A masonry crew can lay 400 square feet of block wall per day. If the project requires 3,200 square feet of block work and the crew costs $1,800 per day, what is the total labor cost for this work?
Correct Answer
B) $14,400
Days needed: 3,200 SF ÷ 400 SF/day = 8 days. Total labor cost: 8 days × $1,800/day = $14,400. Productivity rates are essential for accurate labor cost estimation.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
This is a straightforward productivity and cost calculation problem. First, we determine how many days are needed by dividing total work (3,200 SF) by daily productivity (400 SF/day) = 8 days. Then we multiply the number of days by the daily crew cost: 8 days × $1,800/day = $14,400. This type of calculation is fundamental for labor cost estimation in construction projects.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Option A: $12,800
This answer ($12,800) would result from incorrectly calculating either 7.11 days of work or using a daily rate of $1,600. The math doesn't align with the given productivity rate and daily cost.
Option C: $16,200
This answer ($16,200) represents 9 days of work at $1,800/day, which incorrectly assumes the crew needs more time than the actual 8 days required based on their 400 SF/day productivity rate.
Option D: $18,000
This answer ($18,000) represents 10 days of work at $1,800/day, significantly overestimating the time needed and ignoring the crew's stated productivity of 400 SF/day.
Memory Technique
Remember 'TPR': Total ÷ Productivity = Time, then Time × Price = Result. The two-step dance: divide first, multiply second.
Reference Hint
Construction cost estimating sections in contractor reference materials, typically found in project management or cost control chapters
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