How to Estimate a Job, by Trade
Step-by-step walkthroughs for pricing a job right, from measuring to markup. Pick your trade.
Attic Access Requirements: R807 and the Equipment Rule
Attic access under IRC R807.1 and the separate attic-appliance rule: opening sizes, the 30 inch...
Read guide →AWG Meaning: What the Wire Gauge Number Actually Tells You
AWG meaning, explained by a contractor. The gauge is a diameter, ASTM B258 defines it,...
Read guide →Concrete Slab Cost Calculator: Yards, Bags, and Price
Concrete slab cost calculator: the cost of a 30x30 concrete slab or any size, yards...
Read guide →Conduit Body: The Types, the Volume, and the Splice Rule
Conduit body explained: what NEC Article 100 calls one, the LB LL LR C T...
Read guide →Construction Calculators: 24 Free Tools That Run Your Takeoff
A construction calculator for every takeoff line: concrete yards, roofing squares, drywall sheets, paint gallons...
Read guide →Drywall Calculator: Room Size to Sheets and Mud
A drywall calculator that turns room dimensions into sheetrock sheet count, joint compound gallons, tape...
Read guide →Egress Window Requirements: The R310 Numbers That Count
Egress window requirements under IRC R310: net clear opening, sill height, window well size, which...
Read guide →Finish Carpentry: What It Covers and Where Rough Ends
Finish carpentry explained: the full scope list, the exact line between rough and finish work,...
Read guide →Flat Rate vs Hourly Plumbing Pricing: How to Choose
Flat rate vs hourly plumbing pricing: when each wins, how to set your floor and...
Read guide →Flooring Calculator: Square Feet to Boxes
A flooring calculator that turns square feet into boxes: add the sourced waste allowance, then...
Read guide →Flooring Cost Calculator: Sq Ft, Waste, and Price
A flooring cost calculator that turns room size, layout waste, and material type into the...
Read guide →Gravel Calculator: Cubic Yards and Tons of Base
A gravel calculator that converts area and depth into cubic yards, then into tons using...
Read guide →How to Calculate Labor Cost: The Burdened Rate Formula
How to calculate labor cost as a burdened hourly rate: wage, payroll taxes, insurance, and...
Read guide →How to Create a Construction Schedule: 4 Steps for 2026
How to create a construction schedule that holds: task order, a 20-day activity cap from...
Read guide →How to Estimate a Deck Building Job (2026 Guide)
How to estimate a deck building job in 2026: footprint takeoff, decking, substructure, footings, railings,...
Read guide →How to Estimate a Paint Job in 7 Steps: Full Guide and Checklist
Estimate a paint job in 6 steps: measure surfaces, calculate paint and labor, price prep...
Read guide →How to Estimate a Painting Job: 2026 Contractor’s Guide
How to estimate a painting job step by step in 2026: surface measurement, coverage rates,...
Read guide →How to Estimate a Plumbing Job: 2026 Contractor’s Guide
How to estimate a plumbing job in 2026: fixtures, rough-in labor, pipe and fittings, code...
Read guide →How to Estimate a Roofing Job: Contractor Guide 2026
How to estimate a roofing job step by step: measure squares, pick materials, price labor,...
Read guide →How to Estimate a Whole Home Remodel: A Contractor’s Guide
A contractor's framework for pricing a whole home remodel bid. Scope, unit costs, loaded labor...
Read guide →How to Estimate an HVAC Job: 2026 Contractor’s Guide
How to estimate an HVAC job in 2026: Manual J load calc, equipment selection, ductwork...
Read guide →How to Estimate Concrete Work (2026 Contractor Guide)
How to estimate concrete work in 2026: cubic-yard math, PSI and mix, rebar and forms,...
Read guide →How to Estimate Drywall Jobs (2026 Contractor Guide)
How to estimate drywall jobs with board takeoff, sheet count, finish levels, separate hang and...
Read guide →How to Estimate Electrical Work (2026 Contractor Guide)
How to estimate electrical work in 2026: device counts, wire runs, rough-in and trim labor,...
Read guide →How to Estimate Flooring Jobs (2026 Contractor Guide)
How to estimate flooring jobs with a contractor-ready takeoff, material ranges, waste, removal, subfloor prep,...
