Fast trimming schedules for finishing crews, any project size. Adjust productivity, crew count, and site factors. Get clear hours, days, and totals in seconds.
| Length (ft) | Crew | Speed (ft/hr/worker) | Complexity | Obstacles | Total hours | Days (8 hr/day) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 250 | 2 | 40 | Standard | Light | 4.31 | 0.54 |
| 500 | 3 | 35 | Detailed | Moderate | 9.55 | 1.19 |
| 120 | 1 | 30 | Premium | Heavy | 6.02 | 0.75 |
Base Hours = Length ÷ (Speed × Crew)
Adjusted Hours = Base Hours × Complexity Factor × Obstacle Factor × (1 + Rework%) ÷ Efficiency
Total Hours = Adjusted Hours + Break% × Adjusted Hours + Setup + Cleanup
Cost uses: Labor Cost = Total Hours × Hourly Rate; Total Cost = Labor Cost + (Overhead% × Labor Cost).
Accurate trim schedules come from measured scope, realistic production rates, and transparent allowances. Use the factors below to convert linear footage into working hours, then into days and cost for reliable construction planning. It supports bidding, manpower planning, and daily progress tracking with fewer surprises overall.
Count baseboard, casing, crown, chair rail, and feature trims you will install. Add lengths for returns, miters, and splices. Separate areas with different detail levels so a single productivity rate is not forced across dissimilar work.
Choose speed per worker from past job logs or crew trials. Straight runs in open rooms may reach 40–60 units/hour/worker, while detailed stained profiles can drop to 20–35. Start conservative, then update after the first day’s actuals.
The calculator assumes crew members can work productively in parallel. If only one saw station or tight access exists, additional workers may not scale linearly. Use crew size for true installers and keep helpers reflected through better efficiency or setup time.
Complexity accounts for coping, back-banding, stacked crown, multiple reveals, and higher tolerance. Applying a clear multiplier keeps estimating consistent across rooms and bids. It also makes value engineering easier when profile changes reduce labor time.
Obstacles represent congestion, protection requirements, furniture, staging, and rework zones. A small increase in the obstacle factor can be more realistic than lowering your base rate. Use higher obstacles when crews must frequently reposition tools and materials.
Rework covers mis-cuts, shimming, touch-ups, and punch items. Efficiency captures nonproductive time from coordination, tool changes, and waiting. Break allowance adds predictable downtime without hiding it. These settings prevent overconfident schedules.
Total hours convert to days using your planned workday length. This helps align trim completion with paint, flooring transitions, door hardware, and inspections. If days are too high, test options: improve access, split zones, or adjust staffing.
With an hourly rate, labor cost is calculated from total hours and overhead is added as a percentage. Export CSV or PDF to document assumptions for stakeholders. During execution, compare effective rate to actuals and revise factors early.
Include baseboard, door and window casing, crown, chair rail, and any decorative runs you install. Exclude items installed by other trades unless your team is responsible.
Use recent similar jobs: installed length ÷ productive hours per worker. Average several days to smooth variability. If unsure, start conservative and update after day one.
No. If access, tool stations, or material flow are constrained, extra workers can reduce efficiency. Test scenarios in the calculator and choose the plan with the best effective rate.
Efficiency is the portion of time spent installing versus moving materials, coordinating, and waiting. Better staging, fewer trade conflicts, and clear drawings usually increase efficiency.
They capture daily realities: unloading, tool staging, dust control, protection, and pack-out. Adding them prevents estimates that look good on paper but fail on site.
Increase it for tight rooms, occupied spaces, heavy protection, restricted work hours, or frequent repositioning. If crews repeatedly relocate tools, obstacle impact is significant.
Track installed length and hours daily, then compare to the effective production rate shown in results. Adjust obstacles, efficiency, or rework and reforecast before the schedule slips.
Plan labor confidently, reduce delays, and deliver cleaner finishes.
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.