Construction Estimating Services-Cost Estimator Company-Estimating Company

Freelance Estimating

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Construction Estimating

Construction estimating is an important task that should not be overlooked or done in a careless manner.

Failing to prepare a reliable construction estimate could make the difference between a successful project and a complete fiasco aided by a calamity of errors.

Preparing an estimate does not come without a cost. A good estimate requires time to develop which directly effects the Owner’s, Contractor’s, Architect’s and Engineer’s cost of doing business.

Many times those costs are not recovered, however; they could make the difference in keeping the Builder or Owner solvent or ending up with a failed project or worse yet bankruptcy.

Construction estimates can be developed in house or there is always the option to engage an Outsource or Freelance estimating company.

Recently Contractors and Owners have found that Outsource Estimating is becoming a practical way to cut overhead. They do not have the burden of carrying costs like workmen’s compensation, general liability insurance, unemployment related costs, vacations or sick days, etc.

Builders and owners both are concerned about the financial impact or cost overruns and failing to complete a project.

Cost estimates will help outline the project’s scope and feasibility. Both contractors  and owners use them when deciding whether to bid or build a project.

Developing a well-planned estimate, including soliciting multiple bid proposals for materials and subcontractor work, will help ensure the estimates accuracy.

It also aids in gauging bid proposals received from material vendors or subcontractors. It is best to have an idea of what an item will cost when proposals are received to guard against over paying or in determining if the proposal cost is too low.

Choosing the lowest bid is not always the best practice. Many times contracts are awarded to the lowest bidder, only to find that the contractor cannot perform the work or sustain the additional costs not allowed for in the bid. Should a contractor fail, it can open up an onslaught of problems, which could lead to a domino effect putting the project in peril; lawsuits, liens, lost time and progress to name just a few.

Having another company come in to take over the previous contractors, due to their failure, can lead to premium costs charged knowing the owner is distressed and can take advantage of the situation. Suddenly cheap became expensive; notwithstanding your anticipated project cost just went out the window.

While estimating project costs are imperative to a project’s success, even a finely honed estimate cannot provide absolute precision. An accomplished estimator will account for as many factors, however there are occasions where unexpected costs can happen once the project begins; weather, shortage of labor or materials, production rates are a few examples.

Bottom-line investing in a well-developed construction estimate whether using an in house estimator, an Outsource or Freelance Estimating companies will pay many dividends.

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Why You Need A Good Cost Estimator

Cost Estimating has been a part of the construction industry since any structure was ever built. What better way is there to figure out how much a project will cost, present clear expectations to clients, and keep the project cost managed throughout the job? You wouldn’t buy a car without knowing the overall price, what your options are, and how much the monthly payments will be, would you? The last thing any consumer wants to do is to haggle over construction project costs with an ‘invisible’ person behind a closed door. Cost Estimating Construction in today’s building industry spells out, not only the cost of a job, but allows the job to stay relatively financially secure, with the least amount of cost overruns.

Quality estimates are typically comprised of Direct Costs and Indirect Costs.  Direct Costs typically include and cost or expense that can be associated with the specific project. This would contain team wages, costs of direct materials, fuel for equipment, etc. On the other hand, indirect costs would include quality control, management, security costs, utilities, overhead, costs that are shared across a number of projects, not billable to any specific job.

When this type of estimating is utilized in the construction industry, reports can be created throughout the time-line of a job in order to better understand and project the actual costs as it moves toward completion. Changes in actual costs vs estimated costs can be understood and problems can be resolved before they can get out of hand. Cost Estimating is always an ongoing project, especially during the execution of a large, time-consuming job. Whether you’re in the residential or the commercial construction business, the reports that can be generated by a good cost estimator may prove to be crucial. Changes often occur and become necessary  during the building process and as a responsible builder you should be able to insure accuracy and positive outcomes. Proper estimating is an on-going process of checks and balances and is the key to best protect the construction company as well as the client.

 

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Tired of Doing It All?

Feel like you’re drowning in stress?

No time for Estimating?

Are you missing opportunities because you can’t get to them?

Beginning to feel helpless?

STOP!!

At times we’re all guilty of taking on too much.

Step back, take a breath, smell the air, admire the clouds.

Spend time with your family. Do something special for yourself.

This will help you refocus and give you an opportunity to clear the fog.

No one is an island.

Managing a business is difficult at best, however trying to be the boss, a tradesmen, salesman, accountant, admin, project manager and estimator can be overwhelming; as well as unproductive.

Wearing too many hats, in the long run, will limit your growth.

This is where Chianelli Estimating can be an integral tool for Freelance Estimating solutions to help alleviate one aspect of the many demands placed upon you.

Let’s face it, estimating and quantity take-off consumes large blocks of precious time which requires complete concentration.

Chianelli Estimating is dedicated to assisting our clients with the utmost professionalism, using industry leading software and digital takeoff tools such as: Sage Estimating, eTake-off, eBridge, Planswift and RS Means for worksheet development.

Many clients want us to do the heavy lifting and provide them with quantity take-off only and they input their own pricing. This drastically reduces the amount of time they would have spent quantifying all the parts and pieces but still allows them the comfort of using their normal company price structure; while others desire a more comprehensive package. Either way our mission is to be there when you need us for a bit of help.

Consider using our outsource estimating assistance.

It just may be the answer to melt that stress away.

Remember no one says “I wish I worked more and spent less time with my family” as their last words.

Ahhh, doesn’t that feel better already?

Time to Exhale!!!

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Quantity Take-offs by Construction Estimating Services can benefit Builders & General Contractors

Is there a last minute bid opportunity that you need of assistance with?

