Maxwell System unveils 9.3 of Maxwell Systems™ Estimation®

Maxwell System Inc unveils the new version alias 9.3 of Maxwell Systems™ Estimation®. This new product includes some new advancements for takeoff and estimating that range from several maintenance enhancements, CAD integration with EastCoast Sheet Metals CAD/CAM product for the Estimation HVAC and Mechanical solutions. Now linking with AutoCAD files is expanded and becomes more convenient.

9.3 of Maxwell Systems™ Estimation® will provide lots of benefits to electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and HVAC contractors as the software combines together estimates, labor needs and cost analysis to bid more preciously and enhance speed & overall efficiency.

The software comes up with some exclusive features like improved functionality for estimating; wide-ranging purchasing for materials management; project management; digital and digitized takeoff; and incorporation of estimating, purchasing, and accounting systems.

Some notable improvements with 9.3 of Maxwell Systems™ Estimation® :-

EastCoast Sheet Metal CAD/CAM integration for accelerated takeoff
Advanced search capabilities in Takeoff help improve speed and convenience throughout process
Item data import with price updating now allows users to bring Excel

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Chilton unveils ChiltonEstimating ideal for professional automotive technicians

Chilton just released ChiltonEstimating, an online tool to create estimates, work orders, and invoices for professional Automotive Technicians.

By utilizing ChiltonEstimating the users can avail the current labor times with all content online and with two shop-user logins they can work on multiple job simultaneously. Besides the users can also open two work orders at a time to save huge time.

The information within ChiltonEstimating is regularly updated to enable users to get the most appropriate and latest information while carrying out an estimate. Furthermore, all vital customer information within ChiltonEstimating is accumulated securely online to ensure that all data may not be lost or destroyed.

ChiltonEstimating comes up with several pricing option to suit your requirements and can be purchased as an annual or monthly subscription.

Buy online

System Requirements
Internet Explorer 7.0 or later versions, Firefox 3.6 or later versions
High-speed Internet connection
Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7, 32bit or 64bit versions

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Some state of the art software ideal for HVAC & Mechanical Estimator

HVAC estimating software provides great benefits to mechanical, piping, plumbing or sheet metal estimator to estimate the material and labor cost required to build a heating and cooling ventilating system. In order to find out the total cost estimate for the HVAC ventilating system all facets of material and labor cost are documented. A wide-ranging bill of materials supported with detailed design criteria and specifications for the HVAC system are generated alongwith related labor cost for manufacturing and installing a system in a building.

The HVAC estimating software also enhance your bid volume and accuracy by providing consistent, professional bids itemized in greater detail that are easily evaluated and amended to boost your business bottom line and competitive position. The software also provides a detailed bid report and summaries during a project.

The HVAC estimating software also facilitates the commercial estimator to characterize duct construction standards for rectangular, round and oval ductwork.

FastDuct

FastDUCT is an unique HVAC estimating software ideal for industrial and commercial sheet metal contractors to figure out construction cost quickly and precisely. The software can easily computetakeoff from rectangular, round, and oval ductwork and sheet metal and HVAC equipment.

The user can customize their specifications to go with their standard for duct construction or purchasing duct.

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FastPIPE

FastPIPE™ is a state of the art mechanical piping software intended for plumbing contractors to estimate the plumbing work and construction cost accurately and in less time.

FastPIPE™ applies interactive Windows Graphics to make the estimating process easier. Theestimator can view what he is taking off.

With its improved detailed take-off capabilities the software can easily track diverse areas or location within a project.

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FastWrap

FastWrap provides great assistance for the mechanical insulation contractor and gives piping & duct insulation support for mechanical, industrial piping, plumbing, HVAC piping, HVAC duct and industrial duct.

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QuickPen Autobid

QuickPen AutoBid SheetMetal software empowers HVAC estimator to create HVAC and Sheet metal estimate quickly and accurately.  HVAC and sheet metal estimators can raise their bid volume by modifying bids quickly and take action to last-minute changes in bidding process to meet up the most deadlines.

QuickPen AutoBid SheetMetal  save time for HVAC estimator to a great extent as it can easily segregate an area in GTO and transfer it to alternate or a different HVAC system.

