Planning, scheduling and control of the functions, operations, and resources related with a construction project can bring great benefits to the construction ranging from conception to post-construction analysis.
A construction schedule consists of a sequence of work tasks that are linked to each other in a logical manner. With a well-planned and realistic schedule that includes as many variables as possible the construction managers get updated with the new information. They are able to make adjustments instantly by rearranging the schedules and reduce hindrances and streamline a construction process.
The schedule is also utilized to track bids from original invitation or analysis during the hand over of the final bid.
Scheduling is needed in the following cases of a construction project :-
a) hierarchical breakdown of the project
b) integration of risk and improbability during activity time and cost estimate
c) modeling of dynamically allocated resources.
There are many factors like size and degree of difficulty of the structure, site and weather conditions, material and contractor accessibility, crew sizes, effective scheduling and communication, the number, timeliness, and complexity of the changes to the original contract etc. which may affect the actual scheduling of completion for a specific project.
The construction scheduling can bring so many benefits to contractors - find out critical paths and their dependencies for completion of a project on schedule, set up a comprehensible storage area of requirements, a workflow to attain it and follow any alterations to the set path, help track supply orders and control construction personnel as well as sub contractors.
With over ten years of experience in construction & scheduling and by applying state of the art technologies & cost estimating software, we will provide you a scheduling solution with which you can organize, schedule and control a single or multiple construction projects, take control of the scheduling process, reduce liability by saving Time and $ Money on your communication overhead.
We will help to complete every project on time and ensure you meet those project deadlines, pass your inspection.
In brief, our service can bring you the following benefits:-
• Control Time
• Reduce Liability
• Generate accountability and increased Profits
• Automate the projects control deliveries
• Capability to know your cash flow
• Increase Communication and manage the workload
• Adjust Profit Margins Resource Management
• Reach Purchasing Power Satisfied Customers
Rajib Dey
The construction estimating
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Monday, June 21, 2010
Construction budgeting process
Cost Control and Budgeting is the most vital factor for owners to maintain control of costs during the construction process. With construction budgeting, the owner can get a view of what the realistic final cost will be.
A capital improvement budget will help owner to raise fund early in the process and that will affect the final design and construction cost.
Besides, construction budgeting also plays a vital role in the selection of a designer for the project success. The owner can fix up the project design criteria once it gets an idea about the budget. The owner then approves the design and sent it to the designers for transforming the design into plans and specifications appropriate for construction.
If any project comes in over budget then it will create a great monetary loss and hamper the productivity.
We at global associates come up with some good cost estimating & takeoff softwares which can provide transparent and best possible cost reliability via forecasting, monitoring and controlling of costs. All project data are accessible at any time and are up-to-date all through the phases of evaluating economic efficiency, budgeting, tendering and invoicing.
Rajib Dey
The construction estimating
A capital improvement budget will help owner to raise fund early in the process and that will affect the final design and construction cost.
Besides, construction budgeting also plays a vital role in the selection of a designer for the project success. The owner can fix up the project design criteria once it gets an idea about the budget. The owner then approves the design and sent it to the designers for transforming the design into plans and specifications appropriate for construction.
If any project comes in over budget then it will create a great monetary loss and hamper the productivity.
We at global associates come up with some good cost estimating & takeoff softwares which can provide transparent and best possible cost reliability via forecasting, monitoring and controlling of costs. All project data are accessible at any time and are up-to-date all through the phases of evaluating economic efficiency, budgeting, tendering and invoicing.
Rajib Dey
The construction estimating
Competitive Bid Estimating for construction - A brief overview
A competitive bidding process, the most prevalent procurement method, used to control construction costs for owners. Now-a-days projects are very complex, and the best possible quote is treated as a compelling criterion for selection of a contractor. Poor management of the process may lead to the delay of project or a project over budget or both.
In traditional design-bid-build, price is considered to be the primary factor for determining who will win the project. The contract will be handed over to the contractor who will submit the lowest price.
