Estimating in Building Construction


Book Description

Everything needed for a course in Estimating is provided in this proven text, which combines coverage of principles with step-by-step procedures. Ideal for construction, architecture, and engineering students, it reflects the popular approach of tracing a complete project's progress. The use of computers as a key estimating tool is incorporated throughout.




Building Construction Estimating


Book Description

Building Construction Estimating furnishes readers with specific details on how a general building contractor derives the cost of a project before it begins, and how the estimate fits into the total construction process. The book provides coverage of such areas as determining labor productivity and wages, selecting equipment and assigning productivity rates and costs, acquiring specialty contractor prices, and assigning overhead costs and profit. The material is presented from the point of view of a general contractor working on a competitively bid stipulated-sum (lump-sum) contract. However, other contract methods and the effects they have on the estimating process are also discussed. Furthermore, the principles of estimating for the specialty trades are discussed from the reference of a general building contractor, and how the subcontractor's bid will affect the total project cost is presented. Of special note is the book's introduction and utilization of computers in the estimating process - enabling readers to utilize new technology in an effective and efficient manner. The book is organized in a way that first teaches the reader to perform many of the estimating activities manually, then guides them in developing a computer spreadsheet. The use of spreadsheets empowers the reader to go beyond the manual calculations and develop new and more proficient solutions to estimating problems.




Estimating Building Costs for the Residential and Light Commercial Construction Professional


Book Description

How to succeed in the construction business step-by-step guidelines for estimating To be competitive, contractors and homebuilders need to know how to generate complete, accurate estimates for labor and material costs. This book guides readers through the entire estimating process, explaining in detail how to put together a reliable estimate that can be used not only for budgeting, but also for developing a schedule, managing a project, dealing with contingencies, and ultimately making a profit. Completely revised and updated to reflect the new CSI MasterFormat 2010TM system, the Second Edition of this practical guide describes estimating techniques for each building system and how to apply them according to the latest industry standards. Cost considerations and quantity takeoff and pricing are included for virtually every type of work found in residential and light commercial projects, from demolition, concrete, and masonry to windows and doors, siding, roofing, mechanical and electrical systems, finish work, and site construction. Complete with many new graphics and references to professional construction cost databases, the new edition provides experienced contractors and novices alike with essential information on: How to correctly interpret plans and specifications, reflecting updates to contract documents since the first edition Computer estimating techniques and new estimating software for performing quantity takeoff The best methods for conceptual estimating as well as the extremely useful topic of parametric estimating How to allocate the right amounts for profit and contingencies, and other hard-to-find professional guidance How a unit price estimate is built along with labor issues and budgeting for subcontractor work




Estimating for Building & Civil Engineering Work


Book Description

It deals in a practical and reasonable way with many of the estimating problems which can arise where building and civil engineering works are carried out and to include comprehensive estimating data within the guidelines of good practice. The early part of the book has been completely rewritten to contain chapters useful to students and practitioners alike for the development of the estimating process resulting in the presentation of a tender for construction works. The second and major part of the book contains estimating data fully updated for the major elements in building and civil engineering work, including a new chapter on piling, and a wealth of constants for practical use in estimating. The estimating examples are based on the current edition of the Standard Method of Measurement for Building Works (SMM7). The comprehensive information on basic principles of estimating found in 'Spence Geddes' are still as valid today as the first edition. In this edition the prevailing rates of labour and costs of materials are taken whenever possible as a round figure. Readers will appreciate in the construction industry that prices are continually changing, rise and fall, and that worked examples should therefore be used as a guide to method of calculation substituting in any specific case the current rates applicable to it. In the case of plant output dramatic increases have been experienced in productivity over recent years and again estimators with their own records should substitute values appropriate to their work.




How to Estimate with RSMeans Data


Book Description

Using North America's most recognized construction cost data from RSMeans, this step-by-step guide develops problem-solving skills through over 300 sample problems and exercises. All of the major construction items, including site work, concrete and masonry, wood and metal framing, doors and windows, and more are covered. Access to a password-protected web site is included, which contains the instruction version of RSMeans Cos/Works, the electronic version of RS Means Building Construction Cost Data, and sample building plans and spreadsheets, enabling you to practice creating a complete construction estimate.




Estimating in Building Construction


Book Description

"The seventh edition of this text continues to provide construction, architecture, and engineering students with the solid understanding of quantification they need before they advance to computerized estimating. This edition uses extensive examples and exercises to demonstrate estimate methodology and organization. Additionally, charts, illustrations, and web links are employed throughout to assist in the student's understanding." --Book Jacket.




