Estimating

With a
Spreadsheet by Bill Lacey

Learning some advanced functions will save loads of time

I n my past job as an estimator for a lumberyard, I did hun-

dreds of material takeoffs every year, and I still do them in
my current job as an architectural draftsman. Some estimators
use specialized software, but I estimate the same way many
contractors do — with a spreadsheet. Almost any spreadsheet Download for Easier Reading
will do; I happen to use Excel. As you read this article, you can open the
You can create a spreadsheet estimating template without author’s estimating spreadsheet and fol-
knowing more than a few basic functions — how to add, sub- low along. To download the spreadsheet,
tract, multiply, and divide. But it’s worth taking the time to learn go to www.jlconline.com/spreadsheets.
a few more advanced functions: Not only will you be able to use
them in your estimating spreadsheet, but you’ll be able to create
spreadsheets for many other construction calculations as well. Roof Area Calculations
Estimating materials is all about calculating areas and vol- The first thing I do when estimating a roof is figure out its
umes — something you can do faster and more reliably with a area. For the purpose of this article, let’s say we’re looking at a
spreadsheet than with a calculator. When you use a template, simple L-shaped house with a pair of 6/12 gables. The plans
the formulas are already in place, so all you have to do is key in indicate that, including overhangs, the roof measures 1,820
dimensions from the prints, which greatly reduces the chance square feet on the flat. But since the sloping area is greater
for keystroke errors. than the flat area, you’ll need more material than that.
My estimating template has many worksheets, or tabs. Since You could scale the slope distance from an elevation and
the worksheets for the roof contain many advanced functions, use it to calculate the area of the roof, but as an estimator I’ve
I’ll use them to show how the template works. Most of the learned not to scale from prints. It’s too easy to make a mis-
buildings I estimate use trusses, so the template isn’t set up to take, especially when they’re drawn to 1 ⁄ 4-inch or 1 ⁄ 8-inch
estimate rafters. It does, however, contain worksheets for other scale. Plus, if the prints were drawn by hand or subsequently
roof components, like sheathing, finish roofing material, and copied, they may not actually be to scale.
wood and metal trim. Pitch factor. I prefer to put a formula in the template and let

OCTOBER 2006 I JLC I 1

Estimating With a Spreadsheet

Le n g
th o
f slo
Pitch Factor pe

50'

Pythagorean theorem:
A2 + B2 = C2
30' C 62 + 122 = 180
180 = 13.4164
A
B Sloping distance ÷ unit run = pitch factor
Run 13.4164 ÷ 12 = 1.118034

Pitch factor × run = length of slope

20'
Pitch factor × area on the flat = sloped area
1.118034 × 1,820 sq. ft. = 2,035 sq. ft.

16'
the spreadsheet calculate the slope. It’s faster than using a
calculator and there’s less chance of a mistake. All I have to
do is enter the area on the flat in one cell and the pitch in
12 another, and the template creates a pitch factor, which it
6 uses to calculate the sloped area of the roof (see Figure 1).
12 The pitch factor is the ratio between the sloping distance
6
and the run. Multiplying the area on the flat by this number
gives you the area on the slope. To calculate a pitch factor,
start with the Pythagorean theorem:

A2 + B2 = C2
Figure 1. Plans typically show horizontal
A is the rise, B is the run, and C is the sloping distance. For
and vertical dimensions and the slope of
the roof. This roof is 1,820 square feet on a 6/12 roof, A equals 6, B equals 12, and C equals the square
the flat, but to estimate sheathing and root of 180 (6 2 + 12 2). The square root of 180 is 13.4164. The
roofing materials it’s necessary to deter-
formula for the pitch factor is:
mine the area on the slope. First, using the
Pythagorean theorem, calculate the slope sloping distance / unit run = pitch factor
distance — 13.4164 inches per foot of run
for a 6/12 roof. The ratio between this 13.4164 / 12 = 1.118034
slope distance and a unit of run is called
the pitch factor. Multiplying the run of the Think of this number as a percentage: Rounded up, it tells
roof by the pitch factor gives the slope, or us that the distance up the slope of a 6/12 roof is 112 per-
rake, distance of that roof. Multiplying the cent of the horizontal run.
area of the roof on the flat by the pitch
With the pitch factor, we can easily determine the sloped
factor gives the sloped area of the roof.
area of the roof:

pitch factor x area on the flat = sloped area of the roof

1.118034 x 1,820 sq. ft. = 2,035 sq. ft.

