94.50
105.00
115.50
22
49.50
55.00
60.50
66.00
71.50
77.00
82.50
88.00
99.00
110.00
121.00
23
51.75
57.50
63.25
69.00
74.75
80.50
86.25
92.00
103.50
115.00 126.50
24
54.00
60.00
66.00
72.00
78.00
84.00
eo.oo
96.00
108.00
120.00 132.00
25
56.25
62.50
68.75 75.00
81.25
87.50
93.75
100.00
112.50
125.00
137.50
26
58.50
65.00
71.50
78.00
84.50
91.00
97.50
104.00
117.00
130.00
143.00
27
60.75
67.50
74.25
81.00
87.75
94.50
101.25
108.00
121.50
135.00
148.50
28
63.00
70.00
77.00 84.00
91.00
98.00
105.00
112.00
126.00
140.00
154.00
29
65.25
72.50
79.75 87.00
94.25
101.50
108.75
116.00
130.50
145.09
159.50
30
67.50
75.00
82.5090.00
97.50 105.00
112.50
120.00
135.00
150.00
165.00
31 |69.75|77.50|85.25)93.00
100.75| 108.50| 116.25
124.00| 139.60| 155.00| 170.50
Rate per day when 7 working days constitute the week
1-93
2.14
2.36
2.57
2.79
3-00
3-21
3-43
3-86
4.29 4.7:
This Table is calculated upon six working days to the week, and is applicable
to either eight, nine, or ten-hour days. The rate per day, where SEVEN working
days constitute a week, is given in heavy type in the bottom line of table. When
fractional parts of a day are to be reckoned the other tables in this book may be used
to advantage in connection with the above.
684 THE NEW
8 ?S88?88SSSS
BUILDING ESTIMATOR
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CHAPTER XLVII.
ORNAMENTAL IRON WORK
A description is of no use in estimating this class of
work. The eye has to be appealed to, and so the illustra-
tions are given. If an APPROXIMATE idea is placed be-
fore a valuator he can arrive at a fair estimate of even work
that varies considerably in design from the cut presented.
A square or lineal foot price is thus of great value in mak-
ing up preliminary estimates or valuations.
BARNESVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY
ERECTED A.D. 1909
JTH£;GIFT OF
ANREW CARNEGIE
CITY COUNCIL
T. W. COCHRAN, MAYOR
F. M.MURPHEY M.W. SMITH
L.S. FIFIELD W.C.JORDAN
A. H. ENGLISH R.A.STAFFORD
WHITFIELD AND KING ARCHITECTS
"Barnesville" Tablet, size 2 6"x1' 10"
$20.00 per sq. ft.
THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
Cast Bronze Electric Light Standard
Size 8' 10" high over all
Including Globe $250.00 each
In Cast Iron 150.00 each
"Title" Tablet, size 1' 6" x 2' 4"
$24.00 per sq. ft.
The prices given cover only the sizes of work as stated.
Each piece of work is specially designed and the right prices
for larger or smaller construction cannot, therefore, be reck-
oned pro ratio from the sizes given.
ORNAMENTAL IRON WORK 687
"Nassau County Court House," size 4' 6" x 3' 6"
$50.00 per sq. ft.
688
THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
'Masonic" Tablet, size 2' 5!/2"x6' 2"
$i5.r o rer sq. ft-
ORNAMENTAL IRON WORK
689
In ordinary black finish $2.50 per sq. ft.
690
THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
^Freeholder" Tablet, size 2' 1" x 3' 8"
$25.00 per sq. ft.
Iron Grille Doors,
size 6' 0"x10' 0"
$20.00 per sq. ft.
ORNAMENTAL IRON WORK
C91
THE PUBLIC LIBRARY
OF THE
TOWN OF MILTON
I87O— J9Q4
JOHN H BROWN
MAURICE A DUFFY
JESSE B BAXTER
SELECTMEN
AMOR-L HOLLINCSWORTH
ORRIN A ANDREWS
JOSEPH C WHITNEY
RODERICK STEBBINS
NATHANIEL T KIDDER
HARRISON O APTHORP
CHARLES E ROGERSON
H HELM CLAYTON
ARTHUR H TUCKER
TRUSTEES
'Town of Milton" Tablet,
size 2' 10"x3' 4i/2"
$30.00 per sq. ft.
Eaton Mausoleum Door
(cast bronze)
Size 3' 9" x 8' 5"
$35.00 per sq. ft.
692 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
Wrought Iron Stair Railing, residence J. C. Tomlinson
$27.00 per lineal ft., including newel
ORNAMENTAL IRON WORK
693
Stair Railing (wrought iron)
Residence R. Fulton Cutting, New York
Wrought Iron Newels $225.00 each
Stair Railing 30.00 per lineal ft.
694
THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
"Wrought Iron Area Fence, about 5' 0" high $3.00 per sq. f
Wrought Iron Stair Railing Residence F. W. Vanderbilt
$13.00 per sq. ft.
ORNAMENTAL IRON WORK
695
Wrought Iron Transom Grille, size 5' 4" x 3' 0" high $9.00 per sq. i
HERE ON GROUND INHERITED BY HIM FROM
lESTYN AP GWRGAN
LIE THE REMAINS OF
JOHN BEVAN
BORN IN GL AMORGANSH1RE, WALES, 1636.DIED J726
JUDGE OF THE COMMON PLEAS AND
A MEMBER OF ASSEMBLY IN PENNSYLVANIA
AND OF
BARBARA AUBREY
HIS WIFE
BORN 1637- DIED 1710
AND OF
BARBARA
'THEIR DAUGHTER
DIED -1705 - AGtD 23 YEARS
THIS TABLET ERECTED 1904 BY
THE BEVAN DESCENDANTS IN AMERICA
"Sevan" Tablet, size 2' 6" x 2 0" $25.00 per sq. ft.
696
THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
Elevator Car, $300 in black finish; in bronze finish 30 cents
per square foot extra
ORNAMENTAL IRON WORK
697
The prices for the following grilles, counter railings, etc.,
are based on the ordinary finishes such as nickel plate, bright
silver, electro bronze, etc. Silver plating costs more. The
material estimated on is polished steel. Brass costs about
20 per cent. more.
18x27
18x27, $21.00
$5.40 per sq. ft.
698
THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
18x27
18 x 27, $5.60
$2.70 per sq. ft.
18x27, $19.60
18x27, $12.60
ORNAMENTAL IRON WORK
699
Wicket $15.40. Posts $9.45 each
Grilles up to 18" high. Entire rails 36" high
Balance of metal work, $9.45 per lineal ft.
30" high, 2" tubes, per running ft., $7.43
Gates, $6.75 each
700
THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
With bars 3-8 square, jet black finish, 70 cents per square
foot. Door, $10 extra. Approximately, $1 per sq. ft., includ-
ing everything.
Elevator enclosures run from $1 per sq. ft. to $5, without
reaching fine ones of special design.
ORNAMENTAL IRON WORK 701
LIBRARY FITTINGS.
The following figures are given by Snead & Co., Jersey
City, for this book. As with all such work the conditions in
the specifications, local wages, freight, etc., change the
prices, but a fair idea may be gained for a preliminary es-
timate or a physical valuation from the data.
For straight stack work the price may run from 50 cents
to $1 per lineal foot of shelving. This is when not exceeding
the standard height of 1' 6" or 7'.
Sheet metal wall shelving without any ornamentation, about
8" deep and 10' high, costs from $3 to $5 per lineal foot set
in place. Cut A shows this type. The finish is enamel. The
rolling ladders cost about $15 each, f.o.b., and the track 25
cents per lineal foot, set in place.
Double faced shelving as shown in cuts B and C, set in
place, $8 to $9 per lineal foot at 16" wide, and 7' to 7' 6"
high. For 10" width, or 20", counting both sides, $9 to $10.
If stock designs are followed it makes little difference
whether the ends are plain or ornamental.
Cut D shows a typical example of multiple tier stack con-
struction. Plain straight work, tiers T to 7' 6", 6 rows of
adjustable shelves, and one row of solid plate shelves in the
height of each tier, set* in place, $10 to $11 per lineal foot of
double range 8" shelves; and $11 to $12 for 10".
Plain sheet steel warehouse shelving about 8" with angle
and tee iron uprights can be installed for as low as 25 to 30
cents per lineal foot of shelving.
A hand power booklift for three or four stock tiers costs
about $125 set in place, but not including the enclosure. Per
tier of exra heigh, add about $10.
702
THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
Type A.
ORNAMENTAL IRON WORK
703
Type B.
704 THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
Type C.
ORNAMENTAL IRON WORK
705
Type D.
THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
Immanuel Hospital, Omaha, Neb.
-
-Mil
2 Fire-Proof Wing to State Hospital, Lincoln, fteb.
TYPICAL BUILDINGS ANALYZED
No. 3
McCague
Building,
Omaha
No, 4
Electric
Light
Building,
Omaha
THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
Manderson
Block,
Omaha
Harris and
Fisher
Blocks,
Omaha
TYPICAL BUILDINGS ANALYZED
0>
THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
Presbyterian Semiuary, Omaha
Block of Flats, Omaha
TYPICAL BUILDINGS ANALYZED
Roof of Passenger Station
Bancroft School, Omaha
THE NEW BUILDING ESTIMATOR
Half of Steel Framework of No 7
Part of Steel Framework of U. P. R. R. Boiler Shop, Omaha
TYPICAL BUILDINGS ANALYZED
1
IIP
INDEX.
