Calculating material costs - Page 2 - TilersForums.co.uk | Tile Forums

**sWe** · 09-04-2008

Good mate. There shouldn't be any problems with that, but if you're using excel, there might be some compatibility issues, as I made the original file in OpenOffice. Please tell me what you think when you've tried it more thoroughly

**sWe** · 09-04-2008

Found an error in a cell. The WPC sheet cost summary lacked a referance to the WP membrane cost summary. Fixed it. New file attached to this post.

**Dan** · 10-04-2008

Excellent contribution sWe! Well done mate.

**sWe** · 10-04-2008

Thanks mate

I enjoyed making it

**whitebeam** · 18-04-2008

Can see why you got the green stripe, Impressive swe.

demi34 · 18-04-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by sWe

Hiho. Long post ahead.

I've already upped a version of my spreadsheet for calculating material amounts and costs.

I feel it didn't really get the attention it deserved, so I beefed it up with more calculators. I've also made it simpler to use, and more precise.

I also figure people didn't want to spend time figuring out numbers before knowing what the damn thing could do

Therefore, it comes with the products I use listed. Most of them aren't availible on the UK market, as there are different regulations over here in Sweden. I've included them for demonstrational purposes.

I think it's awesome. Once you've entered the specs of the products you use, which you only need to do one time, it literally takes less than two minutes to figure out exactlly how much you need for a particular job, and how much it's going to cost.

It includes calculators for primer (with a function for dilution with water), leveling compounds (with a function for dilution with sand or granite chippings), waterproofing systems, adhesives, grout, and silicone. It sums up the costs automatically, and calculates the cost per square metre.

I figure it's going to be particularly useful to those who are new at this game, and who don't "measure with the eyes" yet.

Instructions are included. Any questions, just ask.

Tell me if you like it once you've tried it. Feedback is very welcome. Do tell if I translated anything poorly, or not at all

/sWe

Edit: Updated the file.

jocky102 · 02-05-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by sWe

That's kind of the point; instead sticking your finger in the air and estimating rough numbers like "4 to 5 sqm per bag", you can get fairly precise numbers very quickly, while still allowing for a little waste.

I did a comparison, where I estimated from experience how much of what I needed for a 22m2 bathroom. My eye-estimate was materials for around £590 (bear in mind that things are more expensive where I live, and the regs are different). When I entered the specs of the room into the spreadsheet, the result was £530. That's a total differance of £60 (£3 per square metre).

That's enough to lose you the job when quoting.

You'll also avoid buying too little of something.

Edit: Indeed I have, Grumpy

honestly swe i dont think £3 a m2 would lose a job, i know £60 might sound alot but when you have been recommended ( i haven't advertised in years) the people hear about your reputation and take you on even though your a tad more than the next guy, dont under estimate the power of networking and word of mouth from a satisfied customer. i do what other tilers dont do... my wife phones the customer up about 7-10 days after i have finished their tiling to make sure everything is ok, the reason i get the wife to do it is because it is less threatening when a woman does it, and most people dont like confrontation face to face (some will look at a **** job and be to afraid to say ... oh what about that etc), so on the phone as we all know it is easier, and to a female makes it easier still, all she asks is * hi my name is blablabla, i am from blabla my husband tiled blabla and i was just making a follow up call to make sure you are happy with everything, i mean if grout has cracked (wont because i use flexi BUT still ask) or tile moved etc, i will send john around as soon as possible.. you would be surprised how many referals i have gotten because my wife phones and cares (ok now you all know im under the thumb lol), but at the end of the day its all about customer care, customer care has gone to crap lately and people dont look after their customers as they should.