Estimating is one of the most important steps in the construction process, often determining the success or failure of a project. This work offers a step-by-step approach to the budgeting-estimating process, from concept-budget through schematic and pre-bid estimates to contractor's estimates.
"TRB's National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Report 826: Estimating Highway Preconstruction Services Costs presents guidance for state departments of transportation (DOTs) and other agencies for estimating preconstruction services (PCS) costs for transportation project development. PCS refers to a varied assortment of project-specific engineering and other professional services required before construction begins on a bridge, highway, or other transportation project, whether provided by agency staff or consultants. Volume 1: Guidebook addresses principal sources and components of PCS costs, PCS estimating methodologies, trends (such as changes in design and construction technology, design standards, program requirements, and professional workforce) likely to affect PCS costs, and advice on agency policies and practices that can help control program risk through improved PCS cost estimation. Accompanying Volume 1, Volume 2: Research Report documents the development, testing, validation, and packaging of an accurate, consistent, and reliable method for estimating PCS costs."--
This synthesis report will be of interest to department of transportation (DOT) preconstruction engineering supervisors and program managers, contract administrators, and project managers. It will also be of interest to engineering consultants who do work for state DOTs. It describes current practice in contracting with consultants for DOT preconstruction engineering work. The synthesis documents the practices in all stages involved with obtaining consulting services, from the initial designation of projects for consultant work to project completion and acceptance procedures. The study also collected the views of selected consultants on DOT practices. Information for the synthesis was collected by surveying U. S. transportation agencies and by conducting a literature search. This report of the Transportation Research Board provides information on the history and trends in outsourcing of preconstruction engineering activities and compares current levels with those found a decade earlier. The steps in the procurement and management of consulting services are provided in detail. These include deciding on when and what to contract out and the selection, negotiation, and consultant management activities that follow. Finally, the appendixes contain numerous samples of collected forms and procedures used by a variety of states to accomplish this work.
This manual shows you, in simple, easy -to-understand language, how to calculate the amount of dirt you'll have to move, the cost of owning and operating the machines you'll do it with, and finally, how to assign bid prices to each part of the job. Using clear, detailed illustrations and examples, the author makes it easy to follow and duplicate his system. The book ends with a complete sample estimate, from the take-off to completing the bid sheet.Included in this book: -- How to set up & use an organized & logical estimating system -- How to read plans & specs -- Why a site visit is mandatory -- How to assess accessibility & job difficulty -- How soil haracteristics can affect your estimate -- The best ways to evaluate subsurface conditions -- Figuring your overhead -- How to get the information you need from contour maps -- When you have to undercut -- Dealing with irregular regions and odd areas -- Factors for estimating swell and shrinkage -- Balancing the job: spoil & borrow -- Calculating machine owning & operating costs -- The two common methods of estimating earthwork quantities
To understand Construction Estimating one must also understand plan reading and construction techniques. This book is designed to teach the construction student these three core skills in equal measure. Using hundreds of plans, sketches, and photos, the book builds case studies of the major construction divisions including concrete, masonry, carpentry, and more. Over forty cases are divided into sections following a specially designed format: Plans: Scale drawings of floor plans, sections, or elevations. Plan Interpretation: The drawings are explained with comments. Scope of the Work: A written description of the boundaries of the work is given for each section. Construction Techniques: The construction processes and their sequence are explained. The Takeoff: A takeoff is shown at the end of each section. This approach helps foster confidence in plan reading, building methods, arithmetic, takeoffs, and estimates. The various products and terms used in the industries of structural steel, doors and hardware, and roofing are defined. The shop drawing process is explained, which is so important in many industries, as well as the role of and difference between manufacturers, fabricators, and suppliers/distributors. The book ends with a study of "front end" documents, including Division 00 General Conditions, AIA 201, and Division 01 General Requirements, and a chapter on Ethics. This textbook can be used to teach a variety of classes including plan reading, construction techniques, and estimating 1 and 2 (takeoffs and pricing).
Construction Cost Estimating equips a new generation of students and early-career professionals with the skills they need to bid successfully on projects. From developing bid strategies to submitting a completed bid, this innovative textbook introduces the fundamentals of construction estimating through a real-life case study that unfolds across its 24 chapters. Exercises at the end of each chapter offer hands-on practice with core concepts such as quantity take-offs, pricing, and estimating for subcontractor work. Online resources provide instant access to examples of authentic construction documents, including complete, detailed direct work estimates, subcontractor work estimates, general conditions estimates, markups, and summary schedules. Through its unique mix of real-world examples and classroom-tested insights, Construction Cost Estimating ensures that readers are familiar with the entire estimating process even before setting foot on the jobsite.
A MUST-HAVE, PRACTICAL GUIDE THAT CONNECTS SCHEDULING AND CONSTRUCTION PROJECT MANAGEMENT In A Contractor’s Guide to Planning, Scheduling, and Control, an experienced construction professional delivers a unique and effective approach to the planning and scheduling responsibilities of a construction project manager, superintendent, or jobsite scheduler. The author describes the complete scheduling cycle, from preconstruction and scheduling through controls and closeout, from the perspective of real-world general contractors and scheduling professionals. Filled with tools and strategies that actually help contractors build projects, and light on academic jargon and terminology that’s not used in the field, the book includes examples of real craft workers and subcontractors, like electricians, carpenters, and drywallers, to highlight the concepts discussed within. Finally, an extensive appendix rounds out the book with references to additional resources for the reader. This comprehensive guide includes: Thorough introductions to construction contracting, lean construction planning, subcontractor management, and more A comprehensive exploration of a commercial case study that’s considered in each chapter, connecting critical topics with a consistent through line End-of-chapter review questions and applied exercises Access to a companion website that includes additional resources and, for instructors, solutions, additional case studies, sample estimates, and sample schedules Perfect for upper-level undergraduate students in construction management and construction engineering programs, A Contractor’s Guide to Planning, Scheduling, and Control is also an irreplaceable reference for general contractors and construction project management professionals.
The essential, authoritative guide to providing accurate, systematic, and reliable estimating for construction projects—newly revised Pricing and bidding for construction work is at the heart of every construction business, and in the minds of construction consultants’ poor bids lead to poor performance and nobody wins. New Code of Estimating Practice examines the processes of estimating and pricing, providing best practice guidelines for those involved in procuring and pricing construction works, both in the public and private sectors. It embodies principles that are applicable to any project regardless of size or complexity. This authoritative guide has been completely rewritten to include much more contextual and educational material as well as the code of practice. It covers changes in estimating practice; the bidding process; the fundamentals in formulating a bid; the pre-qualification process; procurement options; contractual arrangements and legal issues; preliminaries; temporary works; cost estimating techniques; risk management; logistics; resource and production planning; computer-aided estimating; information and time planning; resource planning and pricing; preparation of an estimator’s report; bid assembly and adjudication; pre-production planning and processes; and site production. Established standard for the construction industry, providing the only code of practice on construction estimating Prepared under the auspices of the Chartered Institute of Building and endorsed by a range of other professional bodies Completely rewritten since the 7th edition, to include much more contextual and educational material, as well as the core code of practice New Code of Estimating Practice is an important book for construction contractors, specialist contractors, quantity surveyors/cost consultants, and for students of construction and quantity surveying.