4 Level Estimating
BUILDING AN INDUSTRY FROM THE GROUND UP
The four level estimating system has proven to be very successful and simple for the first time user. There are four estimating sheets that are very similar to manual estimating methods currently used.
Level 1 - Job Summary This sheet summarizes your estimate. Typically, this screen contain a lists of trades, but depending on the type of job, it could contain cost centre's, elements or building stages.
| Different jobs can be setup under different trade name listings to suit |
| Cost per unit of gross floor area for each trade |
| Subtotals trades/sections |
| Spell checking facility |
| Transfer of information from Price book |
| Different mark-ups or extra contingency factors can be applied to individual trades |
| Percentages of cost distribution are shown |
| Graphical presentation available |
| Separate labour and material summary available |
Level 2 - Trade Breakup
This screen contains the bill of quantity items for each trade. Each trade has its own trade break-up sheet.
| Unlimited number of items per trade |
| Large item descriptions |
| Bill references are shown next to each item and can be updated immediately |
| Quantities can be typed in, calculated in detail or derived from a digitizer |
| Rates can be typed in, linked to a price list or produced from a break-up sheet |
| Formulas or standard mathematical functions can be used |
| Items can be coded to produce job analyses |
| Subheadings are highlighted in a different colour |
| Specifications and notes can be entered |
| Values can be dependent on other numbers in the same screen |
Level 3 - Calculation Sheet
This screen allows you to enter dimensions as you take them off the plan or use the digitizer to calculate the quantity.
| Allows lineal, area and volume calculations |
| Total returned to quantity column of Trade Breakup |
| Complex formulas accepted |
| Deductions can be entered |
| Lengths summary available |
| A secondary quantity (eg. number of, length, or area) can be appended to the item description |
Level 4 - Rate Breakup Sheet
This screen allows you to build up a composite rate that may include materials, labour, sub-contract, and equipment components for an item rate.
| Large item descriptions |
| Quantities can be typed in, calculated in detail or derived from a digitizer |
| Rates can be typed in, or linked to a price list |
| Formulas or standard mathematical functions can be used |
| Individual components can be coded to produce job analyses |
| Values can be dependent on other numbers in the same screen |