ᐅ Structural Shell Contractor / Structural Shell Cost Estimation – How Do They Calculate?

Hello everyone,

I’m interested in how a bricklayer estimates the shell construction costs. Is it usually done very roughly?

All our window lintels are in the ceiling. Using CAD, I can calculate the wall areas minus the window openings.

Is this how a tradesperson would calculate? For example, using the area with 35.5 Ytong blocks?

Looking forward to any tips!

Best regards, Alex

alexisan schrieb:
I’m curious about how a mason calculates the cost for the shell of a building?
Just roughly?

Just for the masonry? That doesn’t make sense to calculate on its own. You also need a foundation, basement or not, scaffolding or not, precast concrete slabs or not, concrete pump?, which type of blocks or bricks?, structural steel/engineer’s reinforcement/support beams, etc.

There is simply no answer to your question because you are asking the wrong question. Sorry.

A contractor calculates just like any tradesperson or self-employed worker: materials, labor, overhead/profit, possible surcharges due to special conditions, and so on = price.

Yes, the question is nonsensical. Sorry.

Well, if the question is simply how the mason determines the measurements, the answer is by wall surface area.
10 m (33 feet) long, 3 m (10 feet) high equals 30 m² (320 ft²). He then prices it according to the calculation method described by nordanney.

Hello,

yes, the question was a bit poorly formulated.
The background was that a shell contractor from the area told me that for window openings under 2.5m (8 feet 2 inches) they simply calculate directly... which can’t be right...

I’ve roughly compiled my quantities now...

Where can I find a typical shell construction bill of quantities that I can use as a reference?

Maybe someone has a tip? Thanks a lot, Alex

The calculations are actually done for the windows. This roughly balances out with the extra work involved in building the walls around the windows and lintels.
Oh, and the scope of work is usually prepared by the architect and varies widely depending on the floor plan and construction method.