Project Management and Estimating
What the exam tests
Project Management and Estimating tests the business side of landscape work: scope, quantity takeoff, pricing, contracts, scheduling, submittals, change orders, and closeout. The exam expects unit conversions, waste factors, and awareness of Hawaii taxes and wage rules.
Core rules
- Build the estimate from the scope: materials, labor, equipment, subcontractors, overhead, profit, taxes, permits, and contingency. Do not bury overhead in a single line.
- Do a quantity takeoff in consistent units. Convert cubic feet to cubic yards by dividing by 27; convert square feet to square yards by dividing by 9.
- Add waste factors by material: 5–10% for block and pavers, 10% for mulch, more for cut-to-fit stone.
- Price labor with realistic production rates and crew mix, not wishful thinking. Include mobilization and site access.
- Use written contracts, clear exclusions, and a change-order process. Document delays, RFIs, and submittals.
- In Hawaii, account for General Excise Tax and county surcharge where applicable; public works may require prevailing wage and certified payroll.
Worked example
How much mulch for 2,000 sq ft at 3 in deep, with 10% waste? Convert 3 in to 0.25 ft. Volume = 2,000 × 0.25 = 500 cu ft. In cubic yards: 500 ÷ 27 ≈ 18.5 cy. Add 10%: 18.5 × 1.10 ≈ 20.4 cy. If sold in 2-cu-ft bags: 500 ÷ 2 = 250 bags; 250 × 1.10 = 275 bags. Reasoning: calculate neat quantity first, then apply waste. Do not order exactly the neat quantity; settlement and spillage consume the difference.
Traps
- Forgetting waste and then running short mid-job.
- Mixing inches and feet in the same calculation.
- Omitting GET, permits, disposal, or mobilization.
- Using a labor rate that excludes burden and overtime.
- Accepting verbal change orders without pricing or signature.
- Scheduling crews without checking material lead times.