The RFP, alias Invitation to Tender (ITT) or Request for Information (RFI), creates the cornerstone of this bidding process. For low-bid-selection, that generally connected with traditional design-build project delivery, utilizes the invitation for Bids (IFB).
Best value selection utilizes a Request for proposal (RFP), and qualifications based selection employs a Request for qualification (RFQ). RPF may be termed as a solicitation document, submitted by the owner, asking pricing and a technical solution for design and/or construction services.
After the completion of the design by design team, a number of construction companies or construction management companies are required to arrange a bid for the work, either based directly on the design, or on the basis of drawings and a bill of quantities provided by a quantity surveyor. A construction company participating in a bid always offers a quote that is lower than the actual cost of the project.
Construction bidding process starts with a set of contract documents. These contract documents include plans and specifications submitted by architects to the building contractors to generate free estimates for the cost of construction in detail. After reviewing all the plans and specifications the contractors make an estimate for the cost of the project. The estimate consists of all of the materials, labor, equipment, subcontracts, overhead, and profit required for the job. The estimates are then compiled into a sealed bid form and are submitted to the owner on a particular day and at a particular time. The sealed bids are opened and the owner will generally award a contract to the lowest responsible bidder.
We at global associates have been providing accurate cost estimating service for more than 10 years. We have some state of the art technologies and softwares that break down your bid summary including individual scope items precisely. The softwares also simplify the contractor's ability to compete with other bids process by tracking & reducing time, costs, and errors of a project to get the best price and quote estimate
Rajib Dey
The construction estimating
In traditional design-bid-build, price is considered to be the primary factor for determining who will win the project. The contract will be handed over to the contractor who will submit the lowest price.
The RFP, alias Invitation to Tender (ITT) or Request for Information (RFI), creates the cornerstone of this bidding process. For low-bid-selection, that generally connected with traditional design-build project delivery, utilizes the invitation for Bids (IFB).
Best value selection utilizes a Request for proposal (RFP), and qualifications based selection employs a Request for qualification (RFQ). RPF may be termed as a solicitation document, submitted by the owner, asking pricing and a technical solution for design and/or construction services.
After the completion of the design by design team, a number of construction companies or construction management companies are required to arrange a bid for the work, either based directly on the design, or on the basis of drawings and a bill of quantities provided by a quantity surveyor. A construction company participating in a bid always offers a quote that is lower than the actual cost of the project.
Construction bidding process starts with a set of contract documents. These contract documents include plans and specifications submitted by architects to the building contractors to generate free estimates for the cost of construction in detail. After reviewing all the plans and specifications the contractors make an estimate for the cost of the project. The estimate consists of all of the materials, labor, equipment, subcontracts, overhead, and profit required for the job. The estimates are then compiled into a sealed bid form and are submitted to the owner on a particular day and at a particular time. The sealed bids are opened and the owner will generally award a contract to the lowest responsible bidder.
We at global associates have been providing accurate cost estimating service for more than 10 years. We have some state of the art technologies and softwares that break down your bid summary including individual scope items precisely. The softwares also simplify the contractor's ability to compete with other bids process by tracking & reducing time, costs, and errors of a project to get the best price and quote estimate
Rajib Dey
The construction estimating
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Construction estimating with Microsoft Excell
Microsoft Excel is the most popular program to create quick and accurate construction cost estimates as it set up spreadsheets as a method for increasing estimating productivity and accuracy.
It can easily track your project expenses effectively and increase profits. Excel is considerably customizable to provide you the information in the format you choose. Excel allows the users to modify the application to the way they estimate with On-screen calculation.
Excell easily perform mundane calculation and your math is accurate every time you make calculation for estimating cost. Besides, in construction estimating there are lots of data and in case of any time of mistake excel can automatically recalculate all values for you.
There are many types of excel based estimating software and among them QuickMeasure On Screen is the most popular. It is a Windows based Monitor Takeoff software that facilitates construction estimator to perform pdf-takeoffs directly on PDF blueprint files or other digital plans inside of his or her Excel spreadsheet.
