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ABRASIVE EXPENSES ARE NOT JUST ABOUT THE PRICE
When estimating blasting costs, many companies mistakenly focus on minimizing each line-item cost independently, assuming that the cheaper the abrasive, the more profitable the project will be. However, abrasive blasting is a complex process where various components interact, making it essential to consider the bigger picture rather than just the price of the abrasive.
UNDERSTANDING THE FORMULA COMPONENTS
Choosing a cheaper abrasive may seem cost-effective initially, but it can lead to increased consumption, requiring more material to complete the project. This, in turn, can escalate clean-up and disposal costs. Additionally, lower-cost abrasives are often dustier, potentially resulting in environmental fines, the need for containment materials, reduced productivity due to impaired visibility, or even safety incidents that cause delays and injuries.
To accurately estimate the true cost per square foot (or square meter) of the surface area blasted, the United States Navy developed a formula that accounts for the interplay of these components:
ABRASIVE BLASTING COST FORMULA:
A = Abrasive Consumption
B = Delivered Cost of Abrasive
C = Disposal of Abrasive
D = Labor Cost
E = Equipment Cost
X = Blasting Speed (in square feet/hour or square meters/hour)
By using this formula, you can gain a better understanding of how each component affects your overall costs, enabling you to submit more accurate and profitable bids. Remember, cheaper is not always better.
