Construction management & general contracting are useful for managing a construction project efficiently

General contracting and construction management are the inherent part of a construction project. Both of them are useful for coordinating and handling projects. But there are basic differences concerning the organizational structure, business relationships, and project entry points.

General Contracting: A general contractor deals with the supervision and management of a construction project. The general contractor accomplishes diversified functionalities as below :-

• appoint and administer subcontractors

• Correspond with and between subcontractors

• Coordinate and plan all job from beginning to completion

• Look into the matter so that subcontractors get payment in a timely manner

• Organize all work to be completed with the project

• Give updates and make contact with the client

The GC is an individual, partnership, corporation, or business body liable for controlling and executing construction related works. There are several well qualified peoples like supervisors, general labor, subcontractors as well as other trades who work in tandem with GC in construction projects. Generally the GC manages the complete project but he/she can also perform with a particular section ranging from the foundation or masonry.

On the basis of design suggested by the client, the GC generally works on a bid process. The client can appoint the GC depending on the low-priced bid, top qualifications, or other scale. Profit can be gained if the GC is capable of executing the project lower than the bid price. If the project contains unanticipated costs, the client will have to reimburse more, modify the project specs, or trim down the project's scope.

Construction Management: The duties and responsibilities of a construction manager are identical with the general contractor. However, the CM is not involved directly on the jobsite where there are general labors or other trade works. The CM plays a similar role of a project manager. The construction manager takes the responsibilities for the planning, coordination, and management of the project on the whole. The main functionality of the construction manager is to offer the client with a functional project.

A CM is appointed to a project prior to a GM generally joins. The CM contributes to the design progression; provide suggestions on desired features, specifications and materials chosen. The CM will frequently offer proposals useful for enhancing the value of the project upon completion and arranging the project for smooth running.

The construction manager performs on the basis of a percentage relating to the project costs. A CM is generally selected for qualifications over lowest price. A construction manager will employ the subcontractors and tradesmen generally via a bid process.

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Published By

Rajib Dey

www.quantity-takeoff.com

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Increase the tenure of your building construction with ‘PURe'

Make your construction process smarter with 'PURe'. It is a strong & hard polyurethane based product having timberless body structure.

The product is water resistant and improves the longibility of the building structure to a great extent.

Watch the live demonstration.

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Published By

Rajib Dey

www.quantity-takeoff.com

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Flat Roof and Subcontractor for Coverings Estimating Module

This video clip will show you how the Flat Roof and Subcontractor for Coverings Estimating Module works.

Easy Price Pro has over 135 Estimating Modules to select from - you are able to add them to your Renovations and Alterations Utlra program.

The program will make all the calculations for you and will produce a range of professional reports (e.g. Material Order Sheet, Bill of Quantities, Written Quotation) automatically.

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Published By

Arka Roy

www.quantity-takeoff.com

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Detailed Estimating Sheet

Detail sheets consist of the genuine quantities and unit prices intended for each of the construction categories. To make the estimating process uncomplicated, various formulas can be put in to carry out the calculations. It will save huge time for builder.

As soon as the detailed sheets are formed, the estimator just has to provide the take-off quantities for the different items. Line item totals, category totals as well as several line-item quantities are automatically calculated from the take-off quantities. If any alterations occur, all calculations are automatically and rapidly updated. The category totals on the detail sheets can be connected to the summary sheet in order that it automatically copies the totals from the detail sheets.

The Video Link is http://www.quantity-takeoff.com/detailed-estimating-sheet.htm

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Published By

Arka Roy

www.quantity-takeoff.com

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Hard Cost Estimating of Labor Worksheet

In order to make exact estimate for your work as well as profitability, it is essential to determine your labor costs.

Hard cost of labor worksheet comes up with your predictable labor costs for any project that may consist of everything necessary to pay off and support field employees. This labor rate is known as the burdened cost of labor or your burdened labor rate. Here, the total projected cost is then highlighted with a prearranged factor hence the selling price also includes your overhead and planned profit.