Abutments, concrete 107
' lace wk o2
' stone 02
Accuiacy 425
Acetylene 294
Ada, muriatic 96
Actmolite 247
Actual quantities concrete ... 52
Air tight doors 355
Alabastiue 276
Anchors 13, 19, 63, 220
Apartment houses 667, 672
Appreciation 572, 573
Approaches 609
Approx estg 11 to 39
Arches, brick 85, 87
" concrete 108
" tile 484
Area of circles 425
Artificial ice plant 321
Asbestolith 299
Asbestos 24
" cost 127
' floor 299
" lumber ....127
" paper 256
" sheathing 127
" shingles 28, 128, 368
Ash pit 333
" " doors 234
Ashlar granite 109
" measurement 68
" setting 69
Asphalt 246
" paint 265
" paving 100, 110
" shingles 128
Asphaltum 97
Assessing 630
Automatic sprinklers 303
Aver carpenter labor ...156,157
Axle pulleys 233
328
Backfilling 42, 105, 491
Backing, brickwork 80
" rubble, concrete 109
Back plaster per sq yd ..26, 136
Baggage rooms 314
Balances, sash 166, 233, 379
Balusters 187
" cement 133
" porch 202
Bands, wood, labor 159
Barbed wire 229
Barbers' poles 270
Barns 305, 313, 344
Barrel bolts 232
' capacity 83, 263
Barrett roof 248
Base, cement 60
' cost of wood 32
" inside price, wood 185
' labor, wood 159,167
' marble and tile 297
Base, price, wood 199
Basement sleepers 17, 18
Bases, for metal cols 21
Bases, for porch cols •. 221
Baths 283, 305
Batten doors 183
Battens 185
Bedford stone, cost 67, 73
" " cost per If 69, 70
Benches, cost 335
Beveled plate 190
Bids on fireproofing 119
Bids, variation 577
Bins 317, "653, 657
Blackboards, plaster 145
" slate 254
Blacksmith shop ...316, 317, 321
" cost 325
Blinds 270, 353, 371
' labor 171
' price , 184
Block paving 106
Blocks, cement 130
" " cost 130
' " factory 131
" wood, price 184, 201
Blue printing mch., cost ....335
Bm in roof per sq . , 28
Bm or If 151
Bm system of estg 150
Bm table 411
Boat spikes 226
Boiler setting 85
" shops, etc 38, 316, 325
' " steel wt 215
Boilers, cost, heating 335
" heating 287, 626, 628
" kit 284
Bolts 226
" barrel, flush 232
Bond in brick 96
Bonds 357
Boring posts 171
Boston schools 639, 643
Brackets, galv iron 241
" iron, siielf 234
" wood 33, 186, 188
Brass butts ....231
" footrail 188, 297
" foundry, cost 333
" track 233
- " weight 213, 406
Brick :
•• arches 85, 87
" bond 96
" carload 87
Brick, chipped 96
" cleaning 86
" cornices , 88
" danger 81
" enameled 87
" examples of estg .76, 77, 78
" general 590
" hollow wall 80
" houses 36
" in engine house ...339
" in machine shop 78
" laid in sewer 101
" loading and unloading . .356
" making 426
" nogging 81
" or cement block 132
" " glass 39
" paving 97, 99
" " No. to yd 99
" per cu yd 80
" " sq ft 133
" pilasters 79
" platforms 99
" pressed, measurement . . 86
" quality 363
" required 79, 80
" required for boilers 85
" sewers 101, 104, 110
" size 74, 75, 345
" stacking 86
" to cu ft 74, 75
" to sq ft 74, 75
" vitrified paving 97
" waste 80
" wt 406
" $29 432, 435
" 100,000 more 432
Brickmasons & lab proportion 92
Brick work, backing 80
" chimneys 83, 84
" cost of 11, 81, 113
" cost of lab 79, 91-94, 96
" double faced 95
" enameled 95
" expensive 95
" measurement
74-78, 499, 505-508
" mortar 88, 89
" patching 82
" per cu yd Ill
" pressed, cost of 12, 517
Brick work, rate of 113
" shoved work 81
" taking down 356
" tapestry 515
" Underpinning 82
" veneering 96, 518
" washing down 96
Bridge, stone, cost 63
Bridges, concrete 613-614
" depreciation 562, 611
" " values 613
" " weight 612
Bridging, cost 17
" cutting 189
" lab 157
" material 173
' metal 16
" partitions 24
" wood 13
Bronze railing 110
Brush, weighted 274
Brushes 272
Building paper, per sq . .23, 256
" percentages 33-38
" permit 8
" tile, hollow 82
Bunk houses 320
Burlap 272, 378
Butts ".379
" prices 230
Cable Ill
Caissons, measurement of 495,496
Calking 246
Calsomine 261, 266
Canvas roofs 525, 526
Caps and bases, ci 21
" composition 201
' for cols, plaster 145
" galv iron 241
" trim, wood 200
Card index system 359
Carey roofing 29 247
Carload, brick 87
" cement 56
" ferroinclave 126
" furnaces 292
" lime 91
" tile 255
Carpentry, approx est 12
"lab .... 14, 15
" lab general 150, 427-429
" lab on cottages 385, 386
" lab per sq ft on shops .317
" rough 114
Carpet lining ^..257
Car shop cost 319, 320, 321
" " steel 215
Cartage of earth 42
Cases, pantry 202
" per sq ft 32, 33, 656, 657
Casings 184 199
Castings, wt 394
Cast iron 210
Cast iron cols 21, 211, 212
Cast washers 227
C 1 pipe, wt ....396
Caution, no profit 9
Cedar block paving 101
" posts 30
Ceiling beams 166
" height of 366
" lab 157, 166, 167
" material 179
" metal 23, 241
" on studs 26
" on walls, lab 167
" paneled 166
" per sq 22, 25
Cellar drainer 286
" sash 193
Cellars, brick floor 100
" in general 362
Cement, blocks or brick .132, 520
" blocks mat'l required 131
"• brick 133
" coated nails 226
" for concrete 50, 51, 52
" grouting 97, 98
" house, cost 432
" mortar 64, 89
" natural 49
" non-staining 72, 478
'* packed, unpacked 56
" production 57
" roofing, slaters 249
" wall -..520, 540
Cement, stone, cost 129
" tile 295
" walks 110
" wt 53, 345
Centering 86, 108, 179
Cesspools 83
Chain bolts 232
" railing 110
Chair rail 32
Charcoal 235
" iron 243
Cheapness 388
Checking mat'l 176, 178
Chicago millwork 190
Chimney foundations 315
" stacks ....83, 315, 591, 611
" wrecking 611
Chimneys breast 84
" cost, lab 83
" quality 364
" table of costs 84
" top, rebuilding 84
China closets 171, 202
" " doors 192
Chipped brick 96
Choice of mat'l 361
" " wood 375
Churches 305
Chute, escape, iron 221
Cinder concrete 57, 122
Circle, properties 393, 425
Circular woodwork 188-
" work 502
Cisterns 82, 506
City Halls 305
Cleaning brick 86-
(Technical World Magazine,
January, 1900, tells of ma-
chine that cleans 15,000 to
20,000 per day.)
Cleaning concrete 124.
" old paint 267
" old stone 72
" steel 265
Clearing lot 40
Clearstory per If 29
Cleveland valuation 634
Clocks 595
Closets 365
Coach shop 321
Coal bins 610
" buckets 610
" chute 333
' hole covers 218
" pockets 647
" shed 316 333
" tar 337
" to cu ft 610
Coils, heating 288; 291
Cold water paint 3, 275 276
Color 264, 269
" mortar 91
Columns c i, wt 211
' cut stone 69, 425, 426
" granite 73
" porch 201, 202
" wood for doorway 203
" wood, wt 408
Combinations per sq 23, 24
Comparative Costs :
1 brick & glass 39
1 brick & wood 39
" brick, fire and ordinary
113-117, 302, 510, 517
" nouses ....117, 362, 512, 517
Compo board 136, 146
Composition caps 201
" of gravel roof 245
Compressed air painting ....274
Concrete abutments 107
arches 108
base 98 99
block table 130
cinder 57
conduits 124
cottages 644
drilling holes in ....57, 214
filling on arches 114
floor, cost 113
floor, quantities . 59, 495
floor, surfacing 60, 126
Concrete forms 45, 106, 493
" gutters ,. 59
" heating and hoisting ... 48
" in detail 49, 57
" in engine houses 339
' in partitions ....122
" in platforms, steps 109
" Kahn's 124, 125
" lab 45, 48, 106, 107
" machine foundry ...45, 334
41 machine mixing 48
" measurement
49, 488, 489 492-497
' mixers 48
" natural cement 49
" piers 489, 492
" piles 44
porch cols 114
posts 133
price ....11 45, 49, 109, 113
projections 493
quantities 49-52
sewers 104
stairs 125
" storage cellar 554, 555
" tables 54-56
" tanks ; 553
" walls and floors 58, 59
" warehouses 302, 646, 647
" water table 57
" wt 56
Condenser 335
Conduits :
" concrete 124
" electric 293
" price Ill
Contingencies 9, 432, 581
"Contract, Uniform" 7
Convenient multiples 394
Coping, stone 70
" tile, wall 88
Copper cornices 244
' painting of 433
" per sq 28
" rods 406
" wt 213
Cord, disuse of 3
Corkolin 299
Corner beads 184
" boards, lab 159
Cornice, brick 88, 506
" copper 244
" galv iron 240, 241
" " " detailed cost 523-526
" mitre galv iron 240
" plaster 144, 503, 508
" wood per If 33, 157, 167
Corrugated floor rubber 299
" iron 237
Cost, actual only 9
" and size 630, 632
" electric light 293
" fireprooflng 118
Cost, houses ...384, 387, 389, 390
" of roofs per sq 27, 28
" paint itemized 262
" per sq and cu ft 300-314
" tile, fireproof, per sq ft 119
' tin, per sq 235, 236
" walls, brick, per sq ft .133
' walls, wood, per sq ft . 25
" windows 192
Cottage, Chaps 26 & 27
Cottages, concrete 644
Counters 188
Counting the cost 343, 431
Coursed ashlar 69
Court houses 305
Covering joists per sq 21
" Pipe 288
1 roofs, per sq 28, 29
" studs, per sq 26
Cranes, electric, cost 335
" sand 320
" setting, etc 218
Crematory 333
Creosoted block paving 105
Creosoting timber 173
Cresting 188, 238
Crowning joists 189
Crusher 56, 426
Cubing 630
Culverts 106
Cupolas for foundry 335