Takeoff quantities are build up in the QuickMeasure On Screen blueprint-software application or they can be sent directly to the existing Excel spreadsheet.
All the data are organized to any level of detail within your Excel spreadsheet and QuickMeasure On Screen will accumulate the details of your takeoff together with the graphic image right inside your Excel estimating spreadsheet.
Rajib Dey
The construction estimating
It can easily track your project expenses effectively and increase profits. Excel is considerably customizable to provide you the information in the format you choose. Excel allows the users to modify the application to the way they estimate with On-screen calculation.
Excell easily perform mundane calculation and your math is accurate every time you make calculation for estimating cost. Besides, in construction estimating there are lots of data and in case of any time of mistake excel can automatically recalculate all values for you.
There are many types of excel based estimating software and among them QuickMeasure On Screen is the most popular. It is a Windows based Monitor Takeoff software that facilitates construction estimator to perform pdf-takeoffs directly on PDF blueprint files or other digital plans inside of his or her Excel spreadsheet.
Takeoff quantities are build up in the QuickMeasure On Screen blueprint-software application or they can be sent directly to the existing Excel spreadsheet.
All the data are organized to any level of detail within your Excel spreadsheet and QuickMeasure On Screen will accumulate the details of your takeoff together with the graphic image right inside your Excel estimating spreadsheet.
Rajib Dey
The construction estimating
Cubic yard formula for concrete estimating
A cubic yard is one kind of unit of measurement mostly used in estimating the amount of concrete required for a project. In order to estimate the amount of concrete, the volume of the spaces occupied by the concrete should be determined first. Concrete is ordered by the cubic yard.
To calculate a cubic yard, use the formula by multiplying the length, width and height of the area. The cubic yard is equivalent to 27 cubic feet. One cubic yard of concrete would fill a container that is 1 yard by 1 yard by 1 yard or 3 feet by 3 feet by 3 feet or 27 cubic feet.
As for example a patio of 12 feet by 10 feet at 6 inches deep = (12' x 10' x 6") / 324 = approx. 2.25 cubic yards (2.22 rounded to a typical delivery amount)
Next, determine the depth desired in inches. Multiply the total square feet by the depth in inches. Divide it by 324.
Rajib Dey
The construction estimating
To calculate a cubic yard, use the formula by multiplying the length, width and height of the area. The cubic yard is equivalent to 27 cubic feet. One cubic yard of concrete would fill a container that is 1 yard by 1 yard by 1 yard or 3 feet by 3 feet by 3 feet or 27 cubic feet.
As for example a patio of 12 feet by 10 feet at 6 inches deep = (12' x 10' x 6") / 324 = approx. 2.25 cubic yards (2.22 rounded to a typical delivery amount)
Next, determine the depth desired in inches. Multiply the total square feet by the depth in inches. Divide it by 324.
Rajib Dey
The construction estimating
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Construction Costs Estimating
What we can offer :-
Instantaneously create accurate estimates for everything from pre-built assemblies, electrical to concrete work
Quickly create reliable, color coded takeoffs from field sketches, blue print & other paper-based drawings
Improve the profitability of construction professional by increasing the speed, the accuracy and the completeness of their construction estimating process.
Reduce the manpower, overhead costs and improve profit margin.
Help the construction professional successfully bid on construction projects.
Reduce the chance of miscalculating materials or missing items
Protects project owner from project mismanagement or over-billing
Flexibility to create your own cost category
Convenient MS Excel based estimating
Instantaneously create accurate estimates for everything from pre-built assemblies, electrical to concrete work
Quickly create reliable, color coded takeoffs from field sketches, blue print & other paper-based drawings
Improve the profitability of construction professional by increasing the speed, the accuracy and the completeness of their construction estimating process.
Reduce the manpower, overhead costs and improve profit margin.
Help the construction professional successfully bid on construction projects.