This Labor Worksheet generates the burdened cost of labor and it is calculated with variation among the the hourly pay provided to an employee and the actual hours of the employees for making income. This worksheet includes all of the hours for paid vacations, holidays, participating in training programs or trade events and company meetings in the anticipated labor costs.

 
The worksheet facilitates to figure out the exact labor by segregating the total annual cost to pay off and support each employee with the number of working hours for making income.

The Hard cost of labor worksheet takes into consideration non-productive time and other labor allied expenses into a burdened labor rate. The labor worksheet also highlights other related expenses compensated by the business like payroll taxes, liability insurance and and workers compensation insurance etc.

  

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Published By

Arka Roy

www.quantity-takeoff.com

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A free Estimating & On Screen Takeoff Template for measuring electronic plan

In this video, the viewer will get a demonstration for on screen takeoff software program for electronic plans that is a plug-in for Excel. If any user applies Microsoft Excel as their estimating software, or takeoffs, or proposals, then this Electronic Plan Takeoff software program for Excel will provide huge benefits to him.

The Estimating and Takeoff process are often very challenging and time consuming tasks in the construction estimating software world. In this video, we demonstrate an on screen take off software program for electronic plans that is a plug-in for Excel.

Please email at takeoff@reiterandcompany.com or call 1-800-482-1014 for having a live in-depth presentation suitable in your time-zone from Monday to Friday.

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Published By

Arka Roy

www.quantity-takeoff.com

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Elements of a Cost Estimate

The foundation for a successful estimate depends on authentic takeoff of the quantities of the various materials involved in the project. The various elements that lead to an effective cost estimate are as:

Labor Hours: Labor hour amounts can be prepared by crew analysis or applied on a unit man-hour basis. The use of a labor dollar per unit of work is only applicable when the cost history supports the data that is being used. The estimator should make allowance for the varying production capability that occurs on the basis of the complexity of a project.

Labor Rates: The labor rate or wage is the cost per hour for the craftsmen on the project. To determine any craft rate, whether union or open shop, the estimator should start with the basic wages and fringe benefits. The estimator should include payroll burdens to the wages and fringe benefits. These are FICA (Social Security), SUI (State Unemployment Insurance), FUI (Federal Unemployment Insurance), WC (Worker Compensation) and others mandated by legislation and/or company operations. These burdens, along with the base wages and fringe benefits, determine the hourly cost of a craft classification which includes carpenter, pipefitter, etc.

The hourly rate can also include an amalgamated crew where different crafts are required for the performance of the work. Overtime or the lack of overtime is another factor that determines the calculation of the hourly rates. A project that is scheduled for completion using a forty hour work week will have a modest amount of overtime costs needed in the estimate. A project that is scheduled for extended 50, 60 or 70 hour work weeks will have a substantial amount included for overtime and loss of productivity.

Material Prices: Material prices fluctuate up and down every now and then and it is important that the estimator understands as well as anticipates the frequency and extent of the price variations and the timing of the buying cycle. Material prices can be affected by:

• Purchase at a peak or dropping time of the year for the manufacturer
• Availability of material
• The size of the order
• The delivery timeframe requirement
• Physical requirements for delivery, such as distance, road size, or site access
• Payment terms and history on previous purchases
• Sole-source items
• Exchange rates (if the material need to be imported into the U.S.)

Equipment Costs: Equipment rates depend on the project conditions to decide on the accurate size or capacity of equipment necessary to execute the work. When interfacing with other equipment, cycle times and equipment capacity control the costs on the project. Costs also vary if the equipment is owned by the contractor and not rented.

Subcontractor Quotes: A subcontractor quote, like the general estimate, contains labor, material, equipment, indirect costs, and profit. It is dependent upon having the quantities, labor hours, hourly rate, etc., developed in an authentic way just like any other part of an estimate. The amount of the subcontractor quote is also depends on the payment terms of the contract, and previous payment history between the subcontractor and general contractor. It is significant to consider the bonding costs.

Indirect Costs: Indirect costs consist of labor, material, and equipment items that are necessary to support the overall project.

For the owner: Design fees, permits, land acquisition costs, legal fees, administration costs, etc.