Curbing 97, 98, 99, 105, 110
Cut stone 68 69, 70
" " cols 69
" sills 69, 338, 345
Dairy barns 305
Damp proofing 82, 276, 277
Danger in brick 81
Deadening felt 256
Deafening quilt 355
Decay in lumber 362
Decimal equivalents 393, 394, 412
Decorated tile 297
Dehydratine 276
Depot, freight, mill work 186
" freight, mill work cost .314
Depreciation buildings :
" appreciation 561
" average 560, 612
" buildings 564, 565
" Cleveland tables of 569, 570
" for new conditions .558, 559
" importance 559
" in general .310-312, 556, 627
" 5s there any ? 567, 568
" life of bldgs 556, 557
" methods of 557, 559
" Neb. tables of 561-567
Derrick 154
Design of houses 360
Detailed schedules 588, 596
Dimension— lumber, etc. .150-172
Directory, building 356
Discounts, glass 205
" millwork 180
Dome interiors 467, 484
Doors :
" batten 183
" cheeks 232
" china closet 192
" cost of 31, 190
" factory 183
" fire 128, 610
" fireproof 244, 661
" grained 191
" hardware 227
" in general 373
" iron grilles 689, 690
" jambs 198, 199
" korelock 191
" lab 168, 169
" mausoleum 691
" per sq ft 183
" revolving 33, 661
" sizes 353, 373
" springs 232
" vault 219
" W. C 280, 283
" wt of 408
Dormers 29, 365
Downspouts ....31, 235, 238, 376
Drawers 188
" pulls 233
Dredge 42
Drift bolts, price 226
Drill halls 305
Drilling, concrete 214
" stone 71, 426
Driving piles 43
Drop pits 340
Dry kiln 320, 321, 333, 610
Dry lumber sheds 321, 333
Dumbwaiters 228
Duplex hangers 220, 221
" post caps 20
" switches 293
Eagles
Earth, load
" slope
Egg and dart molding
Ejectors, cost
Elastic pulp plaster ....146,
Elaterite roofs 29,
Electric light, cost
286, 293, 344,
Electric light standard
Elevators 357, 595,
" enclosures
" grain ..155, 156, 303, 625
Embankment walls
Enamel paint 267
Enameled brick 87
241
41
42
241
285
147
247
595
700
628
62
271
95
"Engineering" 432, 658, 660
Engine houses ..330, 338-343, 605
" " concrete 339
" cost 339-343
" " drop pits 340
" electric light 344
" " fire walls, frame ..343
' mat! and lab 339
" " number brick 339
" piles 339
' pits 341, 610
" " rectangular 341
" " reinforced concrete 343
" " smokejacks 343
Engines 626, 628
Equipment of shops 323-334
Erecting shops 38, 316, 324
" shops brick on 78
Erection of steel 216
Escutcheons 232
Estimates, approx 5-39
' keeping 6
Estg. by sq 12-30
" separating items 5
" time taken 5
Exact cost 9
Excavation: 11, 490, 491, 590, 658
" actual
40, 41, 105-7, 109, 113, 449
" circular 538
1 general 11, 490, 491, 590, 658
' machine foundations 41, 334
" machine work 102, 105
' rock „ 41, 109
' table 42
" trench, and pit work
278, 491, 497
Expanded metal 3
' metal cost 121
' metal, fire proofing 120, 123
' metal, forms, lab 122
" metal, lath, sizes, walls 121
Expansion bolts 226
" joint 287
Exposition buildings 300
Express rooms 314
Exterior walls, cost of
487, 517-522
Extras 7, 487
Facade cleaning 71
Factories 302
Factory doors 183
' electric lights 293
' of cement blocks 131
Falsework 155
Fans 336
Felt 23, 246, 255, 256, 257
Fences, general 596
Fences, iron, railroad 219, 608, 609
" wood 30 156
Fenestra 479
Ferroinclave 126, 549
Filling earth ...42, 100, 10!), 110
" wood 201, 204, 271, 273
Filters, water 336
Finials 238
Finish :
" hardwood 203
" lumber 33, 179
" oak 187
Fire brick 95
" clay 90
doors 128
Engine houses 301
escapes 221
loss 112, 113, 310
proof doors 244, 661
proof vaults 308
proof windows 243
risk 365
walls 343
proofing, bids on 119
proofing, centering
86, 120, 122, 124
proofing, comparison 113,117
proofing, cost 113 117, 123
proofing, ex-metal ..122-125
' proofing, general 591
Fire proofing, lab, hauling,
lumber, mortar 120
" proofing reinforced 121
' proofing, tile 118-120
Fittings, plumbing and steam
heat 283, 291
Fixtures, plumbing, setting .280
Flagstones 69, 110
Flashing 31, 237
Flats 304, 305
Flemish bond 96
Flexifold partitions 25
Flooring hardwood 203
' on studs per sq 26
" per sq 21, 22, 23
" size, grade ....351, 371, 372
" wt of 409, 410
Floors allowances 179
' asphalt 246
" concrete 59
' finishes 273, 380
" fire-proof cost 125
" kind 371
lab 154, 159, 160, 161
oiling 273
plank 177
plank 2-in. T G 154, 160
pulp 299
shop 337
" smoothing by machin-
ery 162
" special 594
" tile 295
" 6-in lab on 163
Flue doors 234
Flue linings,, cost 84
Flush bolts 232
" tanks 103
Fly screens 185, 371
Folding doors 610
Footings 590
Foot rail, brass 297
Forms 107, 108, 122
' cost 45
" cost reinforced fireproof
123-126
' m system 126
' material req'd 490
" measurement of 488, 493
" nails for 46, 225
" rule for 46, 47
" (See "Silos")
" sheet 411
" waste in 124
Foundries 215, 317, 326, 333
Fountains „ 610
Frame Engine house .343
" stations 314
" walls, cost 521, 522
Frames win and door
183, 184, 197, 198
Framing, wood 114
" & hauling on tile ..119, 120
Freight depot electric light .294
" depot mill work 186
Fretwork 370
Front doors 31, 183, 190
Furnaces 291, 382
Furring : 158, 177, 242
" per sq 29
Gable, advantage of 360
' ends 186
Gable, ornaments 241
" per sq 24
Gall in bbl 82, 263, 397
" in tanks 397, 398
Galv i cornice 240, 524
" i in general 235
" i in heavy pipes 243
" i per sq 29, 31
' i sheets to sq 404
Garage per sq ft
305, 450, 452, 644-646
Gas pipe 281, 285, 286
" pipe rail 110 219
" tar 237
' water heaters 293
Gasoline engines 357
Gates, iron 219, 699
" wagon 30
Girders 171, 366
" wt of steel 215
Glass bedding and quality ..375
" discounts ...205
Glass net prices 208,209
" or brick 39
" partitions per sq 25
" prices 205, 206
" prism 207
" Salvage 207
" salvage, setting 207
" setting 207
" skylight 207
" translucent 20.7
" tile 255
" wt and quality 207, 599
Glazing, cost ...205, 206, 353, 479
Gold leaf 260
" letters 271
" production 580, 581
Goosenecks 244
Grades, lumber 347-351
Grading 98, 99
Grain elevator, lab 156
" elevator depreciation ...312
" elevator per sq ft 303
Graining 271
Granite Ashlar 109
" cols 73, 425
" cost of 67
" lab ..." 66, 67
" paving 98, 191, 105
" work 109, 426, 591
Graphite 260, 269
Grates, vent 234
Gratings, wrot iron 219
Gravel roof per sq 23, 245
" walk ' 110
Greenhouses per sq ft . .305, 306
Grilles, iron 689, 690, 695, 697, 699
" wood 187
Grounds 164, 165, 177, 371
Grouting 97, 98 100
Guards, snow 253
Gutters, construction 376
" copper 244
" galv i 238
" street 98, 99
" wood 159, 176
Hair 142
Hand labor 425-429
Hangers, beam 19, 220, 221
" duplex, etc 19, 220, 221
" sliding 228
Hardware 223, 593
" for large door 227
" for large win 227
Hardwood flooring
22, 160, 163, 203
" flooring, lab on 161, 162
' flooring, oiling 273
" flooring, wt 410
Hauling 71, 105, 120, 253, 591
Hearth tile 295
Heater box ... ...337
Heaters, gas 293 661
Heating 287-293 595
" buildings per cf ...291, 316
" boilers 287
" coils 288, 291
" cost 287
" Engine houses 343
' ex joints 287
" for concrete 48
" for plaster 136
" furnace 291, 367, 382
" hot blast 291
" hot water 287, 290, 293
" pipe 4-in. cost 288
Heating radiators 287
" steam 290
High priced paint 270
High prices 572
Hinges 230, 231
" strap and tee 233
Hip rolls 241
Hods 233
Hoes, mortar 233
Hoisting for concrete 48, 59
Hole digging in concrete ... 57
" digging in earth 359
" digging in stone 71
Hollow building tile 82
" tiles, cost 118
" walls 80, 505
Hose 234
Hotbed, sash * 196
Hospitals per sq ft 304
Hotels 304
Houses, cost of 384, 512-515
Howe truss 29, 152, 652
Hydrants ...280
Ice houses 320, 321, 333
" houses, small
321, 608, 609, 646
Inside paint 270
Insurance 7, 8, 115, 517, 532
" adjusting 310
" fire, liability 357
" tanks 619
Iron and coal shed 321
" and steel ...12, 210, 214, 591
Iron caps and bases 20, 21
" chain railing 110
cols 211, 212
cost 103
detailed prices 222
house ...316
setting 214, 216
stair railing, wt iron 692-694
stairs 222
wickets 697-699
wt 213, 399, 407
Ironite 276
Italian marble 283, 484
Itemized cost of paint 267
Jack arches 87
Jamb guards, iron 229
Jambs 184, 198, 199
" paneled 169
Joints in finish 373
Joist hangers 19, 220, 221
Joists by sq 12, 14, 15
' covering per sq 21
" crowning 189
" No. to sq 14
" sizes ...172, 348, 367
" sizing 154
Jute and lead . ...534
Kahn system data 124, 125
Keene's cement 136, 140, 141
Keeping count 431
" estimates 6
Kinds of glass 206
King turntables 600-604
Knobs 232
Labor :
carpentry 14, 150-171
carpentry of 6-story
building 154
culverts 106
dimension lumber
152, 154, 155
grain elevator 155
large galv i pipes 289
on mat'l on painting . .268
passenger stat'n carpen 157
pipe covering 289
RR shops per sq ft ....317
" trestles 155
See article required as
"shingles," under that
heading.
