Question

1.Search in the Internet for building cost estimation and identify samples of websites for,(1) an estimating software with its main features, and (2) a group interested in the Estimation Subject and discusses issues related to the subject.

It is related to building economy course

Answer 1

Some of the samples of websites for building cost estimation are: Builder trend, Co Construct, McCormick estimating Software, Turbo bid Estimating, Plan swift etc. Building cost estimation software, is also known as construction bidding software. It helps the estimators calculate labor costs and material costs as well as detailed products and proficient proposals among these estimates. These soft wares have always been useful, however, the propagation of fixed bid work and intensity of competition for the projects has made them even more important tools.

Main features of cost estimation soft wares are:

Proposal generator: Takes the cost estimates and creates a precise and professional bid proposal.

Cost data base: It stores labor costs and material costs to reference, while creating a cost estimate.

Visual assemblies: It displays a graphical representation or graphical views of a build assembly to visualize the particular portion of the project under estimation.

Labor and Materials: Based on the calculations from the project take off, it automates the estimates of labor costs and material costs.

Historical database: It stores all the past projects along with the estimates of labor costs and material costs in a database.

Pre-Built templates: By providing a set of frequently required parts and labor for typical jobs, it accelerates the process.

Project Reporting: To improve the analysis of the project costs, it creates cost breakdown reports by using graphs and charts.

Some of the issues related to building cost estimation are:

Clients’ priorities like quality considerations, cost considerations, time considerations.

The nature of the project like choice of the architect, function of the building.

The cost of design like, choice of materials, the attitude towards sustainability and whole life costs.

The nature of site like location, physical site conditions, availability of services, resource availability, and climate factors.

Legislative constraints, social-environmental factors and market conditions