For the contractor and subcontractor: Mobilization, staffing, on-site job office, temporary construction, temporary heat/cooling, and temporary utilities, equipment, small tools and consumables, etc.

Profit Amount: Appropriate or contracted profit rate should be applied uniformly to all contractors and to original bid and change orders.

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Published  By

Arka Roy

www.quantity-takeoff.com

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Robot Structural Analysis 2014 tutorial part 1

he new improved Robot Structural Analysis 2014 is advanced structural analysis software that offers structural engineers with advanced building simulation and structural element analysis capabilities for large, complex structures. The software provides a smooth workflow, helping engineers to perform simulation and analysis of a variety of structures quickly and easily. Some of its various features are as follows:

1. Flexible solving options
2. Wind load simulation
3. Direct Analysis Method
4. Bidirectional link with Revit
5. Advanced auto-meshing and structural modeling
6. Localized for global markets
7. Materials and design codes support
8. Integrated solution for concrete and steel
9. Open and flexible API
10.Structural loads and load combinations
11.Wide range of analysis capabilities
12.Engineering analysis solvers
13.Reporting analysis results support

  

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Published By
Arka Roy
www.quantity-takeoff.com
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Carrboro in Need of a Construction Management Plan

There is a new step in the approval process for developers who are looking to establish their business to Carrboro.

The Carrboro Board of Aldermen has approved of an amendment to the land use ordinance of the town to demand town approval of a construction management plan for developments with an important effect on public streets and other nearby properties.

The Carrboro Board of Aldermen has approved the text amendment with a hint of requirement for more meetings to be held between town staff, the developer and Carrboro residents. It has been notified that if there is a requirement of a construction management plan due to the development, a meeting will be organized by the developer after the permit is issued. And before the construction permit is issued a meeting will be held with other members of town staff. As per the text amendment, no construction on new developments can begin before the town agrees the construction management plan of the project.

It is notable that the board has discussed on changes and modifications to its land use ordinance on water quality buffers. The board has also asked the town staff to continue work with representatives from the Orange Water and Sewer Authority to decide on the width of sewer easements in the town.

The town’s development review administrator, Marty Roupe, said that town staffs have struggled to develop the apt language for the construction management plan text amendment. He also added that this amendment would fit the board’s objective for development in the town.

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Published By

Tuhin Maity

www.quantity-takeoff.com

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Fundamentals of Construction Management - a free eBook is just launched

Abimbola Olukemi Windapo has written an exclusive book titled as ‘Fundamentals of Construction Management’ for construction professional. The book contains 182 pages and price is free.

Introduction of author: Abimbola Olukemi Windapo has completed PhD in Building and gathered experience more than twenty five years along with teaching and research in the built industry . She performs as a senior lecturer at the Department of Construction Economics and Management, University of Cape Town, South Africa.

The Fundamentals of Construction Management is a vital book very useful to the construction professionals who wants to enhance their knowledge for dealing with the construction process.

Abimbola Olukemi Windapo has written this book after conducting a thorough research with up to date construction management and management literature, and the individual work experience. The book also follows a series of lecture notes utilized by the author for educating the following subjects: Management of Building Projects (University of Lagos), Construction Management I and II (Caleb University, Lagos), and Construction Management (University of Cape Town) between 1996 and 2012 (a sixteen year period).

The book offers a foundation for the distribution and incorporation of important knowledge essential for acknowledging the construction management practice and what it comprises of. Topics provided in the book range from introduction to construction management studies; theories applicable to construction management; the construction enterprise and its environment; the construction project and its environment; and construction management processes and practices applicable to small projects.

Download it free

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Published by Tuhin Maity
CAD Drafter & Designer
www.quantity-takeoff.com
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Some advance application useful for electrical engineers

Electrical Pro

Electrical Pro includes 4 in 1 app useful for electrical engineers, technicians and master electricians. Electrical Pro can easily work out several crucial electrical and technical calculations.

