How to Estimate the Cost of
Installing Hollow Metal Frames, Including Doors
and Hardware, In New School Construction
Candidate Number: 0114215
June 2014Table of Contents:
Section
1. Introduction
2. Types and Methods of Measurements
3. Specific Impact Factors
4, Overview
5. Special Risk Considerations
6. Ratios and Analysis
7. Miscellaneous Information
8. Glossary
9. References
10.Sample Floor Plan
11, Sample Door Schedule & Elevations
12. Sample Take-off
13, Sample Estimate
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18Introduction:
Installation of hollow metal door and window frames is «Key component inthe construction of
any new school, They are the structural backbone forthe operation of the doors and windows
that the students, teacher and administrators use extensively over the course of day. It is
imperative that they ae installed correctly and efficiently sto not interrupt the daily
proceedings ofthe school. ‘This paper will illustrate how to estimate the cost of installing the
hollow metal frames, including doors and hardware, in new school construction,
‘Main CSI Division
Division 8 ~ Doors and Windows
Specific Sub-Divisions:
(08100 ~ Metal Doors and Frames
(08200 ~ Wood and Plastic Doors
(08700 — Hardware
Brief Description:
Hollow metal frames are door and window frames that are constructed of cold formed sheet
‘metal, The metal is first sheared from fat sheets of stel inthe exact size needed. The steel is
then formed into the required shape ina press break. While forming the metal into straight fame
pieces covers the majority of frames used, they are also available in curved units.Typical Hollow Metal Frame Section
{In order to limit the length and scope ofthis paper, itis based on only installing only shop
‘Welded ffames. The purchase and delivery to the site of the doors, frames and hardware as well
as other activities related to the installation ofthe doors, frames and hardware, such as grouting
and the installation of lass and glazing is to be by others and therefore not included.
‘Types and Methods of Measurements:
In new school construction, the hollow metal frames are typically quantified by a final count of
‘ovo main fame categories, typical three sided door fiames and special frames. The frames in the
typical thee sided door frame category are constructed of two vertical side pieces and one
horizontal top member that are factory welded into one unit, The size ofthe vertical side pieces
{is determined by height of the door to be installed andthe size ofthe top member depends on
both the number of doors per unit and width of those doors. Frame units that have one door are
called single openings and units with two doors are identified as pair openings. Units with more
than two doors fall nto the special fame category. The typical door frames are quantified by a
{otal count ofboth single and pair openings on the project,
4“The spoval ame category includes al hollow metal ames that are not typical thre-sided
frames, The frames inthis group that are most ofen use in new school construction are
borrowed lite frames and sideitefames, Borrowed ite flames area varied grouping of holow
seal window frames that ange in size fom a small window fee in an interior patton to
Inrge stroctualy framed unt thi are used in place of partkions. Borrowed les are
individually de
‘on the architectural drawings and are quantified by individual totals.
Sidelite frames are typical three sided door ffames that include window frames welded to them,
‘These too come ina variety of sizes and styles, They are individually detailed on the drawings
and quantified individually as well.
fe SDEUGHT FRAMES‘The doors that are installed inthe hollow metal frames are typically constructed of either wood
‘or metal and are quantified by individual door leaves. The different items of finish hardware
roquired forthe project are grouped together by set type based on the door opening use. The sets
are totaled individually.
Specific Factors to Consider:
There are several factors that must be considered when pricing the installation ofthe bollow
‘metal flames. However, the comparative total quantity between thre sided frames and the
special frames, the quantity and sizing of borrowed lites and sideltes and the projet schedule
hhave the most impact on the final price. Other items with less overall impact to pricing will also
be discussed,
Comparative Quantity Totals:
‘The comparative total quantity between the typical three sided frames andthe special frames is @
critical factor in establishing the pricing of the installation. The time differences and the
accessories required for the installation ofeach of the two types of frames has a direct impact on
the final price. The installation ofthe thee sided frames is estimated asa constant labor install
time for each ofthe fames. A large numberof these frames on & projet allows for a sight
reduction inthis time due tothe repetition of the installation and ease ofstocking. Dependent on
the quantity and sizeof special frames that need tobe installed, the amount of reduction that is
allowod would need to be modified. The lack of repetition and the increased difficulty in
stocking of the special frames would cause a decrease inthe reduction allowance.izing of Borrowed Lites & Sideli
Estimating the instalation labor fr the borrowed fies and sidelites isthe mos dificult and ime
consuming aspect in proving this typeof pricing. The diffrent sing ofthe ite frames
requires an estimator to calculate the labor time of each type of ite fame required on a project
individually. ‘The smaller window frames and sides typically use labor times and stocking
costs that are comparable othe typical ee sided frames. However pricing the larger fames
‘becomes much more complex. Each portion of the fame nec labor time alloted toi inorder
to come up withthe total labor ime for the frame. Also, depending onthe size and type of
frame, additional accessories might be required to suppor the frames until the mason can block
them in, Larger ames may require ational hoisting and the possibilty of Ue frame requiring
field wolding would have to be taken into account
Project Schedule:
(Complete understanding ofthe project schedule is essential when assembling an estimate forthe
installation of hollow metal frames, doors and hardware. Duet the large overall footprint of
new schools, the project i typically constructed in different phases and each ofthe phases are
started at different times to keep the project moving consistently. The welded frames need to be
installed after the concrete slab is poured and prior to when the mason commences work. With
this limited window of time to install the frames, iis critical that the estimator allow for
adequate crew size and equipment to have the frames installed inthe allotted time. The
Additional cost for different mobilizations required for each ofthe phases must be included inthe
pricing‘Miscellaneous Impact lems
‘There are other impact items that must be accounted for when preparing an estimate for the
installation of doors, frames and hardware. Taking into account how the on-site storage of
‘materials willbe handled throughout the project is an important factor when establishing the
costs required for stocking the project. Another fuctor tobe considered that has direct effect on
the cos of stocking the projects the distance fom the storage area tothe work areas. Ifthe
distance between the storage and work areas tends tobe longer than that on typical installations
‘orifthere are impediments on the site that make the stocking more difficult, addtional costs
‘must be considered, The doors and finish hardware are typically installed well after the frames
are installed so diferent mobilizations are equired to peciorm this portion ofthe work and the
additional costs associated with these must be included,
In developing the scope of work forthe estimate, establishing ifthe layout forthe installation
location for each ofthe individual hollow metal frames is tobe included inthe pricing. The
layout for the frames tends to bea time consuming process soit is required, the labor time to
perform ths task must be included.
