Lantyr:
Before you obtain the spreadsheet numbers and estimates you solicit, it should be noted that this information is useless if not analyzed or scrutinized by an experienced person. Otherwise, how can you place faith in the estimates? My point here is that if you, yourself, have no experience in installing, welding, screwing or fitting a piping system, how can you decide to use other's estimates? In my experience, an engineer that works in this area has either the experience or the "feel" for the numbers because he/she are fully capable of generating credible and accurate estimates themselves.
Estimating man-hours required to do work is something that all engineers involved in the fieldwork itself are capable of doing. It's common knowledge and hands-on ability that form the practical and credible estimate. Every estimate has a basis and purpose known to the originator/author. The basis is composed of much basic data: site, specific conditions, location, labor, union/non-union, type of materials, weather, season, etc. I assume you are an engineer and are able to "digest" all these variables. Otherwise, the estimates will seem to be all over the place and not make any sense.
Art Montemayor
Spring, TX
