Estimating and White Paper - Construction Project Zone

Common construction cost estimating problems

Job Order Contracting

MARCH 2, 2025

Key issues related to cost factors: Fluctuating Material Costs: Prices of construction materials can significantly vary based on market conditions, supply chain issues, and seasonal fluctuations, making accurate cost estimations challenging.

Estimating

Estimating Site Planning Risk Management Geotechnical Engineering

Construction Cost Data Insight

Job Order Contracting

JUNE 14, 2025

For decades, the construction industry has clung to the idea of “accurate estimates” as the gold standard for planning, budgeting, and managing capital projects. There’s no such thing as an “accurate estimate” Let’s be clear: an estimate is a forecast—not a fact. Key Requirements for Reliable Estimates.

Estimating

Estimating Construction Equipment Project Management Maintenance

Intelligent Compaction Paves the Way to the High-Tech Roadbuilding of Tomorrow

For Construction Pros

JUNE 20, 2025

Crews and DOT Officials Share Data With manufacturers offering easy slope and thermal surveying solutions, paving crews are discovering that having access to this wealth of information not only helps their operators, but their estimators, fleet managers and the DOT leaders who originally awarded the bid.

Heavy Equipment Manufacturing

Heavy Equipment Manufacturing Construction Equipment Quality Control Flooring Systems

Webinars

How to Streamline Payment Applications & Lien Waivers Through Innovative Construction Technology

MORE WEBINARS

Slow & Steady: State of the Concrete Industry

For Construction Pros

JULY 18, 2025

The adoption of modern and unified estimating, operations and financial management software is also helping to address these challenges. There is also the added benefit of not needing to place stringline to guide the machines, meaning surveyors aren’t showing up prior to paving.

Concrete Pouring

Concrete Pouring Building Information Modeling (BIM) Construction Equipment Cost Control

Tools for Improving Vehicle & Equipment Maintenance Management

For Construction Pros

JUNE 10, 2025

Improving communication around scheduled maintenance, estimated service duration, and service completion should be clear and easily accessible to relevant parties, including operators, technicians, fleet managers, foremen, and contractors. Communication woes: Miscommunication can be a heck of a productivity downer.

Maintenance

Maintenance Inspection Schedule Management Construction Equipment

A Solid Foundation for a Virtual World: State of the Concrete Industry

For Construction Pros

JULY 26, 2025

Include a Carbon Budget: Incorporate a table of concrete mixture types, volumes, and Global Warming Potential (GWP) values to estimate project-wide emissions and set reduction targets. Instead, specify based on strength, exposure class, and carbon intensity.

Concrete Pouring

Concrete Pouring Construction Equipment Building Performance Measurement Building Materials Manufacturing

Every State Had June Construction Unemployment Rates Below 10%

The Contractor Magazine

JULY 30, 2025

The analysis found that 18 states had lower estimated construction unemployment rates over the same period, 28 had higher rates and four states had the same rates. Estimated state construction unemployment rates were lower than their pre-pandemic level in three-quarters of states. million, or 9.4%, above its pre-pandemic peak of 7.6

Plumbing Systems

Plumbing Systems Estimating Plumbing Electrical Systems

Unlock Public Sector Construction Productivity – A White Paper

Job Order Contracting

MARCH 4, 2022

Unlock Public Sector Construction Productivity[1] with Proven Strategies: A White Paper. Collaborative Proposal Reviews and Automated Estimate Comparison (fully auditable verification of all line items, pricing, and quantities). First, a few things to consider. Take BIM for example. Common Source of Truth.

Integrated Project Delivery (IPD)

Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) Lean Construction Quality Assurance Procurement

AIA Unveils New Leading Indicator in Construction Research White Paper

Construction Superintendent Magazine

APRIL 24, 2014

This new indicator is being spotlighted in an AIA economic research white paper, Designing the Construction Future. “We

General Contracting

General Contracting Architecture Painting/finishing Contracts

Construction Classification Criticality – A Draft White Paper

Job Order Contracting

AUGUST 6, 2016

Classification enables information to be used for multiple purposes, individually and generically, such as determining initial and final scopes of work (SOW), cost estimating, capital planning and deferred maintenance management, space utilization, life-safety/security, levels of compliance, and mission dependencies.

