I have a estimate and materials list from Menards for a garage package and want to get a quote from Lowes on the materials. The Menards material list is the only take-off I have. Does anyone have any experience on how accurate they are for the framing/roofing/siding?
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Are Menards material lists accurate?
- Thread starter jawmaw
- Start date
Not even close. I was short siding, shingles, 2x4s and had 2 rolls too many tyvek, and about $2000 too much in misc lumber like furring stripes.
They also ran a fork lift into my trusses and damaged 6 of them. They didn't even call and let me know. They just shipped 1/2 sheet of ply and told me to fix them myself. Then they tried to charge me for delivery of the 6 trusses I made them replace.
Make sure you pay with a credit card so you have recourse if they screw you around
Returning all that **** was also a huge pain. They tried to insist it was special order and wanted to charge me s restocking fee. Luckily the color of the siding and singles matched as they were from different lots
They also ran a fork lift into my trusses and damaged 6 of them. They didn't even call and let me know. They just shipped 1/2 sheet of ply and told me to fix them myself. Then they tried to charge me for delivery of the 6 trusses I made them replace.
Make sure you pay with a credit card so you have recourse if they screw you around
Returning all that **** was also a huge pain. They tried to insist it was special order and wanted to charge me s restocking fee. Luckily the color of the siding and singles matched as they were from different lots
58Yeoman
Well-known member
I bought one of their garage kits back in '99, and it came complete, not any extra. One truss was broken, and they gave me the stuff to repair it (minor).
Now, in 2012, we ordered a deck to be built from Lowe's w/o a railing. When they delivered the lumber, they had enough railing material to build two or three. They took it all back with a refund for me. Geez.
I had started a thread on here about the dumb way the deck was built, and I got hammered for it. Last fall, they sent a different company to check out my deck. He stated that the whole thing will be replaced from the ground up this year.
Now, in 2012, we ordered a deck to be built from Lowe's w/o a railing. When they delivered the lumber, they had enough railing material to build two or three. They took it all back with a refund for me. Geez.
I had started a thread on here about the dumb way the deck was built, and I got hammered for it. Last fall, they sent a different company to check out my deck. He stated that the whole thing will be replaced from the ground up this year.
bczygan
Well-known member
The thing about a materials takeoff from anyone, including builders, lumberyards and big box stores, is that it is subjective.
Your takeoff and mine will be different.
How you build will determine the required materials and the amount of waste materials generated.
So based on that, a takeoff is just an estimated list of what it will take to do the job.
I always tend to over estimate because of that. Another factor is the lumber or other materials that are warped or not up to snuff in any way.
So take your estimate and itemized materials takeoff and have other suppliers price it item by item.
You will find that one supplier will be cheaper than another on a particular item.
You can then decide whether to cherry pick from both or to negotiate with one or the other.
It's really no big deal. You just need to make sure you get what you need.
The best way to do that is to do your own takeoff or get your subs to do it for their trades, or both.
Bill (Estimator and purchasing agent)
Your takeoff and mine will be different.
How you build will determine the required materials and the amount of waste materials generated.
So based on that, a takeoff is just an estimated list of what it will take to do the job.
I always tend to over estimate because of that. Another factor is the lumber or other materials that are warped or not up to snuff in any way.
So take your estimate and itemized materials takeoff and have other suppliers price it item by item.
You will find that one supplier will be cheaper than another on a particular item.
You can then decide whether to cherry pick from both or to negotiate with one or the other.
It's really no big deal. You just need to make sure you get what you need.
The best way to do that is to do your own takeoff or get your subs to do it for their trades, or both.
Bill (Estimator and purchasing agent)
BleedingBlue
Well-known member
I worked in the lumber yeard at Menards for 7 years, and while I cant answer your exact question, I will let you know you can go in and pull your own order if you want.
I pulled deliveries for several years and for the most part just pulled the top boards regardless of quality (i was just a teenager/early 20's, dont yell at me) On some occasions the customer would just go in and select the more expensive/important items.
I pulled deliveries for several years and for the most part just pulled the top boards regardless of quality (i was just a teenager/early 20's, dont yell at me) On some occasions the customer would just go in and select the more expensive/important items.
boiler7904
Well-known member
Is this for a design they have or your own design?
I'd build the project on paper doing my own take-off based on how exactly I was going to be able to build the garage. Maybe it has a long wall they assume can be built and tipped into place as a single piece but you'll do it in two - that changes stud count and plate length. If your counts match Menards' counts, it should be OK to provide to other suppliers provided you add some material to account for damaged / unusable products without holding up your build progress.