OCTOBER 2006 I JLC I 2

 =E8*SQRT(POWER(E9,2)+144)/12
A B C D E F G H I J

1 MISC. ROOF FRAMING (assume truss roof) Adds length of eaves to

2 Prompt Value LF of Subfascia 210 length of gables =E4+E6
3 LF of Ribbon (cleat for flat soffit) 121 SQF of Roof Sheathing 2035

4 LF of Eaves 124

Eave Overhang in Decimal Foot (i.e. 16" = 1.333) 2 Calculates sloped area by taking the flat area
5
found in E8 and multiplying it by a pitch factor
6 LF of Gables (sloped) 86
=E8*SQRT(POWER(E9,2)+144)/12
7 Gable Overhang in Decimal Foot (i.e. 16" = 1.333) 2

8 Flat SQF of Roof 1820

Roof Pitch (X/12) 6

This is where the estimator enters the
9
flat roof area taken off the prints
10

11
Square Foot of Gable Ends 257 This is where the estimator enters
12
the roof pitch, in this case 6/12
13

14 Item Use Qty Unit Waste%

15 2x4-16' SPF #2 & Btr Ribbons 9.00 Each 10.00% Determines sheathing quantity
2x4-16' SPF #2 & Btr Lookouts 7.00 Each 10.00%
by taking sloped area found in
16
I3, dividing by 32, multiplying by
2x6-16' SPF #2 & Btr Ladders 7.00 Each 10.00%
17 a 15% waste factor, and rounding
18 2x6-16' SPF #2 & Btr Subfascia 21.00 Each 10.00% up to the next full sheet
19 4'x8' OSB or CDX Roof Sheathing Sheathing 74.00 Each 15.00% ROUNDUP((I3/32)*(1+I19),0)
20 4'x8' OSB Gable Sheathing Sheathing 9.00 Sheet 10.00%

Roof Sheathing Spacer Clips Sheathing 2.00 Carton 0.00%

21 Calculates number of fasteners
22 8D Nail - Bostitch 2000/Box Fasteners 2.57 Box 0.00% for roof and gable sheathing
23 16D Nail - Bostitch 2000/Box Fasteners 0.41 Box 0.00% assuming 62 nails per sheet
9'x100' Tyvek Housewrap Waterproof 0.26 Roll 0.00%
and 2,000 nails per box
24
=(G19+G20)*62/2,000
25 2"x165' Tyvek Tape Waterproof 0.26 Roll 0.00%

26
Figure 2. When doing a roof takeoff, the author enters quantities and dimensions
in the yellow-highlighted cells of this worksheet. Other cells contain formulas that
convert the takeoff quantities into a materials list. For example, cell I3 calculates
the sloped area of the roof. The formula is already in the template; all the estima-
tor has to do is enter the area of the roof on the flat and the roof pitch.

This formula will work for any roof where all the areas are power), you would enter =POWER(6,3).
the same pitch. If the roof has more than one pitch, then We need to convert A 2 + B 2 = C 2 into language that Excel
you’ll have to use separate pitch factors for each area. The can understand. Since we’re talking about a 6/12 roof, the
estimating template has been simplified for this story; my calculation would be:
regular estimating template contains additional rows that
(6)2 + (12)2 = C2
can be used when the roof has more than one pitch.
As you’ve guessed, the convention for entering a formula
Putting the Formula Into Excel in Excel is to put an equal sign in front of it. So for a 6/12 roof
While a carpenter may understand these formulas, Excel the cell entry to solve for C2 would be:
can’t use them unless they’re written in a certain format.
=POWER(6,2)+POWER(12,2)
Squaring a number, as in 62, is the same as raising the num-
ber to the second power. Since we usually work in pitches that show a rise over 12,
In Excel, you can square the number 6 by entering this we can simplify the formula by using the number 144 (12
formula into a cell: squared) in place of the second POWER function. The sim-
plified entry would be:
=POWER(6,2)
=POWER(6,2)+144
That tells the program to raise the number 6 to the power
of 2. To square the number 4 you’d enter =POWER(4,2). Some plans show rise over 10. In that case you would sub-
If you wanted to cube the number 6 (raise it to the third stitute the number 100 (10 2) for 144.