Estimating Building Costs


Book Description

Companies live or die on the basis of estimating their costs. Preparing estimates and bidding for new jobs is a complex and often costly process. There is no substitute for on the job training -- until now. Drawing on the authors' combined experience of more than 70 years, Estimating Building Costs presents state-of-the-art principles, practices, and techniques for assessing these expenditures that can be applied regardless of changes in the costs of materials, equipment, and labor. The book is an efficient and practical tool for developing contracts or controlling project costs. The authors cover the major components of the direct cost: estimating procedures and cost trends related to materials, construction equipment, and skilled and unskilled labor. They describe various types of building estimates encountered during the lifecycle of a project, as well as the role and accuracy of each. The book provides an overview of the industry, cost indexes in use, approaches to preparing a detailed estimate, and an in-depth description of the organization and function of the estimating group. Including CSI Master Format and UniFormat codes, estimating forms, a list of available estimating software packages, a detailed construction site and investigation report, the book provides a cost estimating methodology that readers can tailor to their own organizational needs.




Construction Estimating and Bidding: Training Manual to Acquire Fundamental Knowledge in Estimating Building Construction Costs


Book Description

The purpose of this manual is to enable students to gain fundamental knowledge of estimating the cost of building construction projects. The procedures used for estimating vary form company to company. On the other hand, the construction industry has become, over the years, more competitive which has made construction companies to do their best in order to offer the best possible service at the least price. To overcome this constraint, it is necessary to know precisely the cost of services. And it would be the role of an Estimator. Unfortunately, there are no specific rules, as it accounts, for obtaining a good estimate, even among individuals within a company. Because of contracting method currently employed (like fast track or PPP) construction companies need precision in their estimates; in addition, as estimators are increasingly consulted at conceptual design stage, we will talk about conceptual estimate in chapter one and then focus on detailed estimations and its process in upcoming chapters.We all know that a good estimator needs to have a good knowledge about construction techniques and factors that influence the realization of a project. We also know that an individual who possesses a high level of experience in his/her field but also could be a poor estimator in the absence of reliable method. So, in this manual we will focus more on estimations' method rather than techniques of construction.A detailed estimate ( Bid Estimate ) can be analyzed in terms of the SIX principal stages of the process:1.Quantity Takeof2.Recap Quantities3.Pricing the Recap4.Pricing Subcontractor's work5.Pricing General Expenses6.Summary and BidTo decode these six steps into an effective and accurate estimation method, the manual is divided into three modules. Each module is divided into chapters. The first module addresses the preparation of an estimate for construction and describes the entire submission process. The second module deals with the methods of measurement of the constructive systems then, in the third module, establish the prices of the elements, the expenses of the general conditions and finally, close the submission.




Estimating and Tendering for Construction Work


Book Description

Estimators need to understand the consequences of entering into a contract, often defined by complex conditions and documents, as well as to appreciate the technical requirements of the project. Estimating and Tendering for Construction Work, 5th edition, explains the job of the estimator through every stage, from early cost studies to the creation of budgets for successful tenders. This new edition reflects recent developments in the field and covers: new tendering and procurement methods the move from basic estimating to cost-planning and the greater emphasis placed on partnering and collaborative working the New Rules of Measurement (NRM1 and 2), and examines ways in which practicing estimators are implementing the guidance emerging technologies such as BIM (Building Information Modelling) and estimating systems which can interact with 3D design models With the majority of projects procured using design-and-build contracts, this edition explains the contractor’s role in setting costs, and design statements, to inform and control the development of a project’s design. Clearly-written and illustrated with examples, notes and technical documentation, this book is ideal for students on construction-related courses at HNC/HND and Degree levels. It is also an important source for associated professions and estimators at the outset of their careers.




Estimating Construction Costs


Book Description

Robert Peurifoy was a giant in the field of construction engineering and authored several books during his lifetime. This book last published in 1989 and will capitalize on the well-known name of the author. In this edition, computer calculations of costs and of modeling have been added as well as updated statistics, computer related examples and new problems. Civil, Environmental, and Construction Management Engineering Majors and Professionals will benefit from having this title on their shelf.This edition retains the conceptual strengths of the Peurifoy approach and organization from the previous edition but the new problems and computer-based examples and new up-to-date construction data make it the only choice in academia or industry.