The Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) extensively revised the MasterFormat system of specification for the 2004 edition. This revision replaced the 1995 edition of 16 divisions with 50 or so divisions. The “new & improved” 50 division system is or was to greatly enhance the dissemination of information projects. While the issuer is touting the widespread [...]
On more than one project we have encountered owners that for some reason or another, don’t believe they have any obligations to the contractors. That is an attitude that I find hard to understand. After all, it is in their best interest to see the project delivered in as smooth as manner as possible. Smooth [...]
Just the other day my company lost a job. It was a good size assignment. The owner wanted us on the project. The local architect wanted us on the project. The “renowned, big name” architect did not want us on the project. They were worried about us compromising their design vision with our estimating. Consequently [...]
It’s always important to check all the drawings when estimating a project, not just the plans that pertain to your scope of work. Besides the obvious items such as type of walls and the heights of each floor, there can also be items that belong in your scope of work. One recent example I have [...]
I was having a conversation at the plan room last week with the gentleman behind the counter. I was picking up an addendum for a project and he commented that back in the 1980’s if an addendum was issued it was like a walk of shame for the architect. Plans were more complete and addenda [...]
On a recent project being performed on a fast track, GMP basis we came across some specifications that would increase the cost to the client. I will give the nationally renowned engineer the benefit of the doubt since they were clearly marked as draft. However, they were also being issued for GMP pricing. We brought [...]
ENR.com reported that publicly owned companies are reporting lackluster results for contract awards. This article confirms what privately owned firms have been talking about on the poor economy. It also confirms what private companies have NOT been saying about their own business volumes. The construction market is one of optimism. The hope is 2012 will [...]
The traditional definition of inflation is the government increasing (printing) more money than necessary for the economy. Escalation is the increase in prices due to many factors, including inflation. Traditionally long term projects and budgets for projects needed to include funds for escalation. For the past few years owners and developers, if they had any [...]
Many types of projects will have the quantities provided to the bidding contractors. It is very common on heavy/highway, power, industrial and process projects. These quantities can be used for the basis of the bid. But, watch out. Engineers and architects count and measure differently than estimators. When an engineer counts, it can be extremely [...]
I would like to think I have heard everything in my almost 40 year estimating career. However, I still do get some items that surprise me from time to time. This time it was a potential client that is concerned about the pre-construction estimating and cost control services during the design period. This part is [...]
