What do we need to provide the most accurate estimate?

By Neil Shaw
Chief Estimator

In the last few years, the process of bidding a project has changed dramatically. It wasn’t too long ago that we would receive full sets of complete plans for bidding, shipped in by the postal service or picked up at the general contractor’s office by our salesmen. Those days are gone. Now, we receive everything electronically and usually well before the design documents are complete.

So, what do we need to provide a reasonably accurate price from these early documents? At a minimum we need plans that have some basic dimensions on them. With the modern hi-tech drawing systems in use today (AutoCAD, Bluebeam, etc.), if the documents have any dimensions on them, we can scale off those known dimensions and verify the size of areas without dimensions quite easily.

In addition to dimensions, building cross-sections are very helpful in seeing what the architect has in mind, which generally cannot be defined from the floor plans and elevations. With so many buildings being put on sloped sites or incorporating atriums, balconies, mezzanines, etc., it is very easy to miss the design concept without the cross-sections.

In the case of our load-bearing podium projects, the loads from above are critical in providing an accurate price. Designers are constantly trying to get the most out of every structural element in these buildings and therefore are pushing the products to their design limits. To know for sure we can make our components work, the loads are essential.

Finally, in the case of wall panel projects, there are a number of items needed for an accurate estimate. What are the expected exterior and interior finishes - painted, sandblasted, troweled, etc.? Are there special colors involved in the concrete mix? What insulation R-value is needed? Are the panels load-bearing or not? Are we free to change panel widths to be more efficient?

Obviously, the more information we receive the more accurate we can be, but the above items give us the best opportunity to provide a solid price to our customers.

Total Precast Structures

A total precast concrete system has benefits that apply to the entire building team – owner/developer, architect, engineer, and contractor.

What is a total precast structure? A total precast structure is a structure in which the substantial core and shell of the structure are comprised of precast components. Integrating precast structural and architectural solutions produces a system, as well as a methodology for producing commercial properties that are better, faster and more economical. Total precast is suitable for many types of commercial applications and allows for a tailored design as necessary. The architectural choices are nearly endless.

Benefits:

• Prestressed concrete can achieve long clear spans.

• Prestressing and available element sizes can provide high load capacity.

• Concrete mass provides inherent fire resistance without the need for field applied fire proofing.

• High quality materials provide durability in the most severe environments.

• Precast concrete can provide excellent Sound Transmission Class ratings.

• The thermal storage capacity of concrete will temper the heating and cooling load swings, which ultimately reduce costs for the owner.

• A total precast concrete structure provides single source responsibility from structural design through final detailing.

• Precast concrete structures are erected quickly.

• Precast production and erection continue year-round with little influence from weather.

• Both structurally and architecturally, precast concrete offers a multitude of design options.

One total precast structure Mid-States Concrete has worked on is The Humbucker. The Humbucker, located in Madison, Wisc., is a 9-story total precast rental apartment building for University of Wisconsin students. The exterior is comprised of structural precast wall panels with an architectural finish of colored concrete with an acid etched finish. The project consists of 75 apartments and below grade parking.

As a design build project, the project owner, design team, and precaster were able to partner with each other from the initial design. By understanding project goals early on, the design team was able to create ideas to achieve them. The challenge was to quickly create an appealing structure in an efficient and durable manner to meet the demands and rigors of the student rental market.

As a student apartment building, the expectation for wear and tear was high. Precast concrete construction was the perfect solution based on its aesthetic possibilities, safety, durability and speed of construction. In addition to exterior precast walls, the project utilized numerous precast concrete products, including columns, beams, hollowcore plank, interior walls, balconies and stair/landing units.

The 98,000 square foot building was erected in 12 weeks in the middle of winter.

Project and Precast Scope:

• 89,500 square feet of Hollowcore Plank

• 33 Beams

• 7 Columns

• 289 Wall Panels

• 52 Balconies

• 36 Stair and Landing Pieces