The complexities of calculating metal labor output

By The Coffee Shops™. 

A tricky number to calculate accurately, knowing the labor rate of metal roofing crews can help with estimation and bid processes. 

Calculating the number of square feet of metal roofing a crew can put out in a single day of work is a bit trickier than one might think. There are numerous variables at play, and because of the many moving parts to metal work, there’s no set universal daily rate to compare a crew to.  

As the experts at McElroy Metal explain, metal roofing production rates cannot be compared project to project, as each new one requires different needs for the panel system, roof design, crew experience and jobsite conditions. It’s a little more complicated than counting shingles. Metal panels come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and many can be cut on-site. Further, the density of a metal panel and even its installation requirements can alter the efforts required for installation.  

Because of the sheer number of variables at play, estimating for such productivity should be calculated case-by-case, fitting the project’s unique challenges and design. To do so, the experts suggest measuring the number of installed squares against total crew man-hours for each project, noting the system type. This way, dividing the squares by man-hours can provide a reasonable measurement to compare across future jobs that have similar needs.  

For other variables that can impact the installation, such as setup, staging, field installation and fieldwork, it’s important to record them as well, taking note how they might impact one job, and how that will potentially factor into a future job.   

Read the full article to learn more about accurate calculations to learn how to get the most reliable number for metal projects.