Estimating Construction Materials: A DIY Guide

Measure Twice, Buy Once

Accurate material estimation is the secret to staying on budget during any construction or DIY project.

1. Concrete and Volume

Concrete is ordered by the cubic yard. To calculate how much you need, measure the length, width, and depth in feet, multiply them together to get cubic feet, and divide by 27.

2. Paint and Surface Area

A standard gallon of paint covers about 400 square feet. By calculating the surface area of your walls (subtracting doors and windows), you can buy exactly what you need.

3. Flooring and Tile

Always add 10% to your square footage calculations for flooring and tile to account for cuts, waste, and mistakes.