Simplify your concrete estimating process with Concrete Foundation Estimator 1.1.1

Progress Builders, a full-service, Design-build company, working on residential construction market, just introduced Concrete Foundation Estimator 1.1.1 compatible with iPhone, iPad and iPod touch devices.

This newest construction app will be a very resourceful and exceptionally influential productivity tool for all contractors and owner-builders.

Concrete Foundation Estimator 1.1.1 was purposely intended to enhance and make the process simpler for estimating and bidding on concrete jobs. This construction software facilitates the Concrete Foundation Estimator to produce professional, editable, easy-to-follow construction bids, estimates, and quotes, together with the all or any part of the following:

• Concrete demolition of existing slabs and footings
• Excavation volume and cost using manual labor or machinery
• Extracted soil hauling and dumping fees
• Crushed concrete hauling and dumping fees
• Materials cost and volume for
• Footings
• Stem walls
• Piers
• Slabs
• Reinforcement
• Shear walls
• Anchor bolts
• All thread retrofits
• Concrete ready-mix or in bags
• Volume, cost and waste %
• Labor for piers, reinforcement assembly and concrete pouring
• Cost of concrete pumping
• Adjustable Workman's compensation rate
• Sales tax in your area for all materials
• Job overhead
• Custom fields to add to estimate

The Concrete Foundation Estimator contains an in-built portfolio page that saves all projects. One will be able to recover and revise estimates instantly, create revisions, make PDF quotes as well as spreadsheets editable in excel. There also exist some in-built Tutorials containing tricks for how to accumulate values from the plans and demonstrated explanations for each section.

While making estimation, you should not have to repeatedly find materials and labor cost. "CFE includes predefined settings which can be changed at your own level of price, time and materials utilized. The users have to get through all sections and update predefined values. You don’t have to update material or labor cost on a regular basis.

Estimator 1.1.1 supports iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch as well as iOS 8.0 or later.

Concrete Foundation Estimator 1.1.1 will cost $4.99 USD and can be access all through the world via the App Store in the Business category.

Downloadable link

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Published By

Rajib Dey

www.constructioncost.co

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Benefits of Grillage Foundation

Grillage Foundation design is mostly suitable for heavy structural loads from columns, piers or beams which are essential to transmit bearing capacity of a soil relatively inferior.

The grillage foundation can easily disperse the load over a broad area of the subsoil. This foundation facilitates to resist deep excavations because the required base area is arranged for the load of the transmission. The foundation depth is restricted from 1m to 1.5m.

The grillage foundation contains two or more tiers of beams placed at proper angles to disperse the load over a extensive area.

Usually, this type of foundation is undertaken toward heavy structure columns piers and stanchions. Grillage is made with steel I I section (R.S.J) placed in single or double large.

The second larger - The number of R.S.J.S and they’re spaced separately based on load of the structure and the bearing capability of the soil.

Ground Improvement with inclusion of Load or enhancing operative stress

When load is delivered on the ground, it is compressed. The range and required time may vary according to the placing of ground particles, on the degree of saturation as well as smooth draining of the soil. If load is delivered for loose and specifically unsaturated fills, it can cause quick settlement.

In order to build a grillage foundation, a trench of the essential width and depth is excavated. The trench surface is leveled and rammed. Above the rammed surface, a cement concrete layer is applied. It should be condensed properly to transform it water-resistant. R.S.J.S contain necessary dimension that are place at consistent gaps. For implanting the lower flanges of the R.S.J.S into the concrete, rich cement mortar is poured. The pipes and bolts are used to attach the R.S.J.S collectively. The bolts are pushed into web of the R.S.J.S.

G.I. pipe pieces are arranged among R.S.J.S, and a long bolt is passed over all the holes and pipes. This will attach the R.S.J.S collectively and develop a solid mass.

Grillage Foundation Types

1.Steel Grillage Foundation

Steel Grillage Foundation is developed with steel beams and it is structurally called rolled steel joists (RSJ), applied in two or more tiers.

2.Timber Grillage Foundation

Timber grillage is undertaken for heavy load wood column or masonry wall. Benefits of Grillage Foundations.

Steel grillage foundation is more useful for contractors as compared to wooden grillage.

Installation Speed – Contractors can make significant savings in time through a grillage foundation.

Suitability – Grillage foundations are mostly used in place of poured concrete and huge time is saved because of smooth installation process.

Costs Reduction – Contractor can obtain discount in cost as there is least possibility for disarrangement of transport infrastructure.

Multipurpose foundation solution – The technology supports various applications.

