In today’s tight funding environment, accurate and timely estimates are the foundation of a successful project management program. Accurate estimating has always been one of our core services at CB&A, and we continually work to protect our reputation for accuracy in the field. The secret to our estimating success is putting up-to-date information in the hands of experienced professionals — the average CB&A estimating professional has over 17 years of experience, and that expertise shows in the accuracy of our estimates.

At CB&A, our success in providing accurate and timely estimates comes from our thorough knowledge of the value of materials and labor: We are continually updating our commodity quotes from suppliers and re-evaluating labor and subcontract costs from vendors to provide the most accurate estimates for our clients. Our cost analysts adjust productivity factors based on actual product information including actual equipment, commodity, labor and subcontract costs.

CB&A develops and compiles all classes of estimates, including order of magnitude, preliminary, budget appropriation, re-estimates, and definitive. Project scopes have included process equipment, process piping, process instrumentation and controls, electrical distribution, process buildings, control buildings, administration buildings, utilities, warehouses, plumbing, HVAC, site work, foundations, structural steel, and site security systems.

  • Classes of Estimates:
    • Order of Magnitude – Factored or Comparative System/Historical Pricing (Adjusted for Site-Specific Requirements)
    • Preliminary – Preliminary Quantity Take-Off Based on Conceptual Engineering Data (Unit Pricing Based On Experience or Quotes)
    • Budget Appropriation – Quantity Take-Off Based on Finalized G/A, P&IDs and Engineering Sketches (Quoted Pricing)
    • Re-Estimate – Quantity Take-Off Based on Revised Engineering Data (Quoted Pricing or Purchase Order Pricing Where Applicable)
    • Definitive – Quantity Take-Off Based on IFCd/Rev. 0 Drawings and/or Purchase Order/Contractor Pricing.
  • Estimate Preparation:
    • Scope Definition/Development
    • Compile Project Specifications
    • Work Breakdown Structure Development
    • Process System Identification
    • Constructability
    • Quantity Development Based on Site Inspections
    • Scope/Quantity Review with Engineering Team
  • Estimate Development:
    • Detailed Quantity Take-Offs for All Disciplines Based on Engineering Data.
    • Factored/Historical Estimating Techniques
    • Assembly Based Estimating Techniques
    • Subcontract/Material Pricing/Quotes
    • Crew Size Development
    • Productivity Analysis
    • Built-Up Wage Rates
    • Commodity Waste Factors
    • Heavy Lift Crane Analysis
    • Estimate Basis Development
    • Monte Carlo Risk Analysis
    • Total Project Estimate – Owner Cost, Contract Engineering, Demolition/Relocations, Sitework, Buildings, Foundations, Structural Steel, Mechanical Equipment (Process), Mechanical & Electrical Services, Instrumentation, Piping, Electrical, Insulation, Paintings/Coatings, Construction Indirects, Escalation and Contingency
    • Estimate Reporting
    • Team Estimate Reviews
  • Estimating Systems/Software:
    • WinEst (Maintain 78,000 Item Database & Assemblies)
    • Icarus
    • Excel Spreadsheets
  • Estimates:
    • WinEst Examples