Our Senior Estimator, is responsible for cost control on this project during the important preconstruction phase. All estimates are prepared using Timberline Estimating system which is able to transfer bid information from the original estimate through to the AIA billing.

Our estimating department is well equipped to provide a full range of estimating services including evaluation of architectural plans and specifications, quantity takeoffs, value engineering, comparisons of design alternatives, preparation of estimates from conceptual to competitive bid.

On all of our projects our estimators work closely with both the owner and design professionals to provide Value Engineering (VE) services that enable the project to be completed within the budget without impacting the design intent.

For your project, the first step in the preconstruction process would be to put together a master schedule of the preconstruction phase. This schedule would be created, updated and distributed for each meeting. The schedule would include input from all stakeholders and would contain time lines and milestones for design and budgeting activities during preconstruction.

We realize that cost estimating services are critical to the success of this project. Our estimating department will work closely with both the owner and architect to insure that project budgeting requirements are achieved.

In order to accomplish this, they will review the schematic design drawings to prepare the initial preliminary budget. As preconstruction continues, they will update and refine the budget as required with one budget provided in each of the major design phases. As new budgets are generated, variance and comparison reports will be provided to aid in decision making.

During this estimating process our estimators will also be providing a Value Engineering report for consideration. They will work closely with all design professionals (architect, civil, structural, mechanical) and Christ's Church of the Valley to make sure that you get the most ‘bang for the buck'. Their recommendations will be aimed at providing value; the right product for the best price without compromising the design intent.

They will also work closely with the Architect to determine effective methods of construction (constructability reviews) prior to the development of detailed plans and specifications. They will also review the drawings at all critical phases to further evaluate the building systems, make recommendations regarding constructability and suggest alternate methods and materials as needed.

When the drawings are complete, they will solicit competitive bids from our subs and suppliers which will form the basis of the final estimate. CRD has developed ongoing relationships with some of the finest subcontractors and suppliers in the area. We maintain an active database of 1500 subs & suppliers who service the area with a committed core group of approximately 200 subcontractors and suppliers who perform the majority of our work. This group enables CRD to provide competitive pricing for all required trades.

All subcontractors will be preselected and invited utilizing ‘win fax' followed up by personal phone calls by our estimating staff. This enables us to insure that we receive strong subcontractor coverage on all trades. Once the sub expresses interest, CRD prepares and transmits a bid package including all relevant plans and specs. Addendums are forwarded as required. We also maintain a plan room and encourage subs to come in to review the plans. Our estimators make themselves available for questions, clarifications etc.

As bids come in, our estimating staff log in and review each estimate to determine if the scope is covered, to identify exclusions, omissions, clarifications etc. Bids are collated by line item numbers in bid files for comparisons. Subcontractor prices are entered into Timberline (Estimating software) as part of the cost of construction with any adjustments made to insure that the line item is covered.

Once this is complete, our estimating department will present a spreadsheet that will clearly outline all costs associated with the project including a breakdown on each line item in all 16 divisions as well as costs for contingency, overhead and profit. We utilize an open book policy and would review each and every subcontractor and supplier bid that has been received with recommendations for subcontractor selection. Once this process is complete, we will provide a Final Estimate for your consideration and approval. Once the price has been agreed upon, we can pre-order any material with long lead times.

During the construction phase, our Project Manager will be responsible for cost control. An extremely important area of cost control relates to change order management. While the construction management approach will certainly significantly minimize the number of change orders, it has been our experience that there will be some owner initiated change orders. CRD uses the Primavera change order management system to track all changes from the initial cost estimate through approval which will enable both the owner and architect to identify the impact of any change on overall project costs and schedule.