Don't count out local lumber yards either. Guys that may be a little higher for a small order might be able to work their numbers for a whole garage order. My experience is that local yards will provide better service before and after the sale - especially if you're only working with one or two guys compared to the big box model of passing you from employee to employee to solve a problem.
I'd build the project on paper doing my own take-off based on how exactly I was going to be able to build the garage. Maybe it has a long wall they assume can be built and tipped into place as a single piece but you'll do it in two - that changes stud count and plate length. If your counts match Menards' counts, it should be OK to provide to other suppliers provided you add some material to account for damaged / unusable products without holding up your build progress.
Don't count out local lumber yards either. Guys that may be a little higher for a small order might be able to work their numbers for a whole garage order. My experience is that local yards will provide better service before and after the sale - especially if you're only working with one or two guys compared to the big box model of passing you from employee to employee to solve a problem.
Rickstir
Well-known member
I just used them to figure the decking on a deck around one end of our pool. I did the structure my way. They came out on the money with just about 6 ft over on decking planks
Throbbin Rods
Well-known member
When I built mine I went through a local yard. They cut me a pretty good deal if I would take a whole package of say 2x4 or plywood. Because I had a shed and chicken coop to build someday after the garage was done, I bought the full package quantities on a couple of items. Also, I had 30 days to pay for each delivery and still get my discount. May not get 30 days in this economy but still worth checking on the full unit.
My .02
My .02
rburke65
Well-known member
As said the list will be subjective. My material list will be totally different than yours and the lumber yard list may be different than Menards. Usually you get what you pay for!
rancherbill
Well-known member
I have a estimate and materials list from Menards for a garage package and want to get a quote from Lowes on the materials. The Menards material list is the only take-off I have. Does anyone have any experience on how accurate they are for the framing/roofing/siding?
Get Lowes to do a take off!
Better yet, do your own. They are not hard to do. It's a great learning experience. Remember you have to put the garage together so at some point you have to understand how garages are built.
LB-1911
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I have a estimate and materials list from Menards for a garage package and want to get a quote from Lowes on the materials. The Menards material list is the only take-off I have. Does anyone have any experience on how accurate they are for the framing/roofing/siding?
Do you have a Cater Lumber in your area?
GARAGE PRICE ESTIMATE
http://www.carterlumber.com/garage-estimator
nolimits76
Well-known member
No Menards in my area, so I can't comment specifically on them.
My own experience is Lowe's or HD or other big box store is my last resort on that sort of thing. Around here the local lumber yards will do your take-off, provide access to items you may not be able to get elsewhere, offer free delivery and typically beat the prices of the big box stores because you are buying a larger order. Not to mention the customer service is generally much better.
Having estimated million dollar construction projects there is some truth to take-off's being different between estimators. However, the bigger differences occur when there are no plans or lots of guesses are required. The better detailed your plans, the more accurate your take-offs, material quotes and subcontractor quotes will be in the end. When people have to guess, they typically err on the side of caution (or at least try) which costs you more money in the end.
With a set of good plans w/ a clear scope of work, multiple estimators should arrive at similar type quantities.
My own experience is Lowe's or HD or other big box store is my last resort on that sort of thing. Around here the local lumber yards will do your take-off, provide access to items you may not be able to get elsewhere, offer free delivery and typically beat the prices of the big box stores because you are buying a larger order. Not to mention the customer service is generally much better.
Having estimated million dollar construction projects there is some truth to take-off's being different between estimators. However, the bigger differences occur when there are no plans or lots of guesses are required. The better detailed your plans, the more accurate your take-offs, material quotes and subcontractor quotes will be in the end. When people have to guess, they typically err on the side of caution (or at least try) which costs you more money in the end.
With a set of good plans w/ a clear scope of work, multiple estimators should arrive at similar type quantities.
whitedogone
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 20, 2014
- Messages
- 230
Local lumberyard is the way to go.
rarebreed
Well-known member
We have a Carter Lumber where I am. Their garage & pole barn estimator online is looking at about $7 - $9k for what I want. 24x36 up to a 24x40 depending on what I go with. I will likely be going to them when I am ready.
Thanks for the replies everyone. I will try to do a material list on my own then compare as suggested. It is a basic 24x40 shingle roof/vinyl siding.
I have all of the concrete work done and the framing is the next step. I dont want to be short as I have an Amish crew doing the work and I dont want to scramble around to get material if they run short of something because they work pretty fast.
I have all of the concrete work done and the framing is the next step. I dont want to be short as I have an Amish crew doing the work and I dont want to scramble around to get material if they run short of something because they work pretty fast.
Hpozzuoli
Well-known member
Sometimes I use the guestimators at the local yards I go to and even the pro desk at depot. They all get you close, but nobody is perfect. It all comes down to the guy using the program and how good the measurements were/are