Thursday, 24 November 2016

Basic Elements of construction cost Estimate

On receipt of the construction bids the company decides their participation based on the principles of the companies quoting for the bid. Once decided to participate in the race for the work with other competitors the strength and weakness is analysed and strategies are made to hit the work. The estimator starts work on the bid. While estimating at what cost the work to be quoted the minute details and requirements of the client is to be understood. Because each requirement mentioned in the bid by the owner  has cost implication for the company participating and the estimator to calculate the cost for each item mentioned. .Let us consider the company participates in a mechanical erection works the minimum basic items to be considered by the estimator are
1.    Direct manpower cost
2.    Indirect manpower cost
3.    Cost of consumables to be used for that work
4.    Heavy equipment hire charges
5.    Non destructive testing and other testing requirement cost
6.    Cost of maintenance of tools going to be used
7.    Amount to be spent on documentation for obtaining statutory requirements
8.    Arrangements to be made onsite cost
9.    Arrangement for stay of persons at site
10.      Expenses incurred at corporate office on account of this work
11.      Salary of the officers/staff working at site

The details mentioned are the basic cost to be considered .over and above any special requirement of owners cost also to be included in the cost. The sum of total of the said cost becomes the basic cost for completion of the works. However all the companies work towards earning their profit which is not included in the above calculated cost. Erection works are very dangerous in nature. Hence workers and staff persons who will involve in the works are also to be covered under some safety scheme which is not covered in the above cost. With all possibilities for various reasons like lack of time, not getting the required correct input in time delay from subordinates in compilation of the work and many other reasons may leave the estimator in omission of certain items in the bid which is to be covered in the form of contingencies.. On various stages of quoting the work many types of guarantees are required by the owner/client of the project which in turn cannot be given by any company as cash. So some of the bankers of the company stand guarantee for the amount and it is normally accepted by the owner in their own accepted format which in turn  was already approved by their bankers. Such type of guarantees is given for non withdrawal of the bid after the specified date mentioned in owners document. Likewise for the performance of the work carried out by the contractor and for any major defects caused in  their work. In many cases the bank Guarantee formats are discussed between the contractor and owner  on award of contract for all guarantees except for bid gurantee.Normally it is common practice in India for execution of the work the estimated amount is not totally spend by the company of their own. There are lenders and financers who is ready to help the companies on good will and with some interest for the amount given by them. Such interest amounts are not normally added in the cost of the work before taking it further with owner for finalisation. Even when we go for any purchase we are not satisfied by the sale price mentioned in the tag. Everyone is happy with the discounts and reduction in price. Same principle apply here too. On finalisation of the contract the owner too wants reduction in the sale price of that work and the contractor always keep provisions on the calculation to pass it on to the owner and to clinch the contract. To execute the work from corporate/regional/head offices the indirect expenses spent while executing the project needs to be considered..Every company based on its size and volume have their own norms for this purpose and it is being communicated to the estimator to add it up along with other expenses. Addition of the total basic cost along with the above said hidden cost forms the basis for the cost of the work. On further discussions and requirement for that particular work for the company the cost is revisited and finalised and submitted to the owner,

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