To schedule a move you need hours on site, not just total labor. Convert volume to man-hours with a productivity factor, then divide by crew size to see how long the job actually takes.
The productivity factor (man-hours per cubic foot) comes from your own job history.
The example
800 cubic feet at 0.025 man-hours per cubic foot, with a 3-person crew.
| A | B | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Label | Value |
| 2 | Cubic feet | 800 |
| 3 | Man-hours per cu ft | 0.025 |
| 4 | Total man-hours | 20 |
| 5 | Crew size | 3 |
| 6 | Hours on site | 6.7 |
The formula
First man-hours, then hours on site:
How it works
Working it through:
- Estimate volume in cubic feet from your survey (B2).
- Multiply by your productivity factor in man-hours per cubic foot (B3): 800 × 0.025 = 20 man-hours.
- Divide total man-hours by the crew size (B5) to get hours on site.
- 20 ÷ 3 ≈ 6.7 hours for a three-person crew.
Add drive time and a setup buffer, then bill the crew hours at your hourly rate.
Try it: interactive demo
Enter volume, productivity, and crew size — see hours on site.
Variations
Round up to billable hours
Round on-site hours up to the next half hour for billing.
Add drive time
Include a fixed travel allowance in the scheduled time.
Pitfalls & errors
Your productivity factor must match your crews and conditions. Stairs, long carries, and elevators all slow the job — calibrate from real timesheets.
Estimate man-hours first, then divide by crew size. A bigger crew shortens on-site time but doesn't change total man-hours much.
Practice workbook
Frequently asked questions
Where does the productivity factor come from?
Does a bigger crew finish faster?
What about stairs and long carries?
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