Man hours calculation - Fast Pipe Welding Time Calculator Tool

Pipe Welding Time Calculation: Fast Estimation of Man-Hours

It must be understood that a quick calculation with a good approximation of welding man-hours is crucial to making correct decisions in project management.

This guide divides pipe welding into two main categories to help estimate the time required:

Categories of Pipe Welding for Man-Hour Estimation

1. Piping with Quality Control by Hydrostatic Testing Only
2. Piping with Quality Control by Hydrostatic and Non-Destructive Testing (e.g., Radiographic Testing [RT], Ultrasonic Testing [UT])

 Estimating Pipe Welding Man-Hours

In modern piping projects, contractors use detailed engineering methods, such as isometric drawings and pipe models, to facilitate efficient construction in the workshop and easy assembly on-site.

Piping Works and Spool Fabrication

Each isometric line is divided into sections called spools, which are fabricated in the shop. After manufacturing, these spools are transported to the construction site for adjustment, positioning, and final welds.
Typically, with well-planned engineering, 70-90% of the welds are performed during prefabrication, significantly reducing costs and man-hours.
This also helps meet construction deadlines by minimizing the impact of adverse weather conditions on-site.

Benefits of Shop vs. Field Welding

It is well-established that welds made in the shop are faster and offer better quality control than those performed in the field.

Welding times vary depending on several factors:

• Material Type: This guide focuses on carbon steel pipes.
• Pipe Thickness: Thicker pipes require more time for bevel preparation and welding because more material needs to be filled.
• Pipe Diameter: Larger diameter pipes are more challenging to handle and weld.

Standard Welding Times for Carbon Steel Pipes

Type 1: Welding with Hydrostatic Testing Quality Control Only

• For a standard 4-inch carbon steel pipe:
  • Field Welding: 0.70 man-hours per inch of welding
  • Prefabricated Welding: 0.40 man-hours per inch of welding
• With a crew (helper, journeyman, and welder) working 10 hours per day:
  • Approximately 42 inches per day can be welded in the field.
  • Approximately 75 inches per day can be welded in the shop.

Note: These times apply under standard working conditions without economic incentives for higher performance. For more detailed insights, see "Estimator's Piping Man-hours Tool."

Type 2: Welding with Hydrostatic and Non-Destructive Testing Quality Control

• For the same 4-inch carbon steel pipe:
  • Field Welding: 2.0 man-hours per inch of welding
  • Prefabricated Welding: 1.0 man-hours per inch of welding
• With a crew working 10 hours per day:
  • Approximately 15 inches per day can be welded in the field.
  • Approximately 30 inches per day can be welded in the shop.

Note: These times also apply under standard working conditions. For further information, please refer to "Estimator's Piping Man-hours Tool."

Important Considerations for Pipe Welding Man-Hour Calculations

The welding time calculations include only the following:

• Piping welding

They do not account for:

• Complicated pipe handling
• Painting
• Insulation
• Supports and clamps
• Scaffolding for piping

Conclusion: Optimizing Welding Man-Hours

A quick estimation of welding man-hours is essential for making informed decisions in project management.
By utilizing historical performance data and taking into account factors like material, thickness, pipe diameter, and carbon steel pipe grade, project managers can swiftly quantify the piping job. Although this quantification is an estimate, it serves as an invaluable tool for effective project management

Diameter inch calculation

Inch Diameter Calculation 

How are inches of weld in piping counted?

The number of diametrical inches welded depends on the design and specifications of the piping system.

For example, a piping project typically involves the installation of pipe runs and fittings of different diameters, with each welded joint contributing to the count. It is necessary to consult the piping drawings, specifications or project documentation to determine the exact number.

Here is a typical case of how to count inches of weld using the picture in the book: "Estimator's Piping Man-hours Tool"

 Number of Inches of Weld

Diameter Inch Calculation. The illustration above shows a discharge line starting at the discharge flange (2 1/2" diameter) of a centrifugal pump, then connecting through a 2 1/2" x 4" concentric reducer to a 4" diameter line terminating in an NPS 6" manifold.

To count the number of inches, count the welds according to the following table.

We notice that for the number of welds, we only consider the diameters of the components of the section we are considering. In the next entry we will analyze how the thickness (SCH), the tube materials and the external conditions affect the welding times for the same pipe diameter.

