Construction Estimating

Construction
Estimating
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Estimating Defined
1.3 Estimating Terminology
1.4 Types of Estimates
Conceptual Estimates • Time and Location Adjustments •
Detailed Estimates
1.5 Contracts
Method of Award • Method of Bidding/Payment
1.6 Computer-Assisted Estimating
1.1 Introduction
The preparation of estimates represents one of the most important functions performed in any business
enterprise. In the construction industry, the quality of performance of this function is paramount to the
success of the parties engaged in the overall management of capital expenditures for construction projects.
The estimating process, in some form, is used as soon as the idea for a project is conceived. Estimates
are prepared and updated continually as the project scope and definition develops and, in many cases,
throughout construction of the project or facility.
The parties engaged in delivering the project continually ask themselves “What will it cost?” To answer
this question, some type of estimate must be developed. Obviously, the precise answer to this question
cannot be determined until the project is completed. Posing this type of question elicits a finite answer
from the estimator. This answer, or estimate, represents only an approximation or expected value for the
cost. The eventual accuracy of this approximation depends on how closely the actual conditions and
specific details of the project match the expectations of the estimator.
Extreme care must be exercised by the estimator in the preparation of the estimate to subjectively
weigh the potential variations in future conditions. The estimate should convey an assessment of the
accuracy and risks.
1.2 Estimating Defined
Estimating is a complex process involving collection of available and pertinent information relating to
the scope of a project, expected resource consumption, and future changes in resource costs. The process
involves synthesis of this information through a mental process of visualization of the constructing process
for the project. This visualization is mentally translated into an approximation of the final cost.
James E. Rowings, Jr.
Peter Kiewit Sons’, Inc.
1
-2
The Civil Engineering Handbook, Second Edition
At the outset of a project, the estimate cannot be expected to carry a high degree of accuracy, because
little information is known. As the design progresses, more information is known, and accuracy should
improve.
Estimating at any stage of the project cycle involves considerable effort to gather information. The
estimator must collect and review all of the detailed plans, specifications, available site data, available
resource data (labor, materials, and equipment), contract documents, resource cost information, pertinent
government regulations, and applicable owner requirements. Information gathering is a continual process
by estimators due to the uniqueness of each project and constant changes in the industry environment.
Unlike the production from a manufacturing facility, each product of a construction firm represents
a prototype. Considerable effort in planning is required before a cost estimate can be established. Most
of the effort in establishing the estimate revolves around determining the approximation of the cost to
produce the one-time product.
The estimator must systematically convert information into a forecast of the component and collective
costs that will be incurred in delivering the project or facility. This synthesis of information is accomplished
by mentally building the project from the ground up. Each step of the building process should
be accounted for along with the necessary support activities and embedded temporary work items
required for completion.
The estimator must have some form of systematic approach to ensure that all cost items have been
incorporated and that none have been duplicated. Later in this chapter is a discussion of alternate
systematic approaches that are used.
The quality of an estimate depends on the qualifications and abilities of the estimator. In general, an
estimator must demonstrate the following capabilities and qualifications:
• Extensive knowledge of construction
• Knowledge of construction materials and methods
• Knowledge of construction practices and contracts
• Ability to read and write construction documents
• Ability to sketch construction details
• Ability to communicate graphically and verbally
• Strong background in business and economics
• Ability to visualize work items
• Broad background in design and code requirements
Obviously, from the qualifications cited, estimators are not born but are developed through years of
formal or informal education and experience in the industry. The breadth and depth of the requirements
for an estimator lend testimony to the importance and value of the individual in the firm.
1.3 Estimating Terminology
There are a number of terms used in the estimating process that should be understood. AACE International
(formerly the American Association of Cost Engineers) developed a glossary of terms and definitions
in order to have a uniform technical vocabulary. Several of the more common terms and definitions
are given below.
1.4 Types of Estimates
There are two broad categories for estimates: conceptual (or approximate) estimates and detailed estimates.
Classification of an estimate into one of these types depends on the available information, the
extent of effort dedicated to preparation, and the use for the estimate. The classification of an estimate
into one of these two categories is an expression of the relative confidence in the accuracy of the estimate.
© 2003 by CRC Press LLC
Construction Estimating
1
-3
Conceptual Estimates
At the outset of the project, when the scope and definition are in the early stages of development, little
information is available, yet there is often a need for some assessment of the potential cost. The owner
needs to have a rough or approximate value for the project’s cost for purposes of determining the
economic desirability of proceeding with design and construction. Special quick techniques are usually
employed, utilizing minimal available information at this point to prepare a conceptual estimate. Little
effort is expended to prepare this type of estimate, which often utilizes only a single project parameter,
such as square feet of floor area, span length of a bridge, or barrels per day of output. Using available,
historical cost information and applying like parameters, a quick and simple estimate can be prepared.
These types of estimates are valuable in determining the order of magnitude of the cost for very rough
comparisons and analysis but are not appropriate for critical decision making and commitment.
Many situations exist that do not warrant or allow expenditure of the time and effort required to
produce a detailed estimate. Feasibility studies involve elimination of many alternatives prior to any
detailed design work. Obviously, if detailed design were pursued prior to estimating, the cost of the
feasibility study would be enormous. Time constraints may also limit the level of detail that can be
employed. If an answer is required in a few minutes or a few hours, then the method must be a conceptual
one, even if detailed design information is available.
Conceptual estimates have value, but they have many limitations as well. Care must be exercised to
choose the appropriate method for conceptual estimating based on the available information. The
estimator must be aware of the limitations of his estimate and communicate these limitations so that the
estimate is not misused. Conceptual estimating relies heavily on past cost data, which is adjusted to reflect
current trends and actual project economic conditions.
The accuracy of an estimate is a function of time spent in its preparation, the quantity of design data
utilized in the evaluation, and the accuracy of the information used. In general, more effort and more
money produce a better estimate, one in which the estimator has more confidence regarding the accuracy
of his or her prediction. To achieve significant improvement in accuracy requires a larger-than-proportional
increase in effort. Each of the three conceptual levels of estimating has several methods that are
utilized, depending on the project type and the availability of time and information.
Order of Magnitude
The order-of-magnitude estimate is by far the most uncertain estimate level used. As the name implies,
the objective is to establish the order of magnitude of the cost, or more precisely, the cost within a range
of +30 to –50%.
Various techniques can be employed to develop an order-of-magnitude estimate for a project or portion
of a project. Presented below are some examples and explanations of various methods used.
Rough Weight Check
When the object of the estimate is a single criterion, such as a piece of equipment, the order-of-magnitude
cost can be estimated quickly based on the weight of the object. For the cost determination, equipment
can be grouped into three broad categories:
1. Precision/computerized/electronic
2. Mechanical/electrical
3. Functional
Precision equipment includes electronic or optical equipment such as computers and surveying instruments.
Mechanical/electrical equipment includes pumps and motors. Functional equipment might
include heavy construction equipment, automobiles, and large power tools. Precision equipment tends
to cost ten times more per pound than mechanical/electrical equipment, which in turn costs ten times
per pound more than functional equipment. Obviously, if you know the average cost per pound for a
particular class of equipment (e.g., pumps), this information is more useful than a broad category
estimate. In any case, the estimator should have a feel for the approximate cost per pound for the three
© 2003 by CRC Press LLC
1
-4
The Civil Engineering Handbook, Second Edition
categories so that quick checks can be made and order-of-magnitude estimates performed with minimal
information available. Similar approaches using the capacity of equipment, such as flow rate, can be used
for order-of-magnitude estimates.
Cost Capacity Factor
This quick method is tailored to the process industry. It represents a quick shortcut to establish an orderof-
magnitude estimate of the cost. Application of the method involves four basic steps:
1. Obtain information concerning the cost (
C
1
or
C
2
) and the input/output/throughput or holding
capacity (
Q
1
or
Q
2
) for a project similar in design or characteristics to the one being estimated.
2. Define the relative size of the two projects in the most appropriate common units of input, output,
throughput, or holding capacity. As an example, a power plant is usually rated in kilowatts of
output, a refinery in barrels per day of output, a sewage treatment plant in tons per day of input,
and a storage tank in gallons or barrels of holding capacity.
3. Using the three known quantities (the sizes of the two similar plants in common units and the
cost of the previously constructed plant), the following relationship can be developed:
where
x
is the appropriate cost capacity factor. With this relationship, the estimate of the cost of
the new plant can be determined.