Ref: constructiontuts.com

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Published By

Rajib Dey

www.constructioncost.co

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Construction Master 5 – A Useful Construction Tool For Building Professionals

This construction video is based on Construction Master 5 contractor calculator. By watching this video one can learn how 5’s stair function of construction master can save significant time for building professionals for computation and stair table lookups.

Construction Master 5 contractor calculator's in-built stair layout key can provide streamlined solution to develop your next stairs together with number of risers, riser height, number of treads, tread widths, stringer length, angle of incline and total run of the stairs.

Get trained how to utilize this construction math power tool to execute all your design, estimating and jobsite calculations easily, instantly and perfectly to make your productivity and profitability better.

This construction calculator offers the following features :-

Dimensional Math and Conversions

• Performs and transforms among building dimensional formats: Yards, Feet-Inch-Fractions, Decimal Feet-Inches and Metric – together with Area and Volume

• Detect Weight per Volume Committed Functions

• Workout Stair for Risers, Treads, Stringer Length and Incline Angle; shows Run and Rise

• Custom Rafter Function offers Common Rafters, Regular and Irregular Hips, Valleys and Jacks. Jack Rafter feature offers comprehensive solutions for Normal and Asymmetrical Pitch roofs. Exposes On-center spacing.

• Solutions for Circles, Arcs, Columns, Pillars, Windows, Post-holes and more

• Rake-Wall function defines Stud Length for any On-center Spacing, in Ascending or Descending order

• Board Feet Lumber calculation

To get more information, visit this link

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Published By

Rajib Dey

www.constructioncost.co

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How To Resist Cracking In Fresh Concrete

Usually, the contractor should take responsibility with all essential steps to track and resist cracking in fresh hydrating concrete, devoid of the size or volume of the pour. The steps should be approved by the Engineer and ensure that extreme surface crack width on hardened concrete measure instantly after the pour does not surpass 0.004 times the nominal cover of the primary reinforcement.

The contractor will be responsible for and offer sanctioned instrumentation for measuring the variation of internal temperature in large pours. The extreme concrete temperature at the point of delivery usually shall not surpass the lower of either 37 degree C, or 6 degree C beyond the existing shade temperature compliant with the approvals of ACI. The limiting internal temperature differential measured over the maximum faces of concrete mass shall not go above 25 degrees C at any time.

Curing of hardened concrete will be done according to the curing specification. Usually, the element surface is not chilled to disperse heat from the concrete. Curing methods, like the drenching of heated concrete elements uncovered to long and direct radiation, which produce temperature gradients inside the concrete mass, are not recommended for application.

For big pours, the contractor will be liable for and take additional provisions to lessen concrete temperature gradient as well as check the loss of surface moisture. Such steps are described below :-

 Maintaining all mix ingredients shaded where feasible to decrease their temperatures in         the stockpile

 Chilling of mixing water and/or substituting part or entire of the extra water with ice.

 Lessening the cement content with the application of admixtures (but not lower that is           essential for the stability)

 Applying a cement having a inferior heat of hydration

 Injecting liquid nitrogen once the concrete is blended

 Limiting the time amid mixing and assigning of the concrete to below 2 hours

 Delivering permitted surface insulation constantly over all uncovered surfaces to resist           draughts as well as keep identical temperature with the concrete mass

 Starting curing instantly once final tamping is done and carry on till the permitted surface     insulation system is completely prepared

 Providing shade to the concrete surface to resist heat obtained from direct radiation.

For more information, click on this link

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Published By

Rajib Dey

www.constructioncost.co

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“Build Your Own House” – An outstanding construction e-book by Carl Heldmann

Carl Heldmann published an exceptional ebook alias ‘Build your own house”. This construction e-book will guide you for constructing a new house as well as reforming your home, developing a home addition and cost estimation for constructing a house or developing a home addition.

This construction book contains 85 Pages and numerous color photos. The book will improve your skills to become an efficient general contractor. The book will cover the following topics :-

• From where to start.

• How to choose land to develop any building.

• How to adopt House Plans.

• How to study House Plans.

• How to set up a Home Building Budget.

• How to figure out cost estimation for developing your home.

• How to discover good subcontractors.

• How to deal with and reimburse your subcontractors.

• How to get a reduction on home building materials.

• How to develop a home through step by step process.

• How to procure home construction loans.

This informative Home Building eBook will cost $9.95, but it can be downloaded at free of cost for a limited time period.

Link for download Build Your Own House - Free eBook

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Published By

Rajib Dey

www.constructioncost.co

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Sage Construction Project Center and Sage Bid Management – New cloud based solutions for construction professionals

Sage North America, a trusted name in providing solution with various business management software and services for small and medium businesses, just introduced Sage Construction Project Center and Sage Bid Management. Both are new cloud-based solutions to facilitate the construction companies for handling and collaborating any construction project in a superior manner.

