{ "version": "v1", "source": "https://craftquantities.com", "licence": "CC BY 4.0", "licenceUrl": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/", "attribution": "Craft Quantities — craftquantities.com", "documentation": "https://craftquantities.com/api/", "versioning": "Fields are added, never removed or repurposed, within a version. A breaking change becomes /api/v2/ and v1 keeps being built.", "note": "Run inputs are in each calculator's base units, as in calculators/{slug}.json. A run's answer matches expect to `places` decimal places: within half a unit in the last place, the same rule the site's own test applies. basis 'modelled' means calculated for a described job, not a record of one that was built.", "examples": [ { "slug": "bathroom-gutted-and-retiled", "title": "Bathroom Refit: 3 × 4 m Tile and Board Takeoff, Step by Step", "job": "A 3 × 4 m bathroom, gutted to studs, reboarded and retiled", "market": "UK", "basis": "modelled", "url": "https://craftquantities.com/examples/bathroom-gutted-and-retiled/", "published": "2026-09-15", "updated": "2026-09-25", "takeoff": "https://craftquantities.com/build/bathroom-remodel/", "summary": "A takeoff from the first tape measurement to the bill of materials, showing which calculator each quantity comes from, what it needs from the one before it, and which waste factor was chosen at which end of its published range — with the places this estimate is most likely to be wrong, and why.", "measurements": [ { "what": "Room dimensions at floor level", "value": "3.00 m × 4.00 m nominal, with up to 15 mm variation across each run" }, { "what": "Wall heights, taken at both ends of each wall", "value": "2.40 m nominal" }, { "what": "Openings, measured to the structural opening", "value": "Door 0.90 × 2.05 m, window 0.60 × 0.90 m" }, { "what": "Wet area extent", "value": "Enclosure 0.90 × 0.90 m, tanked to full height plus the specified lap" }, { "what": "Tile format and the layout's starting point", "value": "600 × 300 mm floor, 300 × 100 mm brick-bond walls" } ], "steps": [ { "step": "Compare tile formats before choosing one", "calculator": "tile-layout-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/tile-layout-calculator.json" }, { "step": "Quantify the floor tiles in the chosen format", "calculator": "floor-tile-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/floor-tile-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "metric", "inputs": { "area": 12, "tileLength": 0.6, "tileWidth": 0.3, "pattern": "straight" }, "expect": 74, "places": 0, "shown": "74 tiles, 600 × 300 mm (about 24 × 12 in), laid straight over 12 m² (129 sq ft)" } }, { "step": "Add cut waste for the layout actually chosen", "calculator": "diagonal-tile-corner-waste-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/diagonal-tile-corner-waste-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "metric", "inputs": { "roomPerimeter": 14, "tileSize": 0.6, "tileArea": 0.18 }, "expect": 2.16, "places": 2, "shown": "2.16 m² (23.3 sq ft) of extra cut waste if the floor went diagonal: 24 corner cuts, twelve tiles" } }, { "step": "Quantify the backer board for floor and wet walls", "calculator": "backer-board-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/backer-board-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "metric", "inputs": { "area": 16.32, "boardSize": "1200x800", "wastePercent": 15 }, "expect": 20, "places": 0, "shown": "20 boards of 1200 × 800 mm (47 × 31.5 in) for 16.3 m² (176 sq ft) of floor and shower wall" } }, { "step": "Quantify the tanking membrane", "calculator": "waterproofing-membrane-roll-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/waterproofing-membrane-roll-calculator.json" }, { "step": "Quantify the adhesive", "calculator": "thinset-mortar-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/thinset-mortar-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "metric", "inputs": { "area": 12, "notch": "10mm", "backButter": "no", "bagSize": 20 }, "expect": 3, "places": 0, "shown": "3 bags of 20 kg (44 lb): 60 kg (132 lb) for the floor at a 10 mm notch" } }, { "step": "Quantify the grout", "calculator": "grout-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/grout-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "metric", "inputs": { "area": 12, "tileLength": 0.6, "tileWidth": 0.3, "jointWidth": 0.003, "jointDepth": 0.008, "wastePercent": 0 }, "expect": 2.277, "places": 3, "shown": "2.28 kg (5.0 lb) of grout for the floor, with no allowance added" } }, { "step": "Quantify the trims and the spacers", "calculator": "tile-edge-profile-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/tile-edge-profile-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "metric", "inputs": { "exposedEdgeLength": 14.6, "wastePercent": 8 }, "expect": 15.768, "places": 3, "shown": "15.8 m (51.7 ft) of edge profile from 14.6 m (47.9 ft) of exposed edge" } }, { "step": "Quantify the plasterboard for the dry walls and the ceiling", "calculator": "drywall-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/drywall-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "metric", "inputs": { "roomLength": 4, "roomWidth": 3, "wallHeight": 2.4, "doorCount": 1, "windowCount": 1, "doorArea": 1.845, "windowArea": 0.54, "wasteFactorPercent": 10 }, "expect": 12, "places": 0, "shown": "12 sheets of 2400 × 1200 mm (12 of 8 × 4 ft) over 31.2 m² (336 sq ft) of net wall" } } ] }, { "slug": "room-replastered", "title": "How Much Plaster for a 4 × 3 m Room: Skim, Float and Set", "job": "A 4 × 3 m room replastered — board and masonry walls, ceiling included", "market": "UK", "basis": "modelled", "url": "https://craftquantities.com/examples/room-replastered/", "published": "2026-09-23", "updated": "2026-09-25", "takeoff": "https://craftquantities.com/build/plaster-room/", "summary": "A room taken from bare walls to a surface ready for decoration, in the order it is actually done: protect, check the background, scrim, bead, plaster, and seal. The background decides the product, the beads are the line people forget, and the finished thickness decides the order.", "measurements": [ { "what": "The surfaces, taken one at a time rather than as a room", "value": "Boarded walls 26.4 m² (11 m of wall at 2.4 m); masonry wall 8.4 m² (3.5 m of faces, the chimney breast included); ceiling 11.7 m² (12 m² less the breast's 0.3 m²)" }, { "what": "How true the masonry wall is, before deciding anything", "value": "Out by about 14 mm over its length; average undercoat taken as 13 mm rather than 11" }, { "what": "Every external corner and every stop, counted as runs", "value": "2 external corners at 2.4 m, the chimney breast's; 6 stop runs at 2.1 m" }, { "what": "What the board joints and the angles need before plaster", "value": "About 47.6 m (156 ft) of flat joint across walls and ceiling, plus 28.9 m (95 ft) of internal angle: the 14.5 m (48 ft) wall-to-ceiling line and six 2.4 m (7.9 ft) corners, four of the room and two inside the chimney breast" } ], "steps": [ { "step": "Protect the room before anything is mixed", "calculator": "masking-and-protection-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/masking-and-protection-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "metric", "inputs": { "floorArea": 11.7, "perimeter": 14.5 }, "expect": 3, "places": 0, "shown": "3 items: 2 dust sheets for the 11.7 m² (126 sq ft) floor and 1 roll of tape for the 14.5 m (48 ft) perimeter and the openings" } }, { "step": "Scrim the board joints and the internal angles", "calculator": "drywall-joint-tape-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/drywall-joint-tape-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "metric", "inputs": { "boardArea": 38.1, "sheetLength": "2.4", "angleLength": 28.9 }, "expect": 84.18, "places": 2, "shown": "84.2 m (276 ft) of scrim: 47.6 m (156 ft) of flat joint from 38.1 m² (410 sq ft) of 2400 × 1200 board and 28.9 m (95 ft) of internal angle, plus a tenth" } }, { "step": "Count the beads as whole lengths", "calculator": "plaster-bead-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/plaster-bead-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "metric", "inputs": { "angleRuns": 2, "angleRunLength": 2.4, "stopRuns": 6, "stopRunLength": 2.1, "stockLength": 3 }, "expect": 8, "places": 0, "shown": "8 lengths of 3 m (9.8 ft) bead — 2 angle and 6 stop — running 17.4 m (57 ft) of the 24 m (79 ft) bought" } }, { "step": "Float and set the masonry wall", "calculator": "float-and-set-plaster-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/float-and-set-plaster-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "metric", "inputs": { "area": 8.4, "undercoatMm": 0.013 }, "expect": 130.893, "places": 2, "shown": "130.9 kg (289 lb): 106.7 kg (235 lb) of undercoat in five 25 kg bags and 24.2 kg (53 lb) of finish in one" } }, { "step": "Skim the boarded walls and the ceiling", "calculator": "skim-coat-plaster-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/skim-coat-plaster-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "metric", "inputs": { "area": 38.1, "thicknessMm": 0.002 }, "expect": 109.54, "places": 2, "shown": "109.5 kg (241 lb) of finish plaster — five 25 kg bags — over 38.1 m² (410 sq ft) at 2 mm" } }, { "step": "Seal the new plaster before it is decorated", "calculator": "mist-coat-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/mist-coat-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "metric", "inputs": { "area": 46.5 }, "expect": 3.875, "places": 2, "shown": "3.9 L (1.0 US gal) of emulsion, thinned with 0.78 L (0.2 US gal) of water — one 5 L tin for 46.5 m² (501 sq ft)" } } ] }, { "slug": "bedroom-repainted", "title": "How Much Paint for a 12 × 14 Bedroom, Dark to Off-White", "job": "A 12 × 14 ft (3.7 × 4.3 m) bedroom with an 8 ft (2.4 m) ceiling repainted: walls from deep charcoal to off-white, ceiling and trim white like for like", "market": "US", "basis": "modelled", "url": "https://craftquantities.com/examples/bedroom-repainted/", "published": "2026-09-25", "updated": "2026-09-25", "takeoff": "https://craftquantities.com/build/room-repaint/", "summary": "The paint list for a 12 × 14 ft (3.7 × 4.3 m) bedroom whose walls go from deep charcoal to off-white, worked in the order the figures depend on each other — protection, one coat of wall paint, the coat count over dark, primer, ceiling, trim and the blend — with where the estimate is most likely to be wrong.", "measurements": [ { "what": "Room size at floor level, in both directions", "value": "12 × 14 ft (3.66 × 4.27 m): 168 sq ft (15.6 m²) of floor and 52 ft (15.8 m) of perimeter" }, { "what": "Ceiling height, read at more than one corner", "value": "8 ft (2.44 m), giving 416 sq ft (38.6 m²) of gross wall" }, { "what": "Openings, measured across the outside of the casing", "value": "A 30 × 80 in (0.76 × 2.03 m) flush door and a 3 × 4 ft (0.91 × 1.22 m) window, each cased in 2½ in (64 mm) trim: about 35 × 82½ in (0.89 × 2.10 m) over the door casing and 41 × 53 in (1.04 × 1.35 m) over the window's, or 20.1 and 15.1 sq ft (1.86 and 1.40 m²)" }, { "what": "Trim runs and their painted girths", "value": "49 ft (14.9 m) of 3½ in (89 mm) baseboard at a 4 in (102 mm) girth; 32 ft (9.75 m) of casing, about 16 ft (4.9 m) round each opening, at a 6 in (152 mm) girth" }, { "what": "What is on each surface now, and the spread rate on each can", "value": "Wall finish and ceiling flat 350 sq ft/gal (8.6 m²/L); tinted primer 300 sq ft/gal (7.4 m²/L); trim enamel 400 sq ft/gal (9.8 m²/L)" } ], "steps": [ { "step": "Sheet the floor and count the tape", "calculator": "masking-and-protection-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/masking-and-protection-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "imperial", "inputs": { "floorArea": 15.60771072, "perimeter": 15.8496, "tapedLines": 2, "openings": 2, "tapePerOpening": 4.8768, "sheetCoverage": 9.290304, "rollLength": 54.864 }, "expect": 3, "places": 0, "shown": "3 items: 2 drop cloths and 1 roll of tape for 136 ft (41.5 m) of edge" } }, { "step": "Work out one coat of wall paint", "calculator": "paint-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/paint-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "imperial", "inputs": { "roomLength": 