BUSINESS
How to Order Material with Waste
Contractor method for adding waste to a net quantity and rounding up to the selling unit.
Net quantities do not cover cuts, offcuts and mistakes. Adding a waste percentage and rounding up to the pack keeps you from running out mid-job.
THE SHORT ANSWER
How do you order material with waste?
Multiply the net quantity by 1 plus the waste percentage, then round up to whole packs. 500 units at 10% waste is 550, and 25-unit packs means ordering 22 packs (550).
Start with the net quantity
The net quantity is what the finished work needs with no allowance. Measure it carefully from the takeoff.
Add the waste percentage
Waste covers cuts, offcuts and errors. Ten percent is a common default, but adjust for the material and the layout.
- Net quantity
- Waste %
- Quantity + waste
- Selling unit
Round up to the selling unit
Materials sell in packs, bundles or pieces. Round the quantity with waste up to whole packs.
Order the rounded quantity
500 units at 10% waste is 550. In packs of 25 that is exactly 22 packs. If the result were not a whole pack, round up anyway. Use the Material Waste and Order Quantity Calculator.