Services

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Quantity Takeoff

A construction takeoff, also known as a quantity takeoff, involves detailed measurement and calculation of the materials needed for a construction project. The primary requirements for a construction takeoff include:

  1. Project Plans and Specifications: The blueprints, drawings, and project specifications are essential as they provide all the necessary details about the project, including dimensions, materials, and construction methods.
  2. Software Tools: Estimating software or digital takeoff tools can significantly enhance accuracy and efficiency. Examples include Bluebeam, PlanSwift, and Autodesk Quantity Takeoff.
  3. Material Knowledge: Understanding the different types of materials and their uses is crucial. This includes knowledge of standard measurements, units, and conversion factors.
  4. Experience and Expertise: Experience in construction and estimating helps in understanding the nuances of the project and making accurate estimations.
  5. Accuracy and Attention to Detail: Precision is key in takeoffs to avoid cost overruns and material shortages. Double-checking calculations and measurements is essential.

By combining these elements, a construction takeoff can provide a reliable basis for estimating project costs and planning resource allocation.

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Project Estimate

In addition to everything listed in the quantity takeoff section, a construction estimate includes several other key components. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what is typically included in our construction estimates.

  1. Direct Costs: Labor, Materials, and Equipment costs are included with prices pulled from a national service -- such as RS Means (or equivalent) – based on the zip code of the project.
  2. Overhead Costs: General business expenses that are not directly tied to the project but are necessary for operations (e.g., office rent, utilities, administrative salaries). Applied as a % of the cost of the project.
  3. Subcontractor Costs: costs to cover work you will be subcontracting.
  4. Contingency Allowance: A percentage of the total estimate added to cover unforeseen expenses or changes in scope.
  5. Profit Margin: A percentage added to cover the contractor’s profit.

By including these components, a construction estimate provides a thorough and realistic projection of the total costs involved in completing a construction project. This helps with better financial planning, project management, and decision-making.

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Budgetary Estimate

Our budgetary estimate involves approximating the overall cost of a project based on high-level information rather than precise measurements. Therefore, a detailed line-by-line material takeoff is NOT INCLUDED.

This method uses:

  • Historical data
  • Industry benchmarks
  • Expert judgment

It develops an estimate by considering factors such as:

  • Project size
  • Project type
  • Location
  • Complexity

While less accurate than detailed estimates, budgetary estimates are useful in the early stages of project planning to provide a ballpark figure for financial feasibility and decision-making. They help stakeholders set initial budgets and scope before committing resources to more in-depth analysis and detailed quantity takeoffs.

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Project Schedules

Creating construction project schedules involves outlining the sequence and duration of tasks required to complete a project. This process starts with defining the project scope and identifying all necessary activities.

Detailed Schedule

A detailed schedule provides an in-depth view of a project, breaking down every task and activity required for completion.

Summary Schedule

A summary schedule offers a high-level overview of the project, focusing on major phases and milestones.

Comparison

  • Level of Detail: Detailed schedules are exhaustive, while summary schedules provide a broad overview.
  • Purpose: Detailed schedules are used for day-to-day project management, whereas summary schedules are ideal for executive reporting and initial planning.
  • Audience: Detailed schedules are for project teams and managers, while summary schedules are for stakeholders and executives.

Both schedules are essential for effective project management, offering different perspectives and information levels suited to various needs and audiences. We will create detailed and/or summary schedules (using a start date you provide) using Microsoft Project. We can also provide the same information exported to PDF or excel however, managing dependencies and changes will only work with the MS Project version.

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Scope Leveling

Scope leveling is instrumental in deciding between different contractors during the bid process. Here’s how it helps:

  1. Fair Comparison: By standardizing the scopes of work, it allows for an apples-to-apples comparison of bids, making it easier to evaluate contractors on an equal footing.
  2. Identifying Completeness: It highlights which contractors have included all necessary tasks and materials in their bids and which have not, ensuring you select a contractor with a comprehensive understanding of the project requirements.
  3. Cost Accuracy: It helps identify any potential underbidding or overbidding by ensuring that all contractors are quoting for the same scope of work, leading to more accurate cost comparisons.
  4. Risk Reduction: By clarifying and aligning scopes, it reduces the risk of scope gaps and overlaps that could lead to future disputes or additional costs.
  5. Quality Assurance: It allows for better assessment of the quality and thoroughness of each contractor's proposal, helping you choose a contractor that demonstrates a clear and detailed understanding of the project.

Overall, scope leveling ensures that you make a well-informed decision by providing a clear and consistent basis for comparing contractor bids.

Change Order Management

Change management in large construction projects involves handling changes in scope, schedule, and cost efficiently. It includes:

  1. Change Request Process: Formal submission and documentation of change requests.
  2. Approval Workflow: Detailed review of change requests as an owner’s advocated to ensure pricing is consistent with ingchange requestsand deciding on change requests.
  3. Communication: Notifying stakeholders and updating project documents.
  4. Implementation: Adjusting resources, schedules, and budgets for approved changes.
  5. Monitoring and Control: Tracking the progress and quality of changes.
  6. 6. Risk Management: Identifying and mitigating new risks from changes.
  7. Training and Support: Providing necessary training and resources for changes.
  8. Documentation and Reporting: Maintaining logs and reporting on changes.

This process ensures changes are managed effectively, minimizing disruptions and maintaining project goals.

Custom Consulting Services

Custom consulting services in construction, excluding takeoffs, estimates, schedules, scope leveling, or change order management, can include:

  1. Project Planning: Feasibility studies and site selection.
  2. Risk Management: Risk assessment and safety planning.
  3. Quality Control: Quality audits and compliance management.
  4. Contract Management: Contract review and claims management.
  5. Technology Integration: BIM services and software training.
  6. Procurement: Vendor management and procurement strategy.
  7. Training: Staff training and leadership development.

Reach out anytime to discuss how we can help you with one of these or any other construction consulting services you may need.

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Registered Clients

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Completed Projects

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US States Represented

2016

Business Established

Work Process

01 Registration

Click on the register button and sign up for a free private portal to hold all of your projects.

02 Start Project

Login to your account and click on the “Start Project” button. This will open a form allowing you to load all of the details for your next project including Project Name, Due Date, Scope, etc.

03 Proposal

We will review the project you submitted and send back a free fixed price proposal within one (1) business day. You have no obligation to proceed.

04 Approval

As soon as you approve and fund the project, it goes on our calendar and we deliver it on the due date we agreed on.

Ask about our Expedited Project Delivery for turnaround in as few as 24 hours!

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