Hicks builders guide

The importance of such a work as "Hicks' Builders' Guide" will be apparent to all making an inspection of its contents, while everyone who will give its pages a few hours of careful consideration and attention cannot fail to appreciate the convenience and usefulness of the volume. From actual experience I know there are many things about building which, if arranged for concise and ready reference and put into book form, would be a valuable aid to carpenters, contractors and builders. The frequent inquiries which I have seen in building journals have led me to the belief that a book condensed in form, giving in an easy, practical way general items of interest and value to the trades addressed, is much needed.

In this volume it has been the object of the author to point out how mistakes may be avoided in making estimates and to introduce a practical system for making such estimates, thus enabling the carpenter or builder to do the work with greater accuracy. The information in this work has been collected from the close observation and actual experience of a practical workman, who has spent years in the execution of just that class of work with which the majority of workmen meet from day to day.

That the information, methods and rules set forth in this work may serve to instruct and benefit all who become the possessor of a copy of it is the earnest wish of THE AUTHOR.

To the carpenter and contractor there is nothing of more importance than accurate estimating, for it is one on which success in business largely depends. What is it worth? is a question very frequently asked the carpenter, and he is expected to know at once everything about a building. What is it worth to build a house like Mr. Blank's? What is it worth to build a porch on my house? What is it worth to build a bay window on my house? How much more will it cost to put sliding doors in my house than folding doors? Similar questions by the hundred are daily asked the carpenter, and the persons inquiring naturally expect a prompt answer and a reliable estimate. The question, What is it worth? is often a difficult one to answer, and when applied to a hundred different things it is no wonder the carpenter finds himself beset with difficulties. That thousands of mechanics have long felt the need of some reliable and practical method of estimating material and labor required in building there can be no doubt.

To make an estimate for a building always requires a careful consideration of the plans and specifications, as well as a considerable amount of figuring. Practical experience and personal familiarity with every item that enters into the construction of a building is what every man needs in order to become a good estimator; yet this is no reason why he cannot learn or profit from the experience of others. In this hustling, bustling age of the world the easiest, quickest and surest way of estimating is needed.

Such a method can only be acquired by close attention to business, adopting means and methods which will be a safeguard against mistakes and by learning to estimate actual quantities. Before proceeding further with this subject it will be well to explain some of the principal terms used in measuring distances, surfaces and solids.

As many of the principal parts of construction in common buildings are essentially the same, a short cut may be made in figuring the bulk of the rough work, which includes the framing, raising, sheeting, siding, roofing, laying of floors, and setting partitions. Take the number of cubic feet in the building from top of foundation to top of ridge of roof and multiply by the rate per cubic foot, which is usually from two to three cents. After estimating the rough work in this manner add all the parts that are considered of a changeable character, such as the cornice, gable trimmings, porches, bay windows, inside finish, and all parts not included in the bulk of the estimates. Of course one can see that a change in price will change the amount of the estimate, and that it is as necessary to use discriminating judgment in fixing rates for this method as in any other.
 

To successfully estimate the labor in a building everyone must fix his own rates from personal experience in doing the class of work which he is called on to perform. Tables, prices and methods are good in their way, and many times will give valuable aid in estimating, but actual experience is far better.

 
The foregoing items include those which come under the head of carpentry. Of course the contractor will have many other items on which to figure if he desires to estimate or contract for the entire job.
 
The following list, arranged in regular order, will be found to include the principal divisions of estimating an entire job, and also shows a good form for an estimate: