CFE guide · Estimating
Estimate Carpet Tile and Broadloom the Right Way
Carpet goes on the estimate in square yards, one line per product, with attic stock in Attic % and stairs as ↳ sub-lines. A takeoff in square feet converts at ÷ 9 on import (11,250 sf is 1,250 sy). CFE leaves Attic % blank on import and flags the line when the spec asks for extra stock, so you type the spec’s percentage yourself. Labor is priced on the installed Qty; carpet, freight, prep and adhesive on the Mat’l Qty.
Why carpet is easy to get wrong
Carpet looks like the simplest line on a flooring bid: square yards times a price. The money is lost in the details around it. A takeoff in square feet priced as square yards. A spec that asks for 2% extra stock from the same dye lot, missed. Stairs measured as floor area with no nosing. Adhesive left out because the product “comes with it”.
CFE - Advanced Estimating Worksheet handles each of these as a separate, visible number on the line: the unit conversion on import, Attic % for extra stock, ↳ sub-lines for stairs, and Prep and Adh. columns for what goes under the carpet.
The five steps
- Bring in the takeoffCallidus or Excel / CSV; sf converts to sy.
- Set the attic stockRead the spec; type it in Attic %.
- Add stairs as sub-linesStair nosing and nosing length under the carpet.
- Price the lineLabor on Qty; carpet, freight, prep, adhesive on Mat’l Qty.
- Check the crew daysMan Day Rates: 150 sy a day for square carpet tile.
1Bring in the carpet takeoff
Import the takeoff from Callidus or an Excel / CSV file, or type the lines. The Import Rules give every carpet line the Carpet type, from words such as carpet tile, broadloom or carpet, or codes such as CPT, CP, C and CA. On a spreadsheet import, Carpet in sf goes to the estimate in sy (÷ 9) converts the quantity for you.
2Set the attic stock from the spec
The import never guesses Attic %. When the takeoff notes mention extra stock, the line is flagged Spec asks for extra stock, Attic % left blank for you, and the note goes into the project notes: here, extra carpet from the same dye lot equal to 2% of the square footage installed. Type that 2% in Attic %. Without a spec requirement, the sample estimates carry 5% on carpet tile. See waste and attic stock.
“From the same dye lot” is the part that costs money. Order the attic stock with the job material, not later, and put it on the same line so it ships on the same order.
3Add stairs as ↳ sub-lines
Stairs are priced differently from floor area. On the Maplewood Assisted Living takeoff, CPT-3, a 12’ broadloom roll for the stairs, came in with ↳ sub-lines from the takeoff: Stair nosing, 162 each, and Nosing length, 648 lf. Each sub-line gets its own labor and material price, and moves with the carpet line. Add them by hand with right-click › Insert ↳ sub-line below.
4Price the carpet line
Across the row: Labor $/u and Prep $/u on the Qty; Mat’l $/u and Freight $/u on the Mat’l Qty; then Prep Qty × Prep Cost $/u for patch and Adh. Qty × Adh. Cost $/u for adhesive, by the pail. Set a Labor GP and a Mat’l GP. The worked example below prices a carpet tile line in full. If the GC requires a carpet assessment or reclamation fee, add it in Additional / Misc: the samples carry 1,850 sy at $0.35.
5Check the crew days
Pick a labor item for each carpet line on Project Man Days. The sample company’s Standard Rates use 150 sy per man day for square carpet tile, 120 sy for carpet tile planks laid monolithic or ashlar, 150 sy for 12’ broadloom with no pattern repeat and 500 sy for demolishing carpet tile. Replace them with your own crews’ numbers.
Worked example: a carpet tile line in full
CPT-2 Milliken 50cm x 50cm ashlar on the Willow Creek Police Substation bid, on Margin.
| Column | Value | How it is worked out |
|---|---|---|
| Qty / Attic % | 1,645 sy / 5% | From the takeoff |
| Mat’l Qty | 1,727.25 sy | 1,645 × 1.05 |
| Labor Sub | $11,761.75 | 1,645 × ($7.00 + $0.15 prep) |
| Labor Total at 20% | $14,702.19 | $11,761.75 ÷ 0.80 |
| Mat’l Sub | $42,985.81 | 1,727.25 × ($22.50 + $1.75 freight) + 2 × $25.00 prep + 3 × $350.00 adhesive |
| Mat’l Total at 15% | $50,571.54 | $42,985.81 ÷ 0.85 |
| Line Total | $65,273.73 |
Crew days for the line: 1,727.25 sy ÷ 150 sy per man day = 11.52 man days, as on the man days sheet.
What to do next
Next, estimate LVT and VCT, sheet vinyl and rubber, and the base and transitions around them.
Estimate your next carpet job
The full estimate, imports and man days are in the 30-day free trial. No credit card.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does CFE convert square feet of carpet to square yards?
Yes. On a spreadsheet import, Carpet in sf goes to the estimate in sy divides by 9, so 11,250 sf comes in as 1,250 sy.
Does CFE add attic stock to carpet automatically?
No. Attic % is left blank on import. When the takeoff notes mention extra stock, the line is flagged and the note goes into the project notes, so you type the spec’s percentage.
How do I price carpet on stairs?
Add stair nosing (each) and nosing length (lf) as ↳ sub-lines under the carpet line, each with its own labor and material price. Callidus takeoffs bring them in for you.
How many square yards of carpet tile does a crew install per day?
The sample company’s rates use 150 sy per man day for square carpet tile and 120 sy for planks laid monolithic or ashlar. Use your own crews’ numbers.
Written by
Cristian Valcu – Founder & CEO, Commercial Flooring Estimating LLC
Cristian has estimated commercial flooring for over 20 years and built CFE - Advanced Estimating Worksheet around the way flooring contractors actually price, propose and track their bids.
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