Estimating Series

[Rich]

I'm in the process of creating a series of articles on Estimating. These would end up being a weekly addition to the series. It will mostly be for a GC type estimate but will be general enough in nature to be used by anyone. Here is the table of contents as I have them set right now.
If anyone would like to see something else or something expanded let me know. Any feedback greatly appreciated.

Estimating How To
Establishing your system
Manhour / Production rates
Before estimating begins
Compiling the estimate

Tracking Cost Data
Cost Code Accounting
Unit Costs
Field Tracking of Production

Excavation
Quantity Surveying
Estimating
Unit Costs

Concrete
Quantity Surveying
Estimating Foundations
Estimating Slabs
Estimating Forms
Unit Costs

Masonry
Quantity Surveying
Estimating Block
Estimating Brick
Estimating Stone
Unit Costs

Framing
Quantity Surveying
Estimating Floor Framing
Estimating Wall Framing
Estimating Roof Framing
Unit Costs

Roofing
Quantity Surveying
Estimating Roofing Materials
Unit Costs

Drywall
Quantity Surveying
Estimating Drywall
Unit Costs

Millwork
Quantity Surveying
Estimating Trim
Estimating Cabinets

[grumpydasmurf]

Rich add something about demo. Most new construction in my area starts with demo.

[Rich]

Good Idea Grumpy.. I'll have to think on that one. Demo is fairly difficult to estimate for.

[grumpydasmurf]

I know it's difficult, that's why I need help estimating it :)

[Rich]

:))
I'll do some research and see if I can at a minimum get some rules of thumb.

[grumpydasmurf]

What about MEP's?

[Rich]

I thought about it - but it's so widely varied that it would be difficult to do. And from a GC standpoint it's highly unlikely they would perform any self-work in any of the MEP areas. If anyone knows someone who would write a section on it I would be willing to include it.

[grumpydasmurf]

Are you saying the MEP's are out of the question or the demo is out of the question?

[Rich]

The MEP's are out of the question. The methods will be outlined in the first 2 sections on how to estimate just about anything.. so I'll just leave it at that. Maybe I'll put a conclusion section in that reiterates the methods on compiling an estimate to cover all the other trades.

[kdavis]

We mostly use the estimates for our MEP subs in our proposals because alot of the building we we put up the MEP are design - build

[Rich]

That's definately the way to do MEP.. write the contract to include everything required to make a functional system and then give the responsibility for the design to them.
We are just starting a large project - doesn't actually break ground until September - but we did all the MEP design/build. Already contracted with them. With this same developer we did the same thing a couple years ago.

[Rich]

Well I have the first couple sections done if anyone wants to critique them.
http://www.construction-resource.com/project-estimating.php
the links work on the left or you can use the Next link down at the bottom of the articles. I've tried to keep them as short and to the point as possible.