4. The cost determined in the third step is adjusted for time and location by applying the appropriate
construction cost indices. (The use of indices is discussed later in this chapter.)
The cost capacity factor approach is also called the
six-tenths rule
, because in the original application
of the exponential relationship,
x
was determined to be equal to about 0.6. In reality, the factors for
various processes vary from 0.33 to 1.02 with the bulk of the values for
x
around 0.6.
Example 1
Assume that we have information on an old process plant that has the capacity to produce 10,000 gallons
per day of a particular chemical. The cost today to build the plant would be $1,000,000. The appropriate
cost factor for this type of plant is 0.6. An order-of-magnitude estimate of the cost is required for a plant
with a capacity of 30,000 gallons per day.
Comparative Cost of Structure
This method is readily adaptable to virtually every type of structure, including bridges, stadiums, schools,
hospitals, and offices. Very little information is required about the planned structure except that the
following general characteristics should be known:
1. Use — school, office, hospital, and so on
2. Kind of construction — wood, steel, concrete, and so on
3. Quality of construction — cheap, moderate, top grade
4. Locality — labor and material supply market area
5. Time of construction — year
By identifying a similar completed structure with nearly the same characteristics, an order-of-magnitude
estimate can be determined by proportioning cost according to the appropriate unit for the structure.
These units might be as follows:
1. Bridges — span in feet (adjustment for number of lands)
2. Schools — pupils
C C Q Q
x
1 2 1 2 =( )
C = $1 000 000(30 000 10 000) = 1 930 000
0 6
, , , , $, ,
.
© 2003 by CRC Press LLC
Construction Estimating
1
-5
3. Stadium — seats
4. Hospital — beds
5. Offices — square feet
6. Warehouses — cubic feet
Example 2
Assume that the current cost for a 120-pupil school constructed of wood frame for a city is $1,800,000.
We are asked to develop an order-of-magnitude estimate for a 90-pupil school.
Solution.
The first step is to separate the per-pupil cost.
Apply the unit cost to the new school.
Feasibility Estimates
This level of conceptual estimate is more refined than the order-of-magnitude estimate and should
provide a narrower range for the estimate. These estimates, if performed carefully, should be within ±20
to 30%. To achieve this increase in accuracy over the order-of-magnitude estimate requires substantially
more effort and more knowledge about the project.
Plant Cost Ratio
This method utilizes the concept that the equipment proportion of the total cost of a process facility is
about the same, regardless of the size or capacity of the plant, for the same basic process. Therefore, if
the major fixed equipment cost can be estimated, the total plant cost can be determined by factor
multiplication. The plant cost factor or multiplier is sometimes called the Lang factor (after the man
who developed the concept for process plants).
Example 3
Assume that a historical plant with the same process cost $2.5 million, with the equipment portion of
the plant costing $1 million. Determine the cost of a new plant if the equipment has been determined
to cost $2.4 million.
Floor Area
This method is most appropriate for hospitals, stores, shopping centers, and residences. Floor area must
be the dominant attribute of cost (or at least it is assumed to be by the estimator). There are several
variations of this method, a few of which are explained below.
Total Horizontal Area
For this variation, it is assumed that cost is directly proportional to the development of horizontal surfaces.
It is assumed that the cost of developing a square foot of ground-floor space will be the same as a square
foot of third-floor space or a square foot of roof space. From historical data, a cost per square foot is
determined and applied uniformly to the horizontal area that must be developed to arrive at the total cost.
Example 4
Assume that a historical file contains a warehouse building that cost $2.4 million that was 50 ft ¥
80 ft
with a basement, three floors, and an attic. Determine the cost for a 60 ft ¥
30 ft warehouse building
with no basement, two floors, and an attic.
$1,800,000 120 = $15,000 pupil
$15,000 pupil ¥ 90 pupils = $1,350,000
C
C
= ( )
=
2 4 1 0 2 5
6
. . .
million dollars
© 2003 by CRC Press LLC
1
-6
The Civil Engineering Handbook, Second Edition
Solution.
Determine the historical cost per square foot.
Next, calculate the total cost for the new project.
Finished Floor Area
This method is by far the most widely used approach for buildings. With this approach, only those floors
that are finished are counted when developing the historical base cost and when applying the historical
data to the new project area. With this method, the estimator must exercise extreme care to have the
same relative proportions of area to height to avoid large errors.
Example 5
Same as the preceding example.
Solution.
Determine historical base cost.
where ft
2
fa is square feet of finished floor area.
Next, determine the total cost for the new project.
Basement area 4000
1
st
floor 4000
2
nd
floor 4000
3
rd
floor 4000
Attic 4000
Roof 4000
TOTAL 24,000
1
st
floor 1800
2
nd
floor 1800
Attic 1800
Roof 1800
TOTAL 7200
1
st
floor 4000
2
nd
floor 4000
3
rd
floor 4000
TOTAL 12,000 ft
2
fa
1
st
floor 1800
2
nd
floor 1800
TOTAL 3600 ft
2
fa
$2, 400,000 24,000 = $100 ft2
7200 ft $100 ft 2 2 ¥ = $720,000
$2, 400,000 12,000 = $200 ft fa 2
3600 ft fa ft fa 2 2 ¥ $200 = $720,000
© 2003 by CRC Press LLC
Construction Estimating
1
-7
As can be seen, little difference exists between the finished floor area and total horizontal area methods;
however, if a gross variation in overall dimensions had existed between the historical structure and the
new project, a wider discrepancy between the methods would have appeared.
Cubic Foot of Volume Method
This method accounts for an additional parameter that affects cost: floor-to-ceiling height.
Example 6
The same as the preceding two examples, except that the following ceiling heights are given:
Solution.
Determine the historical base cost.
Next, determine the total cost for the new warehouse structure.
Appropriation Estimates
As a project scope is developed and refined, it progresses to a point where it is budgeted into a corporate
capital building program budget. Assuming the potential benefits are greater than the estimated costs, a
sum of money is set aside to cover the project expenses. From this process of appropriation comes the
name of the most refined level of conceptual estimate. This level of estimate requires more knowledge
and effort than the previously discussed estimates.
These estimating methods reflect a greater degree of accuracy. Appropriation estimates should be
between ±10 to 20%. As with the other forms of conceptual estimates, several methods are available for
preparing appropriation estimates.
Parametric Estimating/Panel Method
This method employs a database in which key project parameters, project systems, or panels (as in the
case of buildings) that are priced from past projects using appropriate units are recorded. The costs of
each parameter or panel are computed separately and multiplied by the number of panels of each kind.
Major unique features are priced separately and included as separate line items. Numerous parametric
systems exist for different types of projects. For process plants, the process systems and piping are the
Old Structure New Structure
1
st
floor 14 12
2
nd
floor 10 12
3
rd
floor 10 —
14 ¥
4000 = 56,000 ft
3
10 ¥
4000 = 40,000 ft
3
10 ¥
4000 = 40,000 ft
3
TOTAL = 136,000 ft
3
1
st
floor 1800 ft
2
¥
12 ft = 21,600 ft
3
2
nd
floor 1800 ft
2
¥
12 ft = 21,600 ft
3
TOTAL = 43,200 ft
3
$2, 400,000 136,000 ft3 = $17.65 ft3
43,200 ft ft 3 3 ¥ $17.65 = $762,500
© 2003 by CRC Press LLC
1-8 The Civil Engineering Handbook, Second Edition
parameters. For buildings, various approaches have been used, but one approach to illustrate the method
is as follows:
Each of these items would be estimated separately by applying the historical cost for the appropriate
unit for similar construction and multiplying by the number of units for the current project. This same
approach is used on projects such as roads. The units or parameters used are often the same as the bid
items, and the historical prices are the average of the low-bid unit prices received in the last few contracts.
Bay Method
This method is appropriate for buildings or projects
that consist of a number of repetitive or similar units.
In the plan view of a warehouse building shown in
Fig. 1.1, the building is made up of three types of bays.
The only difference between them is the number of
outside walls. By performing a definitive estimate of the
cost of each of these bay types, an appropriation estimate
can be made by multiplying this bay cost times
the number of similar bays and totaling for the three
bay types.
Example 7
We know from a definitive estimate that the cost of the
three bay types is as follows:
Type I = $90,000
Type II = $120,000
Type III = $150,000
Determine the cost for the building structure and skin (outer surface).
Solution.