Laborers on brickwork 92
Ladders, iron , .221
" sliding 33
La Farge cement 72, 478
Lag screws 226, 400
Lanterns shop, per If 29
Large RR shops 217
Lassig turntables 600-604
Lath 136, 137, 143, 349, 377
Lattice work 186
Lavatories 284
Lavatory buildings 320, 321, 332
Lawn vases 133
Lead 285
" and jute 534
" pipe 103, 283, 396
" paint ..263
" sash wts 228
" wt 213, 407
Leaded glass 190, 206
Left hand door 229
Letters in galv i 241
' in paint 271
' in stone 71
Libraries, cost 308, 659, 660
Library fittings 701-705
' stone 68
Lighting 286, 293, 294
Lightning rods 337
Lime, car load 91
' mortar 64, 89
' plaster 3, 142
" wt 345, 407
Limestone cutting 66
' for concrete 53
Lining, vault 219
Lintels, sills, and base plates,
iron 218
Load, earth 41
Loading brick, gravel ...356, 426
Local stone 69
Lockers 320
Locks 231, 232, 379
Lumber, hardwood 203
' finish 33
Lumber, fire proofing 120
' forms 46, 47
' general 592
' lab on 109, 110, 150-171
" lengths ....171, 179, 346-350
' mat'l 171-179
1 price 15
" reckoner 350, 411
' sheds 320, 333
' sizes, grades, etc. ..346-351
' unloading 356
" wt 409
Lunch counter 188
Luxfer prisms 207, 218
M
Macadam 105, 110
Machine bolts 226, 400, 401
" bolts, lab 425-429
' bolts, price 226
" excavation 102, 105
" shops ..38, 316, 321, 324, 647
' shops, brick 78
" shops, foundations 45
" shops, steel wt 215,
Mahogany counters 188'
' lumber, price 204
" wainscoting 186
Mail chute 633
Manholes 102, 103, 105, 111
Mantle facings 296
" wt of 408
Manufacturing buildings
37, 58, 647
Maple flooring by sq 22
' flooring, lab 160, 161
' flooring, price 189
" flooring, sq edge 178
Maple floors 351, 372
" floors, oiling 380
" floors per sq 22
Marble ....67, 114, 426, 591, 594
" artificial 148
44 base 297
" sienna 484
" wainscoting 484
Marbleoid 299
Masonry :
" trimmings 591
" wt of 407
Master keys 232
Mat'l and lab on Engine
house 339
" required for paint 261
Measurement, courts on 486
44 in general 10, 485
" net 487
44 of brickwork 74
". of excavation 40
44 of fireproofing 119
" of floor tile 297
44 of pilasters, etc 79
" of stone -, • 67
(See item wanted, such
as concrete, excava-
tion, Mo., etc.)
Medallions, galv i 241
Medicine cabinets 186, 284
Metal bridging 16
44 ceilings 23, 241
44 corners, plaster 137, 378
" sash 243, 479
" studs 222
44 wainscoting 242
" windows 479-483
Metals, wt of 406
Meters 280, 285, 336
Mill construction 20, 155
" discounts 180
Mills, cotton 303
Millwork ..31, 180, 351, 592, 593
" labor 427-429
« sizes 351-353
44 stock patterns 351
Mineral paint 260, 269
44 quantities 263
" wool 354
Mirrors 206
Missouri brickwork 499-501
44 circular work 502
" cornices 500
44 excavation 498
44 labor 502
44 measurement 497
44 paving 500
44 plaster 503
44 roofing 504
44 stone 499, 502
Mistakes 392
Mixed paints 263
Moisture in brick 362
Moisture proofing 518
Money drawers 188
Monitors per If 29
Monolith .; 299
44 base, floors 115
Mortar color 90
44 for brick, quantity .
88, 89, 91
44 for cut stone 70
" for flrep roofing 120
44 for lime 65
44 for rubble 62, 64, 65
4 for sandstone 72
44 how much 1
44 on brick, cost 79, 132
Mosaic floors, etc 114, 484
Moscow railroads 434
Motors 336
Mould 110
Mouldings 184, 186, 199
Mouldings, book 351
Multiples, useful 394
Municipal work 97
Muriatic acid 96
N
Nail, allowances 225
Nails, cement-coated 226
44 for forms 46, 225
44 for lath 137, 225
44 for slate 252, 253
4 No. to Ib 224
44 per sq 13
44 table ; 224
Neponset papers 257
Newels 187, 693
Nogging 81
No. brick in sidewalks 100
44 coats paint 266, 379
" joists to sq 14, 18
" pieces of wood in bldg...588
" tiles to sq ft 298
" 26 galv i, 1 sq 237
Oak extra 179
44 finish 187, 203
44 flooring, cost 189, 203
44 flooring, grade 204
" floors per sq 22
" grading 204
" lab 161, 162, 163
" quality 372
1 wainscoting 179 187
Oakum 285
Ochre 266
Ofllce buildings 306-308, 332
Oil houses 318, 330
Omaha measurement 505
Open plumbing 374
Openings, cost of 31, 32, 39
" deductions 494, 500, 507
" size of 487
Order of estimating 5
Ornamental iron work 592, 681, 700
" tile work 297
Outside walls per sq 24
Pails 233
Paint brushes 272
" coldwater 274, 275
" cost of 33
" filling ....261, 264, 271, 273
" gall in bbl 263
" gold leaf 260
" kind of 380
" lab 266
" mineral .30, 260, 262, 263, 269
" on plaster 266
" per steel ton , 266
" priming 262
" required 263, 264
" shops 327, 333
" wt 263, 264
Painting 259
" colors 379
cost 262, -268
measurement . .259, 508, 509
No. coats 379
of copper 433
on brick 260, 265
on steel 265
per sq 23, 26
prices inside 271
quantities 260, 266
spheres 260
tin 235
Paint shops 320, 327
Paneling per sq ft 186
Pantries, lab 171
Pantry draw cases 202
Paper, building 177, 256
Parquet floors 189
" roofing 246, 256, 257
Parlor cols 203
Paroid roofing 257
" roofing, nails for 257
" roofing, wt of 257
Partitions ceiled per sq 25
" flexifold per sq 25
' iron studs 122
" mahogany 186
" office 187, 658, 662
" per sq 24
" rolling per sq 25
41 tile 82
Passenger car paint shops ..327
" repair shops 326
" station lab 157
" station lighting 294
" station millwork 186
Patent roofs 246
Pattern shops 326
Patterns for castings ...210, 394
Paving 69, 97, 98, 99, 105, 106, 596
' brick, cost ....100
' flagstone 69, 110
' granite block' 101
Payment of ests 8
Pediments, galv i 241
Percentages 307, 633
' blacksmith shop and
foundry 317
' car shop 319
" in buildings 33-38, 116
Perch, disuse of 3, 486
Photos 153
Physical Valuation:
' blanks 583, 585, 586
' Cleveland 634-638
' cost of 584
' in general .571, 582, 583, 634
' on interest rate 672
' square ft 587
Picket fences 30
Pickets 188
Picture mould 32, 200
Piers, brick, porch ..364, 501, 505
' concrete 489, 493
' stone 62, 499, 598
Pigeon holes 33
Piles 43, 44, 109, 597
' concrete 44
' in Engine house 341
" wood 43, 105
Piling 11
" per sq ft of building
316, 318, 319
Pipe covering 288
' galv i 31, 235, 238
" lab 429
' lengths, wrot iron 282
' sewers 103, 104, 111, 333
" water, etc.
Ill, 282, 287, 333, 337
Piping, special 595
Pitch 245, 246
Pitch of roof 174, 367
Pits 341, 610
Plank floors 177
" lab on 154, 156
" per sq 21
Planing mills 329
Plaster back 136
" blackboards 145
' blocking 136
' centers 145
' cols and caps 145
' cornices 144, 503
' cost of 135, 518
hair 142
" heating 136, 144
" kind of 3, 134, 142, 377, 594
" lab 137, 143
Plaster measurement 134, 503, 508
' muslin 144
' No. coats 377
" of Paris 142
" old brick 144
' on brick 135
" on ferroinclave 127
" on old concrete 277
" on tile, etc 115, 135
" on wood lath 114
" 1 3-4 136, 460, 466
" outside 136, 148
" paint on 382
" partitions, wt 144
" patching 143
" per sq 23, 26, 27
" per yd 31, 135
" prices 143
" pulp 146, 147
' putty 142
" quantities required
138, 139, 140, 142
" sand, sand finish 138
" screens 144
" stucco 138
" tables 415-424
Plasterers and laborers 144
Plate rail 200
Platforms, brick 99
" general 596
" heavy 610
" lab, wood 155
' per sq wood 30
" roofs per sq 30
Plugs, wall 158, 228
Plumbii/g 278
(See baths, soil pipe, or
any article required,
under proper heading.)
" lab ..278, 279, 280, 283, 594
Pointing :
brick 96
stone 71, 72
Poles, wood, concrete 359
Porch balusters 202
cols cement 133
col bases c i 221
floor per sq 22
lab 164
piers 364
posts 187, 201
rail 202
Porches, design 369
Portland cement, bbl 52
" cement, plaster outside
148, 149
Post offices 307, 309
Posts, boring 171
" cedar 30, 359
" concrete 133
" hole digging ..156, 229, 359
Power houses 315, 321, 323
Pressed brick 364
Pressed brick, cost ...87, 88, 113
" brick, fine work 95
1 brick, No. laid 96
" brick, quantity required
12, 86
" brick work 12, 132
Price, Bedford stone 67
Price book 359
" list of papers 256
" of iron and steel 218
Prices of bldg material, etc.
576-579
" of electric fittings 294
' of glass 205, 206
" of joists per sq 14, 15
" rising 572, 574, 578
" " causes 579-581
Prism glass and lights ..207, 218
Profit 4, 6, 8, 9, 10
Prong studs 122
Pull downs 233
Pulleys, sash 198
Pulp floors 299
Pumping water 105, 107, 492
Pumps 626, 628
" house 280, 600
Purington block 97, 100
Purlins, lab on 154
Push plates 232
Putty 260, 265, 379
' required for glazing 206, 479
Q
Q S flooring 22, 372, 373
Quality of paint 268
Quantities, paint required 260,266
' for cold water paint ..275
' tin required 239
" to sq lumber 14
Quarrying granite 66, 426
Quarter round 200
Quoins 149
Racks 657
Radiation, how to est 289
Radiators 287, 289, 413
Rafters, in general 367
" lab 157
" mat'l 173, 174
" per sq 27, 28
Rail, gas pipe 110, 219
Railing, bronze 110
' " iron 110, 624-699
" stair, wrot iron 692-694
Railroad buildings 314
' fences 219
' shops, large 217
" to Moscow 434
Rails, win 185
Raising roofs 356
Range work 499
Eansome bars 126
Raymond piles 44
Heady mixed paint 269
Ready reckoners ...350, 410, 411
Rectangular Engine house ..341
Red lead 269
Red rosin 256
Refrigerators 33ti, 355, 661
Registers 292
" stove pipe 234
Reinforced arches 108
' Engine house 343
' flreproofing 118
« roof 125
' sewers 104
' stacks 315
Reinforced Concrete:
Aberthaw Co 436
Average work 439
Bank, cost 452
Beam floors 445, 462, 466
Card, master 438, 447, 449
Ceilings 461, 465
Cold storage, cost 451, 452
Columns 442, 449, 473
Comparison of cost
113-117, 302, 470, 472, 510-512
Concrete . . . 440-447, 456
" filler 466
" good and bad 436
" labor on 456, 457, 475
" light and heavy 447
Cornices 467
Costs of work 472
Covering 466
Details of costs 476
Domes 467
Excavation 449
.Expanded metal, unloading 475
Factory, cost 450, 451, 458, 475
Ferro-concrete Co 455
Fireproof bldgs, cost ..450-452
Fire station, cost 450
Floors, cement 459
(See beam and slab.)
