Trade Guides

Learn industry best practices, building code rules of thumb, and how to estimate materials accurately.

Understand the IRC building codes for rise and run, and learn how to lay out a perfect stair stringer.

Understand cubic yards, bagged vs. ready-mix, and the 10% waste rule for a perfect pour.

Understand roofing squares, shingle bundles, and roof pitch multipliers to calculate your materials accurately.

Understand sheet sizes, waste factors, and how to calculate joint compound and tape.

Understand box coverage and how diagonal layouts affect your laminate and hardwood waste factor.

Learn why wire gauge matters over long distances and the NEC rules for branch circuits.

Understand First Hour Rating (FHR), capacities, and gas vs. electric recovery speeds.

We're writing detailed breakdowns for concrete, drywall, and roofing estimations.