OCTOBER 2006 I JLC I 3

Estimating With a Spreadsheet

This cell reference is used to

=‘26-MRF’!I3 insert the value found in cell I3
A B C D E F G H I J K
of worksheet 26-MRF
1 ROOF COVERAGE
=‘26-MRF’!I3
2 Prompt Value
3 SQF of Roof to be Shingled 2035
4 LF of Eaves 124
5 LF of Gables 86 This cell reference is used to
6 LF of Hip Corners 0 insert the value found in cell
7 LF of Valleys 24 E6 of worksheet 26-MRF
8 LF of Ridge 78 =‘26-MRF’!E6
9 Enter 1 for 30# Felt 0
10 Enter 1 for Dimensional Shingles 1
11 Number of Surface Mount Vents 18
12 LF of Preformed Step Flashing 0 These yellow cells are where
13
the estimator enters numbers
14 Item Use Qty Unit Waste% taken from the prints
15 Felt - 15# 432 sqf Felt 5.00 Roll 0.00%
16 Felt - 30# 216 sqf Felt 0.00 Roll 0.00%
17 "W" Style Valley Flashing 20"x10' W.Wood Flashing 3.00 Each 0.00%
18 2.5"x2.5" Preformed Flashing Flashing 0.00 Box 0.00%
19 Granulated Ice & Water Shield Shingles 3.00 Roll 0.00%
Shingle Starter Shingles 2.00 Bundle 0.00%
Waste factors are in yellow
20
30' Omni Low Profile Ridge Vent Vent 3.00 Roll 0.00%
because the estimator may
21
OC Pro 30 Dimensional Shingles Shingles 74.00 Bundle 20.00%
want to change them on par-
22
OC Supreme 3-Tab Shingles Shingles 0.00 Bundle 10.00%
ticular jobs
23
24 OC Supreme 3-Tab Shingles Shingles 3.00 Bundle 10.00%
25 Lomanco Roof Vent #750 Black Vent 18.00 Each 0.00%
26 OSI Roof Cement 29oz Sealant 2.00 Each 0.00%
27 White Aluminum Drip Edge Finish Edge 9.00 Each 0.00%
28 White Aluminum Gutter Apron Finish Edge 13.00 Each 0.00% Figure 3. The same takeoff data is
29 5/16" Duo-Fast Staples Fasteners 5.00 Carton 0.00% often used in many parts of an esti-
30 Accuchoice 1-1/4" Coil Roofing Nails Fasteners 5.00 Box 0.00% mate. The area of roof to be shingled
31 2" Galvanized Roofing Nails Fasteners 5.00 Pound 0.00% roughly matches the area to be
32
sheathed, so the worksheet for roof
covering uses cell references to trans-
fer this area as well as other data
from the previous tab.

Finding the Square Root sloped roof area of the roof described above, we can now
To find the sloping distance of a 6/12 roof, we must solve multiply by the area on the flat (1,820 square feet). The for-
for C in the equation A 2 + B 2 = C 2. So far, we’ve only entered mula now reads:
A 2 + B 2. C is the square root of A 2 + B 2. To find the square
=1820*SQRT(POWER(6,2)+144)/12
root, we add =SQRT in front of the formula:
The result is 2,035, the square footage of sheathing
=SQRT(POWER(6,2)+144)
needed for the roof.
Note the outer set of parentheses, which tells Excel to This formula is not quite ready to be put into the estimat-
treat (Power(6,2)+144) as a single number. (There should ing template. The way it reads now, you would have to
always be the same number of parentheses facing left as change some of the numbers every time you did an esti-
there are facing right.) mate. For example, if the roof had a 7/12 pitch, you’d have
The result is 13.41641. To convert this number to a pitch to change the 6 to a 7. And if the roof was 2,500 sq. ft. on the
factor, you divide it by 12. The formula will now read: flat, you’d have to change 1,820 sq. ft. to 2,500 sq. ft.
It would be much better to put the formula into the tem-
=SQRT(POWER(6,2)+144)/12
plate once and then leave it alone. The way to do that is to
The result is 1.118034 — the pitch factor. To find the use cell references for the values that change.

