Engineer's Estimates 3

[RedBauer]

I'm been trying to develop a library of costs for engineer's estimates, however I'm constantly calculating numbers from scratch. It takes time to think about how many hours and call on material prices. Does anyone know of a resource for cost estimates? I'd like to go to a source and look up how much it costs per acre to clear and grub, install pipe, grade land, etc.

 

[bimr]

RS Means is probably the best known service for what you are trying to do.

http://rsmeans.reedconstructiondata.com/

If you are trying to do it on the cheap, you can make your own searchable system with the excel spreadsheet and the access database programs.

 

[gbam]

RSMEANS is a great source, star for bimr. I have found another source. It is get-a-quote.net, see link below.

http://www.get-a-quote.net/QuoteEngine/costbook.asp?WCI=CostIntroFrameSet

I use get-a-quote quite often and have found it easier to use than rsmeans. I use the free online version. As always I compare my results/lookups to known/historic costs to confirm or verify the results. Also if you are in the United States, many State DOT's have databases containing historic unit costs. I know that Arizona has an online website. We also request bid tabs from previous projects from our government clients.

 

[Ron]

I would also suggest that you use the term "Engineer's Opinion of Cost" rather than "estimate". The reason is that an "estimate" implies a higher level of accuracy than an opinion of cost. It implies that you have done an adequate take-off or site observation/measurement and that you have included all probable items that would be anticipated for the task or project.

An opinion is just that...an opinion. Yours might not match someone elses...so what. It doesn't create unnecessary liability.

 

[cvg]

ENR has a construction cost index that is invaluable when estimating costs, especially when looking at older bids.

http://enr.construction.com/economics/current_costs/default.asp

the ADOT site is below (it's not easy to find)

http://wwwa.azdot.gov/e2c2/HistoricalPrice.aspx

note that construction bid prices vary depending on the method of contracting, scope of work and the owner as well as the region and particular project. They may only be useful as a general indicator of the price (therefore call it an opinion)

 

[beej67]

I would also suggest that you use the term "Engineer's Opinion of Cost" rather than "estimate"

I saw this in a pretty lengthy book put together for a local engineer. Seems like good advice. The word "estimate" apparently has legal baggage attached to it.

Hydrology, Drainage Analysis, Flood Studies, and Complex Stormwater Litigation for Atlanta and the South East -

http://www.campbellcivil.com

 

[Hoagie]

Means is a good start. USACE has civil costing information. For asphalt and iron/steel, use quotes by local suppliers.

 

[eea]

Good idea to build a library.

Many DOT's also publish their bid letting results, down to the unit price per pay item. I use MoDOT and IDOT results quite often. Obviously use good judgement, contracts of similar order of magnitudewith related work items, from the same county / region, ...

RS Means is good resource because it gives you an idea of the crew and equipment required for the job. While the DOT average might be say $500/acre for seeding, you won't get that on a 1/2 acre site. I usually pencil in a one day minimum for any any crew.

 

[3feethighandrising]

I also second Ron's advice. At my work we title our cost estimates as "Engineer's Opinion of Probable Costs" to avoid any legality.

WSDOT Unit Bid Analysis (Washington) give great Historic Data of average winning bids per line items for any range of months. You have to look at the WSDOT standard specs to see what is all inclusive in the price, but it can be easier than piecing every thing together from Means, especially installing underground pipe.

 

[Ussuri]

Spons does this in the UK