Structural Engineering and Construction Estimating
Structural Engineering and Construction Estimating
(OP)
I am trying to not to reach too far past this forum's purpose, but I often find while writing structural condition assessments that I am asked to provide a preliminary estimate on probably construction costs. How do other engineers prepare these estimates?
I am familiar with RSMeans, but I am always a little leery depending upon that alone. Is there a manual/textbook that engineers use to serve as a good primer on estimating?
I am familiar with RSMeans, but I am always a little leery depending upon that alone. Is there a manual/textbook that engineers use to serve as a good primer on estimating?
"We shape our buildings, thereafter they shape us." -WSC






RE: Structural Engineering and Construction Estimating
On moderate to large projects, we have encouraged the owner to engage the services of an independent construction estimator. They are usually retired contractors that understand where to get good information. We also sell this as a benefit to the owner in that the estimator can, in some ways, bring successful elements of a design-build job to a design-bid-build team because the impact of the price of design decisions can be measured while the design is ongoing. Those that have had good design-build jobs in the past often see the benefit in this and bring the estimator on board.
For small projects, where there isn't a lot of "stuff" included, I use some basic cost figures:
4 laborer crew with foreman = appx $3,000 / day
Concrete = $300/cu. yd. - $500/cu. yd. installed
Steel = $1/lb fabricated plain steel
Wood = lowes website with the labor rate above
masonry = no real good value for this...usually means
These are very rough figures but usually get me close when it's a simple design.
PE, SE
Eastern United States
"If a builder builds a house for someone, and does not construct it properly, and the house which he built falls in and kills its owner, then that builder shall be put to death!"
~Code of Hammurabi
RE: Structural Engineering and Construction Estimating
RS Means is OK; although I take their production rates with a grain of salt. There is no silver bullet to estimating. Textbooks generally present different methods of preparing preliminary estimates. The key in coming up with a good estimate, if you're going bottom up, is production rate; that establishes the labor and equipment costs.
If these are small jobs you're working on, try calling some contractors. Often they're happy to get the inside track on a job.
RE: Structural Engineering and Construction Estimating
RE: Structural Engineering and Construction Estimating