Estimating in Building Construction

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The Estimate 31

expertise and estimate ownership will be enhanced. The
information that is obtained from the site visit will influ-
ence the bidding of the project. It is a good idea to take
pictures of the site to reference when preparing the bid.


  1. Even though estimators must rely on their own experi-
    ence in construction, it is imperative that they create and
    maintain a close liaison with the other office personnel
    and field superintendents. After you have become famil-
    iar with the drawings and the project manual, call a
    meeting with the people who would most likely hold the
    key supervisory positions if you are the successful bid-
    der. Be sure to allow these people time before the meet-
    ing to become familiar with the project. During this
    meeting, the project should be discussed in terms of the
    construction methods that could be followed, the most
    desirable equipment to use, the time schedules to be fol-
    lowed, and the personnel needed on the project.

  2. Check carefully through the general conditions and
    supplementary general conditions, making a list of all
    items contained in the project manual that will affect
    the cost of the project.

  3. Send a copy of all insurance requirements for the project
    to your insurance company and all bonding require-
    ments for the project to your bonding company.

  4. The estimator may now begin the takeoff of the quantities
    required. Each item must be accounted for, and the esti-
    mate itself must be as thorough and complete as possible.
    The items should be listed in the same manner and with
    the same units of measure in which the work will be con-
    structed on the job. Whenever possible, the estimate
    should follow the general setup of the specifications. This
    work is done on a workup sheet. As each item is estimated,
    the type of equipment to be used for each phase should be
    listed. The list will vary depending on the equipment
    owned and what is available for rent. Prices on equipment
    to be purchased or rented must be included.

  5. At the time the estimator is preparing the quantity takeoff
    on workup sheets, the following tasks can also be ongoing:
    (a) Notify subcontractors, material suppliers, and
    manufacturers’ representatives that the company is
    preparing a proposal for the project and ask them if
    they intend to submit bids on the project.
    (b) Begin to make a list of all items of overhead that
    must be included in the project. This will speed up
    the future pricing of these items.

  6. The information on the workup is carried over to the
    summary sheet. Work carefully; double-check all fig-
    ures. If possible, have someone go over the figures with
    you. The most common error is the misplaced decimal
    point. Other common errors include the following:
    (a) Errors in addition, subtraction, multiplication, and
    division.
    (b) Omission of items such as materials, labor, equip-
    ment, or overhead.
    (c) Errors in estimating the length of time required to
    complete the project.
    (d) Errors in estimating construction waste.


(e) Errors in estimating quantities of materials.
(f ) Errors in transferring numbers from one sheet to
another.
(g) Adding a line to a spreadsheet and not checking to
make sure that the new line is included in the total.
(h)Errors in setting up formulas, items, assemblies,
markups, and so forth in estimating software.
(i) Using typical productivity rates and costs from esti-
mating software without adjusting them for indi-
vidual project conditions.
(j) Improper use of estimating software because the
user does not understand the limits of the software
or the inputs required by the software.


  1. Having priced everything, make one last call to the
    architect/engineer’s office to check the number of
    addenda issued to be sure that you have received them
    all. Double-check the time, date, and place that bids are
    being received. Double-check that all of the require-
    ments for the submission of the proposal have been fol-
    lowed; be sure the proposal is complete.


4–6 Site Investigation


It is often required by the contract documents that the con-
tractor visit the site and attend a pre-bid conference. The
importance of the visit and the items to be checked vary
depending on the type of the project and its location. As a
contractor expands to relatively new and unfamiliar areas, the
importance of the preliminary site investigation increases, as
does the list of items that must be checked. Examples of the
type of information that should be collected are as follows:


  1. Site access

  2. Availability of utilities (electric, water, telephone)

  3. Site drainage

  4. Transportation facilities

  5. Any required protection or underpinning of adjacent
    property

  6. A rough layout of the site locating the proposed storage
    trailer and equipment locations

  7. Subsurface soil conditions (bring a post hole digger to
    check this)

  8. Local ordinances and regulations, and note any special
    requirements (permits, licenses, barricades, fences)

  9. The local labor situation and local union rules

  10. Availability of construction equipment rentals, the type
    and conditions of what is available as well as the cost

  11. Prices and delivery information from local material
    suppliers (request proposals for the project)

  12. The availability of local subcontractors (note their names,
    addresses, and what type of work they usually handle)

  13. The conditions of the roads leading to the project, low
    bridges, and load limits on roads or bridges

  14. Housing and feeding facilities if workers must be imported

  15. Banking facilities

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