After applying the bay method for the overall project, the estimate is modified by making special
allowances (add-ons) for end walls, entrances, stairs, elevators, and mechanical and electrical equipment.
Parameter Unit of Measure
Site work Square feet of site area
Foundations and columns Building square feet
Floor system Building square feet
Structural system Building square feet
Roof system Roof square feet
Exterior walls Wall square feet minus exterior windows
Interior walls Wall square feet (interior)
HVAC Tons or Btu
Electrical Building square feet
Conveying systems Number of floor stops
Plumbing Number of fixture units
Finishes Building square feet
2 Type I @ 90,000 = $180,000
6 Type II @ 120,000 = $720,000
4 Type III @ 150,000 = $600,000
TOTAL = $1,500,000
FIGURE 1.1 Plan view — warehouse building.
4@60'
III
II
II
III
II
I
I
II
III
II
II
III
3@60'
© 2003 by CRC Press LLC
Construction Estimating 1-9
Plant Component Ratio
This method requires a great deal more information than other methods used in the process industry.
Definitive costs of the major pieces of equipment are needed. These can be determined from historical
records or published data sources. Historical records also provide the data that identifies the relative
percentage of all other items. The total project cost is then estimated as follows:
where TPC = total plant cost
ET = total estimated equipment cost
PT = sum of percentages of other items or phases (major account divisions).
Example 8
The total equipment cost for a plant is estimated to be $500,000. The following percentages represent
the average expenditures in other cost phases:
While the solution here appears simple, in fact, the majority of time and effort is spent collecting the
equipment cost and choosing the appropriate percentages for application.
Time and Location Adjustments
It is often desirable when preparing conceptual estimates to utilize cost data from a different period of
time or from a different location. Costs vary with time and location, and it is, therefore, necessary to
adjust the conceptual estimate for the differences of time and location from the historical base. A
construction cost-indexing system is used to identify the relative differences and permit adjustment.
Cost Indexing
A cost index is a dimensionless number associated with a point in time and/or location that illustrates
the cost at that time or location relative to a base point in time or base location. The cost index provides
a comparison of cost or cost change from year to year and/or location to location for a fixed quantity of
services and commodities. The concept is to establish cost indices to avoid having to estimate all of the
unique features of every project, when it is reasonable to assume that the application of relative quantities
of resources is constant or will follow the use of historical data on a proportional basis without knowledge
of all of the design details. If the cost index is developed correctly, the following simple relationship will
exist:
Engineering, overhead, and fees 22%
Warehousing 5%
Services 2%
Utilities 6%
Piping 20%
Instrumentation 5%
Electrical 6%
Buildings 4%
TOTAL 70% = PT
TPC =
ET
1 – PT
500 000
1 0 0 70
1 670 000
,
. – .
$ , , ( )=
New cost New index = Historical cost Historical index
© 2003 by CRC Press LLC
1-10 The Civil Engineering Handbook, Second Edition
An example of the way in which a cost index might be computed is given below. The cost elements
used for developing a cost index for concrete in 1982 are as follows:
Calculating Cb similarly for another time or location involves the following steps:
Using the CIa as the base with an index equal to 100, the CIb index can be calculated as follows:
The key to creating an accurate and valid cost index is not the computational approach but the correct
selection of the cost elements. If the index will be used for highway estimating, the cost elements should
include items such as asphalt, fuel oil, paving equipment, and equipment operators. Appropriately, a
housing cost index would include timber, concrete, carpenters, shingles, and other materials common
to residential construction.
Most of the cost indices are normalized periodically to a base of 100. This is done by setting the base
calculation of the cost for a location or time equal to 100 and converting all other indices to this base
with the same divisor or multiplier.
While it is possible to develop specialized indices for special purposes, numerous indices have been
published. These include several popular indices, such as the Engineering News Record building cost index
and construction cost index and the Means Building Construction Cost Data construction cost index and
historical cost index. These indices are developed using a wide range of cost elements. For example, the
Means’ construction cost index is composed of 84 construction materials, 24 building crafts’ labor hours,
and 9 different equipment rental charges that correspond to the labor and material items. These cost
indices are tabulated for the major metropolitan areas four times each year and for the 16 major UCI
construction divisions. Additionally, indices dating back to 1913 can be found to adjust costs from
different periods of time. These are referred to as historical cost indices.
Application of Cost Indices
These cost indices can have several uses:
• Comparing costs from city to city (construction cost indices)
• Comparing costs from time to time (historical cost indices)
C1 = four hours for a carpenter = $240
C2 = one cubic yard concrete = $60
C3 = three hours for laborer = $66
C4 = 100 fbm lumber (2 ¥ 10) = $49
C5 = 100 # rebar = $35
C6 = one hour from an ironworker = $50
C1 = four hours for a carpenter = $200
C2 = one cubic yard concrete = $58
C3 = three hours for laborer = $90
C4 = 100 fbm lumber (2 ¥ 10) = $42
C5 = 100 # rebar = $36
C6 = one hour from an ironworker = $44
Ca = 240 + 60 + 66 + 49 + 35 + 50 = 500
Ca= 200 + 58 + 90 + 42 + 36 + 44 = 470
CI C C b b a = ( ) ¥ 100 = (470 500) ¥ 100 = 94
© 2003 by CRC Press LLC
Construction Estimating 1-11
• Modifying costs for various cities and times (both)
• Estimating replacement costs (both)
• Forecasting construction costs (historical cost indices)
The cost index is only a tool and must be applied with sound judgment and common sense.
Comparing Costs from City to City
The construction cost indices can be used to compare costs between cities, because the index is developed
identically for each city. The index is an indicator of the relative difference. The cost difference between
cities for identical buildings or projects in a different city can be found by using the appropriate construction
cost indices (CCI). The procedure is as follows:
Comparing Costs from Time to Time
The cost indices can be used to compare costs for the same facility at different points in time. Using the
historical cost indices of two points in time, one can calculate the difference in costs between the two
points in time. It is necessary to know the cost and the historical index for time B and the historical cost
index for time A.
Modifying Costs for Various Cities and Times
The two prior uses can be accomplished simultaneously, when it is desired to use cost information from
another city and time for a second city and time estimate. Care must be exercised to establish the correct
relationships. The following example illustrates the principle.
Example 9
A building cost $2,000,000 in 2000 in South Bend. How much will it cost to build in Boston in 2002?
Estimating Replacement Costs
The historical cost index can be used to determine replacement cost for a facility built a number of years
ago or one that was constructed in stages.
Given: HCI, 2002 = 114.3
HCI, 2000 = 102.2
CCI, S. Bend = 123.4
CCI, Boston = 134.3
Cost, city A
CCI for city A
CCI for city B
Known cost, city B
Known cost, city B Cost, city A Cost difference
= ( )
( )-( )=
Cost, time A
HCI for time A
HCI for time B
Cost, time B
Known cost, time B Cost, time A Cost difference
= ( )
( )-( )=
HCI, 2002 CCI, Boston
HCI, 2000 CCI, S. Bend
Cost, S. Bend Cost, Boston ( )( )
( )( )( )=( )
( )( )
( )( )( )= 114 3 134 3
102 2 123 4
2 000 000 2 430 000
. .
. .
, , $, ,
© 2003 by CRC Press LLC
1-12 The Civil Engineering Handbook, Second Edition
Example 10
A building was constructed in stages over the last 25 years. It is desired to know the 2002 replacement
cost for insurance purposes. The building has had two additions since the original 1981, $300,000 portion
was built. The first addition was in 1990 at a cost of $200,000, and the second addition came in 1994 at
a cost of $300,000. The historical cost indices are as follows:
Solution. The cost of the original building is
The cost of addition A is
The cost of addition B is
So,
Construction Cost Forecasting
If it is assumed that the future changes in cost will be similar to the past changes, the indices can be used
to predict future construction costs. By using these past indices, future indices can be forecast and, in
turn, used to predict future costs. Several approaches are available for developing the future index. Only
one will be presented here.
The simplest method is to examine the change in the last several historical cost indices and use an
average value for the annual change in the future. This averaging process can be accomplished by
determining the difference between historical indices each year and finding the average change by dividing
by the number of years.
