Manhours

Since their wall studs use a combination of both wood (top and bottom plates) and steel (studs), it makes it more difficult to determine manhours. For the most part, it's the same as stick framing, after the initial learning curve with this system. Based on 2 x 4 walls 8 feet high, the first time around I would figure 0.023 manhour per square foot. After you learn the system, it could drop down to 0.016 manhour. This wouldn't include framing the door or window openings. With a crew of two, the initial manhour time is 0.0115 (0.023 MH ÷ 2).

For door openings framed in wood (up to 3 feet, including header, double vertical studs, cripples, blocking, and nailing), I'd use 0.830 per opening, assuming a crew of two. If you had 20 openings, how long would it take to frame each opening?

0.830 MH x 20 doors =
16.6 MH ÷ 8 hours = 2.075 days ÷2 (crew) =
1.0375 days to frame 20 openings

1.0375 x 8 hours =
8.3 ÷ 20 doors = 0.415 x 60 =
24.9 minutes per opening for a two-man crew

Or you can simplify the calculation:

0.830 MH x 60 =
49.8 ÷ 2 (crew) = 24.9 minutes

Figure window openings the same way because they include the same elements as the door opening plus the subsill plate, and top and bottom cripples. For window openings over 4 to 5 feet wide (average), use 1.73 manhours per opening. You can find more manhours and costs for door and window size openings in National Construction Estimator.

If you plan to use HL Stud's Carpenter's Steel Joists, be aware that they're also attached to wooden rim joists. Their weight can vary from 1.355 to 3.3489 pounds per linear foot depending on the width and gauge thickness of joist. For installation, figure on 0.020 manhour per square foot based on a wood 2 x 10, which is close to the measurement of steel studs (1⁵/₈ x 9¹/₄ inches). This doesn't include beams, blocking, or bridging but does include the band or rim joist. Keep in mind that you'll probably need a crew of two for production and training for both wall and joist installation, depending on the application.

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