Construction Cost Estimation Methods And Techniques

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Introduction

If you want your construction project to be a success, you need precise cost estimates no matter what type of project you’re working on.

Estimating ensures that your project meets its milestones on schedule and within budget, especially when working with tight deadlines and budgets.

While there are many unknown variables during a project, predicting the resources and expenses required will put you in the best position to succeed.

Estimating construction costs necessitates a high level of ability and understanding. A large number of companies specialize in estimating. Construction, real estate development, design, and engineering firms employ full-time estimators.

Because these cost models serve as the foundation for a successfully run, financially sustainable project, both owners and contractors require accurate estimates.

This article will focus on cost estimating methods and techniques that are important in the smooth functioning of construction projects.

Cost Estimating Methods and Techniques

Some of the cost estimating methods and techniques are –

1. Analogous Estimating Method

Analogous cost estimation employs values from a previous, similar project, such as scope, cost, budget, and duration, or scale measures such as size, weight, and complexity, as the foundation for estimating the same measurement for an ongoing project.

This technique uses the actual cost of past, similar projects as the foundation for calculating the cost of the current project for estimating costs.

It is most trustworthy when past projects are similar in truth, not just in appearance, and the project team members preparing the estimates have the necessary knowledge.

2. Bottom-Up Estimating Method

Bottom-up estimating, also known as analytical estimating, splits project deliverables into a series of work packages, each of which comprises a series of jobs.

This method calculates the total cost of each task and then adds them all up to get the total cost. This method is one of the most precise, but it is also one of the most time-consuming.

The size and complexity of the individual activity or work package often influence the cost and accuracy of bottom-up cost estimating. This method is directly tied to scheduling, planning, and resource allocation.

It necessitates a thorough understanding of the action and a suitable level of definition. It also yields the most precise estimates.

3. Parametric Estimating Method

This method employs algorithms or statistical connections based on past data to calculate the resources required. This method has the advantage of being more exact than equivalent estimation and requiring more data to assess expenses.

We can readily estimate costs within the budget with this method because we know the average costs, error margins, and square footage.

4. Empirical Costing Method

Empirical cost estimates may be a viable choice for similar projects. To produce a cost estimate, this method uses information from previous projects. Due to automation, this technique has proven to be both timely and accurate.

5. Factor Estimating Method

Top-down estimating, also known as factor estimation, is based on a project’s limited scope, and it’s most commonly employed during the identification stage. To give relevant cost data, it uses rules of thumb, parametric models, or historical datasets.

6. Three-Point Estimating Method

The Program Analysis and Review Technique, which examines activities, project costs, and durations by determining optimistic, pessimistic, and most likely estimates, inspired the three-point estimation technique.

Three-point estimating is derived from program analysis and is based on weighted formulas. The estimated costs are calculated using an assumed distribution, which clarifies the range of uncertainty.

To calculate projected expenses, this statistical method employs a variety of formulas. This method can be effective, but only if the original estimates are correct.

7. Data Analysis Method

An alternative analysis is another name for this technique. It identifies and outlines the possibilities accessible to complete the assignment.

The data analysis approach gives the most effective options for completing project tasks while staying within project restrictions.

Rather than overestimating each expense, funds are set aside to deal with unanticipated but statistically expected price rises. Contingency reserves are resources that have been set aside for this purpose.

The benefit of this strategy is that instead of over budgeting, money is set aside to cover unexpected expenses. As a result, expected costs rise statistically.

8. Lang Technique

This is a more detailed estimation method based on the equipment used on the job site. It’s a metric that compares the entire project cost to the cost of all technical equipment.

9. Project Management Information System Technique

Resource management software can be included in project management information systems to help plan, organize, and manage resource pools and produce resource estimations.

Resource breakdown structures, resource availability, resource rates, and other resource calendars can all be built to help with resource usage optimization, depending on the sophistication of the software.

10. Decision-Making Technique

Some decision-making strategies involved here are unanimity, majority, plurality, point allocation, and dictatorship. Everyone must agree to achieve unanimity as there is a shared consensus, and a vote is frequently used to determine a majority or plurality in this method.

11. Cost Of Quality Estimating Technique

This estimating method is a tool for determining the impact of low-quality resources on work quality. With this information, an organization may decide how much money it wants to save on a project by making improvements.

12. Hand Technique

This method is similar to the Lang method, but it considers different aspects based on the type of equipment. Indirect expenses are not included in the components and are calculated independently.

13. Equipment Factor Estimating Technique

In this method, to get the estimate, it is required to take the cost of each piece of equipment and multiply it by an installation factor to get the total expenditures.

This is a useful strategy because equipment costs account for a significant portion of project expenditures. Subcontracted expenses, materials, and labor costs are also included in the installation factor.

14. Expert Judgment Technique

Expert judgment method entails consulting with knowledgeable cost estimators or experts in your company’s sector of operation.

When utilizing this technique to anticipate expenses, you rely on specialists’ understanding of the project’s contents and the overall business climate.

You’ll get helpful, evidence-based assumptions and explanations of related patterns between crucial cost factors in exchange.

15. Delphi Technique

The Delphi method is a collaborative forecasting method that involves a group of specialists. Each expert panel member offers their cost projections in the form of a questionnaire throughout a series of meetings.

A facilitator analyses the responses before announcing them anonymously to the rest of the group. This activity is done two or more times to allow experts to alter their forecasts each time until the Delphi method’s ultimate goal – unanimity on a final cost estimate – is achieved.

16. Vendor Bid Analysis Method

In this method, if vendors will offer the services and goods needed for project completion, comparing pricing bids or proposals from suppliers can be used to estimate the total cost of the project or its components.

They can be gathered in an organized manner by using a request for proposal (RFP) document that outlines project details, such as the service or product delivered by a vendor and the quality requirements.

Conclusion

While there are numerous cost estimation methodologies to choose from, the most successful cost estimates are accurate, credible, precise, and reliable. You’ll be on your way to improved estimates in no time if you have a greater understanding and expertise of the cost estimation process.