Detailed Estimates
Estimates classified as detailed estimates are prepared after the scope and definition of a project are
essentially complete. To prepare a detailed estimate requires considerable effort in gathering information
and systematically forecasting costs. These estimates are usually prepared for bid purposes or definitive
budgeting. Because of the information available and the effort expended, detailed estimates are usually
fairly accurate projections of the costs of construction. A much higher level of confidence in the accuracy
of the estimate is gained through this increased effort and knowledge. These types of estimates are used
for decision making and commitment.
The Estimating Process
Estimating to produce a detailed construction cost estimate follows a rigorous process made up of several
key steps. These key steps are explained below.
2002 100.0 = HCl
1994 49.8 = HCl
1990 34.6 = HCl
1981 23.9 = HCl
100
23 9
300 000 1 255 000
.
$ , = $ , ,
100
34 6
200 000 578 000
.
$ , = $ ,
100
49 8
300 000 602 000
.
$ , = $ ,
Total replacement cost = $2, 435,000
© 2003 by CRC Press LLC
Construction Estimating 1-13
Familiarization with Project Characteristics
The estimator must be familiar with the project and evaluate the project from three primary avenues:
scope, constructibility, and risk. Having evaluated these three areas in a general way, the estimator will
decide whether the effort to estimate and bid the work has a potential profit or other corporate goal
potential (long-term business objective or client relations). In many cases, investigation of these three
areas may lead to the conclusion that the project is not right for the contractor. The contractor must be
convinced that the firm’s competitive advantage will provide the needed margin to secure the work away
from competitors.
Scope — Just because a project is available for bidding does not mean that the contractor should invest
the time and expense required for the preparation of an estimate. The contractor must carefully scrutinize
several issues of scope for the project in relation to the company’s ability to perform. These scope issues
include the following:
1. Technological requirements of the project
2. Stated milestone deadlines for the project
3. Required material and equipment availability
4. Staffing requirements
5. Stated contract terms and associated risk transfer
6. Nature of the competition and likelihood of an acceptable rate-of-return
The contractor must honestly assess the technological requirements of the project to be competitive
and the internal or subcontractor technological capabilities that can be employed. This is especially true
on projects requiring fleets of sophisticated or specialized equipment or on projects with duration times
that dictate employment of particular techniques such as slipforming. On these types of projects, the
contractor must have access to the fleet, as in the case of an interstate highway project, or access to a
knowledgeable subcontractor, as in the case of high-rise slipforming.
The contractor must examine closely the completion date for the project as well as any intermediate
contractual milestone dates for portions of the project. The contractor must feel comfortable that these
dates are achievable and that there exists some degree of time allowance for contingencies that might
arise. Failure to complete a project on time can seriously damage the reputation of a contractor and has
the potential to inhibit future bidding opportunities with the client. If the contract time requirements
are not reasonable in the contractor’s mind after having estimated the required time by mentally sequencing
the controlling work activities, two choices exist. The obvious first choice is to not bid the project.
Alternatively, the contractor may choose to reexamine the project for other methods or sequences which
will allow earlier completion. The contractor should not proceed with the estimate without a plan for
timely completion of the project.
A third issue that must be examined in relation to the project’s scope is availability to satisfy the
requirements for major material commodities and equipment to support the project plan. Problems in
obtaining structural steel, timber, quality concrete, or other materials can have pronounced effects on
both the cost and schedule of a project. If these problems can be foreseen, solutions should be sought,
or the project should not be considered for bidding.
Staffing requirements, including staffing qualifications as well as required numbers, must be evaluated
to determine if sufficient levels of qualified manpower will be available when required to support project
needs. This staffing evaluation must include supervisory and professional support and the various crafts
that will be required. While the internal staffing (supervisory and professional support) is relatively simple
to analyze, the craft availability is extremely uncertain and to some degree uncontrollable. With the craft
labor in much of the construction industry (union sector) having no direct tie to any one construction
company, it is difficult to predict how many workers of a particular craft will be available during a
particular month or week. The ability to predict craft labor availability today is a function of construction
economy prediction. When there is a booming construction market, some shortfalls in craft labor supply
can be expected with a result of higher labor costs or longer project durations.
© 2003 by CRC Press LLC
1-14 The Civil Engineering Handbook, Second Edition
Constructibility — A knowledgeable contractor, having made a preliminary review of the project documents,
can assess the constructibility of the project. Constructibility evaluations include examination of
construction quality requirements, allowable tolerances, and the overall complexity of the project. The
construction industry has general norms of quality requirements and tolerances for the various types of
projects. Contractors tend to avoid bidding for projects for which the quality or tolerances specified are
outside those norms. The alternative for the contractor is to overcompensate for the risk associated with
achieving the requirements by increasing their expectation of cost.
Complexity of a project is viewed in terms of the relative technology requirement for the project
execution compared with the technology in common practice in the given area. Where the project
documents indicate an unusual method to the contractor, the contractor must choose to either accept
the new technology or not bid. The complexity may also come about because of dictated logistical or
scheduling requirements that must be met. Where the schedule does not allow flexibility in sequence or
pace, the contractor may deem the project unsuitable to pursue through bidding.
The flexibility left to the contractor in choosing methods creates interest in bidding the project. The
means and methods of work are the primary ways that contractors achieve competitive advantage. This
flexibility challenges the contractor to develop a plan and estimate for the work that will be different and
cheaper than the competition’s.
Risk — The contractor must also evaluate the myriad of potential problems that might be encountered
on the project. These risks can include the following:
• Material and workmanship requirements not specified
• Contradictory clauses interpreted incorrectly
• Impossible specifications
• Unknown or undiscovered site conditions
• Judgment error during the bidding process
• Assumption of timely performance of approvals and decisions by the owners
• Interpretation and compliance requirements with the contract documents
• Changes in cost
• Changes in sequence
• Subcontractor failure
• Suspension of work
• Weather variations
• Environmental issues
• Labor and craft availability
• Strikes and labor disputes
• Utility availability
This list represents a sample of the risks, rather than an inclusive listing. In general, a construction
firm faces business risks, project risks, and operational risks, which must be offset in some way. Contract
terms that transfer unmanageable risk or categories of risk that are not easily estimated discourage
participation in bidding.
Contractors assess the likelihood of success in the bidding process by the number of potential competitors.
Typically, more competition means lower markups. Lower markup reduces the probability for
earning acceptable margins and rates of return associated with the project risks.
Examine the Project Design
Another aspect of the information important to the individual preparing the estimate is the specific
design information that has been prepared. The estimator must be able to read, interpret, and understand
the technical specifications, the referenced standards and any project drawings, and documents. The
© 2003 by CRC Press LLC
Construction Estimating 1-15
estimator must closely examine material specifications so that an appropriate price for the quality and
characteristics specified can be obtained. The estimator must use sound judgment when pricing substitute
materials for providing an assumption of “or-equal” quality for a material to be used. A thorough
familiarity and technical understanding is required for this judgment. The same is also true for equipment
and furnishings that will be purchased. The estimator must have an understanding of referenced documents
that are commonly identified in specifications. Standards of testing and performance are made a
part of the specifications by a simple reference. These standards may be client standards or more universal
standards, such as State Highway Specifications or ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials)
documents. If a specification is referenced that the estimator is not familiar with, he or she must make
the effort to locate and examine it prior to bid submittal.
In some cases, the specifications will identify prescribed practices to be followed. The estimator must
assess the degree to which these will be rigidly enforced and where allowances will be made or performance
criteria will be substituted. Use of prescriptive specifications can choke innovation by the contractor but
may also protect the contractor from performance risks. Where rigid enforcement can be expected, the
estimator should follow the prescription precisely.
The drawings contain the physical elements, their location, and their relative orientation. These items
and the specifications communicate the designer’s concept. The estimator must be able to examine the
drawings and mentally visualize the project as it will be constructed to completion. The estimator relies
heavily on the information provided in the drawings for determination of the quantity of work required.
The drawings provide the dimensions so that lengths, widths, heights, areas, volumes, and numbers of
items can be developed for pricing the work. The drawings show the physical features that will be part
of the completed project, but they do not show the items that may be required to achieve completion
(such as formwork). It is also common that certain details are not shown on the drawings for the
contractor but are developed by shop fabricators at a later time as shop drawings.
The estimator must keep a watchful eye for errors and omissions in the specifications and drawings.
Discrepancies are often identified between drawings, between specifications, or between drawings and
specifications. The discrepancies must be resolved either by acceptance of a risk or through communication
with the designer. The best choice of solution depends on the specifics of the discrepancy and the
process or the method for award of contract.
