INTRODUCTION. The importance of accurate and properly item- ized estimates in all contract work is very generally recognized. Yet estimates hastily made and lack- ing in many essential particulars are very common. The remarkable discrepancies frequently encoun- tered in bids upon work, even between responsible contractors with equal facilities, is largely attribu- table to faulty estimating, while the same cause accounts for numerous failures in the building trades. It is easy enough to charge the responsi- bility of failure and loss to inaccurate estimates, but until mechanics are furnished with some standard of valuation, or with some means of learning the art of estimating besides that of individual judg- ment, no important improvement can be expected. At present, in the absence of any adequate ap- prentice system, and for lack of a competent master to examine and criticise the first efforts of the novice at estimating, builders are compelled to gain their experience in the most expensive school, and the errors of judgment incident to all first efforts are paid out of capital. Enough new men are constantly entering the ranks to keep prices in an unsettled and uncertain condition, S7 G 4 PRACTICAL ESTIMATOR. and hence a very unsatisfactory state of affairs prevails. This is the subject of frequent com- ment by experienced builders, who feel the em- barrassment of it, and is often discussed in the building and mechanical journals. At some future time, when our industries have become older, a school of estimating may be established in which the art, in all its intricacies, will be taught by competent instructors. When this stage has been reached builders will be justified in establishing and enforcing rules looking to the exclusion from the business of all who cannot pass a creditable examination in this important part of their work ; but until such a happy period arrives, the best that can be done is to encourage careful and systematic individual effort. It is in the desire to aid in this direction that this little work and the " Handy Estimate Blanks," which it accompanies, have been prepared. A careful examination of the work of preparing an ordinary estimate, under the circumstances usually attending such work, reveals some of the deficiencies of the usual plan pursued, and shows wherein such an assistant as this little book may be very serviceable. The first thing that strikes the observer is the drudgery of the work and the con- stant tension of mind necessary to recollect little things and place these items in proper place, while also attending to the more important matters of construction and materials. Much of the work of making an estimate is pure routine — in other words, INTRODUCTION. 5 what may be called machine work — but, in the ab- sence of adequate machinery for performing it, it is done in an expensive manner, and frequently in a very bungling way. Another important fact re- vealed to any one who examines into the work of estimating, as commonly performed, is that there is seldom any time specially set apart for this work, and that it is performed at odd hours, when other engagements will permit, or occasionally in spite of other duties, because the estimate is demanded at that particular time. Interruptions are the rule, and it is seldom that undivided attention can be given to the work. In the case of very important jobs, evenings are sometimes devoted to the work ; but if the contract is unusually large or intricate one evening seldom ' suffices, so there is the neces- sity of taking up the work upon a future occasion where it was dropped on the first. The difficulty of resuming work of this kind after an interruption, either longer or shorter, is well known and appre- ciated by every one who has had experience m es- timating. It is believed that the routine work above alluded to will be satisfactorily performed by the " Handy Estimate Blanks," and by the list of items which this volume contains, when used as a reminder. Whenever the builder who uses these aids has be- come convinced that all the items he should take into account are listed in them, he will not be dis- concerted by interruptions, for the printed forms will relieve his memory of the necessity of recol- 6 PRACTICAL ESTIMATOR. lecting what he has already listed and what remains to be done. When work is laid aside at night, to be taken up in the morning or at some other time in the future, the mind will be similarly at rest about the point at which it is to be resumed. In addition to this, it is believed that the same helps will insure against the omission of items, which occurs occasionally under the most favorable cir- cumstances. They will also systematize the method of preparing estimates and the filing of them in a way that will make references not only easy, but of the greatest possible advantage. Were it necessary to produce arguments in favor of the use of blanks in the work of estimating, the mere mention of the fact that blanks are in regular use by many of the most prominent and most suc- cessful contracting firms in the country would prob- ably be sufficient. Firms which do a large business are in a position to employ every possible aid to system and accuracy, and with many of them the regular employment of estimate blanks is as much a matter of course as the use of printed letter- heads, bill-heads and other forms of office station- ery. The forms which they employ are generally the outgrowth of their own experience, and often are jealously guarded for fear some competitor may have the opportunity of copying features which in practice have been found to afford advantages. The small contractor, the sum total of whose an- nual business is perhaps two or three medium- priced dwellings, a store building and one or two INTRODUCTION. 7 Stables, with the usual run of small jobs of repair- ing, has no opportunity of systematizing his busi- ness upon a corresponding basis, because he has neither the experience necessary nor the bulk of trade required to make the introduction of a care- fully-considered system of his own profitable. The small contractors, taken as a class, probably do the larger share of the entire building business of the country, from which it will be seen that whatever advantages are at present derived from blanks and other features of thorough system are applicable only to the smaller part of the business. The at- tempt is made in the ''Handy Estimate Blanks" to bring at least a share of these advantages within the reach of contractors doing business upon an ordinary basis. The plan upon which they are ar- ranged, therefore, is such as to adapt them particu- larly to the use of builders doing a moderate busi- ness and whose contracts are for the most part confined to the ordinary run of buildings. Besides the direct help in the work of estimating which this little book contains, there will also be found a selection of tables and rules useful in the calculations incident to making estimates. Some tables vesy commonly used are given in the esti- mate blanks, and are not repeated here. In the selection, care has been exercised to present such as are the most useful, and to give as many as are really serviceable, always remembering that the book swelled to undue proportions would defeat its own purpose. PRACTICAL ESTIMATOR. HOW TO PREPARE AN ESTIMATE. showing in detail the use of the "handy estimate blanks." The work of preparing a correct estimate upon a building to be erected according to plans and specifications is essentially the same in character, whether the "Handy Estimate Blanks" are em- ployed or not. The labor in the former case, how- ever, is much less than in the latter. The first requisite is a clear comprehension of what is to be done, and the manner in which it is to be per- formed. These points are to be gained from a careful inspection of the drawings and specifica- tions. Since these form a part of the contract, in case a contract is made, it becomes important that the builder make a record of what he bases his figures upon, in order to be saved the injustice of changes in drawings, which in some instances are made between the time he inspected them for mak- ing his estimate and the commencement of the work. Changes in the drawings themselves are not so frequent as additional or explanatory draw- ings, which, although commonly provided for in the specifications, and ostensibly representing the work as it was originally contemplated, often become matters of dispute and misunderstanding between owner and contractor. HOW TO PREPARE AN ESTIMATE. 9 To facilitate this, the first pages of the covers of the "Handy Estimate Blanks" are arranged in such a way as to make it easy to record all neces- sary particulars with reference to original drawings and specificat»ions. In the upper part of the page a line is left for the insertion of the date at which the estimate is made, and its number, the latter for use in case the estimates are filed by number. Following is the name of the building and its loca- tion, the name and address of the architect, the name and address of the owner, and the name of the person for whom the estimate is especially made. The latter, in many cases, would be filled out by simply inserting "owner," thus intimating that the contract, if made, is to be made at first hand, and not through an agent. In the following space lines are provided for an enumeration of the drawings and other data upon which the estimate is based. By making a list of the drawings sub- mitted at the time of estimating, the builder has a record with which to compare such drawings as are furnished him by which to execute the work, and thus ascertain what additions, if any, have been made. It is believed that the labor of filling out this list is too small an item to be counted as an objection, for the builder would commence his work by listing the drawings, and would accom- plish it and become familiar with what is really to be done at one and the same time. The listing of the drawings also serves to fix them in the mind. The benefit to be derived from this feature of the ,10 PRACTICAL ESTIMATOR. blanks is more apparent in a business where a large number of estimates are made, and where of necessity the written record must be depended upon, than in a small business where so few estimates are made as to prove no serious tax on the memory to recall such matters. There will always be an advantage, however, in a written record over the unaided memory. Among other items of information which a builder