Bill of Material: Board Feet and Lumber Grades

Abstract

Before starting a job it is necessary to study the drawing or model from which you will be working. Many carpenters price a job too low and lose money because they fail to estimate the actual quantity of material required. Thus the first step is to make a list of materials required to complete the project. This list is referred to as a “Bill of Material”. It should be complete, listing each piece, its exact thickness, width and length as well as type of wood. An example of a Bill of Material for a table is shown in Figure 53. A rough stock list or cutting list should be made from the Bill of Material. Extra material is added at this time for planing and squaring.