Estimating Level of Effort (hours budget) for Generic Reports

[hondashadow1100vt]

I am writing to ask for rules of thumb on how to estimate level of effort in hours for the preparation of reports (e.g., think stormwater management plans, etc.).

We have not previously prepared these types of reports for our client however they provide standard operating procedures and examples (which vary widely in level of detail). When originally pricing the work we used the following rule of thumb: 17 to 20-hours per page.

Would like to truth test this approximation with other methods for arriving at total hours to budget. Any input/feedback would be appreciated! Thanks all!

 

[BrianPetersen]

How much of it can you quasi-standardise and quasi-automate? How much of it can be "boilerplate" or close to it?

 

[cvg]

seems a bit high, most of my drainage reports run about 50 - 100 pages (plus appendices, does that count also?) which would be 1,000 to 2,000 hours which at my billing rate would be about $200,000 - $300,000 per "generic report". sounds too good to be true...

 

[casseopeia]

Holy Crap! Where can I get some of that 17-20 hours per page work? I generally estimate 6-8 hours per page for a technical report, generally a Property Condition Assessment with full MEP and seismic assessment. I also have been doing a few Historic Building Assessment and Preservation Reports. Those take a bit longer because of the research necessary. The only 'standardized' parts of either of those reports are the paragraphs that the legal department makes us put in.

If you are offended by the things I say, imagine the stuff I hold back.

 

[BrianPetersen]

We have a fairly high level of standardization ... to the extent that it is practical, pick and choose which standardized wording goes in the report depending on what situations exist and then customize to suit. BUT. It has taken years to get to that point, and that also has to be reflected in what's charged!