Best Way to Frame Calculator
Based on data derived from the 2015 Framing the American Dream (FAD) project, where two identical housed were framed side by side – one stick-framed and the other framed using structural components – SBCA developed this powerful online calculator as a tool to better understand the possible time and cost savings roof trusses, floor trusses/panels, and wall panels can provide when used instead of conventional stick-framing methods. After inputting a small set of data points unique to a project, the calculator estimates total costs and overall savings.
This calculator is based on construction data collected during the 2015 Framing the American Dream project. The homes in that study had the following specs:
- 2900 square foot, ranch-style home with unfinished basement
- Floor system: 16" o.c. 16" deep panelized floor system
- Low-complexity gable roof
Please note that calculations were made to adjust the FAD walls panels from 24" o.c to 16" o.c and the FAD exterior walls panels from 2x4 to 2x6. Stick-built material assumptions are taken from invoices received from the lumber yard.
This calculator is based on one example and some baseline judgments and assumptions. It does not take into count equipment required at the jobsite to handle materials or components, nor does it include labor/materials for soffits, bulkheads, draft stopping or windows.
| Totals | ||
|---|---|---|
| Item | Stick Built | Componentized |
| Total Framer Labor and Material/Component Package Cost | ${{ fad.out.total.estimate.conventional | toWhole }} | ${{ fad.out.total.estimate.components | toWhole }} |
| Material Cost / SQFT | ${{ fad.out.total.material.conventional | toCents }} | ${{ fad.out.total.material.components | toCents }} |
| Labor Cost / SQFT | ${{ fad.out.total.labor.conventional | toCents }} | ${{ fad.out.total.labor.components | toCents }} |
| Component Packages Save You | ${{ fad.out.savings.walls + fad.out.savings.roof + fad.out.savings.floors | toCents }} | |
| Walls | ||
|---|---|---|
| Item | Stick Built | Componentized |
| Exterior Walls | {{ fad.out.walls.exterior.conventional | toWhole }} hours | {{ fad.out.walls.exterior.components | toWhole }} hours |
| Interior Walls | {{ fad.out.walls.interior.conventional | toWhole }} hours | {{ fad.out.walls.interior.components | toWhole }} hours |
| Exterior Walls BDFT | {{ fad.out.walls.exteriorBDFT.conventional | toWhole }} | {{ fad.out.walls.exteriorBDFT.components | toWhole }} |
| Interior Walls BDFT | {{ fad.out.walls.interiorBDFT.conventional | toWhole }} | {{ fad.out.walls.interiorBDFT.components | toWhole }} |
| Wall Material | ${{ fad.out.walls.material.conventional | toCents }} | ${{ fad.out.walls.material.components | toCents }} |
| Wall Labor | ${{ fad.out.walls.labor.conventional | toCents }} | ${{ fad.out.walls.labor.components | toCents }} |
| Wall Panel Package | - | ${{ fad.out.walls.package.components | toCents }} |
| Component Packages Save You: | ${{ fad.out.savings.walls | toCents }} | |
| Floors | ||
|---|---|---|
| Item | Stick Built | Componentized |
| Floors | {{ fad.out.floors.hours.conventional | toWhole }} hours | {{ fad.out.floors.hours.components | toWhole }} hours |
| Floors BDFT | {{ fad.out.floors.bdft.conventional | toWhole }} | {{ fad.out.floors.bdft.components | toWhole }} |
| Floor Material | ${{ fad.out.floors.material.conventional | toCents }} | ${{ fad.out.floors.material.components | toCents }} |
| Floor Labor | ${{ fad.out.floors.labor.conventional | toCents }} | ${{ fad.out.floors.labor.components | toCents }} |
| Floor Truss Package | - | ${{ fad.out.floors.package.components | toCents }} |
| Component Packages Save You: | ${{ fad.out.savings.floors | toCents }} | |
| Roof | ||
|---|---|---|
| Item | Stick Built | Componentized |
| Roof | {{ fad.out.roof.hours.conventional | toWhole }} hours | {{ fad.out.roof.hours.components | toWhole }} hours |
| Roof BDFT | {{ fad.out.roof.bdft.conventional | toCents }} | {{ fad.out.roof.bdft.components | toCents }} |
| Roof Material | ${{ fad.out.roof.material.conventional | toCents }} | ${{ fad.out.roof.material.components | toCents }} |
| Roof Labor | ${{ fad.out.roof.labor.conventional | toCents }} | ${{ fad.out.roof.labor.components | toCents }} |
| Roof Truss Package | - | ${{ fad.out.roof.package.components | toCents }} |
| Component Packages Save You: | ${{ fad.out.savings.roof | toCents }} | |