Students and professionals encountering estimating for the first time need an approachable introduction to its principles and techniques, which is up to date with current practice. Introduction to Estimating for Construction explains both the traditional techniques, and best practice in early contractor involvement situations, within the framework of modern construction procurement. As well as introducing different estimating techniques, it includes: The nature of costs in construction from a cost of resources approach Modern tendering procedures and the stages of development of construction projects How to convert an estimate into a formal tender and then into a contract Simple numerical examples of estimates Estimating and cost analysis during the construction project Summaries and discussion questions in every chapter This is an easy to read introduction to building estimating for undergraduate students, or anyone working in a quantity surveying or construction commercial management role who needs a quick reference.

To understand Construction Estimating one must also understand plan reading and construction techniques. This book is designed to teach the construction student these three core skills in equal measure. Using hundreds of plans, sketches, and photos, the book builds case studies of the major construction divisions including concrete, masonry, carpentry, and more. Over forty cases are divided into sections following a specially designed format: Plans: Scale drawings of floor plans, sections, or elevations. Plan Interpretation: The drawings are explained with comments. Scope of the Work: A written description of the boundaries of the work is given for each section. Construction Techniques: The construction processes and their sequence are explained. The Takeoff: A takeoff is shown at the end of each section. This approach helps foster confidence in plan reading, building methods, arithmetic, takeoffs, and estimates. The various products and terms used in the industries of structural steel, doors and hardware, and roofing are defined. The shop drawing process is explained, which is so important in many industries, as well as the role of and difference between manufacturers, fabricators, and suppliers/distributors. The book ends with a study of "front end" documents, including Division 00 General Conditions, AIA 201, and Division 01 General Requirements, and a chapter on Ethics. This textbook can be used to teach a variety of classes including plan reading, construction techniques, and estimating 1 and 2 (takeoffs and pricing).

Construction Cost Estimating equips a new generation of students and early-career professionals with the skills they need to bid successfully on projects. From developing bid strategies to submitting a completed bid, this innovative textbook introduces the fundamentals of construction estimating through a real-life case study that unfolds across its 24 chapters. Exercises at the end of each chapter offer hands-on practice with core concepts such as quantity take-offs, pricing, and estimating for subcontractor work. Online resources provide instant access to examples of authentic construction documents, including complete, detailed direct work estimates, subcontractor work estimates, general conditions estimates, markups, and summary schedules. Through its unique mix of real-world examples and classroom-tested insights, Construction Cost Estimating ensures that readers are familiar with the entire estimating process even before setting foot on the jobsite.

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

This pocket-sized book is a concise guide to the basics of estimating construction costs for residential and light commercial building projects. It provides a step-by-step guide to estimating the total cost of a construction project. It takes readers through five phases that lead to a successful estimate: initial assessment, work analysis, programming, costing and cost distribution and summarization. The book's primary targets are small contractors; however, the principles set forth in the book are applicable to all contractors. The book could also serve as a textbook for estimating classes in construction management programs at universities and community colleges. The last section of the book provides useful but not readily available information for estimators on diverse topics, e.g., detailed information about Value Engineering, scheduling, subcontractor selection, bid summarization, and so on. An extensive glossary of construction terms is also included. Readers in all construction capacities will find: * A new, fresh look at the often baffling and deceptive job of estimating construction costs for residential and light commercial construction * How to assess plans, review bonds, and evaluate the site and the project schedule before beginning a cost take-off * How to integrate a cost estimate into a general accounting program for cost management and eventual billing * Incredibly helpful appendix with common construction standards and measurements--from standards for concrete forms, to nail sizes to commercial lumber sizes, and much more!

Industrial Construction Estimating Manual focuses on industrial process plants and enables the contractor, subcontractor, and engineer to use methods, models, procedures, formats, and technical data for developing industrial process plant construction estimates. The manual begins with an introduction devoted to labor, data collection, verification of data, coding, productivity measurement, the unit quantity model, and computer-aided cost estimating. It goes on to provide information on construction materials, database systems, work estimating, computer-aided estimating, detailed labor estimates, bid assurance, and detailed applications to construction. Practical examples based on historical data collected from past installations are also included as well as a detailed glossary, Excel and mathematical formulas, metric/standard conversions, area and volume formulas, and boiler man-hour tables. Industrial Construction Estimating Manual aids contractors, subcontractors, and engineers with a balance-detailed estimating method using the unit quantity model and is an excellent resource for those involved in engineering, technology, and construction estimating. Provides a detailed estimating method using the unit-quantity model to prepare construction estimates Delivers information on construction materials, databases, labor estimates, computer-aided estimating, bid assurance, and applications to construction. Utilizes historical data, from a database of previous similar work, calculates material cost and labor by category, and produces both summary and detailed man-hour and cost estimates.