Building Information Modeling (BIM)

Building Information Modeling (BIM) Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) Structural Systems Stakeholder Engagement

The Financial Case for High Performance Buildings: Why It Matters

Stok

SEPTEMBER 3, 2018

In a white paper on The Financial Case for High Performance Buildings, set to be publicly available in September 2018, stok argues that the seemingly intangible occupant impacts of the built environment are quantifiable from a bottom line perspective. Sign up for stok’s newsletter to receive the full white paper upon release.

Real Estate Development

Real Estate Development Energy Conservation Building Materials Manufacturing Building Design

Learning about Job Order Contracting?

Job Order Contracting

AUGUST 11, 2022

Can owners create independent estimates? Owners can develop detailed cost proposals by line item and prepare an independent estimate. The owner creates an independent estimate in the same manner that a JOC contractor does, by creating a detailed scope of work and selecting line items and quantities. via 4bt.us. via 4bt.us.

Contracts

Contracts General Contracting Project Management Consulting Procurement

Help make PVC (vinyl) roofing a recycling leader

Construction Specifier

MAY 2, 2023

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), construction and demolition waste totals an estimated 150.6 According to the U.S. billion kg (332 billion lbs) annually. Reroofing generates tremendous quantities of material that can be diverted from the waste stream. It’s a good start, but there’s more work to be done.

Estimating

Estimating Architecture

Optimizing Construction Cost Estimating Outcomes

Job Order Contracting

MAY 17, 2017

Optimizing Construction Cost Estimating Outcomes requires experience, LEAN management practices, common data outcomes, metrics, and continuous improvement. Request our white paper to learn more about Optimizing Construction Cost Estimating Outcomes. Size of Typical Construction Cost Estimates & Unit Price Cost Books.

Estimating

Estimating Lean Construction Construction Management Maintenance

Estimate Construction Costs

Job Order Contracting

APRIL 19, 2017

Learning how to estimate construction costs will minimal variation requires a decade or move of experience and observing several key LEAN construction best management practices including collaboration, transparency, standard terms/data architectures, and continuous improvement. Estimate Construction Costs.

Estimating

Estimating Lean Construction Property Management Construction Management

Real Property Owners and Facilities Management Professionals FOCUS on PROCESS first… then Technology

Job Order Contracting

MARCH 5, 2021

All aspects and stages of a repair, renovation, maintenance, new build activities, should be integrated… planning, design, estimating, procurement, and project delivery. request white paper). Robust, mutually beneficial, collaborative processes are capable of consistent delivering quality projects on-time an on-budget.

Property Management

Property Management Facility Management Project Management Procurement

Robust Construction Cost Estimating with Best Representation of RSMeans Cost Data – Contractors, Owners, AEs, JOC, IPD, SABER, IDIQ …

Building Information Management

APRIL 24, 2012

But remember, they were designed some thirty years ago to deal with the mundane tasks of pen an paper accounting and forecasting. Powerful cost estimating software, integrated with visual estimating, contract management, project management, and document management is the new standard. Comparison of Cost Estimating Tools.

Integrated Project Delivery (IPD)

Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) Estimating Project Management Construction Management

Construction Cost Estimating Software vs. Spreadsheets – State of the Nation 2012

Building Information Management

MAY 3, 2012

While accurate, timely, and transparent cost estimating is critical to the success of any renovation, repair, sustainability, or new construction project, most construction cost estimators (over 55%) continue to rely primarily upon manual methods, hard copy documents, or electronic spreadsheets such as Microsoft Excel.

Estimating

Estimating Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) Project Management Change Management

Using Business Intelligence to Gain a Competitive Edge

Viewpoint Construction Technology

OCTOBER 25, 2017

In Viewpoint’s latest business intelligence white paper , we outline three key areas where insights and analytics can help contractors gain a competitive edge. Insights from all this information could increase profit and productivity and reduce time, errors, and material waste. Scheduling, planning, and collaboration optimization.

Schedule Management

Schedule Management Risk Management Cost Control Project Management

New Product Launch Checklist

Construction Marketing

JUNE 17, 2010

Some estimates of new product failure as high as 90%! Educational pieces (white papers, guides, how-tos). Improving the effectiveness of a new product launch is of critical importance to most companies and brands as new product development costs can be stratospheric, coupled with extremely high failure rates.