The estimator can also apply it at inventory time to cost and produce spreadsheets of stocked material.

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Related Costs of a built construction

The owner should take into consideration the preliminary capital cost and the consequent operation and maintenance costs for a building construction. The cost component is formed with these cost categories.

The capital cost relates to the expenditures required for initial formation of the construction. The capital cost consists of land acquirement expenses along with assembly, holding and improvement, Architectural and engineering design, Construction financing, Planning and feasibility studies, materials, equipment and labor, Insurance and taxes throughout construction, Owner's general office overhead, equipment and furnishings not taken in construction, Inspection and testing.

The operation and maintenance cost over the project life cycle for succeeding years should comprise of relevant land rent, Labor and material for maintenance and repairs, cyclic renovations, Insurance and taxes, Financing costs, Utilities, Operating staff, Owner's other expenses

The extent of these costs varies according to nature, size and location of the project in addition to the management organization.

In order to compute the life cycle costs the owner should also consider the equivalent operation and maintenance cost of each alternative for a suggested construction.

In a construction budget there should be arrangements for allowance of contingencies or unexpected costs all through the construction process. This contingency must be contained in each cost item or incorporated in a single category of construction contingency. The amount of contingency depends on historical experience and the predictable complexity of a particular construction project. The contingency expenses for a construction may be associated with design development alterations, schedule adjustments, general administration changes (such as wage rates), contradictory site conditions for those anticipated, Third party obligations required for the duration of construction, as for example new permits.

The owner can avail the contingent amounts not expend for construction near the end of construction to the owner. These amounts can also be considered as additional project elements.

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Cost Estimate Pricing Methods

There are generally two methods available for estimating prices. In one method previous bid prices are considered as a fundament for constituting prices on the suggested project. In other method one has to formulate a total analysis of production rates, labor costs and material costs.

These methods can be applied independently or in combination.

Previous Bid Prices Method

This method is extensively used in the construction industries and the following factors should be kept in mind while applying this method.

Apply this method for similar size projects and quantities must be interchangeable for individual items.

Give careful consideration for using the average of the 3 low bidders, or the second low bidder, or probably implementing an increase factor to the low bid.

Previous bid prices will be amended as per the proposed modification in the Construction Cost Index among the date of the old bid and the date of the expected new bid.

The reference bid price has to be fine-tuned to meditate diverse conditions among the reference project and the project for which the cost estimate is being developed. This may contains conditions of divergences in type of terrain, geographical location, soil, traffic and specifications.

Lump sum bid prices or unit prices for items of work (e.g. culverts) that contains diverging amounts of other concerned work should not be used.

Cost estimators will utilize the recent bid prices from related projects undergoing competitive bidding while coming to an estimated price for the individual contract items of work.

Complete Analysis Method

This method may be applied occasionally for earthwork items where rock or unusual material hauling is involved or for lump sum items for example signals and lighting. The operation is examined, production rates are adopted and material lists are ascertained with this method. The cost of materials is established by means of existing price lists. In order to find out the costs labor and equipment hours are established with production rates multiplied by the individual labor rates and equipment rental rates.

The final estimate of cost will be ascertained by adding overhead costs and profit. Here probable premium pay for overtime on night work and subsistence should also be taken into consideration. On larger projects with long time limits, it is essential to decide if the majority of a work item will be performed early or late in the project. To provide for work which is not completed early in the project, it may be necessary to project wage scales, rental rates.

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INTERNATIONAL CONSTRUCTION COST ESTIMATING INDICES

The construction industry is one of the driving areas in the economy that provides a noteworthy contribution to GDP and a serious effect on the activity in other industries. The construction industries frequently experiencing their cost variations best stand for the inflationary/deflationary changes of a specific sector of Construction Industry.

Indicators of price movement of construction outputs are considered to be a precious tool in economic analysis.

Construction Cost Index signifies the average cost movement over time of a fixed basket of representative goods and services related to Construction Industry.

The contractors have to undertake preconstruction services and procurement strategies to manages the market risks associated with cost-related issues arising from the restrained demand and increasing material cost.