OCTOBER 2006 I JLC I 4

Estimating With a Spreadsheet

A B
OC Supreme 3-Tab Shingles Shingles 0.00 Bund
OC Supreme 3-Tab Shingles Shingles 3.00 Bund
Lomanco Roof Vent #750 Black Vent 18.00 Each
=
A B C D E F G H OSI Roof Cement 29oz Sealant 2.00 Each
1 ROOF COVERAGE White Aluminum Drip Edge Finish Edge 9.00 Each
2 Prompt Value White Aluminum Gutter Apron Finish Edge 13.00 Each
3 SQF of Roof to be Shingled = 5/16" Duo-Fast Staples Fasteners 5.00 Carto
4 LF of Eaves 124 Accuchoice 1-1/4" Coil Roofing Nails Fasteners 5.00 Box
5 LF of Gables 86 2" Galvanized Roofing Nails Fasteners 5.00 Poun
6 LF of Hip Corners 0
7 LF of Valleys 24
8 LF of Ridge 78
9 Enter 1 for 30# Felt 0
Enter 1 for Dimensional Shingles 1
10
11 Number of Surface Mount Vents 18 C
12 LF of Preformed Step Flashing 0
13
E F G H I J
14 Item Use Qty Unit
15 Felt - 15# 432 sqf Felt 5.00 Roll
16 Felt - 30# 216 sqf Felt 0.00 Roll Value LF of Subfascia 210

17 "W" Style Valley Flashing 20"x10' W.Wood Flashing 3.00 Each 121 SQF of Roof Sheathing 2035
18 2.5"x2.5" Preformed Flashing Flashing 0.00 Box
124

2
Figure 4. Cell references transfer data from one cell to 86
another, even a cell on a different worksheet. To create a 2
cell reference between worksheets, first type = in the cell
that is to contain the reference. In this case, it’s cell E3 of the
roof coverage tab (A). Next, click the tab of the worksheet
D
that contains the cell you want to refer to (B). Then click the
='26-MRF'!I3
cell that contains the data you want (C) and hit the enter key. A B C D E F
This will take you back to the original worksheet, where the 1 ROOF COVERAGE
cell reference is now embedded in the original cell (D). The 2 Prompt Value
reference shown here tells Excel that E3 equals whatever 3 SQF of Roof to be Shingled 2035
number happens to be in cell I3 of 26-MRF. If the quantity 4 LF of Eaves 124
of roof sheathing in I3 changes, Excel will automatically 5 LF of Gables 86
update the value for “SQF of Roof to be Shingled.” 6 LF of Hip Corners 0
7 LF of Valleys 24

Cell References the cell references apply to cells on the same worksheet. But
A cell reference tells Excel where to find a particular piece of what if you want to refer to cells on a different worksheet?
data. This saves you from having to enter the same number For example, the area of roof that has to be sheathed was
multiple times and places — an incredibly useful function calculated on the miscellaneous roof framing tab, but I need
that’s worth mastering. to use the same number to estimate shingles on the tab
So instead of changing the roof area formula for every esti- for roof covering (Figure 3, page 4). I could manually transfer
mate, I substitute cell references for the values that change this number to the roof covering tab, but it would be safer
(Figure 2, page 3). On the miscellaneous roof framing tab, and faster to do it by creating a reference to a cell on a differ-
the area on the flat (1,820) is in cell E8 and the pitch (6) is in ent tab (Figure 4). That way, if a design change alters the
E9. With these cell references, the formula reads: amount of roof sheathing, the shingle quantity automatically
updates to the correct amount.
=E8*SQRT(POWER(E9,2)+144)/12

