Estimating in Building Construction

The Estimate 33

should be communicating with the specific subcontractors
concerning the fact that they will submit a price quote and
what scope of work is to be included within that quote. How-
ever, subcontractors will include items that they were not
asked to bid and will exclude items that they were asked to bid.
A “bid tabulation” or “bid tab” is used to equalize the scope
between subcontractors so that the most advantageous sub-
contractor’s bid can be included in the prime contractor’s bid.
Figure 4.4 is an example of a bid tabulation form. A spread-
sheet version of Figure 4.4 (Bid-Tab.xls) is provided on the
companion disk.

4–8 Materials

For each project being bid, the contractor will request quota-
tions from materials suppliers and manufacturers’ represen-
tatives for all materials required. Although on occasion a
manufacturer’s price list may be used, it is more desirable to
obtain written quotations that spell out the exact terms of
the freight, taxes, time required for delivery, materials
included in the price, and the terms of payment (Figure 4.5).
The written proposals should be checked against the specifi-
cations to make certain that the specified material was bid.
All material costs entered on the workup and summary
sheets (sections 4–9 and 4–10) must be based on delivery to
the job site. The total will include all necessary freight, storage,
transportation insurance, sales tax, and inspection costs.
Remember that the sales tax that must be paid on a project is
the tax in force in the area in which the project is being built;
sometimes cities have different rates than the county in which
they are located. Contractors should take time to check.

4–9 Workup Sheets

The estimator uses two basic types of manual takeoff sheets:

the workup sheet and the summary sheet. The workup sheet

can be a variety of forms contingent upon what is being quan-

tified. Figure 4.6 is an example of a workup sheet that could be

FIGURE 4.4.Subcontract Bid Tabulation.

FIGURE 4.5.Materials Price Quote.

United Block Company

713 Charles Blvd.

Littleville, Texas 77777

April 20, 20____

Ace Construction

501 Hightower St.

Littleville, Texas 77777

Re: All American Independent School District

Administration Building Annex

Gentlemen:

We are pleased to quote on the materials required for the

above referenced project.

All of the materials listed below meet the requirements as spec-

ified in the drawings and specifications.

8 X 8 X 16 Concrete Block $1.18 ea.

8 X 4 X 16 Concrete Block $.82 ea.

8 X 6 X 16 Concrete Block $.98 ea.

All prices quoted are delivered without sales tax.

Terms: 2% - 30 Days

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