Marketplace

Construction Estimating Books

Construction estimating books are the tried and true source for information needed to develop a cost estimate for a construction project. The primary base for all estimation information for decades, construction estimating books are being rapidly replaced by computer programs.

Construction estimating books can be large, with information covering the entire project, or it can be highly specific, depending on the contractor's needs. There are books aimed at certain segments of the construction industry, from residential to general to heavy construction. There are construction estimating books for carpentry estimating; conceptual estimating; concrete estimating and insurance claims estimating, as well as any miscellaneous estimating work that needs to be done. To enhance the online construction bid, there construction estimating books specializing in plumbing, piping and HVAC, as well as repair and remodeling tasks.

While construction estimating books are highly useful, they have a number of drawbacks. They tend to be fairly expensive, costing as much as several hundred dollars. They also may no longer be the most current source of information, as Web-based estimating software programs can be updated regularly to keep track with any changes in the marketplace.

Construction estimating books also have another disadvantage when compared to computer programs--the programs also have the capability of completing the estimates themselves, as opposed to having someone figure the work by hand or inputing the data from the construction estimating books into another program. The software can also differentiate between construction methods, from the design/bid/build method to the design-build or construction manager at-risk methods. This can speed up the process substantially and reduces the risk of error, as the information needed to compute the estimates is all available online.

Construction estimate software will continue to replace construction estimating books as time goes on, as they are able to develop an estimate faster than a human estimator or estimators . There are a number of programs that can break down cost estimates into subsections, as well as delivering the overall total price. This is a major advantage over simply using construction estimating books.

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