Footing Volume & Labor Calculator

Plan concrete, excavation, and crew hours with confidence. Compare methods, rates, allowances, and crew assumptions. Export clear summaries for supervisors, estimators, and daily records.

Input Parameters
Use length and width for an individual isolated footing. Choose units, enter dimensions, and adjust labor rates.
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For strip, this is run length.
Added to length and width for excavation volume.
Productivity and Cost
Enter labor-hours per quantity. Use your historical production where possible.
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Example Data Table
Sample inputs and outputs for a quick reference check.
Scenario Footings Footing (L×W×T) Waste Concrete Volume Total Labor Hours
Residential columns 6 1.8×1.8×0.45 m 5% ≈ 9.19 m³ ≈ 45–65 h
Light industrial pads 10 2.0×2.0×0.50 m 7% ≈ 21.40 m³ ≈ 120–170 h
Strip footing run 1 18×0.6×0.45 m 5% ≈ 5.10 m³ ≈ 45–65 h
Formula Used
How to Use This Calculator
  1. Select your unit system and footing type.
  2. Enter footing dimensions, count, depth, and working space.
  3. Choose a waste allowance to cover losses and overbreak.
  4. Pick a rebar mode: density-based estimate or direct kilograms.
  5. Adjust productivity rates to match your crew and conditions.
  6. Enter crew size, hours per day, wage, and overhead/profit.
  7. Click Calculate to view results above the form.
  8. Use Download CSV or Download PDF for records.
Scope and measurement inputs

This calculator supports isolated and strip footing takeoff using either metric or imperial units. Enter footing length, width, thickness, and the number of footings or segments. Add a waste allowance to reflect spillage, overbreak, and normal field variability. Excavation depth and working space per side help align quantities with practical trench or pit dimensions.

Concrete, excavation, and formwork quantities

Concrete volume is computed from L×W×T, multiplied by quantity and waste. Excavation volume expands the plan dimensions by twice the working space and multiplies by excavation depth. Formwork area is estimated from side contact area, with an optional bottom scope for cases that include a base form or blinding control.

Reinforcement and placement assumptions

Reinforcement can be estimated using a kg per cubic meter factor or entered as a known total. The density method is useful for early estimates; direct input is better when bar schedules or site logs exist. Placement effort is tied to concrete volume so pump access, wheelbarrow distance, and consolidation method can be reflected through the productivity rate.

Productivity to labor-hours conversion

Each activity converts quantities into labor-hours using user-defined rates: excavation per volume, formwork per area, rebar per kilogram, concrete placement per volume, and finishing per area. The breakdown highlights where time is spent, making it easier to validate assumptions against crew performance and site constraints.

Crew days, cost, and reporting outputs

Total labor-hours are divided by crew size and hours per day to estimate duration. Labor cost is calculated from total hours and hourly wage, then adjusted using overhead/profit percentage. Use the export buttons to document bid worksheets, daily planning notes, and quantity checks for stakeholder review.

Example data (metric, isolated footing estimate)
Inputs Values Outputs Values
Footings6 Concrete volume9.19 m³
Size (L×W×T)1.8×1.8×0.45 m Excavation volume25.00 m³
Depth / working space0.90 m / 0.15 m Formwork area (sides)19.44 m²
Waste / rebar density5% / 85 kg per m³ Total labor-hours (default rates)48.28 h
FAQs

1) Should I use isolated or strip footing mode?

Use isolated for individual pads under columns. Use strip for continuous footings under walls, where length represents the run. Both use the same volume logic, but strip mode often involves different excavation and production assumptions.

2) Why does excavation volume look higher than concrete volume?

Excavation includes working space on both sides and full excavation depth, which can exceed the concrete thickness. This reflects practical access for workers, formwork, rebar placement, and compaction around the footing.

3) What waste percentage is reasonable?

Small pours may use 3–5%. Complex access, overbreak, or multiple handling may justify 5–10%. Align waste with your batching method, truck washout expectations, and typical site losses.

4) When should I enter rebar directly?

Enter rebar directly when you have a bar bending schedule, takeoff sheets, or recorded steel deliveries for the footing scope. This improves labor prediction because rebar hours scale strongly with kilograms installed.

5) How do I set productivity rates?

Start from historical crew outputs on similar soil, access, and equipment conditions. Adjust excavation for soil and disposal distance, formwork for complexity, and placement for pump use or manual handling.

6) Does finishing area represent the top surface only?

Yes. Finishing uses the plan area as a practical proxy for top surface finishing or leveling. If your scope includes edges or additional treatment, increase the finishing rate to capture extra effort.

7) How should I interpret crew-days?

Crew-days represent total labor-hours divided by crew size and hours per day. Use it for planning windows and sequencing. Weather delays, inspections, and curing constraints are not included and should be added separately.

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Important Note: All the Calculators listed in this site are for educational purpose only and we do not guarentee the accuracy of results. Please do consult with other sources as well.