should consider at the time of making the estimate on a given piece of work, and which sometimes are contained in the specification, and in some cases are conveyed by mere verbal explanation, are the time at which the work is to be executed and the terms of payment proposed. These things sometimes in- fluence his prices. It is always well for him, when possible to do so, to visit the site of the proposed building, in order to determine if any unusual diffi- culties in excavating and grading are likely to be encountered. Still other items of miscellaneous in- formation may come up at the time the estimate is made of which it is desirable to keep a record. Provision for the matters we have specifically de- scribed, and also for others, is made on the second page of the cover of the blanks, in the upper di- vision. When a proposal is made it is essential that a copy or other definite record of its terms and amount shall be kept. A convenient method of keeping such a record- is filling out the blank furn- ished in the middle division of the second page of HOW TO PREPARE AN ESTIMATE. It cover. After the proposals of the several bidders are opened and the contract has been awarded, a comparison of figures is often made between com- petitors. Sometimes the results of the letting are published officially, showing in detail the different bids that were received. Comparisons of figures, however made, are always of interest, but to be of the greatest advantage they should be recorded and carefully studied at leisure. In view of these remarks the blank form at the bottom of the second cover page becomes apparent. It affords a con- venient means of recording competitors' figures, whenever they can be obtained, in a manner to be serviceable for study. One of the first requisites in the successful prosecution of any business is a knowledge of one's competitors. By systematically recording and examining competing figures in this way through a single season's business, it is believed that such a knowledge of competitors' methods of estimating, as well as their prices, will be obtained as to make it almost possible to determine where their figures will be in advance of a letting. Such information is frequently of the greatest value, in- asmuch as it may permit of a better profit being obtained at times when, without it, the contractor would feel constrained to keep his figures down to low-water mark. As long as the practice of award- ing contracts to the lowest bidder continues to pre- vail there will be but little chance of builders ob- taining anything but a minimum of profit, unless their competition is carefully studied and advantage 12 PRACTICAL ESTIMATOR. taken of circumstances in the general way we have described. The work of the estimate proper is commenced on the third page of the blanks. The various items composing the mason work of an ordinary building are first presented, together with some blank spaces for the insertion of any additional items which the special requirements of the neigh- borhood may make necessary. Commencing on page 8, the carpenter work is similarly presented. This latter division is made to include painting, tinning, slating and galvanized-iron work, plumbing and gas-fitting. The carpenter is ordinarily re- quired to include these in his proposal. Some- times he makes his own estimate upon them, and sometimes he depends upon sub-contractors. In either case, the blanks provided under these heads may be used to record the figures reached. A few blank spaces are left in this division of the book for any parts of carpentry which special construc- tion or design may make necessary. The arrangement of the several blank spaces for extensions and insertion of items is the same throughout the book. The general division of the work being considered is printed in the column at the left, the words running lengthwise of the page. Each of these headings is also numbered, thus fa- cilitating references to and from the general sum- mary further on in the book. Some of the items entering into the work described by the general head, and such as are common to buildings in gen- HOW TO PREPARE AN ESTIMATE. 1 3 €ralp are printed in the blank, while hnes for the insertion of any additional items found necessary are provided below. The first vertical column af- fords space for estimated quantities. Next come the items, following which is a column for prices, and then one for extensions of estimated costs. Here the estimate ends, the remaining three col- umns being provided for a record of actual cost of the same items, thus facilitating a comparison be- tween estimated cost and the real value of the work. The importance of systematic comparison in this way is hardly to be overvalued. There is no royal road to estimating. While the work of taking off quantities from drawings can be reduced to a sys- tem and a high degree of accuracy attained, there is scarcely anything but judgment to govern the estimator in the matter of the prices put upon the different items. After he has recorded his judg- ment in this matter, it is of the highest importance in view of other estimates yet to be made, that its accuracy should be verified. If he is correct, it is a satisfaction to be assured of the fact, while if his judgment is in error on any item, however insignifi- cant, it is desirable that he know it in order not to be misled in subsequent work. To fill out the last three columns in these blanks systematically on every job is hardly to be contem- plated, for the amount of clerical work involved would be greater than any builder ordinarily sit- uated could afford. But occasionally experiments M PRACTICAL ESTIMATOR. of this kind can be made, and enough done in regular course to keep a wholesome check on esti- mating. Very often the actual cost of some por- tion of a contract comes up for attention, whether special effort has been made to keep track of it or not. A place to record such items is all that is necessary to render such information of real and permanent value in business. By providing col- umns for " Actual Quantities," " Actual Price''' and ^'Actual Cost," opportunity is afforded for record- ing cost in a systematic manner, or at convenience in fragmentary portions, as the builder may desire. Thus the cost column can be readily filled out from the bills of the purchased material for many of the items, and in some instances the quantities can be inserted in the same manner. The arrangement of the columns is such that records of this kind may be kept in them in almost any manner desired. A line for "Allowances and Profits " is provided in each of the divisions, below which is a space for footings. The selUng price of each of the parts of the work enumerated may in this way be deter- mined in detail, and then entered in the general summary ; or these lines may be disregarded and the net cost of the items entered on the summary, to the footings of which "Allowances and Profits'' may be added in gross. Just which of these two plans is best to pursue depends somewhat upon cu-cumstances and the general preferences of the estimator. Where allowances and profits are cal- culated upon a definite percentage there will be HOW TO PREPARE AN ESTIMATE. 15 but little difficulty in figuring each general division of the work upon an independent basis, thus afford- ing a correct foundation for comparison with actual cost, and facilitating any ca.lculations necessary to be made on account of alterations in the work. The old rule of every tub standing upon its own bottom is applicable in estimating, both in matters of the kind just described and in making each item, however listed, stand for itself without reference to anything else which may be presumed to be listed either a little too high or too low. The general scheme of using the " Handy Esti- mate Blanks" is to make computations on loose sheets of paper and to record the results of such calculations opposite the proper items in the blank form. By this means only so much of the estimate will be preserved as it is desirable to keep. Estimat- ing at actual cost of materials and labor, and then adding for profits upon the basis of a definite per- centage, is the plan recommended, because it is believed to be the best on account of rendering a a variation of profit easily made when circum- stances demand it, and because it always keeps before both estimator and builder, when these are different persons, the actual value of things. Fluc- tuations in the markets of both materials and labor, it is believed, are more easily recognized in this manner than in any other, and variations of this kind are constantly occurring. However, the blanks will also be found useful for those who pre- fer estimating in any other way. Such general 10 PRACTICAL ESTIMATOR. directions as we shall present, however, have ref- erence to the first method. In arrangement, the blanks for the most part have been made to follow the same order that would be pursued in the erection of the building. Thus, Ma- sonry is placed before Carpentry, and in the latter part of Carpentry are placed such items as painting, plumbing, &c., which, ordinarily, are about the last that are supplied to a building. The first item in Masonry is ''Preliminary Work," followed by "Excavating." The first under the head of Car- pentry is the '' Frame," following which, in proper order, are " Frame Covering," " Gable Covering," "Roof," "Cornice," &c. As already mentioned, blank spaces are left at the close of both Masonry and Carpentry for the insertion of any divisions of work peculiar to a given job, or which the building practice of the neighborhood makes necessary. Following Carpentry, a page is devoted to " Reca- pitulation," which may be filled out in either of the two ways, so far as relates to profits allowed, as we have already described ; or this page may be omitted, and if that form of reaching totals is pre- ferred, the several pages of the estimate may be footed in the usual manner, amounts from the bot- tom of each page being carried forward to the top of the next for adding in. It is believed, however, that the analysis of the work produced by following the divisions of the blank and transferring the several footings of these divisions to the recapitula- tion page is the best. The close inspection of each HOW TO PREPARE AN ESTIMATE. 