A Journey Through the Core Principles of Cost Estimating
Cost estimating isn’t just about predicting expenses; it forms the core of effective project management. It lays a solid foundation for financial planning, sharpens risk management strategies, and supports well-informed decision-making processes. This step is crucial, especially in ensuring that projects navigate their lifecycle successfully. The complexity and size significantly shape financial outcomes in sectors […]
Cost Variance Analysis Demystified: A Comprehensive Resource
Cost variance analysis forms an integral part of project management and financial oversight. This systematic process unveils crucial insights into a project’s performance, highlighting variances between anticipated and actual costs while deciphering their underlying reasons. This article aims to deliver a simplified guide on cost variance analysis, its significance, methodologies, interpretation, and utilization for robust […]
Cougar Companies Chooses Estimating Software and Gains 5X Revenue Growth
Fort Myers, Florida-based Cougar Companies has over 200 employees and completes a wide range of projects throughout the southwest portion of the state, including vertical and horizontal concrete construction, site preparation, underground utilities, excavation, concrete cutting and demolition, and lidar drone reports and calculations. Shane Meaker, Chief Estimator for Cougar Companies since 2017, went back to […]
Soil Types and Conditions – Estimator’s View
Soil Types There are many different types of soil, and the excavation procedures used for each type can vary. Some common types of soil include clay, silt, sand, and loam. The properties of each type of soil will determine the best excavation techniques to use. Clay soil is a dense, sticky soil that is made […]
Excavation Slope Protection – Cost Estimator’s Perspective
Estimating Labour Costs
Cost Groups and Types in Cost Estimating Before we start discussing the labour costs in a cost estimate, let us briefly review the cost groups and types. Cost Groups Cost Types Direct Labour – Definition In a cost estimate, we will only have direct labour costs for activities that the contractor performs with its own […]