So accurate construction cost forecast along with building costs and price trends is very much required for construction industry and Federal and State governments.

There are several internationally recognized standard cost data indices available in the market which are published by some of the renowned construction companies. The Cost Indices listed are taken from the referenced construction publications and include most recent Construction Cost Index, Building Cost Index, Material Cost Index.

These cost indices are established by several factors considered on a nationwide basis, together with labor rates and productivity, material prices and the competitive condition of the marketplace. These indexes also reflect the modification of computations that resulted in insignificant changes to some of the construction cost indexes. Separate series of index numbers are accumulated to capture the price movements at international and Industry subsection level.

Given below the detailed list of some leading construction companies and their standard cost data indices :-

bls.gov - ect
bls.gov - cpi
Compass International
ENR - current costs
fmlink - Surveys Trends
Reed construction data
Turner Construction
usbr.gov - cost trends

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Construction Hard Cost

Hard Costs are similar to tangible assets that must be acquired for completing your construction project. Hard costs are mostly consisted of the actual construction costs occurred for creating the project. In general, hard costs are easily quantifiable and can be determined with such certain that usually they are detailed by an experienced estimator. In general, hard costs relate to any part of the work or costs associated with the actual project.

Hard cost should include physical items like Land Cost/Value, Site Prep/Grading, Building Structure, Septic tank/Well, Landscape, Inventory, Contingency, Construction Contract, Change Orders, Cost overruns etc.

Building Structure- Hard costs within a structure should include all labor and material necessary for completion of the whole building or structure.

Site- Hard cost within the site will include all utilities underground, aerial, water systems, drains, fire, paving, grading, etc.

Landscape – Hard costs in landscaping works should include grass, lawns, trees, mulch, shrubs, fertilizer, and every other material found in the construction of the projects based on the architectural drawings.

Contingency- Contingency denotes to the reserved amount of money taking into consideration all estimated unforeseen conditions affecting construction process. Like an amount contingency is not measurable, it is being estimated from historical data between a five and ten percent of the total project costs for new projects and between 10 and 20 percent for remodeling projects.

Change Orders- Change orders will fall under the building structure item in the hard costs. Some builders segregate this item from building structure for accountability process, but it also takes all additional expenses associated with construction projects.

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Types of Construction Estimates

Numerous estimating techniques prevail in the market and these can be categorized in the following ways :-

1. Conceptual estimates
2. Detailed estimates

Conceptual estimates
Basic parametric sizes are used for the type of building to reach an order of magnitude estimate. Quantitites do not play a large role. Historical Ratios are used to establish a cost per unit. Basic scopes for trades are established.

Detailed Estimate
A detailed estimate is the most accurate form of estimate. This type of estimate is set up to find out the quantities and costs of everything for a project. These types of estimates help contractor to complete a construction successfully. A detailed estimate is arranged in the following two ways :-

(a). Unit quantity method
(b). Total quantity method.

Unit Quantity Method
In this method, the work is segregated into as many operations or items as per requirements. A unit of measurement is settled on. The total quantity of work under each item is extracted in the suitable unit of measurement. Every item is evaluated and exercised with the total cost per unit quantity. After that the cost per unit quantity is multiplied by the number of units to determine the total cost for the item. As for instance, at the time of preparing the cost of a building work, the quantity of brickwork in the building is gauged by cubic meters. The total cost along with cost of materials. labor, plant, overheads and profit per cubic meter of brickwork is generated and after that the predictable cost of brickwork is calculated by multiplying this unit cost by the number of cubic meters of brickwork in the building.

The benefit of this method is that the unit costs on different jobs are instantly comparable and that the total estimate can be rectified effortlessly for variations in quantities.


Total Quantity Method
An item of work is separated with the following five subdivisions In the total quantity method:
(I) Materials
(II) Labor
(III) Plant
(IV) Overheads
(V) Profit.

The total quantities of each kind or class of material or labor are established and multiplied by their individual unit cost. The cost of plant, overhead expenses and profit are decided In the same way. The costs of all the five sub-heads are added to provide the estimated cost of the item of work.