Structuring the Estimate
The estimator either reviews a plan or develops a plan for completing the project. This plan must be
visualized during the estimating process; it provides the logical flow of the project from raw materials
to a completed facility. Together with the technical specifications, the plan provides a structure for the
preparation of the detailed estimate. Most estimators develop the estimate around the structure of the
technical specifications. This increases the likelihood that items of work are covered without duplication
in the estimate.
Determine the Elements of Cost
This step involves the development of the quantities of work (a quantity survey) to be performed and
their translation into expected costs. Translating a design on paper into a functioning, completed project
involves the transformation and consumption of a multitude of resources. These basic ingredients or
resources utilized and incorporated in a project during construction can be classified into one of the
following categories:
1. Labor
2. Material
3. Equipment
4. Capital
5. Time
Associated with the use or consumption of each of these resources is a cost. It is the objective of the
estimator performing a detailed estimate to identify the specific types of resources that will be used, the
© 2003 by CRC Press LLC
1-16 The Civil Engineering Handbook, Second Edition
quantity of such resources, and the cost of the resources. Every cost item within an estimate is either one
or a combination of these five basic resources. The common unit used to measure the different types of
resources is dollars. Although overhead costs may not be broken down into the component resource
costs, overhead items are a combination of several of these basic resources.
Labor Resources
Labor resources refer to the various human craft or skill resources that actually build a project. Through
the years, large numbers of crafts have evolved to perform specialized functions and tasks in the construction
industry. The specialties or crafts have been defined through a combination of collective
bargaining agreements, negotiation and labor relations, and accepted extensions of trade practices. In
most cases, the evolutionary process of definition of work jurisdiction has followed a logical progression;
however, there are limited examples of bizarre craftwork assignment. In all, there are over 30 different
crafts in the construction industry. Each group or craft is trained to perform a relatively narrow range
of construction work differentiated by material type, construction process, or type of construction project.
Where union construction is dominant, the assignment of work to a particular craft can become a
significant issue with the potential for stopping or impeding progress. Usually in nonunion construction,
jurisdictional disputes are nonexistent, and much more flexibility exists in the assignments of workers
to tasks. In union construction, it is vital that the estimator acknowledge the proper craft for a task
because labor wage rates can vary substantially between crafts. In nonunion construction, more managerial
flexibility exists, and the critical concern to the estimator must be that a sufficient wage rate be
used that will attract the more productive craftsworkers without hindering the chances of competitive
award of the construction contract.
The source of construction labor varies between localities. In some cities, the only way of performing
construction is through union construction. This, however, has been changing, and will most likely
continue to change over the next few years. Open-shop or nonunion construction is the predominant
form in many parts of the United States.
With union construction, the labor source is the hiring hall. The usual practice is for the superintendent
to call the craft hiring hall for the type of labor needed and request the number of craftsworkers needed
for the project. The craftsworkers are then assigned to projects in the order in which they became available
for work (were released from other projects). This process, while fair to all craftsworkers, has some drawbacks
for the contractor because the personnel cannot be selected based on particular past performance.
These union craftsworkers in construction have their primary affiliation with the union, and only
temporarily are affiliated with a particular company, usually for the duration of a particular project.
Training and qualifications for these craftsworkers must, therefore, be a responsibility of the union. This
training effort provided through the union is financed through a training fund established in the collective
bargaining agreement. Apprenticeship programs are conducted by union personnel to develop the skills
needed by the particular craft. A second avenue for control is through admission into the union and
acceptance after a trial period by the employer. The training for the craftsworker for this approach may
have been in another vocational program, on-the-job experience, or a military training experience. The
supply of craftsworkers in relation to the demands is thus controlled partially through admissions into
the training or apprenticeship programs.
Open-shop or nonunion construction has some well-established training programs. The open-shop
contractor may also rely on other training sources (union apprenticeship, vocational schools, and military
training) for preparation of the craftsworker. The contractor must exercise considerable effort in screening
and hiring qualified labor. Typically, craftsworkers are hired for primary skill areas but can be utilized
on a much broader range of tasks. A trial period for new employees is used to screen craftsworkers for
the desired level of skill required for the project. Considerably more effort is required for recruiting and
maintaining a productive workforce in the open-shop mode, but the lower wage and greater flexibility
in work assignments are advantages.
© 2003 by CRC Press LLC
Construction Estimating 1-17
Cost of Labor
For a detailed estimate, it is imperative that the cost of labor resources be determined with precision.
This is accomplished through a three-part process from data in the construction bidding documents that
identify the nature of work and the physical quantity of work. The first step in the process involves
identifying the craft that will be assigned the work and determining the hourly cost for that labor resource.
This is termed the labor rate. The second part of the process involves estimation of the expected rate of
work accomplishment by the chosen labor resource. This is termed the labor productivity. The third step
involves combining this information by dividing the labor rate by the labor productivity to determine
the labor resource cost per physical unit of work. The labor cost can be determined by multiplying the
quantity of work by the unit labor resource cost. This entire process will be illustrated later in this chapter;
however, an understanding of labor rate and labor productivity measurement must first be developed.
Labor Rate — The labor rate is the total hourly expense or cost to the contractor for providing the
particular craft or labor resource for the project. This labor rate includes direct costs and indirect costs.
Direct labor costs include all payments made directly to the craftsworkers. The following is a brief listing
of direct labor cost components:
1. Wage rate
2. Overtime premium
3. Travel time allowance
4. Subsistence allowance
5. Show-up time allowance
6. Other work or performance premiums
The sum of these direct labor costs is sometimes referred to as the effective wage rate. Indirect labor
costs include those costs incurred as a result of use of labor resources but which are not paid directly to
the craftsworker. The components of indirect labor cost include the following:
1. Vacation fund contributions
2. Pension fund contributions
3. Group insurance premiums
4. Health and welfare contributions
5. Apprenticeship and training programs
6. Workers’ compensation premiums
7. Unemployment insurance premiums
8. Social security contribution
9. Other voluntary contribution or payroll tax
It is the summation of direct and indirect labor costs that is termed the labor rate — the total hourly
cost of providing a particular craft labor resource. Where a collective bargaining agreement is in force,
most of these items can be readily determined on an hourly basis. Others are readily available from
insurance companies or from local, state, and federal statutes. Several of the direct cost components must
be estimated based on past records to determine the appropriate allowance to be included. These more
difficult items include overtime, show-up time, and performance premiums. A percentage allowance is
usually used to estimate the expected cost impact of such items.
Labor Productivity — Of all the cost elements that contribute to the total project construction cost, labor
productivity ranks at the top for variability. Because labor costs represent a significant proportion of the
total cost of construction, it is vital that good estimates of productivity be made relative to the productivity
that will be experienced on the project. Productivity assessment is a complex process and not yet fully
understood for the construction industry.
The following example illustrates the calculation of a unit price from productivity data.
© 2003 by CRC Press LLC
1-18 The Civil Engineering Handbook, Second Edition
Example 11
To form 100 square feet of wall requires 6 hours of carpenter time and 5 hours of common laborer time.
This assumption is based on standards calculated as averages from historical data. The wage rate with
burdens for carpenters is $60.00/h. The wage rate with burdens for common laborers is $22.00/h.
Solution. The unit cost may be calculated as follows:
This labor cost is adjusted for the following conditions:
Equipment Resources
One of the most important decisions a contractor makes involves the selection of construction equipment.
Beyond simple construction projects, a significant number of the activities require some utilization of
major pieces of equipment. This equipment may either be purchased by the contractor or leased for the
particular project at hand. The decision for selection of a particular type of equipment may be the result
of an optimization process or may be based solely on the fact that the contractor already owns a particular
piece of equipment that should be put to use. This decision must be anticipated or made by the estimator,
in most cases, to forecast the expected costs for equipment on a project being estimated.
Equipment Selection Criteria
It is important for the estimator to have a solid background in and understanding of various types of
construction equipment. This understanding is most important when making decisions about equipment.
The estimator, having recognized the work to be performed, must identify the most economical choice
for equipment. There are four important criteria that must be examined to arrive at the best choice:
1. Functional performance
2. Project flexibility
3. Companywide operations
4. Economics
Functional performance is only one criterion, but an important one, for the selection of construction
equipment. For each activity, there is usually a clear choice based on the most appropriate piece of
equipment to perform the task. Functional performance is usually examined solely from the perspective
of functional performance. The usual measures are capacity and speed. These two parameters also give
rise to the calculation of production rates.
