Production Planning - Paints Assignment

Question:

Ok and a follow up question how should I notate on the element sheets that the materials will be shown on the quantity take off? Just a note saying "See Quantity Take-Off"?

Answer:

So this is getting into a realm of where things begin to get a little grey.

You would use the quantity take off to determine the overlaps, but it does not flow into your summary sheet. So it is not all that helpful for determining the cost of the project.

Here you wind up with two choices...

#1. You look at the overall amount and then pro-rate the amount listed on each estimate sheet to reflect the amount actually used on that element. So if you needed a gallon of something across the whole show, and were going to use 20% of that gallon on each of five elements, then you would list the item, the gallon unit, then 1/5 gallon quantity, and the price for 1/5 of a gallon.

This is a lot of work, but it gets you the most faithful price for the individual element.

or

#2. You take the full gallon and buy it for one unit that needs it. Then for each subsequent unit that needs the same material up to the quantity you have already purchased you enter the item and the quantity, but you leave the price blank and include a note that you have previously paid for this material on another sheet and list the element so you know where to find it.

This is less work but will show one unit as being more expensive than it really is, and the remaining units as being cheaper than they actually are.

Another way to look at it, that is cleaner is to look for multiple items that can be spread over multiple elements together. For instance, if you have five units that each need five colors you could cost 100% of one color to each. That makes the paperwork easier and keeps it faithful. Once again you would need to make a note of each of the element sheets involved explaining what was done.

All these things fall apart if a single unit is cut from the scope.