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English · United States

Estimating Basics

Five standalone lessons on the basics of estimating: reading an estimate, markup and margin, takeoff from PDF drawings, quantities from a Revit or IFC model, and a spreadsheet next to estimating software.

A Denver duplex and a small garage, estimated in OpenConstructionERP · 5 videos · 40 min

Play from the start · 01
  1. 01 8:30 · 4 Chapters · Estimate & cost plan How to Read a Construction Estimate Line by LineLearn how to read a construction estimate, check quantities and unit rates, and spot missing scope before you trust the total. We work through a duplex example in OpenConstructionERP, from individual line items to overhead, profit and contingency.
  2. 02 7:36 · 11 Chapters · Estimate & cost plan Markup vs Margin in ConstructionMarkup and margin use different bases. Add $25 to a $100 cost and the price is $125: a 25% markup, but a 20% margin.
  3. 03 7:14 · 4 Chapters · Estimate & cost plan Quantity Takeoff from PDF DrawingsTurn a PDF floor plan into measured quantities and a priced estimate in OpenConstructionERP. We calibrate the drawing, check a second dimension, measure room areas and count windows and doors.
  4. 04 8:08 · 4 Chapters · Estimate & cost plan From a Revit or IFC Model to a Cost EstimateTake an IFC model exported from Revit and turn its quantities into a cost estimate in OpenConstructionERP. We use a duplex model to inspect elements, extract quantities, apply unit rates and review what changes when the model is revised.
  5. 05 8:08 · 13 Chapters · Estimate & cost plan Excel vs Estimating SoftwareWe estimate the same garage job in Excel and OpenConstructionERP, using the same quantities, unit rates and 15% markup. Five deliberately planted spreadsheet errors let us test what each workflow catches and what still needs a human check.