One hour of work by one person, the basic unit for measuring and estimating construction labor.
A man-hour (also person-hour or labor-hour) is a unit of labor equal to one hour of work performed by one worker. Man-hours are the fundamental unit for labor estimating, productivity analysis, and workforce planning in construction. Labor productivity is expressed as man-hours per unit of output (e.g., man-hours per cubic yard of concrete placed), and total project labor hours drive direct labor cost estimates and scheduling.
Man-hours are the backbone of every labor estimate; converting takeoff quantities into man-hours via productivity rates is how estimators turn drawings into priced labor and a realistic schedule. Small errors in assumed productivity compound across thousands of units, so disciplined man-hour estimating protects against the single largest source of cost overrun and drives crew sizing, cash flow, and bid competitiveness.
After the takeoff, the estimator multiplies 400 cubic yards of placed concrete by an assumed 0.6 man-hours per yard, then applies the loaded labor rate to convert 240 man-hours into a direct labor cost line.
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