Construction Cost Estimating Overview
Construction Cost Estimating Overview
Construction Cost Estimating Overview
Class Outline
• Construction Cost Estimate
• Components of Cost Estimate
• Types of Construction Cost Estimates
• The Estimator
• Sources of Estimating Information
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Construction Cost Estimate
• What is Budget?
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Construction Cost Estimate
• Components of Cost Estimate
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Construction Cost Estimate
• Components of Project Budget
Direct Cost
Indirect Cost
+
Profit
Contingency
=
BUDGET
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Construction Cost Estimate
• Uses of Cost Estimate
Cost Impacts of Change Orders
Claims
Schedule of Values
Aids in the procurement process
Cost controlling
Creating historical cost databases (Feedback for
future cost estimates
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Types of Construction Cost Estimating
• Conceptual Cost Estimate
Project Comparison Estimates
- Prepared by comparing the cost of a proposed project
to a completed project
- Estimates are adjusted based on cost indices (cost of
similar projects) for location and timing
Model Estimating
- Prepared by using computer models to prepare an
estimate based on a number of questions answered by
the estimator (length, width, height, roof type, etc.)
- Similar to assembly estimating, but it requires less
input from the estimator
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Types of Construction Cost Estimating
• Conceptual Cost Estimate
Square-Foot Estimates (Rough Order of Magnitude)
- Prepared by multiplying the square footage of a
building by a cost per square foot
- Then adjusting the price to compensate for differences
in the building heights, length of the building
perimeters, and other building components.
- Helpful to check whether the project, as designed, is
within the owner’s budget
- RSMeans publishes annual guides (such as Square
Foot Costs) that contain a range of unit costs for a wide
variety of building types
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Types of Construction Cost Estimating
• Conceptual Cost Estimate
Example: Square-Foot Estimates with Cost index
- For the same example; if the first project was built in New York
and the second project will be built in Michigan. The cost index
for NY is 57 for last year and for MI is 49 for the current year.
𝐾𝑛𝑜𝑤𝑛 𝐶𝑜𝑠𝑡 𝑥 (𝐶𝑜𝑠𝑡 𝐼𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑥 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝐸𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝐶𝑜𝑠𝑡)
- Estimated Cost =
𝐶𝑜𝑠𝑡 𝐼𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑥 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝐾𝑛𝑜𝑤𝑛 𝐶𝑜𝑠𝑡
$5,005,550+$252,690 x (49)
- Estimated Cost = = $4,529,241
57
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Types of Construction Cost Estimating
• Preliminary (Semi-Detailed) Cost Estimate
Parametric Estimates
- Prepared by using equations that express the statistical
relationship between building parameters and the cost
of the building
- Assumptions of key building parameters or estimates
based upon early designs (gross square footage,
number of floors, length of perimeter, percentage of the
building that is common space, …etc.)
- Similar to square-foot estimates; however, the
equations used in parametric estimates are more
complex
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Types of Construction Cost Estimating
• Preliminary Cost Estimate
In summary….
It uses defined project scope and preliminary design
information
Programming/Schematic design
Basic floor plans
Structure layout
Elevations
Engineering narratives (description of the systems)
Anticipated accuracy +/- 15%
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The Estimator
• To do quantity takeoff, the estimator must:
- Be able to read and quantify plans
- Have knowledge of mathematics and understanding of
geometry (linear feet, square feet, cubic yards, etc.)
- The quantities are usually multiplied by a unit price to calculate
material costs.
The Estimator
• To be an estimator, an individual must:
- Be able, from looking at the drawings, to VISUALIZE the
project through its various phases of construction
- Have enough construction experience to possess a good
knowledge of job conditions;
- Means and methods, equipment, codes, safety requirements, etc.
- Have sufficient knowledge of labor operations and productivity
to thus convert them into costs on a project
- Be able to keep a database of information on costs of all kinds
(labor, materials, etc.)
- Be computer literate (database, spreadsheets, estimating
software)
- Be able to meet bid deadlines and still remain calm
- Have good writing and presentation skills (communicate what’s
included and excluded)
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Sources of Estimating Information
• The best source of information is historical data
• Match how the company actually performs its construction
work
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