17 portion of the work which this method insures will be so great a safeguard against mistakes in the way of undervaluation or overvaluation as to fully war- rant the small additional labor which it may seem to involve. Following the page devoted to recapitulation is a page appropriately ruled and printed for recording the principal dimensions of the building. In many instances the estimator will facilitate his work by filling out this page as the first step in preparing an estimate. In others this page will be filled out by degrees, as the several quantities are reached in the regular progress of the estimate. The object of this page is to record dimensions and quantities of recurring use, when once obtained, in such a man- ner as to make them convenient for reference, so that once measuring a given portion of the draw- ings will answer for all. For this reason it would seem desirable to fill it out complete at the com- mencement. To make it of the greatest conven- ience in use, this page, instead of being on a regular leaf of the blank, is on the outer end of a folded leaf placed near the end of the book. By this means it is easily spread out to the right, in such a way as to be opposite each of the several pages where quantities are required. Accordingly, the estimator has always before him the general dimen- sions of the structure, with many other similar items, which serve to facilitate his work, and which also serve as a check upon his calculations in general. A use to which the page of general dimensions l8 PRACTICAL ESTIMATOR. may be put is that of facilitating hasty estimates on similar buildings to the one already erected. It contains the number of rooms, number of doors and windows, and principal dimensions of the building items, which, for purposes of comparison, are of the greatest importance. With these items before him, and knowing the exact cost of a building already finished, the builder can make a guess as to the cost of a proposed building somewhat resembling it sufficiently close for the purposes of preliminary estimates as ordinarily made. Upon the opposite side of this folded sheet, which is creased in such a manner as to be turned in between any of the pages which precede it, there is given a timber table, arranged in such a manner as to be convenient for use in making various calculations necessary in estimating the framework of the building. Several other tables of similar usefulness and convenience are given upon the same page. After a contract is obtained and the work is about to be commenced, one of the important things to do is to order the timber required for the building. The estimate, if it has been correctly made, furnishes all necessary data from which to prepare a schedule of the items required. On the remainder of the broad, folded page which we have just been describing, is printed a schedule form for the various pieces of timber necessary. The column to the left shows the parts of the house to which the several pieces belong, while along the HOW TO PREPARE AN ESTIMATE. 19 top the building is subdivided into Main House, Right and Left Wing and Extension, thus defi- nitely locating each piece of timber and placing a complete check upon the calculations made in the process of filling out this blank. Opposite each general kind of timber mentioned are two spaces for size, which are to be filled out in the usual man- ner, as " 6 X 8 " or " 8 X lo." Spaces for four differ- ent lengths, and the number of pieces required ot each, are opposite each of these dimension spaces. These are to be filled out thus : " V20" — meaning 2 pieces 20 feet long of the dimensions opposite. While it is believed the enumeration of items is sufficiently extended to meet all ordinary require- ments, some blank spaces are left for any additions that may be found necessary, while substitution of items that are required for some of those printed in the form not required, by the simple plan of erasure and writing in, will adapt the blank to almost any case that may arise in common practice. The use of such a schedule of timber is three- fold. It becomes a desirable part of the records of an estimate and contract, and should therefore remain a permanent part of the estimate. It forms an intelligent basis for the order to the yard or mill from which the material is to be obtained, or it may constitute the order itself ; and it serves to convey to the managing foreman of the -job the ideas of the estimator, or the managing man under whose directions it has been filled out, as to the cutting of the timber and the use for which each particular 20 PRACTICAL ESTIMATOR. piece has been intended. The waste of timber incident to bill stuff being worked into a building upon some other plan than that upon which it was intended to be used is well known to builders. Loss of this kind is sure to occur unless adequate means exist for showing how the material has been calculated. Another source of loss is the occasional failure of the yard or mill to supply all that is ordered and charged for, a mistake not ordinarily detected, as things are commonly managed, until the missing pieces are required for use, which sometimes is so long after the delivery of the ma- terial as to leave a doubt whether it has been an omission or a theft subsequently committed by some one, or whether the pieces in question have not been used for other purposes. To meet all these requirements the schedule of timber is furnished in the blanks in duplicate, one copy being perforated for tearing out. The intent is that the original shall be filled out as we have described, and then the duplicate filled from_ it. The duplicate may first be sent to the yard or mill from which the material is being ordered as the order, putting upon the party supplying the timber the responsibility of correct transcription in such form as suits his own order-book. It may then go to the managing foreman in charge of the work. By it he is able to check the several items of timber as they are delivered, and to sort them into such lots as may seem to him best suited to the framing work which is to be done. He learns from it just where HOW TO PREPARE AN ESTIMATE. 21 each particular piece which has been sent him is in- tended to be used, and is thereby left no excuse for such mistakes as cutting in two a long timber to make some shorter ones, thus providing the neces- sity of ordering an additional long piece, and having left on hand the short pieces which were not used at the outset from oversight. This duplicate in the hands of the foreman also becomes a basis of conference between the builder and foreman in va- rious matters of construction and management. For such special directions as the builder may desire to give, either to the lumber yard or mill or to the foreman, the back of the duplicate schedule is ruled in faint lines for writing. The original schedule remaining with the estimate and in the possession of the builder, or in the office in case of a contract- ing firm, becomes the basis by which invoices of material furnished to the building in question are checked. From these explanations and directions it will be seen that the endeavor throughout the " Handy Estimate Blanks " has been to link together as closely as possible the estimated cost of a piece of work with the actual cost of preforming the same. It is our belief that the closer this intimacy can be maintained, and the more frequently comparisions are made, the more accurate estimates will be- come. It frequently happens that a builder esti- mates some portion of work common to numerous buildings either too high or too low as an habitual practice. Without any regular means of compari- 22 PRACTICAL ESTIMATOR. son of estimated cost with actual cost, this error may be repeated many times before it is discovered and corrected. A tendency to such mistakes as this will be removed if the study of the contract price in view of actual cost is pursued in the manner which the arrangement of the " Handy Estimate Blanks " makes both possible and convenient. In the use of the " Handy Estimate Blanks " it is expected that this little book will be used as a cornpanion. For this reason it has been made of convenient size for carrying in the pocket. Various blank spaces have been left in it, which the individ- ual estimators who employ it are invited to fill out for themselves. By additions and modifications of this kind it will become far better adapted to their needs than would otherwise be possible. The one part which will have the most regular and constant use is the list of items, intended as a reminder of what is to be listed in estimating the different por- tions of a building. A common name applied to such lists , in whatever department of business they are used, is " Tickler " — in other words, something which tickles or jogs the memory. While this " Tickler " has been made as complete as possible, in view of the construction of ordinary build- ings in one particular section of the country, it is admitted to have numerous shortcomings, par- ticularly when tested by work of a little different character from that specially in mind during its preparation. For this reason a few blank lines are left in each division, and spaces for some HOW TO PREPARE AN ESTIMATE. 