Floors
440-446, 448, 455, 456, 457
473-476
Forms, smooth, danger ....475
Foundations ..440 441, 449, 471
Frames, setting 449
Garage, cost 450, 452
Hennebique system 470
Hospital, cost 451, 452
Hotel, cost 452
Hy-Rib system 458, 459
Insurance, saving in 470
Location and cost 439
Lumber ..440-445, 449, 474, 476
Mfg. bldg, cost 451
Maple floor 448, 449
Master card ......439, 447, 449
Measure, how to
437, 438, 456, 496 497
Reinforced Concrete :
Mill, cost 453
Mill construction 453
Nails and wire 440-445, 476
Of&ce bldg, cost 450-452
Paneled work 466
Partitions ...449, 460, 461, 466
Paving 449
Percentages 475
Plank, labor 449
Plastering 460
Proportions 439, 467
Reinforced dwellings .453, 454
Relative prices 574
Retaining wall 449
Roebling system 465
Roofs 449, 460, 464
Shoring 460
Silos 461
Slab floors
444, 449, 459, 466, 471
Sq or cu ft costs 449-453
Stairs 449
Steel, setting 446, 457, 473, 475
Storehouses, cost 451
Stores, cost 450
Testing in Tunis 470
Thickness 512
Time of erection .510
Tooling 448, 449
Trussed Concrete Steel Co 458
Unloading 473, 474
Vaulted ceilings 467
Walls
443, 449, 460, 461, 471, 473
Warehouse, cost 452, 453
Relative cost of brick £ glass 39
Repair shops 326, 327, 328
Repaving 97
Reserve of ests 8
Reservoir 625, 627
Residences 36, 304, 305, 310
Revolving doors 33, 661
R I W 277
Rift flooring 22, 372, 373
Rising prices 572-575
Risk 8
Rivets 213, 215, 216, 217, 402
Rock excavation 41, 109
Rock faced stone 67
Rods, lightning 337
Rolling partitions per sq 25
Roofing :
canvas 525-527
measurement 504, 593
paints 263
papers 246, 256, 257
steel 243
Roofs, per sq 27, 28, 29
" pitch and area 174, 430
" raising 356
' reinforced 125
" slate 28, 248
" tile 28, 254
Rooms, sizes 365
Hope 233
Rosedale cement cf 52
Rosin 235
Roundhouse, see Engine house
Rubber base 299
" roofing 257
" tile 298
Rubbing down paint ...265, 272
Rubble, cost 11, 62, 63, 517
" dry Ill
" lab 65
' masonry 109, 110
" measurement 61, 498
" mortar 62, 64
" quantities, wt 61
Ruberoid per sq 29, 247
Ruud heaters 661
Rules, for radiation 289, 290
S
Sackett board 136, 145
Safes, home 219
" large, moving 220
Safety treads 221
Sand blasting 72, 478
" cranes 320, 335, 478
" finish, plaster 136, 138
" for brick mortar 90
" for concrete 49, 50, 51
" for plaster 138
" houses 320
" screening 377
Sanding, paint 268
Sandstone, cost 72
" paving 101
" setting 66
Sash balances 166, 233
" centers 233
" cord ....228
" glazing 205, 206
" lifts, locks 233
" prices 180, 181, 192-196
" pulleys 198
" sizes 352
" wts ..182, 227, 228, 379, 433
Scaffolding 179, 222, 487
Scagliola 114
Scales, track 600
Schedules 588-596
Schools 37, 300
" detailed cost 640
" per pupil 638
" per sq and cu ft 638-643
Screens, fly 185, 371
" plaster 378
Screws 233
Scroll work 370
Sectional sash wts 228
Septic tanks 308, 309
Setting glass 207
" iron and steel
214, 216-218, 446, 477
Sewer ditch 42
Sewers, brick ..101, 102, 104, 105
" concrete 104, 426
" cost, brick, laid
102, 104, 105, 111
" cost, pipe, laid 103, 104, 333
" labor 278
" pipe alone 105, 281
" sheet piling 42, 105
" size trench 278
Sheds, lumber 320
" shelter 321
Sheeting, labor 156
" material 175, 369
" per M 156
' per sq 21, 26
" quantities 15
" timbers 110, 111
Sheet lead 285
" metal 593
" piling 42, 105, 491
" steel 218, 399
Shelf hardware 229
Shellacs 264, 273
Shelving, labor 171
" material 318
Shingles, asbestos 128, 368
" dipping 379, 509
" kind of 368
" labor on 158
" life of 368
" material 175
" nails 225. 368
" per sq 26, 28
" sizes 349
" stains ....269, 270, 273, 368
" tin 235, 242
Shiplap, general 369
" labor 156
" material 175
" per sq 21, 26
Shop floors 337
' lanterns per If 29
" roofs, reinforced per sq.125
' roofs, wood, per sq ... 29
" unit cost 317
Shops, R. R., etc. . . .316-344, 647
(See also under particu-
lar building required.)
Shoring 492
Shoved brickwork 81
Shovels 233
Shrinkage of ice 321
Shutters, rolling steel 219
" wrot iron 219
Sicilian rock asphalt 246
Sideboards, lab « . .170
Sidewalk lights 218
Sidewalks 99, 100, 364
Siding, in general 369
" lab 159
' material 176
' per sq 26
Siding, size 348
" steel and tin 243
Sienna marble 484
Signal towers 314, 315
Sills, concrete 129
" stone 70, 345, 426
" wood 366
Silos 535
" capacity 536, 537
" cement block 539-541
" cost per ton 547
" details 545, 548
" forms 546, 547, 549
" labor 545
" reinforced concrete .543, 545
" roofs 550, 553
" sq ft costs 542, 548
" wood 550-552
" « cost 551, 552
Silvering table 337
Sinks 285
Site clearing 40
Size and cost 630-632
" of brick 80, 87, 95
" on plaster 260
Sizes, rooms 365
" lumber 347-351
" millwork 351-353
" standard 345 and on
Sizing joists 154
" (painter) 268
Skylights ..31, 207, 238, 239, 594
Skyscrapers, general 632, 633
" setting steel 477
" values 632, 638
Slate blackboards 254
" cement 249
" hauling, lap 253
" lab 249
" nails 252
" partitions 283
" per sq 28, 29, 248, 249
" punching 250
" quantity, size 252
Slate, quantity 251
" setting partitions 280
Slaughter houses 305
Sleepers in basement per sq 17, 18
" lab 154
" large sizes 19
Sliding doors 31, 168
" door hangers 228
" door ladders 33
" door locks 231
Slope of earth 42
" of stove lining 63
Smokejacks 343
Smoothing floors by machines 162
Snow guards /. .253
Sod 110, 391
Soil pipe, lab 279
" pipe, prices 281
Solder .....235, 285
Speaking tubes 239
Spikes 224
1 boat 226
Spindles, cement 133
" wood 188
Spreading stone 60
Sprinklers, cost 303, 528-532
Square 412
Square cost of sheeting, ship-
lap, flooring, plank, etc. 21-26
Square of tin itemized ..235, 236
Sq ft cost of bi-ick 133
" costs, general 629-643
" prices of bldgs 300-337
" valuation 634
Sq root 174
Sq system of estg 150
Stables, cost 305
Stacking, brick 86
Stacks, chimney, brick
83, 315, 506, 591, 611
' chimney, reinforced ....315
" chimney, steel 316
" chimney, steel, taking
down 222
Staff 145
Stain, waterproof, cement . .276
Staining sash 267
" wood 226, 264, 270, 272, 273
Stair railing, wrot iron ..692-694
Stairs, concrete ..1.09, 125, 497
" cost 32, 187,202,353
" how to build 373
" iron 221, 222
" labor, wood 169
Standard sizes in general ..345
" sizes, lumber 345-351
" varnish finish 270
Standpipes 321, 647
Staples for met lath 137
Stations, RR 314
Steam hammers 334
" heat ....290
" piping 282
" piping, lab on large sizes 289
Steel and iron, cost 12
Steel :
beams 110
cor bars for curbing ...105
danger of changes 119
general 210, 591
girders, posts, bracing 110
Kahn system 125, 126
painting 261, 265
per sq ft of buildings .215
" ribbon 228
" setting 110, 216, 477
" sheet, lab 218
' siding 243
" stack, taking down . . .222
" studs 221
Steps, concrete (with table
figures) 57, 109, 125
Steps, stone 70, 109
Stevenson doors 355
Stiles and rails, win 185
Stippling paint 268
Stirrups 19, 220, 221
Stock boards 349
Stone, concrete 50, 51
" crusher 56, 426
" lettering 71
" lining of slopes 63, 64
" measurement
67, 73, 498, 499, 591
" paving 97
' quantity 67
" sills, steps, coping ..70, 345
' spreading 60
" wall, cost 517
Stools, win 185, 200
Stoops 185, 200
Storage cellar 544
Store and office 321
" cost 32
" fronts lab 165, 507
" millwork 183
Storehouse 318, 329, 333
Storerooms, lab 171
Stores and flats 36, 304
Storm sash 181
Stove pipe fittings 234
Street-car barns 344
Studs, general 367
" lab 157
" mat'l 172
" metal 222
" per sq 24, 25
" steel 221
Subbids 7
Surfacing concrete 477, 478
Surfacing concrete floors 60, 121
" wood floors 188
Surf butts 230, 231
System of valuation 597-599
Table of bm 410, 411
" nails required 224
" plaster 135, 136, 140
1 wages 673-684
Tablets, bronze and iron
685-688, 690, 691, 695
Tanks 218, 397, 398, 595, 600
' and towers 616-624
" concrete 553, 554
Tapestry brick 515
Tar 246
" coal 337
" felt .23, 426, 257
Team, traveling 64
Telegraph desk 187
Telford 110
Tenements 304
Terra cotta 88, 113
Terrazo floors 295
Thickness of walls ...79, 82, 363
Thimbles, partition 234
Thresholds 184=
Ties, cross 562
Tile arches 483
" building 82
'* facts about, floor 297
" glass, roofing 255
" Kahn 125
' kind, size, floor ...295, 296
" per sq roofing 28, 29
' roofing 254, 255
" wainscoting 296
Timber for sheathing 109
" in place 110, 156
Time on paint 266
Tin lined pipe, covered 288
" per sq 28, 29
" prices 235
' quality 376
" shingles ...242
" siding 377
" wts 236
Tinned doors 128, 610
Tons 2000 or 2240 Ibs 213
Tools for RR shops 323-337
Towers :
" slate .'...250
" steel 616-618
" style 370
" tile 256
" wood 155, 619-624
Tracery 71
Track 332, 337, 596
" brass 233
" scales 600
Trade rules 487, 490
Transfer pit ...333, 336, 342, 610
" tables 333, 336
Translucent fabric 207
Transom cost 31, 181, 139
" lifts 232
Treads, safety 221
Trees 40, 658
Trestles, lab 155
Trimmings, masonry 591
Trusses, cost 29, 648-652
" lab 152
" steel, wt 215, 216, 598
Tubs 280, 285
Turnstiles 336