Electrical Calc Elite™ 

Electrical Calc Elite™ is compatible with both Android and iPhone. Electrical Calc Elite™ is designated for electrical professional designers, electrical engineers, master electricians, electrical maintenance managers, electrical inspectors and lighting specialists. Electrical Calc Elite™ is derived from National Electric Codes (US) and can rapidly and precisely solve code-related issues.

ElectroDroid

ElectroDroid is very useful for electronic engineers and hobbyists. ElectroDroid contains an user-friendly interface and compilation of electronics tools and reference. This app covers resistor colour code decoder, Ohm’s law calculator, voltage divider and a number of more applications. It is available with both free and pro version.

Voltage Drop Calculator

Voltage Drop Calculator is another useful tool for electrical engineer being utilized for computing voltage drop for a particular conductor, mode to output percent volt drop for a certain circuit length, wire gauge, and current. This crucial application can also find out wire size to fulfill particular voltage drop limits.

Fault Calculator pro

Electrical engineers/technicians are benefitted with this application as it can determine fault through a transformer and over a line and invigorating de-rate calculations. It is available with free and Pro version. Free version is restricted to fault during a transformer calculation.

Element14 Everywhere

This application is well matched with iPhone and facilitates users to get in touched with electrical mechanical engineers all over the world. One can get recent news, explore well-liked forum discussions and be in touch with other engineers on the fly. It’s a vast network discussion application.

EE Basics

It is a great Android application for both profession electrical engineers and master electricians that consist of a huge selection of electrical engineering calculations and essential data as well as Ohms law, motor equations, tables and reference materials.

EngCalc

It is an unique Android application for electrical engineers. It intended for electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, structural, machine design, fluid and mechanical, heat and mass transfer and HVAC, thermodynamics, pulp and paper, pipe flow and automotive engineers, EngCalc includes more than 500 different engineering formulas and 100 reference tables.


For any type of construction estimating/takeoff services, please visit us at www.quantity-takeoff.com

Some exclusive software for construction cost estimating

D4COST
D4COST is a professional preliminary cost estimating system useful for preliminary, conceptual design development square foot cost estimates as well as cost feasibility, valuation study, or budget.

The software is designated for thousands of building professionals ranging from Architects, General Contractors, Design Build Firms, Sub-Contractors, Estimating Firms, Appraisers, Engineering Firms, Valuation Companies, Insurance Companies, Consulting, Government Agencies, and Universities.

This estimating software contains a database of 1,100 historical projects, cost escalators and regional modifiers. These historical projects are broken down in the CSI MasterFormat™. The users can also effortlessly import their own proprietary company building cost data to generate own historical project library. This estimating software also consists of integral cost escalators.

The software is available in three different versioins :-
D4COST (full system)
D4COST Express Pro
D4COST Express

Free downloadable link
http://www.d4cost.com/down.html

Estimate Master
This unique estimating software can provide a great benefit to general contractors as well as trade-subcontractors. The software includes some excellent features like simple navigation and installation process, admirable help documentation etc.

The software contains a huge built-in database that accumulates all of your project details on materials, parts, labor work units, estimates and bid information to produce assemblies. By applying this estimating software one can also replicate cloned estimates.

This application empowers user to generate a new estimate, with related specifications as a previous estimate, by altering the estimate names and items rapidly to outline the new estimate.
This estimating software can create an annotated work orders to and formal bid / proposal documents from your estimates to split the estimate down into individual sections for smooth allocation to workers and subcontractors Estimate. Master is compatible with QuickBooks as an incorporated application.

The software comes up with in-built backup and restoration utility to take regular backup against data loss and synchronizes multiple databases.
Estimate Master's reporting capabilities are limited to one bid document having the final costs demonstrating markups, taxes, shipping and other costs. The bid document is customizable with incorporating the company logo and defining the bid body text.

Downloadable link
http://download.cnet.com/3001-2064_4-10207070.html?spi=a6de99e6a4d7185c37b9ed704aa2e0bc

CBD Estimating
CBD estimating software can be termed as a functional program especially for home builder program intended for small residential general contractors. It is a pre-programmed spreadsheet for Microsoft Excel This estimating software contains some unique feature like ease in navigation and installation and excellent help documentation.

