Calculating Materials

From Principles of Applied Arts

Once you come to a rough labor number you are ready to calculate your materials costs. This is done through the same worksheet (see Estimation form) as well as a materials price sheet with your local prices listed (see Example price sheet estimate the simple costs like tape and plastic is first. Now you need to calculate the individual medium consumption i.e. how much plaster do you need to cover 100 square feet of wall? This can be difficult at first but with job tracking you can narrow it down to a fine art. Most product manufacturers give you a good starting place; on each medium label you will find a recommended application method as well as an estimated number of square foot coverage per gallon. This will vary of course depending on the craftsperson’s method of application. Almost every job you do will be different from the last so the only way to get accurate measurements is by averaging your job tracking results. For the beginning you must overshoot your materials estimates when purchasing mediums and mixing them only because you never want to run out of materials on the job this will cost you more money in the long run than purchasing too much plaster etc...

Once you find these two numbers all you have left to do is add them up. Filling out your proposal (see Sample Proposal) In some states there are laws about itemizing materials on your proposals and contracts it is always good to check these laws while planning your business paper work.