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Best Automated Construction Estimating Excel Software
Construction Documents & Templates

Best Automated Construction Estimating Excel Software [Free Download]

We’ve used all sorts of construction estimating softwares and templates over the years. In this process, we’ve realized exactly what a great estimating program should be like – and what it shouldn’t include as well! That’s why we’ve created, in our humble opinion, the best automated construction estimating Excel software on the internet! Does it allow you to customize units of measurement, labor rates and profit margins? YES. Does it provide a clean, easy-to-use interface for estimating individual work items? YES. Does it break each work item into sections like labor, materials, equipment, subcontractors and more? YES. Does it look good doing it? YES! Click here to preview the features of our estimating template and download yours for free.

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Pat Finnegan July 1, 2020
10 Things To Exclude From A Construction Bid, Proposal Or Contract
Construction Documents & Templates

10 Things To Exclude From Construction Bids, Proposals & Contracts

All construction projects begin on paper. Tied with drawings, the most important pieces of paper on a construction project are those included in the legal documents. Legal terms are found most defined in the final contract executed between a client and contractor, but even the terms and conditions submitted as part of a construction bid or proposal are critical and carry legal implications, too. This is why it’s essential that contractors understand what to exclude from a construction bid, proposal or contract. In this article, we’ll cover 10 must-know things to exclude in your next construction project.

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Pat Finnegan December 9, 2019
The Purpose Of Mockups In Construction & Why They're So Important
Construction Management

The Purpose Of Mockups In Construction & Why They’re So Important

Everyone knows what a construction project looks like – the equipment, workers, cranes, scaffolding, fences and noise are obvious indicators. Likewise, everyone has seen a huge roll of full-size construction drawings, even if it was in a cartoon or movie. What you may or may not know about a construction project is that there’s a massive middle ground between drawings on paper and the newly finished construction project. In this article, we’re talking about the purpose of mockups in construction and why they’re so important. Let’s dive in!

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Pat Finnegan November 26, 2019
Our Comprehensive List Of 25 Ways Contractors Lose Money
Construction Management

Our Comprehensive List Of 25 Ways Contractors Lose Money

Construction is a high risk, high reward business. While working on a job site is high risk from a safety perspective, the industry as a whole carries a high financial risk for contractors. With this risk comes the chance to make large profits when successfully completing projects, but the chance to lose a tremendous amount of money, too! Many contractors declare bankruptcy each year, while others barely cover their costs with little left to show for it. Other contractors do exceptionally well. So why do some contractors run into financial issues? This article will be solely focused on a comprehensive list of ways contractors lose money!

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Pat Finnegan October 22, 2019
Construction Documents & Templates

Change Order Best Practices: What Contractors & Clients Need To Know

Let’s start this off with a picture of two boats: one is a large, expensive boat and the other an inflatable dingy the owner uses to ferry out to the big boat from land. The small dingy is named “original contract” while the large, luxurious boat is named “change order”. I first saw this picture in college and laughed, but didn’t quite understand. After working for many years on a variety of commercial projects, it makes a lot more sense. While this picture is funny but obviously way off scale, the point is clear. Regardless of what the original contract consists of, projects can be made or broken by change orders – that goes for clients AND contractors! In this article, we’ll be discussing a variety of change order best practices that will benefit both owners and contractors alike.

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Pat Finnegan October 21, 2019
Cost To Complete Template - FREE Excel Download
Construction Management

Cost To Complete Template: FREE Excel Download (ETC, EAC, BAC)

While a project is underway, it can be difficult to know exactly how the project is going financially. Workers and staff members are paid. Purchases are made. Revenue comes in, payments flow out. How is the project REALLY doing, though? The depletion of a project’s budget can be like quicksand – no one really notices until they’re already in a bit of trouble. Projects that are in full-swing require so much attention that the budget takes the backseat. In some ways this is logical – time spent monitoring the project is time not spent pushing it forward. Unfortunately though, project monitoring and control is an essential ingredient of a successful project. This article will be focused on performing a Cost-To-Complete (CTC) forecast. In this article, we’ll include a FREE Excel download of our cost to complete template!

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Pat Finnegan October 11, 2019
How To Estimate Construction Costs - A Step-By-Step Guide
Construction Management

How To Estimate Construction Costs: Our Comprehensive Guide

When discussing a construction project, one of the first things everyone wonders is how much money the project will ultimately cost. Whether it be a residential home project, a large office building or a bridge, the dollar-value of a project is important for obvious reasons. When we hear about an office building costing $50,000,000 to construct, it’s easy to be in awe of that much money. Not all of this is profit of course. In fact, the total profit kept by the companies involved may be as little as 10-15% of that, and that’s if all goes well! So how do contacting companies calculate the cost of the project? In this article, we’ll be discussing how to estimate construction costs – step by step.

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Pat Finnegan October 9, 2019
How Do You Read Blueprints? Here's A Step By Step Guide
Construction Documents & Templates

How To Read Blueprints: Follow This Complete Step-By-Step Guide

They say a picture’s worth 1,000 words. If that’s true, then blueprints are worth volumes. On a construction site, in a manufacturing plant or any number of jobs that require blueprints, drawings are the vision of the project on paper, combined with as much detail as possible. To understand how the project must come together, both on a large- and small-scale, reading the drawings and plans is a must. While the process of reading and understanding blueprints is pretty simple, a lot of people struggle with reading blueprints in the beginning. Not to fear, though, because it just takes a little practice and guidance to understand them. So how do you read blueprints? Follow this step-by-step guide!

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Pat Finnegan October 1, 2019

About This Topic

Learn more about estimating costs in construction.

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