A second criterion that must be used is project flexibility. Although each task has an associated,
appropriate piece of equipment based on functional performance, it would not be prudent to mobilize
a different piece of equipment for each activity. Equipment selection decisions should consider the
multiple uses the item of equipment possesses for the particular project. The trade-off between mobilization
Carpenter — 6 h at $60.00/h = $360.00
Laborer — 5 h at $22.00/h = $110.00
Total labor cost for 100 ft2 = $470.00
Weather adjustment 1.05
Job complexity 1.04
Crew experience 0.95
Management 1.00
Labor cost per ft2 = $470.00 100 ft2 = $4.70 ft2
Adjusted unit cost = 4 70 ¥ 1 05 ¥ 1 04 ¥ 0 95 ¥ 1 00 = 4 88 ft2 . . . . . $.
© 2003 by CRC Press LLC
Construction Estimating 1-19
expense and duration versus efficiency of the operation must be explored to select the best fleet of
equipment for the project.
Companywide usage of equipment becomes an important factor when determining whether to purchase
a particular piece of equipment for a project application. If the investment in the equipment cannot
be fully justified for the particular project, then an assessment of future or concurrent usage of the
equipment is necessary. This whole process necessarily influences selection decisions by the estimator
because the project cost impacts must be evaluated. Equipment that can be utilized on many of the
company projects will be favored over highly specialized single-project oriented equipment.
The fourth, and probably most important, criterion the estimator considers is the pure economics of
the equipment selection choices. Production or hourly costs of the various equipment alternatives should
be compared to determine the most economical choice for the major work tasks involving equipment.
A later section in this chapter explains and illustrates the process of determining equipment costs that
the estimator should follow.
Production Rates
Equipment production rates can be determined in a relatively simple fashion for the purposes of the
estimator. Most manufacturers produce handbooks for their equipment that provide production rates
for tasks under stated conditions.
Equipment Costs
Equipment costs represent a large percentage of the total cost for many construction projects. Equipment
represents a major investment for contractors, and it is necessary that the investment generate a return
to the contractor. The contractor must not only pay for the equipment purchased but also pay the many
costs associated with the operation and maintenance of the equipment. Beyond the initial purchase price,
taxes, and setup costs, the contractor has costs for fuel, lubricants, repairs, and so on, which must be
properly estimated when preparing an estimate. A system must be established to measure equipment
costs of various types to provide the estimator with a data source to use when establishing equipment costs.
The cost associated with equipment can be broadly classified as direct equipment costs and indirect
equipment costs. Direct equipment costs include the ownership costs and operating expenses, while
indirect equipment costs are the costs that occur in support of the overall fleet of equipment but which
cannot be specifically assigned to a particular piece of equipment. Each of the broad cost categories will
be discussed in greater detail in the following sections.
Direct Equipment Costs
Direct equipment expenses are costs that can be assigned to a particular piece of equipment and are
usually divided into ownership and operating expenses for accounting and estimating. The concept
behind this separation is that the ownership costs occur regardless of whether the equipment is used on
a project.
Ownership Costs
Ownership costs include depreciation, interest, insurance, taxes, setup costs, and equipment enhancements.
There are several views taken of ownership costs relating to loss in value or depreciation. One
view is that income must be generated to build a sufficient reserve to replace the equipment at the new
price, when it becomes obsolete or worn out. A second view is that ownership of a piece of equipment
is an investment, and, as such, must generate a monetary return on that investment equal to or larger
than the investment made. A third view is that the equipment ownership charge should represent the
loss in value of the equipment from the original value due purely to ownership, assuming some arbitrary
standard loss in value due to use. These three views can lead to substantially different ownership costs
for the same piece of equipment, depending on the circumstances. For simplicity, ownership will be
viewed as in the third view. The depreciation component of ownership cost will be discussed separately
in the following section.
© 2003 by CRC Press LLC
1-20 The Civil Engineering Handbook, Second Edition
Depreciation Costs
Depreciation is the loss in value of the equipment due to use and/or obsolescence. There are several
different approaches for calculating depreciation, based on hours of operation or on real-time years of
ownership. In both cases, some arbitrary useful life is assumed for the particular piece of equipment
based on experience with similar equipment under similar use conditions. The simplest approach for
calculating depreciation is the straight-line method. Using the useful life, either hours of operation or
years, the equipment is assumed to lose value uniformly over the useful life from its original value down
to its salvage value. The salvage value is the expected market value of the equipment at the end of its
useful life.
Operating Expenses
Operating costs are items of cost directly attributable to the use of the equipment. Operating costs include
such items as fuel, lubricants, filters, repairs, tires, and sometimes operator’s wages. Obviously, the specific
project conditions will greatly influence the magnitude of the operating costs. It is, therefore, important
that on projects where the equipment is a significant cost item, such as large civil works projects like
dams or new highway projects, attention must be given to the job conditions and operating characteristics
of the major pieces of equipment.
Equipment Rates
The equipment rates used in an estimate represent an attempt to combine the elements of equipment
cost that have been explained above. The pricing of equipment in an estimate is also influenced by market
conditions. On very competitive projects, the contractor will often discount the actual costs to win the
project. In other cases, even though the equipment has been fully depreciated, a contractor may still
include an ownership charge in the estimate, because the market conditions will allow the cost to be
included in the estimate.
Materials Costs
Materials costs can represent the major portion of a construction estimate. The estimator must be able
to read and interpret the drawings and specifications and develop a complete list of the materials required
for the project. With this quantity takeoff, the estimator then identifies the cost of these materials. The
materials costs include several components: the purchase price, shipping and packaging, handling, and
taxes.
There are two types of materials: bulk materials and engineered materials. Bulk materials are materials
that have been processed or manufactured to industry standards. Engineered materials have been processed
or manufactured to project standards. Examples of bulk materials are sand backfill, pipe, and
concrete. Examples of engineered materials are compressors, handrailing, and structural steel framing.
The estimator must get unit price quotes on bulk materials and must get quotes on the engineered
materials that include design costs as well as processing and other materials costs.
Subcontractor Costs
The construction industry continues to become more specialized. The building sector relies almost
entirely on the use of specialty contractors to perform different trade work. The heavy/highway construction
industry subcontracts a smaller percentage of work. The estimator must communicate clearly with
the various subcontractors to define the scope of intended work. Each subcontractor furnishes the
estimator with a quote for the defined scope of work with exceptions noted. The estimator must then
adjust the numbers received for items that must be added in and items that will be deleted from their
scope. The knowledge of the subcontractor and any associated risk on performance by the subcontractor
must also be assessed by the estimator. The estimator often receives the subcontractor’s best estimate
only a few minutes before the overall bid is due. The estimator must have an organized method of
adjusting the overall bid up to the last minute for changes in the subcontractor’s prices.
© 2003 by CRC Press LLC
Construction Estimating 1-21
Example 12
For use as structural fill, 15,000 cubic yards of material must be hauled onto a job site. As the material is
excavated, it is expected to swell. The swell factor is 0.85. The material will be hauled by four 12-yd3 capacity
trucks. The trucks will be loaded by a 1.5-yd3 excavator. Each cycle of the excavator will take about 30 sec.
The hauling time will be 9 min, the dumping time 2 min, the return time 7 min, and the spotting time
1 min. The whole operation can be expected to operate 50 min out of every hour. The cost of the trucks is
$66/h and the excavator will cost about $75/h. What is the cost per cubic yard for this operation?
Solution.
Truck cycle time:
Fleet production:
Cost:
Example 13
It is necessary to place 90 cubic yards of concrete. Site conditions dictate that the safest and best method
of placement is to use a crane and a 2-cubic-yard bucket. It is determined that to perform the task
efficiently, five laborers are needed — one at the concrete truck, three at the point of placement, and one
on the vibrator. It is assumed that supervision is done by the superintendent.
The wage rate for laborers is $22.00/h.
Load 8 cycles ¥ 0.5 min = 4 min
Haul 9 min
Dump 2 min
Return 7 min
Spot 1 min
TOTAL 23 min
168 ¥ 66 ¥ 4 = $44,352
168 ¥ 75 = $12,600
TOTAL $56,952
Time needed:
Setup 30 min
Cycle:
Load 3 min
Swing, dump, and return 6 min
TOTAL 9 min
Excavator capacity yd yd cycle
Hauler capacity yd cycle
Number of loading cycles cycle
= ¥ =
= ¥ =
= =
1 5 0 85 1 28
12 0 85 10 2
10 2 1 28 8
3 3
3
. . .
