Read the front-end bid documents first to get an understanding of what is being required in the bid proposal.
Review the Specifications thoroughly. Make list of unusual job requirements, means, methods, and materials gathered from the specifications. For COLD FORMED METAL FRAMING, Engineered shop drawings usually is being required. The wind load and deflection criteria dictates GAUGE, SIZE, AND TYPE OF FRAMING MATERIALS.
Scan drawings of the project to obtain a general idea of the job and how the drawings are organized. Visualize image or appearance of the project while flipping through the drawings. Take note of critical details and unusual detail conditions. Determine deck heights, ceiling heights, number of floors, and other pertinent information needed during the takeoff process. Understand the nomenclatures being used in the project bid documents.
Obtain a general idea of the trade scope of work. Make list of work items that are not generally part of the trade however, are being requested to be included in the bid proposal. Also take note of unusual job conditions that have cost impact to productivity.
Understand the logistical issues of the project, i.e. – access to site, type of project, hoisting requirement, material distribution and clean up and many others job specific issues. Consider timing or scheduling of weather sensitive work items that may require heat and other weather protection. These costs have to be included in the bid proposal unless provided by others. Costs of accessing the work have to be included – scaffolding, lifts, and other equipment. Although we have a standard check list we follow for completeness of scope, a side specific project check list should be created for specific job requirement.
A good estimator should be able to visualize the different aspects of the project after viewing and digesting information on the floor plans, reflected ceiling plans and elevation drawings. He/she should be able to determine the required components and processes of the different work items involving the project from the plan details. From there, a good estimator should be able to build the project in his mind while proceeding in estimating costs. This is the basis of good estimating. If you're unable to do the above, you are not cut for the job as estimator and strongly advise you find another job or line of work.
Suggested Production Rates
Cold formed metal framing (exterior wall framing) – 20 sf/hr. Production rate includes
layout, top track, bottom track, and bridging. Add for slide clips, flex track, double track and if welding is required - this production rate is dramatically reduced by at least 15%. Exterior soffit framing may be isolated in the takeoff process so a different production rate can be applied, usually lower than the exterior wall framing.
Exterior sheathing (dens glass, gypsum sheathing) – 40 sf/hr. Usually applied over the
exterior framing, productivity can be heavily impacted and dependent on the method or type of access - stationary scaffold, swing scaffold, boom lift, scissor lift, etc.
Exterior vapor barrier (Tyvek or asphalt felt paper) –120 sf/hr. Beware - there are new products now being specified that are more expensive and take more time to install. Read the specifications.
Thermal insulation (fiberglass) – 100 sf/hr. Thoroughly read the specifications for some
expensive thermal insulation materials being required. If the insulation is unfaced, is interior vapor barrier being required? Is 6 mil polyetheylene the minimum specified material or is there other vapor barrier such as Griffolyn (more expensive) being specified?
Firetape walls – 100 sf/hr, impacted by the amount of MEP items above the ceiling and
accessibility of the work.
Hang gypsum board walls (top-out) – 35 sf/hr. If topping out operation commences after overhead MEP rough-ins were installed – the production rate should be dramatically reduced by at least 25%.
Hang gypsum board walls (bottom) – 64 sf/hr. This production rate seems to be conservative,
however considering leave outs, out of sequence work, and other site conditions - historical data shows for this to be averaged.
Hang high impact board – 48 sf/hr. Although this board finishes like a regular board, the installation is labor intensive compared to regular or firecode gypsum board.
Tape and finish walls (level 4) – 60 sf/hr. Once again, this production rate is average. This operation is being impacted by out of sequence or come back work. The Level 5 finish - usually required for paint finish, historically is around 55 sf/hr production rate.