As a hardscape contractor, accurately forecasting labor hours is crucial to the success of any project. Accurate labor hour estimation can help you stay within budget, meet project timelines, and ultimately deliver high-quality results. However, estimating labor hours accurately can be challenging, particularly if you are dealing with an abundance of variables. This article will discuss some tips for forecasting estimated labor hours to be close to actual labor hours.
- Track production rates. To do this it helps to have a library of definable, measurable tasks that can then be performed and tracked. This data can then be applied to future projects.
- Utilizing systematized estimating tools like ScapeCubed spreadsheets which break complex projects down into tasks, apply production rates, and employee material formulas which can keep you from starting from scratch with each new estimate. Using the right tools can help you to estimate labor hours quickly and accurately as well as assist you with keeping things from falling through the cracks.
- Field Goals (goals for the field crew) Make sure that everyone is on the same page and that there is clear communication about the list of tasks the estimator accounted for as well as the durations of those tasks.
In conclusion, forecasting estimated labor hours to be close to actual labor hours is essential for hardscaping contractors. By having a production rate library, utilizing an estimating system that breaks projects down into smaller tasks and automates calculations, and communicating effectively with your team, you can, God willing, improve the accuracy of your labor hour estimates and ultimately deliver high-quality results.
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