Reduce the chance of miscalculating materials or missing items
Protects project owner from project mismanagement or over-billing
Flexibility to create your own cost category
Convenient MS Excel based estimating
Conceptual Estimating is ideal for project feasibility study
Owing to high number of design constraints and intricacy of construction a system known as conceptual cost estimation (also referred to as predesign cost estimation) has been developed to conceptually estimate the costs for construction industries.
The project team members develop the conceptual estimate during conceptual design stage (generally before the construction drawings and specifications are available) and create a preliminary baseline cost estimate range based on the activities, materials and other sources of expenditure for designing and constructing a specified facility.
A well developed conceptual estimate is based on the study of historical project cost factors and result in forecasting rapid estimates & accurate cost for project feasibility studies, budgeting and financing the finished products, financial evaluation of a number of alternative projects etc..
The system is very useful for construction industries, chemical industries, refinery industries, industrial plants, engineering firms and operating companies as there is a strong requirement to generate precise cost estimates for new plants, major equipment acquisitions or upgrades, large maintenance projects, new buildings, etc.
Conceptual estimating also provides great assistance to the structural engineering sectors as it looks at the performance specifications and footprint of a structure and creates a budget for all of the activities regarding steel in the structure including detailing, fabricating, painting, transporting and erecting.
There are various techniques available for conceptual cost estimation. Regression analysis, simulation, and neural networks are mostly recognized techniques that are used all through the initial project stages.
In regression analysis one can estimate the project cost with a regression model as well as a number of independent variables. Here, cost-conscious models were considered for both regression and neural network modeling. A cost-conscious model seems to a model that fits the data adequately without using any unnecessary parameters.
Rajib Dey
The construction estimating
The project team members develop the conceptual estimate during conceptual design stage (generally before the construction drawings and specifications are available) and create a preliminary baseline cost estimate range based on the activities, materials and other sources of expenditure for designing and constructing a specified facility.
A well developed conceptual estimate is based on the study of historical project cost factors and result in forecasting rapid estimates & accurate cost for project feasibility studies, budgeting and financing the finished products, financial evaluation of a number of alternative projects etc..
The system is very useful for construction industries, chemical industries, refinery industries, industrial plants, engineering firms and operating companies as there is a strong requirement to generate precise cost estimates for new plants, major equipment acquisitions or upgrades, large maintenance projects, new buildings, etc.
Conceptual estimating also provides great assistance to the structural engineering sectors as it looks at the performance specifications and footprint of a structure and creates a budget for all of the activities regarding steel in the structure including detailing, fabricating, painting, transporting and erecting.
There are various techniques available for conceptual cost estimation. Regression analysis, simulation, and neural networks are mostly recognized techniques that are used all through the initial project stages.
In regression analysis one can estimate the project cost with a regression model as well as a number of independent variables. Here, cost-conscious models were considered for both regression and neural network modeling. A cost-conscious model seems to a model that fits the data adequately without using any unnecessary parameters.
Rajib Dey
The construction estimating
SHOP DRAWING creates maximum benefits for construction companies
The shop drawing is a drawing or collection of set of drawings, diagrams, illustrations, schedules, and other data or information specifically generated or assembled by the contractor, supplier, manufacturer, subcontractor, or fabricator to demonstrate some portion of the work for the approval of architect or engineer.
Unless this task is specifically delineated in a governing agreement, design professionals and engineers should not generate shop drawings, especially in areas relating to the means and methods of construction.
The shop drawing is a graphic or written description of the work drawn to provide the information on behalf of manufacturer or the contractor to describe the fabrication, installation of the items to the manufacturer’s production crew or contractor's installation crews. The information is shown in construction documents.
Within the steel industry a majority of fabricators and detailers prepare shop drawings for pre-fabricated components. This type of components include elevators, structural steel, trusses, pre-cast, windows, appliances, cabinets, air handling units, and millwork.
With the help of shop drawing the steel fabricator gets the ability to fabricate each piece of steel in the building. Shop drawings contain brief information relating to material specifications, sizes, dimensions, welding, bolting, surface preparation, painting requirements, etc.
