Calculating an accurate – but still competitive – costing for a construction project can be a very difficult task. Often, due to the large scale of a project and the quantities of labour, materials and equipment involved, not to mention the added complexities with bringing in numerous subcontractors, working out a construction cost can sometimes feel like a journey into the unknown.

Digital tools can make this process significantly easier by providing good quality data about construction labour costs and also time and material costs to input into the calculations and also by crunching the numbers for you. This is just one feature of using digital tools to better control construction projects,

One aspect of calculating the total cost for a bid that can cause particular problems relates to the cost of the labour that is used on the project. But it is vital for the financial success of a project to get this right because the cost of labour makes up such a significant part of the total cost.

According to The Construction Labor Market Analyzer, your construction labour cost percentage should be anywhere from 20% to 40% of total costs. Terminology in this area can vary slightly from country to country and the specific costings that are required will vary from project to project (for example, the labour burden as a percentage or as an hourly cost).

But the descriptions below give an overview of the sorts of calculations that are necessary to establish your labour costs.

How much should my construction labor cost percentage be?

Calculate Accurate Construction Labor Costs – As you can see, even if you know exactly how to calculate labor cost formulas, doing it repeatedly for each employee, new hire, and promotion on every job is exhausting. Your time is better spent optimizing your operations for better profit margins.

What is the difference between construction labor costs vs material costs?

5. Keep in mind labor costs are often more flexible than material costs – A key difference between construction labor costs vs material costs is that the former can vary substantially whereas material costs tend to be more predictable. For example, a flooring contractor with enough experience can comfortably predict (with a great degree of accuracy) the quantity of materials required to complete a project based on its size.

• Labor costs, meanwhile, are much less predictable.
• A professional with several years of experience might take 10 hours to complete the job whereas someone with less experience might take 15.
• Costs could even lie beyond the contractor’s control if, say, the job is an outdoor one and weather conditions prevent them from working.

It’s important to keep this in mind when calculating construction labor costs vs material costs. Savvy construction management professionals apply a greater degree of flexibility to labor cost predictions.

Why is it important to estimate labor costs accurately in construction?

The Importance of Estimating Labor Costs Accurately in Construction. – You NEED accurate estimated construction quotes and labor costs in order to put in a realistic bid. The process of estimating is not about calculating the lowest possible bids and labor costs but calculating the most accurate and realistic ones.

What is the percentage of cost breakdown between Labour and materials?

PERCENTAGE OF COST BREAKDOWN BETWEEN LABOUR, MATERIALS AND CONTRACTOR PROFIT IN CONSTRUCTION. PERCENTAGE OF COST BREAKDOWN BETWEEN LABOUR, MATERIALS AND CONTRACTOR PROFIT IN CONSTRUCTION. PROFIT. In large constructions costing kes 500m and above, a modest profit of between 10 to 20% is desirable.

These are projects such as 6 storey and above high rise buildings in major towns such as in UpperHill area and over 10km long bitumen standard tarmac roads projects around the country. In smaller construction projects between kes 20m to kes 500m, a profit margin of between 15 to 25% is desirable. These are mainly murram road projects and high-rise buildings less than 6 storeys in height.

In projects costing less than 20m, profit margins of between 20 to 35% is envisioned. The larger the project cost, the smaller the % of profit. LABOUR AND MATERIALS. In most projects, labour costs approximately 25 to 35% of the total project costs, with materials taking the rest.

1. In interior design projects, the labour required is intensive and the tasks take longer and have to be carried out by highly skilled workmen e.g wood works requiring carpentry and joinery, art work, electrical/mechanical works.
2. Such works usually have a 50% ratio between labour and materials.
3. An average residential house construction will tend to have the usual 30% labour versus 70% material costs.

Within the construction, some tasks will have more % of labour than others. For example, foundation works are mainly labour based during excavation and backfilling. Walling, windows, doors, plaster will have less % of labour compared to materials, approximately 20% labour.

How much should my construction labor cost percentage be?

Calculate Accurate Construction Labor Costs – As you can see, even if you know exactly how to calculate labor cost formulas, doing it repeatedly for each employee, new hire, and promotion on every job is exhausting. Your time is better spent optimizing your operations for better profit margins.

What is the labour cost components of a construction cost?

Cost of Labour in Construction:How to Calculate Labor Cost – The labour cost components of a construction cost in percentage for small and medium size projects should be in ranges from 25% – 35% of the total overall cost, In some conditions it can goes as high as 60% from total some conditions, it can goes as high as 60% from total costs, Hence, it is a vital component of construction cost, Estimating construction labor costs can be a daunting task simply because the rates vary with the set of skills of the workers as well as location and can be extremely difficult. Labours (workers) are classified classified into 3 established labour classifications with different payment rate.

What is the average percentage of labour involved in building work?

How to Get Started with House Construction (Step by Step Guide) – Roofing, fittings, fascia board, paint, electrical works, plumbing works will mainly have more % of labour compared to materials, approximately 40 to 50%. The total works will bring the average to 30% for labour and 70% for materials.

Mtu wa Mkono – Ksh.500-800 per dayFundi – Ksh.900-2000 per day Foreman – Ksh.2000-3000 per day

What are the most difficult components of cost estimate?

Construction Labor Cost Percentage – Pricing labour is one of the most difficult difficult components of cost estimate as it includes many more variables.In most projects, labour costs approximately 25 to 35% of the total project costs, with materials taking the rest. An average residential house construction will tend to have the usual 30% labour versus 70% material costs. Within the construction, some tasks will have more % of labour than others. For example, foundation works are mainly labour based during excavation and backfilling. Walling, windows, doors, plaster will have less % of labour compared to materials, approximately 20% labour.