Trimming out a house

Status
Not open for further replies.
peter d said:
Just devices to code minimum? Way too little detail to answer this one.
Click to expand...

I agree with Tim. There's a huge difference between a "custom" house and a builder grade house. It's usually best to figure out "unit" times. In other words, how long does it take to put in a receptacle, switch, dimmer, light fixture, etc... Then you just count them up and add all the time up.
 
Devices = 5 minutes
Recessed Trims = 5 minutes
Light Fixtures = 20 minutes
Smokes = 10 minutes
Ceiling Fans = 30 minutes

Above includes unpacking, install, clean-up, trash.......

Heat up, test, label = 2 hours

Misc. = 2 hours

Tall ceilings add time
 
olly said:
How long does it take to to trim out a 2500 sq ft home? 16 hours?
Click to expand...

it usually takes that long just to hang light fixtures.

Very few details, but roughly, I would figure well over a week. Yes textbook could be much quicker but how much you wanna bet you got:

1. A bunch of stupid PIA light fixtures
2. Crappy drywall cutouts so you gotta shim up a bunch of stuff (68% of drywallers and 87% of tile guys think the ears on devices extend 1 inch past the screw).
3. A few problems you have to troubleshoot
4. Some annoying AFCI issues
5. A bunch of super annoying PIA stuff like undercabinet lights, stuff under a sink, cut in boxes in built ins
6. missing light fixtures, appliances, etc.
7. Any number of other things that get you frustrated and make you leave halfway through the day

Hows my optimism? Please call 1-800-shouldhavestayedincollege ;)
 
electrofelon said:
it usually takes that long just to hang light fixtures.

Very few details, but roughly, I would figure well over a week. Yes textbook could be much quicker but how much you wanna bet you got:

1. A bunch of stupid PIA light fixtures
2. Crappy drywall cutouts so you gotta shim up a bunch of stuff (68% of drywallers and 87% of tile guys think the ears on devices extend 1 inch past the screw).
3. A few problems you have to troubleshoot
4. Some annoying AFCI issues
5. A bunch of super annoying PIA stuff like undercabinet lights, stuff under a sink, cut in boxes in built ins
6. missing light fixtures, appliances, etc.
7. Any number of other things that get you frustrated and make you leave halfway through the day

Hows my optimism? Please call 1-800-shouldhavestayedincollege ;)
Click to expand...

Yup, I agree.
 
electrofelon said:
it usually takes that long just to hang light fixtures.

Very few details, but roughly, I would figure well over a week. Yes textbook could be much quicker but how much you wanna bet you got:

1. A bunch of stupid PIA light fixtures
2. Crappy drywall cutouts so you gotta shim up a bunch of stuff (68% of drywallers and 87% of tile guys think the ears on devices extend 1 inch past the screw).
3. A few problems you have to troubleshoot
4. Some annoying AFCI issues
5. A bunch of super annoying PIA stuff like undercabinet lights, stuff under a sink, cut in boxes in built ins
6. missing light fixtures, appliances, etc.
7. Any number of other things that get you frustrated and make you leave halfway through the day

Hows my optimism? Please call 1-800-shouldhavestayedincollege ;)
Click to expand...

Well over a week? That must be by yourself I'm guessing. Back when we were doing new houses our two-man crews would finish a 3000 sq ft house in 3 or 4 days. So that would be 48-64 man hours.
 
electrofelon said:
Yes, one man. Sounds like we are about on the same page.
Click to expand...

Yup. If the OP isn't familiar with finishing out a new house, I'd add another 8-16 man hours to the estimate. Especially if there are a lot of splicing errors anticipated which will lead to troubleshooting AFCI problems. New apprentices like to tie all neutrals together in all boxes.
 
Stabbing in or side wrapping? I worked for an EC that did all new residential and we stabbed everything in. It was very quick to trim out an entire house. I would never do it that way now, but when you're an employee, you do what the boss wants.
 
electrofelon said:
it usually takes that long just to hang light fixtures.

Very few details, but roughly, I would figure well over a week. Yes textbook could be much quicker but how much you wanna bet you got:

1. A bunch of stupid PIA light fixtures
2. Crappy drywall cutouts so you gotta shim up a bunch of stuff (68% of drywallers and 87% of tile guys think the ears on devices extend 1 inch past the screw).
3. A few problems you have to troubleshoot
4. Some annoying AFCI issues
5. A bunch of super annoying PIA stuff like undercabinet lights, stuff under a sink, cut in boxes in built ins
6. missing light fixtures, appliances, etc.
7. Any number of other things that get you frustrated and make you leave halfway through the day

Hows my optimism? Please call 1-800-shouldhavestayedincollege ;)
Click to expand...

Well you always have to ask. Who roughed in the house and why are they not doing the trim?

When I rough in a house I plan on doing the trim and try to make things easy for myself, but a person or persons that do a rough and don't plan on being around for the trim don't always pay attention to what they are doing.
 
