Expert: Dan Griffin - 9/10/2009

Question
We are preparing to build a 2,500 sq.ft. church building.  I need help in estimating total cost of project.  Can you approximate labor cost only for following?
1. Digging footers
2. Masonry (laying blocks)
3. Pouring slab
4. Grading work for perimeter of building to obtain proper slope
Thanks,

Answer
Clinton, a 2500 SF building is quite small - many houses exceed this number, are you sure about your number?

Go to a local library and use the RS Means book to estimate labor.  Most estimating books and short cuts are for labor and material.  Cost data is very subject to locaton, job market, type of construction.

1.  Digging footings - one day or less for a backhoe.  How deep?  Who is pouring?  Form work?  Who's dealing with spoilage?

2.  $1-5 per block.  Who's scaffold?  Who's setting the scaffold?  How are the blocks getting up to the brick layers?  How high is it going?  Who's buying and making the mortar?

3.  Concrete labor - about $3/SF in most markets.  Who's tying the steel?  Who's placing the steel?  Who's paying for the pump?  Who's setting forms?  Who's grading the subgrade?

4.  Grading.  About $10/ton to work it, $10 a ton to buy it, about $10/ton to haul it off should get you started.

Small jobs cost more than large jobs as they require the same amount of mobilization and mechanization.



I know these are not the answers you wanted, but I hope I have indicated the complexity of what you are asking.  Most contractors don't want to bid or work labor only jobs as they lose control of the timing and flow of materials, and are forced to cope with your labor force on related work.  My experience is that jobs are smoother with a good general contractor/superintendent.