23 new divisions are provided, which estimators will fill out as required by the construction peculiar to the neighborhood in which they work, or as de- manded by their own preferences, or to supply any omissions which may be discovered to exist in the original work. It was the remark of a noted engineer, in the introduction to a pocket-book of tables, rules and formulae for engineers' use, which he published some years since, that by rights every engineer ought to prepare his own pocket-book ; in other words, that the particular selection of rules and tables which an engineer would make in gathering for himself such information as is necessary to the successful prosecution of his business would be better adapted to his needs than any compilation, however perfect and complete, made by some one else. The same principle, we believe, holds good in the work of estimating. By rights each estimator ought to prepare his own estimate blanks and his own "Tickler." But since many are unable to do this, and many more, who are perhaps able, have not the opportunity or cannot afford the ex- pense, the next best thing is to furnish them with such forms as are calculated to meet their require- ments, with provisions for alterations and amend- ments. By following the plan of adding to and changing above suggested, the " Tickler " in a short time will become individual in its characteristics, just as a well-kept machine, to which slight improvements as 24 PRACTICAL ESTIMATOR. suggested by experience are added from time to time, becomes far more useful to its owner than a new machine of the same class taken directly out of the manufacturer's wareroom. In the publication of the plan of estimating embodied in this little vol- ume, and the estimate blanks which it accompanies, there has been no desire to compel all who make use of any of its features to use every one of them. On the other hand, the intention has been to allow the greatest freedom of individual preference possi- ble under the circumstances. The desire has been to help each estimator where he specially needs assistance, and to make it possible for him to frame his own system, which in many cases will be a happy union of the best features of the plan he has been using and some of the ideas here suggested. We have no doubt that some will find the " Tick- ler " alone useful, it being the one thing necessary to render their present plan of work entirely satis- factory. Our advice to every one, therefore, is, " Prove all things ; hold fast that which is good." For the most part in their order of arrangement the divisions in the " Handy Estimate Blanks " and in the " Tickler " agree. There are several excep- tions to this general rule, however. For example, in " Plumbing," in the " Tickler " the various parts of work used in an ordinary building are enumerated in the form of division headings or titles, while the items composing them are listed in detail under each. In the " Estimate Blanks," " Plumbing " is re- stricted to a single division, the items of which are HOW TO PREPARE AN ESTIMATE. 25 the division titles in the " Tickler." The purpose of this arrangement has been to make the " Tickler " as complete as possible, while, on the other hand, " Plumbing," being a portion of work seldom fig- ured by a builder without the assistance of a sub- contractor, it has been deemed expedient to keep the blanks as small as possible. The same remarks in general will explain other discrepancies between the " Handy Estimate Blanks " and the list of items in this book. Since painting is based upon superficial areas, the items of "Painting" will be found in the list given herewith in all the various divisions of the carpenter work which require painting. In the printed form in the " Estimate Blanks " correspond- ing items do not appear, for the reason that it is not intended that the painting be extended with the carpenter work, but rather gathered together on the one form especially devoted to painting. The ob- ject of distributing painting in this manner through the carpenter work in the list of items is to call attention to it at all times when the quantities upon which it is based are before the estimator. Where carpenters figure their own painting, without the assistance of a sub-contractor, this method of pro- ceeding will be found a great saving of labor. If the use of the " Handy Estimate Blanks " — very brief directions for which are given above — shall result in causing builders to examine into the elements of cost of the structures under their charge more carefully than ever before, the most 26 PRACTICAL ESTIMATOR. important object to be attained by their publication will be accomplished. Much money is lost every year in the building business by careless and insuf- ficient estimating that we are persuaded might be saved if even a part of the care were taken which the use of these forms will insure. It is in the hope that the " Handy Estimate Blanks " may be serviceable, both in facilitating estimates that may be made with their use and in suggestions to those who prefer to construct their own forms, that they are submitted for the consideration of all who have estimating to do. 27 CLASSIFIED LIST OF ITEMS ENTERING INTO THE Construction of Ordinary Buildings, ARRANGED FOR USE AS A REMINDER OR "TICKLER" in preparing estimates. 28 PRACTICAL ESTIMATOR. MASONRY. Preliminary. Engineer's services. Sheds and tool house. Staking out. Lumber in profiles. -Excavation. Sod and loam. Cellar. Areas and hatchways. Piers, (outside.) Cesspool. Catch-basin. Privy. Drains. Trenches : Inclosing walls. Partition walls. Chimneys. Inside piers. Area walls. Hatchway walls. -Footings. Inclosing walls. Area walls. Partition walls. Chimneys. MASONRY. 29 Footings {Continued). Inside piers. Cement. Outside piers. Concrete. Area. Sand. Hatchway Labor. U nderpijining. Plain stonework. Cement. Dressed stonework. Sand. Brickwork. Labor. Lime. Foundations. Stonework in inclosing Brickwork in partition walls. walls. Brickwork in inclosing Lime. walls. Cement. Stonework in partition Sand. walls. Labor. 30 PRACTICAL ESTIMATOR. Cellar Windows. Sills. Lime. Caps. Cement. Jambs. Sand Iron grates. Labor. Stonework. Brickwork. Coping. Door sills. Door caps. Jambs. Steps. Hatchway or Area. Risers. Ironwork. Lime. Sand. Cement. Labor. Roof drains. Cesspool drains. Cistern drains. Sink drains. Closet drains. Laundry drains. Bath drains. Drains. Washbowl drains. Elbows, T's and Y's. Connections. Traps. Cement. Labor. MASONRY. 31 Brickwork. Stonework. Bond stones. Pier caps. Piers and Partitions. Lime. Cement. Sand. Labor. Chimneys, Mantels and Grates. Stone hearths. Brick hearths. Tile hearths. Marble mantels. Brickwork. Stonework. Hearth foundations. Trimmer arches. Jambs. Lintels. Fire-place openings. Grate openings. Chimney caps. Plastering chimne3'S. Stove-pipe collars and covers. Ventilators. Ventilator chords. Registers. Iron doors. Slate mantels. Terra-cotta mantels. Brick mantels. Grates. Grate setting. Range setting. Furnace setting. Lime. Cement. Sand. Labor. 32 PRACTICAL ESTIMATOR. Cellar Bottofti. Concrete : Furnace foundations. Broken stone. Rat-proofing. Sand. Flagging. Gravel. Lime. Paving : Cement. Brick. Sand. Sand. Labor. Cement. Cistern Brickwork. Stonework. Flagging. Cover. Overflow. Catch Basin. Drain Connection. Cement. Sand. Labor. Cesspool. Stonework. Ventilators. Brick dome. Cement. Flagging. Sand. Cover. Labor. Drain connections. MASONRY. 33 Lathing and Plastering. Lath. Lime. Sand. Hair. Plaster-of-Paris. Nails. Labor. One-coat work. One-coat and browning. Two-coat and hard-fin- ish. Stucco cornices. Stucco brackets. Stucco arches. Stucco centers. Deafening. Back plastering. Miscellaneous. Heating building. Insurance. Cleaning out. Whitewashing. PRACTICAL ESTIMATOR. MASONRY. 35 36 PRACTICAL ESTIMATOR. CARPENTRY. Frame. Girders in cellar. Sills. Cross sills. Posts. Beams. Girts. Studs. Plates. Deck plates. Tower plates. Braces. Joists, basement. Joists, first story. Joists, second story. Joists, third story. Joists, attic story. Headers. Trimmers. Common rafters. Hip rafters. Valley rafters. Purlins. Furrings. Ridge pole. Collar beams. Lintels. Framing pins. Scaffold poles. Stay lath. Ironwork. Rods and bolts. Nails and spikes. Labor framing. Labor raising frame Cartage. CARPENTRY. Frame Covering. Sheeting lumber. Sheeting papef. Staging lumber. Base. Corner boards. Casings. Bands. Moldings. Clapboarding. • Siding. Nails. Labor. Cartage. Painting. Gable Covering. Rough lumber. Braces. Millwork. Finials. Ornamental boarding. Ironwork. Paper. Nails. Battens. Labor. Gable stuff. Cartage. Verge boards. " Painting. Brackets. Sheeting lumber. Paper. Shingling tins. Chimney flashings. Valley and gutter ings. Roof. Hip tins or moldings. Ridging or ridge boards. Covering, shingles, tin, slate, &c. lin- Nails. Gutter strips. 38 Cresting. Ironwork. Labor. PRACTICAL ESTIMATOR. Roof {Continued.) Cartage. Painting. Cornice blocks. Frieze. Bed molding. Planceer. Fascia. Crown molding. Brackets. Frieze ornaments. Frieze windows. Cornice. Frieze trimmings. Gutter furring. Gutter lining. Millwork. Nails. Labor. Cartage. Painting. Scuttle. Scuttle curbing. Ladder. Scuttle cover. Nails and screws. Hinges and hooks. Labor. Tin flashings and cov- Cartage. ering. Painting. Skylight. CARPENTRY. 39 Veranda. Sills. Furrings. Posts. Posts under sill. Plates. Flooring. Floor joists. Roof covering — slate, Ceiling joists. tin, shingles, &c. Rafters. Shingling tins. Roof boards. Flashings. Paper. Ridge and hip tins. Cornice. Cresting. Friezework. Millwork. Railing. Brackets. Balusters. Gutters. Posts to steps. Moldings. Rail to steps. Ironwork. Finished posts. Nails and spikes. Latticework. Labor. Steps. Cartage. Ceiling. Painting. Cant boards. Cellar Hatchway. Door frame. Nails and screws. Inside doors. Ironwork. Outside doors. Hinges. Outside door frame. Fastenings. 40 PRACTICAL ESTIMATOR. Cellar Hatchway {Continued^ Locks. Cartage. Bolts. Painting. Labor. Jambs. Outside casings. Moldings. Caps. Corbels. Foot brackets. Sills. Sub-sills. Outside blinds. Trimmings for outside blinds. Inside casings. Inside moldings. Back moldings. Window stops. Stool caps. Plinths. Corner blocks. Surbase. Panel backs. Grounds. Sash and glass. Nails. Screws. Weights. Cords. Pulleys. Sash fastenings Inside blinds. Trimmings for inside blinds. Screens. Labor. Cartage. Painting. CARPENTRY. 41 Dormer Windows. btuQaing, Window sills. Rafters. Tnc:irlp p^i^iincrc Moldings. Joists. Surbase. Flashings. ^tnnl ran xvooi-uoarub aiiu siicct Sash and glass. Paper. Roof covering — slate, tin, Blind trimmings. shingles, &c. Nails and screws. Cornice. Pulleys. Brackets. Weights. Foot brackets. Cord. Millwork. Screens. Clapboarding and siding. Labor. Casings and jambs. Cartage. Grounds. Painting. Cellar Windows. Frame. Fastenings. Casing. Screens. Sash and glass. Iron gratings. Moldings. Labor. Nails and screws. Cartage. Hinges. Painting. 42 t PRACTICAL ESTIMATOR. FanligJits and Transoms. Jambs. Fastenings. Casings. Nails and screws. Moldings. Labor. Sash and glass. Cartage. Pivots. Painting. Hinges. Bay- IVifidow. Sills. Joists. Studding. Plates. Rafters. Rough sheeting. Pine covering. Cornice. Windows. Outside blinds. Trimmings for outside blinds. Inside blinds. Trimmings for inside blinds. Screens. Brackets. Roof covering — slate, shingles, tin, &c. Flashings. Gutters. Flooring. Moldings. Angle beads. Base. Grounds. Labor. Cartage. Painting. CARPENTRY. 43 Bridging. Rough flooring. Pine flooring. Hard pine flooring. Spruce flooring. Timber. Lumber. Rail. Posts. Balusters. Floors. Hardwood flooring. Nails. Cartage. Oiling. Stairs. Wall rosettes. Joint bolts. Newel bolts. Rail stays. Angle posts. Nails and screws. Labor. Cartage. Painting. Attic Stairs. Nails and screws. Labor. Cartage. Painting. Principal Timber. Lumber. Steps. Risers. Moldings. Brackets. Newels. Balusters. Handrail. 