With this formula in place, we can enter any area on the flat Rounding Up to Full Pieces
we want in E8 and any pitch we want in E9 and the spread- If you wanted to sheathe an 8-foot-by-10-foot area, you’d
sheet will automatically calculate the sloped area of that roof. need 80 square feet of plywood or OSB. That’s two-and-a-
Creating references between tabs. In the formula above, half sheets, but since you can’t buy half sheets you’ll have to

OCTOBER 2006 I JLC I 5

Estimating With a Spreadsheet

=ROUNDUP(I2*(1+I11)/16,0)
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N

1 CEDAR SOFFIT & FASCIA

Prompt Value LF of Fascia 210 For every LF of eaves there will be

2
an LF of vent strip
LF of Ribbon 121 SQF of Soffit 315
3
=E4
4 LF of Eaves 124 LF of Vent Strip 124

5 Eave Overhang in Decimal Foot (i.e. 16" = 1.333) 1.50

6 LF of Gables 86

Gable Overhang in Decimal Foot (i.e. 16" = 1.333) 1.50

Determines the number of 16-foot
7
pieces by taking the LF of fascia found
SQF of Porch Soffit 0
8 in I2, dividing by 16, multiplying by the
9 waste factor found in Ill, and rounding
10 Item Use Qty Unit Waste% up to the next full board
1x8- 16' Rough Cedar Fascia Fascia 15.00 Each 10.00% =ROUNDUP(I2*(1+I11)/16,0)
11

12 3/8" 4'x8' R/S Fir Soffit Soffit 11.00 Each 10.00%

13 2"x8"-8' Soffit Vent Strips Soffit 18.00 Each 10.00%

14 2x2-8' Cedar S4S Soffit Trim Soffit 17.00 Each 10.00% Determines the number of 8-foot vent
10D Galvanized Splitless Anchor Nails Fasteners 3.00 Pound 10.00%
strips by taking the LF of vent found
15
in I4, dividing by 8, multiplying by the
16 waste factor found in I13, and round-
17 ing up to the next full piece
18
Tabs for worksheets =ROUNDUP((I4/8)*(1+I13),0)
19

20
round up to three sheets to sheathe that area. You can tell
the spreadsheet to do this by using the ROUNDUP function.
Be aware that this is different from formatting a cell to
Figure 5. The ROUNDUP function tells Excel to simply round to the nearest full number, because the cell
round quantities up to the next full unit — the next could just as easily round down.
full piece, sheet, box, or pound. Don’t format a cell The ROUNDUP function can be found in many places
to simply round to the nearest full number; there’s
always the chance that the program will round within my estimating template (Figure 5). For example, on
down and you’ll come up short on material. tab 29-CSF the spreadsheet calculates the number of 16-foot
pieces of 1x8 cedar it will take to trim the rakes and eaves.
The formula, in cell 11G, reads:

=ROUNDUP(I2*(1+I11)/16,0)

Note that the formula is telling the spreadsheet to take the

value from I2 (210 lineal feet of fascia) and multiply it by 1
plus the value in cell I11 (a 10 percent waste factor).

I2*(1+I11)

210 x (1 + .1)

210 x 1.1 = 231

We want to buy 16-foot pieces of stock, so we divide the

231 lineal feet of trim by 16. The formula now reads:

