Bid Estimating process; Get it right!
The bid estimation process begins with a full understanding (and concept) of the scope of the project's work. Architects and engineers define scope in plans and specifications, but for construction bid estimation this scope is incomplete. Successful "tough bidding" contractors are well aware that scoping construction is far beyond the scope of the architect / engineer and must include a specific field-specific scope. Job facts such as weather, ongoing operations, soil conditions, access / address, security, safety, site layout, environmental protection and other contexts must also be considered, as well as the means and methods by which It will work. Executions all affect the overall cost of the project.
A big part of the bid estimation process is mentally building the project in your mind several times before the actual project even collapses. To build a scoping, it is important to know the construction process, think like a contractor, and build the project on your own before actually building it. I know there are some better bid estimators out there who come from the field and understand that bid estimating is not just about unit cost, but more about the fact that architects, engineers, context And the scope of the process depends on the cost per unit.
Bid Estimating the project is the next step in the estimation process. There is another chance that things will go wrong. Converting the scope to quantity requires a solid understanding of mathematics, drawing scales, flower and waste factors, plan reading, general construction process and conversion factors. In fact, bid estimation an accurate amount representing the full scope of the work then becomes a solid foundation on which unit prices are applied.
The third step in the bid estimation process is to make extensive use of unit costs. Competitive bidding contractors will receive their unit costs from subcontractors, vendors, suppliers and their cost records. These are great resources for pricing, but are usually not readily available for budget of bid estimation such as those of architects and engineers. Budget estimators derive their unit costs from some of the above sources, but also from published national average cost figures.
A construction cost database is not just a "know-it-all" estimator. Costing a project is more than just cost books. In bid estimation the cost of a project, the total project total is more than the total amount of labor, labor and equipment of the unit alone. But it includes labor burden requirements, such as social security contributions through the contractor, unemployment taxes, insurance, subcontractor expenses (including their head and profits), sales taxes, bonds and, ultimately, the general contractor's overhead and Profits must be included.
Generally, the cost of a published unit does not include all of the above. Each reference construction cost database handles these components differently. Pricing must be comprehensive and include all the direct and indirect costs associated with the project of bid estimation and the cost of entering the business as a contractor.
The final step in the cost of bid estimation process is to double the results. It is a good idea to estimate the cost compared to the cost of the historic project, a second review of the estimator, or a comparable cost per unit floor area or assembly cost. Scoping a project, quantifying and pricing is very easy and still misses the costly component.
Once in a rush to meet the deadline, when I missed the landscape in the back parking area, and didn't get it until the final review of the estimate . Oops! Even this engineer gets lost in the details from time to time of bid estimation , and before that he loses his scope. Please put it between the two of us!
Rory Woolsey has worked in construction and management and engineering for the construction industry since 1972, as a construction worker in Bill Montgomery, Montana. Since then he has held the positions of Field Engineer, Project Manager, MIS Manager, Testing Laboratory Manager, Estimator. , Senior Editor, Designer, Structural Engineer, and General Contractor. He is currently President of Construction Consulting for The Wall Company, Inc.
Mr. Woolsey has also held positions with some of the construction industry leaders, such as Bachelor, HJ Kaiser Constructors, and the RS. Meaning the company, and has worked on heavy, military, industrial, commercial and residential projects.
He has instructed over 7,000 classroom hours to architects, engineers, contractors, and facility managers nationwide on the topics of project management, CPM scheduling, construction evaluation, facility maintenance, partnership, and leadership. Have given