How to Make an Estimate - Without Losing Money

How to budget direct materials, direct labor, and machines for a job

Video N°2

A Comprehensive Guide to Accurate Project Estimation: Strategies for Avoiding Financial Losses. #estimate, #money, #construction, #calculation, #management, #budget, Without Losing Money

How to make a budget without losing money

When it comes to project estimating, accuracy is crucial to the success of any company. As such, it is vital that professionals in industries such as construction, electromechanical assembly, and similar fields have a comprehensive understanding of the necessary steps and precautions to take to ensure a reliable quoted price. To help achieve these goals, we recommend watching the following instructional video.

What is a budget, and how is it prepared?

Before getting into the details of estimating a project, it is important to understand the concept of budget and its role in the process. Simply put, a budget is a financial plan that outlines the estimated costs and revenues associated with a particular project. It serves as a roadmap to successfully complete a venture and, as such, you must be sufficiently prepared to avoid potential financial losses.

To accurately estimate, it is essential to carefully consider the various aspects of the project, including the cost of direct materials, direct labor hours, as well as the machinery and equipment required. Each of these components plays a vital role in determining the total cost of a project and must be carefully estimated to ensure a reliable price estimate.

How to make a budget: without losing money

When bidding on a project, it is imperative to be confident in the price quoted, knowing that it is sufficient to cover all costs and ultimately result in a profitable venture. Failure to accurately estimate the costs of a project can not only mean financial losses for the company, but can also damage the reputation and credibility of the professionals involved.

To avoid this scenario, it is essential to follow proper procedures and techniques when estimating. By watching our how-to video series, you'll gain valuable information and practical tips to ensure your quote is accurate and reliable. Whether you're looking to learn new strategies or refresh your existing knowledge, these videos will prove invaluable in your quest for an accurate project estimate.

In conclusion, we understand the importance of accurate project estimating and the impact it can have on a company's success. By properly understanding and following the steps and precautions outlined in our videos, you can increase your chances of creating a reliable quoted price and ensuring a profitable outcome for all parties involved. So don't hesitate, watch our videos now and take the first step towards achieving financial success in your future.

Construction Estimating

Construction Estimating - How do I create a construction budget?

Video N°3

In this video, we will discuss the following subjects: Auxiliary materials in construction. Estimating indirect work. Summary chart Review of other specific expenses What is the expense of the overhead of a job? Table to summarize. If you are planning to enter the construction, electromechanical assembly or similar industries, we recommend that you watch this series of videos that explain the steps to follow and the precautions to take to ensure that your estimates are accurate and reliable. During the bidding process, it is essential to be sure that the quoted price is sufficient to complete the work without setbacks and to be profitable. If you do not, you will not just fail to win the project. You could be in real trouble. Learn or update your knowledge of how to create an accurate budget in this series of 6 short videos.

How to calculate construction overheads

How to calculate the overhead costs of a construction project

How to Calculate Overhead Costs in Construction Projects: A complete guide to calculating overhead correctly.

Example of Direct Labor - Man Hours Calculation

Example of Direct Labor - Man Hours Calculation

Direct Labor Cost Calculator

Example of Direct Labor: Example of Direct Labor - Man Hours Calculation. Example of direct labor calculation for the construction of a reinforced concrete foundation.

Calculation of the labor required to construct a reinforced concrete foundation.

In this example, we calculate the man-hours required to construct a reinforced concrete foundation. 

In this job, the concrete is supplied by a semi-automatic concrete plant located on site.

Read more about in Calculate man hour.

How to Calculate Man-hours Worked - Man Hours Calculation

How to Calculate Man Hours Cost in a Construction Project - Man Hours Calculation

Man-hours Calculation

Calculation of incidence of overtime. Example, the increase percentage of labor cost is.... [72.5/60] * 100= 20.83% more.

Read more in Calculate man hours

How to Estimate Input and Consumption Materials

Estimate input and consumable materials

Consumables and input materials

How to estimate input and consumption materials. Definition and identification of indirect materials in a construction and industrial assembly project.
Read more in Calculate man hours

How to Calculate Profit Margin

Profit Margin 

We define profit or benefit as the income remaining after all expenses have been paid.

These expenses include engineering costs, direct and indirect labor, supplies, consumables, equipment costs, overheads, interest, taxes, etc.

In the figure below, we highlight the Profit Margin line item.

How to Calculate Mark-up

Mark-up for a construction project

The profits made belong to the owners of the company. The shareholders or owners of the company can keep the money or reinvest it in the business.

In short, we calculate profit as total income minus total expenses.

The stage of determining the mark-up is just as important, if not more so, than the stages discussed above.

