Estimating in Building Construction

Finishes 211

Tile

Tile may be used on floors and walls. The tile used for floors
is usually ceramic or quarry tile, whereas the tile used for
walls and wainscots may be ceramic, plastic, or metal.
Ceramic tile is available in exterior or interior grades,
glazed or unglazed. Individual tile size may range from 3/8 
3/8 inches to 16 16 inches. Tile may come in individual
pieces or sheets of 1/2 to 2^1 ⁄ 4 sf per sheet. Tile mounted in
sheets will be much less expensive to install than unmounted
tile. Ceramic tiles come in various shapes and a wide range
of sizes and colors. The tile may be installed by use of port-
land cement mortar, dry-set mortar, organic adhesives, and
epoxy mortars. The portland cement mortar is used where
leveling or slopes are required in the subfloor; the thickness
of this mortar ranges from 3/4 to 1^1 ⁄ 4 inches, and it requires
damp curing. The mortar will receive a coat of neat grout
cement coating and the tile will be installed over the neat
cement. The other methods are primarily thin-set (1/16 to
1/4 inch) one-coat operations. After the tile has been
installed, the joints must be grouted. The grouts may be
portland cement-based, epoxies, resins, and latex.

Specifications. The type of tile (material) should be
determined for each space for which it is specified. The type of
tile and the finish often vary considerably throughout the job.
The specifications usually provide a group from which a tile
will be selected and a price range (e.g., American Olean, price
range A). The groupings and price ranges vary among manu-
facturers, so care must be taken in the use of specifications
written in this manner. Other specifications will spell out pre-
cisely what is required in each area, which makes it easier to
make an accurate estimate. Each area requiring different
types, sizes, or shapes of tile must be taken off separately.
The methods of installation must be noted, and if the
methods vary throughout the job, they must be kept separate.
The type of grout required in each area must also be noted.
The types of trimmers are also included in the specifica-
tions. The number of trimmers required is kept separate
from the rest of the tile takeoff because it is more expensive.
Note exactly what is required, because some trimmer shapes
are much more expensive than others. The contractor
should bid what is specified, and if the specifications are not
clear, they should contact the architect/engineer.

Estimating. Floor and wall tiles are estimated by the
square foot. Each area must be kept separate, according to
the size and type being used. It is common to have one type
of tile on the floor and a different type on the walls. The dif-
ferent colors also vary in cost even if the size of the tile is the
same, so caution is advised. The trim pieces should be taken
off by the linear feet of each type required. Because of the
large variety of sizes and shapes at varying costs, the specifi-
cations must be checked carefully, and the bid must reflect
what is required. If portland cement mortar is used as a
base, it is installed by the tile contractor. This requires the
purchase of cement, sand, and sometimes wire mesh. Tile

available in sheets is much more quickly installed than indi-

vidual tiles. Adhesives are sold by the gallon or sack, and

approximate coverage is obtained from the manufacturer.

The amount of grout used depends on the size of the tile.

When figuring wall tile, estimators note the size of the

room, number of internal and external corners, height of

wainscot, and types of trim. Small rooms require more labor

than large ones. A tile setter can set more tile in a large room

than in several smaller rooms in a given time period.

Accessories are also available and, if specified, should be

included in the estimate. The type and style are in the speci-

fications. They may include soap holders, tumbler holders,

toothbrush holders, grab rails, paper holders, towel bars and

posts, doorstops, hooks, shelf supports, or combinations of

these. These accessories are sold individually, so the number

required of each type must be taken off. The accessories may

be recessed, flush, or flanged, and this also must be noted.

16–15 Painting

The variables that affect the cost of painting include the

material painted, the shape and location of the surface

painted, the type of paint used, and the number of coats

required. Each of the variables must be considered, and the

takeoff must list the different conditions separately.

Although painting is one of the items commonly sub-

contracted, the estimator should still take off the quantities

so that the subcontractor’s proposal can be checked. In tak-

ing off the quantities, the square feet of the surface are taken

off the drawings, and all surfaces that have different variables

must be listed separately. With this information, the amount

of materials can be determined by the use of the manufac-

turer’s information on coverage per gallon.

The following methods for taking off the painting areas

are suggested, with interior and exterior work listed separately.

Interior

Walls—actual area in square feet

Ceiling—actual area in square feet

Floor—actual area in square feet

Trim—linear footage (note width); amount of door and

window trim

Stairs—square footage

Windows—size and number of each type, square feet

Doors—size and number of each type, square feet

Baseboard radiation covers—linear feet (note height)

Columns, beams—square feet

Exterior

Siding—actual area in square feet

Trim—linear footage (note width)

Doors—square feet of each type

Windows—square feet of each type

Masonry—square footage (deduct openings over 50 sf )