4.2672, "roomWidth": 3.6576, "wallHeight": 2.4384, "doorCount": 1, "windowCount": 1, "coats": 1, "coveragePerSqm": 8.589835361488905 }, "expect": 4.109, "places": 3, "shown": "1.09 gal (4.1 L) for one coat over 380 sq ft (35.3 m²) of net wall" } }, { "step": "Decide the coat count over charcoal", "calculator": "paint-coverage-over-dark-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/paint-coverage-over-dark-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "imperial", "inputs": { "volumePerCoat": 4.1092364585066665, "contrast": "much", "primer": "tinted", "highOpacity": "standard" }, "expect": 3.257, "places": 3, "shown": "3.26 gal (12.3 L): one tinted primer coat and two finish coats, 2.17 gal (8.2 L) of it finish" } }, { "step": "Quantify the primer at its own spread rate", "calculator": "paint-primer-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/paint-primer-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "imperial", "inputs": { "wallArea": 35.29766464, "spreadRate": 7.362716024133348 }, "expect": 1.5, "places": 2, "shown": "1.5 gal (5.7 L) of primer tinted toward the off-white" } }, { "step": "Quantify the ceiling white", "calculator": "ceiling-paint-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/ceiling-paint-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "imperial", "inputs": { "ceilingArea": 15.60771072, "coats": 2, "spreadRate": 8.589835361488905 }, "expect": 3.634, "places": 3, "shown": "0.96 gal (3.6 L) of flat white for two coats" } }, { "step": "Quantify the trim enamel for baseboard, casing and door", "calculator": "woodwork-paint-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/woodwork-paint-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "imperial", "inputs": { "doorCount": 1, "doorArea": 1.548384, "doorFaces": "both", "frameRun": 9.7536, "frameGirth": 0.1524, "skirtingRun": 14.9352, "skirtingGirth": 0.1016, "coats": 2, "spreadRate": 9.816954698844464 }, "expect": 1.243, "places": 3, "shown": "0.33 gal (1.24 L) of trim enamel for two coats over 65.7 sq ft (6.1 m²)" } }, { "step": "Plan the blend of the wall finish", "calculator": "paint-boxing-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/paint-boxing-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "imperial", "inputs": { "tinCount": 3, "tinVolume": 3.785411784, "containerCapacity": 18.92705892, "stirringHeadroom": 15, "batchCodeCount": 2 }, "expect": 1, "places": 0, "shown": "1 container: 3 gal (11.4 L) blended in one 5 gal (18.9 L) bucket" } } ] }, { "slug": "vinyl-plank-floor-laid", "title": "How Much LVP for a 15 × 20 Living Room and Hallway", "job": "Luxury vinyl plank laid through a 15 × 20 ft (4.6 × 6.1 m) living room and a 4 × 12 ft (1.2 × 3.7 m) hallway on a concrete slab, as a floating floor broken at the hallway neck", "market": "US", "basis": "modelled", "url": "https://craftquantities.com/examples/vinyl-plank-floor-laid/", "published": "2026-09-25", "updated": "2026-09-25", "takeoff": "https://craftquantities.com/build/resilient-floor/", "summary": "The materials for a vinyl plank floor through a 15 × 20 ft (4.6 × 6.1 m) living room and a 4 × 12 ft (1.2 × 3.7 m) hallway on a concrete slab, broken at the hallway neck, worked in the order the plank's instruction sheet makes them depend on each other — cartons, levelling, primer, underlayment, spacers, transition strips and baseboard — with where the estimate is most likely to be wrong.", "measurements": [ { "what": "Living room and hallway at floor level", "value": "15 × 20 ft (4.57 × 6.10 m) plus 4 × 12 ft (1.22 × 3.66 m): 348 sq ft (32.33 m²), ordered as one quantity" }, { "what": "The wall line, and the openings in it", "value": "94 ft (28.65 m) of outline; doorways of 36, 36, 30, 30 and 28 in (914, 914, 762, 762 and 711 mm), averaging 32 in (813 mm); 80 ft 8 in (24.59 m) of wall once they are out; casings 2 1/4 in (57 mm) wide; the neck 48 in (1219 mm) between the hallway walls" }, { "what": "The run of each field, with the neck broken", "value": "20 ft (6.10 m) in the room and 12 ft (3.66 m) in the hallway along the plank direction; 15 ft (4.57 m) across the room; 32 ft (9.75 m) through the junction if it were left unbroken" }, { "what": "Slab flatness, read on a grid", "value": "One dish of about 8 × 10 ft (2.44 × 3.05 m), 80 sq ft (7.43 m²), down to about 1/2 in (13 mm) and averaging 1/4 in (6.35 mm); the rest inside the tolerance" }, { "what": "Slab moisture, tested before anything is ordered", "value": "Read against the plank maker's printed limit; no calculator on this site computes the reading or the pass mark" }, { "what": "The plank and its carton", "value": "7 × 48 in (178 × 1219 mm) rigid-core plank, 10 to a carton, 23.33 sq ft (2.17 m²) a carton, no attached pad; the sheet modelled at a 3/8 in (10 mm) perimeter gap" } ], "steps": [ { "step": "Count the plank cartons and read the sheet inside them", "calculator": "resilient-flooring-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/resilient-flooring-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "imperial", "inputs": { "area": 32.33025792, "packCoverage": 2.1677376, "layout": "complex" }, "expect": 17, "places": 0, "shown": "17 cartons: 396.7 sq ft (36.9 m²) of plank for 348 sq ft (32.3 m²) of floor" } }, { "step": "Size the levelling pour for the one low area", "calculator": "self-leveling-underlayment-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/self-leveling-underlayment-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "imperial", "inputs": { "floorArea": 7.4322432, "averageDepth": 0.00635 }, "expect": 47.195, "places": 3, "shown": "12.5 gal (47.2 L) of levelling compound for the 80 sq ft (7.4 m²) dish" } }, { "step": "Dilute the primer for the pour area", "calculator": "floor-primer-dilution-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/floor-primer-dilution-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "imperial", "inputs": { "floorArea": 7.4322432, "mixCoverageRate": 7.362716024133348, "dilutionParts": 1, "coats": 1, "containerSize": 3.785411784 }, "expect": 0.505, "places": 3, "shown": "0.13 gal (17 fl oz, 0.505 L) of neat primer, diluted 1:1 to 34 fl oz (1.01 L) of mix" } }, { "step": "Count the underlayment rolls", "calculator": "floor-underlayment-roll-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/floor-underlayment-roll-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "imperial", "inputs": { "floorArea": 32.33025792, "rollCoverageArea": 9.290304 }, "expect": 4, "places": 0, "shown": "4 rolls of 100 sq ft (9.29 m²): 400 sq ft (37.2 m²) under 348 sq ft (32.3 m²) of plank" } }, { "step": "Count the spacers that hold the perimeter gap", "calculator": "floor-perimeter-expansion-gap-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/floor-perimeter-expansion-gap-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "imperial", "inputs": { "roomPerimeter": 24.5872, "spacerSpacing": 0.3048 }, "expect": 81, "places": 0, "shown": "81 spacers at 12 in (305 mm) centres along 80 ft 8 in (24.6 m) of wall" } }, { "step": "Measure the transition strips at the doorways and the neck", "calculator": "floor-transition-strip-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/floor-transition-strip-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "imperial", "inputs": { "numberOfTransitions": 6, "averageWidth": 0.8805333333333333, "wastePercent": 5 }, "expect": 5.547, "places": 3, "shown": "18.2 ft (5.55 m) of transition strip across five doorways and the neck" } }, { "step": "Count the baseboard in stock lengths", "calculator": "baseboard-trim-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/baseboard-trim-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "imperial", "inputs": { "roomLength": 9.7536, "roomWidth": 4.572, "doorwayCount": 5, "stickLengthFt": "16", "wastePercent": 15 }, "expect": 91.12, "places": 2, "shown": "91.1 linear ft (27.8 m) of baseboard: six 16 ft sticks (six 4.8 m lengths in metric)" } } ] }, { "slug": "basement-room-drywalled", "title": "How Much Drywall for a 12 × 20 Basement Room, Step by Step", "job": "A 12 × 20 ft (3.66 × 6.10 m) basement rec room hung and finished in drywall — 8 ft (2.44 m) walls, a soffit boxing the beam and duct down its length and a Level 4 finish", "market": "US", "basis": "modelled", "url": "https://craftquantities.com/examples/basement-room-drywalled/", "published": "2026-09-25", "updated": "2026-09-25", "takeoff": "https://craftquantities.com/build/drywall-ceiling/", "summary": "The drywall takeoff for a 12 × 20 ft (3.66 × 6.10 m) basement rec room in the order each figure feeds the next — soffit, ceiling, walls, screws, bead, trim, tape, Level 4 compound and primer — with the board size set by the stair, and which way the tape, screw and compound figures lean.", "measurements": [ { "what": "Room plan and wall height, read at every corner", "value": "12 × 20 ft (3.66 × 6.10 m) with 8 ft (2.44 m) walls: 64 ft (19.5 m) of perimeter and 512 sq ft (47.6 m²) of gross wall" }, { "what": "The longest sheet that can reach the room", "value": "Quarter-turn stair with a landing: 4 × 8 ft (1.2 × 2.4 m) is the longest sheet that gets down it, so the whole job is hung in eights" }, { "what": "Framing spacing, overhead and in the walls", "value": "Joists and studs at 16 in (406 mm) on centre; the joists run across the 12 ft (3.66 m) width, so the ceiling sheets run the 20 ft (6.10 m) length" }, { "what": "The soffit, measured as framed", "value": "20 ft (6.10 m) long, wall to wall, centred on the beam and boxing the beam and the trunk together; 12 in (305 mm) drop; 24 in (610 mm) across the bottom; 40 sq ft (3.72 m²) of ceiling footprint, leaving two 5 ft (1.52 m) bays of flat ceiling" }, { "what": "Openings, and the returns behind the windows", "value": "Door 34 × 82 in (864 × 2083 mm), 19.4 sq ft (1.80 m²); two windows 36 × 18 in (914 × 457 mm), 4.5 sq ft (0.42 m²) each, with 12 in (305 mm) returns making 18 sq ft (1.67 m²) of reveal" }, { "what": "Joints, taken off a board layout sketch", "value": "101 ft (30.8 m) of long-edge seam: about 61 ft (18.6 m) at mid-height round the walls, less the door, and one 20 ft (6.10 m) seam in each ceiling bay. 76 ft (23.2 m) of butt: 48 ft (14.6 m) on the walls (two butts a row on each long wall, one on each end wall, 4 ft or 1.22 m apiece), 20 ft (6.10 m) on the ceiling and 8 ft (2.44 m) across the soffit faces. 148 ft (45.1 m) of internal angle: 32 ft (9.75 m) of vertical wall corners, 60 ft (18.3 m) of wall to ceiling, 48 ft (14.6 m) round the soffit (its two sides along the ceiling and its profile at each end wall) and 8 ft (2.44 m) inside the two window reveals" } ], "steps": [ { "step": "Measure the soffit's three faces", "calculator": "soffit-bulkhead-wrap-area-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/soffit-bulkhead-wrap-area-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "imperial", "inputs": { "length": 6.096, "depth": 0.3048, "bottomWidth": 0.6096 }, "expect": 7.4322, "places": 3, "shown": "80 sq ft (7.43 m²) of soffit face: two 12 in (305 mm) sides and a 24 in (610 mm) bottom, each 20 ft (6.10 m) long" } }, { "step": "Count the ceiling and soffit sheets", "calculator": "ceiling-plasterboard-sheet-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/ceiling-plasterboard-sheet-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "imperial", "inputs": { "ceilingArea": 26.0128512, "sheetArea": 2.97289728, "wastePercent": 10 }, "expect": 10, "places": 0, "shown": "10 sheets of 4 × 8 ft (1.2 × 2.4 m) for 280 sq ft (26.0 m²) of ceiling and soffit" } }, { "step": "Count the wall sheets", "calculator": "drywall-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/drywall-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "imperial", "inputs": { "roomLength": 6.096, "roomWidth": 3.6576, "wallHeight": 2.4384, "doorCount": 1, "windowCount": 2, "doorArea": 1.79870608, "windowArea": 0.41806368, "wasteFactorPercent": 10 }, "expect": 17, "places": 0, "shown": "17 sheets of 4 × 8 ft (18 of 2400 × 1200 mm on metric board)" } }, { "step": "Count the overhead screws at the ceiling schedule", "calculator": "drywall-ceiling-fastening-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/drywall-ceiling-fastening-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "imperial", "inputs": { "ceilingArea": 