. .
. .
4 5023 yd h
h
¥( )¥ =
=
10 2 89 75
15 000 89 75 168
3 . .
, .
56,952 15,000 = $3.80 yd3
© 2003 by CRC Press LLC
1-22 The Civil Engineering Handbook, Second Edition
Example 14
A small steel-frame structure is to be erected, and you are to prepare an estimate of the cost based on
the data given below and the assumptions provided. The unloading, erection, temporary bolting, and
plumbing will be done by a crew of 1 foreman, 1 crane operator, and 4 structural steel workers with a
55-ton crawler crane. The bolting will be done by two structural-steel workers using power tools. The
painting will be done by a crew of three painters (structural-steel) with spray equipment. For unloading
at site, erection, temporary bolting, and plumbing, allow 7 labor-hours per ton for the roof trusses, and
allow 5.6 labor-hours per ton for the remaining steel. Assume 60 crew hours will be required for bolting.
Allow 1.11 labor-hours per ton for painting.
Solution.
No. of cycles 90/2 = 45 cycles
Total cycle time 45 ¥ 9 = 405 min
Disassembly subtotal = 15 min
Inefficiency (labor, delays, etc.) 10% of cycle time = 41 min
Total operation time 405 + 15 + 41 = 461 min
Amount of time needed (adjusted to workday) = 8 h
Laborers — five for 8 hours at $22.00/h = $880.00
Cost per 90 yd3 = $880.00
Cost per cubic yard $880/90 yd3 = $9.78/yd3
Materials:
A 36 structural Steel trusses 15 tons
Columns, etc. 50 tons
Costs:
Structural steel supply: 44¢/lb
Fabrication: $800/ton — trusses
$410/ton — other steel
Freight cost: $2.65/100 lb
Field bolts: 250 @ $1.10 each
Paint: 41 gallons @ $30.00/gallon
Labor costs: Assume payroll taxes and insurance are 80% of labor
wage; use the following wages:
Foreman $24.10
Crane Operator $21.20
Structural steel worker $22.10
Painter $20.20
Equipment costs: Crane $915.00/day
Power tools $23.40/day
Paint equipment $68.00/day
Move in/out: $300.00
Overhead: 40% of field labor cost
Profit: 12% of all costs
Materials:
Structural steel: 65 ¥ 2000 ¥.44 = $57,200
Freight: 65 ¥ 2000/100 ¥ 2.65 = 3445
Field bolts: 250 ¥ $1.10 = 275
Paint: 41 ¥ 30 = 1230
$62,150
© 2003 by CRC Press LLC
Construction Estimating 1-23
Fabrication:
Truss: 15 ¥ 800 = $12,000
Frame: 50 ¥ 410 = 20,500
$32,500
Labor crew costs:
Erection:
1 foreman: $24.10
1 crane operator: 21.20
4 structural steel workers: 88.40
$133.70
Paint:
3 painters: $60.60
Bolting:
2 structural steel workers: $44.20
Erection:
Frame:
(50 ¥ 5.6)/6 = 46.7 crew hours — 6 days
46.7 ¥ $133.40 = $6239
Trusses:
(15 ¥ 7)/6 = 17.5 crew hours — 2 days
17.5 ¥ 133.40 = $2340
Paint:
(65 ¥ 1.11)/3 = 24 crew hours — 3 days
24 ¥ 60.60 = $1455
Bolting: 60 ¥ 44.20 = $2652
Total labor = $12,686
Equipment:
Crane: 8 days ¥ 915/day = $7320
Power tools: 8 days ¥ 23.40/day = 187
Paint equipment: 3 days ¥ 68/day = 204
Move in/out = 300
TOTAL $8011
Summary
Materials: $62,150
Fabrication: 32,500
Labor: 12,686
Equipment: 8011
Payroll taxes and insurance:
80% of 12,686 10,149
Overhead:
40% of (12,686 + 10,149) 9134
TOTAL $134,630
Profit:
12% of 90,781 16,156
Bid = $150,786
© 2003 by CRC Press LLC
1-24 The Civil Engineering Handbook, Second Edition
Project Overhead
Each project requires certain items of cost that cannot be identified with a single item of work. These
items are referred to as project overhead and are normally described in the general conditions of the
contract. The items that are part of the project overhead include but are not limited to the following:
• Bonds
• Permits
• Mobilization
• Professional services (such as scheduling)
• Safety equipment
• Small tools
• Supervision
• Temporary facilities
• Travel and lodging
• Miscellaneous costs (e.g., cleanup, punch list)
• Demobilization
Each of these types of items should be estimated and included in the cost breakdown for a project.
Markup
Once the direct project costs are known, the estimator adds a sum of money to cover a portion of the
general overhead for the firm and an allowance for the risk and investment made in the project — the
profit. Each of these elements of markup is in large part determined by the competitive environment for
bidding the project. The more competition, the less the markup.
General Overhead
Each business has certain expenses that are not variable with the amount of work they have under
contract. These expenses must be spread across the projects. The typical method for spreading general
overhead is to assign it proportionally according to the size of the project in relation to the expected total
volume of work for the year. General overhead costs typically include the following:
• Salaries (home office)
• Employee benefits
• Professional fees
• Insurance
• Office lease or rent
• Office stationery and supplies
• Maintenance
• Job procurement and marketing
• Home office travel and entertainment
• Advertising
The only restriction on the items of general overhead is that they must have a legitimate business purpose.
The estimator typically will start with the proportional amount and then add a percentage for profit.
Profit
The profit assigned to a project should recognize the nature of risk that the company is facing in the
project and an appropriate return on the investment being made in the project. The reality is that the
profit is limited by the competition. A larger number of bidders requires that a smaller profit be assigned
to have a chance at having the low bid. This process of assigning profit is usually performed at the last
minute by the senior management for the company submitting the bid.
© 2003 by CRC Press LLC
Construction Estimating 1-25
1.5 Contracts
The estimator prepares the estimate in accordance with the instructions to bidders. There are numerous
approaches for buying construction services that the estimator must respond to. These various approaches
can be classified by three characteristics: the method of award, the method of bidding/payment, and
incentives/disincentives that may be attached.
Method of Award
There are three ways in which construction contracts are awarded: competitive awards, negotiated awards,
and combination competitive-negotiated awards. With a purely competitive award, the decision is made
solely on the basis of price. The lowest bidder will be awarded the project. Usually, public work is awarded
in this manner, and all who meet the minimum qualifications (financial) are allowed to compete. In
private work, the competitive method of award is used extensively; however, more care is taken to screen
potential selective bidders.
The term selective bid process describes this method of competitive award. At the opposite extreme
from competitive awards are the negotiated awards. In a purely negotiated contract, the contractor is the
only party asked to perform the work. Where a price is required prior to initiating work, this price is
negotiated between the contractor and the client. Obviously, this lack of competition relieves some of
the tension developed in the estimator through the competitive bid process because there is no need to
be concerned with the price another contractor might submit. The contractor must still, if asked, provide
a firm price that is acceptable to the client and may have to submit evidence of cost or allow an audit.
As the purely competitive and purely negotiated method of contract awards represent the extremes, the
combination competitive-negotiated award may fall anywhere in between. A common practice for relatively
large jobs is to competitively evaluate the qualifications of several potential constructors and then
select and negotiate with a single contractor a price for the work.
Method of Bidding/Payment
Several methods of payment are used to reimburse contractors for the construction services they provide.
These methods of payment include lump sum or firm price, unit-price, and cost-plus. Each of these
methods of payment requires an appropriate form of bidding that recognizes the unique incentive and
risk associated with the method. The requirements for completeness of design and scope definition vary
for the various types. The lump-sum or firm-price contract is widely used for well-defined projects with
completed designs. This method allows purely competitive bidding. The contractor assumes nearly all
of the risk, for quantity and quality. The comparison for bidding is based entirely on the total price
submitted by the contractors, and payment for the work is limited to the agreed-upon contract price
with some allowance for negotiated changes. The lump sum is the predominant form used for most
building projects.
The unit-price contract is employed on highway projects, civil works projects, and pipelines. For these
projects, the quality of the work is defined, but the exact quantity is not known at the time of bidding.
