CLC CLC Estimating & Cost Control 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the first step a lead carpenter should take when preparing a bid for a carpentry project?
- Order materials immediately
- Perform a thorough site visit and scope review (Correct answer)
- Submit a preliminary invoice
- Hire subcontractors
Correct answer: Perform a thorough site visit and scope review
A complete site visit allows the lead carpenter to verify measurements, identify hidden conditions, and confirm scope before any quantities or costs are calculated.
Question 2: Which estimating method involves pricing each individual material and labor task separately?
- Square-foot estimating
- Unit-cost estimating (Correct answer)
- Assemblies estimating
- Parametric estimating
Correct answer: Unit-cost estimating
Unit-cost estimating prices each specific item (e.g., linear foot of baseboard, each door hung) individually, providing the most accurate bid but requiring the most detail.
Question 3: A carpenter's labor burden includes which of the following costs on top of base wages?
- Material markup only
- FICA, workers' comp, unemployment insurance, and benefits (Correct answer)
- Overhead and profit only
- Tool depreciation and fuel
Correct answer: FICA, workers' comp, unemployment insurance, and benefits
Labor burden includes payroll taxes (FICA), workers' compensation insurance, unemployment insurance, and any employer-paid benefits, typically adding 25–40% to base wages.
Question 4: What does 'overhead' typically represent in a carpentry business estimate?
- Direct material costs
- Costs of running the business not tied to a specific job (rent, insurance, office, vehicles) (Correct answer)
- Profit margin only
- Subcontractor fees
Correct answer: Costs of running the business not tied to a specific job (rent, insurance, office, vehicles)
Overhead covers indirect business expenses such as office rent, general liability insurance, vehicle costs, and administrative salaries that must be recovered across all jobs.
Question 5: When calculating lumber quantities, what is the standard unit of measure for dimensional lumber sold in the US?
- Cubic feet
- Board feet (Correct answer)
- Linear meters
- Square yards
Correct answer: Board feet
Dimensional lumber in the US is priced and ordered in board feet, where one board foot equals 144 cubic inches (1 inch thick × 12 inches wide × 12 inches long).
Question 6: A waste factor is added to material estimates primarily to account for:
- Profit margin
- Cuts, defects, and installation losses (Correct answer)
- Overhead costs
- Labor inefficiency
Correct answer: Cuts, defects, and installation losses
Waste factors (typically 5–15% depending on material and complexity) account for cutting waste, damaged pieces, and layout inefficiencies that result in material being discarded.
CLC CLC Estimating & Cost Control 1
What is the first step a lead carpenter should take when preparing a bid for a carpentry project?