On some plans, I wonder why the architect and engineer even bothered drawing a set of plans based on the number of notes they have included. There can be more work located in the notes than what is shown on the drawings! Estimator should notate on the plans which notes they have included or excluded [...]
When taking-off a set of drawings, it’s important to verify the completeness of the plans. Countless times I have seen drawings that look 100% complete, until I started looking at the layout of the each system. It’s very important to follow the systems to ensure that you are taking-off a complete system and nothing more [...]
Unlike many professions, estimating is not a career you learn from a four year degree. Some colleges do offer classes for estimating, but it’s mainly a hands-on learning occupation. Many estimators I know refer to their alma mater as the school of hard knocks. There are several things an estimator can do to strengthen their [...]
I have heard people state that 100% of accidents could/can be avoided. I don’t believe this one bit! I think this is another example of how schooling does not reflect the real world. In theory and hind sight a person could eliminate all accidents but in reality accidents will happen. My brother-in-law recently received 6 [...]
Are you protected if the contractor has a payment and performance bond? I would be willing to bet a majority of people in the construction industry would answer yes without a single hesitation. Owners are willing to bet their own money on these bonds under the assumption it guarantee’s the protection of their project! I [...]
The total dollar amount for a construction project can be a hard number to swallow by owners. When preparing budgets for owners, the first thing they look at typically is the bottom line and then there is a moment of silence followed by some remark about the project can’t possibly cost that much. Detail is [...]
Expecting a contractor to spend time and resources to produce a free budget estimate is wrong! Just recently, I helped a client rebid a project that originally bid the end of January. In January the plans were only 60% complete and the bid form forced the contractors to honor their quote for 180 days by [...]
Recently a project went out for bids to convert an existing structure into a new Douglas County crime lab and canine unit in Omaha, Nebraska. The budget had been set at $2.5 million dollars and there were 12 bidders who submitted their bids on the project. Based on the current economic conditions that contractors in [...]
Theft at jobsites is a problem that won’t be going away anytime soon. With low or no profit margins, a project can’t afford to have equipment and/or materials stolen. A few simple tasks can help reduce exposure to a possible theft. Some considerations to implement on a site are listed below: Schedule material deliveries to [...]
A couple of months ago I saw two separate articles talking about how the federal government is hiring additional employees to investigate/fine companies that are incorrectly paying their labor force as contract workers instead of full-time employees which is a problem in the construction industry. Paying an employee as contracted help saves the employer big [...]
