Commercial Estimators

I have Bluebeam PDFRevu as my PDF creator program instead of Adobe.  It is compatible with all Adobe files and can be used to measure.  But, if you are really serious about doing takeoffs from PDF files you should use On Screen Takeoff (OST) from On Center.  www.oncenter.com  It reads TIFF and PDF and many other files.  It ...

Your link to the metal framing alliance is good.  You can try USG products.  Most business owners that are building new buildings or additions are using metal studs and metal light weight roof trusses, if they want a sloped roof.  Small private owners, like privately owned doctor's buildings, etc, might go with wood construction ...

Many sitework contractors and construction surveyors are taking advantage of the technologies of GPS, laser and RF.  I am studying the "data prep" area where the original, basically 2D, CAD drawings are "elevated" to 3D and prepared for use in producing data files for downloading into surveying and machine ...

I firmly believe this slow down in new home construction offers the USA a unique opportunity to issue major revisions in the home building codes.  When the market picks up again all new homes should have major green requirements.  Those requirement are a subject of a larger, extensive discussion for another place and ...

The best way to talk directly to estimators is at an ASPE meeting.  The meetings are open to all.  Introduce yourself to the members there and they will probably introduce you to the entire group at the opening of the meeting and give you a chance to tell a little about yourself.  Let them know you are available.  Go to the ...

I viewed the video demonstration for Planswift and in the video they create a curved linear takeoff by clicking on 3 points on an arc while in the middle of a continous mode takeoff of several straight segments and then continue with more straight segments.  Then they do an area takeoff and create a curved segment of the perimeter the same ...

I agree about estimators with residential backgrounds having a harder time crossing over to commercial.  Mike's statement tells why.  "I wasn't prepared ... , I didn't work in that sector ..."  The sleeveless T shirt, tennis shoe construction methods of the residential sector just isn't experience ...

Before I started my estimating consulting business, I bid projects for a general contractor.  We bid projects from $100,000 to $10,000,000.  I tracked OH&P and General Conditions as a % of the total bid for each job.  General conditions, or job site costs, would run from 8% to 15% from small to large projects.  Usually ...

I recommend the Standard Estimating Practices published by the ASPE.  Go to http://www.aspenational.org/osCommerce/catalog/ and click on Books category.

I don't know if there is an answer.  As design firms compete for fewer and fewer trained architects and engineers with larger salaries and have to bid on work they have negotiated in the past, the old "boilerplate" specs look pretty convenient.  Many jobs are designed by addendum.  The design is 90% complete ...