If the collaboration process becomes superior, the project team members can save huge time and cost. Besides, the quality of project is also improved. But it becomes difficult for the constractors, to maintain perfect project collaboration amid various project stakeholders.

By applying these toolset, the project team members will be able to undertake action instantly. It will save huge time and provide support to the team member for being more organized, competent, well-informed and competitive.

Sage Construction Project Center is like a cloud-based center from where the project team members can smoothly collaborate as well as distribute information and ensure that each integrates with other and thus the project is accomplished as per the most updated plans. Here the process is automated for allocating document and tracking which make the communications better and allows quicker approvals to maintain projects on schedule. Audit trails decrease confusion and finger pointing for a more responsible project team. Once the project is completed, as-built project data will be handed over to the project owner to facilitate the persistent maintenance of the finished building.

Sage Bid Management facilitates the estimators and bid coordinators to deal with all phases of the bid process in an efficient manner together with maintaining a complete and up-to-date bidders list via a single cloud-based location. The information for Bid package and updates are to all subcontractors instantly. Subcontractors will be able to post their bids also, simplify the process for tracing all the bids coming in and the dates, time and diverse versions. Consequently, contractors will obtain a greater response from bidders and get adequate time to assess and pick the best bids. The system also tracks subcontractor certification and qualifications to minimize risk and ensure the most suitable sub or vendor is chosen.

Both solutions will operate individually and incorporated with Sage 300 Construction and Real Estate, so to avoid reprocessing of project information. This amalgamation facilitates assigned bids to be converted into subcontracts which can be exploded into numerous line items for project management and for job cost tracking and payment. Basic information allotted ranges from extras, cost codes and categories together with project information like estimates, commitments, costs and revenue.

Sage Construction Project Center and Sage Bid Management will be showcased at the World of Concrete show in Las Vegas, February 2-5, 2016, at booth #C3337.

To get more updates, visit sagecre.com or call 800-628-6583.

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Published By

Rajib Dey

www.quantity-takeoff.com

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Types of Estimates in Building Construction

Proper estimation helps construction professionals to find out the prospective construction cost concerning a project. Estimating is prepared at different phases of project duration and it is based on the objective of estimation. Initially estimation is initiated by the contractor prior to actual commencement of construction. The contractors make estimate for creating the budget of the project or bidding the project. Different types of estimates are prepared according to project manual and submitted drawing as well as objective of applying estimated data.

Detail Estimate - It contains everything necessary for executing the project together with overhead and contractor's profit. In order to create this type of estimate, the estimator should require the complete set of drawing and instruction manual of the project. By using this estimating method, the estimator can obtained the required materials, labor, time for successful completion of the project as well as total cost details and overhead along with contractor profit. It also comprises of insurance, bond, equipment and other useful elements.

Unit Based Estimate - This type of estimate is made as = calculated building area x predefined unit cost. This is modified by calculating building height, length, width and other required building components. A simple floor plan having measurement and key elevation of the building are the vital elements for producing this type of estimate. The motto of this type of estimate is to verify wheather the project is formed according to owner's budget or not.

Model Estimate - This type of estimate is created on the basis of a model project that is evolved earlier. Some major components like length and width of building, number of base, size of base, floor height, number of bath etc should be figured out to create this type of estimation. But here, one thing should be remembered that the intended project must be identical to model project. This type of estimate generates a detailed estimate of complete project or a part of project according to the model project.

Project Comparison Estimate - By following this estimating method, an estimator produces estimate regarding projected project by making comparison with corresponding completed project. Once the comparison estimate is made, estimator creates modification for variation concerning proposed project with the completed project.

Parametric Estimate - With this estimating method, an estimator applies equations for producing the estimate. This equation denotes the correlation amidst "parameters" and "cost" of a building project. This estimate has similarity with unit based estimate but it is more complicated. This type of estimate is useful for defining proposed project cost.

There also exist other useful estimating methods for finding out the cost of project in the various locations of the globe. Recently, various computer programs are emerged out to simplify and speed up the estimating process.

Estimates in building construction download

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Published By

Rajib Dey

www.quantity-takeoff.com

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Concrete Foundation Estimator is an useful construction app to speed up the estimating & bidding on concrete jobs

Concrete foundation estimator (CFE) is considered as the most useful and powerful productivity tool specifically designed for all contractors, owner-builders and homeowners to ease & augment the estimating and bidding processes for concrete projects. This constrtuction tool contains more than 300 logic formulas which function in background.