The price per unit is agreed upon at the time of bidding, but the quantity is determined as work progresses
and is completed. The contractor, therefore, assumes a risk for quality performance, but the quantity
risk is borne by the owner. There is a strong tendency, by contractors, to overprice or front-load those
bid items that will be accomplished first and compensate with lower pricing on items of work that will
be performed later. This allows contractors to improve their cash flow and match their income closer to
their expenses. Each unit-price given must include a portion of the indirect costs and profits that are
part of the job. Usually, quantities are specified for bidding purposes so that the prices can be compared
for competitive analysis. If contractors “unbalance” or front-load certain bid items to an extreme, they
risk being excluded from consideration. The unit-price approach is appropriate for projects where the
quantity of work is not known, yet where competitive bidding is desirable.
© 2003 by CRC Press LLC
1-26 The Civil Engineering Handbook, Second Edition
A third method, with many variations, is the cost-plus method of bidding/payment. With this method,
the contractor is assured of being reimbursed for the costs involved with the project plus an additional
amount to cover the cost of doing business and an allowance for profit. This additional amount may be
calculated as a fixed fee, a percent of specified reimbursable costs, or a sliding-scale amount. The cost to
the owner with this method of bidding/payment is open-ended; thus, the risks lie predominantly with
the owner. This method is used in instances where it is desired to get the construction work underway
prior to completion of design, or where it is desired to protect a proprietary process or production
technology and design. Many of the major power plant projects, process facilities, and other long-term
megaprojects have used this method in an attempt to shorten the overall design/construct time frame
and realize earlier income from the project.
Of the several variations used, most relate to the method of compensation for the “plus” portion of
the cost and the ceiling placed on the expenditures by the owner. One of the variations is the cost plus
a fixed fee. With this approach, it is in the contractor’s best interest to complete the project in the least
time with the minimum nonreimbursable costs so that his profits during a given time period will be
maximized. Where the scope, although not defined specifically, is generally understood, this method
works well. The owner must still control and closely monitor actual direct costs. A second variation is
the cost plus a percentage. This method offers little protection for the owner on the cost of the project
or the length of performance. This method, in fact, may tempt the contractor to prolong project completion
to continue a revenue stream at a set return. The sliding-scale approach is a third approach. This
method of compensation is a combination of the two approaches described above. With this approach,
a target amount for the project cost is identified. As costs exceed this amount, the fee portion decreases
as a percentage of the reimbursable portion. If the costs are less than this target figure, there may be a
sliding scale that offers the contractor an increased fee for good cost containment and management.
In addition to the method of calculations of the plus portion for a cost-plus method, there may be a
number of incentives attached to the method. These typically take the form of bonuses and penalties for
better time or cost performance. These incentives may be related to the calendar or working day allowed
for completion in the form of an amount per day for early completion. Similarly, there may be a penalty
for late completion. The owner may also impose or require submittal of a guaranteed maximum figure
for a contract to protect the owner from excessive costs.
1.6 Computer-Assisted Estimating
The process of estimating has not changed, but the tools of the estimator are constantly evolving. The
computer has become an important tool for estimators, allowing them to produce more estimates in the
same amount of time and with improved accuracy.
Today, the computer is functioning as an aid to the estimator by using software and digitizers to read
the architect/engineer’s plans, by retrieving and sorting historical cost databases, by analyzing information
and developing comparisons, and by performing numerous calculations without error and presenting
the information in a variety of graphical and tabular ways.
The microcomputer is only as good as the programmer and data entry person. The estimator must
still use imagination to create a competitive plan for accomplishing the work. The computer estimating
tools assist and speed the estimator in accomplishing many of the more routine tasks.
Many commercially available programs and spreadsheets are used by estimators for developing their
final estimates of cost. These are tools that calculate, sort, factor, and present data and information. The
selection of a software program or system is a function of the approach used by the contractor and the
particular work processes and cost elements encountered. The most widely used tool is still the spreadsheet
because it gives the estimator a tool for flexible organization of data and information and the
capacity to make quick and accurate calculations.
© 2003 by CRC Press LLC
Construction Estimating 1-27
Defining Terms1
Bid — To submit a price for services; a proposition either verbal or written, for doing work and for
supplying materials and/or equipment.
Bulk materials — Material bought in lots. These items can be purchased from a standard catalog
description and are bought in quantity for distribution as required.
Cost — The amount measured in money, cash expended, or liability incurred, in consideration of goods
and/or services received.
Direct cost — The cost of installed equipment, material, and labor directly involved in the physical
construction of the permanent facility.
Indirect cost — All costs that do not become part of the final installation but which are required for
the orderly completion of the installation.
Markup — Includes the percentage applications, such as general overhead, profit, and other indirect
costs.
Productivity — Relative measure of labor efficiency, either good or bad, when compared to an established
base or norm.
Quantity survey — Using standard methods to measure all labor and material required for a specific
building or structure and itemizing these detailed quantities in a book or bill of quantities.
Scope — Defines the materials and equipment to be provided and the work to be done.
References
Adrian, J.J. 1982. Construction Estimating. Reston Publishing, Reston, VA.
American Association of Cost Engineers, Cost Engineer’s Notebook, Morgantown, WV.
Bauman, H.C. 1964. Fundamentals of Cost Engineering in the Chemical Industry. Reinhold Publishing,
Florence, KY.
Collier, K.F. 1974. Fundamentals of Construction Estimating and Cost Accounting. Prentice-Hall, Englewood
Cliffs, NJ.
Gooch, K.O. and Caroline, J. 1980. Construction for Profit. Reston Publishing, Reston, VA.
Hanscomb, R. et al. 1983. Yardsticks for Costing. Southam Business Publications, Ltd., Toronto.
Helyar, F.W. 1978. Construction Estimating and Costing. McGraw-Hill Ryerson Ltd., Scarborough,
Ontario.
Humphreys, ed. 1984. Project and Cost Engineers’ Handbook. Marcel Dekker, New York.
Hunt, W.D. 1967. Creative Control of Building Costs. McGraw-Hill, New York.
Landsdowne, D.K. 1983. Construction Cost Handbook. McGraw-Hill Ryerson Ltd., Scarborough, Ontario.
Neil, J.M. 1982. Construction Cost Estimating for Project Control. Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJ.
Peurifoy, R.L. 1975. Estimating Construction Costs. McGraw-Hill, New York.
Seeley, I.H. 1978. Building Economics. The Macmillan Press, Ltd., London.
Vance, M.A. 1979. Selected List of Books on Building Cost Estimating. Vance Bibliographies, Monticello, IL.
Walker, F.R. 1980. The Building Estimator’s Reference Book. Frank R. Walker Publishing, Chicago, IL.
1Source: American Association of Cost Engineers (AACE, Inc.), AACE Recommended Practices and Standards,
November 1991.
© 2003 by CRC Press LLC
1-28 The Civil Engineering Handbook, Second Edition
Further Information
For more information on the subject of cost estimating, one should contact the following professional
organizations that have additional information and recommended practices.
AACE, International (formerly the American Association of Cost Engineers), 209 Prairie Ave., Suite 100,
Morgantown, WV 26507, 800–858-COST.
American Society of Professional Estimators, 11141 Georgia Ave., Suite 412, Wheaton, MD 20902,
301–929–8848.
There are numerous textbooks on the subject of cost estimating and construction cost estimating.
Cost engineering texts usually have a large portion devoted to both conceptual estimating and detailed
estimating. The following reference materials are recommended:
Process Plant Construction Estimating Standards. Richardson Engineering Services, Mesa, AZ.
Contractor’s Equipment Cost Guide. Data quest — The Associated General Contractors of America
(AGC).
The Building Estimator’s Reference Book. Frank R. Walker, Lisle, IL.
Means Building Construction Cost Data. R.S. Means, Duxbury, MA.
Estimating Earthwork Quantities. Norseman Publishing, Lubbock, TX.
Caterpillar Performance Handbook, 24th ed. Caterpillar, Peoria, IL.
Means Man-Hour Standards. R.S. Means, Duxbury, MA.
Rental Rates and Specifications. Associated Equipment Distributors.
Rental Rate Blue Book. Data quest — The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation, New York.
Historical Local Cost Indexes. AACE — Cost Engineers Notebook, Vol. 1.
Engineering News Record. McGraw-Hill, New York.
U.S. Army Engineer’s Contract Unit Price Index. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Chemical Engineering Plant Cost Index. McGraw-Hill, New York.
Bureau of Labor Statistics. U.S.