Fundamentals of Construction Estimating

by Pratt,David

• ISBN13: 9781401809591
• ISBN10: 1401809596
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2003-09-02
• Publisher: Cengage Learning

Summary

Now in its second edition, this essential book clearly and precisely explains all the procedures involved in compiling an estimate of the cost of construction work. Modern, updated coverage includes quantity takeoff, pricing of the contractor's work, pricing subtrade work, pricing site overheads, and compiling bid documents. This thorough grounding in the principles of construction estimating offers readers the skills required to successfully perform the work of a professional estimator. Drawings for two complete projects -one residential and one commercial- lead users through the complete estimating process for each and forms a basic framework that can easily be applied to various trades on many different types of construction projects.

Table of Contents

Preface	xi
Chapter 1 INTRODUCTION	1	(16)
Objectives	1	(1)
The Role of Estimating in the Construction Industry	2	(1)
Conceptual Estimates	3	(1)
Preliminary Estimates and Cost Planning	4	(1)
Project Delivery Systems and Estimating	5	(3)
Estimates for Different Types of Contracts	8	(1)
Methods of Estimating	9	(5)
Estimating and Construction Safety	14	(1)
Summary	15	(1)
Review Questions	16	(1)
Chapter 2 THE ESTIMATING PROCESS AND PRELIMINARY PROCEDURES	17	(18)
Objectives	17	(1)
The Estimating Process	17	(1)
Projects Out for Bid	18	(2)
Open Bidding	20	(3)
The Decision to Bid	23	(1)
Scheduling the Estimating Process	24	(1)
Bid Record and Bid Documents	25	(1)
Obtaining Bid Documents	25	(2)
Review Bid Documents	27	(1)
The Query List	27	(1)
The Team Approach	28	(1)
Site Visit	29	(1)
Computer Estimating Systems	29	(3)
Other Technology	32	(1)
Summary	32	(1)
Review Questions	33	(2)
Chapter 3 MEASURING QUANTITIES GENERALLY	35	(20)
Objectives	35	(1)
The Quantity Takeoff	35	(1)
What Is Measured?	36	(1)
Units of Measurements	36	(1)
Measuring "Net in Place"	37	(2)
Takeoff Rules	39	(2)
Accuracy of Measurement	41	(1)
Organization of the Takeoff	42	(1)
Estimating Stationery	43	(1)
Takeoff by Computer	44	(1)
Formulas and Perimeter Centerline Calculations	45	(8)
Summary	53	(1)
Review Questions	54	(1)
Chapter 4 MEASURING SITEWORK, EXCAVATION AND PILING	55	(44)
Objectives	55	(1)
Generally	55	(1)
Soils Report	56	(1)
Bank Measure, Swell and Compaction Factors	57	(1)
Excavation Safety Considerations	57	(1)
Use of Digitizers	58	(1)
Measuring Notes-Excavation and Backfill	59	(1)
Calculation of Cut and Fill Using the "Grid Method"	59	(3)
Calculation of Cut and Fill Using the Section Method	62	(1)
Measuring Notes-Piling	62	(4)
Drawings	66	(14)
Sitework Takeoff	80	(15)
Summary	95	(1)
Review Questions	96	(3)
Chapter 5 MEASURING CONCRETE WORK	99	(26)
Objectives	99	(1)
Concrete Work Generally	99	(1)
Measuring Notes-Concrete	100	(2)
Measuring Formwork Generally	102	(1)
Measuring Notes-Formwork	102	(2)
Measuring Notes-Finishes and Miscellaneous Work	104	(1)
Example 1-House	105	(3)
Example 2-Office/Warehouse Building	108	(12)
Summary	120	(2)
Review Questions	122	(3)
Chapter 6 MEASURING MASONRY WORK	125	(16)
Objectives	125	(1)
Masonry Work Generally	125	(1)
Measuring Masonry Work	126	(1)
Brick Masonry	127	(1)
Concrete Blocks	127	(2)
Conversion Factors	129	(1)
Measuring Notes-Masonry	130	(1)
Masonry Work-House (Brick Facings Alternative)	131	(3)
Masonry Work-Office/Warehouse Building	134	(5)
Summary	139	(1)
Review Questions	139	(2)
Chapter 7 MEASURING CARPENTRY AND MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS	141	(34)
Objectives	141	(1)
Measuring Rough Carpentry	141	(1)
Board Measure	142	(1)
Metric Units	142	(1)
Measuring Notes-Rough Carpentry	143	(2)
Measuring Finish Carpentry and Millwork	145	(1)
Measuring Notes-Finish Carpentry	145	(1)
Doors and Frames	146	(1)
Windows	146	(1)
Miscellaneous Metals	147	(1)
Specialties	148	(1)
Finish Hardware	148	(1)