26.0128512, "screwSpacing": 0.3048 }, "expect": 280, "places": 0, "shown": "280 screws at a 12 in (305 mm) grid over 280 sq ft (26.0 m²)" } }, { "step": "Count the wall screws from the sheet count", "calculator": "drywall-screw-count-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/drywall-screw-count-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "imperial", "inputs": { "sheetWidth": 1.2192, "sheetHeight": 2.4384, "perimeterSpacing": 0.3048, "fieldSpacing": 0.4064, "sheetCount": 17 }, "expect": 578, "places": 0, "shown": "578 screws (34 a sheet across 17 sheets)" } }, { "step": "Run the corner bead", "calculator": "drywall-corner-bead-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/drywall-corner-bead-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "imperial", "inputs": { "totalCornerLength": 17.6784, "wastePercent": 5 }, "expect": 18.5623, "places": 3, "shown": "60.9 ft (18.56 m) of corner bead" } }, { "step": "Trim the window returns where they meet the frame", "calculator": "edge-trim-linear-footage-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/edge-trim-linear-footage-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "imperial", "inputs": { "totalEdgeLength": 5.4864, "wastePercent": 5 }, "expect": 5.7607, "places": 3, "shown": "18.9 ft (5.76 m) of L-bead" } }, { "step": "Work out the joint tape", "calculator": "drywall-joint-tape-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/drywall-joint-tape-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "imperial", "inputs": { "boardArea": 70.94437424, "sheetLength": "2.4", "angleLength": 45.1104, "wastePercent": 10 }, "expect": 482.84, "places": 2, "shown": "483 ft (147.2 m) of paper tape" } }, { "step": "Size the compound for a Level 4 finish", "calculator": "finish-level-compound-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/finish-level-compound-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "imperial", "inputs": { "grossArea": 72.61662896, "flatJointLength": 30.7848, "buttJointLength": 23.1648, "interiorAngleLength": 45.1104, "fastenerCount": 858, "accessoryLength": 23.1648, "finishLevel": "4", "wasteAllowance": 15 }, "expect": 30.3995, "places": 3, "shown": "8.0 gal (30.4 L) of premixed compound" } }, { "step": "Prime the finished board", "calculator": "paint-primer-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/paint-primer-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "imperial", "inputs": { "wallArea": 72.61662896 }, "expect": 4, "places": 1, "shown": "4 gal (15.1 L) of drywall primer, one coat" } } ] }, { "slug": "stud-partition-with-a-door", "title": "3.6 m Stud Wall With a Door, Materials Worked Step by Step", "job": "A 3.6 m (11.8 ft) timber stud partition, 2.4 m (7.9 ft) high, with a door, insulated for sound, boarded both sides and skimmed", "market": "UK", "basis": "modelled", "url": "https://craftquantities.com/examples/stud-partition-with-a-door/", "published": "2026-09-25", "updated": "2026-09-25", "takeoff": "https://craftquantities.com/build/stud-wall/", "summary": "A timber stud partition taken from a chalk line on the floor to skirting on both faces, in the order it is built: frame, board, screws, wool, perimeter seal, scrim, stop bead, skim, architrave and skirting — with the door opening carried through every step it touches.", "measurements": [ { "what": "The partition line, wall to wall and floor to ceiling", "value": "3.60 m (11.8 ft) wall to wall; 2.40 m (7.9 ft) floor to ceiling at both ends and the middle, so studs cut to 2.32 m (7 ft 7 in)" }, { "what": "Which way the ceiling joists run, and what is buried along the line", "value": "Joists cross the line at 400 mm (about 16 in) centres, so the head plate fixes into one every 400 mm; no cable or pipe on the plate lines" }, { "what": "The door, its lining and the framed opening — three sizes", "value": "Leaf 762 × 1981 mm (2 ft 6 in × 6 ft 6 in); lining 770 × 2000 mm (30.3 × 78.7 in) inside; framed opening 840 × 2040 mm (33.1 × 80.3 in) for a 30 mm (1.2 in) lining, 5 mm (0.2 in) packing each side and 10 mm (0.4 in) over the head, starting 300 mm (12 in) from one end wall" }, { "what": "Stud section, centres and where the set-out starts", "value": "38 × 89 mm (1.5 × 3.5 in) CLS at 400 mm (about 16 in) centres from one end wall, an 89 mm (3.5 in) cavity" }, { "what": "Board and insulation, read from the packs", "value": "15 mm (about 5/8 in) acoustic plasterboard in 2400 × 1200 mm sheets; mineral wool assumed at 6.0 m² (65 sq ft) a pack for this example" } ], "steps": [ { "step": "Frame the partition and the door opening", "calculator": "stud-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/stud-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "metric", "inputs": { "wallLength": 3.6, "spacingIn": "16", "openings": 1, "corners": 0 }, "expect": 13, "places": 0, "shown": "13 studs of 38 × 89 mm CLS; plates are one sole and one head, 3.6 m (11.8 ft) each, not the calculator's 10.8 m (35.4 ft)" } }, { "step": "Count the plasterboard for both faces", "calculator": "drywall-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/drywall-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "metric", "inputs": { "roomLength": 3.6, "roomWidth": 0.01, "wallHeight": 2.4, "doorCount": 2, "windowCount": 0, "doorArea": 1.7136, "wasteFactorPercent": 10 }, "expect": 6, "places": 0, "shown": "6 sheets of 2400 × 1200 mm (6 of 4 × 8 ft in US stock) for 13.9 m² (150 sq ft) of board" } }, { "step": "Screw the first face, and count for both", "calculator": "drywall-screw-count-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/drywall-screw-count-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "metric", "inputs": { "sheetWidth": 1.2, "sheetHeight": 2.4, "perimeterSpacing": 0.3, "fieldSpacing": 0.4, "sheetCount": 6 }, "expect": 204, "places": 0, "shown": "204 screws, 34 a sheet at 300 mm (12 in) round the edges" } }, { "step": "Fill the cavity with mineral wool", "calculator": "mineral-wool-batt-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/mineral-wool-batt-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "metric", "inputs": { "area": 6.9264, "packageCoverage": 6, "wastePercent": 5 }, "expect": 2, "places": 0, "shown": "2 packs of mineral wool for 6.93 m² (74.6 sq ft) of cavity, at an assumed 6.0 m² (65 sq ft) a pack" } }, { "step": "Board the second face and seal the perimeter", "calculator": "acoustic-sealant-volume-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/acoustic-sealant-volume-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "metric", "inputs": { "perimeterLength": 22.32, "beadWidth": 0.006, "beadDepth": 0.006 }, "expect": 0.8035, "places": 3, "shown": "0.80 L (27 US fl oz) of acoustic sealant for 22.3 m (73 ft) of 6 mm (1/4 in) bead" } }, { "step": "Scrim the joints and the angles", "calculator": "drywall-joint-tape-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/drywall-joint-tape-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "metric", "inputs": { "boardArea": 13.9, "sheetLength": "2.4", "angleLength": 16.8, "wastePercent": 10 }, "expect": 37.59, "places": 2, "shown": "37.6 m (123 ft) of scrim tape, one roll" } }, { "step": "Stop the plaster at the door lining", "calculator": "plaster-bead-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/plaster-bead-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "metric", "inputs": { "angleRuns": 0, "stopRuns": 4, "stopRunLength": 2.04, "stockLength": 3 }, "expect": 4, "places": 0, "shown": "4 lengths of 3 m (9.8 ft) stop bead, the two heads cut from the offcuts" } }, { "step": "Skim both faces", "calculator": "skim-coat-plaster-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/skim-coat-plaster-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "metric", "inputs": { "area": 13.9, "thicknessMm": 0.002, "coats": 1, "density": 1250, "wastePercent": 15 }, "expect": 39.96, "places": 2, "shown": "40.0 kg (88.1 lb) of finish plaster: two 25 kg bags (two 50 lb bags in US stock)" } }, { "step": "Architrave the door on both faces", "calculator": "door-window-casing-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/door-window-casing-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "metric", "inputs": { "openingType": "door", "openingHeight": 2, "openingWidth": 0.77, "openingCount": 2, "stickLengthFt": "7", "wastePercent": 10 }, "expect": 34.43, "places": 2, "shown": "10.5 m (34.4 ft) of architrave with the mitre allowance: 5 lengths of 2.1 m" } }, { "step": "Run the skirting to the architraves", "calculator": "baseboard-trim-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/baseboard-trim-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "metric", "inputs": { "roomLength": 3.6, "roomWidth": 0.01, "doorwayCount": 2, "stickLengthFt": "10", "wastePercent": 10 }, "expect": 19.56, "places": 2, "shown": "6.0 m (19.6 ft) of skirting with the cutting allowance: 2 lengths of 3 m" } } ] }, { "slug": "flat-roof-recovered", "title": "40 m² Flat Roof Recover: Warm Roof Takeoff, Step by Step", "job": "A 40 m² (431 sq ft) flat roof stripped and recovered, warm-roof build-up", "market": "UK", "basis": "modelled", "url": "https://craftquantities.com/examples/flat-roof-recovered/", "published": "2026-09-15", "updated": "2026-09-25", "summary": "The takeoff for a small warm flat roof, in the order the decisions are actually made — outlets first, because the falls run to them and everything above follows: the tapered scheme, the insulation volume, the membrane area and the number of seams.", "measurements": [ { "what": "Plan area, corner to corner in both directions", "value": "About 8.0 × 5.0 m (26 ft 3 in × 16 ft 5 in), checked on both diagonals" }, { "what": "Outlet positions and their invert levels", "value": "Two outlets, both on the long parapet side" }, { "what": "Upstand heights available at every edge", "value": "Parapet gives ample height; the door threshold is the tight one" }, { "what": "The existing build-up, by opening up", "value": "Timber deck, existing insulation dry at the opening" }, { "what": "Every penetration and abutment", "value": "One soil vent, one wall abutment along the 8 m (26 ft) side" } ], "steps": [ { "step": "Set the tapered insulation scheme from the outlets", "calculator": "tapered-insulation-slope-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/tapered-insulation-slope-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "metric", "inputs": { "runLength": 5, "slopeRatio": 0.025, "minThickness": 0.05 }, "expect": 175, "places": 0, "shown": "175 mm (6.9 in) at the house wall, from a 50 mm (2.0 in) starter at the outlets" } }, { "step": "Check the build-up against the upstand heights", "calculator": "parapet-height-thickness-ratio-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/parapet-height-thickness-ratio-calculator.json" }, { "step": "Quantify the insulation and the cover board", "calculator": "roof-insulation-cover-board-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/roof-insulation-cover-board-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "metric", "inputs": { "roofArea": 40 }, "expect": 14, "places": 0, "shown": "14 sheets of 2.88 m² (31 sq ft) board over 40 m² (431 sq ft) of plan" } }, { "step": "Quantify the membrane", "calculator": "epdm-roll-area-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/epdm-roll-area-calculator.json" }, { "step": "Quantify the seam treatment", "calculator": "epdm-seam-tape-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/epdm-seam-tape-calculator.json" }, { "step": "Detail the outlets", "calculator": "roof-drain-sump-pan-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/roof-drain-sump-pan-calculator.json" }, { "step": "Check the overflow provision", "calculator": "roof-scupper-sizing-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/roof-scupper-sizing-calculator.json" }, { "step": "Quantify the deck repairs and the vapour control layer", "calculator": "vapor-barrier-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/vapor-barrier-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "metric", "inputs": { "area": 40 }, "expect": 1, "places": 0, "shown": "1 roll — 44.0 m² (474 sq