Normally one good man can complete roughly 80 outlets in around a 8hr work day.My son and I can normally trim out the outlets, hang the fixtures and build the service on a typical 4bed rm home in one 8hr on the job day. That also be includes the appliance install.We mostly work in the states of Tn. and Al.
 
TobyD said:
Normally one good man can complete roughly 80 outlets in around a 8hr work day.My son and I can normally trim out the outlets, hang the fixtures and build the service on a typical 4bed rm home in one 8hr on the job day. That also be includes the appliance install.We mostly work in the states of Tn. and Al.
Click to expand...

That seems quite optimistic to me. Maybe everything always goes super easy and textbook for you and I have all the bad luck! Do those figures count: (here I go again with my lists)

1. Boxes gobbed full of drywall mud
2. Planning things out and getting material
3. Talking with the homeowner about some annoying thing
4. Getting pulled away from you tasks by the furnace guy because he needs power energized to the furnace
5. Another half hour talking with the homeowner about some crap LED tape light thing he wants somewhere stupid
6. Some phone calls about other jobs
7. jumping over to a different task because the painters are in a few rooms
8. having to run out for something
9. Figuring out where all the light fixtures go, unpacking, prepping, and cleaning up packaging - that's like 2 hours right there.
 
electrofelon said:
That seems quite optimistic to me. Maybe everything always goes super easy and textbook for you and I have all the bad luck! Do those figures count: (here I go again with my lists)

1. Boxes gobbed full of drywall mud
2. Planning things out and getting material
3. Talking with the homeowner about some annoying thing
4. Getting pulled away from you tasks by the furnace guy because he needs power energized to the furnace
5. Another half hour talking with the homeowner about some crap LED tape light thing he wants somewhere stupid
6. Some phone calls about other jobs
7. jumping over to a different task because the painters are in a few rooms
8. having to run out for something
9. Figuring out where all the light fixtures go, unpacking, prepping, and cleaning up packaging - that's like 2 hours right there.
Click to expand...
I think you are closer to reality except that is only probably only half a list.
 
electrofelon said:
That seems quite optimistic to me. Maybe everything always goes super easy and textbook for you and I have all the bad luck! Do those figures count: (here I go again with my lists)

1. Boxes gobbed full of drywall mud
2. Planning things out and getting material
3. Talking with the homeowner about some annoying thing
4. Getting pulled away from you tasks by the furnace guy because he needs power energized to the furnace
5. Another half hour talking with the homeowner about some crap LED tape light thing he wants somewhere stupid
6. Some phone calls about other jobs
7. jumping over to a different task because the painters are in a few rooms
8. having to run out for something
9. Figuring out where all the light fixtures go, unpacking, prepping, and cleaning up packaging - that's like 2 hours right there.
Click to expand...

10. Finding some Motrin for your back from trimming out the 20th baseboard receptacle
11. Getting a ladder in place or scaffolding rigged to put in that one trim above the foot of the stairwell that is 18' up
12. Finding a box or 5 that the drywallers/cabinet guys/tile guys covered up
13. Adding a receptacle in X place because the HO wants it or rough in missed it; crawling in crawlspace to accomplish this.
14. Halo LT56 5/6" trim EGC hookup, x40.
15. Argument with GC/sup over who damaged what little bit of wall/paint/door when the painters have to come back anyway and you didnt do it.
16. Cleanup of dirty fingerprints on walls from helper who DID do it.
17. One 5 gang box wants to be a pita with its coverplate or drywall issue (do not find F-clip on truck, do not collect $200)
18. Talk with HO/GC for 30 minute about next project they want you to do.
19. At least one complaint/problem with a light fixture or ceiling fan; broken parts, remote control wont work, wrong color/finish, missing something
20. Last night's Mexican/Thai food is making you wish the toilets were set instead of having to pray to the porta-potty.
and a bonus
21: HO/GC is getting all light fixtures but doesnt buy bulb #1 to put in them.
 
JFletcher said:
10. Finding some Motrin for your back from trimming out the 20th baseboard receptacle
11. Getting a ladder in place or scaffolding rigged to put in that one trim above the foot of the stairwell that is 18' up
12. Finding a box or 5 that the drywallers/cabinet guys/tile guys covered up
13. Adding a receptacle in X place because the HO wants it or rough in missed it; crawling in crawlspace to accomplish this.
14. Halo LT56 5/6" trim EGC hookup, x40.
15. Argument with GC/sup over who damaged what little bit of wall/paint/door when the painters have to come back anyway and you didnt do it.
16. Cleanup of dirty fingerprints on walls from helper who DID do it.
17. One 5 gang box wants to be a pita with its coverplate or drywall issue (do not find F-clip on truck, do not collect $200)
18. Talk with HO/GC for 30 minute about next project they want you to do.
19. At least one complaint/problem with a light fixture or ceiling fan; broken parts, remote control wont work, wrong color/finish, missing something
20. Last night's Mexican/Thai food is making you wish the toilets were set instead of having to pray to the porta-potty.
and a bonus
21: HO/GC is getting all light fixtures but doesnt buy bulb #1 to put in them.
Click to expand...

Yup, good ones!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top