There is also the detail of material waste factors, delivery/shipping, handling, storage, and taxes. Along with labor crew size and makeup, productivity, safety, wage rates, tools and equipment. Equipment also has type/size selection, fuel, delivery, mobilization/demobilization, operator, maintenance, replacement value, rent/buy, and licensing.

UniFormat, Master Format, WBS (work breakdown structure) are all integral parts of providing any of these types of estimates.

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Techniques of Construction Cost Estimate

Construction cost estimating associates evaluating materials, labor, overhead, subcontractors and equipment needed to complete a project. Estimates come in two forms: hard money and cost plus. Hard money approximate is the ultimate cost for a project. Cost plus is shaping the whole cost for all aspects of the project plus adding profit margins. It's important to balance giving an attractive estimate with being able to turn a profit on a project.

Estimating is the mainly significant of the realistic aspects of construction management, and the matter deserves the nearby attention of one aspiring to a career in the profession. It is a relatively easy subject to understand; however, as it brings one up against practical work, methods and system, knowledge of it cannot be acquired without close application.

Estimating Materials
From the approximate of a work it is potential to conclude what materials and in what quantities will be necessary for the work so that the arrangements to procure them can be made.

Labor
Labor is the largest expenditure on any construction work. When estimating, imagine a margin for overtime and also lost time because of difficult weather. Balance the cost of adequate labor to meet particular deadlines with fewer workers working extra overtime. Labor expenses comprise more than just the hourly wage. A single worker laboring through overtime might be less expensive than two workers laboring during regular hours.

Overhead
Overhead costs such as securing permits, deposits for utilities, job site insurance, connecting utilities, and extraneous expenses (security, framing, etc.) should also be factored in to the estimate. Some items, such as office operations or mandated workers' compensation payments, are considered the "cost of doing business," and it is up to the estimator to balance what to absorb and what to add to the estimate to ensure getting the job.

Estimating Subcontractors
Presently as the estimator is working for the client, subcontractors---plumbers, electricians, etc.---are working for the estimator. Receive all quotes with exact terms and deadlines. Insist on penalties for missed contract terms. When including subcontractors' costs in the final estimate, calculate reasonable markup for profit.

Job Site Equipment Rental
Construction estimating means bringing in equipment not always owned by the general contractor. Skid steers, forklifts, generators, pneumatic tools and compressors and power lifts are examples of rented equipment. Include in the estimate the time needed to complete the job plus a reasonable markup for profit.

Successful Estimating Attitude
Construction estimators walk a well row between trailing the work or receiving the job and not making sufficient money. A victorious estimator is positive, thorough and---most important---has the reliability to do both the company and the buyer right. Approach each estimate with the attitude of providing the best price to gratify everyone connected with the project.

Estimating Plant
An estimate will help in determining amount and kind of equipment needed to complete the work.

Estimating Time
The estimation of a job and the past experience allow one to estimate quite closely the length of time necessary to complete an item of work or the work as a whole.
Whereas the significance of knowing the probable cost requires no emphasis, estimating materials, labor, plant and time is immensely useful in planning and execution of any work.

The Technique of Construction Estimating

The construction estimating is the calculated amount of various required items of work, and the expenses likely to be incurred there on. The total of the probable expenses to be incurred on the work is known as estimated cost of the work. This cost is a close approximation of its actual cost. The agreement of the estimated cost with the actual cost will depend on accurate use of estimating methods and correct visualization of the work, as it will be done. Doing accurate estimating is very important as the success of the project largely depends on estimating methods. Under estimating may result in the client getting an unpleasant shock when tenders are opened and drastically modifying or abandoning the work at that stage. Over- estimating may loose the engineer or estimator his client or his job, or in any case his confidence.

Estimating is the most important of the practical aspects of construction management, and the subject deserves the closest attention of one aspiring to a career in the profession. It is a comparatively simple subject to understand; however, as it brings one up against practical work, methods and procedure, knowledge of it cannot be acquired without close application.

