Tips for concrete estimation


Estimating concrete reinforcing costs is a vital phase of a construction. For ascertaining this keep in mind that the reinforcing steel supplier has taken account of all accessories, cutting, bending, and allowances for lapping, splicing, and waste. When no lap specifications are mentioned add 10% to your quantities for lapping, splices, and waste. Also consider 10% waste for welded wire fabric.

Consider the labor unit price for the subdivision of Reinforcing to put in accessories like bean and slab bolsters, high chairs, bar ties and tie wire

Besides checking structural drawings and architectural drawing, also take into consideration the mechanical and electrical drawings for equipment pads and grouting requirements on steel drawings

Deduct small (two square feet or so) while making estimation of the concrete quantities for floor slabs or walls.

One can avail the concrete prices from suppliers near the job site. A volume discount is obtainable which depends on the competition in the area. Don’t forget to add for waste on the whole for slabs and footings on grade.

In the case of compression testing for a project consider a least amount of one test per pour on smaller pours and a smallest amount of one test for each fifty yards of concrete placed. Each test should comprise of a minimum set of three cylinders.

For structural concrete estimation, includes the requisites for concrete additives, curing methods and surface treatments. Also give consideration to climate conditions alongwith hot or cold weather conditions, prerequisites for concrete placing and finishing methods and equipment.

For estimating precisely the components like formwork, reinforcing steel, ready-mix concrete, placement of the concrete mix, finishing of the surface, and curing should also be considered.


In order to finish the concrete surface a good rule of thumb for finishing concrete permits 1,000 S.F. of slab per each cement finisher.