There are a lot more tools available for estimating construction costs today than there were even a few years ago. If you're not taking advantage of the latest technology, you should be. Automatic calculations make quoting faster and easier. Instead of spending your valuable time sitting at a desk scratching away with pencil, paper, and an old fashioned calculator, try using the newest software packages to give you accurate estimates in a fraction of the time. This leaves you free to meet with new clients, manage crews, and grow your business. CostCertified is a first-of-its-kind platform that offers contractors and their clients an interactive construction cost estimating experience that works for both. This technology can be a gameger when it comes to growing your ess and increasing your profit nlargins. 3. DETERMINE EQUIPMENT NEEDS ACCURATELY. Your construction estimate must include the equipment necessary to complete the job, and how various pieces of equipment will interfere with each other in the areas of size and capability. You will have to determine whether it makes more economic sense to use your own equipment or rent. You may also have to double-check your schedule to make sure the necessary equipment will be available for the job and not in use at another site. 4. CHECK AND DOUBLE CHECK SUBCONTRACTOR QUOTES. You have to evaluate your subcontractor's quotes in the same way you do your own. It's a good idea to compare more than one subcontractor's pricing for materials and labor. Do not accept cost plus bids. You need a subcontractor willing to give you a firm quote based on the scope of the project. The cost of labor isn't just how much your workers earn. In addition to taxes and benefits, you have to factor in things like union contributions, tools, trucks, cell phones, and a lot more. You have to add your overhead and administrative staff. You have to take weather into consideration as well as the productivity of your workers and downtime for training and personal emergencies. 1. CREATE A COMPREHENSIVE CHECKLIST. Not all jobs are the same. That's why it's so important to have a comprehensive checklist that incorporates everything you need for any and all jobs you do and cost estimates you have to make. Instead of starting from scratch every time, all you need to do is reference your master checklist and check off the items specific to the job you are estimating. Another thing you need is a set of plans drawn up by you and your client. Every facet of the project should be included, and the client should be required to sign off on it. All too often, contractors think they know what the customer wants when the customer has an entirely ent vision. The result will be isfactory to everyone, and you will end un trvina to blease the customer qtoestimating.com There are a lot more tools available for estimating construction costs today than there were even a few years ago. If you're not taking advantage of the latest technology, you should be. Automatic calculations make quoting faster and easier. Instead of spending your valuable time sitting at a desk scratching away with pencil, paper, and an old fashioned calculator, try using the newest software packages to give you accurate estimates in a fraction of the time. This leaves you free to meet with new clients, manage crews, and grow your business. CostCertified is a first-of-its-kind platform that offers contractors and their clients an interactive construction cost estimating experience that works for both. This technology can be a gameger when it comes to growing your ess and increasing your profit nlargins. 3. DETERMINE EQUIPMENT NEEDS ACCURATELY. Your construction estimate must include the equipment necessary to complete the job, and how various pieces of equipment will interfere with each other in the areas of size and capability. You will have to determine whether it makes more economic sense to use your own equipment or rent. You may also have to double-check your schedule to make sure the necessary equipment will be available for the job and not in use at another site. 4. CHECK AND DOUBLE CHECK SUBCONTRACTOR QUOTES. You have to evaluate your subcontractor's quotes in the same way you do your own. It's a good idea to compare more than one subcontractor's pricing for materials and labor. Do not accept cost plus bids. You need a subcontractor willing to give you a firm quote based on the scope of the project. The cost of labor isn't just how much your workers earn. In addition to taxes and benefits, you have to factor in things like union contributions, tools, trucks, cell phones, and a lot more. You have to add your overhead and administrative staff. You have to take weather into consideration as well as the productivity of your workers and downtime for training and personal emergencies. 1. CREATE A COMPREHENSIVE CHECKLIST. Not all jobs are the same. That's why it's so important to have a comprehensive checklist that incorporates everything you need for any and all jobs you do and cost estimates you have to make. Instead of starting from scratch every time, all you need to do is reference your master checklist and check off the items specific to the job you are estimating. Another thing you need is a set of plans drawn up by you and your client. Every facet of the project should be included, and the client should be required to sign off on it. All too often, contractors think they know what the customer wants when the customer has an entirely ent vision. The result will be isfactory to everyone, and you will end un trvina to blease the customer qtoestimating.com