Data Required for Preparing an Estimate:

In order to prepare a detailed estimate the estimator must have with him the following data:

1. Plans, sections and other relevant details of the work.

2. Specifications indicating the exact nature and class of materials to be used.

3. The rates at which the different items of work are carried out.

To enable an estimator to take out the quantities accurately, the drawings must themselves be clear, true to the fact and scale, complete, and fully dimensioned. The estimator has also to bear in mind certain principles of taking out quantities.

Steps in Preparation of an Estimate:

There are three clearly defined steps in the preparation of an estimate.

1. Taking out quantities

In the first step of taking out quantities, the measurements are taken off from the drawings and entered on measurement sheet or dimension paper. The measurements to be taken out would depend upon the unit of measurement. For example, in the case of stone masonry in superstructure, length, thickness and height of the walls above plinth level would be taken out from the drawings and entered on the measurement sheet, whereas, in the case of plastering only the lengths and heights of the walls would be entered. Obviously, the unit of measurement in the first case is cubic meter and that in the second case is square meter.

2. Squaring out

The second step consists of working out volumes, areas, etc. and casting up their total in recognized units.

3. Abstracting

In the third step all the items along with the net results obtained in the second step are transferred from measurement sheets to specially ruled sheets having rate column ready for pricing.

The second and third steps above are known as working up. All calculations in these stages and every entry transferred should be checked by another person to ensure that no mathematical or copying error occurs.

Cost Estimator: A Profession to Give Security

Cost estimating is a well formulated prediction of the probable construction cost of a specific building project. In the designing phase of the project, cost estimation is an important management tool for providing information about the facility and the project budget. The conceptual cost estimate is becoming more important to owners, architects, and builders. It is a tool for determining required funding and to gauge the needs of a project.

Licensed professionals known as cost estimators prepare cost estimates. An estimator cannot be trained entirely in a classroom. The theory and science of estimating is important, but it takes experience with construction, as well as experience actually quantifying and costing work, to complete the training of an estimator. A person possessing the “art of estimating” has a good feel for the effort required to produce work, good construction experience, and knowledge of the theory and science of estimating. The less information available about a project, the more experience is required to do a cost estimate. An estimator would typically have an engineering or architectural background and be qualified by experience.

The knowledge of building technology is essential to be able to break down a building into components in a structured way and then price the different components with applicable unit rates to derive the total cost. For state or public funded projects (e.g., public libraries) there will most likely be owner-mandated limits placed on the A/E firm to design within a set budget. A professional construction cost planning and management firm will generally contract to perform a cost estimating function as a consultant throughout the various pre-design and design phases of the project. Frequently, larger architectural and engineering firms will have in-house cost estimating departments. Large construction firms may also have in-house cost estimators. Many planners chose to have two cost estimates as a check against each other, but if a single cost estimate is to be utilized, then the use of an independent cost estimator is highly recommended.

The Prospect of Project Estimating in the year 2011

In anticipation of contractors’ needs in the year ahead, technology providers are continuing to offer new products and integrations for the construction industry. One key area that will likely still remain a top priority in the year ahead is estimating efficiencies.

Estimating is important right now for a number of reasons. Primarily, in today’s competitive market environment, construction companies need to come in with low bids while still maintaining good margins to remain profitable. Estimating and takeoff technology can help.

In smaller firms, the roles of estimator and field superintendent are usually both done by the owner of a company. In fact, it is the ability of the accomplished tradesman to estimate that allows him to take the step from employee to owner of his own business. His success hinges completely on how good his judgement and objectivity is in estimating.

For the large firm, the estimator may be a partner or an employee -- even, one of several, on a team of estimators. The firm relies on an estimator to provide all the information to determine if a particular project is suitable to bid on.

Apart from the personal efficiency, the construction companies are looking at technology to become more efficient, technology providers continue to release new products and integrations. For example, On Center Software, www.oncenter.com, The Woodlands, Texas, and Benchmark Estimating, www.benchmarkestimating.com, Manchester, U.K., announced a new custom integration.

This means construction companies will be able to import takeoff data from On Center’s On-Screen Takeoff into Benchmark Estimating software. The integration is currently in development, but will ultimately save a significant amount of time in the takeoff process, while also increasing accuracy.

According to Angelo Castelli, director of business development, On Center Software, the integration will provide a new level of productivity and efficiency for estimators, and the flexibility of the systems will be advantageous for project managers.