In order to start quickly the users can apply the predefined categories and line items within the program.

This estimating software contains an open cell for special entries and pricing to be applied in the final calculations of the project. The program also come up with pre-defined formulas to compute lumber, roofs, sheetrock, foundations, stucco, brick, countertops and many other items mechanically with minimal input.

At the bottom of each screen there exist navigational tabs which direct you in carrying out numbering of cost codes, printing schedules and analyses, tracking all costs, and printing costs to complete and summary analyses.

Downloadable link
http://yourbittorrent.com/?q=cbd-estimating-3-0b

Estimaster2
Estimaster2 is a very basic construction estimating program beneficial for fulfilling the requirements of small construction and sub-contracting companies from all of the various trades.
This estimating software is utilized for simple estimate or a very detailed estimate and puts in various mark-ups, tax situations and waste allocations. The users can copy previous proposals from other projects to edit and make a new proposal promptly.

The software includes a library containing parts seamlessly combining labour and contract information to produce complex Quotes and proposals for detailed projects. The users is also able to create a small and simple part library to establish an estimate by simply summing basic item costs. This will help you to submit bids accurately and easily.

The first step in the estimation procedure is defining the materials database, categories and sub-categories. This estimating software allows users to provide great detail while defining categories. After the categories are defined, the software facilitates you to put in individual items concerned with each category. For every individual item, one is able to identify the quantities for which calculations for unit, material, labor, subcontract and equipment costs are calculated. At this time, the software let you to supply job information and monitor the estimate total. The next step to be followed is the actual building of the estimate. Initially, go through the estimate screen and calculate each item in the categories. Then choose each desirable category to be comprised in the bid. Once the estimate is built, this program hosts a builder's calculator which can compute quantities of specific items to be transferred to the estimate. When the estimate is completed, the program offers a choice of five report formats. These are pre-defined reports which can be selected to display your information.

Downloadable link
http://estimate.com.au/ellen1.htm

Posted by Rajib Dey
Business Development
Global Associates
A pioneer company in construction estimating
Join our estimating forum 

Seminar on construction project risk and control

An exclusive event on construction project risk and control will be held on 12th & 13th February 2012 in Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort, Abu Dhabi, UAE. The event will focus on how to defend your construction project’s success with the help of key strategic risk management control and methodologies.

The attendee will gain the following knowledge:-

• Can control their projects within interdepartmental risk management standards to gain transparency with one another
• Can control their project’s development and reduce risks
• Manage assets for the inferior outcome of project’s lifecycle with help of recognized and predictable risks
• Become expert on risk-based documents to care for your project’s reliability
• Make better budget control strategies to enhance project control intensity
• Anticipate alternate risk responses to make stronger project continuity
• Meet alternative methods to keep your budget

The following renowned personnel will held the chair :-

Dr Firas A. Zaki
Projects Controls Department Manager for Aljaber Engineering & Senior Vice President Membership/CoP (Elected)
PMI Arabian Gulf Chapter, Qatar

Stephen Hibbert Partner
Patton Boggs LLP, UAE
Head of Arbitration and Major Projects - Middle East for Patton Boggs, and specializes in project risk analysis

Also featuring international presentations by:
Dr. David Hancock
Head of Risk and Value
Transport for London, United Kingdom

Dr. Yasser Abdelghany
Construction Standards and Contracts Engineer - Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
Government of British Columbia, Canada

Paper to be presented was co-authored with:

Adel R. Zaki (M.Sc., P.Eng.)
Adjunct Professor
McGill and Concordia University
Vice President, Engineering
SNC Lavalin Inc., Canada


Dr. David Hancock
Head of Risk and Value
Transport for London, United Kingdom

Dr. Yasser Abdelghany
Construction Standards and Contracts Engineer - Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
Government of British Columbia, Canada

Paper to be presented was co-authored with:

Adel R. Zaki (M.Sc., P.Eng.), Adjunct Professor
McGill and Concordia University
Vice President, Engineering
SNC Lavalin Inc., Canada

Posted by Rajib Dey
Business Development
Global Associates
A pioneer company in construction estimating
Join our estimating forum