Access time is one of the most under-acknowledged variables in drywall labor estimates. While the actual installation rates of gypsum board may be well understood, the time it takes for crews to move materials, tools, and personnel to and from the installation zone can have a major impact on labor hours and project profitability. For architects, engineers, and general contractors, properly accounting for access time in estimates can be the difference between meeting budgets and explaining overruns.

What Is Access Time and Why It Matters

Access time refers to the non-productive labor required for site navigation—moving from material drop zones to the point of installation. It includes travel time between floors, wait time for elevators, lift setup and breakdown, and delays caused by shared access with other trades.

• Multi-story buildings: Time spent moving materials vertically can rival install time on complex sites.
• Congested job sites: Crews often lose hours due to wait times for freight elevators or limited staging areas.
• Inaccessible layouts: Tight corridors or occupied floors complicate equipment movement and increase prep time.

How Access Time Impacts Labor Productivity

Access delays don’t just reduce efficiency—they affect morale, sequencing, and ultimately the cost-per-board installed. Even a 10% drop in effective working time can translate into significant unanticipated costs on a fast-track schedule. Traditional estimating approaches often overlook this hidden variable, leading to underestimation of labor hours and overpromised timelines.

Quantifying Access Time in Your Estimate

Rather than guessing or padding labor rates arbitrarily, consider a structured method to incorporate access time:

• Map out distance and elevation changes between stock zones and install areas per floor.
• Calculate crew travel time for round trips during loading and daily routines.
• Assess site logistics constraints, such as elevator capacity, loading dock access, or stairwell limitations.
• Factor in time-of-day restrictions on certain high-traffic areas, especially in urban sites.
• Adjust labor productivity rates based on access scores for each zone.

Technology That Helps You Track and Optimize Access Time

Modern estimating platforms like Active Estimating allow teams to incorporate contextual jobsite data—including travel paths, material staging limits, and vertical transport logistics—into labor models. This transforms access time from a wildcard into a quantifiable input.

Using Drywall Estimating Software to Improve Labor Forecasting

With purpose-built drywall estimating software, estimators can overlay access constraints directly onto floor plans or BIM models. This visual interface enables them to simulate material movement paths, highlight bottlenecks, and build more accurate duration models. The result is a labor estimate that reflects not just the wall type but also the reality of getting there.

Conclusion: Don’t Let Access Time Stay Invisible

Labor estimates that ignore access time underestimate the true effort required to install drywall. As jobsite logistics become more complex and labor more expensive, it's essential to treat access time as a standard variable—not an exception. By using solutions like Active Estimating to model and optimize access time, construction teams can improve accuracy, avoid disputes, and protect profitability across all phases of drywall installation.