Rob MacDonald, director, Benchmark, says many of its clients have been inquiring about digital takeoff solutions, and this integration will provide them with the solution they want.

This is just one example of new estimating-technology integrations for contractors in the year ahead. Keep your eyes open for new products and partnerships, as 2011 is going to be a big year for improved efficiencies in the industry

Annual World Of Concrete Show 2011

Annual World of Concrete Show is the biggest show on earth for the commercial concrete and masonry. The most comprehensive commercial concrete and masonry event will take place from 17 to 21^st January, 2011. In just five powerful days, you’ll access all the latest technologies, resources and education you need to keep your business current, competitive and rock-solid. Although this is the first year exhibiting at World Of Concrete or WOC, the organizer are excited to showcase their Job Simplicity product and participate in this premier construction event.

The strength of the industry’s first and most important annual trade show for concrete and masonry professionals can make a world of difference for all types of contractor business like estimating. WOC is the ONLY annual event for the architect, contractor and estimator – no other show has a more focused show floor. If you are in any business segment of the Concrete or Masonry industries, like designing, estimating and all that, this is your show. World of Concrete will bring you quality customers and targeted leads to keep your business running strong in 2011!

In the WOC, there will be two segments; the first is the Seminar (January 17-21) and the other part is the Exhibition (January 18-21). WOC will feature special unique events, a world-class education program with both 3-hour and 90-minutes sessions, industry-specific certifications & exams, interactive demonstrations and competitions, and an opportunity for you to meet with Interntional Exhibitors and network with your peers.

Benefits of Attending WOC:

• See it all in one place. Find everything you need to win more jobs, make more money and streamline your business.
• Get connected. Make new contacts and strengthen your industry connections.
• Work smarter. Learn how to work leaner, greener and more efficiently.
• Get hands-on. See, touch and test the latest products under real-world, jobsite conditions.
• Find new opportunities. Capitalize on the trends that will drive future markets and provide opportunities to profit.
• Get your questions answered. Attend expert-led seminars for the new skills, practical solutions and creative strategies to improve your business.

This is a grant opportunity for all the members of the AEC industry like architects, engineers, contractors, estimators, designer and everybody. This is the most cost effective way to gain multiple leads in the shortest amount of time.

Estimating Software – An Aid to the Contractor

Construction cost calculations can be a big place for building estimating errors. These cost calculations can easily take a lot of time and cause errors. Yet, cost estimating is singularly the most important aspect of new home construction!

This is why using construction software is such a great idea that thousands of contractors around the country have started to do construction estimating. No one wants error in time of calculating estimation for the house. As house is the biggest and important financial investment of one’s life, we want to make it very simple and accurate estimation. That’s why you have to opt for estimating software.

First of all you have to know what estimating software is. Software estimation is the process of predicting the effort required to develop a software system. This paper provides a general overview of software cost estimation methods including the recent advances in the field. As a number of these models rely on a software size estimate as input, we first provide an overview of common size metrics. We then highlight the cost estimation models that have been proposed and used successfully. Models may be classified into 2 major categories: algorithmic and non-algorithmic. Each has its own strengths and weaknesses. A key factor in selecting a cost estimation model is the accuracy of its estimates. Unfortunately, despite the large body of experience with estimation models, the accuracy of these models is not satisfactory. The paper includes comment on the performance of the estimation models and description of several newer approaches to cost estimation of a construction project.

With the ease of use, accuracy and speed estimating software gives to its users, it is no wonder so many contractors are already using it. Time is money, so the ability to do more estimates in the same time is a big saver. Many users find they can do up to ten estimates in the time it was taking them to do just one by hand, spending 1/10th the time estimating each job. This speed comes without an increase in complexity. Generally the estimating software are designed from the beginning to be easy to use and to allow you keep your current flow for estimating. Whereas the old technique can make you change and do your work the way the estimators think is best, these estimating software’s developers let you set the rules.