I2*(1+I11)/16

231/16 = 14.44
OCTOBER 2006 I JLC I 6
Estimating With a Spreadsheet

=ROUNDUP(IF(E9=0,(E3/432)*(1+I15)),0)
A B C D E F G H I J K
1 ROOF COVERAGE
Prompt Value
2 This cell indicates the type of felt we plan to use. It
SQF of Roof to be Shingled 2035
3 normally contains a 0, which means we want 15#
LF of Eaves 124
4 felt. But if we enter a 1, it means we want 30# felt
5 LF of Gables 86
6 LF of Hip Corners 0
7 LF of Valleys 24
8 LF of Ridge 78
9 Enter 1 for 30# Felt 0
This cell contains the formula
10 Enter 1 for Dimensional Shingles 1
=ROUNDUP(IF(E9=0,(E3/432)*(1+I15)),0),
11 Number of Surface Mount Vents 18
which calculates the number of 432-sq.-ft.
12 LF of Preformed Step Flashing 0
rolls of 15# felt needed for the roof, but only
13
Item
if cell E9 equals 0
14 Use Qty Unit Waste%
15 Felt - 15# 432 sqf Felt 5.00 Roll 0.00%
16 Felt - 30# 216 sqf Felt 0.00 Roll 0.00%
17 "W" Style Valley Flashing 20"x10' W.Wood Flashing 3.00 Each 0.00%
18 2.5"x2.5" Preformed Flashing Flashing 0.00 Box 0.00% This cell contains the formula
Granulated Ice & Water Shield Shingles 3.00 Roll 0.00%
19 =ROUNDUP(IF(E9=1,(E3/216)*(1+I16)),0),
Shingle Starter Shingles 2.00 Bundle 0.00%
20 which calculates the number of 216-sq.-ft.
30' Omni Low Profile Ridge Vent Vent 3.00 Roll 0.00%
21 rolls of 30# felt needed for the roof, but
OC Pro 30 Dimensional Shingles Shingles 74.00 Bundle 20.00%
22 only if cell E9 equals 1. E9 doesn’t equal 1,
OC Supreme 3-Tab Shingles Shingles 0.00 Bundle 10.00%
23 so the calculation isn’t run
24 OC Supreme 3-Tab Shingles Shingles 3.00 Bundle 10.00%
25 Lomanco Roof Vent #750 Black Vent 18.00 Each 0.00%
26 OSI Roof Cement 29oz Sealant 2.00 Each 0.00%
27 White Aluminum Drip Edge Finish Edge 9.00 Each 0.00% Figure 6. Whenever there’s
28 White Aluminum Gutter Apron Finish Edge 13.00 Each 0.00% a choice to be made between
29 5/16" Duo-Fast Staples Fasteners 5.00 Carton 0.00% materials, the IF function
30 Accuchoice 1-1/4" Coil Roofing Nails Fasteners 5.00 Box 0.00% allows you to specify which
31 2" Galvanized Roofing Nails Fasteners 5.00 Pound 0.00% to estimate.
32

We can’t buy 14.44 pieces of trim, which is why I’ve used For instance, if you’re estimating 15-pound felt, you don’t
the ROUNDUP function. Note the comma followed by 0 want the spreadsheet to also calculate the quantity of 30-
after the 16, which tells Excel to go to the next full number, pound felt — you want one or the other.
which is 15. If you were to replace that 0 with a 1, it would I use the IF function in this situation (Figure 6). Cell E9 of
round up to the nearest tenth, and the result would be 14.5. sheet 27-RC allows me to specify which weight of felt to esti-
mate. Entering a 1 means 30-pound felt; leaving a zero indi-
Using the IF Function cates 15-pound. Below, in G15, the formula reads:
Occasionally I’ll have to make a choice between two or more
=ROUNDUP(IF(E9=0,(E3/432)*(1+I15)),0)
types of materials. For example, does the job call for 15-
pound or 30-pound felt? In a case like this, you can use the This tells Excel, if E9 is a zero, to calculate the rolls of 15-
IF function to quickly specify quantities. pound felt by dividing the area of the roof to be shingled (2,035
Because you’re working from a template, you’ll have a line square feet, in cell E3) by the number of square feet in a roll
for every type of material you might use on a job, even (432), multiplying by a waste factor (here, 0), then rounding
though you won’t necessarily use every material on every up. If I had typed a 1 in E9, the worksheet would have calcu-
job. There will also be a separate formula to calculate the lated rolls of 30-pound felt, using the formula in G16:
quantity of each material. So you need a way to tell the
=ROUNDUP(IF(E9=1,(E3/216)*(1+I16)),0)
spreadsheet which calculations to perform.

