🧮 EstimatorLab

EstimatorLab is a collection of modular estimation tools designed for real-world construction and engineering workflows — built to streamline takeoffs, budgeting, and field calculations across all trades.

Created and maintained by Poor Louis Labs, this project aims to make estimating accessible, flexible, and transparent, using lightweight, browser-based calculators that can be hosted anywhere — from GitHub Pages to offline jobsite laptops...

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📦 Overview

EstimatorLab provides a growing library of interactive HTML/JavaScript calculators for the major construction divisions:

Division	Estimator
01	General Requirements
02	Sitework / Utilities
03	Concrete
04	Exterior Closure
05	Roofing Systems
06	Interior Construction
07	Conveying Systems
08	Mechanical
09	Electrical
10	Equipment
11	Special Construction

Each tool is designed to be:

• Fast and offline-capable – Runs locally in any modern browser.
• Transparent – All calculations visible and editable.
• Customizable – Inputs, rates, and assumptions can be tailored to regional or project-specific conditions.
• Modular – Each estimator is a standalone HTML file but shares a consistent layout, logic, and export format.

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🧰 Features

• Material and labor breakdowns with adjustable unit rates
• Auto-calculated total and per-unit pricing
• Man-hour and crew productivity modeling
• Optional toggles for abatement, demolition, or testing
• CSV and JSON export for integration into estimating systems
• Responsive design for desktop and mobile use
• Simple versioning for field validation and audits

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🚀 Getting Started

Run Locally

Clone the repository:

git clone https://github.com/epi13/EstimatorLab.git
cd EstimatorLab

Then simply open any estimator in your browser:

open 08_Mechanical.html

or drag the file directly into your browser window.

REPLCalc (Estimator REPL)

EstimatorLab includes an interactive, browser-based REPL for unit-aware calculations, scripting, and graphics demos.

• Open: src/REPLCalc/estimator-repl.html
• In the REPL, run :docs for the built-in help page.
• Run :doom to launch the gfx loop demo.

Runtime notes:

• Some functions are side-effecting and are categorized by effect groups: PURE, IO_GFX, STATE, RNG, TIME.
• Disallowed effects throw errors prefixed with ERR[E_EFFECT].
• Random sampling can be made deterministic for the session with seed(n).
• Type/unit errors are prefixed with ERR[E_TYPE] and ERR[E_DIM].

Host Online

EstimatorLab can be hosted directly via GitHub Pages or any static web host.
To enable Pages:

1. Go to your repository’s Settings → Pages
2. Set source to main branch → / (root)
3. Access your tools via https://yourusername.github.io/EstimatorLab/

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🧩 Repository Structure

EstimatorLab/
├── 01_General_Requirements.html
├── 02_Sitework.html
├── 03_Concrete.html
├── ...
├── assets/
│   ├── css/
│   ├── js/
│   └── data/
├── docs/
│   ├── changelog.md
│   ├── contributing.md
│   └── roadmap.md
└── index.html  ← Main dashboard / navigation hub

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🧠 Future Plans

• Unified dashboard interface for selecting and managing estimators
• Analytics panel to summarize material/labor distribution across trades
• Integration with XLSX/CSV import/export for bid packages
• Offline mode (PWA) for field deployment
• Versioned cost data sets (regional, remote, and rural Alaska factors)

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🛠️ Development Notes

EstimatorLab tools are built using:

• HTML5 for structure
• Vanilla JavaScript for logic
• CSS3 / Tailwind (optional) for styling

Each estimator follows a consistent data schema:

{
  "division": "08 - Mechanical",
  "section": "083 - HVAC",
  "items": [
    {
      "name": "Install rooftop unit",
      "unit": "EA",
      "quantity": 1,
      "material_rate": 3500,
      "labor_rate": 1200
    }
  ]
}

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🤝 Contributing

Contributions are welcome — whether it’s new estimators, data improvements, or UI tweaks.

1. Fork the repo
2. Create a new branch (feature/your-estimator)
3. Submit a pull request with clear notes

For larger feature requests, please open an issue to discuss before starting work.

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📜 License

MIT License © 2025 Poor Louis Labs
Created and maintained by Alexander Collamore

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🌲 About Poor Louis Labs

Poor Louis Labs is the R&D branch of Poor Louis Farms, dedicated to engineering and software projects that combine practical craftsmanship, data transparency, and Alaskan resilience.

EstimatorLab is part of our ongoing initiative to modernize construction workflows and make field-ready digital tools open and accessible.

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