How fast do your framers frame?

Question

Hey everybody! How fast do you guys and gals expect your framers to….frame? Lol I’m currently working on an old home, uneven walls, floor joists, etc. I was taught 45 minutes for 8’ for average. Does this ballpark standard still hold true for you all as well? I’m curious where my speed is at in comparison to everybody else’s these days lol. I’d be curious to find union vs non union. Has…lets be honest….lack of immigrants made it harder to find workers in this space? I’m looking to slowly but surely build a solid team here in the Philly metro. Anyways, thanks in advance! Look forward to hearing from youz!

Bruce Woodruff · Answer

Depends how large the project is, and how large the framing crew is....really no way to put a time on it IMHO. And there's a difference between framing up what you're describing vs a new build on a slab.

Union vs Non-union should be the same time, there's really only one way to frame.....but Union will usually cost more, based on my experience. And be more regulated by mandatory breaks, lunches, etc...

William Rizer · Answer

Thanks again! Yeah corners definetely slow you down! On a straight with me and my top guy we were able to do an 8x8' wall in 22 minutes which meets that standard. Cutting every stud as well. Could we average that speed throughout the day? No lol not on this property. You guys made me feel a lot better haha. Some sections would take me over an hour working by myself. like you said getting everything nice for drywall, plumb....etc...N I hear ya on the crappy lumber! Thanks again everybody!

William Rizer · Answer

@Ken M. Lmao ahaha

JD Martin · Answer

There's just too many variables to give you a good answer. Some things have sped up framing - engineered I beam joists, roof trusses - and other things have slowed it down - crappy quality lumber, lousy workforce. And it depends on what you're building. If you want a DRH quality house you can get it up pretty quickly, but forget about having straight walls and ceilings and flat floors etc. One good rule of thumb - more corners = more time. Nothing is faster than a 4 corner square box.

William Rizer · Answer

This is a remodel on a super old home. Thanks everybody for your responses!!

William Rizer · Answer

Well, 8' foot of wall with top and bottom plates, studs 16" on center is 72 board ft in 45 minutes or 96 board ft p/man hr....so.......lol

Jay Hinrichs · Answer

if your talking about framing a house from foundation up.. depends on market and type of home of course.

my Framer in Oregon that is the best I have ever used.  2000 to 3000 sq ft home 5 to 7 working days..

Charleston same home at least 10 working days if not more.

very market dependent and depends also if your buying trusses or buildoing on site your trusses

Chris Seveney · Answer

When we built our home the framer had everything panelized. So we coordinated all window and door openings during permit phase etc. and then everything came out in panels (walls and roof trusses), so they could frame a floor in 1-1.5 days. The floor joists were another 1-2 days and then 2nd floor. It was awesome.

Richard F. · Answer

@Bruce Woodruff

Framing new construction is fast and easy for the most part. It takes a great carpenter to build square and plumb walls in an OLD house! Getting doors to fit existing jambs always tormented me...

Jay Hinrichs · Answer

there are a lot of panelized options out there thats for sure.. I did one in Palo Alto circa 1987 ish  the guy went broke in the middle of it though so we had to finish it with on site crews but he got it framed and it was cool the guy was from Germany so all the components were German and the windows alone were something.

How fast do your framers frame?

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