DIY estimating or materials list

[billconner]

Perhaps my skills with GJ search are not up to it, but has anyone found a good estimating worksheet or a very complete materials list for DIY stick built garage? I'm still undecided between stick and post frame, but with a very anti-post frame one man building department, trying to get a better cost handle on stick. Post frame is easy - vendors are very clear what is not in package. I have a pretty good list in handwritten notes but I'm sure I'm missing something - just don't know what. Unheated, no electrical now, so just basic building: site prep, foundation, basic stick built frame with roof trusses, siding and roofing, doors and windows.

Thanks.

 

[speed bump]

Not sure where you are but our local lumber yards will price out a garage package for you. I think menards might have an estimator on their website as well.

Dirt work and concrete I would call your local concrete plant and see who they recommend to come out and bid it.

 

[matt_i]

You might want to design (on paper) down to the details of the wall framing. Those are like gold later when there's a problem discovered to go back and determine what's actually wrong.

Once you have the details its easy to pick off lengths and count studs and plates.

 

[billconner]

It's the little things, like H clips for roof sheathing, starter and ridge for roofing, drip edge, and good lord the number of parts in some simple gutters with connectors and ends and hangers, etc. I have 8 PC so far for just gutters. And estimating rebar and wires and grout - and what else?

Lumber, sheathing, roofing is easy, it's all the little accessories that set me, not to mention the trips to a store to get them.

And I'm just trying to compare a couple of approaches.

Thank you for the suggestions.

 

[rburke65]

As said above….to the little, over looked things that bumps your ‘guesstimate’ by another 35%.

 

[nadogail]

Your local full service Lumber Yard may have a “Package Deal l” complete with plans and drawings ready for submission to your local Authority to pull your required permits. Their volume purchases can get you better prices than you can get at a big box self service home store.

 

[billconner]

I am lucky that I have several local vs national building supply places plus saw mills for rough sawn, and plan to go to them.

Not doing a guesstimate or cost/sq ft. Detailed take off, just trying to include everything. Otherwise hard to compare, especially if it's me doing it or some system that has to be hired.

 

[Gunfixr]

You might want to design (on paper) down to the details of the wall framing. Those are like gold later when there's a problem discovered to go back and determine what's actually wrong.

Once you have the details its easy to pick off lengths and count studs and plates.

I did this. It took some time, but I planned it well. With things like fasteners and shingles, I added for lost/bent nails, trimmed shingles, and caps.
When it was all said and done, I had most of a pack of shingles, a bunch of nails left, I had to buy two 2x4x8 boards i'd somehow missed, and all the scrap was piled under one end of the workbench.

 

[WinMod21]

Perhaps my skills with GJ search are not up to it, but has anyone found a good estimating worksheet or a very complete materials list for DIY stick built garage? I'm still undecided between stick and post frame, but with a very anti-post frame one man building department, trying to get a better cost handle on stick. Post frame is easy - vendors are very clear what is not in package. I have a pretty good list in handwritten notes but I'm sure I'm missing something - just don't know what. Unheated, no electrical now, so just basic building: site prep, foundation, basic stick built frame with roof trusses, siding and roofing, doors and windows.

Thanks.

Professionally, we used const estimating software everyday w/GTCO Digitizers that, by the late 90's, also had 'On-Screen' versions as well.

But as I recall, or at least the last time I noticed them, there were lots of 'free' const estimating softwares for DIY'ers; e.g. —
. . (kinda reminds me of the versions I'd notice back in the days when we used to go to computer software stores, to browse thru all the software aisles whilst sipping our Starbucks coffee =) . . .

https://www.g2.com/categories/construction-estimating/free

3 Free Construction Estimating Software Tools

Check out three free construction estimating software solutions that can help your construction company create accurate cost estimates and win more bids.

www.softwareadvice.com

The Best Free Open Source Construction Estimating Software

Explore these top 9 free and open source construction estimating software to choose the one that best suits your business

www.goodfirms.co

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/833869687224820940/

14 Best Remodeling Estimating Software (Free & Paid)

See the best remodeling estimating software including free & paid for homeowners and professional contractors. Residential construction estimating software can help calculate costs for repairing, renovating, redesigning or remodeling a house. Get information to help you find...

designingidea.com

. . and other's at one time/flat rate low costs (of approx $19.99 &c) —

Construction Cost Estimator Pricing, Alternatives & More 2023 | Capterra

With the help of Capterra, learn about Construction Cost Estimator - features, pricing plans, popular comparisons to other Construction Estimating products and more.

www.capterra.com

 

[billconner]

Thanks!

Driving to store today, will sealer popped into my head, quickly followed by the over sized washers for the narrow walls flanking overhead doors. Maybe I will think of almost everything before I start building, but wish I had a list to start with.

 

[WinMod21]

If you don't have a drawing, you can still quickly create your own list in a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet; then you'll have a place to input and keep track of things &c. Some of those 'free' DIY estimating software's can send quantities, i.e.- are seamlessly compatible with Excel.
I have several old Excel-based estimating worksheet templates, I believe still hanging-out in some old PC's of mine; but I'd have to do some searching. However, I'll check a few external drives . . . .

. . . found a general one that you could edit, but the GJ site doesn't allow .xls files to be attached, which they all are.

 

[billconner]

I have drawings - started AutoCAD on 1982 on first release - and have spreadsheets with lists - but still worry about the little, less obvious things. Like I have j-bolts (drawn with dimensions so easy to set in right place) on spreadsheet but not nuts and washers yet. I've got fasteners blocked out but no quantities yet (as I'd like to research some screw technology since I last did house framing.) And right now I have three approaches, so more work (except post frame - to that's almost just "1 lot at $*****).

I appreciate all the comments!

 

[WinMod21]

Then it sounds like you just need to decide what you want and count your quantities. Btw, typ 1 washer & 1 nut per j-bolt unless you want 2