OCTOBER 2006 I JLC I 7

Estimating With a Spreadsheet B

=(E8*((SQRT((POWER(E9,2))+144))/12))
A B C D E F

MISC. ROOF FRAMING (assume truss roof)

A 1

Prompt Value
2

3 LF of Ribbon (cleat for flat soffit) 121

4 LF of Eaves 124
=(E8*((SQRT((POWER(E9,2))+144))/12))
A B C D E F 5 Eave Overhang in Decimal Foot (i.e. 16" = 1.333) 2

1 MISC. ROOF FRAMING (assume truss roof) 6 LF of Gables (sloped) 86

2 Prompt Value 7 Gable Overhang in Decimal Foot (i.e. 16" = 1.333) 2

3 LF of Ribbon (cleat for flat soffit) 121 8 Flat SQF of Roof 1820

4 LF of Eaves 124 9 Roof Pitch (X/12) 6

5 Eave Overhang in Decimal Foot (i.e. 16" = 1.333) 2 10

6 LF of Gables (sloped) 86 11

7 Gable Overhang in Decimal Foot (i.e. 16" = 1.333) 2 12 Square Foot of Gable Ends 257

8 Flat SQF of Roof 1820 13

9 Roof Pitch (X/12) 6 14 Item Use

10 15 2x4-16' SPF #2 & Btr Ribbons

11 16 2x4-16' SPF #2 & Btr Lookouts

Square Foot of Gable Ends 257 17

2x6-16' SPF #2 & Btr Ladders

C D A
=(E8 ((SQRT((POWER(E9,2))+144))/12))
B C D E F

1 MISC. ROOF FRAMING (assume truss roof)

2 Prompt Value
=(E8*((SQRT((POWER(E9,2))+144))/12))
A B C D E 3 LF of Ribbon (cleat for flat soffit) 121

1 MISC. ROOF FRAMING (assume truss roof) LF of Eaves 124

4

2 Prompt Value 5 Eave Overhang in Decimal Foot (i.e. 16" = 1.333) 2

LF of Ribbon (cleat for flat soffit) 121 6 LF of Gables (sloped) 86

3

LF of Eaves 124 7 Gable Overhang in Decimal Foot (i.e. 16" = 1.333) 2

4
Flat SQF of Roof 1820
5 Eave Overhang in Decimal Foot (i.e. 16" = 1.333) 2 8

9 Roof Pitch (X/12) 6

6 LF of Gables (sloped) 86
10

11

12 Square Foot of Gable Ends 257

Protecting Cells
13
To avoid accidentally changing a formula in the template, I Item Use
14
“lock” the cells that remain the same for every estimate 2x4-16' SPF #2 & Btr Ribbons
15
(Figure 7). That way, an errant keystroke won’t mess up the
template and affect calculations.
The cells in the worksheet are color-coded. I use the yel- Figure 7. To prevent the formulas from being accidentally
changed, you can lock cells. First, select the ones that need
low cells to enter the lengths and areas I take off the prints; to be protected, pull down the Format menu, and click on
these are the only cells that are intended to change. The Cells (A). This will cause a dialog box to pop up. Click the
unshaded cells in the column labeled “Qty” contain formu- Protection tab, check the box next to “Locked” by clicking
on it , and click OK (B). Then select the cells that need to
las that refer to the numbers in yellow. The numerical values
remain unlocked and repeat steps A and B, only this time
in the white cells may change but the underlying formulas make sure the box next to “Locked” is empty. Next, pull
do not. Using the template is simply a matter of entering down the Tools menu to Protection and click on Protect
Sheet (C). When the dialog box pops up (D), make sure
numbers in the yellow cells and letting the white cells per-
the box at the top is checked and then click OK.
form calculations.

Bill Lacey is a former lumberyard estimator and the co-

owner of Visual Dynamics, LLC, an architectural drafting
and design company in Racine, Wis.

OCTOBER 2006 I JLC I 8