Overview:
1 preparing pricing fr the installation ofthe hollow metal ames, doors and hardware in new
schoo! construction, tis iat necessary to review and become completly familie with the ene
‘lor plan of the building. The dor and window openings that will be requiring hollow metal
frames are locate in the building's exterior perimeter, corridors and most rooms inthe school[Not allof the openings ona schoo! building wil have hollow metal ames though, occasionally
they are aluminum or glas. These openings are to be noted and not inched in the pricing.
“The door schedules crucial drawing to be reviewed andthe information it consis must be
‘eifed fr correctness prior to performing any take-off or estimating. This drawing is included
withthe full architectural drawing set and it contains a detailed isting ofthe items required for
very opening onthe project. Mos ofthe information usd in caleulating the quantities for
icing is obtained ffom this sheet, sit is imperative thatthe estimator is confident thatthe
information contained inthe schedule is correct.
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Portion of Typical Door Schedule
‘To achieve this level of confidence, the estimator must frst verify that each opening as listed in
the schedule (typically by door opening number) corresponds to the openings as shown and
‘numbered on the Boor plans. By comparing the door schedule tothe floor plans, it can be
verified as to how many actual door leaves are required for that opening and confirm thatthe
schedule and floor plan are in agreement. While evaluating the quantity of doors in an opening,
itis good practice to review the type of material the schedule lists forthe doors construction.
‘Wood doors and hollow metal doors can be used in many of the same type of openings and the
type tha is chosen is usually more ofan aesthetic question made by the designer. Cross-
°corridor, staiwell and most building acess doors are requited by code to be fire-rate so metal
doors are typically used
In comparing the door schedule tothe floor plans the estimator is als able to confirm the type of
fame that isto be used in each opening. It shouldbe easy to identity from the floorplans, ifthe
opening equies a three sided fame ora special fame. IF is special fame, the fame should
be identified on the floorplans with frame elevation number that should correspond to the
clevation shown on the separate fame elevation drawing, The estimator neds to confirm that
the information shown on the frame elevation agrees with both the schedule and floorplan, The
fame jamb, head and sil details also need to be verified. Each opening on the door schedule
shoul reference a specific detail drawing fr diferent parts ofthe hollow metal fame. These
‘details are usually typical for most ofthe frames, but certain conditions require spevifie details.
Again, these oo must be confirmed for correctness.
‘The door hardware that i required tobe used at each opening is also designated on the door
schedule, Door hardware is a classification of items that allow the door to function correctly
‘when itis installed in the frame. These items include the hinges to connect the doors to the
fames, the door locks and latches to open, close and lock the doors, and many other items that
perform 2 protective or decorative function for the doors and frames. ‘The different types of
hardware are grouped together ata “per opening” basis, based on the functions required at that
‘opening and the number of door leaves in the opening. This grouping is typically identified as a
hardware set. Individual sets will vary in complexity depending on what funetion is required at
the opening and may be repeated several times on a project for similar functioning openings. A.
typical classroom single door opening would be a very basic hardware set that would mainly
consist of hinges, a lockset and a loser and would be repeated several times on a project. Whilean opening for a pai of building entry doors would include many more items including panic
door entry hardware and mullions. How to account for labor time for ech ofthese hardware sets
willbe aressd latrin ths paper. Is important fr the estimator to review that the corect
hardware sets are assigned to each opening. This is accomplished by reviewing the grouping of
hardware ses, typically refered to asthe hardware schedule, tat is usally published with
Speciation Section 08700 and making sure the sets iste on the dor schedule correspond to
the function required at the specific opening.
HWSET:O2 00K sexo
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Typical Hardware Set
[Nota ofthe hotlow metal ames ae typically shown on the daor schedule, the borrowed lite
frames are noted by number on the floorplans and ae shown in elevation onthe fame elevation