Building Products Distribution

Building Products Distribution Schedule Management Surveying Building Optimization

LEAN Construction Delivery, The Primary Challenge to BIM

Job Order Contracting

FEBRUARY 7, 2017

Learn more… Supporting White Papers and Research. AEC Best Value Construction and Facilities Operational Exellence- Position Paper. Classification Criticality – Architecture, Engineering, Construction, & Life-cycle Facility Management – A Draft White Paper. Collaboration In Construction-WhitePaper.

Lean Construction

Lean Construction Facility Management Property Management Change Management

What Are Design-Build Services?

Wolgast Corporation

APRIL 18, 2023

Following this, your estimator will coordinate with trade contractors to set a budgetary number that you can take to your financial institution for approval. Also, as the plans develop, the Estimator is acquiring bid coverage with trade contractors. The process includes several review opportunities between the client and Architect.

Building Design

Building Design Building Permits Warranty Schedule Management

The digital black hole impacting the construction industry

Field Wire

AUGUST 9, 2023

Labor efficiency is the basis of most tender estimates, as well as the yardstick by which performance is measured and monitored. Download the full white paper from Hilti about the lack of digitization in construction. One survey found that 80% of construction companies can’t find the workers they need.

Schedule Management

Schedule Management Construction Management Project Management Construction Equipment

Current Conditions of America’s Schools

Job Order Contracting

AUGUST 8, 2021

School districts’ highest priorities for their school facilities were improving security (an estimated 92 percent), expanding student access to technology (87 percent), and monitoring health hazards (78 percent), according to GAO’s school district survey. LEAN Job Order Contracting.

HVAC Systems

HVAC Systems Lean Construction Roofing Systems Contracts

Tappan Zee Bridge Bidder's Cold Feet Costs Team $2.5 Million.

ENR Construction

AUGUST 9, 2012

White Papers. Description: One of the four teams contending for the estimated $5-billion Tappan Zee Bridge replacement project in New York State chose not to submit a bid at the last moment. Book Reviews. Information Technology. Construction Technology. Social Media. Earn Continuing Education Credits. Construction Schools.

Risk Management

Risk Management Construction Equipment Schedule Management Project Management

Define Construction Procurement

Job Order Contracting

MARCH 7, 2017

When estimating the value of a construction services procurement in order to determine if it is a covered procurement, the procurement must not be divided into separate parts for the purpose of avoiding a procurement threshold. Define Construction Procurement – Related White Papers and Resources.

Procurement

Procurement Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) Building Information Modeling (BIM) Land Use Regulations

Job Order Contracting - Untitled Article

Job Order Contracting

FEBRUARY 21, 2019

The latest (and correct version) construction cost estimates, drawings, issues, or reports are instantly available. Additional White Papers / References: ASSET LIFE-CYCLE MODEL – Total Cost of Ownership Management – A framework for facilities life-cycle management. No searching through emails, files, or notes.

Building Information Modeling (BIM)

Building Information Modeling (BIM) Lean Construction Facility Management Quality Assurance

School Board Business Officers Better Serve Facilities Requirements with Innovative Tool Kit

Job Order Contracting

FEBRUARY 21, 2019

The latest (and correct version) construction cost estimates, drawings, issues, or reports are instantly available. contact-form-7] Additional White Papers / References: ASSET LIFE-CYCLE MODEL – Total Cost of Ownership Management – A framework for facilities life-cycle management. No searching through emails, files, or notes.

Building Information Modeling (BIM)

Building Information Modeling (BIM) Lean Construction Quality Assurance Facility Management

Job Order Contracting – JOC – Best Management Practices

Building Information Management

MAY 11, 2015

Experience – One must be an experienced estimator and experienced RSMeans, or any RSMeans-based JOC. Both need to have sufficient experience in estimating, construction, teaming, and be willing to truly share information. There are multiple case studies, white papers, and research documents. Annual volume.

Integrated Project Delivery (IPD)

Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) Contracts Estimating Cost Control

Team Members Left Hanging on Bid for Tappan Zee Bridge Project.

ENR Construction

AUGUST 7, 2012

White Papers. Description: One of the four teams contending for the estimated $5-billion Tappan Zee Bridge replacement project in New York State chose not to submit a bid at the last moment. Book Reviews. Information Technology. Construction Technology. Social Media. Earn Continuing Education Credits. Construction Schools.

Risk Management

Risk Management Construction Equipment Schedule Management Project Management

How to Get Wet Blood Out of Carpet

CivilJungle

MARCH 30, 2022

Also, Read: Building Estimation Step by Step In Excel Sheet. At first, we need a blotting paper to blot out the blood from the wool carpet. Finally, blot that place with wet soft cloth or blotting paper but don’t rub that place because rubbing may spread the blood stain it will be more problematic than the previous one.