44 PRACTICAL ESTIMATOR. Back Stairs. Timber. Wall rosettes. . Lumber. Joint bolts. Steps. Newel bolts. Risers. Rail stays. Moldings. Angle posts. Brackets. Nails and screws. Newels. Labor. Balusters. Cartage. Hand-rails. Painting. Cellar Stairs. Timber. Nails. Lumber, Labor. Rail. Cartage. Posts. Painting. Mirror. Mirror frame. Pine lumber. Hardwood lumber. Moldings. Nails and screws. Mantels. Tile facings. Hearths. Marble. Labor. Cartage. Painting. CARPENTRY. 45 Closets. Shelving. Drawer rolls. Standards, Wardrobe strips. Cleats. Wardrobe hooks. Drawers. Nails and screws. Formings. Labor. Drawer pulls. Cartage. Drawer locks. Painting. Coal-bins and Partitiofjs in Cellar. Timber. Nails and screws. Lumber. Labor. Flooring. Cartage. Front Doors and Vestibule Doors. Jambs. Locks. Face and back casings. Bolts. Grounds. Nails and screws. Moldings. Base knobs. 4 Corner blocks. Thresholds. Plinths. Screens. Doors. Labor. Hinges. Cartage. Knobs and latches. Painting. 46 PRACTICAL liSTlMATOR. Sliding Framework. Jambs. Face and back casings. Moldings. Grounds. Corner blocks. Stops. Plinths. Doors. Doors. Sheaves and hangers Track. Locks. Knobs and latches. Bolts. Nails and screws. Labor. Cartage. Painting. Common Doors. Jambs. - Face and back casings. Moldings. Grounds. Corner blocks. Plinths. Doors. Hinges. Knobs and latches. Locks. Bolts. Nails and screws. Base knobs. Thresholds. Screws. Labor. Cartage. Painting. CARPENTRY. 47 Storeroom. Shelving. Standards. Cleats. Cupboards. Doors to cupboards. Door trimmings. Drawers. Formings. Drawer pulls. Drawer rolls. Drawer locks. Grounds. Cedar lining to cup- board. Wardrobe strips. Wardrobe hooks. Nails and screws. Labor. Cartage. Painting. Shelving. Cleats. Standards, Cupboards. Doors to cupboards. Door trimmings. Drawers. Formings. Drawer pulls. Drawer rolls. Drawer locks. Grounds. Platform shelf. Platform riser. Lid over flour barrel. Hinges. Pastry board. Hooks. Nails and screws. Labor. Cartage. Painting. 48 PRACTICAL ESTIMATOR. Shelving. Cleats. Standards. Cupboards. Doors to cupboards. Door trimmings. Drawers. Formings. Drawer pulls. Drawer rolls. Drawer locks. 's Panfry. Grounds. Platform shelf. Platform riser. Butler's sink. Drip board. Splash board. Pipe covering. Nails and screws. Labor. Cartage. Painting. Cold-Air Duct. Lumber. Screen. Timber. Labor. Damper slides. Cartage Nails and screws. Timber frame. Pine plank. Rods and bolts. Nails and screws. Tank. Pipe covering. Labor. Cartage. Painting. CARPENTRY. 49 Formings. Sink. Doors. Door trimmings Drip board. Splash board. Grounds. Kitchen Sink, o^c. Nails and screws. Pipe covering. Kitchen table. Towel roll. Labor. Cartage. Painting. Frame. Pine plank. Rods and bolts. Nails and screws. Covers. Hinges. ^ Wash Trays Pipe covering. Porcelain or cement trays. Labor. Cartage. Painting. Lumber. Capping. Moldings. Paneling. Grounds. Wainscoting and Base. Nails and screws. Labor. Cartage. Painting. 5° PRACTICAL ESTIMATOR. Top to bathtub. Risers. Grounds. Wainscoting. Moldings. Bathroom. Nails and screws. Pipe covering. Labor. Cartage. Painting. Water-Closet. Seat. Hinges. Flaps. Nails and screws. Risers. Pipe covering. Wainscoting. Labor. Moldings. Cartage. Grounds. Painting. Frame. Sheeting. Door. Door trimmings. Grounds. Washstand. Nails and screws. Pipe covering. Labor. Cartage. Painting. CARPENTRY. 51 Pine lumber. Hardwood lumber. Shelving. Paneling. Doors (solid.) Doors (glass.) Door trimmings. Drawers. Dressers. Formings. Drawer pulls. Drawer rolls. Drawer locks. Nails and screws. Labor. Cartage. Painting. Slop Sink. Sheeting. Pipe covering. Door. Labor. Door trimmings. Cartage. Grounds. Painting. Nails and screws. Pine lumber. Hardwood lumber. Drawers. Formings. Drawer pulls. Drawer locks. Bookcases. Doors. Glass in doors. Shelving. Shelf ratchets. Moldings. Carvings. 52 PRACTICAL ESTIMATOR. Bookcases (Continued^ Nails and screws. Painting. Labor. Oiling and polishing. Cartage. Sills. Posts. Studs. Plates. Rafters. Girts. Roof boards. Roof covering — shingles, tin, slate. Ridge boards. Joists. Ceiling. Ventilator. Cornice. Floors. Seat in privy. Risers. Flaps. Outbuildings. Hinges. Sheeting lumber. Clapboards and siding Doors. Door casings. Door trimmings. Windows. Window trimmings. Blinds. Blind trimmings. Lattice work. Lattice posts. Lattice rails. Nails and screws. Labor. Cartage. Painting. CARPENTRY. 53 Cupola. Timber. Sheeting, sides and roof. Paper. Roof covering — shingles, tin, slate. Flashings. Cornice. Cornice brackets. Moldings. Foot brackets. Finial. Brackets to finial. Ceiling. Casings. Windows. Sash and glass. Window trimmings. BHnds. Blind trimmings. Nails and screws. Labor. Cartage. Painting. Posts. Casings. Rails. Gates. Gate trimmings. Double gates. Trimmings for same. Felices. Lumber in base. Pickets. Nails and screws. Labor, including dig- ging. Cartage. Painting. ■ PRACTICAL ESTIMATOR. « 57 Body of house, Trimmings. Blinds. Roofs. Porches. Inside work. Floors. Ceiling. Walls. PAINTING. Sash. Shelving. Fences. Outbuildings. Mantels. Oiling. Polishing, Varnishing. 58 PRACTICAT, ESTIMATOR. TINNING, SLATING AND GALVANIZED IRON WORK. Tin Roofing. Flat-seam roofing. Solder. Standing-seam roofing. Painting. Paper or felt. Labor. Gutter linings. Cartage. Gutters ant Hanging gutter. Tin conductor pipe. Galvanized iron conduc- tor pipe. Corrugated conductor pipe. Spiral conductor pipe. Conductor heads. Spouting. Conductor hooks or fastenings. Cast shoes or boots. Rain-water cut-off. Painting. Labor. Cartage. TINNING, SLATING, ETC. 59 Furnace. Hot-air pipe. Dampers in same. Smoke-pipe. Check damper. Registers. Furnace. Register boxes. Iron lath. Double thimbles. Collars. Labor. Cartage. Kitchen Range. Stove or range. Collar. Smoke-pipe. Labor. Thimble. Cartage, Damper. Miscellaneous Tinning. Flashings, tower, chim- Scuttle covering and ney, &c. Valley linings. Hip and ridge coverings. Iron roofing. flashing. Ventilators. Chimney tops. 6o PRACTICAL ESTIMATOR. Galvanized Iron Cornice. Moldings. Ornaments. Panels. Iron brackets or look- Brackets, outs. Modillions. Labor. Dentils. Cartage. Slate Black slate. Green slate. Purple slate. Red slate. Paper or felt. Common nails. Galvanized nails. Roofing. Materials for pointing. Flashing pieces. Gutters for chimneys. Ridge and hip molding^ Labor. Cartage. 6i PLUMBING AND GAS FITTING. Preliminary Excavation for service pipe. Tapping water main. Main service pipe. Stop and waste cocks. JFork, c^c. Street washer. Fittings. Labor. Cartage. Lau7idry Tubs. Tubs. Trap. Service pipes. VentUation pipe. Air chamber. Drain. (^Qcks. Solder, charcoal, «Sz:c. Metal tacks. Labor. Plugs and chains. Cartage. Waste pipe. 62 PRACTICAL ESTIMATOR. Force pump. Metal tacks. Air chamber. Solder, charcoal, &c. Suction pipe. Labor. Riser pipe. Cartap:e. Tank. Lining tank. Stop cock. Lead tray under tank. Overflow pipe. Tacks. . Tell-tale pipe. Solder, charcoal, &c. Labor. Check valve. Cartage. Kitchen Sink. Sink. • . Lead safes. Pump. Trap. Suction pipe. Ventilation pipe. Metal tacks. Solder, charcoal, &c. Service pipe. Drain. Air chamber. Labor. Waste pipe. Cartage. PLUMBING AND GAS FITTING. 63 Boiler. . Boiler stand. Piping. Circulating pipes. Metal tacks. Range Boiler. Stop cocks. Sediment cock. Waste pipe. Labor. Cartage. Water-Closet. Closet. Service pipe. Trap. Ventilation pipe. Soil pipe. Drain. Service cistern. Lead safes. Solder and charcoal. Labor. Cartage. Slop Sink. Sink. Service pipes. Metal tacks. Cocks. Trap. Waste pipe. Ventilation pipe. Drain. Lead safes. Solder, charcoal, &c. Labor. Cartage. 64 PRACTICAL ESTIMATOR. Wash Bowls. Basins. Slabs. Service pipes. Metal tacks. Cocks. Plugs and chains. Traps. Waste pipe. Ventilation pipe. Overflow. Lead safes. Solder and charcoal. Labor. Cartage. Tubs. Service pipes. Cocks. Metal tacks. Waste pipe. Trap. Lead safes. Bathtubs. Plugs, chains, &c. Ventilation pipe. Overflow. Solder, charcoal, &c. Labor. Cartage. Shower. Service pipe. Cocks. Shower-Bath. Metal tacks. Solder, charcoal, &c. Labor. PLUMBING, AT Soil Pipe, Main soil pipe and con- nections. Ventilator cap. Calking material. GAS FITTING. 65 ^1'ains, Drain outside of walls. Excavation. Cesspool. Gas Fitting. Excavating for pipes. Drop-light fixtures. Main supply pipe. Side-light fixtures. Fittings. Labor. Branch pipes. Cartage. 66 PRACTICAI, KSTIMATOR. 68 PRACTICAL ESTIMATOR. EPITOME OF MENSURATION. Explanation of Signs and Terms. = sign of equality ; read "equal?." -|- sign of addition ; read " plus." * — sign of subtraction ; read " minus." X sign of multiplication ; read " multiplied by." -H sign of division ; read " divided by." I sign of square root, and signifies that such a num- ber is to be found as multiplied by itself will produce the given number. Thus, ^25 =5. Proof, 5 X 5 = 25. 5^ The small figure ('-) above and at the right indicates that the number to which it is afiixed is to be squared or multiplied by itself. Thus 5- = 25. A' in the same posi- tion indicates that the number is to Ve cubed— that is, multiplied by itself twice, or taken as a factor three times. Thus, 5'^= 125. "Diameter-" in the following formula; indicates that the diameter, whatever it may be, is to be squared or multiplied by itself : Area of a triangle = base X Vz altitude. Area of a parallelogram = base X altitude. Area of a trapezoid = altitude X K parallel sides. Area of a trapezium : Divide into two triangles and find area of the triangles. Circumference of circle = diameter X 3-i4i6 or 3I. The latter is a convenienj^ approximation. Diameter of circle = circumference X .3183. Area of circle = diameter'^ X 7854- Area cf sector of circle = length of arc X Yz the radius. Area of segment of circle = area of sector of equal TABLES, RULES AND FORMUL/E. 69 radius — area of triangle when the segment is less, and -|- area of triangle when the segment is greater than the semicircle. Area of circular ring = diameters of the two circles X difference of diameter and that product by .7854. Side of gquare that shall equal area of circle = diameter X .8862, or circumference X .2821. Diameter of circle that shall contain area of a given square = side of square X 1.1284. Area of an ellipse = product of the two diameters X .7854. Area of parabola = base X f altitude. Area of regular polygon = sum of its sides X the per- pendicular from its center to one of its sides -h 2. Surface of cylinder or prism = area of both ends -}- length X circumference. Contents of cylinder or prism = area of end X length. Surface of sphere = diameter X circumference. Contents of sphere = diameter* X -5236. Surface of pyramid or cone = circumference of base X ]4 of the slant hight + area of the base. Contents df pyramid or cone = area of base X ^ altitude. Surface of frustum of cone or pyramid = sum of circum- ference at both ends X 3^ slant hight -|- area of both ends. Contents of frustum of cone or pyramid : Multiply areas of two ends together and extract square root. Add to this root the two areas and X ^ altitude. Contents of a wedge = area of base X }4 altitude. 