
Consider alternate methods of construction for the projects.Examine the general and special conditions of the contract and determine the effect these requirements have on indirect costs.Consider the time allotted for the construction of the project in coordination with the owner's schedule needs.Awareness: The estimator should firstly consider the project scope and the level of effort and resources needed to complete the task ahead the organization's financial capability, staff, and plant capacity (if working as an estimator for a construction company) to complete the project.The estimator with the most thorough knowledge of a project best serves the owner and project team, and has the best competitive advantage when preparing a bid. They will review the various aspects of the project with the other disciplines involved. Thoroughness: An estimator will allow enough time to research and become familiar with the background and details of the project and then promptly complete the quantity survey.Total mental concentration is a basic requirement for preparing accurate cost estimates. They will set aside specific times each day for entry of estimate quantities and data without interruption.
#Building estimate budget professional
Attitude: Estimators should approach each estimate with a professional attitude and examine in thorough detail all areas of the work.Proper use of judgment may mean the difference between profit and loss for the company or client. Estimators should always use sound judgment and common sense when preparing estimates. Judgment: Judgment is a skill obtained by estimators through proper training and extensive experience.The practice, commonly called "bid peddling", is a breach of ethics and is condemned by the ASPE and that of other societies and construction organizations. The estimator shall keep in strictest confidence information received from outside sources. Integrity: Estimators are expected to use standards of confidentiality in a manner at least equal to that of other professional societies.The American Society of Professional Estimators (ASPE) has stated the following ethical, moral and technical precepts as basic to the practice of estimating. Deficient estimates can also cause strife and litigation between members of the construction team. Examples of expedient behavior litter the history of inaccurate construction estimating. Resistance to this type of pressure is a part of the estimator's job. Estimators sometime receive pressure from other members of the construction team to make expedient short-term decisions that can result in an unsound bid. They must exercise sound moral and professional judgment at all times when preparing the project estimate. Estimators are often the most familiar with the complete project. It also involves abiding by certain standards of ethical conduct and moral judgment that go beyond the technical aspects of the discipline. Ethics: The practice of construction estimating is a highly technical and professional discipline.Professional Behavior Expected of the Cost Estimator It is very important to have the cost estimator involved right from the start of the project to ensure that the project budget reflects the decisions made by the rest of the project team throughout the integrated design process. On large projects it is common for estimators to specialize in disciplines that parallel design discipline specialization. They estimate building costs through all the stages of design and the construction of the project. They may be employed by the owner's representative/project manager, employed by the construction manager, employed as a member of a professional design team, or separately hired by the owner. This guide will be confined to cost estimating in the building construction industry.Ĭonstruction cost estimators can be contractually hired in many different ways. Most construction estimators have considerable experience gained through working in the building construction industry. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics,Ģ006-2007 Occupational Outlook Handbook, Cost Estimators, of which 58% work in the construction industry, 17% are employed in manufacturing industries, and the remaining 25% elsewhere. There were about 198,000 cost estimators in 1994 according to the U.S. The construction contractor's cost estimate will determine the construction bid or whether the company will bid on the construction contract. From an Owner's perspective the cost estimate may be used to determine the project scope or whether the project should proceed. Cost estimators develop the cost information that business owners or managers, professional design team members, and construction contractors need to make budgetary and feasibility determinations. Accurately forecasting the cost of future projects is vital to the survival of any business or organization contemplating future construction.
