USEFUL HINTS FOR ESTIMATING COST OF WORK AND MATERIALS.

All surface painting is measured by the superficial yard, girting every part of the work covered, always making allowance for the deep cuttings in mouldings, carved work, railings or other work that is difficult to get at.

Where work is very high and scaffolding or ladders have to be employed, allowances must be made.

The following rules are generally adopted in this country in the measurement of work. Surfaces under six inches in width or girt are called 6 inches; from six to 12 inches, 12 inches; over 12 inches measured superficial. Openings are deducted, but all jambs, reveals or casings are measured girt.

Sashes are measured solid if more than two lights. Doors, shutters and paneling are measured by the girt, running the tape in all quirks, angles or corners. Sash doors measure solid. Glazing in both windows and doors is always extra. The tape should be run close in over the battens, on batten doors, and if the stuff is beaded, add one inch in width for each bead.

Venetian blinds are measured double. Dentels, brackets, medallions, ornamented iron work, balusters, lattice work, palings or turned work should all be measured double. Changing colors on base boards, panels, cornices, or other work, one-fourth extra measurement should be allowed for each tint.

Add five per cent. to regular price for knotting, puttying, cleaning and sand-papering.

For work done above the ground floor charge as follows: Add five per cent. for each story of 12 feet or less, if interior work; if exterior work, add one per cent. for each foot of height above the first 12 feet.

It is impossible to give prices for painting that will be reliable in any one section of this country for more than a month, as the cost of materials and labor is continually varying, but we offer the following hints, which may assist the workman to make a fairly just estimate of work:

For plain colors on wood—

First coat, per yard, $—
2 coats, add ”4-5
3 coats, ” ”1¹⁄₂

Now, by this rule, if the first coat was 10 cents, two coats would be 18 cents, and three coats would be 25 cents. This is a simple method and easily understood, and is adapted to any sort of plain painting or graining.

Graining, with one or two coats of good varnish, is worth, at this writing, from 65 cents to $2.00 per yard, and marbling from $1.50 to $2.75 per yard.

Marbling mantels is worth from $5.00 to $20.00, according to style of marble and beauty of finish. All of the above prices are based on the understanding that the workman furnishes all tools and materials.