Preliminary Estimate Services
Are you somewhere in the range of 30%, 60%, and 90% of your drawing plans? Or frustrated by preparing estimates with incomplete drawing plans? Or in need of a quick preliminary estimate to check if the project is in your client's budget? We can serve you by providing fast and detailed preliminary estimates.
Professional Preliminary Construction Estimating
With 15 years of experience in the AEC industry and portfolio in commercial, residential, private, and public projects, BuildEstimatePro can promise the most reliable and defensible preliminary estimates based on assumptions from the past projects.
We come up with per square feet or square meter costs for finished projects as well as superstructures by utilizing professional estimating software and our developed databases, RS Means and Craftsmen. Our location-based database and relations with local vendors help in performing the bill of material as accurately as possible.
What is a Preliminary Estimate and How it Helps?
A preliminary estimate or conceptual estimate is used to forecast the project cost to analyze the economic feasibility of the construction project prior to the development of detailed drawing plans. It helps contractors, real estate developers, home builders, and owners in making decisions for allocating funds, setting the preliminary budget and comparing initial design alternatives.
As preliminary cost estimates are carried out at the beginning of the project before the actual design and construction, therefore they are mainly based on historical data of the projects adjusted to the time, location, size, and prepared using engineering concepts.
There are several types of preliminary cost estimates that are employed at various stages in the lifecycle of the project. The accuracy of these estimates depends on the extent of the information provided by the client.
Types of Preliminary Estimates
Rough Order Magnitude Estimate
The first attempt to estimate in the project's lifecycle is regarded as a rough order magnitude estimate or ROM. It is employed to analyze the feasibility of the project that contributes to the project's selection and allocation.
Ballpark Estimate
Ballpark estimate is developed by the contractors to define the scope of work to their clients, so that owners can make decisions according to their budget. It is evaluated on the basis of preliminary drawings and specifications.
Budget Estimate
The budget estimate is prepared using past projects' data and plans when the project comes into its planning stage. It defines the costs associated with the major components of the projects in each line description including materials and labor costs.
Definitive Estimate
A definitive estimate is also known as a digital cost estimate contains a detailed itemized list of components involved in the project. It is prepared by using thoroughly developed project plans.
How Can Our Preliminary Estimate Benefit You?
Our estimates can help you in evaluating the initial cost to support in:
- Managing the budget and getting loans
- Setting the project cost limit for Architects and designers
- Getting the idea of probable amount and cost of material and labor
- Planning the next phase
- Allocating and negotiating with contractors and subcontractors
Our preliminary cost estimates are based on the floor area which makes it easy for your clients and architects to understand and interpret the information. Our bill of material comprises of: The total area (square foot or square meter) of the complete project, Linear measurement (foot or meter) of each structure like walls etc., and Area of each unit i.e. rooms, floors, etc.
What Do You Get in Our Preliminary Estimate?
The estimate consists of the breakdown of quantities, and the following divisions are considered:
How Do We Prepare a Preliminary Estimate?
Study and Evaluate
First, our estimators study and evaluate the information to analyze the scope of the project and produce an estimating plan.
Collect Historical Data
Then, the data of similar past projects is collected.
Apply Adjustments
The adjustments are applied with respect to time, location, and size. A contingency is also applied.
Document Assumptions
All the specifications, adjustments, assumptions, are mentioned in detail.
What Factors Contribute Towards the Right Preliminary Estimates?
While performing a bill of material based on previous projects' data, we make assumptions and adjustments with respect to time, location, type, and size of the project.
Time Adjustments: We modify the project cost to the time of the start of construction because these estimates are calculated two or more years in advance to construction therefore cost must be identified with respect to the future. It is adjusted using a time index which includes relative inflation or deflation with respect to time due to factors like labor rates, material costs, interest rates, etc.
Location Adjustments: The anticipated project cost is evaluated with respect to location as the material, labor rates vary in different parts of the country. For this purpose, we employ our location index to national average cost to adjust the bill of material for a particular region or closest capital city.
Type and Size Adjustments: Project cost is also dependent on the type and size of the project. Here, we apply the size factor which relates the proposed building area to the typical building area.
Quality Considerations: The quality of the basic material required in the construction is also considered (e.g., brick veneer, CMU, framed, etc.)
Here is What You Get When You Outsource Your Estimates to Us!
How to Get Started
Our streamlined process ensures you get accurate preliminary estimates quickly and efficiently
Submit Your Plans
Send us plans and drawings (Dropbox link, Plans Portal link, etc.) at info@buildestimatepro.com or call us at (737) 273-3314 or go to contact us page, attach the file, and fill the form.
Get a Quote
You will get a quote consisting of the invoice, turnaround time, and delivery date. Then you can pay via credit card or debit card or PayPal.
Get Estimate
Your estimate will be delivered to you in EXCEL sheets either in our format or a format supplied by you.
Call Us & Get 30% Off
We are eager to help you with your next preliminary estimate! Feel free to contact us, we are always ready to help you out.