Read guide →How to Estimate Foundation Work (2026 Guide)
How to estimate foundation work in 2026: cubic-yard concrete math, excavation, footings, rebar, soil factors,...
Read guide →How to Estimate Framing (2026 Contractor Guide)
How to estimate framing in 2026: board-foot and linear-foot takeoff, lumber, sheathing, waste, roof-slope factors,...
Read guide →How to Estimate Insulation Jobs (2026 Guide)
How to estimate insulation jobs in 2026: square-foot takeoff by R-value, batts vs blown vs...
Read guide →How to Estimate Landscaping Jobs (2026 Guide)
How to estimate landscaping jobs in 2026: square-foot and linear-foot takeoff, materials by unit, crew-hour...
Read guide →How to Estimate Tile Installation (2026 Guide)
How to estimate tile installation in 2026: square-foot takeoff, thinset and grout coverage, waste by...
Read guide →How to Measure a Room for Painting: Fast Methods
How to measure a room for painting: wall area, openings, ceiling, trim, and coverage math,...
Read guide →Lath and Plaster Explained: What It Is and How to Price It
Lath and plaster explained: the historic wood lath wall, the modern ASTM C1063 and C926...
Read guide →Markup vs Margin in Construction: The Contractor’s Guide
Markup vs margin construction math explained: markup is added to cost, margin is a share...
Read guide →Mulch Calculator: Cubic Yards, Bags, and Cost
A mulch calculator that turns bed square footage and depth into cubic yards, 2 cubic...
Read guide →Paint Cost Calculator: Gallons, Coats, and Price
A paint cost calculator that turns room size, coats, and quality tier into gallons to...
Read guide →Plywood Calculator: Sheets, Coverage, and Cost
A plywood calculator that turns your area into sheets needed, total coverage, and a cost...
Read guide →Roofing Squares Calculator: Square Feet to Bundles
Convert roof square feet into roofing squares and bundles, with the pitch multiplier, published bundles...
Read guide →Siding Squares Calculator: Wall Area to Cartons
Turn wall area into siding squares and cartons, with published carton coverage by vinyl profile,...
Read guide →What Is a Bid Bond in Construction?
What is a bid bond? A surety bond that guarantees a contractor honors a winning...
Read guide →What Is a Change Order in Construction? A Contractor Guide for 2026
A change order in construction is a written, signed amendment to the contract that adjusts...
Read guide →What Is a Construction Takeoff? A 2026 Contractor Guide
What is a construction takeoff? It is the line-item count of every material a project...
Read guide →What Is a Cripple Wall? Code, Bracing and Retrofit
A cripple wall runs from the foundation to the lowest floor framing. IRC R602.9 covers...
Read guide →What Is a Draw Schedule in Construction?
What is a draw schedule? It is the plan that releases construction loan funds in...
Read guide →What Is a Header in Construction? Spans and Sizing
What is a header in construction? The beam over an opening. Read its span off...
Read guide →What Is a Lien Waiver in Construction?
A lien waiver in construction is a signed document where a contractor gives up lien...
Read guide →What Is a Punch List in Construction?
What is a punch list in construction? A clear definition, who makes it, what goes...
Read guide →What Is a RFI in Construction? A Plain-English Guide
What is a RFI in construction? A request for information that gets a written answer...
Read guide →What Is an SOV in Construction? A 2026 Contractor Guide
What is an SOV in construction? A schedule of values breaks the contract sum into...
Read guide →What Is Contingency in Construction? A 2026 Guide to the Construction Contingency Percentage
A construction contingency percentage is a reserve, usually 5 to 10 percent of cost, set...
Read guide →What Is Labor Burden in Construction?
What is labor burden in construction? The full cost of an employee beyond base wage:...
Read guide →What Is Overhead in Construction? A Contractor Guide 2026
What is overhead in construction? The indirect costs of running the business, not tied to...
Read guide →What Is Prevailing Wage in Construction?
What is prevailing wage construction pay? A sourced 2026 guide to Davis-Bacon, fringe benefits, wage...
Read guide →What Is Retainage in Construction?
What is retainage in construction? It is the percent of each payment held back until...
Read guide →Skip the math, snap a photo
SimplyWise does the takeoff and pricing for you from a photo. Free to try.
Try SimplyWise Cost Estimator →