AI Labor Requirement Estimator
Labor Productivity Reference
| Task Type | Base Productivity (m²/worker/day) | Complexity Adjustment |
|---|---|---|
| Masonry Work | ~5-8 | Low: +10%, Medium: 0%, High: -20% |
| Plastering | ~10-15 | Low: +10%, Medium: 0%, High: -20% |
| Tiling | ~8-12 | Low: +10%, Medium: 0%, High: -20% |
| Painting | ~20-30 | Low: +10%, Medium: 0%, High: -20% |
AI Labor Requirement Estimator
Accurately planning labor is one of the most important tasks for any construction project manager. The AI Labor Requirement Estimator helps you convert scope, productivity norms, schedule constraints and crew skills into practical crew sizes, man-hour estimates, and day-by-day labor loading. Whether you are planning a small renovation or managing an entire high-rise, reliable labor estimates reduce cost, avoid downtime and improve on-site productivity.
1. Introduction — what this estimator does
The AI Labor Requirement Estimator converts task quantities and productivity norms into:
- Estimated man-hours for each task
- Recommended crew size and skill mix
- Number of workdays required at a given crew size
- Daily outputs per crew and individual productivity targets
- Labor cost estimates based on wage rates and allowances
The estimator uses both rule-of-thumb productivity rates and customizable rates derived from your historic performance or site trials. It recommends crew compositions (skilled, semiskilled, helpers) and can produce a daily rolling labour plan aligned with the project timeline.
2. Required inputs and assumptions
To produce meaningful results the tool needs:
- Task description & quantity (e.g., brickwork 100 m², concrete 20 m³, plaster 200 m²)
- Unit productivity (units per man-hour or man-hour per unit). Defaults available for common tasks.
- Crew working hours per day (e.g., 8 hours, 9 hours with breaks)
- Working days per week (e.g., 6 days)
- Crew composition (how many masons, assistants, laborers per crew)
- Site conditions (access, weather, seasonal impacts)
- Allowances for supervision, attendance loss, productivity loss (default percentages)
- Wage rates for each labour category (if cost estimation required)
3. Productivity units & common benchmarks
Productivity is expressed either as output per man-hour (e.e., 0.5 m³ concrete per man-hour) or as man-hours per output (e.g., 2 man-hours per m² of plaster). Choose the representation you prefer; the estimator converts between them.
Typical default productivity benchmarks (examples — adjust to your region and crew):
| Task | Typical Productivity (output per man-hour) | Equivalent (man-hour per unit) |
|---|---|---|
| Skilled mason (brickwork) | 1.0 m² of brickwork per mason-hour | 1.0 man-hour / m² |
| Bricklaying + helper (typical 1:2 crew) | 0.8 m² per man-hour (crew average) | 1.25 man-hour / m² |
| Plastering (2-coat) | 0.5 m² per man-hour | 2.0 man-hour / m² |
| Concrete pouring (slab) | 0.25 m³ per man-hour | 4.0 man-hour / m³ |
| Painting (2 coats on plaster) | 1.0 m² per man-hour | 1.0 man-hour / m² |
4. Crew composition & skill mix
The estimator allows you to define typical crew compositions for each task. For example:
- Masonry crew: 1 mason + 2 helpers
- Plastering crew: 1 plasterer + 1 helper
- Concreting crew: 1 skilled + 3 laborers
- Painting crew: 1 painter + 1 helper
The estimator calculates the total man-hours per crew and the effective crew output per day.
5. Outputs & interpretation
The estimator produces:
- Total man-hours for the task (including allowances)
- Recommended crew size (number of crews)
- Workdays required to complete the task
- Daily output targets per crew and per worker
- Labor cost estimate (if wage rates provided)
The estimator also flags if the required workdays exceed the available time, suggesting you increase crew size or work overtime.
6. Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
How accurate are the default productivity rates?
The default rates are industry averages. They are a good starting point but should be calibrated to your specific site conditions, crew skill, and equipment. Track actual performance and update the rates for future estimates.
How do I account for productivity loss due to weather or site delays?
The estimator includes an allowance factor (e.g., 10–20%) for non-productive time. You can adjust this based on historical data or expected conditions.
Can I save and compare multiple scenarios?
Yes, you can save estimates with different crew sizes, productivity rates, or schedules to compare cost and duration trade-offs.
Does the estimator include supervision and indirect labor?
The estimator includes a default percentage for supervision (e.g., 5–10% of direct labor). You can adjust or disable this.