Journal of Architectural Engineering Technology
Open Access

Traditional methods

Construction contractors often submit bids or tenders in order to compete for a project's contract award. To prepare the bid, first create a cost estimate to identify the costs, and then decide on a price (s). This entails going over the project's plans and specifications in order to create a take-off or quantity survey. The construction documents contain a list of all the supplies and activities that are necessary for a building project. The measured quantities, along with the prices for these components, provide the basis for calculating the direct cost. To arrive at a total sum, indirect costs and profit are put together.

Spread sheets

Cost estimators divided the take-off and the estimate into rows of items and columns carrying the description, quantity, and pricing components on columnar sheets of paper. Some of them looked like ledger sheets from an accounting firm. The public began to refer to them as "green sheets" or "spread sheets."

Commercial estimating software

Spread sheet mistakes grew increasingly common as cost estimators became more reliant on spread sheets and the formulae within them became more sophisticated. Formula and cell-reference mistakes were the most common, and they frequently resulted in cost overruns. As a result, commercial cost estimation software programs were designed using hard-coded algorithms and data structures to circumvent these mistakes. Other advantages include the utilization of cost and other data reference databases, consistent and professional-looking results, speed, accuracy, and overall process uniformity.

Spread sheet mistakes grew increasingly common as cost estimators became more reliant on spread sheets and the formulae within them became more sophisticated. Formula and cell-reference mistakes were the most common, and they frequently resulted in cost overruns. As a result, commercial cost estimation software programs were designed using hard-coded algorithms and data structures to circumvent these mistakes. Other advantages include the utilization of cost and other data reference databases, consistent and professional-looking results, speed, accuracy, and overall process uniformity.

Typical features

When it comes to purchasing cost estimation software, three features stand out:

• Measurement from paper or electronic blueprints is possible using take off software.

• Cost databases built-in - this offers reference cost data that may be your own or from a commercial source like RS Means.

• Estimating worksheets - these are the spread sheets where the main work is done, including calculations and other tools to aid in the process.

Estimation software is simple to use and calculates building expenses. This covers job expenses and payments, report generation, phase analysis, construction schedule, inspection charges, equipment rents, engineering expenditures, and so on. In brief, estimating software not only estimates software costs, but it also aids project managers by simplifying and completing duties that are typically handled by accountants (who, by the way, cost money). how to determine the worth of a domain name Furthermore, some systems have a built-in order system that enables for quick ordering of required materials with only a few clicks. Because it calculates the costs of contractions, estimation software is also known as contraction cost software. As a result, this software is required not just by architects and engineers, but also by contractors, as the efficiency of a project is highly reliant on its cost. The majority of these applications are aimed for contractors who may use the software to quickly calculate expected prices and make cost-based modifications, such as switching from hardwood flooring to laminate.