Structural Systems

Structural Systems Foundation Systems Flooring Systems Building Materials

LEAN Job Order Contracting Intro 3

Job Order Contracting

AUGUST 8, 2017

AEC Best Value Construction and Facilities Operational Exellence- Position Paper. Classification Criticality – Architecture, Engineering, Construction, & Life-cycle Facility Management – A Draft White Paper. The Evolution of Construction Cost Estimating Technology. Collaboration In Construction-WhitePaper.

Integrated Project Delivery (IPD)

Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) Contracts Lean Construction Quality Assurance

Construction is NOT complex…. People are. Successful Construction Project Delivery Requirements

Job Order Contracting

MARCH 6, 2021

Having common, centralized access to detail repair, renovation, maintenance, and new build task significantly increases cost visibility transparency and overall construction project cost control. The post Construction is NOT complex… People are.

Cost Control

Cost Control Facility Management Risk Management Change Management

How to Get Vomit Out of Carpet

CivilJungle

MARCH 28, 2022

Also, Read: Building Estimation Step by Step In Excel Sheet. Either paper tissues, cardboard, a plastic bag, a spatula, or a beach. Club pop, dry cleaning detergent, white vinegar, or hydrogen peroxide. Hand or Paper Towel. Begin by involving different energy results and position a white damp cloth over it.

Steel Fabrication

Steel Fabrication Concrete Pouring Structural Systems Lifts

Collaboration, Transparency, Accuracy, Process, and supporting Technology – The Keys to Improved Productivity for Building Construction, Renovation, Repair, and Sustainability

Building Information Management

FEBRUARY 15, 2012

How can multiple cost estimators share information on a project, or communicate with Owners, Contractors, AE’s, Subs, etc… if they aren’t speaking the same language? 4Clicks.com – premier software for cost estimating and efficient project delivery – JOC, SABER, IPD, SATOC, MATOC, MACC, POCA, BOA, IDIQ.

Integrated Project Delivery (IPD)

Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) Building Information Modeling (BIM) Collaboration Sustainability

Mindy Keiser always knows where to look

The Korte Company

APRIL 6, 2023

And as an estimator, this cautious approach has always served her well. Estimating is a lot to juggle. One day, her teacher pinned a sheet of paper on the bulletin board. That’s why The Korte Company hired her full-time as an estimator as soon as she graduated from college. Mindy Keiser isn’t one for snap judgments.

Estimating

Estimating Building Products Distribution Project Management Building Materials

Detailed Job Order Contract Operations Manual

Job Order Contracting

JANUARY 30, 2017

Independent Owner Estimate Preparation. Protection of Owner Estimate. SAMPLE INDEPENDENT OWNER/GOVERNMENT ESTIMATE. COST ESTIMATE. References / White Papers. Job Order / Task Order Routing. Assignment of a Project Manager. Scope Validation Meeting. Request for Contractor’s Proposal. Proposal Preparation.

Contracts

Contracts Quality Assurance Quality Control Cost Control

Key Construction Tradeshow Tactics for Delivering ROI

Construction Marketing

MARCH 14, 2019

Also present a gated offer for prospects to receive an industry white paper, demo or estimate to help you qualify your leads, plus determine the hottest ones. Post-show – Thank all the attendees who visited your booth and include a picture of your booth to help them remember you.

Communication

Communication Building Materials Manufacturing Building Optimization Building Materials

Sample Job Order Contract

Job Order Contracting

FEBRUARY 28, 2017

Independent Owner Estimate Preparation. Protection of Owner Estimate. SAMPLE INDEPENDENT OWNER/GOVERNMENT ESTIMATE. COST ESTIMATE. References / White Papers. Assignment of a Project Manager. Scope Validation Meeting. Request for Contractor’s Proposal 38. Proposal Preparation. Placing the Order. DEFINITIONS.

Contracts

Contracts Quality Control Quality Assurance Cost Control

JOC Program Guide

Job Order Contracting

MARCH 22, 2017

Independent Owner Estimate Preparation. Protection of Owner Estimate. SAMPLE INDEPENDENT OWNER/GOVERNMENT ESTIMATE. COST ESTIMATE. References / White Papers 86. Assignment of a Project Manager. Scope Validation Meeting. Request for Contractor’s Proposal 39. Proposal Preparation. Placing the Order.