This easiness to learn is one of the reasons users have found they can begin doing estimates the first day they have estimating software. The complex works of estimation are made easy with it. Why the estimators would stick on the complex process without choosing the easy but accurate way to get estimation for the dream house. As little as a decade ago the job of cost estimating was a quagmire, even for experienced professional builders. But now every estimator is using the estimating software. Various estimating software are available in the market which can fulfill your requirements of estimation.

Steps to Estimate a construction Project

Estimating a construction project budget can be a tedious task that is accentuated by the fact that there are three types of costs that need to be considered. Project budgets generally contain variable, fixed and per-use costs. Depending on the size of the project, it is beneficial to use a spreadsheet to calculate and set the project budget.

Instructions:

Set the variable pay rates. For costs that fluctuate based on the number of hours consumed, set a standard pay rate. Estimate the number of hours that the resource will be assigned to a task and multiply those hours by the standard pay rate. For example, if you need to hire a contractor and mason, you can set the market standard pay rates per hour, respectively. If you believe the project will take 160 hours for each employee, your total can be calculated easily. Create a pay rate and time estimate for each variable expense in the project. After multiplying the rate by the time estimate, add up these figures so you will have the total variable cost.

Calculate per-use costs of the materials. If a particular resource costs a certain amount each time it is used, take note of the cost per use and then estimate the total amount of times you will be using it for the project. This is generally one project task that has both variable and fixed costs. For instance, the project requires a piece of machinery that has large setup costs and then hourly employee wages to run it. Combining both of these costs of the task is more efficient than tracking them separately, so you can easily manage efficiencies. As with the variable costs, calculate the estimated per-use costs for each per-use expense you perceive in the project to determine the total per-use costs.

Compute fixed costs. List all the costs that are one-time expenses that will not vary throughout the project or that you don't expect to pay more than once. For instance, fixed costs could be purchasing software, machinery, equipment or licenses. Add up all of the fixed costs to get the project's total fixed costs.

List the variable, per-use and fixed costs and then total the amount. This is considered the total estimate for the construction project's budget.

Create an addendum to include estimates. Underneath the total estimate for the project's budget, include all of the estimates used for devising this figure. For instance, say you believe it will take 160 hours each for the programmer and website designer to complete this project.

If you find all these things too much complex then just hire a professional estimator. He will do the estimates of your construction project efficiently. Quantity-TakeOff is one of the websites who provides services in different kinds of estimating.

Estimating Tips for Earthwork

Estimating the actual cost of performing earthwork requires careful consideration of the variables involved. This includes items such as type of soil, whether water will be encountered, dewatering, whether banks need bracing, disposal of excavated earth, and length of haul to fill or spoil sites, etc.

It is very important to consider what time of year the project is scheduled for completion. Bad weather can create large cost overruns from dewatering, site repair, and lost productivity from cold weather.

Pit Excavation
When figuring the slope areas of pit excavation, remember that the slope areas usually form a right triangle when viewed as a section. Since the area of two right triangles equals the area of one rectangle with equal base and height dimensions, the volume of the slope area will equal the depth of the pit (the height) times the cut back distance of the slope (the base) times half the perimeter of the pit.

Cut and Fill
If a project has a large quantity of cut or fill, consider inquiring whether the site grade can be raised or lowered to economize the earthwork portion of the estimate.

If the project requires a large quantity of fill, consider creating a borrow pit on the site. This can lower the estimate significantly, as the cost for suitable fill material can be quite high in some areas of the country. The borrow pit can also be helpful as a receptacle for on-site spoil or other excavated materials, in this case saving dump charges.

It is important to keep in mind the location and availability of dump sites for spoil while estimating earthwork . Unexpectedly, large cost can accrue if the only site open to receive spoil quite a distance away.

Clearing and Grubbing
Often one of the most expensive parts of clearing and grubbing is the disposal of tree stumps. It is a good idea to know how and where this task can be carried out before completing the estimate.

Site Access
One of the most common mistakes made in site work estimating involves site access. Estimators should visit the site not only to review site conditions, but to trace the route that the general or subcontractors’ equipment will take to get to the site. If the equipment that is to be used on this project cannot get to the site, the estimate may be completely inaccurate.