In a construction project, the number of shop drawings surpasses the number of construction drawings. It is observed that approximately 70 to 80 construction drawings versus 1,000 shop drawings are required in the case of documenting the steel frame for 1,000-ton building (1,000 tons of steel).
As soon as the shop drawings are completed, the mill order can be submitted sooner, the fabrication will be started immediately and the steel can be erected sooner
Concrete reinforcing is another segment in which the shop drawing is required by reinforcing steel fabricators for fabrication of the material. Here the shop drawing is prepared to lists the quantity, sizes, lengths, and shapes of the reinforcing bar. The structural engineers review this information to make sure that sufficient reinforcing is being supplied to be organized for storage and installation.
MEP Engineers also prepare installation and coordination shop drawings for sheet metal ductwork, piping, plumbing, fire protection, and electrical. Shop drawings are not produced by architects and engineers under their contract with the owner.
In brief shop drawings can be explained as below:-
• Comparison information for the architect and engineer
• Notes of changes or alterations from the construction documents
• Information required fabricating the product
• Indication of dimensions needing verification from the jobsite
• Placement or installation information
• Samples
Now a days the drafting software(CAD), 3D steel detailing software and building information modeling software(BIM) are utilized for creation & digital review of the shop drawings in which the multiple copies of each fabricated piece drawing will be reviewed electronically eliminating the paperwork that would total approximately 30,000 sheets of drawings for a construction project.
Rajib Dey
Construction Estimating Service
Unless this task is specifically delineated in a governing agreement, design professionals and engineers should not generate shop drawings, especially in areas relating to the means and methods of construction.
The shop drawing is a graphic or written description of the work drawn to provide the information on behalf of manufacturer or the contractor to describe the fabrication, installation of the items to the manufacturer’s production crew or contractor's installation crews. The information is shown in construction documents.
Within the steel industry a majority of fabricators and detailers prepare shop drawings for pre-fabricated components. This type of components include elevators, structural steel, trusses, pre-cast, windows, appliances, cabinets, air handling units, and millwork.
With the help of shop drawing the steel fabricator gets the ability to fabricate each piece of steel in the building. Shop drawings contain brief information relating to material specifications, sizes, dimensions, welding, bolting, surface preparation, painting requirements, etc.
In a construction project, the number of shop drawings surpasses the number of construction drawings. It is observed that approximately 70 to 80 construction drawings versus 1,000 shop drawings are required in the case of documenting the steel frame for 1,000-ton building (1,000 tons of steel).
As soon as the shop drawings are completed, the mill order can be submitted sooner, the fabrication will be started immediately and the steel can be erected sooner
Concrete reinforcing is another segment in which the shop drawing is required by reinforcing steel fabricators for fabrication of the material. Here the shop drawing is prepared to lists the quantity, sizes, lengths, and shapes of the reinforcing bar. The structural engineers review this information to make sure that sufficient reinforcing is being supplied to be organized for storage and installation.
MEP Engineers also prepare installation and coordination shop drawings for sheet metal ductwork, piping, plumbing, fire protection, and electrical. Shop drawings are not produced by architects and engineers under their contract with the owner.
In brief shop drawings can be explained as below:-
• Comparison information for the architect and engineer
• Notes of changes or alterations from the construction documents
• Information required fabricating the product
• Indication of dimensions needing verification from the jobsite
• Placement or installation information
• Samples
Now a days the drafting software(CAD), 3D steel detailing software and building information modeling software(BIM) are utilized for creation & digital review of the shop drawings in which the multiple copies of each fabricated piece drawing will be reviewed electronically eliminating the paperwork that would total approximately 30,000 sheets of drawings for a construction project.
Rajib Dey
Construction Estimating Service
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Quantity Take-off Sheets
The Quantity Takeoff sheet is a general form for taking off and listing types, sizes, quantities, etc. of the various items required in a bid other then ductwork or piping, for extending the material amounts, labor, costs, etc. and summations.