ft) with laps, at 93 m² (1,000 sq ft) a roll" } } ] }, { "slug": "asphalt-shingle-roof-replaced", "title": "30 × 40 Shingle Roof Replacement, Worked Step by Step", "job": "A 30 × 40 ft (9.14 × 12.19 m) gable roof at 6/12, torn off to the deck and reroofed in architectural asphalt shingles", "market": "US", "basis": "modelled", "url": "https://craftquantities.com/examples/asphalt-shingle-roof-replaced/", "published": "2026-09-25", "updated": "2026-09-25", "takeoff": "https://craftquantities.com/build/asphalt-shingle-roof/", "summary": "Squares, tear-off, deck, eave membrane and its rolls, underlayment, shingles, nails, attic ventilation, ridge vent and cap for a 30 × 40 ft (9.14 × 12.19 m) gable at 6/12, set out as the old roof comes off and the new one goes on. Each quantity comes from one of the site's calculators, each allowance carries its reason, and the closing section names where the estimate can go wrong and which way.", "measurements": [ { "what": "Roof plan, to the drip edge on all four sides", "value": "40 × 30 ft (12.19 × 9.14 m); 1,200 sq ft (111.5 m²) of plan" }, { "what": "Pitch, read off the framing", "value": "6/12 (26.6°), a slope factor of 1.118" }, { "what": "Eave overhang and wall thickness, drip edge to the inside of the wall", "value": "12 in (305 mm) overhang + 6 in (152 mm) wall = 18 in (457 mm) on plan; rakes also overhang 12 in (305 mm)" }, { "what": "Layers on the roof now", "value": "One layer assumed, to be confirmed at both rakes" }, { "what": "Ridge length, and the part of it over the attic", "value": "40 ft (12.19 m) of ridge; 38 ft (11.58 m) between the outside faces of the gable walls, 37 ft (11.28 m) over the attic" }, { "what": "Attic floor, inside the walls", "value": "37 × 27 ft (11.28 × 8.23 m); 999 sq ft (92.8 m²)" }, { "what": "Penetrations and abutments", "value": "Two plumbing vent stacks; no chimney, no skylight, no wall meeting the roof" } ], "steps": [ { "step": "Turn the plan and pitch into squares of sloped roof", "calculator": "roof-squares-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/roof-squares-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "imperial", "inputs": { "planArea": 111.483648, "pitchRise": 6, "wastePercent": 0 }, "expect": 13.4164, "places": 2, "shown": "13.4 squares — 1,342 sq ft (124.6 m²) of sloped roof" } }, { "step": "Plan the tear-off and book the dumpster", "calculator": "skip-and-dumpster-size-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/skip-and-dumpster-size-calculator.json" }, { "step": "Count the deck sheathing as an upper limit", "calculator": "plywood-sheet-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/plywood-sheet-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "imperial", "inputs": { "areaLength": 12.192, "areaWidth": 10.2233, "wasteFactorPercent": 10 }, "expect": 47, "places": 0, "shown": "47 sheets, 4 × 8 ft (47 of the 2440 × 1220 mm panel as well)" } }, { "step": "Size the ice barrier along the eaves", "calculator": "roof-ice-dam-membrane-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/roof-ice-dam-membrane-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "imperial", "inputs": { "eaveLength": 24.384, "overhang": 0.4572, "requiredInteriorCoverage": 0.6096, "roofPitch": 6 }, "expect": 29.0833, "places": 2, "shown": "313 sq ft (29.1 m²) of ice barrier, 47 in (1.19 m) wide on the slope" } }, { "step": "Turn the eave band into rolls", "calculator": "ice-water-shield-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/ice-water-shield-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "imperial", "inputs": { "eaveLength": 24.384, "shieldWidth": 1.8288 }, "expect": 3, "places": 0, "shown": "3 rolls — 528 sq ft (49.1 m²) of membrane with the lap allowance" } }, { "step": "Count the underlayment for the rest of the deck", "calculator": "roofing-underlayment-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/roofing-underlayment-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "imperial", "inputs": { "roofArea": 95.56, "overlapPercent": 10 }, "expect": 2, "places": 0, "shown": "2 rolls — 1,131 sq ft (105.1 m²) to cover with laps, at 1,000 sq ft (93 m²) a roll" } }, { "step": "Order the field shingles", "calculator": "roofing-shingle-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/roofing-shingle-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "imperial", "inputs": { "footprintLength": 12.192, "footprintWidth": 9.144, "pitch": "6", "wasteFactorPercent": 10 }, "expect": 14.758, "places": 2, "shown": "14.76 squares (137.1 m² with the allowance) — 45 bundles" } }, { "step": "Count the nails through the shingles", "calculator": "roof-covering-fixing-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/roof-covering-fixing-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "imperial", "inputs": { "roofArea": 124.6425, "coveringWidth": 1.000125, "exposure": 0.142875, "fixingsField": "4", "fixingsPerimeter": "4", "perimeterPercent": 0 }, "expect": 3664, "places": 0, "shown": "3,664 nails — 3,490 at four a shingle, plus the calculator's 5% for dropped nails" } }, { "step": "Settle the attic ventilation before the ridge is cut", "calculator": "attic-ventilation-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/attic-ventilation-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "imperial", "inputs": { "atticLength": 11.2776, "atticWidth": 8.2296, "hasVaporBarrier": "no" }, "expect": 6.66, "places": 2, "shown": "6.66 sq ft (0.62 m²) of net free area — 959 sq in" } }, { "step": "Run the ridge vent", "calculator": "ridge-vent-linear-footage-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/ridge-vent-linear-footage-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "imperial", "inputs": { "ridgeLength": 12.192, "wastePercent": 5 }, "expect": 12.8016, "places": 2, "shown": "42 ft (12.80 m) of ridge vent" } }, { "step": "Cap the ridge over the vent", "calculator": "roof-ridge-cap-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/roof-ridge-cap-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "imperial", "inputs": { "ridgeLength": 12.192, "wastePercent": 10 }, "expect": 2, "places": 0, "shown": "2 bundles — 44 linear ft (13.4 m) with the cut-end allowance" } } ] }, { "slug": "loft-insulation-topped-up", "title": "Loft Insulation Top-Up to 270 mm, Worked Step by Step", "job": "A 7 × 9 m (23 × 29.5 ft) loft topped up from 100 mm to 270 mm (3.9 to 10.6 in) of mineral wool, with a boarded storage area and the cistern pipework lagged", "market": "UK", "basis": "modelled", "url": "https://craftquantities.com/examples/loft-insulation-topped-up/", "published": "2026-09-25", "updated": "2026-09-25", "takeoff": "https://craftquantities.com/build/attic-insulation/", "summary": "A loft top-up worked in the order the loft allows: the depth from a U-value sum first, then everything the new layer will bury — ceiling leaks, eaves trays, pipe lagging and the legs of a storage deck — and only then the rolls and the boards.", "measurements": [ { "what": "Loft floor plan, taken at ceiling level", "value": "9.0 m along the ridge × 7.0 m across the span (29.5 × 23 ft): 63 m² (678 sq ft) of ceiling" }, { "what": "Depth of the insulation already there", "value": "100 mm (3.9 in) of mineral wool quilt, just proud of the chord tops" }, { "what": "Truss centres and bottom chord size", "value": "Trussed rafters at 600 mm (23.6 in) centres, bottom chords 35 × 97 mm (1.4 × 3.8 in)" }, { "what": "Target U-value and the roll's conductivity", "value": "0.16 W/m²K (0.028 BTU/hr·ft²·°F) taken as the target for this example; λ 0.044 W/m·K (0.31 BTU·in/hr·ft²·°F) for the roll" }, { "what": "Roll cover, read from the label", "value": "6.0 m² (65 sq ft) per 170 mm (6.7 in) roll, assumed for this example" }, { "what": "Everything that passes through the ceiling", "value": "One boxed soil stack of 0.09 m² (1 sq ft); 12 m (39 ft) of stud partition, its head joint open to the loft on both faces; four bathroom downlights 100 mm (3.9 in) across, all marked for insulation contact; eight cable and pipe holes; no flue" }, { "what": "Pipe runs in the loft, measured along the pipe", "value": "12 m (39 ft) of 15 and 22 mm copper: the rising main, the cistern's cold feeds and the open vent from the cylinder" }, { "what": "The storage island, set out to the chords", "value": "3.6 m along the ridge × 1.8 m across (11.8 × 5.9 ft); deck underside 173 mm (6.8 in) above the chord tops to clear the 270 mm (10.6 in) finished depth, plus a working clearance" } ], "steps": [ { "step": "Set the finished depth from the U-value target", "calculator": "insulation-thickness-target-u-value-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/insulation-thickness-target-u-value-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "metric", "inputs": { "targetU": 0.16, "heatFlow": "upward", "outerFace": "ventilated", "otherLayers": 0.06, "conductivity": 0.044, "boardThickness": 0.27 }, "expect": 263.56, "places": 2, "shown": "264 mm (10.4 in) of mineral wool in all, so 270 mm (10.6 in) is the stock depth above it" } }, { "step": "Seal the ceiling before the new layer buries it", "calculator": "attic-bypass-sealing-material-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/attic-bypass-sealing-material-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "metric", "inputs": { "chaseCount": 1, "chaseArea": 0.09, "soffitLength": 0, "topPlateLength": 24, "housingCount": 4, "housingDiameter": 0.1, "penetrationCount": 8, "flueCount": 0 }, "expect": 4, "places": 0, "shown": "4 tubes of sealant for 29.1 m (95 ft) of bead, plus one can of foam" } }, { "step": "Fit an eaves tray in every bay ahead of the cross layer", "calculator": "attic-baffle-count-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/attic-baffle-count-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "metric", "inputs": { "eaveLength": 9, "rafterSpacing": 0.6 }, "expect": 15, "places": 0, "shown": "15 eaves trays per 9 m (29.5 ft) eave, 30 for the two eaves" } }, { "step": "Lag the cistern pipework that will sit above the new layer", "calculator": "pipe-insulation-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/pipe-insulation-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "metric", "inputs": { "pipeLength": 12 }, "expect": 14, "places": 0, "shown": "14 × 1 m sleeves (13.2 m / 43 ft with the bend allowance; 8 six-foot sleeves in US stock)" } }, { "step": "Count the chords under the island and stand the deck legs on them", "calculator": "ceiling-joist-linear-footage-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/ceiling-joist-linear-footage-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "metric", "inputs": { "buildingLength": 3.6, "buildingWidth": 1.8, "joistSpacing": 0.6 }, "expect": 12.6, "places": 2, "shown": "12.6 m (41.3 ft) of chord under the island, across 7 chords" } }, { "step": "Roll the 170 mm cross layer over the whole loft", "calculator": "insulation-batt-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/insulation-batt-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "metric", "inputs": { "areaLength": 9, "areaWidth": 7, "coveragePerPackageSqft": 6, "wasteFactorPercent": 10 }, "expect": 12, "places": 0, "shown": "12 rolls of 170 mm (6.7 in) quilt for 63 m² (678 sq ft) plus a tenth" } }, { "step": "Deck the island on its legs", "calculator": "plywood-sheet-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/plywood-sheet-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "metric", "inputs": { "areaLength": 3.6, "areaWidth": 1.8, "wasteFactorPercent": 15 }, "expect": 3, "places": 0, "shown": "3 sheets of 2440 × 1220 mm (3 sheets of 4 × 8 ft)" } } ] }, { "slug": "garden-room-slab", "title": "Garden Room Base: 6 × 4 m Concrete Slab, Step by Step", "job": "A 6 × 4 m ground-bearing slab for a garden room, setting out to curing", "market": "UK", "basis": "modelled", "url": "https://craftquantities.com/examples/garden-room-slab/", "published": "2026-09-15", "updated": "2026-09-25", "takeoff": "https://craftquantities.com/build/concrete-slab/", "summary": "The takeoff for a small ground-bearing slab in the order the work is done — excavation, sub-base, membrane, formwork, reinforcement, concrete, joints and curing — with the waste factors chosen at each