Attic Stock in Commercial Flooring Bids
Attic stock is extra, uninstalled flooring delivered to the owner for future repairs, required by many commercial specifications. It is usually stated as a percentage of the installed quantity or as a number of full cartons or rolls per product. Price it as its own line, separate from installation waste, so it is visible and easy to adjust.
How specifications state attic stock
| Specification wording | How to calculate |
|---|---|
| Percentage of installed quantity | Net installed quantity × the percentage, rounded up to full cartons or rolls |
| Number of full cartons | Count specified per product and color |
| Full roll or minimum length | Order the specified roll or yardage per product |
| Per color in a pattern | Calculate each color separately |
The requirement is usually in the flooring specification section under extra materials or maintenance materials. Check every product: carpet tile, LVT, VCT, base and sometimes transitions.
Why attic stock must be separate from waste
- It is a deliverable to the owner, not material consumed in installation
- Owners and GCs sometimes delete it to save money
- It must be packaged, labeled and delivered, which adds handling
- Mixing it with waste hides the true waste rate in your bid
Example
A project has 10,000 SF of carpet tile in two colors, 70% and 30%, and the specification requires attic stock of 2% per color. Color A: 7,000 SF × 2% = 140 SF, which is 3 cartons at 48 SF. Color B: 3,000 SF × 2% = 60 SF, which is 2 cartons. Total attic stock: 5 cartons, listed separately. Try it in our flooring waste calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is attic stock in flooring?
Attic stock is extra, uninstalled flooring material left with the building owner for future repairs and replacements.
How much attic stock is required?
It depends on the specification. It is often stated as a small percentage of the installed quantity or as a number of full cartons per product.
Is attic stock included in the waste factor?
No. Attic stock is a separate deliverable and should be its own line in the takeoff and the bid.
Who keeps the attic stock?
The building owner keeps it, usually stored on site, so repairs can be made later with material from the same production lot.
Does attic stock need special packaging?
Specifications often require it in unopened, labelled cartons or rolls, delivered to a designated storage room, with a signed receipt.
Need this takeoff done for your next bid?
Send your plans and specs. Most CFE takeoffs are completed within 24–48 business hours of receiving complete documents.
Written by
Cristian Valcu – Founder & CEO, Commercial Flooring Estimating LLC
Cristian Valcu is a U.S.-based commercial flooring estimator with over 20 years of experience estimating with Callidus software in the commercial flooring industry. He is an expert in reading and interpreting floor plans, specifications and project-related information, and in producing full takeoff reports with quality material takeoffs based on all available bid documents.
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