7° PRACTICAL ESTIMATOR. MULTIPLIERS FOR FACILITATING CALCULATIONS. Cubic inches X .260 - U.S. cast iron. Cubic inches X .281 = lbs. wrought iron. Cubic inches X .283 — lbs. steel. Cubic inches X .321 — lbs. copper. Cubic inches X •307 — lbs. brass. Cubic inches X .41 lbs. lead. Cubic inches X .09 — lbs. common stone. Cubic inches X .078 — lbs. clay. Cubic inches X •055 lbs. loose earth. Cubic inches X •033 lbs. dry oak. Cubic inches X .017 lbs. dry pine. Cubic inches X .031 lbs. coal. Cubic inches X .016 lbs. charcoal. Cubic inches X .036 lbs. fresh water. Cubic inches X •C35 lbs. ice. Cubic inches X .00433 lbs. U. S. gallons. Cubic inches X .000465 lbs. TJ. S. bushels. Cubic inches X .00058 lbs. cubic feet. Cubic feet X 450. lbs. cast iron. Cubic feet X 487. lbs. wrought iron. Cubic feet X 490. lbs. steel. Cubic feet X 556. lbs. copper. Cubic feet X 532. lbs. brass. Cubic feet X 710. lbs. lead. Cubic feet X 156. lbs. common stone. Cubic feet X 135. lbs. clay. Cubic feet X 95- lbs. loose earth. 4 TABLES, RULES AND FORMULAE. Cubic feet X 58. Cubic feet X 30. Cubic feet X 54. Cubic feet X 27.5 Cubic feet X 62.5 Cubic feet X 60.5 Cubic feet X 7-478 Cubic feet X .80352 = lbs. dry oak. = lbs. dry pine. = lbs. coal. = lbs. charcoal. = lbs. fresh water. = lbs. ice. = lbs. U. S. gallons. =r lbs. U. S. bushels. Lineal feet X .cooiq miles. Lineal yards X .000568 nailes. Square inches X .007 square feet. Square feet X .III square yards. Cubic feet X .0371 cubic yards. Cubic inches X .000579 cubic feet. Pounds X .000448 tons. Bushels X 1.244 cubic feet. Gallons X .1336 cubic feet. Gallons (U. S.)X 231. cubic inches. Bushel^. X 2150.42 cubic inches. Thickness of wrought iron plates in inches X 40 = pounds per square foot. The same in eighths of inches X 5 = pounds per square fcot. The sectional area of wrought-iron plates in inches X 3.34 = pounds per lineal foot. The same in eighths of inches X .052 = pounds per lineal foot. Diameter of round iron in inches squared X 2.64 = pounds per lineal foot. 72^ PRACTICAL ESTIMATOR. MATERIAL FOR PLASTERING. The following estimate of materials is from Cam- eron's " Plasterer's Manual : " J?/// of Material for One Hundred Yards of Plastering — Three Coats. — Eight bushels lime, one bushel hair, one load sand, one-quarter barrel plas- ter. This, of course, varies somewhat with the qual- ities of material. About two bushels of lime are required for the finishing, the other six for the coarse mortar The average weight of one bushel of mortar is 1311111 pounds. The average weight of one bushel of sand is 120 pounds. The standard weight of one bushel of lime is 80 pounds. The standard weight of one bushel of hair is 8 pounds. When lath are i inches wide and are nailed inch apart, 1440 are required for 100 yards. With studding or joists 16 inches apart, 10 pounds of 3d nails are required. TABLES, RULES AND FORMUL.«. 73 SAFE LOADS IN STRUCTURES. The best engineering authorities as collated by Vogdes recommend the following factors of safety^ the safe loads to include the weight of the struct- ure itself : For cast-iron columns, least factor of safety .... 4 For wrought-iron constructions, least factor of safety 4 For cast-iron beams or girders, with moving loads, least factor of safety 8 For same with constant, quiescent loads 6 For all timber constructions, least factor of safety 10 For stone and brickwork, least factor of safety. . 8 For bridgework of any material, least factor of safety 10 Manufacturing establishments should be calcu- lated with the same factor of safety as for moving- loads. Buildings designed for dwellings and ordinary office purposes may be estimated at 150 pounds load per superficial foot of floor space, including joists, flooring, furniture and occupants. Churches, public halls, hospitals and ordinary stores are estimated at 175 pounds per superficial 74 PRACTICAL ESTIMATOR. foot of floor space, including floors, cS^c. Heavy stores and factories should be estimated at not less than 200 pounds per superficial foot. Roofs, in addition to weight of frame, slate or other covering, ceiling joist and plastering (if any are suspended from it), to provide for snow and sleet, should be estimated at not less than 20 pounds per superficial foot, and; for wind pressure at not less than 20 pounds additional. The weight of col- umns, beams, &c., must always be calculated as forming parts of the actual load. TABLES, RULES AND FORMULA. 75 SHEET IRON. Table showing the weight per square foot of Gal- vanized Sheet Iron, and also the weight of Corru- gated Iron Roofing. Gauge Number. Galvanized Sheet Iron. Weipht per Square i< oot. CoRRUGAI Welphl per Square Foot. ED Iron. Weight per Sq are Foot. of Root, Laps Inc.uded. | Oz Lb*. Lbs. 14 60 4.10 4.92 i6 48 3-29 3-95 17 43 2.q8 3-57 18 38 2.58 3-09 19 33 2.26 2.71 20 28 1.94 2.33 21 24 1. 81 2.17 22 21 1.62 1.95 23 19 1.49 1.79 24 . 'I I 36 1.62 25 16 1.27 I 52 26 15 1. 18 1.41 27 14 1.09 1.30 28 13 •997 1.20 29 12 • 952 1. 14 76 PRACTICAL ESTIMATOR. .CALCULATING THE STRENGTH OF COLUMNS. The following formulae, derived from "Gordon's Eule," are given in Vodges' "Architects' and Builders' Compan- ion," for determining the strength of columns ; SOLIDS. Material. Square. | Cylinder. Cast Iron, W = Wrought Iron, W = Pine (white ) W ~ or yellow) [ Oak (white } W ~ and black ) [ A X 80.000 • A X 80.000 C 206.7 X ft''' ^ A X 36.000 ^ C 200 X D'-^ ) A X 36.000 C 3-000 X A X 5000 ~t~ ( 2.250 X dO A X 5.000 I X.O04) A X 6000 I +(57 X.003) A X 6000 /L2 I X.004 ) I + X .003 ) HOLLOWS. MATERIiL. Sqctare. Cylinder. Cast Iron, W = Wrought Iron, W = A X 80.000 A X 80.000 ^ + (53,-3 X sO A X 36. coo ^ + (5 ^ 400) A X 36.000 ^ + ( 6coo X S-j) I + iw -3000) In the above, A = sectional area. L = length or hight in inches. S = si'e of square column in inches. D = outer diametsr in inches, d = interior diameter in inches. W = strength or load in lbs. TABLES, RULES AND FORMULA. 77 Calculating the Transverse Strength of Beams and Girders Supported at Both Ends and Loaded in the Center. The following rule is given by Vodges : The breadth of the beam in inches multiplied by the square of the depth in inches, divided by the clear span in feet, and the result multiplied by the following constants, will give the breaking weight in net tons (2000 pounds): Constant for 'h ^ I ® I . I .78 .647 1-25 .885 •737 2-5 1-75 1.47 ■-15 ■32 .265 -425 ■3 .25. Ash •325 •23 .191 •25 .1-7 .147 White Pine .225 •159 .132 •275 •195 . 162 Oak, Live and White. . . • 3 • 213 . 176 •3 .213 . 176 •275 .195 162 •25 .177 • I47 .225 •159 ■ 132 .225 •159 .132 •275 1 -195 .16 .2 I . 142 .118 225 •159 • 132 •35 .248 .206 78 PRACTICAL ESTIMATOR. WINDOW GLASS. ThefoUowing table shows the number of lights per box of 50 feet Inches. No. 6X 8 150 7x 9 115 8x10 90 8x11 82 8x12 <5 8x18 70 8x14 64 8x15 CO 8x16 55 9x11 72 9X12 67 9x13 C2 9x14 57 9x15 53 9x16 50 9x17 47 4l 9x18 44 9x20 40 60 10x13 65 10vl4 52 10x15 48 10X16 45 I0v17 42 10x18 40 10x20 30 10x22 33 10x24 3l) 10x26 2H 10x28 26 10x30 24 10x3-4 23 10x34 21 11X13 50 11X14 47 11X15 44 11X16 41 11X17 39 11X18 36 11X20 33 11X22 3J 11X21 27 11X26 25 11X28 23 11X30 21 11X32 20 11X34 19 12x14 43 32X15 40 12X16 3-i 12X17 33 12x18 33 12X20 30 12x23 27 12x24 25 13x26 23 12X28 21 12X30 20 12X32 18 12X34 17 13x14 40 13X16 35 13x18 31 13X20 28 13x23 25 13x24 23 13x26 21 13X28 19 13x30 18 14X16 32 14X18 29 14X20 26 14X^2 2;^ 14X34 22 14X26 20 14X28 18 14x30 17 14x32 16 14X34 15 14X36 14 14X40 13 14X44 11 15X18 27 15X20 24 15X23 15X24 23 20 15X26 18 15X28 17 15X30 16 15X32 15 10X18 25 16X20 !t3 16X22 20 1CX24 19 16X26 17 10x28 10 16x30 15 10x33 14 10x34 13 16x86 12 16x38 12 16x10 11 16X44 18x20 18X22 18X24 18x26 18x28 18X30 18x33 18x34 lbx36 18x38 18X':0 18X44 20x22 20x24 20x26 20x28 20x30 20X33 20x34 20X36 20X38 20X40 .20X44 20X46 20X43 20x50 20X60 22X24 22X26 22X28 23X30 22X33 22X34 22X36 22x38 22X40 22X44 22x46 22X50 24X28 24X30 24X32 24X36 24X40 24x44 2IX'16 24x18 21X50 24x54 24x56 No. Inches. No. 10 26X33 9 20 2ox34 8 18 20x36 8 17 2(5X40 7 15 26X42 7 14 26X44 6 13 26x48 6 13 26x50 6 13 26x54 5 11 26x58 5 11 28x30 9 10 28x33 8 9 28x34 8 16 28X36 7 15 28x33 7 14 28X40 6 13 23X44 6 12 28X46 6 11 23X50 5 11 28x52 5 10 28X56 4 9 30X36 7 9 30X40 6 8 30X42 0 8 33X44 5 8 30X40 5 7 30X48 5 6 30X50 5 14 30X54 4 13 30X56 4 12 80XC0 4 11 32X42 5 10 32X44 5 10 32X46 5 9 33X48 5 9 32X50 4 8 32X54 4 8 33X56 4 7 83x60 4 34X40 5 11 34X44 5 10 81x40 5 9 84x50 4 8 34X52 4 8 31X50 4 7 30X44 5 38x50 4 6 36X56 4 6 36X60 3 5 3UX"4 3 40x60 3 TABLES, RULES AND FORMULA. 79 SASH WEIGHTS. The following table gives the weight of sash weights required for windows of various sizes, four weights being calculated for each window : Size of Glass. Thickness of Sash. Number of Lights. Weifcht. Lbs. 10 X 14 12 6 10 X 16 8 6 12 X 14 8 6 1 10 X 15 12 7 ID X 16 1^8 12 7 10 X 18 8 7 10 X 20 8 7 12 X 15 8 7 12 X 16 8 7 14 X 16 8 7 10 X 18 12 8 1 12 X 18 8 8 j 12 X 20 8 8 12 X 22 8 8 14 X 18 8 8 14 X 20 8 8 12 X 36 1^8 4 8 10 X 20 12 9 12 X 24 8 9 15 X 22 8 9 12 X 40 4 9 12 X 44 1^ 4 9 14 X 36 iH 4 9 10 X 22 12 10 10 X 24 12 10 12 X 18 12 ID 12 X 20 12 10 14 X 22 8 10 14 X 24 8 10 14 X 40 4 10 14 X 44 1^8 4 10 12 X 22 12 II 15 X 48 13^ 4 12 TABLES, RUl-ES AND FORMULA:. 8i Lead Pipe in Lengths of io Feet. Lead Waste-Pipe. Inches. f Inch Thick. Inch Thick. 1 Inch Thick ■f^ Inch Thick. lb. oz. lb. 02. lb. OZ. lb. oz. 17 o 14 O II o 8 o 3 20 o i6 O 12 o 9 o 3h 22 o iS 8 15 o 9 8 4 25 o 21 0 i6 o 12 8 , 4i i8 o 14 0 5 31 o 20 o I J in., 2 lbs. per ft. 2' " 3 lbs. " 3 " 3 1 and 5 lbs per ft. 4 in., 5, 6 and 8 lbs. per ft. 4| " 6 and 8 lbs. 5 " 8, 10 and 12 lbs. Sheet Lead. Weight per square foot, 2}^, 3, 3>^, 4, 4^^, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10 lbs. and upward. Block Tin Pipe. }i in., 4>^, 6^ and 8 oz. per ft. l4 in., 6, 71^ and 10 oz. per ft. ^ in., 8 and 10 oz. per ft. ^ in., 10 and 12 oz. ft. 1 in., 15 and 18 oz. per ft. iX i'l-j ^'X and i)4 lbs. per ft. 1)4 in-, 2 and 2^ lbs. per ft. 2 in., 2)4 and 3 lbs. per ft. 82 PRACTICAL ESTIMATOR. SLATING. The following table, showing the number of slate required to lay one square with variations of lap, is furnished by Messrs. Auld & Conser, Cleveland, Ohio. Three-inch is the standard lap at which slate is bougrht and sold. Where a less lap is used the same number of slate will cover a larger area, and where a greater lap is used the same number will cover a smaller area, than is usually estimated, all as shown in the table : Sizes of Slate and Number op Pjeces Required per Square, WITH Different Laps. Size Lap Lap Lap Lap Lap of Slate. 