Measuring Exterior and Interior Finishes	149	(1)
Carpentry and Miscellaneous Work Takeoff-House Example	149	(17)
Exterior and Interior Finishes Takeoff-House Example	166	(7)
Summary	173	(1)
Review Questions	174	(1)
Chapter 8 PRICING GENERALLY	175	(16)
Objectives	175	(1)
Introduction	175	(1)
Contractor's Risk	176	(1)
Pricing Labor and Equipment	177	(7)
Pricing Materials	184	(2)
Pricing Subcontractors' Work	186	(1)
Summary	187	(1)
Review Questions	188	(3)
Chapter 9 PRICING CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT	191	(18)
Objectives	191	(1)
Introduction	191	(1)
Renting versus Purchasing Equipment	192	(1)
Depreciation	193	(3)
Maintenance and Repair Costs	196	(1)
Financing Expenses	197	(1)
Taxes, Insurance and Storage Costs	197	(1)
Fuel and Lubrication Costs	198	(1)
Equipment Operator Costs	199	(1)
Company Overhead Costs	199	(4)
Use of Spreadsheets	203	(1)
Summary	203	(4)
Review Questions	207	(2)
Chapter 10 PRICING EXCAVATION AND BACKFILL	209	(26)
Objectives	209	(1)
Excavation Equipment and Methods	209	(3)
Excavation Productivity	212	(4)
Excavation Work Crews	216	(4)
Excavation Materials	220	(3)
Excavation and Backfill Recap and Pricing Notes Example 1-House	223	(4)
Excavation and Backfill Pricing Notes Example 2-Office/Warehouse Building	227	(5)
Summary	232	(1)
Review Questions	233	(2)
Chapter 11 PRICING CONCRETE WORK	235	(38)
Objectives	235	(1)
Cast-in-Place Concrete Work Generally	235	(1)
Supply and Placing Concrete	236	(5)
Concrete Materials	241	(4)
Formwork	245	(8)
Reinforcing Steel	253	(1)
Miscellaneous Concrete Work Items	254	(2)
Wage Rates	256	(1)
Concrete Work Recap and Pricing Notes Example 1-House	257	(8)
Concrete Work Pricing Notes Example 2-Office/Warehouse Building	265	(4)
Summary	269	(2)
Review Questions	271	(2)
Chapter 12 PRICING MASONRY, CARPENTRY AND FINISHES WORK	273	(30)
Objectives	273	(1)
Introduction	273	(1)
Masonry	274	(2)
Rough Carpentry	276	(5)
Finish Carpentry and Millwork	281	(1)
Exterior and Interior Finishes	281	(1)
Wage Rates	281	(3)
Masonry, Rough Carpentry and Finish Carpentry Recap and Pricing Notes Example 1-House	284	(14)
Masonry Work Pricing Notes Example 2-Office/Warehouse Building	298	(2)
Summary	300	(1)
Review Questions	301	(2)
Chapter 13 PRICING SUBCONTRACTORS' WORK	303	(18)
Objectives	303	(1)
Introduction	303	(2)
List of Subtrades	305	(1)
Unknown Subcontractors	306	(2)
Evaluating Subcontractors	308	(1)
Bonding of Subtrades	309	(1)
Pre-Bid Subtrade Proposals	310	(1)
Analyzing Subtrade Bids	311	(2)
Bid Depositories	313	(1)
Scope of Work	313	(1)
Masonry Scope of Work	314	(1)
Windows Scope of Work	315	(2)
Glass and Glazing Scope of Work	317	(1)
Summary	318	(1)
Review Questions	318	(3)
Chapter 14 PRICING GENERAL EXPENSES	321	(28)
Objectives	321	(1)
Introduction	321	(2)
Project Schedule	323	(2)
Site Personnel	325	(1)
Safety and First Aid	326	(1)
Travel and Accommodation	327	(1)
Temporary Site Offices	328	(2)
Temporary Site Services	330	(1)
Hoardings and Temporary Enclosures	331	(1)
Temporary Heating	331	(2)
Site Access and Storage Space	333	(1)
Site Security	334	(1)
Site Equipment	334	(3)
Trucking	337	(1)
Dewatering	337	(1)
Site Cleanup	337	(1)
Miscellaneous Expenses	337	(2)
Labor Add-Ons	339	(2)
Bid Total Add-Ons	341	(1)
General Expenses Pricing Notes Example 1-House	342	(2)
General Expenses Pricing Notes Example 2-Office/Warehouse Building	344	(4)
Summary	348	(1)
Review Questions	348	(1)
Chapter 15 CLOSING THE BID	349	(42)
Objectives	349	(1)
Introduction	349	(1)
In Advance of the Bid-Closing	350	(8)
The Pre-Bid Review	358	(3)
The Closing	361	(4)
Unit-Price Bids	365	(6)
After the Bid	371	(2)
The Estimate-Cost Control Cycle	373	(1)
Summary Example 1-House	373	(2)
Summary Example 2-Office/Warehouse Building	375	(14)
Summary	389	(1)
Review Questions	390	(1)
Appendix A EXTRACT FROM A TYPICAL SOILS REPORT	391	(4)
Appendix B LIST OF ITEMS AND CSI-BASED CODES	395	(4)
Appendix C GLOSSARY	399	(4)
Appendix D THE METRIC SYSTEM AND CONVERSIONS	403	(4)
INDEX	407