step and the places this estimate is most likely to be wrong.", "measurements": [ { "what": "Finished slab level, set from a fixed datum", "value": "Set 150 mm below the house DPC, falling away from the building" }, { "what": "Slab plan size, including the formwork allowance", "value": "6.00 × 4.00 m slab; excavate to roughly 6.6 × 4.6 m for working space" }, { "what": "Existing ground level across the area", "value": "Falls about 120 mm across the 6 m length" }, { "what": "The layer build-up, summed downward", "value": "150 sub-base + 25 blinding + membrane + 100 slab = 275 mm below finished level" } ], "steps": [ { "step": "Work out the excavated volume and what leaves site", "calculator": "trench-excavation-backfill-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/trench-excavation-backfill-calculator.json" }, { "step": "Quantify the sub-base", "calculator": "gravel-base-tonnage-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/gravel-base-tonnage-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "metric", "inputs": { "area": 24, "thickness": 0.15, "gravelDensity": 2200 }, "expect": 7.92, "places": 2, "shown": "7.92 t (8.73 US tons) of sub-base under the 24 m² (258 sq ft) slab, at a compacted density of 2,200 kg/m³ (137 lb/ft³)" } }, { "step": "Work out how many compaction lifts it goes in", "calculator": "backfill-lift-count-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/backfill-lift-count-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "metric", "inputs": { "totalFillHeight": 0.15, "liftThickness": 0.075 }, "expect": 2, "places": 0, "shown": "2 lifts of 75 mm (3 in), each compacted before the next, for the 150 mm (5.9 in) sub-base" } }, { "step": "Quantify the damp-proof membrane", "calculator": "vapor-barrier-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/vapor-barrier-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "metric", "inputs": { "area": 24, "overlapPercent": 10 }, "expect": 1, "places": 0, "shown": "1 roll of the calculator's 3 × 30 m (10 × 100 ft) sheet: 26.4 m² (284 sq ft) with the lap allowance, before the perimeter upstand is added" } }, { "step": "Quantify the formwork", "calculator": "concrete-formwork-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/concrete-formwork-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "metric", "inputs": { "slabLength": 6, "slabWidth": 4, "formworkHeight": 0.1, "wastePercent": 0 }, "expect": 9, "places": 0, "shown": "9 boards of 2.4 m for the 20 m (65.6 ft) perimeter (9 of 8 ft on the imperial setting)" } }, { "step": "Quantify the reinforcement", "calculator": "rebar-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/rebar-calculator.json" }, { "step": "Quantify the concrete", "calculator": "concrete-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/concrete-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "metric", "inputs": { "slabLength": 6, "slabWidth": 4, "slabThickness": 0.1, "wasteFactorPercent": 0 }, "expect": 3.14, "places": 2, "shown": "2.40 m³ (3.14 yd³) of concrete, neat — the allowance and the rounding up to the supplied load come on top" } }, { "step": "Set the joint spacing", "calculator": "concrete-control-joint-spacing-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/concrete-control-joint-spacing-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "metric", "inputs": { "slabThickness": 0.1 }, "expect": 9.84, "places": 2, "shown": "3.0 m (9.84 ft) maximum spacing by the plain-slab rule at 100 mm (3.9 in), so the 6 m (19.7 ft) and the 4 m (13.1 ft) sides each need at least one joint" } }, { "step": "Quantify the curing protection", "calculator": "concrete-curing-blanket-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/concrete-curing-blanket-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "metric", "inputs": { "slabArea": 24 }, "expect": 2, "places": 0, "shown": "2 blankets of 1.8 × 7.6 m (6 × 25 ft) for 27.6 m² (297 sq ft) with the overlap" } } ] }, { "slug": "concrete-driveway-replaced", "title": "12 × 50 Concrete Driveway Replacement, Worked Step by Step", "job": "A 12 × 50 ft (3.7 × 15.2 m) single-car concrete driveway broken out and repoured at 4 in (102 mm) on a compacted gravel base", "market": "US", "basis": "modelled", "url": "https://craftquantities.com/examples/concrete-driveway-replaced/", "published": "2026-09-25", "updated": "2026-09-25", "takeoff": "https://craftquantities.com/build/concrete-driveway/", "summary": "A single-car driveway replacement taken off step by step: what leaves site is weighed before what arrives is measured, then the base the break-out uncovers, isolation at the two fixed ends, forms, steel and chairs, the concrete, the saw cuts and the cure — each with the allowance chosen for it and the direction it is most likely to move.", "measurements": [ { "what": "Driveway plan, garage slab to sidewalk edge", "value": "50 × 12 ft (15.24 × 3.66 m): 600 sq ft (55.7 m²)" }, { "what": "Old slab thickness, found at the broken edge", "value": "4 in (102 mm) taken throughout for this model: 200 ft³, or 7.41 yd³ (5.66 m³) in place" }, { "what": "Finished levels at the two fixed ends", "value": "New surface flush with the garage slab and the sidewalk, falling away from the garage" }, { "what": "Subgrade depth and base width", "value": "Subgrade 8 in (203 mm) below finished level; 4 in (102 mm) of new base, 13 ft (3.96 m) wide: 650 sq ft (60.4 m²)" } ], "steps": [ { "step": "Size the break-out as loose volume", "calculator": "demolition-bulk-volume-swell-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/demolition-bulk-volume-swell-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "imperial", "inputs": { "inPlaceVolumeYd3": 5663.3693184, "materialType": "concrete" }, "expect": 9.63, "places": 2, "shown": "9.63 yd³ (7.36 m³) of loose rubble" } }, { "step": "Turn the rubble into a weight for the haul", "calculator": "concrete-rubble-cubic-yards-to-tons-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/concrete-rubble-cubic-yards-to-tons-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "imperial", "inputs": { "cubicYards": 9.63 }, "expect": 14.445, "places": 2, "shown": "14.4 short tons (13.1 t) of broken concrete" } }, { "step": "Quantify the new gravel base", "calculator": "gravel-base-tonnage-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/gravel-base-tonnage-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "imperial", "inputs": { "area": 60.386976, "thickness": 0.1016 }, "expect": 13.5, "places": 1, "shown": "14.9 short tons (13.5 t) at 137 pcf (2,200 kg/m³) compacted" } }, { "step": "Quantify the isolation joints at the two fixed ends", "calculator": "expansion-joint-filler-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/expansion-joint-filler-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "imperial", "inputs": { "jointLength": 7.3152, "jointWidth": 0.0127, "jointDepth": 0.00635 }, "expect": 0.59, "places": 2, "shown": "0.16 gal (20 US fl oz, 0.59 L) of sealant, a little under two 10.1 fl oz (300 mL) cartridges" } }, { "step": "Set the edge forms on the compacted base", "calculator": "concrete-formwork-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/concrete-formwork-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "imperial", "inputs": { "slabLength": 15.24, "slabWidth": 3.6576, "formworkHeight": 0.1016, "wastePercent": 0 }, "expect": 16, "places": 0, "shown": "16 boards of 8 ft (16 of 2.4 m on the metric setting)" } }, { "step": "Lay out the steel grid inside the forms", "calculator": "rebar-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/rebar-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "imperial", "inputs": { "slabLength": 15.24, "slabWidth": 3.6576, "gridSpacingIn": "18" }, "expect": 50, "places": 0, "shown": "50 sticks of 20 ft (26 of 12 m on the metric setting)" } }, { "step": "Count the chairs that hold the grid up", "calculator": "rebar-chair-count-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/rebar-chair-count-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "imperial", "inputs": { "matLength": 15.24, "matWidth": 3.6576, "barSpacing": 0.4572, "supportSpacing": 0.9144, "supportEveryNth": "1", "matLayers": 1, "sideFormRun": 0 }, "expect": 153, "places": 0, "shown": "153 chairs (or 204 ft / 62.2 m of continuous bolster)" } }, { "step": "Order the concrete", "calculator": "driveway-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/driveway-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "imperial", "inputs": { "drivewayLength": 15.24, "drivewayWidth": 3.6576, "concreteThickness": 0.1016, "gravelBaseThickness": 0.1016 }, "expect": 7.41, "places": 2, "shown": "7.41 yd³ (5.66 m³) of concrete, neat" } }, { "step": "Lay out the control joints", "calculator": "concrete-control-joint-spacing-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/concrete-control-joint-spacing-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "imperial", "inputs": { "slabThickness": 0.1016 }, "expect": 10, "places": 2, "shown": "10 ft (3.05 m) maximum joint spacing" } }, { "step": "Quantify the curing compound", "calculator": "curing-compound-coverage-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/curing-compound-coverage-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "imperial", "inputs": { "surfaceArea": 55.741824, "coverageRateM2PerLiter": 4.908477349422232 }, "expect": 11.36, "places": 2, "shown": "3.0 US gal (11.4 L) for one coat" } } ] }, { "slug": "gravel-driveway-laid", "title": "6 × 10 m Gravel Driveway Materials, Worked Step by Step", "job": "A 6 × 10 m (19.7 × 32.8 ft) gravel driveway on 150 mm (5.9 in) of open-graded crushed stone over a geotextile, with a block edge", "market": "UK", "basis": "modelled", "url": "https://craftquantities.com/examples/gravel-driveway-laid/", "published": "2026-09-25", "updated": "2026-09-25", "summary": "A gravel drive taken off in the order it is built — the fall between two fixed levels, the dig and the loads that leave, the fabric, the open-graded sub-base and its compaction lifts, the block edge, then the surface stone — noting at each step which allowance was taken, and which way each figure is likeliest to move once the ground is open.", "measurements": [ { "what": "Finished levels at the house and at the footway", "value": "Gravel 150 mm (5.9 in) below the DPC at the house end; at the road end the gravel meets the soldier course flush, and that course sits level with the back of the footway, 200 mm (7.9 in) lower and 10 m (32.8 ft) along" }, { "what": "Plan size: gravel, edge and dig", "value": "Gravel 6.0 × 10.0 m (19.7 × 32.8 ft); edge 200 mm (7.9 in) wide plus 100 mm (3.9 in) for the haunch on every side; dig 6.6 × 10.6 m (21 ft 8 in × 34 ft 9 in), 69.96 m² (753 sq ft)" }, { "what": "Depth from the finished line to formation", "value": "50 mm (2 in) gravel on 150 mm (5.9 in) sub-base, fabric negligible: formation 200 mm (7.9 in) under the finished line, cut deeper under the edge for its concrete bed" }, { "what": "What lies under the lawn: services, topsoil and surface height", "value": "Lawn taken as sitting at the finished level along the whole fall, so the dig is a uniform 200 mm (7.9 in); topsoil taken to end within that depth; no service taken to lie shallower than the dig" }, { "what": "How fast the ground takes water at formation level", "value": "Not measured on a modelled page: the ground is assumed to take the water, which is what keeps this build on the porous side of the planning condition" } ], "steps": [ { "step": "Fix the fall between the two levels that cannot move", "calculator": "slope-grade-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/slope-grade-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "metric", "inputs": { "rise": 0.2, "run": 10 }, "expect": 2, "places": 2, "shown": "2% (1.15°): 200 mm (7.9 in) of fall over 10 m (32.8 ft)" } }, { "step": "Turn the dig into the volume that leaves site", "calculator": "soil-swell-shrinkage-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/soil-swell-shrinkage-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "metric", "inputs": { "bankVolume": 13992, "swellFactorPercent": 25 }, "expect": 17.49, "places": 2, "shown": "17.5 m³ (22.9 yd³) of loose spoil" } }, { "step": "Count