2 In. 2)4 In. 3 In. In. 4 In. 16 89 84 85 88 90 15 87 89 91 93 90 24 X - 14 93 95 98 100 103 13 101 113 105 108 111 13 109 111 115 117 120 ' 14 103 105 108 114 13 111 113 116 120 123 23 s - 12 120 123 120 130 133 L 11 131 134 138 141 145 ^ 14 114 117 121 124 198 13 123 126 130 134 138 20 X ■ 13 133 137 141 145 150 11 145 149 154 158 1G3 I 10 160 164 170 174 180 150 155 160 165 171 fl? 163 160 174 180 187 18 X ^ 180 186 192 198 205 ['§ 200 206 213 220 228 171 177 184 192 200 '!§ 206 213 222 230 940 IC X - 228 287 246 256 266 [ I 257 266 277 288 300 240 250 262 274 288 \'l 266 278 291 304 330 14 X - 300 313 327 313 360 [ ? 313 358 374 393 411 288 303 320 339 860 320 337 355 376 400 12 X ■< 11 360 379 400 423 450 411 433 457 484 514 480 505 533 565 600 TABLES, RULES AND FORMUL.^:. 83 SLATING —VAEIATION IN LAP. The loss or gain from variations in the lap of slate may be computed by the following table, also furnished by Messrs. Auld & Conger : Lekgth Amount Exposed to Weather when Laid. OP Slate. 2 Inch Lap. 2^4 Inch Lap. 3 Inch Lap. S14 Inch Lap. 4 Inch Lap. 12 in. 5 in. 4^ in. 4}4. in. 4X in. 4 in. 14 in. 6 in. 5^ in. S'A in. 5X in. 5 in. 16 in. 7 in. 63/ in. in. 6X in. 6 in. 18 in. 8 in. 7^ in. y'A in. 7X in. 7 in. 20 in. 9 in. 834^ in. 8A in. 8)( in. 8 in. 22 in. 10 in. in. 9'A in. gX in. 9 in. 24 in. II in. 10^ in. io>^ in. loX in. 10 in. It is only the length of the slate that is affected by a variation of the lap. One inch variation in lap affects the different lengths of slate as follows : On 12-inch Slate J-, or 11 percent. On 14-inch Slate -^ij, or 9 percent. On 16-inch Slate ^i^, or 7^ per cent. On 18-inch Slate -L, or 6^ per cent. On 20-inch Slate ^1., or 5^ per cent. On 22-inch Slate ^V, or per cent. On 24-inch Slate ^V, or 43^: per cent. 84 PRACTICAT. ESTIMATOR. SLATING.— QUANTITY OF NAILS. The table on the next page, calculated by Messrs. Auld & Conger, Cleveland, Ohio, shows the size of slate, number to a square with 3-inch lap, and weight of nails in pounds and ounces to lay one square. The weight of the nails given is from actual count ; to this should be added from 10 to 25 per cent., according to the kind of job and size of slate. For plain roof, large slate, 10 per cent, is enough to add ; but the more the roof is cut up, and the smaller the slate, the more should be added. The reasons for this are that all half-slate or small pieces require two nails, same as a whole slate. Each piece of flashing requires one or more, and there is always waste from dropping nails by the men. The more nails to a square, the more will be lost. TABLES, RULES AND FORMULAE. 85 Size OF Elate. No. i TO Square. 3-iiich 24 X ■■ 16 15 14 13 .12 . 85.. . . 92 , . ..98.. . .I(j6. . II5-- 1.;? 108. . .116. . . . 126. . ..138.. [10 . 121 . . . .141. . . .154- • . .170. . 1 18 X ■ 1 \" 10 I 9 . .160. . ••175 ■ . 192 . .213. . 16 X - 10 9 . 8 184 . . .222. . 246. . • •277- • 14 X - ri2 10 I! . .218 . .261 . . . .291 327- ••374-- fio 12 X 8 . .320. . ■ ^SS- • . . 400 . . 457- • • •533- • Weight op Nails to a Square. 4d. Gal. Tin. Com. 3I 5 3 12 4| 3 4 12 5| 9 3d. Gal Tin. 3 I 3 7 3 14 4 6 5 2 Com. 86 PRACTICAL ESTIMATOR. SHIPPING WEIGHTS OF LUMBER. The following table, showing the average weights, in pounds, obtained in the actual shipment from Chicago of 20,000,000 feet of pine lumber, during an entire season, is from the " Lumberman's Hand Book": I, 1% and ii^ inch, surfaced one side 2102 The same, surfaced two sides 2068 2-inch, surfaced one side 2200 White-pine flooring, dressed and matched 1890 Hard-pine flooring .. 2366 Ship lap, 8-inch 1711 Ship lap, 10 inch 1725 Ship lap, 12-inch 1855 White pine, ^-inch ceiling 786 Hard pine, ^-inch ceiling 950 Siding 865 Piece stuff, rough 2560 Piece stuff, surfaced one side and one edge 2210 Thin clear, surfaced one side 1380 ^ ceiling 1120 Eough boards 2524 Hard-pine fencing 2910 4-inch flooring, dressed and matched 1793 6-inch fencing 2433 Pine shingles 248 Cedar shingles 203 Dry lath 502 TABLES, RULES AND FORMULA. 87 TIN ROOFING. The thickness of tin plates is indicated by ar bitrary characters, as IC ( = wire gauge No. 29), IX ( = wire gauge No. 27) and IXX ( = wire gauge No. 26). The size of the plates is expressed in niches, as 14 X 20, 20 X 28, &c. The coating is either bright (tin) or terne (leaded or roofing). The quality of the iron in the plate is commonly indi- cated by the terms charcoal (the best) and coke (in- ferior). Besides these indications of quality, in which there are almost endless variations, there are the brands or trade-marks of the makers or importers by which plates are bought and sold. " MF " is one of the best makers' brands of charcoal roofing tin at present in the market. Many reput- able importers and dealers sell plates under guar- antee, so that upon receiving a specification of re- quirements they send exactly what is wanted, irre- spective of brand. TABLE OF TIN AND TERNE PLATES. Gauge Mark. Correspond- ing Wire Gauge. Size of Sheets. No. of Sheets per Box. Weight, including Box. — Lbs. IC 29 10x14 325 120 IX 27 10x14 325 150 IXX 26 10x14 335 170 I XXX 25 10x14 325 190 IC 29 14x30 112 130 IX IXX 27 26 14x20 14x20 113 113 150 170 IXXX 25 14x20 113 190 IC 29 20 X 28 113 340 IX IXX 37 26 20 X 38 30x28 113 112 300 340 88 PRACTICAI. ESTIMATOR. Tin roofing is laid in two general ways, known respectively as flat-seam roofing and standing- seam roofing. In flat-seam roofing a sheet of 14 X 20 tin, (edged 13 x 19) will cover 247 square inches ; 59 sheets will cover a square of roof, while one box and five sheets will cover two squares. A sheet of 20 X 28 (edged 19 x 27) will cover 513 square inches ; 29 sheets will lay a square of roof, while one box and one sheet will cover four squares. In standing-seam roofing, a sheet of 14 x 20 (after working 13 x 178) will cover 230^ square inches ; 63 sheets will cover a square of roof, while one box and 13 sheets will cover two squares. A sheet of 20 x 28 (after working 1.7I x 27 inches) will cover 479 J square inches ; 31 sheets will lay a square of roof, while one box and nine sheets will cover four squares. TABLES, RULES AND FORMUL.K. 89 QUANTITY OF NAILS. The following estimate of the quantity of nails required in various work is taken from Hodgson's Builders' Guide": For 1000 shingles allow 3j!^ to 5 lbs. 4d. nails ; or 3 to 3^2 lbs. 3d. nails. For 1000 laths allow about 6 lbs. 3d. fine nails. For I003 feet clapboards about 18 lbs. 6d. box. For 1000 feet boarding boards 20 lbs. 8d. com. For 1000 feet boarding boards 25 lbs. lod. com. For 1000 feet top floors, square edge 38 lbs. lod. floor. For 1000 feet top floors, square edge. ... 41 lbs. I2d. floor. For 1000 it. top fl'rs, matched blind nailed. 35 lbs. lod. flooTj,,,*-— "-^oy For 1000 ft. topflVs, matched blind nailed. 42 lbs. I2d-H86«5f7 4 3.0214 2.13% 1 Hours. 82.50 $2.62}^ $2.75 $.3 00 $3.13i/«> $3.33 $3.3714 • ISJ^ Am .15 .15% .16^ .10?^ 1 .25 .26M .28% .30 .31M .3314 .33% 2 .50 .521^ .55 .57^ .60 ■0234 .65 .6734 3 .75 .78.% .821^ .86M .». .03% .9714 1.01^ ' 4 1.00 1.05 1.10 1.13 1.20 1.25 1.30 1.33 1.25 1.31M 1.37Vg l.<3% 1..50 I.5C14 1.6314 l.C8% t) 1.50 1.C5 1.721^ 1.80 1.87^ 1.95 2.0214 1.75 1.83}^ 1.021^ 2.01^ 2.10 2.18% 2.2714 2.36J4 8 2.00 3.10 3.30 2.30 2.40 2.50 2. CO 2.'^0 0 2.23 2.351/ 2.47^ 2.58% 2.70 2.8II4 2.9214 3.03% 94 PRACTICAL ESTIMATOR. WAGES TABLE. (Continued.) Eate of Wages per Day.— -For Hours. Hours. 13.50 p. 75 S4.00 $4.25 $4.50 $4.75 $5.00 Vz .18% .20 .21M .2214 .23M .35 1 .35 .371^ .40 .421^ .45 ■47«4 ..50 o .70 .75 .£0 .85 .90 .95 1.00 3 1.05 1.121^ 1.20 1.271^ 1.35 1.42J^ 1.50 4 1.40 1.50 1.60 1.70 1.80 1.90 2.00 5 1.75 1.87^ 2.00 2.121^ 3.35 3.371^ 2.50 6 2.10 2.25 2.40 2.55 2.70 2.85 3.00 r 2.45 2.621^ 3.80 2.97J^ 3.15 3.3314 3.50 8 2.80 3.00 3.20 3.40 3.00 3.80 4.00 9 3.15 3.371^ 3.60 3.82^ 4.05 4.27^ 4.50 Rate of Wages per Day.- -For Days. Days. $1.50 $1,691^ $1.75 $1,871^ $3.00 $2.1214 $3.35 M ■37J^ .405^ •43M .46% .50 .53^ .56J4 .75 .873^ .93% 1.00 1.06^ 1.121^ 1.123^ 1.21% 1.31M 1.40% 1.50 1.59^ 1.68% 3 3.00 3.25 3.50 3.75 4.00 4.25 4.50 1 3 4.50 4.87^ 5.35 5.621.^ 6.00 6.37^ 6.75 4 6.00 6.50 7.00 7.50 8.00 8.50 9.00 5 7 50 8.121^ 8.75 10.00 10.6334 11.25 6 9.00 9.75 10.50 11.35 13.00 13.75 13.50 7 10.50 11.371^ 13.25 13.121^ 14.00 14.87^ 15.75 8 12.00 13.00 14.00 15.00 16.00 17.00 18.00 9 13.50 14.621^ 15.75 16.871^ 18.00 19.1214: 20.25 10 15.00 18.25 17.50 18.75 30.00 21.25 1 22.50 TABLES. RULES AND FORMULAE. 95 WAGES TABLE. (Continued.) Rate op Wages per Day.— For Days. Days. $2,371^ 12.50 $2.0214 $2.75 $2,871^ $3.00 S3.12i^ 83.25 .59% 621^ .65% 68% 71% .75 78^ .8114 1.18% 1.25 1.31M 1.37J^ 1 43% 1 .50 1 56^ 1.63>^ M 1.78J^ 1 871^ 1.96j^ 2.06H 2 15M 2 .25 2 34 2.43% 2 4.75 5.00 5.25 5.50 5 75 6 .CO 6 25 3.50 3 7.121^ 7.50 7.871^ 8.25 8 62J^ 9 .00 9 9.75 4 9.50 10.00 10.50 11.00 11 50 12 .00 12 50 13.00 5 11.87}^ 12.50 13.12^ 13.75 14 37^ 15 .00 15 62^ 16.25 6 14.25 15.00 15.75 16.50 17 25 IS .00 18 75 19.50 7 16.621^17 50 18.37)^ 19.25 20 21 .00 21 87^ 22.75 8 19.00 20.00 21.00 22.00 23 00 24 .00 25 00 26.00 9 21.371^22.50 23. 0214 24.75 25 871^ 27 .00 28 121^ 29.25 10 23.75 25.00 20.25 27.50 28 75 30 .00 31 25 32.50 Days. 553.371^ 13.50 $3.75 $4.00 $4 25 $4.50 $4.75 $5.00 M 84% 87^ .03% 1.00 1 O614 1. 1214 1 18% 1.25 1.68M t 75 1 87^ 2.00 2 1214 2. 25 2 371^ 2.50 M 2.531^ 2 62^ 2.81^ 3.00 3 18% 3. 3714 3 56^ 3.75 2 6.75 00 7.50 8.00 8 50 9. 00 9 50 10.00 3 10.121^ 10 50 11.25 12.00 12 75 13. 50 14 25 15.00 4 13.50 14 00 15.00 16.00 17 00 18. 00 19 00 20.00 5 16.87^ 17 50 18.75 20.00 21 25 23. 50 23 75 25.00 6 20 25 21 00 22 50 24.00 25 50 27. 00 i8 50 30.00 23.621^ 24 50 20.25 28.00 29 75 31. 50 33 25 35.00 8 27.00 28 00 30.00 32.00 34 00 36, 00 38 00 40.00 9 30.371^ 31 50 33.75 36.00 38 25 40. 50 42 75 45.00 10 33.75 35 00 37.50 40.00 42 50 45. 