Calculating material costs

[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.

[Fekin]

Might be useful for new tilers maybe, I don't know.

I just look at a job, measure up and generally work on 4 to 5 sqm per bag of this and that, know the shop prices and it's all done in a few mins.

[grumpygrouter]

You've been a busy boy sWe!

[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

[TheWrightTiler]

i have tried these out and find that they are very accurate if u put the correct details in

for people who go away and prepare quotes they are brilliant, me i prefer to deal with it there and then and enter the details onto a pre printed sheet, again i know the prices i pay and adjust accordingly lol

again tho these files are magic

andy

[Carl Hammond]

I am sitting my course in 2 weeks and feel this could be handy to use at thestart, I will let you knwo, I am gonig to look through it and see whats there etc later.

Cheers

[sWe]

Thanks for the feedback. If you think something's missing, give me a shout and I'll add it (sealers/impregnators perhaps?).

Cheers.

[Carl Hammond]

I cant make any ammendments to it or add prices, its protected as a document so viewable but un-usable mate?

[grumpygrouter]

Originally Posted by Carl Hammond

I cant make any ammendments to it or add prices, its protected as a document so viewable but un-usable mate?

Mine works!

[sWe]

The cells where the actual calculations are done are protected, so you don't accidentaly edit them. The cells where you enter specs and prices and so on, are not. If I've accidentaly protected any of those cells, the password for unprotecting the the sheets and the document, is listed on the summary page.

Also, some names and results are transfered automatically from the calculators to the cost compilers. If that's the case, the cells are grayed out. The only exception that that (I just noticed), is the grout density value cells. They are very light gray, but editable. I'll change that in the next version of the sheet if it's confusing.


Edit:

I made the use of colors more uniform. The color of each cell hints at where they're supposed to be inserted.

[robbo]

Thanks swe, will make good use of that!

[Carl Hammond]

Cheers mate - I fonud the prob the protection on sheets was on, I have taken this off and I can now update things, cheers.