Sewerage and Drainage
One should not automatically assume that the sewerage and drainage lines will go in at the early stages of the project. It may appear to make sense from a scheduling standpoint, but the inconvenience of having the site divided in half, with open trenches, loose pipe, and restricted access, may ultimately cost more in lost time.

Subsurface Investigations
Many companies, eager to get started on their projects, shortchange the site investigation process. For the relatively short times and small amount of money involved, it is not a good idea to skimp on this important item. The untimely discovery of even one subsurface “abnormality” can be a painful lesson. Investigate the site thoroughly!

How to make cost estimation to Pour Concrete

In order to refinish a garage floor, make a garden pavement, build your own paver stones etc., one has to find out the estimated cost of pouring concrete before starting a new project

In order to figure out the cost one has to initially compute the length and width of the area to be paved with concrete. Then resolve the thickness of the concrete to obtain the total volume of required concrete. As for instance 4 inches of concrete will be required for making a 10-foot-by-2-foot walkway.

If you put the above figures in a Concrete Calculator then it will show that for making the 10-foot-by-2-foot walkway with 4 inches thickness 0.25 cubic yards of concrete will be required. One has to buy 23 40-lb. bags or 15 60-lb. bags of concrete for this.

If you hire a concrete delivery truck, you have to pay extra charges for pre-mixed concrete deliveries and labor time along with pre-mixed concrete price.

You also have to incur expenses for other materials like gravel substrate for placing below the concrete, sand and gravel for mixing with the concrete, rebar for holding up the concrete, a squeegee to spread it, a trowel to joint it and a wheelbarrow and spade to mix it. You'll also require pre-made concrete forms and a concrete release spray for easy elimination of the forms as soon as the concrete dries. As the concrete cures you must cover it with a plastic tarp.

You also have to take into consideration for ancillary materials from hardware’s store.

In case of applying bagged concrete, obtain the cost per bag then multiply by the number of bags for determining the total concrete cost.

Also count the cost of the supporting materials. Then include this either with the cost of the pre-mixed concrete or the bagged concrete. Finally the overall cost of your concrete job will be determined.

Posted by
Rajib Dey
for construction estimating service

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Rajib Dey
www.quantity-takeoff.com

Competitive Bid Estimating for construction - A brief overview

A competitive bidding process, the most prevalent procurement method, used to control construction costs for owners. Now-a-days projects are very complex, and the best possible quote is treated as a compelling criterion for selection of a contractor. Poor management of the process may lead to the delay of project or a project over budget or both.

In traditional design-bid-build, price is considered to be the primary factor for determining who will win the project. The contract will be handed over to the contractor who will submit the lowest price.

The RFP, alias Invitation to Tender (ITT) or Request for Information (RFI), creates the cornerstone of this bidding process. For low-bid-selection, that generally connected with traditional design-build project delivery, utilizes the invitation for Bids (IFB).

Best value selection utilizes a Request for proposal (RFP), and qualifications based selection employs a Request for qualification (RFQ). RPF may be termed as a solicitation document, submitted by the owner, asking pricing and a technical solution for design and/or construction services.

After the completion of the design by design team, a number of construction companies or construction management companies are required to arrange a bid for the work, either based directly on the design, or on the basis of drawings and a bill of quantities provided by a quantity surveyor. A construction company participating in a bid always offers a quote that is lower than the actual cost of the project.

Construction bidding process starts with a set of contract documents. These contract documents include plans and specifications submitted by architects to the building contractors to generate free estimates for the cost of construction in detail. After reviewing all the plans and specifications the contractors make an estimate for the cost of the project. The estimate consists of all of the materials, labor, equipment, subcontracts, overhead, and profit required for the job. The estimates are then compiled into a sealed bid form and are submitted to the owner on a particular day and at a particular time. The sealed bids are opened and the owner will generally award a contract to the lowest responsible bidder.

We at global associates have been providing accurate cost estimating service for more than 10 years. We have some state of the art technologies and softwares that break down your bid summary including individual scope items precisely. The softwares also simplify the contractor's ability to compete with other bids process by tracking & reducing time, costs, and errors of a project to get the best price and quote estimate

Rajib Dey
The construction estimating

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