Determining the industrial profit, or net profit margin, that the contractor expects to receive as compensation for its work is the final step in any budget estimate.

In carrying out a project, each contractor brings its prestige, capacity, experience, capital, equipment and other relevant factors to bear.

For a contractor to receive the expected profit at the end of a project, the starting point must be a reliable estimate that ensures a lucrative contract.

Any negligence or omission in the estimate can reduce or eliminate the expected benefit and cause financial problems.

Markup – Formula

The mark-up is the amount by which the cost of a budget is increased to arrive at the selling price.

We apply the mark-up to the quotation as follows

1 - As a percentage of the final cost of the quotation - Cost mark-up

Final price (excluding tax) = cost + cost * (% cost mark-up)

If the cost is 1 and the mark-up is 20%, the price is 1.20.

2 - As a percentage of the sales price - Price mark-up

In this case, we obtain the final price as follows.

We call the unknown final price Pf.

Pf = cost + Pf *(% mark-up)

From the formula we remove the final price (Pf) and we have

Pf = cost / (1 - (% mark-up)

If the cost is 1 and the mark-up is 20%, the final price is 1.25.

Margin Profit - Formula

The margin or profit on a job is the money left over after all the costs of doing the job have been paid.

In the first case, the margin is [1.20–1/ 1.20] *100 = 16.66 %.

The second case has a margin of [1.25–1/1.25] *100 = 20.00 %.

The margin that the companies set depends, of course, on

• The previous experience of each company in carrying out similar works.
• The characteristics of the work.
• The size of the project.
• The terms of payment.
• The time allotted for carrying out the work.
• The companies with which they will be competing on the market.
• The tenderer's interest or need to carry out the work.
• The risk that the tenderer considers it reasonable to assume, etc.

How to calculate the profit margin - typical contractor profit

In practice, the percentage of profit usually varies between 5 and 30%.

Usually, higher percentages are used for small and/or risky jobs.

The usual is

1. For small and/or difficult jobs, the margin to be charged is between 20 and 30%
2. For medium and low-risk jobs, margins of 15-20% are common
3. For large and low-risk jobs, the margin is 10 to 15%.
4. For very large and low-risk jobs, the margin is 5 to 10%.

Each company defines its own percentage of profit or revenue.

How to Calculate Labor Cost - Man Hours Calculate

How to Calculate Labor Cost per Construction Project

How to Calculate Labor Cost – Man Hours Calculate

Comprehensive guide to calculating the direct labor cost of workers per construction projects. read more in Calculate man hours

Construction estimator skills

Skills for Construction Estimators

Basic skill

The estimator needs basic innate skills for successful professional development. Of course, these skills are developed with experience, but the estimator must have at least certain innate skills to perform the job.

Anyone entering the estimating profession should have a combination of the core skills listed in Figure 1.

Math skills

Estimation, by its very nature, requires the formulation of numerous mathematical operations and complex calculations.

Mathematical literacy is essential for beginners.

Communication skills

Another necessary skill is the beginner's natural ability to develop good oral and written communication.

The success of the project often hides in the details and their correct evaluation.

In most situations, it is necessary to communicate on a routine basis with

Colleagues who specialize in the type of project.

Equipment and service providers.

The client.

With subcontractors.

Or attendees at business meetings.

Good writing is another key skill that will help you present complex reports clearly and concisely.

Perseverance or persistence 

This trait is a hidden gem, but essential to the Estimator's personality. 

Estimators need to be persistent. 

Perseverance is used, for example, in the painstaking effort to find the best price for an infinite number of materials for a project in a universe of suppliers. 

Perseverance enables the estimator to complete all aspects of the quotation on time, regardless of the effort required.

Honesty and reliability 

Evaluation requires honesty and reliability. 

These qualities are required by

The company's shareholders, who are interested in the economic success and prestige of their company. 

Your own colleagues, who will manage projects on the basis of the valuer's preliminary analysis.

Audio: How to choose a Contractor

How do I choose a contractor?

Contractor selection checklist

Podcast #3

In this audio, number 3, we discuss the key functions of the client's purchasing department and the role it plays in selecting the most appropriate contractor. 

Audio: How to Estimate

How to Estimate

How do I carry out construction and industrial assembly?

How to do an estimate? This audio, the second in a series of podcasts, explores the tasks that an estimator or group of estimators typically perform to quote a project and the skills that are most sought after in the research profile of a successful estimator.

PODCAST #2