

Construction
ESTIMATE

ENGR. MERLIN D. HERRERA, CE, EnSE, ME

FEU-EAST ASIA COLLEGE PLAN & SPECIFICATIONS
 ESTIMATING PROCESS

ESTIMATING IS A PROCESS.
Information must be
• Assembled
• Evaluated
• documented,
• and managed in an organized manner
 ESTIMATING PROCESS

STANDARDIZATION is the key word

in preparing reliable estimates.
 PREPARING ESTIMATES:

•updating information with the management/ owner.

•Simple “intuitive” checks for reasonable comparison
based on similar project
•Quality & amount of information available
•Time allocated to prepare the estimates
•Proficiency of the estimator & the estimating team
•Tools & technique used in preparing estimate
Construction Estimating Tips

1. Planning
2. Flexibility
3. Technology
Construction Estimating Tips 
1. PLANNING:

• set a clear construction plan

• Working PLAN
• Know exactly what you want to do,
• Estimating Process
• sample estimate
• how quickly you want it done
• how many people you will have
working on it.
• the time frame for which you will be
doing the construction is important.

WORKING PLAN & SPECIFICATIONS

Construction Estimating Tips

The WORKING DRAWINGS ( construction
plans) : are the graphical presentation on
paper that enables the reader to visualize and
understand how the building would be
constructed and how it functions.
• Working PLAN
• Estimating Process
SPECIFICATIONS: are written stipulations
• sample estimate stating:

•Construction methods to followed

•Standards of workmanships
•Kinds and quality of materials to be used

WORKING PLAN & SPECIFICATIONS

Construction Estimating Tips

The WORKING DRAWINGS includes:

1. Architectural Plan
a. Perspective
b. Site Development Plan
c. Location Plan
• Working PLAN d. Floor Plans
• Estimating Process e. Transverse Section & longitudinal Plan
• sample estimate 2. Structural Plan
a. Foundation Plans
b. Floor Framing Plans
c. Roof Framings
d. Detail Plans
3. Plumbing /sanitary Plan
4. Electrical Plan
5. Mechanical Plan

WORKING PLAN & SPECIFICATIONS

Construction Estimating Tips


• Working PLAN
• Estimating Process
• sample estimate
Construction Estimating Tips


• Working PLAN
• Estimating Process
• sample estimate
Construction Estimating Tips


• Working PLAN
• Estimating Process
• sample estimate
Construction Estimating Tips


• Working PLAN
• Estimating Process
• sample estimate
Construction Estimating Tips


• Working PLAN
• Estimating Process
• sample estimate
Construction Estimating Tips


• Working PLAN
• Estimating Process
• sample estimate
Construction Estimating Tips


• Working PLAN
• Estimating Process
• sample estimate
Construction Estimating Tips


• Working PLAN
• Estimating Process
• sample estimate

WORKING PLAN & SPECIFICATIONS

Construction Estimating Tips


• Working PLAN
• Estimating Process
• sample estimate

WORKING PLAN & SPECIFICATIONS

Construction Estimating Tips


• Working PLAN
• Estimating Process
• sample estimate

WORKING PLAN & SPECIFICATIONS

Construction Estimating Tips


• Working PLAN
• Estimating Process
• sample estimate

WORKING PLAN & SPECIFICATIONS

Construction Estimating Tips


• Working PLAN
• Estimating Process
• sample estimate

WORKING PLAN & SPECIFICATIONS

Construction Estimating Tips 
DETAILED ESTIMATE

• Break the project into cost center

• Working PLAN
• Estimate the quantities required that
• Estimating Process
• sample estimate
represent physical end item (quantity
take off) and non physical item
(indirect cost)

WORKING PLAN & SPECIFICATIONS

Construction Estimating Tips 
MATERIAL ESTIMATES

Work Items.
• Working PLAN
Materials.
• Estimating Process
• sample estimate
Quantities.
Waste Factors.
Total Material Requirements.
Bills of Materials.

WORKING PLAN & SPECIFICATIONS

Construction Estimating Tips 
EQUIPMENT/PERSONNEL
ESTIMATES

Work Items. (Activities)

• Working PLAN
• Estimating Process
Material Quantities. (Units of work)
• sample estimate Work Rate. (Man-hour Tables)
Standard Work Effort (Labor). (Quantity x Work
Rate)
Efficiency Factor. Represented as a Percentage)
Troop Effort (Total Labor Hours). (Standard Effort /
Efficiency)
Duration (Hours, Days, Weeks, or Months). (Troop
Effort / Crew Size
Construction Estimating Tips 
Example of item to be estimated

1. General requirements
2. Site construction
• Working PLAN
• Estimating Process
3. Concrete works
• sample estimate 4. Masonry
5. Metals
6. Carpentry Works
7. Doors & windows
8. Finishing
9. Special construction
10. Plumbing
11. electrical
Construction Estimating Tips 
• General requirements

1. Permits
2. Insurances
• Working PLAN
• Estimating Process
3. etc
• sample estimate
Construction Estimating Tips 
• Site Construction

1. Temporary facilities
2. Temporary office
• Working PLAN
• Estimating Process
3. Barracks
• sample estimate 4. Excavation / backfill for foundation
Construction Estimating Tips 
• Concrete works

• Working PLAN
• Estimating Process
• sample estimate
Construction Estimating Tips 
• Metals

• Working PLAN
• Estimating Process
• sample estimate
Construction Estimating Tips 
• Carpentry Works &
• Doors & windows

• Working PLAN
1. Provide detail plan of particular item
• Estimating Process 2. Be particular of quality of materials to be
• sample estimate
used
3. ( for doors & windows) mostly per item per
quotation
Construction Estimating Tips 
• Finishing (floor, wall , painting)