the loads the spoil makes", "calculator": "truck-load-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/truck-load-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "metric", "inputs": { "bulkVolume": 17490, "truckCapacityYd3": "10" }, "expect": 3, "places": 0, "shown": "3 loads of an 8 m³ tipper (3 of 10 yd³ on the imperial setting)" } }, { "step": "Line the formation with separation fabric", "calculator": "separation-geotextile-roll-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/separation-geotextile-roll-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "metric", "inputs": { "driveLength": 11, "driveWidth": 6.6, "extraArea": 0, "rollWidth": 4.5, "rollLength": 100, "lapWidth": 0.3 }, "expect": 1, "places": 0, "shown": "1 roll: 22.0 m (72.2 ft) of 4.5 m (14 ft 9 in) fabric, 99 m² (1,066 sq ft) with laps" } }, { "step": "Quantify the open-graded sub-base", "calculator": "gravel-base-tonnage-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/gravel-base-tonnage-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "metric", "inputs": { "area": 69.96, "thickness": 0.15, "gravelDensity": 1600 }, "expect": 16.79, "places": 2, "shown": "16.8 t (18.5 short tons) of 4/20 mm open-graded stone, compacted" } }, { "step": "Split the sub-base into compaction lifts", "calculator": "backfill-lift-count-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/backfill-lift-count-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "metric", "inputs": { "totalFillHeight": 0.15, "liftThickness": 0.1 }, "expect": 2, "places": 0, "shown": "2 lifts of about 75 mm (3 in) compacted" } }, { "step": "Count the blocks for the edge", "calculator": "paver-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/paver-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "metric", "inputs": { "patioLength": 32.8, "patioWidth": 0.2, "paverLength": 0.2, "paverWidth": 0.1, "wasteFactorPercent": 5 }, "expect": 345, "places": 0, "shown": "345 blocks of 200 × 100 mm (7.9 × 3.9 in)" } }, { "step": "Order the surface gravel", "calculator": "gravel-driveway-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/gravel-driveway-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "metric", "inputs": { "drivewayLength": 10, "drivewayWidth": 6, "depth": 0.05 }, "expect": 5.49, "places": 2, "shown": "4.98 t (5.49 short tons) of 20 mm gravel" } } ] }, { "slug": "paver-patio-laid", "title": "How Many Pavers for a 12 × 16 Patio, Plus Base and Sand", "job": "A 12 × 16 ft (3.7 × 4.9 m) concrete paver patio against the house, on 4 in (102 mm) of compacted base and 1 in (25 mm) of bedding sand, with polymeric sand joints", "market": "US", "basis": "modelled", "url": "https://craftquantities.com/examples/paver-patio-laid/", "published": "2026-09-25", "updated": "2026-09-25", "takeoff": "https://craftquantities.com/build/paver-patio/", "summary": "The materials for a 12 × 16 ft (3.7 × 4.9 m) paver patio against the house, each figure worked from the one before it — levels from the siding line, the dig, the spoil and its weight, base and sand, compaction lifts, pavers, edging, polymeric sand and sealer — and a closing note on which of them tend to move once the ground is open.", "measurements": [ { "what": "The line the paving must stay below, at the wall", "value": "Siding 8 in (203 mm) above the soil; paving to finish 6 in (152 mm) below it, which is 2 in (51 mm) above the soil at the wall" }, { "what": "The paved rectangle, and the larger footprint that gets dug", "value": "Paved 16 × 12 ft (4.88 × 3.66 m), 192 sq ft (17.8 m²); dug 17 × 12.5 ft (5.18 × 3.81 m), 212.5 sq ft (19.7 m²), the base carried 6 in (152 mm) past each open edge" }, { "what": "How the existing ground falls away from the house", "value": "Falls 2 in (51 mm) across the 12.5 ft (3.81 m) dig — less than the paving's own fall" }, { "what": "Paver, sand and base thicknesses, added into one depth", "value": "2 3/8 in paver + 1 in sand + 4 in base = 7 3/8 in (60 + 25 + 102 = 187 mm)" }, { "what": "The paver's face size and the laying pattern", "value": "6 × 9 in (152 × 229 mm) face, 2 3/8 in (60 mm) thick, laid in running bond" } ], "steps": [ { "step": "Set the levels from the siding line and find the dig", "calculator": "patio-level-dig-depth-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/patio-level-dig-depth-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "imperial", "inputs": { "patioLength": 5.1816, "patioDepth": 3.81, "dpcAboveGround": 0.2032, "clearanceBelowDpc": 0.1524, "fallRatio": 50, "pavingThickness": 0.060325, "beddingDepth": 0.0254, "subBaseDepth": 0.1016, "groundAtFarEdge": -0.0508 }, "expect": 136.525, "places": 3, "shown": "5 3/8 in (136.5 mm) to dig at the wall, 6 3/8 in (161.9 mm) at the far edge of the dig" } }, { "step": "Bulk the spoil to the volume that leaves", "calculator": "soil-swell-shrinkage-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/soil-swell-shrinkage-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "imperial", "inputs": { "bankVolume": 2945.9844306 }, "expect": 3.682, "places": 3, "shown": "4.82 yd³ (3.68 m³) loose, from 3.85 yd³ (2.95 m³) as dug" } }, { "step": "Weigh the spoil before choosing a container", "calculator": "skip-and-dumpster-size-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/skip-and-dumpster-size-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "imperial", "inputs": { "wasteVolume": 3682.48053825, "wasteType": "soil", "weightLimitKg": 1814.36948 }, "expect": 3.682, "places": 3, "shown": "4.82 yd³ (3.68 m³) of soil weighing 12,180 lb (5.52 t): just over three loads on weight at the assumed 2-ton allowance, so four" } }, { "step": "Split the build-up into base and bedding sand", "calculator": "paver-base-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/paver-base-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "imperial", "inputs": { "patioLength": 4.8768, "patioWidth": 3.6576, "gravelBaseDepth": 0.1016, "sandDepth": 0.0254 }, "expect": 2.37, "places": 3, "shown": "2.37 yd³ (1.81 m³) of base under the pavers, plus 0.59 yd³ (0.45 m³) of bedding sand" } }, { "step": "Carry the base to the edge of the dig and weigh it", "calculator": "gravel-base-tonnage-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/gravel-base-tonnage-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "imperial", "inputs": { "area": 19.741896, "thickness": 0.1016, "gravelDensity": 2200 }, "expect": 4.413, "places": 3, "shown": "4.86 US tons (4.41 t) of compacted base over 212.5 sq ft (19.7 m²)" } }, { "step": "Count the compaction lifts", "calculator": "backfill-lift-count-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/backfill-lift-count-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "imperial", "inputs": { "totalFillHeight": 0.13546667, "liftThickness": 0.0762 }, "expect": 2, "places": 0, "shown": "2 lifts of no more than 3 in (76 mm) each, from 5 1/3 in (135 mm) of loose stone" } }, { "step": "Count the pavers", "calculator": "paver-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/paver-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "imperial", "inputs": { "patioLength": 4.8768, "patioWidth": 3.6576, "paverLength": 0.2286, "paverWidth": 0.1524, "wasteFactorPercent": 10 }, "expect": 564, "places": 0, "shown": "564 pavers, 6 × 9 in (152 × 229 mm), for 192 sq ft (17.8 m²)" } }, { "step": "Count the edge restraint for the three open sides", "calculator": "paver-edging-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/paver-edging-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "imperial", "inputs": { "paverAreaLength": 2.4384, "paverAreaWidth": 3.6576, "stockLengthFt": "8", "wastePercent": 10 }, "expect": 6, "places": 0, "shown": "6 sections of 8 ft (2.4 m) edging for 40 ft (12.2 m) of open edge" } }, { "step": "Count the polymeric sand", "calculator": "paver-polymeric-sand-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/paver-polymeric-sand-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "imperial", "inputs": { "paverArea": 17.83738368, "coverageSqftPerBag": 8.3612736 }, "expect": 3, "places": 0, "shown": "3 × 50 lb bags (3 × 20 kg bags in a metric market)" } }, { "step": "Decide on sealer, and quantify it if the answer is yes", "calculator": "paver-sealer-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/paver-sealer-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "imperial", "inputs": { "paverArea": 17.83738368, "coats": 2 }, "expect": 3, "places": 0, "shown": "3 gal (11.4 L) for two coats over 192 sq ft (17.8 m²)" } } ] }, { "slug": "block-retaining-wall-built", "title": "40 ft Block Retaining Wall Materials, Worked Step by Step", "job": "A 40 ft (12.19 m) segmental block retaining wall, 3 ft (0.91 m) exposed plus one buried course, with drainage stone and a perforated heel drain laid to fall", "market": "US", "basis": "modelled", "url": "https://craftquantities.com/examples/block-retaining-wall-built/", "published": "2026-09-25", "updated": "2026-09-25", "takeoff": "https://craftquantities.com/build/retaining-wall/", "summary": "The takeoff for a 40 ft (12.19 m) segmental block retaining wall standing 3 ft (0.91 m) out of the ground with one course buried, in the order its height passes down the job — blocks, levelling pad, geogrid, drainage stone, filter fabric, heel drain and its fall, outlet and trench, compaction lifts and cap — with every figure computed by a linked calculator, and a closing account of which of them a real bank tends to push up or pull down.", "measurements": [ { "what": "Length of the face line, end to end", "value": "40 ft (12.19 m), straight, full height, square ends" }, { "what": "Exposed height, from the finished grade in front", "value": "3 ft (0.91 m) exposed as six 6 in (152 mm) courses, plus one buried course: 3.5 ft (1.07 m) of block" }, { "what": "The unit, measured off a block rather than a brochure", "value": "18 in face × 6 in high × 12 in deep (457 × 152 × 305 mm)" }, { "what": "A daylight point below the heel", "value": "25 ft (7.62 m) beyond the outlet end of the wall" }, { "what": "What stands on the ground behind the wall, and what the soil is", "value": "Level lawn, no surcharge; native soil taken as granular, low in clay and free of roots and debris, reused as the reinforced fill behind the stone zone" } ], "steps": [ { "step": "Count the blocks, buried course included", "calculator": "retaining-wall-block-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/retaining-wall-block-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "imperial", "inputs": { "wallLength": 12.192, "wallHeight": 1.0668, "blockFaceWidth": 0.4572, "blockFaceHeight": 0.1524, "wastePercent": 10 }, "expect": 206, "places": 0, "shown": "206 blocks over 7 courses (18 × 6 in / 457 × 152 mm face)" } }, { "step": "Size the levelling pad under the buried course", "calculator": "gravel-base-tonnage-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/gravel-base-tonnage-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "imperial", "inputs": { "area": 7.4322432, "thickness": 0.1524, "gravelDensity": 2200 }, "expect": 2.4919, "places": 3, "shown": "2.75 US tons (2.49 metric tons) of base stone, 80 sq ft (7.43 m²) at 6 in (152 mm)" } }, { "step": "Count the geogrid layers, and with them the depth of the dig", "calculator": "geogrid-layer-count-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/geogrid-layer-count-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "imperial", "inputs": { "wallHeight": 1.0668, "verticalSpacing": 0.3048, "embedmentLength": 0.9144 }, "expect": 4, "places": 0, "shown": "4 layers, 12 ft of grid per foot of wall (3.66 m per m)" } }, { "step": "Quantify the drainage stone behind the block", "calculator": "retaining-wall-drainage-gravel-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/retaining-wall-drainage-gravel-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "imperial", "inputs": { "wallLength": 12.192, "wallHeight": 1.0668, "drainageZoneWidth": 0.3048, "wastePercent": 10 }, "expect": 5.7037, "places": 3, "shown": "5.70 yd³ (4.36 m³) of drainage stone, 12 in (305 mm) wide over the full 3.5 ft" } }, { "step": "Quantify the filter fabric between the stone and the