Turntables .333, 344, 596, 600-604
U
Umbrella sheds 30, 609
Underpinning 81
"Uniform contract" 7
Unloading brick 100, 356
" earth, lumber, sand,
slate, stone 355, 356, 473
Upholstery shop 333
Urinals 283
Urns, galv i 241
Vacuum cleaners 662-666
Valleys 31, 376
Valuation (see Physical Val) 634
" system 597
Values 582
Valves 283, 287
Variations in estimates 4
Varnishes 261
" outside 264
" removers 261, 267
" wt 264
Vases, lawn ..0 133
Vats 595, 600
Vault doors 219
Vaults, fireproof 308, 507
Veneered houses 96, 305, 519
Venetian blinds 184
Ventilation 308, 374
Ventilator 238
Vent pipes 280
Viaduct paving 106
Voids 51, 56
W
Wages, plumbers' 281
" tables, average 412
" " daily 684
" " fractional 673
" " hourly 674-681
" " weekly 682-683
Wagon gates 30
Wainscoting, Artificial marble 143
" lab, wood 167
" mahogany 186
" mat'l 179
" metal 242
" paneled 253
" per sq 32
« plaster 375, 378
Walks 59, 100, 110, 364
Wall coping 88
" paper 272
Walls, per sq, brick .133, 517, 520
" per sq, wood ....24, 521, 522
" plugs, metal 158, 223
" thickness 363
" 9-in short cut 76
" tile 298
Wardrobe hooks 233
Warehouses 30, 36, 301
Washers, cast 227
Washing fronts 71, 96
Waste pipes 280
Water and excavation 41
" closets 283
" for brick 90
" for concrete 65
" for plaster 143
" pipe, lab 279
" pipe laid Ill, 333, 337
" pipe, mat'l .281 282, 533, 534
Waterproofing 110, 147
Waterproof stain 276
Water pumping 105, 107
" table 57
" tank 333, 600
Waxing 273, 380
Wear and tear of buildings .311
(See Depreciation)
Weight, brass, copper, lead .213
" c i cols 211, 212
" cement 53, 407
" concrete 140 Ibs to cf
" galv sheets 403, 404
" glass 207
" machine bolts 400
" paint 263
' partitions, plaster 144
" steel on buildings per
sq ft 215
" steel trusses 215
" substances 406-408
" wrot iron 213, 399
Wells 614-616
Wheelbarrows 233
Wheeling 42
Wheel shops 328
White cement 478
White lead 4 269
Wickets for stationary win
218, 697-699
Windmills 337
Windows,
" "Chicago" 192-196
" cost ....31, 32, 180, 181, 182
" dormer 29, 365
" extras 196
" fireproof 243, 479-483
" fireproof, cost 192, 483
" frames 181-183, 197
" general 370
" odd 196
" sizes 352
" wt 182, 408
Wire, barbed 229
" panels 229
" rope 233
Wood fences 30
Wrecking 356, 611
Wrot iron grilles
689, 690,, 695, 697, 699
" iron newels 693
" iron pipe 693
" iron pipe laid 333
" iron prices 220
" iron stair rails 692 693
Wyckoff covering 288
Y. M. C. A. buildings, cost ..',
Zinc
.238
OUR HOME CITY
IS to be a Central or Western Neb. Model City to begin
with 1000 families, or 5000 people. Each family is to put
up a building. The total investment in buildings and
municipal work will be at least $2,000,000.00 in a place of
such size. The rise in the land values will amount to more
than this sum, on the basis of the relative values of land and
improvements in all established towns and cities.
There will be at least 1000 buildings erected as a begin-
ning. We require people in all lines of business for such
a city, but more especially men connected with building and
building material.
There will be no land speculation. Lots will be owned
by the city only, and leases given for 99 years. Thus, there
will be no money required to secure a site for business or
home, but a monthly payment to the city only. Liquor will
not be sold. A model plan has been made for the streets,
parks, etc., and the best building code adopted. No fran-
chises will be granted, but the city only will own and operate
water-works, gas-works, electric light plant, etc.
The altitude will be at least 1800 feet above sea level,
and from border to border Nebraska is a healthy state. We
shall be located in the best part of it. The most careful
provision has been made for health, education, amusements,
and a just taxing system.
No move will be made until 1000 families are secured.
This makes a successful city certain, and safeguards every-
body.
With nothing to pay for a lot, a home may be had for a
fewr hundred dollars, to as high as desired.
In order to see what we shall do for a living, go to a
city of 5000 and look around you. It is already built, but we
shall have to build ours.
I wish to hear from all who want a new opportunity under
better environments than are common.
Address
WILLIAM ARTHUR,
4160 Davenport St., OMAHA, NEB.
SOME USEFUL BOOKS
Selected from the List of Live Up-to-date Work
Published and For Sale By
DAVID WILLIAMS COMPANY
Publishers of
The Building Age
239 WEST 3pTH STREET, NEW YORK.
BUILDING CONSTRUCTION AND SUPER-
INTENDENCE, CARPENTRY,
JOINERY, ETC.
Kidder's Building and Construction and Superinten-
dence.— Size of volumes, 7x9 3-4 ins. Sold separately.
Part i — Mason's Work. Ninth Edition; Revised and
Enlarged by Thomas Nolan. 992 pages; 628 illustra-
tions. Cloth bound. Price, $6.00
Treats broadly on everything comprised under the
heads of Foundations on Firm Soils; Foundations on
Compressible Soils; Masonry Footings and Foundation
Walls; Shoring and Underpinning; Limes, Cements and
Mortars Building Stones; Cut-stonework; Brick and
Brickwork; Architectural Terra Cotta; Fireproofing of
Buildings; Concrete and Reinforced Concrete Construc-
tion; Iron and Steel Supports for Masonwork-Skeleton
Construction; Lathing and Plastering; Specifications.
Special attention is given to fireproofing and concrete,
both reinforced and plain. Foundations has received
careful consideration, and many examples of the latest
and most approved work in recent structures on difficult
soils are shown.
Part 2 — Carpenter's Work. Seventh Edition; 544 pages;
537 illustrations; 14 tables. Cloth bound, Price, $4.00.
This work is much more than a treatise on carpentry.
It covers the work and manipulation of materials, in con-
nection with any character of construction that could be
included in a set of carpenter's specifications, including
interior trim and equipment, light and heavy framing,
etc., all well illustrated.
Part 3— Trussed Roofs and Roof Trusses.. By F. E.
Kidder. Second edition. 300 pages; 306 illustrations.
Cloth bound. Price, $3.00
This work is designed more particularly for the use of
architects. It is therefore not so well suited to the re-
quirements of builders and carpenters as the author's
"Strength of Beams, Floors and Roofs," but it describes
plainly nearly every type of roof construction commonly
met with in buildings, and points, out the advantages of
the different types of wooden and steel trusses for differ-
ent spans and building requirements. It explains the
process of computing the loads, drawing the stress dia-
gram and proportioning the members and points to the
stresses. The .mechanical principles are clearly set forth
and the method of obtaining the stresses.
Kidder's Strength of Beams, Floors and Roofs. — 230
pages. Size, 51-2x8 ins.; 164 engravings; 21 tables
and diagrams. Cloth bound. Price, $2.00
It explains the mechanical principles of all ordinary
types of wooden trusses, and the methods of computing
the stresses and proportioning the members.
Gives new light on making and estimating the strength
of truss joints.
Illustrates a variety of types of approved wooden
trusses.
Points out common mistakes in designing which often
result disastrously.
Dustman's Book of Plans and Building Construction. —
238 pages. Size, 9 x 13 ins. Oblong. Bound in
cloth. Price, $2.00.
A practical treatment of all phases of construction, with
many tables and diagrams, and including comprehensive
articles on estimating time, labor and material, specifica-
tion writing and plan reading.
There is also given an excellent collection of designs
of attractive cottages and double houses of moderate
cost, with exterior views, floor plans and details.
Building Superintendence. — By Edward Nichols. 200
pages. Size, 63-4 x 93-4 ins. Cloth bound. Price, $1.50
This is a working guide to the requirements of modern
American building practice and the systematic supervi-
sion of building operations.
The Architects' and Builders' Pocket Book.— The Fif-
teenth Edition, Revised and Enlarged. 1700 pages;
1000 engravings; morocco binding. Price, $5.00.
In the author's own words, it is "a general index to the
many lines of work, methods, materials and manufactured
products entering into the planning, construction and equip-
ment of buildings."
A modern construction handbook, indispensable to the
professional man and the student of to-day.
CONTENTS: — Terms Used in Mechanics; Foundations and
Spread Footings; Masonry Walls and Footings— Cement and
Concrete; Retaining Walls— Vault Walls; Strength of Brick
and Stone Masonryand Concrete; Composition and Resolution of
Forces — Centre of Gravity; Stability of Piers and Buttresses; The
Stability of Arches; Bending Moments and Supporting Forces;
Moments of Inertia and Resistance. Radius of Gyration.
