Costing a set is a very important skill, especially if you’re going into carpentry or technical direction. The following is a basic tutorial about how to do it. Keep in mind that costing a set is always approximate. No one will be looking for an exact number.
1. First things first: The Set!
This is a simple set for a one act play. As the technical director, part of your responsibility is to cost the set and order materials.
You look at the plans carefully. You find out that the set is comprised of:
4 - 4'x 8’ theatre style flats
2 - 4’ x 8’ theatre style flats with 1’ x 2’ lips (to make the doorway)
1 - 4'x 8’ x 1’ riser with skin ply covering the downstage side
Now that you know what pieces are required, you go about figuring out how they will be constructed.
You decide to follow the ubiquitous theatre riser and flat plans. Good.
Okay, you figured out how to build the flats and risers; now you begin calculating how much lumber/materials will need.
Lumber is sold by the foot, so you therefore proceed by calculating how much linear feet of lumber you need. You add up the combined length of all the pieces in a single flat and the riser and come up with the following. You also add the door skin and plywood in:
12’ of 1'x 6’ common spruce - you will rip these to make 1x3s
1 sheet of ¼" GIS (good one side) ply (for the keystones and corner blocks – 1 sheet is enough for 10 flats)
36’ of 2’ x 4’ KD (Kiln dried) spruce
Ready for more math? Here are the approximate prices of material (in Canada):
1’ x 6’ common spruce: $0.24/ft
2’ x 4’ KD spruce: $0.21/ft
¾" Ply GIS - 4’ x 8’ sheet: $49.47
¼" Ply GIS - 4’ x 8’ sheet: $27.27
Door Skin - 4’ x 8’ sheet: $19.73
Staples/screws/other hardware: *don’t bother counting how many screws you will use; you just add 10% after you calculate everything else.*
5. The (approximate) Damage
12’ of 1'x 6’ common spruce - 12’ x $0.24/ft = $3
1 sheet of door skin - $20
TOTAL: $25 x 6 flats = $150
2’ x 4’ KD spruce: 36’ x $0.21/ft = $10
¾" Ply GIS - 4’ x 8’ sheet: $50
1 sheet of door skin - $20
TOTAL: $60 x 1 riser = $80
The designer wants the walls painted a solid black (boring, huh?).
Area of the flats and riser: 4’ x 8’ = 32^2’ x 7 = 230^2’ x $0.20 = $30
GRAND TOTAL: $150+$80+$70 = $300 EST
5. Congrats! It’s time to get out the company credit card!
*Remember that this is all approximated. Also remember to always account for mistakes and warpage. It’s a good idea to get extra lumber.*
EDIT: Don’t forget labour costs as well!