1. Provide detail plan of particular item

,specially small item
• Working PLAN
• Estimating Process
2. Be particular of quality of materials to be
• sample estimate used
3. ( for painting) identify the number of
coatings . Be careful in identifying the wall
materials ( concrete, wood, steel)
Construction Estimating Tips 
• Electrical & plumbing

1. Provide scaled isometric view

2. Be particular in the layout bending ( the
• Working PLAN
• Estimating Process
more the bend , the more fittings acce)
• sample estimate 3. ( for fixtures) double check the quality of
fixtures to be used
Construction Estimating Tips 
AVOIDING ERRORS IN ESTIMATES

• Spend more time on large costs

• Working PLAN
• Prepare detailed estimate
• Estimating Process
• sample estimate
• Mark item counted during the
quantity take off
• Perform calculations in two ways
• Standardization
• Have someone review the estimate
• Review each cost as a percentage of
the total costs
Construction Estimating Tips 
SOME EXAMPLE OF PREPARING
THE ESTIMATE

• Working PLAN • CONRETE WORKS

• Estimating Process
• sample estimate
PROCEDURE:
1. Compute the volume of the concrete
member in cubic meter, based on the plan
2. Add the computed volume of concrete to
the allowance for wastage (varies/ say 10 %
foundation, 5% for others)
3. Check the strength of concrete (“class”),
then Multiply the design factor
4. compute the amount of sand , gravel and
cement.
PRACTICAL EXERCISE
 CONCRETE BUILDING PARTS

Types of Ventilation

Architectural plan
 CONCRETE BUILDING PARTS

CLASS OF CEMENT:SAND: APPROX.

CONCRETE GRAVEL BY STRENGTH
VOLUME (28 DAYS)

AA 1-1 ½ :3 4000-3500 psi

A 1:2:4 3000-2500 psi

B 1-2 ½ :5 2000-1500 psi

C 1:3:6 1000-500 psi

D 1-3 ½ :7 Less than 500 psi

COURTESY OF:

ESTIMATING BILL OF MATERIALS BY: V. TAGAYUN

 CONCRETE BUILDING PARTS

CLASS OF CEMENT SAND GRAVEL APPROX.

CONCRETE (no. of (cu.m.) (cu.m.) STRENGTH
bags) (28 DAYS)

AA 10.46 .42 .84 4000-3500 psi

A 7.85 .42 .84 3000-2500 psi

B 6.49 .44 .87 2000-1500 psi

C 5.49 .44 .89 1000-500 psi

D 4.82 .45 .91 Less than 500 psi

COURTESY OF:

ESTIMATING BILL OF MATERIALS BY: V. TAGAYUN

SOLUTION 
Sample:

1.FOOTING –class A
Step 1
Vol= l x w x t
Vol= 0.75 x 0.75 x 0.35 = 0.197 cu. m.
15 FOOTING = 0.197 X 15 = 2.95 cu m.

Step 2
Allow (for footing say 10%)
TOTAL VOLUME= 2.95 + 2.95 x 0.10 = 3.24 cu.m.

Step 3 – class A
Cement = 3.24 cu.m. x 7.85
= 25.434; 26 bags of cement
Sand = 3.24 cu. m. x 0.42 = 1.361 cu.m.
Gravel = 3.24 cu. m. x 0.84 = 2.722 cu.m.
SOLUTION 
SOLUTION 
Sample:

2. COLUMN –class B
Step 1
Vol= l x w x t
Vol= 0.30 x 0.30 x 3.60 = 0.324 cu. m.
15 COLUMN = 0.324 X 15 = 4.86 cu m. ( WARNING: BE
CAREFUL IN HEIGHT OF COLUMN)

Step 2
Allow (for column say 5%)
TOTAL VULUME= 4.86 + 4.86 x 0.05 = 5.103 cu.m.

Step 3 – class B
Cement = 5.103 cu.m. x 6.49
= 33.119; 34 bags of cement
Sand = 33.119 cu. m. x 0.44 = 14.572 cu.m.
Gravel = 33.119 cu. m. x 0.87 = 28.813 cu.m.
SOLUTION 
SOLUTION 
Sample:

2.
DESCRIPTION MARK QTY DIMENSION Add’l TOTAL UNIT REMARKS
factor

PCS W T L/H volume

1 . FOOTING F1 15 .75 .75 .35 10% 3.24 Cu. m. Gri d A to F/

2. COLUMN C1 15 0.3 0.3 3.6 5% 5.103 Cu.m. Grid a to F

3. WALL FOOTING

4. FTB/ BEAM

5. ROOF BEAM
SOLUTION 
Sample:

2.
DESCRIPTION QTY UNIT CLASS
TYPE
CEMENT SAND GRAVEL

factor qty unit factor qty unit factor qty unit

1 . FOOTING 3.24 Cu.m. A 7.85 25.5 BAG .42 1.36 Cu.m. .84 2.72 Cu.m.

2. COLUMN C1 Cu.m. 15 Cu.m. Cu.m.

3. WALL
FOOTING

4. FTB/ BEAM

5. ROOF BEAM

A 7.85 .42 .84

You have now been given the
tools necessary to use IN
construction ESTIMATE to
your advantage…..
CONTINUE THE ESTIMATES…
REFERENCES:
Construction estimating software reviews and comparisons

Read more: Best Way - Construction Estimating Tips | eHow.com

http://www.ehow.com/way_5163897_construction-estimating-
tips.html#ixzz0zyrdBCCq

http://www.articlesnatch.com/Article/Construction-Estimating-Tips
QUESTIONS?

THAT’S ALL FOLKS.

ENGR. MERLIN D. HERRERA, CE, ME ?