Planning & EstimatingQuestion 606 of 700
When preparing a material takeoff, why does an estimator add a waste/allowance factor to the net measured quantities?
a.To increase the profit margin built into the bid
b.To cover material lost to cuts, breakage, trimming, and overlap so enough is delivered
c.Because building codes require a fixed 20 percent surplus on every material
d.So the plans do not have to be measured accurately
Explanation
A waste factor accounts for real field losses: offcuts, breakage, trimming, pattern matching, and overlap, so the ordered quantity actually finishes the work (b). It is not profit (a) - that is added separately as overhead and profit. There is no code-mandated fixed 20 percent surplus (c). And it never substitutes for an accurate takeoff (d); waste is added on top of an accurate measurement.
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