Construction Estimating Using Excel

Professor Locurcio

CON4003, CVE4073, CVE5073

Performing Quantity Take Offs Work Packages Communication in the Field Counted Items Linear Components Sheet and Roll Items Volumetric Goods Quantity-From-Quantity Goods Waste

The process of preparing a complete list of all components needed to complete the project

Includes all components including site and direct overhead

Units include all common units (feet, sq. feet, yards, etc.), months, each, and lump sum

Determine all materials, equipment, and labor

Building the project from the bottom up in the mind

Example: Prehung Door

Related labor tasks are divided into work packages

Job cost codes may be broken into multiple work packages

Example: The same lumber used in different floors of a building

Should match project sequence and scheduling

Foundation wall package (top)

Foundation footing package (bottom)

Anchor bolts are placed in concrete first, so they are part of the wall package

Estimators and workers need to communicate to prevent delays in the project

Methods and procedures can differ, creating problems

Counted Items

Linear Components

Sheet and Roll Items

Volumetric Goods

Quantity-From-Quantity Goods

Simplest way to determine quantity

Important to check off items already counted

Count repetitive items using equations (????)

Members at both ends, Eqn. 4-1Number = (Distance / Spacing)+1 Member at one end, Eqn. 4-2Number = (Distance / Spacing)

No end members, Eqn. 4-3Number = (Distance / Spacing)-1

120 ft.

16

+ 1

Components measured by length

Can be connected with lap or butt joints

Distance between the start of two linear components

Number = (Length / Effective Length)

Components measured by area

Can be butt, lap, or spaced jointed

Two methods: Area and Row/Column

8ft

50ft

Effective Area8 x 18 = 128 in3

15 5/8”3/8”

16”

8”

Number = (NumberRows)(NumberColumns) Eqn. 4-18

Example:

Volume = (Length)(Width)(Height) Eqn. 4-19

Additional volume formulas in Appendix A

Example

(Concrete, Sand, Rock)(Concrete, Sand, Rock)

Quantity estimated from another quantity

Examples:

1 gal paint covers 250sf of wall

1 lb of nails covers 100sf of roofing

Unavoidable waste should be included

Expressed as a percentage of calculated quantity

Distance = 120 ft = 120 ft (12 in/1 ft) = 1,440 inches

Spacing = 16 inches on centerNumber = (1,440 inches / 16 inches) + 1 = 91

studs

Book problems only ask for quantity I require….

a) Quantity… plusb) Material Costc) Equipment Costd) Labor Coste) Total Cost per unitf) Excel Format

1. Identify items to be counted2. Determine quantities needed for each item3. Select “correct” RSMeans item – CSI format4. Cite RSMeans line item selected5. Use Excel columns for Material & Labor Costs6. Note… cite units for all items

Differs from item to item Differs from text questions

7. Determine total cost for each item8. Sum all line item costs for materials & labor9. Add OH & Profit at end

1. Homework due for Thursday….

2. Shed Estimate… 3 documentsa) Cover sheetb) Transmittal letter w/total costc) Excel sheet with itemized costs