Inspection Fees
Inspection Fees
(OP)
Threshold inspect fees for a large threshold commercial building in South Florida, (without any drawings).
Project involves pilecaps, reinforced concrete columns shearwalls, post-tensioned concrete slabs, and reinforced masonry...
What would you think is a resonable estimate for the lump sum fee based ONLY on the total cubic yards that was provided.
(i.e. $/cy)
Thank you for your thoughts,
Project involves pilecaps, reinforced concrete columns shearwalls, post-tensioned concrete slabs, and reinforced masonry...
What would you think is a resonable estimate for the lump sum fee based ONLY on the total cubic yards that was provided.
(i.e. $/cy)
Thank you for your thoughts,






RE: Inspection Fees
I would only price the project if they allowed a lump sum based on "X" days of inspection with a price for additional days. The contractor has no incentive to help you meet your assumptions and might even try to burn your budget up so that inspections get less rigorous as the project progresses.
RE: Inspection Fees
however, if you thought you would be pouring or ready to inspect on a certain day and had equipment breakdowns or inclement weather or any of a miriad other delays that can happen then you would be paying an inspector to just sit around and get paid.
on the other hand if you were quoted an hourly rate and were using a "local" inspector the travel & dead time would be minimized as most charge a minimum half day just for showing up instead of a whole day rate.
scheduling an inspector when other competing projects are going on is difficult, so i would suggest talking to several independents or inspection agencies to work out an inspection program you both can agree on for the success of the project.
RE: Inspection Fees
Thanks
RE: Inspection Fees
to my knowledge i have never heard of contracting inspection by the CY or the linear foot or even by the spool piece - it is usually by the hour plus travel.
for future project planning i have gone back and calculated this figure based on the overall cost of previous projects.
RE: Inspection Fees
Most special inspection agencies (including CMT firms) I am familiar with, base their inspection fees on time and material and bill in 2, 4, or 8 hour minimums (plus travel, report preparation etc)..albeit there are some clients who prefer a lump sum amount. Without the benefit of previous experience on costs associated with offering this type of service, you run the risk of blowing the budget if you opt for a lump sum fee or fee based on volume of concrete.
Some follow-up questions:
1. Let's say there'll be masonry construction and concrete placement going on at the same time, do you envisage using 1 theshold inspector for both types of work or 2? This is something you'll have to take into account.
2. What about fees for materials testing and field technician support(testing fresh concrete etc)? Is this something another firm will be handling?
RE: Inspection Fees
Otherwise I have not heard of this for a method of quoting a professional fee. Day or hourly rates are the standard. Upsets and qualifications are also a good idea.
RE: Inspection Fees
1. I assume you mean you don't have drawings from which to prepare your estimate. Threshold inspection can't be done properly without drawings.
2. Before you give a price, find the threshold inspection plan (which must be filed in Florida). This will basically outline your scope of services.
3. Find the contractor's schedule. That's more important than the volume of concrete. A hundred cubic yards placed at one time will cost "$x" to inspect....a hundred cubic yards placed at 5 different times will cost a lot more to inspect.
4. Remember, you must inspect each structural component and you must review the concrete compressive strength test results as part of your service.
5. You must also be either a Florida Certified Special Inspector or a qualified delegate as defined in the law.
RE: Inspection Fees