This useful construction app includes the following features :-

• Reduce the time for estimating significantly and you can create estimate within 5-10 minutes and at the same enhance your sales greatly.
• Extend the amount of estimates perfomred each day
• Reduce the work or process based on guesses or assumptions
• Reduce the time exhausted on the formation of materials take-off list toward maetrial supplier.

CFE app produces professional, adjustable, simplified construction bid, estimate, quote together with the following segments :-

• destruction of existing concrete slabs and footings
• compute excavation volume and cost by applying manual labor or machinery
• Remove soil hauling and dumping fees
• Crush concrete hauling and dumping fees
• Estimate the cost of materials and volume for: Footings, Stem walls, Piers, Slabs, Reinforcement, Shear walls, Anchor bolts, All thread retrofits, Concrete ready-mix or in bags, Volume, cost and waste %, Labor for piers, reinforcement assembly and concrete pouring, Cost of concrete pumping
• Brief estimate for foundation
• Adaptable Workman’s compensation rate
• Sales tax in your area for all materials
• Job overhead
• Custom fields to include in estimate

The homeowners, contractors as well as other professionals who are going to develop a house or make an addition, can use this construction app to quickly compute their cost by adding essential values out of engineering plans.

An estimate can be generated that contains the following features :-

• thorough, cataloging all trades labor, materials.
• Basic, cataloging only trades and it’s cost.
• By trade, presenting any trade according to your selection.
• Also include overhead and discount.

Share or bid:

• Email quote for concrete job to any client inside the app in PDF
• transform estimate to Excel and personalize output
• Email list of materials to your supplier

This construction app allow the homeowners and owner-builders to match quotes from various contractors.

CFE offers pre-arranged settings which can be customized according to your own level of price, time and application of materials.While using it first time, just persue all sections and update preset values. Just update material or labor cost sometimes. Future app version will provide the facility to update materials cost occassionally.

It also includes in-built portfolio page to preserve all of your projects and the users will be able to recover and adjust estimates instantly, make amendments, generate PDF quotes or Excel supported adaptable spreadsheets.

Link for download

To get more updates, visit http://realbuilderadvice.com

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Published By

Rajib Dey

www.quantity-takeoff.com

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How to make estimates for road with Autocad

Super Civil 3D introduces a very informative online construction video through their youtube video channel. This construction tutorial is useful Civil Engineers, Road Builders, Contractors, Project Managers & Students. By going through this online presentation, the construction professional can learn how to use Autocad for creating estimates for roads & highways which cover QUANTITY ESTIMATION OF ROAD WORKS , EARTHWORK CALCULATIONS , CROSS & L SECT.

Watch the following demo video that focuses on how it works.

For more information, visit www.supercivilcd.com / www.agboatwala.com

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Published By

Rajib Dey

www.quantity-takeoff.com

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IS IT TIMBER OR STEEL OR CONCRETE? WHAT WOULD BE THE BEST IN USE?

The most popular and common construction structural material Timber, Steel and Concrete has their own pros and cons. But the industry experts have also their own opinion about it. Sourceable.net has come up with great article published by Justin McGar. We have brought you an excerpt.

Timber

The chief executive of the timber development association Andrew Dunn opines, Timber has no such disadvantages but sometime creation of specific design may lead to be a huge design challenge.

The qualities of timber are well recognize and predictable now. People are started to believe that fear of fire or durability is no longer existed.

The timber use determined by its structural type, location and service life – but generally it is very lightweight, flexible of offsite manufacturing and cost effective.

Its main market is in short residential buildings but there is a rising interest in the mid-rise sector for apartments, office buildings as well as school buildings.

The Pitch: The timber’s load per unit weight to strengthen concrete and steel structure shows the high structural efficiency. Many timbers are either physically hard-wearing or can be easily treated to make very hard-wearing.

Wood with energy from the sun and carbon engrossed from the air (from the CO₂ in the air). Half the dry mass of timber is carbon engrossed from the air.

Timber used inside provides a healthier environment for dweller as it helps maintain a better relative humidity. The enormous preponderance of structural timber is sourced from sustainably managed forests and plantations.

The Treet or ‘the tree' (in picture) shows how far timber has come. A 14-storey (49-metre) apartment building in Bergen designed to comply with the Passivhaus sustainability standard. When completed it will be the tallest modern timber apartment structure in the world.

Concrete

The Concrete has been used for structures since Ancient Greece and Rome. Marianne Fourie of the International Federation for Structural Concrete believes   technological development and modernism over the centuries have polished its use. The structural concrete today permits engineers and architects to design, plan and achieve outstanding buildings that are as huge as they can be artistic. The advancement has also led to the more extensive use of pre-cast concrete, which presents great benefits of speed and cost of construction.

