The Jess Gilmore Company specialized in the purchase, renovation, and resale of older homes. Jess

The Jess Gilmore Company specialized in the purchase, renovation, and resale of older homes.  Jess employs several carpenters and painters to do the work for him.  It is essential for im to have accurate cost estimates so he can determine total renovation costs before he purchases a piece of property.  If estimated renovation costs plus the purchase price of a house are higher than its estimated resale value, the house is not a worthwhile investment.

Jess has been using  the home’s interior square feet for his exterior paint cost estimations.  Recently he decided to include the number of openings- the total number of doors and windows in a house – as a cost driver.  Their cost is significant because they require time-consuming preparatory work and careful brushwork.  The rest of the house usually is painted either by rollers or spray guns, which are relatively efficient ways to apply paint to a large area.  Jess has kept careful records of these expenses on his last 12 jobs:

House                   Square Feet                       Openings                             Cost

1                              2,600                                     13                                           $3,335

2                              3,010                                     15                                           $3,742

3                              2,800                                     12                                           $3,100

4                              2,850                                     12                                           $3.150

5                              4,600                                     19                                           $4,700

6                              2,700                                     13                                           $3,225

7                              2,375                                     11                                           $2,920

8                              2,450                                     11                                           $2,836

9                              2,600                                     10                                           $2,945

10                           3,700                                     16                                           $4,112

11                           2,650                                     13                                           $3,210

12                           3,550                                     16                                           $3,965

1.        Using the high-low cost estimation technique, determine the cost of painting a 3,300 square foot house with 14 openings.  Also determine the cost for a 2,400 square foot house with 8 openings.

2.       Plot the cost data against square feet and against openings. Which variable is a better cost driver? Why?

3.       What are the sustainability issues for this company, and what is the role of cost estimation in this regards?