soil", "calculator": "landscape-fabric-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/landscape-fabric-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "imperial", "inputs": { "bedArea": 16.7225472, "overlapPercent": 20 }, "expect": 1, "places": 0, "shown": "1 roll (216 sq ft / 20.1 m² to cover, laps included)" } }, { "step": "Count the perforated pipe along the heel", "calculator": "weeping-tile-segment-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/weeping-tile-segment-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "imperial", "inputs": { "foundationPerimeter": 12.192, "pipeSegmentLength": 3.048 }, "expect": 4, "places": 0, "shown": "4 lengths of 10 ft (3.05 m) perforated pipe, butted" } }, { "step": "Set the heel drain's fall towards the outlet end", "calculator": "drain-pipe-slope-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/drain-pipe-slope-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "imperial", "inputs": { "pipeLength": 12.192, "pipeDiameterCategory": "large" }, "expect": 5, "places": 2, "shown": "5 in (127 mm) of drop over the 40 ft (12.19 m) heel run" } }, { "step": "Count the solid outlet pipe to daylight", "calculator": "weeping-tile-segment-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/weeping-tile-segment-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "imperial", "inputs": { "foundationPerimeter": 7.62, "pipeSegmentLength": 3.048 }, "expect": 3, "places": 0, "shown": "3 lengths of 10 ft (3.05 m) solid pipe" } }, { "step": "Size the outlet trench and what goes back into it", "calculator": "trench-excavation-backfill-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/trench-excavation-backfill-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "imperial", "inputs": { "trenchLength": 7.62, "trenchWidth": 0.2032, "trenchDepth": 0.1905, "pipeDiameter": 0.107061, "compactionFactorPercent": 15 }, "expect": 0.2603, "places": 3, "shown": "0.34 yd³ loose (0.26 m³) to backfill round the outlet pipe" } }, { "step": "Count the compaction lifts behind the wall", "calculator": "backfill-lift-count-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/backfill-lift-count-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "imperial", "inputs": { "totalFillHeight": 1.0668, "liftThickness": 0.1524 }, "expect": 7, "places": 0, "shown": "7 lifts, one to each 6 in (152 mm) course" } }, { "step": "Measure the cap along the top course", "calculator": "coping-cap-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/coping-cap-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "imperial", "inputs": { "parapetLength": 12.192, "wastePercent": 5 }, "expect": 12.8016, "places": 3, "shown": "42 ft (12.80 m) of cap along the top course" } } ] }, { "slug": "brick-garden-wall-built", "title": "10 m Brick Garden Wall on a Slope, Worked Step by Step", "job": "A 10 m (32 ft 10 in) one-brick garden wall, its brickwork 1.2 m (3 ft 11 in) out of the ground on average under the coping, on a concrete strip footing stepped down a sloping garden", "market": "UK", "basis": "modelled", "url": "https://craftquantities.com/examples/brick-garden-wall-built/", "published": "2026-09-25", "updated": "2026-09-25", "takeoff": "https://craftquantities.com/build/strip-footing/", "summary": "A freestanding brick wall on a falling garden, taken off in the order its figures depend on each other: the fall into footing steps, the steps into concrete and coursing, the coursing into bricks and mortar, and only then the spoil that leaves — what the concrete and the buried brickwork displace — the skip and the coping.", "measurements": [ { "what": "The wall line and its length on plan", "value": "10.0 m (32 ft 10 in), running straight down the fall" }, { "what": "The fall along that line", "value": "900 mm (2 ft 11 in) over the 10 m (32 ft 10 in), an even 1 in 11.1 (9% along the wall)" }, { "what": "The ground and the minimum founding depth", "value": "Firm, stony subsoil at both ends; 450 mm (17.7 in) to the underside of the concrete taken as the minimum for this example" }, { "what": "The strip's section", "value": "600 mm wide × 225 mm thick (23.6 × 8.9 in), unreinforced, poured against the trench sides" }, { "what": "Coursing, from a sample of the chosen brick", "value": "215 × 102.5 × 65 mm (8.5 × 4.0 × 2.6 in) on 10 mm (0.4 in) joints, a 225 × 75 mm (8.9 × 3.0 in) module; 20 courses, 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in), from concrete to coping in every section" }, { "what": "Height out of the ground, at both ends of each section", "value": "About 1.09 to 1.32 m (3 ft 7 in to 4 ft 4 in) of brickwork clear of the ground along each section, least at its uphill end and most over the lap at its downhill end; 1.20 m (3 ft 11 in) on average, and 1.16 m (3 ft 10 in) at both ends of the wall, with the coping above" } ], "steps": [ { "step": "Divide the fall into steps the brickwork can follow", "calculator": "stepped-foundation-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/stepped-foundation-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "metric", "inputs": { "wallLength": 10, "gradient": 11.111111, "angleToFall": 0, "foundationType": "strip", "foundationThickness": 0.225, "stepHeight": 0.225 }, "expect": 4, "places": 0, "shown": "4 steps of 225 mm (8.9 in), 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in) apart, each lapped 450 mm (17.7 in)" } }, { "step": "Quantify the strip, laps included", "calculator": "continuous-footing-grade-beam-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/continuous-footing-grade-beam-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "metric", "inputs": { "footingLength": 11.8, "footingWidth": 0.6, "footingDepth": 0.225, "wasteFactorPercent": 10 }, "expect": 1.7523, "places": 2, "shown": "1.75 m³ (2.29 yd³) of concrete, 1.59 m³ (2.08 yd³) before waste" } }, { "step": "Batch the concrete for a mixer beside the trench", "calculator": "concrete-mix-ratio-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/concrete-mix-ratio-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "metric", "inputs": { "mixVolume": 2628.45, "cementParts": 1, "sandParts": 2, "gravelParts": 4 }, "expect": 23, "places": 0, "shown": "23 × 25 kg bags of cement (14 × 94 lb sacks in US stock)" } }, { "step": "Count the bricks for both leaves", "calculator": "brick-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/brick-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "metric", "inputs": { "wallLength": 20, "wallHeight": 1.5, "wasteFactorPercent": 15, "brickLengthIn": 0.215, "brickHeightIn": 0.065, "mortarJointIn": 0.01, "brickDepthIn": 0.1025 }, "expect": 2045, "places": 0, "shown": "2,045 bricks (1,778 before waste)" } }, { "step": "Batch the mortar from the joint volume", "calculator": "mortar-mix-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/mortar-mix-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "metric", "inputs": { "mortarVolume": 678.44, "mortarType": "S", "sandRatio": 3, "wastePercent": 10 }, "expect": 0.746284, "places": 2, "shown": "0.75 m³ (26.4 ft³) of building sand, with 11 × 25 kg bags of cement" } }, { "step": "Turn what the wall displaces into a loose volume of spoil", "calculator": "soil-swell-shrinkage-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/soil-swell-shrinkage-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "metric", "inputs": { "bankVolume": 2231.55, "swellFactorPercent": 25 }, "expect": 2.7894375, "places": 2, "shown": "2.79 m³ (3.65 yd³) of loose spoil to leave, from 2.23 m³ (2.92 yd³) displaced" } }, { "step": "Check the skip on weight as well as volume", "calculator": "skip-and-dumpster-size-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/skip-and-dumpster-size-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "metric", "inputs": { "wasteVolume": 2789.4375, "wasteType": "soil", "weightLimitKg": 8000 }, "expect": 2.7894375, "places": 2, "shown": "2.79 m³ (3.65 yd³) of soil, weighing 4.18 tonnes (4.6 US tons)" } }, { "step": "Measure the coping, with its stop ends", "calculator": "coping-cap-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/coping-cap-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "metric", "inputs": { "parapetLength": 10, "wastePercent": 10 }, "expect": 11, "places": 2, "shown": "11.0 m (36.1 ft) of coping, plus six stop ends" } } ] }, { "slug": "attached-deck-built", "title": "12 × 16 Deck Materials List, Worked Step by Step", "job": "A 16 × 12 ft (4.9 × 3.7 m) pressure-treated deck, 3 ft (0.9 m) off grade and ledgered to the house, with one stair and a railing on three sides", "market": "US", "basis": "modelled", "url": "https://craftquantities.com/examples/attached-deck-built/", "published": "2026-09-25", "updated": "2026-09-25", "takeoff": "https://craftquantities.com/build/timber-deck/", "summary": "An attached 16 × 12 ft deck taken off in the order its load travels — joist check and joist count, ledger screws, footing count and size, concrete, boards, screws, stair, balusters and stain — with every figure computed by the calculator at its step or by the arithmetic shown beside it, the gaps this site cannot fill named where they fall, and the places the estimate is most likely to be wrong.", "measurements": [ { "what": "Deck outline, from the sheathing face at the ledger to the outer face of the rim joist", "value": "16 ft (4.88 m) along the house × 12 ft (3.66 m) out, diagonals equal" }, { "what": "Finished deck height above grade, at the foot of the stair", "value": "36 in (914 mm) at the stair foot" }, { "what": "Joist layout: clear span, cantilever and centres", "value": "10 ft (3.05 m) clear span, 18 in (457 mm) cantilever, 2x8 joists at 16 in (406 mm) centres" }, { "what": "Design load, soil and frost depth", "value": "50 psf (2.39 kPa) total; 1,500 psf (72 kPa) soil; 36 in (914 mm) frost depth, taken for this run only" }, { "what": "Guard layout and the stair opening", "value": "Six bays at 6 ft (1.83 m) centres, 68½ in (1.74 m) clear between 4x4 posts; eight posts; a 4 ft (1.22 m) stair opening centred on the outer edge" } ], "steps": [ { "step": "Check the joist size against the span", "calculator": "deck-joist-span-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/deck-joist-span-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "imperial", "inputs": { "clearSpan": 3.048, "joistSpacing": 0.4064, "totalLoad": 2394.012949, "bendingValue": 6900000, "modulusE": 9650000000, "joistWidth": 0.0381, "deflectionRatio": "360", "proposedDepth": 0.18415, "cantilever": 0.4572 }, "expect": 161.53, "places": 2, "shown": "6.36 in (161.5 mm) of depth required; a 2x8 at 7¼ in (184 mm) passes" } }, { "step": "Count the joists", "calculator": "ceiling-joist-linear-footage-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/ceiling-joist-linear-footage-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "imperial", "inputs": { "buildingLength": 4.8768, "buildingWidth": 3.6576, "joistSpacing": 0.4064 }, "expect": 47.5488, "places": 2, "shown": "156 ft (47.55 m) of joist: 13 joists of 12 ft (3.66 m)" } }, { "step": "Count the ledger lag screws", "calculator": "ledger-lag-screw-count-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/ledger-lag-screw-count-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "imperial", "inputs": { "totalLoad": 17792.886461042, "perFastenerCapacity": 1800 }, "expect": 10, "places": 0, "shown": "10 lag screws at the stand-in capacity of 405 lb (1.8 kN) each" } }, { "step": "Count the footings on the beam line", "calculator": "deck-footing-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/deck-footing-calculator.json" }, { "step": "Size the footing under the middle post", "calculator": "spread-footing-sizing-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/spread-footing-sizing-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "imperial", "inputs": { "columnLoad": 12455.02052273, "allowableBearingPressure": 71820.38847 }, "expect": 0.4164, "places": 3, "shown": "1.37 ft (16.4 in, 0.416 m) square side, 1.87 sq ft (0.173 m²) of bearing" } }, { "step": "Quantify the footing concrete", "calculator": "concrete-bag-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/concrete-bag-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "imperial", "inputs": { "postDiameter": 0.508, "postHeight": 0.9652, "postCount": 