Do you have too many bids proposals to handle and not enough staff when a last minute “emergency” bid is due

Send your your blue prints to an experienced Construction Estimating Service

They can provide a quantity take-off or a complete estimate or for those emergency bid occasions.

Their quantity take-offs can be used to plug into your worksheets saving you valuable time.

Many Builders & General Contractors have benefited with reduced costs by outsourcing, alleviating the need of hiring a full time Estimator.

Using the construction estimator’s take-off spreadsheets can also be a valuable guideline for checking quantities as a comparative analysis to ensure no missed items occur.

Consideration is given to every division in order to provide you the details necessary for double checking self-performance work and to compare to your subcontractors proposals.

Experienced Estimating Companies use the latest technology in the estimating process which provides more accuracy and inefficiency with the estimate take-off. 

Construction Estimating Companies will be able to provide seasoned professionals with vast experience; which places confidence in the quantity take-offs needed for builders and general contractors.

The use of Freelance Estimators can aid in both temporary situations or for permanent use for your construction estimating.

Quantity takeoff and estimating services can help builders & general contractors with:

  • Pricing, project analysis and negotiations
  • Preparation & submission of bid proposals.
  • Procurement of Sub-Contractors
  • Processing and formalizing Sub-Contract documents 
  • Double checking sub-contractors estimates or change orders applications 
  • Evaluation of Sub-Contract work in progress 
  • Account substantiation of Schedule of Values and monthly Application for Payment
  • Variations in project costs
  • Design-Build guideline costs 
  • Value Engineering
  • Preparation Costs for Final Close-Out

Builders & General Contractors should look for well rounded estimating portfolios that includes experience in all categories of the construction industry such as: 

  • Commercial – New
  • Commercial – Renovations & Fit-outs
  • Historical Restorations
  • Residential – New – Single, Multi-Family & Complexes
  • Residential – Renovations & Remodeling – Single, Multi-Family & Complexes
  • Municipal
  • Governmental
  • Industrial
Builders & General Contractors can benefit by using a Construction Estimating Service and should consider using one to assist their company.


 

 

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Building a Construction Estimate

Residential Estimating and Commercial Estimating projects require a similar approach for the construction estimate.

 

Building a precise Construction Estimate has many components:

  • Accurate quantity take-offs
  • Proper crew sizing
  • Applicable labor rates
  • Production rates
  • Material costs
  • Subcontractor quotes
  • Equipment costs
  • Logistics and Environmental considerations
  • Eliminating emotional ties for a particular
  • Drawing from past experience
  • Using common sense and reality checks

These are all critical ingredients to estimating your construction projects.

 

It’s a challenge for most small and medium sized contractors to bid regularly job after job. 

Sometimes there’s just not enough time to get everything done. All too often, you’re overwhelmed with the amount of work you have to do, whether or not its job related.

Why not consider using an experienced outsource estimating company as a solution?

  • The estimating is done by professionals who are strictly devoted to construction estimating and only construction estimating.
  • All component aspects are analyzed and fine-tuned individually for each project.  
  • You will have additional time to devote to running and growing your business; while your estimates and bid proposals continue on a regular basis.
  • When the estimate is near completion, it’s the perfect time to review all the estimate spreadsheets and related take-off data. The final adjustments can then be made by you as you feel necessary.

The best part is; you had the freedom to devote more time to your company while the estimate work was being done concurrently.

Letting professional estimators assist you with the construction estimating can be the answer to consistent bidding.

Consider outsource estimating.

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Tips for a Successful Project

   

Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance

The Five “P’s”

It’s true; we reap what we sow.

It’s no accident when a construction project is built on time and within budget; without sacrificing quality workmanship or materials.

From the outset, construction estimating is the backbone for establishing a solid foundation for any project.  It all starts there.

We’ve all heard about the project from hell?

To avoid this scenario and improve your chances of success, it’s best to follow this principle: 

KISS = Keep it Simple Stupid

  • Take the time necessary to design a project within your budget.
  • Depending upon the project size, develop cost estimates at various stages of design to ensure the budget is realistic or design changes can be made early on. It is far better, and less expensive, to work out all the kinks in the design stage rather than once construction begins.Remember contractors love change orders.
  • Solicit reputable contractors to submit proposals broken down by areas of work or divisions and thoroughly review their proposals against your estimate for cost verification. Every proposal should be submitted with details. All proposals must be submitted on an apples for apples basis to establish fairness of proposals.
  • When going over bids, remember that the lowest bid is not always the best. Examine bids carefully to determine which contractor provides the best service, selects the highest quality materials for your project, is most experienced, and seems most capable of completing the project to meet your expectations, in the best timeline possible
  • Enter into a contract that is clear with all project criteria included; specifications, project drawings, materials, time lines, payment schedules, required inspections, project close-out procedures, etc.
  • Establish payment milestones that fairly represent work in place. Be aware for contractor front-loading costs that inflate actual work in place. REMEMBER – You have invested in that Construction Estimate for exactly this purpose. It will pay for itself over and over again.
  •  Progress meetings are the key to avoiding unnecessary project problems and regular communication is imperative. Remember, project success is a two-way street.
  • If a problem does arise and a disagreement develops between you and your contractor, stay calm so that tempers do not flare. Set a time for you and your contractor to get together, and go over the problem. Listen to your contractor’s side of things, and request they do the same for you. Don’t bury your head in the sand until the problem gets out of hand.
  • As the project approaches completion, ensure punch lists are developed and completed, officials have signed-off and all closeout documentation has been received and submitted to the necessary agencies.

Investing in a detailed pre-construction estimate provides extreme value and will be used for checks and balances throughout the  project.

There is never any guarantee that a construction project will run smoothly, however following these tips should help you toward that success.