Dimensions and Properties of Structural Shapes; Resistance to
Tension— Physical Properties of Iron and Steel; Resistance
to Shearing— Riveted Joints — Proportions of Cast-iron and
Steel Bearing-Plates and for Brackets on Cast-iron Columns;
Strength of Posts, Struts and Columns. Standard Connec-
tions for Steel Beams; Stiffness' and Deflection of Beams;
Strength and Stiffness of Continuous Girders; Riveted Steel-
Plate and Box Girders; Mill and Warehouse Construction; Fire-
proofing of Buildings; Reinforced Concrete; Roof-Trusses —
Types of Wooden and Steel Trusses; Stresses in Roof -Trusses;
Proportioning Members of Roof-Trusses and Details of Joints;
Wind Stresses and Bracing in Towers and High Buildings;
Heat, Fuel, Water, Steam and Air; Drying by Steam; Systems
of Piping for Steam Heating; Steampipe Fittings and Valves;
Rules for Proportioning Radiating Surface; Hot-Water Heat-
ing; Furnace Heating; Specifications for Heating Apparatus;
Tables of Hot Air Stacks, Registers, Steam Piping, etc.; Smoke
Prevention; Ventilation; Chimneys; Hydraulics; Private Water
Supply, Pumps, Windmills etc.; Fire Streams; Construction of
Cylindrical Wooden Tanks; Capacity of Tanks; Plumbing Ma-
terials and Details; Plunge-Baths; Illuminating-Gas; Piping a
House for Gas; Notes on Lighting and Illumination; Electric-
ity; Electric Lighting and Wiring; Specific Weights and Grav-
ities of Substances; Wire and Sheet Metal Gauges; Weights of
Wrought Iron, Steel, Copper and Brass Sheets; Weight of
Lead, Copper and Brass; Size, Weight and Kinds of Smooth
Steel Wire; Weights and Areas of Round and Square Bars;
Weights of Flat-rolled Steel Bars; Data for Estimating Weight
of Cast Iron, Wrought Iron and Steel; Screws and Expansion
Bolts; Stonework; Bricks and Brickwork; Lime; Sand and
Gravel; Lathing and Plastering; Lumber and Carpenters' Work;
Paint and Varnish; Glass Price Lists; Galvanized Iron; Floor
and Wall Tiling; Mineral Wool; Estimating the Cost of Struc-
tural Steel; Standard Steel Classifications; Cost of Buildings per
Cubic Foot; Cost of Buildings per Square Foot; Stairs; Sash
Weights; Capacity of Churches, Theatres and Opera-Houses;
Elevators; Mail Chutes; Refrigerators; Tower Clocks; The
Classical Orders; Lightning Conductors; Efflorescence of
Brickwork; Force of the Wind; Horse-Power, Pulleys, Gears,
Belting and Shafting; Chain Blocks.
Martin's Details of Building Construction. — Containing
33 quarto plates with sectional views, working details and
full memoranda for the construction of doors, windows,
casements, gutters, cornices, and other finish. Large
quarto. Cloth. Price, $2.00.
DESIGNS FOR HOUSES, BUNGALOWS, CHURCHES,
STORES, SCHOOLS, BARNS, ETC.
The following books afford invaluable suggestion on the
design and construction of modern dwellings, etc., showing
views and plans of successful structures that have been de-
signed and built by able, practicing architects.
No class of books give more for so little, or serve so many
useful purposes to builders and those intending to build.
The Carpentry and Building Series of Designs, compris-
ing the six following volumes, are very complete, giving
perspectives, elevations, floors, plans and details of construc-
tion drawn to scale. Each of the volumes of this series con-
tains 200 or more pages on fine plate paper. The size of pages
is 9x13 inches, oblong. Cloth bound. Price, $1.50 each.
Per set, Delivered, $7.50.
No. i. — Cottage Designs with Constructive Details. —
Containing 25 designs of simple cottages originally costing
from $600 to $1500.
No. 2. — Low-Cost Houses with Constructive Details.—
Containing upward of 25 designs of cottages costing
originally from $750 to $2500.
No. 3. — Modern Dwelling with Constructive Details. —
Containing plans costing approximately from $2800 to
$7000.
No. 4. — Suburban Homes with Constructive Details. —
Containing plans costing approximately from $5000 to
$20,000.
No. 5. — Cement Houses and Private Garages with Con-
structive Details. — Containing about 30 designs of artistic
structures. Approximate cost of house from $2500 to
$10,000.
No. 6. — Bungalows with Constructive Details. — Containing
about 30 designs of attractive structures erected in various
sections of the country, at costs ranging from $1000 to
$15,000.
Two-Family and Twin Houses. — Size 8x9 1-2 ins. 127
pages. Bound in cloth and boards. Price, $2.00.
An attractive book, illustrating some of the latest and
best work of architects in various sections.
Prepared to meet the demand for improved house ac-
commodations on comparatively small lot areas. Con-
tains sixty designs, including fl"6or plans, with descrip-
tions covering all the latest improvements in sanitation,
heating, lighting, etc., also two detailed specifications.
California Bungalow Homes. — By Henry Menken. Third
Edition, Revised and Enlarged. 128 pages. Size, 71-2x11
ins. Oblong. Heavy paper. Price, .50.
This book contains 87 different floor plans of bunga-
lows and cottages, suitable for any climate; with photo-
graphic views of exteriors, interiors, cozy corners, .man-
tels, fireplaces, buffets, furniture, etc. They have all been
built at prices ranging from $1000 to $4500. Working
plans and specifications are obtainable at a nominal price.
The Bungalow Book.— By H. L. Wilson. Fifth Edition.
159 pages. Size 7 1-2 x 10 1-2 ins. Attractively bound
in cloth. Price, $1.00.
The 117 different floor plans shown in this volume, with
photographic views and sketches of exteriors, interiors,
cozy corners, etc., should enable the intending builder to
make a satisfactory selection. The bungalows listed
range in cost of construction from about $1000 to $4500.
Working plans and specifications of any of these may be
procured at a nominal price.
Cement Houses and How to Build Them. — With per-
spective views and floor plans of 77 cement plaster
and concrete-block houses. 158 pages. Size, 8 x 10
ins. Substantially bound in cloth. Price, $1.00.
Contains illustrated details of cement construction,
standard> specifications for cement, standard specifications
for concrete blocks, general information concerning
waterproofing, coloring, aggregates, mixtures, paving,
reinforcing, foundations, walls, steps, sewer pipes tile,
chimneys, floors, porches, use of concrete on the farm,
etc.
Concrete Block Houses. — B«y Henry Wittekind. A port-
folio of 27 designs. Size, 7 1-4 x 10 3-4 ins. $1.00.
With perspective views and floor plans of attractive
houses of concrete block and concrete block and stucco,
ranging in cost of construction from $1200 to $5400. The
working plans and specifications may be bought at a nomi-
nal figure. They will be furnished to accommodate any
size block.
Churches and Chapels.— By F. E. Kidder. Third edition.
Revised; with 120 illustrations in the text and 67 full-
page plates. Oblong volume. Size, 7 x 10 1-2 ins.
Substantially bound in cloth. Price, $3.00.
Goes fully into modern church construction, equipment
and planning and is much the most exhaustive and use-
ful work published for those who are seeking suggestion
preparatory to church building.
School Architecture. — By Edmund M. Wheelwright, 350
pages; 250 illustrations. Cloth bound. Price, $5.00.
A general treatise for the use of architects and others.
All details of school construction are fully covered, and
examples are presented of the most practically suggestive
schools in the United States, Germany, Austria, Switzer-
land, England and France.
The School House; Its Heating and Ventilation.— By
Joseph A. Moore, Inspector of School Buildings
State of Massachusetts. 204 pages. Size, 6x9 1-2
ins. Illustrated. Cloth. Price, $2.00.
This book, written by an authority of twenty years' ex-
perience, contains, first a section of 72 pages given to
designs and descriptions of successful school houses, with
44 plates of floor plans.
Radford's Stores and Flat Buildings. — 82 pages. Size,
8 x ii ins. Cloth bound. Price, $1.00.
Contains 57 designs of small bank buildings, stores,
double or twin houses; two, four, six and nine-family flat
buildings, constructed of stone, brick, cement and wood.
Plank Frame Barn Construction. — By John L. Shawver.
35 pages. Size, 5 1-2x7 3-4 ins- Cloth. 50 cents.
Describes the best methods of construction and fram-
ing for this economical and popular system, with many
illustrations.
Twentieth Century Practical Barn Plans. — By William
A. Radford. 166 pages; 250 illustrations and work-
ing diagrams. Size, 8 x 10 1-2 ins. Cloth. $1.00.
A collection of economical and practical plans of out-
buildings, stock sheds, etc., gathered from successful
builders and architects in many different States and in
Canada.
PLAIN AND REINFORCED CONCRETE,
CEMENTS, MORTARS, ETC.
Treatise on Concrete, Plain and Reinforced, Materials,
Construction and Design of Concrete and Rein-
forced Concrete. — New Edition. By F. W. Taylor
and S. E. Thompson. 807 pages; 237 figures. Cloth
bound. Price, $5.00.
Designed for the use of architects and engineers.
Treats the manipulation and uses of concrete for con-
structive and engineering purposes. Special chapter on
concrete building construction, page 608 to 636.
Concrete and Reinforced Concrete Construction. — By
Homer A. Reid. 906 pages; 715 illustrations; 70
tables. Cloth. Price, $5.00.
The largest work on the subject — modern and author-
itative in every respect. Contains a special chapter on
building construction, pages 465 to 572. Among the con-
tents are 200 working drawings of buildings and founda-
tions, including shops, roundhouses, etc., with descrip-
tions.
Reinforced Concrete. — A treatise on Cement, Concrete
and Concrete Steel and their Application to Modern
Structural Work. By Walter L. Webb, C. E., and
W. H. Gibson. 129 pages; 57 illustrations. Substan-
tially bound in cloth. Price, $1.00.
This book is designed for the architect, builder, con-
tractor and engineer, who will find it to contain a concise
treatment on the manipulation and uses of reinforced con-
crete, based on recent construction work, with descrip-
tions and illustrations of typical practice. The contents
are arranged in five divisions, as follows: Cement and
Cement Testing; Mixing and Measuring Concrete; De-
positing and Finishing Concrete; General Theory of
Flexure in Reinforced Concrete; Structural Applications.
Cement and Concrete. — By L. C. Sabin. 504 pages; 161
tables of tests. Cloth. Price, $5.00.
A treatise designed especially for American engineers,
covering the manufacture, properties and testing of ce-
ment, and the preparation and use of cement mortars
and concretes. Special attention is given to the costs of
cement and concrete for different uses and under various
conditions.
Hand-Book for Superintendents of Construction, Archi-
tects, Buildefs and Building Inspectors. — By H. G.
Richey. 742 pages; 357 figures. Morocco. $4.00.
Treats all divisions of modern constructive practice, in-
cluding extended sections on stone masonary, brickwork,
concrete and fireproofing construction, terra cotta, lath-
ing, plastering, lime, cement, sand, mortar, etc.
Cost Data.— By H. P. Gillette. Second Edition. 1900
pages. Illustrated. Morocco binding. Price, $5.00.
Contains representative data on costs of concrete and
concrete steel structures and the best methods of con-
struction. Every detail of contract work has been des-
cribed and recorded, and the cost of labor and materials
carefully noted.
Concrete Construction, Methods and Cost. — By H. P.
Gillette and C. S. Hill. 700 pages; 306 illnstrations.
Cloth bound. Size, 6x9 ins. Price, $5.00.
A valuable aid in estimating concrete work of all kinds.
The various designs of forms and centers and the layout
of^ plant for mixing, conveying and placing concrete re-
ceive the most complete treatment ever" given these im-
portant subjects.
Modern Cement Sidewalk Construction. — By C. Palliser.
64 pages. Cloth. Price, 50 cents.
Full directions for testing and mixing materials; laying
finishing, seasoning and coloring sidewalks, curbs and
gutters.