3, "bagSize": "80" }, "expect": 35, "places": 0, "shown": "35 bags of 80 lb (42 bags of 30 kg), 20.7 ft³ (0.59 m³)" } }, { "step": "Count the deck boards", "calculator": "deck-board-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/deck-board-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "imperial", "inputs": { "deckLength": 4.8768, "deckWidth": 3.6576, "boardLengthFt": "16" }, "expect": 26, "places": 0, "shown": "26 boards of 16 ft (4.9 m), one to a row" } }, { "step": "Count the deck screws", "calculator": "deck-screws-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/deck-screws-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "imperial", "inputs": { "deckArea": 17.83738368 }, "expect": 3, "places": 0, "shown": "3 boxes of 300 (672 screws)" } }, { "step": "Lay out the stair", "calculator": "stair-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/stair-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "imperial", "inputs": { "totalRise": 0.9144, "targetRiser": 0.1905, "actualTreadDepth": 0.2794, "buildingCode": "irc" }, "expect": 5, "places": 0, "shown": "5 risers of 7.2 in (183 mm), 4 treads 11 in (279 mm) deep" } }, { "step": "Count the balusters", "calculator": "baluster-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/baluster-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "imperial", "inputs": { "railSectionLength": 1.7399, "balusterWidth": 0.0381 }, "expect": 12, "places": 0, "shown": "12 balusters a bay at 3.88 in (99 mm) gaps" } }, { "step": "Quantify the stain", "calculator": "deck-stain-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/deck-stain-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "imperial", "inputs": { "deckArea": 17.83738368, "coats": 2 }, "expect": 2, "places": 0, "shown": "2 gallons (7.6 L) for two coats" } } ] }, { "slug": "privacy-fence-built", "title": "150 ft Privacy Fence Materials List, Worked Step by Step", "job": "150 ft (45.7 m) of 6 ft (1.83 m) wood privacy fence on 4x4 posts at 8 ft (2.44 m) centres, with one walk gate, on a gently sloping yard", "market": "US", "basis": "modelled", "url": "https://craftquantities.com/examples/privacy-fence-built/", "published": "2026-09-25", "updated": "2026-09-25", "takeoff": "https://craftquantities.com/build/fence-run/", "summary": "The takeoff for 150 ft (45.7 m) of 6 ft (1.83 m) wood privacy fence with a walk gate on a gentle slope, in build order — the grade, the post count, the dressed lumber sizes, the concrete for line, end and gate posts, the pickets and the stain. Each quantity comes from a linked calculator; the post total, the bag total and the post lengths are summed by hand and say so, and the last section sets out which way each part of the order tends to drift.", "measurements": [ { "what": "Length of the fence line, end post to end post", "value": "150 ft (45.7 m), one straight run with no corners" }, { "what": "The gate bay, post centre to post centre", "value": "4 ft (1.22 m) at the uphill end, leaving 146 ft (44.5 m) of fence" }, { "what": "Fall along the line", "value": "3 ft (0.91 m) over the 150 ft (45.7 m), spread evenly, no break of grade and no cross-fall at the gate" }, { "what": "Hole depth, checked against frost", "value": "24 in (610 mm) for the 18 line posts; 36 in (914 mm) for the far end post and the two gate posts; concrete for the full depth of each" }, { "what": "Post and picket sizes as delivered", "value": "4x4 posts; 1x6 dog-ear pickets — standard dressed sizes from step 3, confirmed with a tape on delivery" }, { "what": "Buried utilities along the line", "value": "Utility locate before any digging; private lines swept at each stake" } ], "steps": [ { "step": "Read the grade, and decide whether the fence rakes or steps", "calculator": "slope-grade-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/slope-grade-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "imperial", "inputs": { "rise": 0.9144, "run": 45.72 }, "expect": 2, "places": 2, "shown": "2.0% grade (1.15°), from 3 ft of fall in 150 ft (0.91 m in 45.7 m)" } }, { "step": "Count the posts, bays and rails on the fenced length", "calculator": "fence-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/fence-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "imperial", "inputs": { "fenceLength": 44.5008, "postSpacingFt": "8", "fenceHeightFt": "6" }, "expect": 20, "places": 0, "shown": "20 posts, 19 bays and 57 rails (bays of 7.68 ft / 2.34 m)" } }, { "step": "Turn the nominal sizes into the ones the arithmetic uses", "calculator": "lumber-dimensional-size-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/lumber-dimensional-size-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "imperial", "inputs": { "nominalSize": "4x4" }, "expect": 3.5, "places": 2, "shown": "3.5 × 3.5 in actual (89 × 89 mm)" } }, { "step": "Size the concrete for the eighteen line-post holes", "calculator": "post-hole-concrete-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/post-hole-concrete-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "imperial", "inputs": { "holeDiameter": 0.254, "holeDepth": 0.6096, "postWidth": 0.0889, "postCount": 18, "bagSize": "80" }, "expect": 0.4693, "places": 3, "shown": "0.61 yd³ (0.47 m³), 28 bags of 80 lb (36 kg)" } }, { "step": "Size the end and gate-post holes on their own, wider and deeper", "calculator": "post-hole-concrete-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/post-hole-concrete-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "imperial", "inputs": { "holeDiameter": 0.3048, "holeDepth": 0.9144, "postWidth": 0.0889, "postCount": 3, "bagSize": "80" }, "expect": 0.1785, "places": 3, "shown": "0.23 yd³ (0.18 m³), 11 bags of 80 lb (36 kg)" } }, { "step": "Count the pickets on the fenced length", "calculator": "fence-picket-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/fence-picket-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "imperial", "inputs": { "fenceLength": 44.5008, "picketWidth": 0.1397, "gapWidth": 0, "wastePercent": 5 }, "expect": 335, "places": 0, "shown": "335 pickets (5.5 in / 140 mm face, butted)" } }, { "step": "Quantify the stain, one coat at a time", "calculator": "wood-fence-stain-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/wood-fence-stain-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "imperial", "inputs": { "fenceLength": 45.72, "fenceHeight": 1.8288, "bothSides": "yes" }, "expect": 12, "places": 0, "shown": "12 gallons per coat (45 L), over 1,800 sq ft (167 m²) of face" } } ] }, { "slug": "ev-charger-circuit-installed", "title": "48 Amp EV Charger Wiring and Breaker, Worked Step by Step", "job": "A 48 A Level 2 EV charger, hardwired on a new 240 V circuit run 45 ft (13.72 m) in 3/4 in EMT from a 200 A panel to an attached garage", "market": "US", "basis": "modelled", "url": "https://craftquantities.com/examples/ev-charger-circuit-installed/", "published": "2026-09-25", "updated": "2026-10-05", "summary": "The takeoff for a 48 A hardwired charger on an existing 200 A service, in the order the decisions are made — service load, panel spaces, breaker, conductor and termination rating, voltage drop, equipment ground and the EMT itself — with each figure taken from the calculator at its step, each allowance explained, and the places the estimate is most likely to be wrong.", "measurements": [ { "what": "Charger rating as it will be configured, and how it connects", "value": "48 A continuous at 240 V (11,520 VA), hardwired; two lines and a ground, no neutral" }, { "what": "The house's existing loads, from floor area and nameplates", "value": "2,400 sq ft (223 m²); 12 kW range; 5,000 VA dryer; water heater, dishwasher, disposal and microwave totalling 8,100 VA; central air 6,000 VA (gas furnace heat); three small-appliance circuits and a laundry circuit" }, { "what": "The panel: rating, spaces, and where the free ones are", "value": "200 A main, 40 spaces; 24 single-pole and 4 two-pole breakers installed (range, dryer, water heater, air conditioner)" }, { "what": "Termination temperature ratings at both ends of the circuit", "value": "Breaker marked 60/75 °C; charger terminals rated 75 °C" }, { "what": "The route, measured along the path the conduit will take", "value": "45 ft (13.72 m): 2 ft (0.61 m) up out of the panel, 11 ft (3.35 m) across the utility-room ceiling and through the wall, 27 ft (8.23 m) along the garage, 5 ft (1.52 m) down to the charger; three 90° bends" }, { "what": "Bender centreline radius", "value": "5¼ in (133 mm) on the 3/4 in EMT shoe assumed here" } ], "steps": [ { "step": "Turn the charger's amps into volt-amperes at 240 V", "calculator": "watts-amps-kva-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/watts-amps-kva-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "imperial", "inputs": { "supply": "ac", "phase": "single", "voltage": "240", "known": "amps", "amps": 48, "powerFactor": 1 }, "expect": 11520, "places": 0, "shown": "11,520 W (11.52 kVA) — 48 A × 240 V" } }, { "step": "Check that the service can carry the charger", "calculator": "electrical-panel-load-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/electrical-panel-load-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "imperial", "inputs": { "calcMethod": "standard", "codeEdition": "2023", "floorArea": 222.967296, "smallApplianceCircuits": 3, "hasLaundry": "yes", "rangeKw": 12, "dryerVa": 5000, "fixedApplianceVa": 8100, "fixedApplianceCount": 4, "hvacVa": 6000, "evVa": 11520 }, "expect": 191.8542, "places": 2, "shown": "192 A calculated load (138 A by the optional method) on a 200 A service" } }, { "step": "Confirm two adjacent spaces for a two-pole breaker", "calculator": "panel-slot-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/panel-slot-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "imperial", "inputs": { "totalSlots": 40, "singlePoleCount": 24, "doublePoleCount": 5 }, "expect": 6, "places": 0, "shown": "6 spaces left — 34 of the 40 used, the charger's breaker included" } }, { "step": "Size the breaker for a continuous load", "calculator": "ev-charger-circuit-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/ev-charger-circuit-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "imperial", "inputs": { "chargerContinuousAmps": 48 }, "expect": 60, "places": 0, "shown": "60 A two-pole breaker — 48 A × 1.25 = 60 A minimum" } }, { "step": "Find the conductor on the conservative column", "calculator": "amperage-to-wire-gauge-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/amperage-to-wire-gauge-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "imperial", "inputs": { "currentAmps": 60 }, "expect": 4, "places": 0, "shown": "4 AWG (21.2 mm²) from the 60 °C column, rated 70 A" } }, { "step": "Check the smaller conductor against the termination ratings", "calculator": "conductor-ampacity-derating-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/conductor-ampacity-derating-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "imperial", "inputs": { "baseAmpacity": 75, "tempCorrectionFactor": 1, "conductorCountFactor": 1 }, "expect": 75, "places": 0, "shown": "75 A corrected; the 75 °C terminations cap the usable figure at 65 A, above the 60 A breaker" } }, { "step": "Check the voltage drop over the route", "calculator": "wire-gauge-voltage-drop-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/wire-gauge-voltage-drop-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "imperial", "inputs": { "wireGauge": "6", "oneWayLength": 13.716, "currentAmps": 48, "circuitVoltage": "240" }, "expect": 2.1238, "places": 2, "shown": "2.12 V (0.88% of 240 V; about 237.9 V at the charger)" } }, { "step": "Size the equipment grounding conductor", "calculator": "grounding-conductor-sizing-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/grounding-conductor-sizing-calculator.json" }, { "step": "Take off the EMT, bends included", "calculator": "conduit-bend-length-calculator", "calculatorFile": "https://craftquantities.com/api/v1/calculators/conduit-bend-length-calculator.json", "run": { "system": "imperial", "inputs": { "straightRunLength": 12.9159, "bendCount": 3, "bendRadius": 0.13335 }, "expect": 13.5443, "places": 2, "shown": "44.4 ft (13.54 m) of 3/4 in EMT — five 10 ft (3.05 m) sticks" } } ] } ] }