
Conceptual Estimates, Budgets, and Design-Build
- Conceptual estimates. The description of a conceptual estimate can range from a feasibility study, which carries ±20% margin of error with regard to the actual project cost, to a complex ...
- Budgets. ...
- Design-build. ...
What is conceptual cost estimation?
Conceptual estimating is the first predesign effort made to determine a project’s cost and is usually a part of the feasibility analysis of a project. It tells the owner the anticipated costs before contemplating a project’s feasibility and further development. Therefore, a cost estimator prepares a conceptual estimate with limited ...
How to accurately project cost estimates?
- Clearly and accurately name the work packages in the WBS.
- Decompose them into the deliverables-focused elements required to produce and manage them. ...
- Estimate the “level-of-effort” needed to complete the element in an agreed-upon unit-of-measure. ...
- Document constraints and potential risks as notes in the estimate. ...
What is conceptual cost?
What is Conceptual Cost Estimation? Conceptual cost estimating is done during the pre-construction stage of a project. The estimate gives the owner greater insight to manage the overall cost control program. The conceptual cost estimate will provide the first check against your project budget. The conceptual estimate will shed light on potential cost overruns at the early stages.
How to cost estimate projects?
Project cost estimating is a process that can be broken down into five steps: Identify and allocate resources to tasks based on your team’s capacity. Estimate the task length to create a project schedule (with some buffer) Calculate the project cost based on a chosen estimation method.

What is a conceptual estimate developed from?
Conceptual Estimate means an estimate of construction costs made from the designer's preliminary sketches and outline specification.
What is conceptual budgeting?
Conceptual cost estimating is done during the pre-construction stage of a project. The estimate gives the owner greater insight to manage the overall cost control program. The conceptual cost estimate will provide the first check against your project budget.
What are the three types of estimates?
There are three types of estimates that can be used to communicate costs to clients, including ballpark, budgetary, and definitive.
What are benefits of using conceptual estimating?
The primary benefit to conceptual cost estimating is that you get a general picture of how much your project will cost. It's the first check you get against your budget, and it helps you make important design decisions that directly impact the look and feel of the finished building.
What is a feasibility estimate?
The term 'Feasibility estimate' as it applies to the area of reclamation can be defined as ' An estimate used for determining the economic feasibility of a project, the probable sequence and cost for construction of a project, and as a guide in the choice between alternative locations or plans'.
What is parametric estimate?
Parametric estimating is a statistical and accuracy-based technique for calculating the time, cost, and resources needed for project success. Combining historical and statistical data, parametric estimating uses the relationship between variables to deliver accurate estimations.
What are the four main types of estimates?
Most estimators, however, agree that each type has its place in the construction estimating process. The four types of estimates are as follows: order of magnitude estimate, square foot estimate, assemblies estimate and unit price estimate.
What are the five different types of estimates?
5 Types of Cost EstimatesFactor estimating. ... Parametric estimating. ... Equipment factored estimating. ... Lang method. ... Hand method. ... Detailed estimating.
What is estimate and its types?
Estimate is prepared by calculating the quantities from the dimension on the drawings for various items required to complete the project and multiplied by the unit cost of items concerned. Purpose of Estimates: To know the amount of money required to complete the proposed work.
What is the reason why conceptual estimate is not recommended in an actual project estimate?
A conceptual estimate only allows you to compete; it doesn't guarantee that you'll win the deal. An owner can easily decide to hold off on their project if your estimate of the cost, scope, and budget required is more than they can take on. Your conceptual estimate may have proven valuable to the owner.
What are the basic types of cost estimating?
Below, we explore four of the most common cost estimation techniques that you can leverage.Analogous Estimating. ... Parametric Estimating. ... Bottom-Up Estimating. ... Three-Point Estimating.
What is detailed cost estimate?
Detailed Cost Estimate Detailed cost estimate is prepared when competent administrative authority approved the preliminary estimates. This is very accurate type of estimate. Quantities of items of work are measured and the cost of each item of work is calculated separately.
What are the types of budgeting?
Different types of budgetsMaster budget. A master budget is an aggregation of lower-level budgets created by the different functional areas in an organization. ... Operating budget. ... Cash budget. ... Financial budget. ... Labor budget. ... Static budget.
Why is budgeting an important function of a nursing supervisor?
Nurse managers ensure staffing costs remain within the budgeted amounts. They prepare for fluctuations in staffing needs without accruing staff overtime, and when staffing needs overwhelm unit resources, they are responsible for budgeting for temporary help.
What are the purpose of budgeting?
The purpose of a budget is to plan, organize, track, and improve your financial situation. In other words, from controlling your spending to consistently saving and investing a portion of your income, a budget helps you stay on course in pursuit of your long-term financial goals.
What is budgeting and why is it important?
But what exactly is budgeting? It's a proactive approach to organizing your finances. Budgeting ensures you're not spending more than you're making, allowing you to plan for short- and long-term expenses. It's an easy, helpful way for people with all types of income and expenses to keep their finances in order.
What is conceptual estimate?
Conceptual Estimate means an estimate of construction costs made from the designer 's preliminary sketches and outline specification. Conceptual estimating methods should be used when preparing a Guaranteed Maximum Price from incomplete design drawings and specifications.
What is estimated project cost?
Estimated Project Cost means the capital cost (indicative) of the Project as mentioned in the RFP;
How accurate is the NCDOT preliminary estimate?
