Construc on Es ma ng| Ques ons and answers |
Updated RATED A+| 2026
Construc on es ma ng is more an art than a science
Truly, its both, it will never be a science. Es mators rely on their, intui on, past experience,
judgment and some mes guesses.
Statements or drawings that modify the basic contract documents a er the la!er have been
issued to the bidders, but prior to the taking of bids.
Addenda
Drawings made during the progress of construc on, or subsequent thereto, illustra ng how
various elements of the project were actually installed.
As-built drawings
Proposal prepared by prospec ve contractor specifying the charges to be made for doing the
work in accordance with the contract documents.
Bid
What is es ma ng in construc on?
Predic ng the cost in advance
based on a model (formal or informal,
plans and specifica ons) of a project
Name 10 step process to bid
1. Review scope
2. Quan ty takeoff
3. Price materials
4. Price labor
5. Price equipment
6. Obtain specialty contractor's bid
7. Obtain supplier's bid
8. Calculate taxes, bonds, insurance, and overhead
9. Con ngency
10. Profit
, Describe the composi on of the Construc on Cost Index (CCI).
Common labor and material por ons
Describe the composi on of the Building Cost Index (BCI).
Skilled labor and material por ons
Name two systems that establish standards for the building
design/construc on es ma ng process.
Master Format and Uniformat
Five basic skills everyone should master
Finding and bidding the type of work that's appropriate for
your company, Making accurate cost es mates, Using pricing strategies that reduces your risk
of loss, An cipa ng the bids of your compe on, Tracking overhead so you know the actual
cost of doing business
Order of Magnitude Es mate:
A gross unit such as the number of hospital beds is used.
Assemblies Es mate:
The es mator uses more detailed informa on such as the bay size, square feet of par on wall,
number of plumbing fixtures, or square feet of carpet.
A work order, usually prepared by the architect and signed by the owner or the owner's agent,
authorizing a change in the scope of the work and a change in the cost of the project.
Change Order
A document sta ng the procedures to be followed by bidders.
Instruc on to bidders
A surety bond guaranteeing that a bidder will sign a contract, if offered, in accordance with their
proposal.
Bid Bond
Working drawings, specifica ons, general condi ons, supplementary general condi ons, the
owner-contractor agreement, and all addenda (if issued).
Contract Documents
Updated RATED A+| 2026
Construc on es ma ng is more an art than a science
Truly, its both, it will never be a science. Es mators rely on their, intui on, past experience,
judgment and some mes guesses.
Statements or drawings that modify the basic contract documents a er the la!er have been
issued to the bidders, but prior to the taking of bids.
Addenda
Drawings made during the progress of construc on, or subsequent thereto, illustra ng how
various elements of the project were actually installed.
As-built drawings
Proposal prepared by prospec ve contractor specifying the charges to be made for doing the
work in accordance with the contract documents.
Bid
What is es ma ng in construc on?
Predic ng the cost in advance
based on a model (formal or informal,
plans and specifica ons) of a project
Name 10 step process to bid
1. Review scope
2. Quan ty takeoff
3. Price materials
4. Price labor
5. Price equipment
6. Obtain specialty contractor's bid
7. Obtain supplier's bid
8. Calculate taxes, bonds, insurance, and overhead
9. Con ngency
10. Profit
, Describe the composi on of the Construc on Cost Index (CCI).
Common labor and material por ons
Describe the composi on of the Building Cost Index (BCI).
Skilled labor and material por ons
Name two systems that establish standards for the building
design/construc on es ma ng process.
Master Format and Uniformat
Five basic skills everyone should master
Finding and bidding the type of work that's appropriate for
your company, Making accurate cost es mates, Using pricing strategies that reduces your risk
of loss, An cipa ng the bids of your compe on, Tracking overhead so you know the actual
cost of doing business
Order of Magnitude Es mate:
A gross unit such as the number of hospital beds is used.
Assemblies Es mate:
The es mator uses more detailed informa on such as the bay size, square feet of par on wall,
number of plumbing fixtures, or square feet of carpet.
A work order, usually prepared by the architect and signed by the owner or the owner's agent,
authorizing a change in the scope of the work and a change in the cost of the project.
Change Order
A document sta ng the procedures to be followed by bidders.
Instruc on to bidders
A surety bond guaranteeing that a bidder will sign a contract, if offered, in accordance with their
proposal.
Bid Bond
Working drawings, specifica ons, general condi ons, supplementary general condi ons, the
owner-contractor agreement, and all addenda (if issued).
Contract Documents
