How to do an estimate

Steps 1) Estimate from bottom up –How you construct the project –Lets you get an understanding of project path –Lets you find errors in plans –Lets you get best use out of equipment and labor Minimize mobilization/demob Minimize learning curve

Steps 2) Use spreadsheets when possible –Easy to follow –Keeps work neat –Allows you to use formulae for calculating totals –DO NOT FACTOR NUMBERS

Steps 3) Add waste or production factors to quantities/time –Want an exact number without waste so that someone can check your work –Want to be able to see what waste is

Steps 4) Determine Insurance, Fees & Profit, overhead, contingency –All based on estimate –Need to be able to add into the bid to determine the final bid amount

Steps 5) Have someone else check estimate –Look for mistakes –Ensure that all items are bid –Ensure that numbers for contingency etc look right

Scheduling Aspects Estimate looks at quantities Schedule looks at time –To get time scheduler must know quantity and production rate Must understand how estimator developed the item price All assumptions must be in estimate calculations

Means Cost Works Provides item costs and production rates –Set up using MasterFormat divisions –Allows you to build an estimate item by item –Estimator will do all math –Need to input the quantities in the right units –Provides crews to use (labor by type and equipment) –Provides cost with or w/o O&P

Means Cost Works Can do cost based on geographical area Can do union or open shop Can do unit price or project pricing

Means Cost Works Must know more than quantities –Depth of trench LF / day changes with depth Type of machine changes with depth Safety - do you need shoring or a trench box? Width of trench – need to work

Means Cost Works Must know more than quantities –Extra soils How deep a layer would you need to place to get rid of 100 cy of soil on a 5 acre site? ” 2 acre site – 0.372” 1 acre 1’ deep = 1613 cy –Does the activity include materials? Concrete can be placed – no concrete

Means Cost Works Must know more than quantities –How far off the ground are you Roofing assumes you will be in the air Siding, Masonry does not – need to factor in lost time Concrete forms – may need staging for safety –Staging areas Where is material, how does it get moved to work area

Means Cost Works Must know more than quantities –Bathrooms – plumbers may knock out studs to get tubs and showers in Need a carpenter to come back and replace Tubs and showers against an outside wall need to be insulated before installation –Part of rough Plumbing Pipe runs – ¼”/foot – how far can you run a pipe in a 2x8 floor? Blocking?

Figuring Quantities –Electricians Must caulk all holes between floors Kitchen –1 circuit for Refrigerator –1 circuit for microwave –1 circuit for dishwasher –1 circuit for stove –2 circuits (min) for outlets –Must have outlets on island –GFCI if near sink –1 circuit for garbage disposal –How many home runs?

Figuring Quantities –Electricians GFCI circuits Heat type Laundry Cable/phone/internet Cabinet locations Outlets in rooms –Every 12’ of wall –On any wall >2’ –Within 2 ‘ of doors

Figuring Quantities Carpenter –Blocking in walls Where? –Door headers – bearing or non-bearing –Window and door RO –Insulation – where –Type – more work required for spray foam

Figuring Quantities Carpenter –Blocking in walls Where? –Door headers – bearing or non-bearing –Window and door RO –Insulation – where Type – more work required for spray foam

Figuring Quantities Concrete –# of jogs –When does slab get poured –Column footings