Labor Productivity Inputs for Estimates

Establish a project labor basis

This resource supplies a method for documenting productivity inputs. It does not publish a verified national man-hour database. Use relevant company records or a permitted estimating reference, then record the source and conditions before applying a rate.

| Input | Review question | | --- | --- | | Work unit | Is output measured in LF, SF, CY or complete assemblies? | | Crew | Which roles and headcount produced the measured output? | | Hours | Are hours per worker or total crew labor-hours? | | Conditions | What access, height, congestion and sequencing applied? | | Included work | Are setup, handling, cleanup and supervision included? | | Evidence | What project, source date and sample size support the input? |

Calculate labor-hours consistently

Total labor-hours = quantity × labor-hours per unit. Alternatively, labor-hours = quantity ÷ output per labor-hour. A crew-hour represents one hour of crew time; it is not automatically one labor-hour.

For an illustrative arithmetic example, a three-person crew working eight productive hours records 24 labor-hours. If that crew completes 120 measured units in the stated scope, the recorded rate is 0.2 labor-hours per unit. This invented example is not a recommended production rate.

Review before applying an adjustment

Compare the reference work with the actual installation method, access and schedule. Record assumptions and supporting evidence for an adjustment; avoid multiplying unrelated factors without explaining their interaction. A labor cost estimate also needs the agreed wage, burden and other cost inclusions.

Discuss Project Inputs