Labor factors are project conditions that effect productivity. This is sometimes referred to as a Job Factor.

Labor factors are conditions that affect labor productivity. Labor is to be factored to the specific type of project, environment, and installation. Many times, an estimator needs to adjust the number of labor hours due to project conditions. This labor hour adjustment is hours added to the direct labor hours total. It might be helpful to have a worksheet and list applicable factors and percentages. Percentages for each factor will vary from one geographic location to another. Also, percentages may change in various markets. Labor factor percentage adjustments are cumulative. Labor factors are addressed in the bid summarization, not in the take-off.

Consider these 24 conditions, risks, and factors that affect labor productivity:

1. Access to work area – The accessibility of a project is important. Manpower, materials, and equipment must be moved in and out of the work area. If the work area does not allow for easy deliveries, additional labor hours must be added.
2. Accelerated schedule – When the project is accelerated it will result in a larger work crew. An accelerated schedule may require overtime and / or multiple shifts. Both overtime and multiple shifts will have an impact on labor productivity, therefore, an adjustment will be necessary.
3. Addenda factoring – Projects where the contract documents are incomplete or lacking in detail, is sure to have many addenda issued. Addenda interrupt the flow of work. Most addenda will impact manpower, material deliveries, and coordination with other trades. An addendum will distract the project foreman from the contract work. A project manager will have increased labor due to the number of addenda issued. This information must be relayed to the field. Sometimes, installed work may have to be removed as a result of the addendum.
4. Building construction – If the building is spread out over a large area, then labor required for handling materials and moving equipment will increase. Odd shaped or old buildings pose a challenge. Buildings over three floors will increase labor install time. Buildings with a unique architectural design will require more attention to detail.
5. Crew size – The larger the crew size, the larger the lost productivity. Depending on the crew size, non-working supervision may be required. More tools may be required with a larger crew.
6. Dusty environment – Dusty environments will make working conditions miserable. Keeping tools and materials clean for installation will be a challenge. Additional safety equipment will be required. Having a means of ventilation will be important. A dusty environment will make life miserable for workers. Be sure you know OSHA safety regulations related to this type of project.
7. GC capability – Subcontractors are at the mercy of the General Contractor. When the GC can’t keep the project on schedule, then all subcontractors are affected. When the experience and performance of the GC is not known, caution must be exercised before entering into a contract. This factor may apply to some GC’s but not all.
8. GC experience – This factor is very difficult to know and adjust in your estimate. If you have an opportunity to work with a general contractor with whom you have never worked, check with other electrical contractors for a reference.
9. Hazardous environment – In hazardous locations, more safety precautions are necessary to keep workers safe. When working in an area that is classified as hazardous, it will require special safety equipment and clothing. Restrictions may limit time and exposure of workers to the area, resulting in less time on tools.
10. Isolated environment – An isolated work site poses several risks. Health and safety for workers need to be considered. Some examples of isolated work environments would be: mines, oil exploration, refinery platforms over bodies of water, and high voltage transmission lines. In an isolated workplace, transporting injured workers to health facilities can create the potential for a basic injury to become a life threating due to the distance. Communications in isolated environments can be limited. Extended workdays and weeks are sometimes necessary to complete the project timely. This extended work period can create stress, fatigue, and have a psychological impact on workers that will affect productivity. Certain isolated environments may expose workers to dangerous animals or toxic plants. Workers will need shelter during harsh weather conditions.
11. Job location – Projects that are located a distance away from the contractor’s office or the worker’s homes pose extended travel periods to get to and from the project. An allowance of lost time in necessary. At the end of the week, workers will want to get an early start on the weekend to arrive at home as early as possible. Also, material deliveries and equipment transportation will have an impact on the project’s productivity.
12. Multistory impact – The higher the building, the higher the labor costs. Labor units typically cover a building up to three floors. As a rule, this factor will be at least 1% per floor with a cumulative total. The percentage of this factor will vary with the project. It will depend on the number of construction elevators, project schedule, crew size, and staging area.
13. Non-local manpower – The contractor must know his or her field forces. If the contractor must use workers that are out of the area, there can be problems of knowing the skill and ability of the workers.
14. Occupied facility – An occupied facility will slow workers’ progress. More clean-up, covering existing equipment, and working around existing equipment will be required. If the facility is in operation twenty-four hours, it is obvious that factors are required due to facility personnel and their operations. If the facility is not in operation twenty-four hours, the contractor might consider working second or third shift. This may require electricians to move selected contents in a facility to make the installation easier.
15. Overtime impact – An extended overtime schedule will impact labor costs significantly. Overtime produces fatigue and poor mental attitude which results in loss of productivity. The longer the overtime schedule, the greater loss of productivity. NECA has publications that explain this project factor and how to calculate the costs.
16. Phasing, by area, floor, or building – When a project is broken down in phases and those phases are sequential, this will require mobilizing and demobilizing.
17. Poor electrical design – Poor drawings and poor specifications are detrimental to efficient production. Workers will need to get clarity on tasks.
18. Renovation – Renovation is more labor intensive that new construction. Renovations will usually require more coordination with all trades. During renovations, there will be discoveries of issues that will need to be brought to the owner’s attention. This will cause delays and waiting for direction from the architect.
19. Shift work impact – Multiple shifts can help the contractor meet the construction schedule. When one crew takes over for another, there will be loss time during the shift transition. Project information must be transferred to the next crew of workers. Material handling labor is also increased with multiple shifts. Supervision hours will increase as two foremen will meet to coordinate the transition from one shift to another.
20. Stacking of trades – The stacking of trades describes project conditions where multiple tradespeople are working simultaneously in a single work area. Having too many workers in a small work area will reduce labor productivity. The causes of stacking of trades may include, but not limited to the following: rework, scope change, change orders, project acceleration, complexity of work, and poor planning. The following aspects are affected by this labor factor: material handling, work order, limitations of work area, increased idle time, crew management, and scheduling. This labor factor usually has the greatest affect on conduit work and rough-in phases of a project.
21. Staging location – When materials are stored away for the work area, there is increased labor to handle equipment and materials to the work site.
22. Weather conditions – This Labor Factor is dependent on the contractors’ geography location. Cold, hot, and humid weather conditions reduce labor production. In cold weather, workers will retreat to warm up and in hot weather, workers will find a place to cool down. Excessive rain can pose problems for outdoor work, especially for underground work. Severe weather can also pose a problem for meeting the project’s completion date. Estimating the percentage adjustment for this factor is difficult.
23. Work conditions – Both morale and productivity can be affected when workers are exposed to one or more of the following: • Excessive noise levels • Material shortages • Unsafe working conditions • Inadequate tools and equipment • Untidy construction site • Multiple contract changes • Inadequate or incompetent supervision • Productivity is affected.
24. Work experience – Skilled workers are necessary to complete a timely project. Knowing the skill and ability of your workers is vital. Labor units are based on project studies. Not all electricians are created equal. Non-local labor forces can lead to less productivity. Matching a worker’s skills with the project type is optimal.

Be thorough in labor factor assessments. All of these can have a significant impact on the labor production rate. Always remember, the greatest risk in construction is labor. The estimator must bring to the attention of the Chief Estimator any of these labor factors that will be applicable to the project that is being bid.

Remember, estimating is expensive, poor estimating is costly, but quality estimating is profitable.