Concrete estimating has an essential role in construction projects. Every successful project comes with an accurate concrete estimation. You can predict future success and turn your architectural visions into reality. It has a magic key that unleashes the potential of projects and develops the path to make well-informed decisions.
Concrete estimating provides an approximate idea of the labor, material, and other costs required to complete a construction-related task. With such calculations, planning certain things and making better decisions is easy.
In this blog, we go deep inside the factors of concrete estimation and reveal the secret benefits of concrete estimation that any construction company would want to know!
What is Concrete Estimation?
Concrete estimation is the ability to determine the possible cost of the material and other stuff needed to complete an excellent concrete project. Concrete estimating is about understanding the project size, investigating the site, evaluating the cost, and predicting the result. Concrete estimating also estimates the number of labor needed to complete the project within the agreed period. The estimators or contractors usually calculate these estimations according to the project specifications.
Factors Considered in Concrete Estimates
Project Scope
The purpose of the project is a crucial part of concrete estimation. You must know the motive of the project, among other complexities. Other factors, such as size, the structure you build, and any other requirements, are all needed to cater appropriately. The dimensions should be carefully examined. And let’s not forget about the foundation; whether it’s a slab or embankment, every nitty-gritty detail should be considered.
Material Quantities
Another thing that must be part of the concrete estimating is how much material is needed to complete the project. The estimation of materials is important to calculate the cost of the project. In this scenario, the concrete estimator must be a math wizard to calculate admixtures and count additional factors based on the project specifications.
Labor Costs
Skilled labor is a fundamental part of construction. The concrete estimator should know what type of labor and how much labor is needed to complete the specific task within the estimated time. When we talk about labor costs in construction, we are talking about the hard work that puts life into your project. Everything depends on the right team and an accurate cost, from spreading gravel to erecting scaffolding and using drills, jackhammers, and other power tools.
Equipment and Tools
The concrete estimator takes equipment and tools as necessary to complete the project. Construction professionals calculate the cost of purchasing or renting these pieces of equipment. Tools such as a concrete mixer, a grader, trowels, a backhoe loader, and others are necessary for efficient concrete projects, and proper estimation is required for their use.
Types of Concrete Estimates
Preliminary Estimates
Preliminary estimates are rough estimates to understand whether the project is doable. Through these estimates, the estimator tries to give a rough idea of the possible budget. These sketches are made at the initial stage of the project to know what’s possible and how much it will cost. This type of concrete estimating gives you the idea that your architectural dream is within reach and gives you the starting point for your project.
Detailed Estimates
Concrete estimators do detailed estimates when they are in the pre-construction phase of a project or when they encounter a new project. At this project stage, estimators faced a new bit of information that required more detailed analysis. So estimators roll up their sleeves, do the precise calculation, and dig deep into every nitty-gritty detail. These estimates include quantities, measurements, and costs.
Bid Estimates
When contractors prepared a competitive bid, they kept every measurement in mind to bid accurately. A perfect bid needs meticulous calculations for every single detail of the project. The bid estimation helps the contractor showcase their best approach on the bidding construction table. Through this estimation, the contractor has a chance to give details about their pricing, materials, and unique construction skills.
Change Order Estimates
The concrete estimators modify the estimates when there is any unexpected change in the project. Estimators make quick adjustments to the budget. These estimations help restore order and ensure that financial impact and timeline adjustments do not cause chaos. Changing the order of estimates helps everyone stay on the same page and work smoothly.
Importance of Accurate Concrete Estimates
Budgeting
Accurate concrete estimating gives stakeholders the confidence to draft actual project budgets with a realistic approach. It provides a roadmap for the estimator to allocate resources and secure finance.
Project Planning
When a project is adequately estimated, it helps you determine the resources, timing, and other activities. Good estimation helps construction professionals plan the project smoothly.
Decision-Making
Concrete estimation helps the contractor make wise decisions. It gives you insights into the project so you have a clear opinion of what to do, who to hire, and how to handle it. It boosts your confidence to make accurate decisions regarding suitable construction methods and hiring options.
Concrete Estimation Practises: A Global Perspective
One thing that needs to be highlighted here is the variation in concrete estimation practices worldwide. Every country has some variations due to its regional construction standards. However, the basic principles of concrete estimation remain the same.
The material and cost of labor may vary from region to region. Estimating practices in developing and under-developing countries differ based on economic stability factors. The estimating companies in the USA have advanced technologies and strong historical data that allow them to create detailed estimations based on their past benchmarks. In contrast, underdeveloped countries have less access to the latest technology and cannot work as efficiently as needed. They mostly rely on manual calculations based on personal experience and local markets.
Despite the above, every concrete estimation company strives to provide accurate estimations that support their local conditions and industry standards.
