Estimating Concrete and

Rebar

Course objectives
• Correctly setting up an estimate
• Calculating the perimeter
• Setting up the concrete foundation takeoff
• Calculating concrete labor and material
costs

Concrete takeoff for foundations

• 3 methods to use
– building line
– center line
– sectioning

Provide HO #1

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 Building line estimates
• Used for small projects (residential)
• fast, easy

• problem – counts corners twice

Add perimeter (48 + 48 + 26 +26) = 148.0 ft. or 2(L + W)

148.0 ft x 8.0 ft x 0.83 ft = 982.72 cf.

Sectioning
• Breaks construction down into smaller
pieces

• More accurate
• More time consuming

• Use where large volumes of concrete

required, but unusual angles, etc.

2
Sectioning – red 2) 24.33 ft x 8.0 ft x 0.83 ft = 323.10 cf.
blue 2) 48.0 ft x 8.0 ft x 0.83 ft = 637.44 cf. sum = 960.54 cf

Centerline length
• Avoids adding corners twice
• Most common method in commercial wk
– Useful for conc., rebar, walls, etc.
• Formula to know:
“Outside Building line length or perimeter – (4
* thickness or width of any given strip)”
SOL = Po – (4T)

Complete in-class activity #1

calculate the amount of footing
concrete required

distance from centerline of the

construction line to the building line

= 10 inches (0.83 inches)

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 Centerline length method
• Building line length = (perimeter) = 148.0 ft
• Distance from centerline to bldg. line =
• 148.0 ft – (4*.83) = 144.67 (true perimeter)

• 144.67 ft * 8 ft * 0.83ft = 960.59 cf.

Centerline length caveat

• Only works if all walls and offsets are 90°

Quick estimating tip

• Short cut for estimating concrete in any
footing

• Multiply the cross-section in square inches

by 0.000257. Gives CY/lineal ft

• Multiply that result by number of lineal feet

in the footing

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 Quick estimating tip illustrated
• Given: A footing 7-in deep and 22-in wide
is 160-ft long.
Calculate the yards of concrete reqd.

(7" * 22")*160' * .000257 = 6.33 CY

DO NOT Convert inches to decimals except when

part of next foot (e.g., 38’-7”)

Estimating footings (pads)

Estimating footings (pads)

• List the description or title from schedule
Provide HO#2

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 Calculating Rebar
• Rebar – weight per
linear foot

• See text (pg. 133 for

splicing req.

Calculating formwork
• 2 Types
– Structural (concrete) formwork
• Foundations
• Walls
• Columns
• Beams
– Flatwork (flat concrete work)
• Sidewalks
• Driveways
• Slabs

Structural (concrete) formwork

• Formwork – measured in SFCA

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 Measuring concrete walls
• Use centerline
length * height
*2

Refer to HO#1
Calculate the formwork
and concrete required for
the wall

Labor placing concrete in

foundations
• 50- 70 CY/8 hr day
(direct from truck to
footing)

How is labor calculated?

Quantity of Work
Duration =
Rate of Production

Using HO #1 calculate the duration of the footing

installation
(0.35 labor hours/CY – use a price of 35$/hour/man

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 Course objectives
• Correctly setting up an estimate
• Calculating the perimeter
• Setting up the concrete foundation takeoff
• Calculating concrete labor and material
costs