Cement Workers' Hand-Book.— By W. H. Baker. 98
pages. Cloth Price, 50 cents.
A handy pocket guide to the mixing and handling of
cements, mortars and concretes for building and other
purposes — a book for the workman, covering more than
fifty of the most important subjects on cement and its
uses in construction.
Instructions to Inspectors on Reinforced Concrete Con-
struction and Concrete Data. — By G. P. Carver. 124
pages. Pamphlet. Pocket size. Price, 50 cents.
A book of important data relating to the best forms of
construction and the proportioning, mixing and compact-
ing of materials.
How to Use Portland Cement. — By S. S. Newberry. 29
pages. Pamphlet. Price, 50 cents.
A practical treatise on the testing and uses of Portland
cement, prepared chiefly for contractors and masons.
Practical Concrete Block Making. — By C. Palliser. 75
pages. Cloth, Price, 50 cents.
Everything from making of molds and selection of
material to the laying of the seasoned block is simply ex-
plained.
Concretes, Cements, Mortars, Plasters and Stuccoes;
How to Make and How to Use Them. — By F. T.
Hodgson. 520 pages; 150 illustrations. Substantially
bound in cloth. Price, $1.50.
An extensive compilation of valuable material, cover-
ing recent methods and improvements in the mixing, pro-
portioning and application of plaster, mortar, stucco and
cement. Contains a considerable amount of matter on
reinforced concrete work. A serviceable handbook for
the builder.
Practical Stone Masonry Self-Taught.— By F. T. Hodg-
son. 300 pages; 180 illustrations. Cloth. Price, $1.00.
An invaluable book for the operative mason, treating
methods of building walls in rustic rubble, ashler square,
uncoursed, random coursed, irregular corners, snecked
and square rubble, polygonal ragwork, and other styles
of masonry and stone-cutting are explained and illus-
trated. Finished stones, such as window sills, window
heads, coping, arch stones, keystones, and similar dress-
ings, are described and illustrated. Stone arches and
joints are described and illustrated, with ample instruc-
tions for working them.
Masonry Construction. — By A. E. Phillips and A. T.
Byrne. 145 pages; 44 illustrations. Cloth. Price, $1.00.
A handbook of practical information for stonemasons,
stonecutters, bricklayers, cement and concrete workers,
etc., describing the various kinds of building stone; man-
ufacture of brick, cement and mortar; methods of test;
foundation work, pile-driving; dam and wall construc-
tion; arch and bridge construction; reinforced concrete,
etc.
Practical Bricklaying Self-Taught. — By F. T. Hodgson.
277 pages; 330 illustrations. Cloth. Price, $1.00.
This book is one of the latest on the subject, treating
bricklaying in such a way as will enable the attentive
student to execute almost any kind of practical and artis-
tic work. Covers all important subjects, such and bond,
ornamental brickwork, damp courses, quality of brick-
work, forming1 of pilasters, quoins, skew arches, splay
work, brick joints, chimneys, fireplaces, flues, brick pav-
ings, etc.
DRAWING: ARCHITECTURAL, MECHANICAL
AND STRUCTURAL.
Architectural Drawing. — By C. F. Edminster. Size, 7x9
inches. 242 pages, including 105 full-page plates.
Cloth bound. Price, $2.00.
Presenting a practical and complete course in the ele-
ments of architectural drawing, designed to meet the re-
quirements of tradesmen, draftsmen and students.
Practical Lessons in Architectural Drawing. — By W. B.
Tuthill. 61 pages n 1-2 x 7 1-4 inches. 33 full page
plates and 33 illustrations. Cloth. Price, $2.50.
This work contains scale drawings of plans, elevations,.
sections and details of frame, brick and stone buildings,
with full descriptions and specifications.
A Manual of Mechanical Drawing. — By P. D. Johnston.
224 pages; 134 illustrations; 69 full-page plates and
2 folding plates. Cloth bound. Size, 91-4x7 1-4
inches. (Oblong.) Price, $2.00.
This work f is widely known and recommended for its
simple and comprehensive treatment of the subject.
Structural Drawing. — By C. F. Edminster. Size, 7x9
ins. 153 pages, including 71 full-page plates. Cloth
bound. Price, $2.50.
An important aid to the student who aims to acquire a
knowledge of the fundamental principles of structural
drafting, with a well-graded course of instruction as ap-
plied to the drawing of standard forms, columns, girders,
trusses and framing details. The subject matter and
scope of the chapters are as follows:
Blue-Print Making. — 28 pages. Paper. Price, 25 cents.
Embracing directions for constructing the printing
frame, preparing the paper, and making prints of various
kinds.
How to Read Plans. — 104 pages; 81 figures and a complete
set of plans for a frame cottage. Price, 50 cents.
A simple, practical explanation of the meaning of vari-
ous lines, marks, symbols, etc., used on working drawings.
ESTIMATING AND SPECIFICATION WRITING.
Estimating the Cost of Building. — By Arthur W. Joslin.
218 pages. Illustrated. Cloth. Price, $1.00.
This book presents in compact and handy form the
author's serial articles which were recently published in
the columns of "Carpentry and Building," where they at-
tracted wide interest and approval.
The work is practical, analytical and thorough in style.
It will be an excellent prompter and guide to every one
who has to do with building costs and superintendence,
constituting as it does a systematic treatise on the sub-
ject.
There are important chapters on "Estimating the Cost
of Building Alterations" and on "Systems in the Execu-
tion of Building Contracts."
Hicks' Builders' Guide.— By I. P. Hicks. Revised 1913;
twentieth thousand. 168 pages. Size, 5x6 3-4 ins.
114 illustrations. Cloth. Price, $1.00.
Presents a system of simple and practical application
for estimating materials and labor chiefly as applied to
suburban residential work. One of the most serviceable
books for contractors and builders as well as for car-
penters, who will find it to contain also a very complete
treatment on framing roofs of all descriptions.
The "Guide" was designed by a man who understood
the needs of the young carpenter and builder, and the
knotty problems of the daily work are solved in the sim-
plest and best ways.
Estimating Frame and Brick Houses, Barns, Stables,
Factories and Outbuildings — New Edition, 1913. — By
Fred T. Hodgson, architect. 248 pages. Illustrated.
Size, 5x6 3-4 ins. Cloth. Price, $1.00.
The book aims to give a careful consideration to all the
items and elements of cost in construction, beginning at
the foundation of the building and progressing to the
finished structure. Young contractors and builders es-
pecially will find it to cover the subject in a plain, practi-
cal way, with detailed consideration of cost factors, items
and quantities.
There is a detailed estimate of a $5000 house and addi-
tions; detailed estimates of kitchen, dining room, parlor,
den, halls, bedrooms, conservatory, basement, bath room,
closets, etc., all figured out and measured by the quickest
and simplest methods. The author also tells how to es-
timate by cubing, by the square of floors or walls, and
by the process of comparison, and gives hints and prac-
tical suggestions for taking measurements and making
tenders for work.
Estimating. — By Edward Nichols. 140 pages. 14 full-
page plates. Cloth. Price, $1.00.
Tells how to go about making an estimate intelligently.
As a practical example, a complete plan of a house is
given, and the estimates of cost are worked out from
this, with bills of material and working data.
Handy Estimate Blanks.— By A. W. Joslin. 32 pages,
71-2x10 ins. Paper. Price, 25 cents each; $2.50 per doz.
These blanks have been prepared with the idea of furnishing
to contractors and builders a convenient form upon which to
make an estimate and record of cost of work which they figure
on and execute. Space is provided for recording all the material
usually required on Residences, Schools, Stables, Garages,
Apartment Houses, small Factories, and Office Buildings.
Contracts and Specifications. — B«y J. C. Plant. 130 pages.
Fully illustrated. Cloth. Price, $1.00.
A practical working guide for the contractor, architect
and owner. With forms and an explanation of duties
and responsibilities incident to public and private con-
tracts.
Hicks' Specification Blanks for Frame or Brick Build-
ings.— 18 pages; size, 8 x 13 3-4 ins. Single, 35 cents;
per dozen, $4.00.
Covers everything in the building; carpenters' work,
masonry, hardware, plumbing, heating, painting, tin and
sheetmetal work, etc.
Eureka Building Specifications.
Class B — For frame Dwellings of Moderate Cost,
with Plumbing and Heating. Price, 40 cents.
Class D — For Brick Dwellings, with Plumbing and
Heating. Price, 50 cents.
Embraces all the labor and materials necessary in the
erection and completion of the building in all its parts.
Send for our complete catalogue and let us help
you find what you want.
All books listed are sent post or expressage paid on
receipt of price by
DAVID WILLIAMS CO.
The Contractors and Builders Handbook
BY WM. ARTHUR
No matter which branch of building operation you may
be interested in, you are sure to find this new reference
work of exceptional value. It covers everything that the
contractor and builder, architect or owner has to think
about from the operation of the latest building law to the
figuring of overhead expenses and the insuring of work
against fire, etc. There are hundreds of ways of losing
money in building if one is not careful, and the informa-
tion given in this book will enable you to avoid them.
Much new matter on construction with specially prepared
tables is included. The author has been actively engaged
in the building business as architect, contractor, consult-
ing expert and appraiser for many years and he has treated
his subject simply and thoroughly. The young man just
starting in business will find this book equal to years of
experience. A glance at the list of contents will give you
a fair idea of the broad scope of this work.
CONTENTS
Relations Between the Contractor and the Architect; Relations
Between the Contractor and the Owner or Real Estate Agent;
Relations Between the Contractor and Dealers and Subcontractors;
Relations Between the Contractor and his Workmen; Reading
Plans and Specifications; The Preparation of Estimates; Building
Contracts; Nature of Contracts; General Contracting or Subletting;
Method of Work; Buying of Material; Best Paying Work; Specu-
lative Building or Ready-made Houses; Office Equipment; Book-
keeping; About Keeping Costs; Builders' Law; Insurance and
Bonds; Hand and Machine Labor; Weights, Measures, and Their
Use; Foundations; The Superstructure: (i) Walls and Masonry,
(2) Floor Loads; Loads upon Posts, Columns, Lintels, Rods, and
Ropes; Concrete Forms and Work; Construction Notes from the
San Francisco Fire; A Short Chapter; Fire Loss and Safe Building;
Where to Locate; The Ideal Education for a General Contractor;
The High Schools, Libraries, and Tradesmen; A Little Library;
Big Contracts; Miscellaneous.
384 Pages, 4^x7 \», Illustrated, Flexible Cloth, Round Corners, Stained Edges.
PRICE $2.00 DELIVERED
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API: 1 I [?33
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5493067
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