Quality Control

Quality Control Quality Assurance Cost Control Contracts

What is a JOC Unit Price Book

Job Order Contracting

APRIL 19, 2018

A JOC Unit Price Book is a fixed list of detailed construction tasks and associated pricing/costs that is used to estimate costs for individual JOC projects/job orders, associated with a JOC Program. Request our “How to Select a JOC Unit Price Book” white paper. on an general basis. The answer is a simple, NO.

General Contracting

General Contracting Estimating Lean Construction Approvals

Job Order Contracting – Lean Construction History

Job Order Contracting

SEPTEMBER 14, 2016

The cost of a JOC project, also referred to as a Job Order (JO) or Task Order (TO) be determined by creating a detailed line item unit price estimate for the associated Statement of Work (SOW) provided by the Owner. The total of the estimate is then multiplied by a coefficient. via Four BT, LLC – WWW.4BT.US.

Lean Construction

Lean Construction Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) Contracts General Contracting

How to Draw a House Plan Step by Step

CivilJungle

AUGUST 5, 2022

You should know the right process to draw a house plan before you start drawing a plan on paper. If not known, a lot of time and precious papers are going to be wasted. So before drawing the plan on paper, the needs and priorities must be given attention and be kept in mind. How to Draw a House Plan Step by Step?

Building Design

Building Design Building Materials Staircases Masonry

Project Foundation Pt. 1: Building the Master Schedule

Stok

JUNE 27, 2018

Or should it be clear cut, black and white? Does it need to include detailed estimates, or just a ROM? Give the GC and their trades time to estimate the project. If budget is the project driver (remember the holy trinity of project priorities — budget, schedule, and design ), build in more than one estimating period.

Schedule Management

Schedule Management Project Management Consulting Building Permits Project Management

Common construction cost estimating problems

Construction Cost Data Insight

Webinars

Trending Sources

Intelligent Compaction Paves the Way to the High-Tech Roadbuilding of Tomorrow

Webinars

Slow & Steady: State of the Concrete Industry

Tools for Improving Vehicle & Equipment Maintenance Management

A Solid Foundation for a Virtual World: State of the Concrete Industry

Every State Had June Construction Unemployment Rates Below 10%

Unlock Public Sector Construction Productivity – A White Paper

AIA Unveils New Leading Indicator in Construction Research White Paper

Construction Classification Criticality – A Draft White Paper

The Financial Case for High Performance Buildings: Why It Matters

Learning about Job Order Contracting?

Help make PVC (vinyl) roofing a recycling leader

Optimizing Construction Cost Estimating Outcomes

Estimate Construction Costs

Real Property Owners and Facilities Management Professionals FOCUS on PROCESS first… then Technology

Robust Construction Cost Estimating with Best Representation of RSMeans Cost Data – Contractors, Owners, AEs, JOC, IPD, SABER, IDIQ …

Construction Cost Estimating Software vs. Spreadsheets – State of the Nation 2012

Using Business Intelligence to Gain a Competitive Edge

New Product Launch Checklist

LEAN Construction Delivery, The Primary Challenge to BIM

What Are Design-Build Services?

The digital black hole impacting the construction industry

Current Conditions of America’s Schools

Tappan Zee Bridge Bidder's Cold Feet Costs Team $2.5 Million.

Define Construction Procurement

Job Order Contracting - Untitled Article

School Board Business Officers Better Serve Facilities Requirements with Innovative Tool Kit

Job Order Contracting – JOC – Best Management Practices

Team Members Left Hanging on Bid for Tappan Zee Bridge Project.

How to Get Wet Blood Out of Carpet

LEAN Job Order Contracting Intro 3

Construction is NOT complex…. People are. Successful Construction Project Delivery Requirements

How to Get Vomit Out of Carpet

Collaboration, Transparency, Accuracy, Process, and supporting Technology – The Keys to Improved Productivity for Building Construction, Renovation, Repair, and Sustainability

Mindy Keiser always knows where to look

Detailed Job Order Contract Operations Manual

Key Construction Tradeshow Tactics for Delivering ROI

Sample Job Order Contract

JOC Program Guide

What is a JOC Unit Price Book

Job Order Contracting – Lean Construction History

How to Draw a House Plan Step by Step

Project Foundation Pt. 1: Building the Master Schedule

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