When you guys are asked to estimate a large project; for example a 6 story building completely fitted out. do you guys generally try to split the estimate up between estimater; for example have 1 guy doing lighting and branch power and another guy doing feeders and distribution and so forth because I just recently have been pulled into the office 6 month ago and am estimating larger projects all by myself and it is getting over welming due to the bid due date.
estimating
- Thread starter GSXR600
- Start date
- Status
its great to split up jobs, however, its also an unfortunate reality that something will more easily slip through the cracks. when splitting up tasks, its important (imo) to have one person in charge of the overall estimate, and make a checklist with the entire team so nothing gets overlooked (which could be disastrous financially)
We generally try to have one estimator do the entire project manly due to the reasons listed above. When the time to bid doesn't allow that we split it up. How you split it up will depend on how the plans were put together. Last year I estimated an industrial project that ended up being $43 million. I almost got the hole thing done due to bid extensions but in the last week or two had to give a couple areas to other estimators to meet the due date. Each area was split up into different volume's so it was easy to do without to much risk of overlap or gaps. Don't get overwhelmed just stay organized and pick away at it one piece at a time always keeping the bid date in site.
ok let me ask this how long would it take you generally to take off a six story building that is about 140,000 square feet. This building has cctv, tele/data, card access, generator, ups, on top on lighting, branch power, etc.
Also are you guys taking everything off or just doing an average, if you guys are averaging how are you coming up with your averages
Also are you guys taking everything off or just doing an average, if you guys are averaging how are you coming up with your averages
One person in charge can help avoid costly mistakes, like missing the cost of staging some materials, or adding the cost of unusall working conditions, and cross craft delays. even the best estimating programs on the market need the human element, and a good actuals record book form previous jobs.
Fulthrotl
~Autocorrect is My Worst Enema.~
- Occupation
- E
depends on the type of work you're bidding.... some stuff, and this is more in
civil engineering than anywhere else, you'll have the guy sitting there 30
minutes before bid opening, penciling in subs numbers, at the submission
location for the bids. after time's up, they open the bids right then, and every
body knows what everybody bid.
this process is not for the faint of heart.:smile: it can be extremely stressful.
it amounts to equal parts doing your taxes, the last 2 minutes in the
superbowl, and sex, all at once.
your stuff doesn't sound like that. taking off quantities can be done by a
number of people, and frequently must, given time constraints. those take off
sheets will go to the lead estimator, who'll plug it all into whatever estimating
software you are running, and quantities will go to wholesale houses for
quotes. large projects usually have a senior member doing the bid, 'cause
blowing a large bid can be the ruin of the firm.
if this is a new position for you, there should be some assistance and
oversight until you get the training wheels off. time for a candid chat with
the powers that be. far better to be candid, than to be thrown into a
sawdust pit for fight for your life, and cost the company a quarter million out
of pocket 'cause you were overloaded......
- Status