Conceptual Estimate Feasibility Estimate Functional Design Estimate Preliminery EstimateRight of Way EstimateFinal Estimate TimelineFigure 7.1 Six Phases of NCDOT Preconstruction Estimates (not to scale)Based on the total itemized cost, the estimation accuracy is in a 45-55% range of uncertainty for the Conceptual Estimate, a 15%-45% range for Feasibility Estimates and Functional Design Estimates, 10%-35% for Preliminary Estimates, 10%-25% for Right of Way Estimates, and 5- 10% for the Final Estimate.
What is current closure cost estimate?
Current closure cost estimate means the most recent of the estimates prepared in accordance with the requirements of 9VAC20-70-111.
What is cost outlier?
Cost outlier means services provided during a single visit that have an extraordinarily high cost as established in paragraph “g” and are therefore eligible for additional payments above and beyond the base APC payment.
What is a state estimator?
State Estimator means a computer model that computes the state (voltage magnitudes and angles) of the Transmission System using the network model and real-time measurements. Line flows, transformer flows, and injections at the busses are calculated from the known state and the transmission line parameters. The State Estimator has the capability to detect and identify bad measurements.
What are operating costs?
Operating Costs means Landlord’s annual costs incurred to maintain, operate, insure, manage, and repair the Property, including (a ) on-site personnel costs incurred in the operation of the Property ; (b) utility costs for Property common areas, including water and sewer, fuel and other energy for heating and cooling the Building, and electricity for common areas; (c) costs of insurance carried by Landlord relating to the Property, including, without limitation, fire, casualty, liability and other insurance coverages as Landlord reasonably determines to obtain; (d) costs of cleaning, repair, replacement and other work relating to the maintenance, repair and improvements to the Building, the Property, and common facilities serving the Building and the Property, (to the extent required by this Lease to be paid by Landlord and not otherwise reimbursed by Tenant); (e) costs to maintain and repair the parking areas at the Property; (f) cost of snow plowing, snow removal, sanding and landscaping; (g) costs to operate the Building fitness facility and other amenity areas (including without limitation equipment leases and/or finance charges), and (h) costs of all service contracts, management fees (calculated at market rates) and other customary maintenance and operating expenses applicable to the Property incurred by Landlord. With respect to Operating Costs, Landlord agrees as follows: all included expenses shall be at Landlord’s direct cost, without markup; to the extent Landlord’s personnel costs are included, they shall be pro-rated for that portion of time actually committed to the Property and its operation; management fees shall be compensation for supervisory services calculated at generally accepted commercial rates; capital costs for structural repairs, to repave the parking lot and/or to replace worn out or obsolete major equipment or facilities (collectively “Capital Repairs”), as distinguished from customary maintenance and repairs, shall be amortized over their respective useful life as reasonably determined by Landlord, such that the annual cost thereof does not exceed a total of $40,000.00; capital improvements (as distinguished from Capital Repairs) shall not be included; costs recovered in full from one or more tenants other than Tenant shall not be included; costs to demise and renovate interior space for tenants shall not be included; the cost of work and repairs covered by insurance proceeds paid under Landlord’s insurance then in force shall not be included; costs which solely benefit leased areas of the Property shall not be included unless the same or similar benefit is provided to the Premises; and costs to enforce Landlord’s rights and remedies against other tenants shall not be included. Furthermore, “Operating Costs” shall not include: expenses for any item or service which Tenant pays directly to a third party or separately pays to Landlord; leasing commissions; principal, interest and other expenses upon loans to Landlord or secured by a mortgage covering the Building or Property or a portion thereof; rent under any ground lease; salaries of executive officers of Landlord; depreciation claimed by Landlord for tax purposes; reserves; costs incurred due to the negligence or willful misconduct of the Landlord, its agents and employees; penalties, fines and other costs incurred due to violation by the Landlord of any lease or any laws and any interest or penalties attributable to late payment by Landlord of any of the Operating Costs; and costs and expenses of investigating, monitoring and remediating hazardous materials on, under or about the Building or Property.
What is conceptual estimate?
According to the Design-Build Institute of America, Washington, D.C., a conceptual estimate is “the skill of forecasting accurate costs without significant graphic design information about a project.”.
Why is it important to assign costs?
Assigning costs is necessary in every stage of planning, and , ultimately, constructing a building. Sometimes, unfavorable budgets, zoning requirements, or a tricky economy might preclude a building from being constructed. However, understanding the planning process and the key differences between the various types of estimating strategies ...
Why is the construction budgeting phase important?
In other words, the budgeting phase is essential. Construction budgets can be tedious, but the fiscal element of any project can never be underestimated or overlooked, especially in today's economy. The constructability of a design results in a cost-effective budget and smooth construction processes.
How long did it take to build the Empire State Building?
The Empire State Building in New York City is often referred to as the epitome of this concept, as it was completed on time and under budget, taking just one year and 45 days to complete. There are at least four types of budgets used in the construction field: conceptual, schematic, design development, and working drawings.
Do photovoltaic panels cost more than conventional buildings?
The use of photovoltaic panels, green roofs, geothermal wells, and other energy-efficient building materials still cost more than a conventionally built structure. However, the payback of reduced energy costs and reduced carbon footprint over the life of the building can outweigh the initial increased costs.
Is research part of estimating?
Research is always part and parcel of the conceptual estimating process, as there is no “outline” for this process. Each estimator must forge his own way and stretch the imagination to put his proposal into an interesting, understandable and usable format to move the project to the next level.