In the bigger edifices, such as tall buildings and bridges, nothing can be comparable to concrete. There are immense chances to add other tough materials to the concrete. The structural concrete is not only used in combination with other resources but also fit in with them as with fibre-reinforced concrete. It has ecological benefit, durability and less waste. The Centro Ovale concrete shell (Chiasso, Switzerland), exemplifies the adaptability of the material, while the Bella Sky Hotel (Copenhagen, Denmark) is an example of the innovative use of pre-cast concrete.

Steel

Steelwork in main construction is on the increasing as contractors become more in tune to the benefits of using the material in easing onsite risks, quick development for previous returns and environmental benefits, believes Alan Marshall, communications manager at the Australian Steel Institute. The US-based Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat recently reported in a study that the number of composite multi-level projects over 200 metres that characteristically includes a steel frame with metal-decking, increased 54 per cent across the globe in 2014.

Speed and efficiency: The benefits are many liker computer modeling on CNC equipment, structurally efficient, easily fabricated in controlled conditions driven by 3D modeling and CNC equipment, test certificate is always available here

Reducing onsite risks: Less number of the workers onsite where approximately 10-20 per cent is necessary for concrete connection reducing the accident liability.

Sustainability and waste reduction: The waste clearance is considerably less than for a concrete building here. More than 95 per cent of all structural steel is recoverable and reusable or recycled.

Image Courtesy: sourceable.net

The Metropol Parasol in Seville, Spain, 

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Published By

Rajib Dey

www.costestimationjournal.quantity-takeoff.com

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Sage 100 Contractor Demo

Sage 100 Contractor which was earlier known as Sage Master-builder Construction Software is construction software that has gone beyond basic accounting, putting you in whole control of your construction projects.

It boosted up level of competence and output with information that flows perfectly from job estimate to the job site to the financial statement.

It can supervise the construction accounting, project management, construction estimating, and service management all in a construction software solution.

Sage 100 Contractor has been in recent times updated and features a wide-ranging suite of modules covering the total job lifecycle.

With a simpler design to cut down your learning curve, and improve the service management, vendor, reporting and other abilities to enhance your efficiency, Sage 100 Contractor gives all the tools you require to work and manage your increasing construction or contractor business.

With Sage 100 Contractor, you obtain:

Enhanced ability for service departments Quicker report search Improved contact and vendor management Ability to email stubs for direct deposit Tighter job-level security Faster validation of purchase orders, invoices, and committed costs.

If you're looking to go beyond spreadsheets or basic general accounting software to a construction system that joins accounting, project management, estimating and service management all in one place, take to be an upgrade to Sage 100 Contractor.

Reference:- Sage Construction and Real Estate

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Published By

Rajib Dey

www.quantity-takeoff.com

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Classic Job Estimate Sheet for Contractors

Different types of business houses,contractor, painter or person can utilize the Classic Job Estimate Form for producing a brief estimate to a client for the services these companies offered.

The job estimate is segregated into three diverse sections to get an overview formaterials applied, labor charges, and other expenses. This form combines all three costs collectively for finding out the total on one form, and serves as a job estimate for the client before proceeding to the work.

The contractor can customize the Classic Job Estimate with their business name, address, phone number and website address if required.

Download this form and it is available in Microsoft Excel format.

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Published By

Rajib Dey

www.quantity-takeoff.com

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A series of newest on screen Takeoff and Estimating tools to improve your bid estimating process

STACK Construction Technologies has introduced a series of on screen Takeoff and Estimating tools useful for professional contractors as well as commercial roof estimators. The roof estimators can use these estimating tools to create estimating from satellite images for various types of sloped and flat roofing.

Stalk construction estimating software series available in three different ranges like Stack Estimating, Stack Takeoff & Stack Plan Viewer and offer the following benefits to the construction professionals:-

• Improve bid accuracy with user-friendly interface and bid more work in quickest possible time.

• Minimize bid errors through color coded takeoffs & exceedingly detailed quantity estimates supported with verified formulas.

• Save huge time and facilitates the owner to bid supplementary projects devoid of hiring additional personnel

• Access the software from any place like office, jobsite and home as well from smart phones.

• Advanced blueprint takeoff, markup & measuring tools.

• Automatic page naming and naming any plan files.

• Export takeoff to PDF & spreadsheet.

• Pre-built items catalog.

• Custom formula editor.

Watch the following online demo:-

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Published By

Rajib Dey

www.quantity-takeoff.com

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