00 47 .50 50.00 96 PRACTICAL ESTIMATOR. MISCELLANEOUS MEMORANDA. I ooo bricks closely stacked occupy about 56 cubic feet. 1000 old bricks cleaned and loosely stacked occupy about 72 cubic feet. I foot superficial of gauge arches requires 10 bricks. I foot superficial of facings requires 7 bricks. I yard of paving requires 36 stock bricks laid flat, or 52 on edge. Stock or place bricks commonly measure 8^ inches, by 4}{ inches, by 2^ inches, and weigh from 5 to 6 pounds each. Paving bricks should measure 9 inches, by 4^4 inches, by 1 3^ inches, and weigh from 4 to pounds each. I yard of paving requires 36 paving bricks laid flat, or 82 on edge. I perch of stone = i foot X i foot 6 inches X 16 feet 6 inches = 24.75 cubic feet. I cord of wood, clay, &c., = 4 feet X 4 feet X 8 feet = 128 cubic feet. I chaldron = 36 bushels, or 57.25 cubic feet. I cubic foot of sand, solid, weighs 112^ pounds. I cubic foot of saud, loose, weighs 95 pounds. I cubic foot of earth, loose, weighs g3}{ pounds. I cubic foot of common soil weighs 124 pounds. I cubic foot of strong soil weighs 127 pounds. I cubic foot of clay weighs 120 to 135 pounds. 1 cubic foot of clay and stone weighs 160 pounds. I cubic foot of common stone weighs 160 pounds. I cubic foot of brick weighs 95 to 120 pounds. I cubic foot of granite tveighs 169 to 180 pounds. I cubic foot of marble weighs 166 to 170 pounds. I cubic yard of sand weighs 3037 pounds. I cubic yard of common soil weighs 3429 pounds. INDEX. Air Duct. Cold 48 Allowances and Profits 14 Area of Circle (W Area of Circular King 69 Area of Ellipse On Area of Parabola C9 Area of Paral lelopram 68 Area of Regular Polygon (iU Area of Sector of Circle 68 Area of Segment of Circle. ... 68 Area of Trapezium 68 Area of Trapezoid 68 Area of Triangle 68 Area or Hatchway 30 Base and 'Wainscoting 49 Bathroom .... 50 Bathtubs 64 Bay Window 42 Beams and Girders. Calculat- ing the Transverse Strength 77 Bins, Coal, Calculations of ... 91 Block-Tin Pipe 81 Boiler, Kange 63 Bookcases 51 Brass, Weight per Cubic Inch 70 Brass. Weight per Cubic Foot 70 Bushel, To Reduce Cabic Feet to (See Errata, page iv) 71 Bushels, To Reduce Cubic Inches to (See Errata, page iv) 70, 71 Butler's Pantry 48 Calculating the Strength of Columns 76 Calculating tiie Transverse Strength of Beams and Gird- ers 77 Calculations, Multipliers for Facilitating 70 Carpentry 36 Catoh-Basin 3;; Cellar Bottom &i Cellar, Cor.i Binr; and Parti- tions in 45 Cellar Hatchway 39 Cellar Windows (Carpentry) . . 41 Cellar Windows (Masonry)... ao Cesspool 32 Charcoal, Weight per Cubic Foot 71 Charcoal, Weiijht per Cubic Inch 70 Chimneys . 31 Circle, Area of 68 Circle, Circumference of ..; . . 68 Circle, Diameter of 68 Circle. Diameter of. That Shall Contain Area of a Given Square 69 Circumference of Circle 68 Cistern Si Cisterns and Wells 90 Classified List of Items 27 Clay, Weight per Cubic Foot. . 70 Clay, Weight per Cubic Inch. . 70 Closets 45 Coal Bins and Partitions in Cellar 45 Coal iiins. Calculations of . . . 91 Coal, Weight per Cubic Foot. 71 Coal, Weight per Cubic Inch . 70 Cold-Air Duct 43 Columns, Calculating the Strength of 76 Common Doors 46 Competitors' Figures 11 Computations on Loose Sheets of Paper 15 Cone or Pyramid, Contents of 69 Cone or Pyramid, Contents of Frustum of 69 Cone ur Pyramid, Surface of. 69 Cone or Pyramid, Surface of Frustum of 69 Contents of Frustum of Cone or Pyramid 69 Contents of Pyramid or Cone 69 Contents of Sphere 69 (Contents of Wedge 69 Copper, Weight Per Cubic Foot 70 Copper,WeightPer C!ubic inch 70 Cornice 38 (torniee. Galvanized -Iron 60 Cupola 53 Cylinder or Prism, Surface of 69 Description of Handy Esti- mate Blanks 8 Diameter of Circle 68 Diameter of (Circle that Shall Cuntain Area of a Given Square 69 11 INDEX. Doors, Common 46 | Doors. Front and Vestibule. . . 4') Doors. Sliding- 45 Dormer Wmduws 41 Drains 30 Drains. Boil-Pipe, &c 05 Dressers 51 Duct, Cold- Air ..48 Duplicate Timber Schedule. . . 20 Earth, Loose, Weight Per Cu- bic Foot 70 Ellipse, Area of 69 Epitome of Mensuration 68 Excavation 28 Fan-Lights and Transoms 42 Feet, Cubic, To Reduce Bush- els to 71 Feet, Cubic, To Reduce Cubic Inches to 70-71 Feet,To Reduce Cubic Feet to Cubic Yards 71 Feet, To Reduce Lineal Feet to Miles 71 Feet, To Reduce Square Feet to Square Yards 71 Feet, Cubic, To Reduce Gal- lons to 71 Feet, Square, To Reduce Square Inches to 71 Fences 53 Flat-Seam Roofing, Tin t)8 Floors 43 Footings 28 Formute, Tables and Rules. . . 07 Foundations 2!) | Frame 36 Frame Covering 37 Front Doors and Vestibule Doors 45 Frustum ot Cone or Pyramid, Contents of CO Frustum of Cone or Pyramid, Surface of 69 Furnace 59 Gable Covering 37 Gallons, To Reduce Cubic Feet to (See Errata, p. iv. 71 Gallons, To Reduce Cubic Inches to (See Errata, p. iv) . 70. 71 Galvanized Iron-Cornice 00 Galvanized Iron-Work, Slating and Tinning 58 Gas Fitting 0.5 Gas Fitting and Plumbing 01 General Dimensions, Sheet of 17 Girders and Beams, Calculat- ing the Transverse Strength 77 Glass, Window 78 Grates 31 Gutters and Spouting 58 Hatchway, Cellar 39 Hatchway or Area .30 How to Prepare an Estimate.. 8 Ice, Weight Per Cubic Foot 71 Ice, Weight Per Cubic Inch. . . 70 Importance of Accurate Esti- mates 3 Inches, To Reduce Cubic Inch- es to Cubic Feet 71 Inches, To Reduce Square Inches to Square Feet 71 Inches, Cubic, To Reduce Gallons to 71 Inches, Cubic, To Reduce Bushels to 71 Introduction 3 Iron, Cast, Weight Per Cubic Foot 70 Iron, Cast, Weight Per {'ubic Inch 70 Iron Round, Calculating the Weight of 71 Iron, Sheet 75 Iron. Wrought, Weight Per Cubic Foot 70 Iron, Wrought, Weight Per Cubic Inch 70 Items, Classified List of 27 Kitchen Range 59 Kitchen Sink (Carpentry. 49 Kitchen Sink (Plumbing) 02 Lap. Variation in Slating 83 Lathing and Plastering 83 Laundry Tubs 01 Lead and Tin-Lined Lead Pipe, Weights of 80 Lead Pipe in Lengths of 10 Feet 81 Lead. Sheet 81 Lead Waste- Pipe 81 Lead, Weight Per Cubic Foot. 70 Lead. Weight Par Cubic Incn.. 70 J-.oad in Structures, Safe 13 Lo'^se Earth, Weight Per Cubic Foot 70 Lumber, Shipping Weights vi 86 Mantels, Carpentry 44 Mantels. Masonry 31 Masonry 28 Material tor Plastering 72 Materials, Weight of 89 INDEX. Memoranda, Miscellaneous. . . 96 Miles, To Reduce Lineal Feet to 71 Miles, To Reduce I-ineal Yards to • Tl Miscellaneous Carpentry 51 Miscellaneous Masonry 33 Miscellaneous Memoranda.. . 06 Miscellaneous Tinning 59 Multipliers for Facilitating ^ Calculations 1*0 Nails, Quantity of, in Building. 80 Nails, Quantity of, ui Slating.. 84 Oak, Dry, Weight Per Cubic Foot 71 Oak. Dry, Weight Per Cubic Inch . : 70 Omission of Items in Estimates 0 Order of Arrangement in Esti- mates 16 Order of Arrangement in Tickler 21 Outbuildings 52 Painting 57 Pantry 47 Pantry, Butler's 48 Parabola, Area of G9 Parallelogram, Area of PS Partitions and Piers 31 Partitions in Cellar 45 Piers and Partitions 81 Pine, Dry, Weight Per Cubic Foot 71 Pine, Dry, Weight Per Cubic Inch 70 Pipe, Block-Tin HI Pipe, Lead aud Tin-Lined, Weights of 80 Pipe, Lead, in Lengths of 10 Feet 8t Pipe, Lead, Waste 81 Plastering 33 Plastering, Materials for 72 Plates, Wrought-Iron, Calou- latiug tlie Weight ot 71 Plumbing aud Gas-Fitting (il Pounds, to Reduce Pounds to Tons 71 Polygon, Area of Regular 69 Prism or Cylinder, Surface of. 69 Proposals 10 Pump 62 Pyramid or Cone, Contents of. 69 Pyramid or Cone, Contents of Frustum of 69 Pyramid or Cone, Surface of.. 69 Pyramid or Cone, Surface of Frustum of C9 Quantity of Nails in Building . . 89 Quantity of Nails in Slating. . . 84 Range Boiler 63 Range, Kitchen 59 Recapitulation of an Estimate 17 Results of Lettings 11 Ring, Area of Circular 69 Roof (Par entry) 37 Roofing, Slate 60 Roofing, Tin 58, 87 Round Iron, Calculating the Weight of 71 Routine Work of Estimating. . 4 Rules, Table and Formulse — 67 Safe Loads in Structures 73 Sash Weights 79 Scliool of Estimating 4 Scuttle 38 Sector of Circle, Area of 68 Secment of Circle, Area of — 68 Selection of Tables, Rules and FormulEB 07 Sheet Iron 75 Sheet Lead SI Shipping Weights of Lumber. 86 Shower Bath 64 Side of Square That Shall Equal Area of Circle 69 Sink, Kitchen (Carpentry) 4.1 Sink, Kitchen (Plumbing) 62 Sink, Slop (Plumbing) 63 Slate, Sizes of, and Number of Pieces Required Per Square with Different Laps 83 Slate Roofing 60 Slating 82 Slating. Tinning and Galvan- ized-Iron Work 58 Sliding Doors 46 Slop Sink (Carpentry) 51 Slop Sink (Plumbing) 63 Soil-Pipe, Drains, &c 65 Special Forms for Estimat- ing 6 Sphere, Contents of 69 Spliere, Surface of 69 Spouting and Gutters.. .. — 58 Square, Side of. That Shall t2qual Area of Circle 69 Stairs (Attic) 43 Stairs (Back) 44 Stairs (Cellar) 44 Stairs (Principal) 43 Standing-Seam Roofing, Tin. . fc8 Steel, Weight Per (Jiibic Foot. 70 Steel, Weight Per Cubic Inch. 70 Stone, Common, Weight Per Cubic Foot 70 IV INDEX. '^tone. Common, Weiglit Per Cubic Incli TO Storei'oom 47 Sti-ength of Beams and Gii-d- ers. Calculating- the Trans- verse 77 Strength of Columns, Calcu- lating the 76 Structures, Safe Loads iQ 73 Surface of Cylinder or Prism. 69 Surface of Frustum of Cone or Pyramid. . . GO Surface of Pyramid or Cone. . Cfl Surface of Sphere Gt) Systematic Comparison, Im- portance of 13 Table of Tin and Terne Plates. 87 Tables, Rules and Formulae. . . 67 Tables, Wages PS, 94, !).') Tank (Plumbing) 62 Terne Plates, Table of Tin and . 87 Tiekier 22, 27 Tiu,ber Schedule 18 Tin and Terne Plates, Table of. 87 Tin-Lined Lead Pipe, Weights 80 Tinning, Slating and Galvan- ized-Iron Work 58 Tm Pipe, Block 81 Tin Roofing 58, 87 Tons, to Reduce Pounds to. . . 71 Transoms and Fan Lights 42 Transverse Strength of Beams and Girders, Calculating the. 77 Trapezmm. Area of GS Trapezoid, Area of 68 Triangle, Area of 68 Trays, Wash 49 Tubs, Laundry 61 Underpinning 29 Variation in Lap, Slating 83 Veranda 3;) Vestibule and Front Doors 45 Wages Tables 93, 94, 95 Waiuscotmg and Base 49 Wash Bowls 04 Wash Stand ( Carpentry) 50 Wash Trays 49 Waste- Pipe, Lead 81 Water-Closet (Carpentry) 50 Water-Closet (Plumbiug) 63 Water. Fresh, Weight Per Cubic Foot 71 Water, Fresh, Weight Per Cubic Inch 70 Wedge, Contents of 69 Weight of Building Blater- ials 89 Weight of Wrought-Iron Plates, Calculating the 71 Weights of Lead and Tin- Lined Lead Pipe 80 Weights of Lumber, Ship- ping £G Weights, Sash 79 Wells and Cisterns 90 Window Glass 78 Windows (Carpentry) 40 Windows, Cellar (Carpentrv).. 41 Windows, Cellar (Masonry). . . 30 Windows, Dormer 41 Wrought-Iron Plates, Calcu- lating the Weight of 71 Yards, To Reduce Lineal Yards to Miles 71 Yards. Cubic, To Riduce Cubic Feet to 71 Yards, Square, To Reduce Square li'eet to 71 ERRATA. For sixteenth, seventeenth and eighteenth Hnes on jmge 70 read as follows; Cubic Inches X .00433 = U. S. Gallons. Cubic Inches X .000465 = U. S. Bushels. Cubic Inches X .00058 = Cubic Feet. For seventh and eighth lines on page 71 read as follows : Cubic Feet X 7-478 = U- H. Gallons-. Cubic Feet X .80352 = U. S. Bushels. 3 3125 00009 1377