Commercial Estimators

I have subscribed to several plan rooms, etc. and I feel like I am always "cheating" the Division Codes because there doesn't seem to be specific catagories for Outsourced Estimating or Quantity take Offs. I have been using 01025 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS Measurement & Payment . Can anyone shed some light on this? I havent looked into the new Format enough to see if they have made room for this..... Thanks!

Mark,

 I contacted a representative of CSI to get an accurate response to your question and I will attempt to relay the info. I was given. 

I was informed that the 2004 master format like the earlier version is used to capture work groups for writing construction documents.  This relates to how the work will be performed and all the parameters involved with the construction activity being described, construction services such as estimating and quantity surveys are assumed to be completed before the on site work begins. 

I do agree with one of the points of contention that seemed to be integrated in your question, how do you account for estimating done at the general contractor or sub-contractor level?  The best I can come up with is that these services still preceed any work groups that are performed in the field and would be considred as part of overhead.

I would however suggest that further review of section 00 in the 2004 master format may be able to shed some light on a solution to this issue, please let me know what you find.

Del Farley II

Project Manager

EIC Services

1 North Commerce Drive

Cincinnati, OH 45215

Phone: (513) 733-1626

Cell: (513) 490-8261

Fax: (513) 931-2857

 

Del...how did you get your photo to upload on your profile?  I can't seem to get my to work.  Thanks

I suggested the following on the On Center web site forum:

 The CSI code closest to estimating is "00 31 16 Project Budget Information" under "00 31 00 Available Project Information". Division "00 Procurment and Contracting Requirements" is where estimating should be located, pre-bid specifications. Once you get into Division 01 you get into "bricks and mortar" requirements or post-bid specifications. IMHO

http://www.csinet.org/s_csi/docs/9400/9361.pdf

This corresponds to Del's message about pre and post construction activities.  I am in a construction association called Allied Construction Industries and as an independent consultant they have me listed as a surveyor because that is the closest match they have.  The Blue Book has one called Construction Estimating Services, but they don't specifiy CSI codes.

R,

 I just followed the steps in creating a profle, it looks like you figured it out because your photo shows up on my end.

Bud,

 Thanks, for your help with this matter.  I knew our ASPE chapter's estimator of the year would be able to contribute on this matter. 

yeah, another guy helped me out.  Thanks

I was looking at other CSI codes and 00 31 21 Survey Information has some ideas we could use.  00 31 21.16 is "Measured Drawing Information".  I believe the last 2 digits are available any useage and not specified by the CSI committee.  Here is a cut from the CSI numbering explanation page.

"03 20 00 – Concrete Reinforcing As was the case with the old numbers, the first two digits, in this case also “03,” still represent the division number, otherwise still known as “level one.” But here’s where the difference comes in. The next pair of numbers, in this case “20” represents level two, and the third pair, “00,” represents level three. Generally, level four numbers are not defined by the listed MasterFormat numbers, but when they are, an additional pair of digits is attached to the end, preceded by a “dot." 

We could call Estimating, "00 31 16.16 Project Budget Estimating Information".