C33 Job-Specific Estimating: Material and Labor Calculations 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When estimating paint for a room with 8-ft ceilings, a contractor uses the perimeter method. The room is 14 ft × 18 ft. What is the gross wall area before deducting openings?
- 512 sq ft (Correct answer)
- 504 sq ft
- 480 sq ft
- 256 sq ft
Correct answer: 512 sq ft
Perimeter = (14 + 18) × 2 = 64 ft; gross wall area = 64 × 8 ft ceiling height = 512 sq ft.
Question 2: A painting contractor adds a 10% waste factor when ordering materials. If the calculated need is 22 gallons of paint, how many gallons should be ordered and what is the cost at $38 per gallon?
- 25 gallons / $950 (Correct answer)
- 24 gallons / $912
- 22 gallons / $836
- 26 gallons / $988
Correct answer: 25 gallons / $950
22 × 1.10 = 24.2 gallons, rounded up to 25 gallons; 25 × $38 = $950.
Question 3: A C-33 contractor is estimating a fence painting job. The fence is 180 linear feet, 6 ft tall, and must be painted on both sides. Coverage is 300 sq ft per gallon. How many gallons are needed?
- 7.2 gallons (round up to 8) (Correct answer)
- 6 gallons
- 3.6 gallons (round up to 4)
- 12 gallons
Correct answer: 7.2 gallons (round up to 8)
Both sides: 180 × 6 × 2 = 2,160 sq ft; 2,160 ÷ 300 = 7.2 gallons, rounded up to 8 gallons.
Question 4: An estimator calculates that a job requires 40 labor hours. If the contractor's burden rate (taxes, insurance, benefits) is 32% on top of the $50/hr wage, what is the total loaded labor cost?
- $2,640 (Correct answer)
- $2,000
- $2,400
- $3,200
Correct answer: $2,640
Loaded rate: $50 × 1.32 = $66/hr; total: 40 × $66 = $2,640.
Question 5: A painting contractor is bidding a job with $4,500 in materials and $6,800 in labor. If the contractor applies 18% overhead to the combined direct costs, what is the overhead amount?
- $2,034 (Correct answer)
- $810
- $1,224
- $2,484
Correct answer: $2,034
Combined direct costs: $4,500 + $6,800 = $11,300; overhead: $11,300 × 0.18 = $2,034.
Question 6: A contractor must paint the interior of a cylindrical water tank with a diameter of 10 ft and a height of 15 ft (sides only, no top or bottom). Using π = 3.14, what is the paintable surface area?
- 471 sq ft (Correct answer)
- 942 sq ft
- 235.5 sq ft
- 314 sq ft
Correct answer: 471 sq ft
Circumference = π × diameter = 3.14 × 10 = 31.4 ft; lateral area = 31.4 × 15 = 471 sq ft.
Question 7: A painting estimate shows materials at $3,200, labor at $5,400, and subcontractors at $800. The contractor wants a 15% net profit on the total selling price. What should the total bid be?
- $11,059 (Correct answer)
- $10,800
- $9,400
- $10,810
Correct answer: $11,059
Direct costs: $3,200 + $5,400 + $800 = $9,400; for 15% profit on selling price: $9,400 ÷ (1 − 0.15) = $9,400 ÷ 0.85 = $11,059.
C33 Job-Specific Estimating: Material and Labor Calculations 5
When estimating paint for a room with 8-ft ceilings, a contractor uses the perimeter method.
The room is 14 ft × 18 ft.
What is the gross wall area before deducting openings?