residential estimating?

[justin]

So how do you guys base your takeoffs for residential work. I'm talking production homes. I have seen methods based per opening (everything including ltg, receps, switches, etc) to sq. ftg. This would be a case of providing a base price per model/builder which is needed to be provided prior to contract.

[j_erickson]

I use a per unit cost. "Outlet" count based on all of the "standard" outlets that my builder is putting in. My "outlet" is everything not accounted for anywhere else and is all general receptacles and lights and switches. Everything else is:range, dryer, dishwasher,...bath recept, well, furnace, etc.