Takeoff Example sheets are available at
http://www.quantity-takeoff.com/quantity-take-off-sheets.htm
Takeoff Example sheets are available at
http://www.quantity-takeoff.com/quantity-take-off-sheets.htm
Earthwork Project Estimating
We offer precise & reliable computerized earthwork analysis and information service combined with unit cost information for surveyors, engineers, contractors and other land developers to perform an on-screen takeoff for cut and fill quantities, existing contours, proposed contours, spot elevations, and any sitework elements found on a set of blueprints using latest in Project Estimating software.
We will create a three-dimensional model of all the materials and procedures for a land development project to insure accuracy for earthwork calculations, stockpile volume calculation, utilities, concrete and asphalt measurement and estimate cost. We will provide a summary that incorporates variables affecting earthwork such as stripping loss, ground subsidence and earth shrinkage.
http://www.quantity-takeoff.com/earthwork-quantity-take-offs.htm
We will create a three-dimensional model of all the materials and procedures for a land development project to insure accuracy for earthwork calculations, stockpile volume calculation, utilities, concrete and asphalt measurement and estimate cost. We will provide a summary that incorporates variables affecting earthwork such as stripping loss, ground subsidence and earth shrinkage.
http://www.quantity-takeoff.com/earthwork-quantity-take-offs.htm
Architectural Project Estimating
We provide model based Project Estimating service from schematic narratives through final construction documents including Construction Estimating & Scheduling for Architects at the concept stage to measure, count, and price best materials & building objects such as walls, doors, and windows, automatically or manually.
We also offer other estimating services like cost modeling, cash flow projection, life cycle costing, change order management, job order costing, best value analysis and hard bid estimates.
Supporting BIM technology we use powerful and efficient object Project Estimating tool like Estimating to assist architect with pre-construction efforts. The quantities are extracted based on object types and their dimensions. Quantity extraction methods are easily customized and are reusable for multiple projects. All quantities and scheduled tasks were represented in production and nothing was overlooked.
With our takeoff services architects can increase the efficiency of the project estimating process, improves communication and coordination between designers, builders and clients. Architects can check, refine & determining the associated materials and labor costs, formulate a bid (or estimate) as part of the bidding process, reduce expensive and time-consuming efforts to redesign projects to meet budget demands.
We also provide standard and customized Project Estimating Reports filled out in MS Excel spreadsheet for construction projects. Each managed quantity group can be assigned a distinctive color code for its 3D objects pasted into MS Excel for easy tracking and identifying objects associated with the quantities. These color codes help architects to identify, visually and clearly, what objects are used to generate the quantities. Architects can also get an estimation of cost to construct a residential building or a commercial building. The final estimation for constructing a property can be reached on the basis of this report.
http://www.quantity-takeoff.com/architectural-quantity-take-off.htm
We also offer other estimating services like cost modeling, cash flow projection, life cycle costing, change order management, job order costing, best value analysis and hard bid estimates.
Supporting BIM technology we use powerful and efficient object Project Estimating tool like Estimating to assist architect with pre-construction efforts. The quantities are extracted based on object types and their dimensions. Quantity extraction methods are easily customized and are reusable for multiple projects. All quantities and scheduled tasks were represented in production and nothing was overlooked.
With our takeoff services architects can increase the efficiency of the project estimating process, improves communication and coordination between designers, builders and clients. Architects can check, refine & determining the associated materials and labor costs, formulate a bid (or estimate) as part of the bidding process, reduce expensive and time-consuming efforts to redesign projects to meet budget demands.
We also provide standard and customized Project Estimating Reports filled out in MS Excel spreadsheet for construction projects. Each managed quantity group can be assigned a distinctive color code for its 3D objects pasted into MS Excel for easy tracking and identifying objects associated with the quantities. These color codes help architects to identify, visually and clearly, what objects are used to generate the quantities. Architects can also get an estimation of cost to construct a residential building or a commercial building. The final estimation for constructing a property can be reached on the basis of this report.
http://www.quantity-takeoff.com/architectural-quantity-take-off.htm
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