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Why Excel is Best for Construction Estimating, Pricing and Bdding
The power of MS Excel has been evident for many years to construction professionals. In a recent American Society of Professional Estimators survey, ASPE found that Microsoft's spreadsheet program is the leading estimating software in the United States.
Reasons for this many. Some are compelling, others are subtle. However, they lead to two results: Accuracy and Speed. As long as we have to count or measure quantities, Excel is all we need.
Our review leads us to list the following reasons:
Structured approach makes costing and pricing more accurate.
Calculations are performed in the “open”
Proper use of “protection” to keep erFors to a minimum.
Easy use of triangulation as double checks
Spend less time on calculations thus more on thinking through the process of construction and the business aspects of the project.
Several Parts of the Estimating and Bidding Process
Structured Review of Terms and Conditions of Job
Structured Review of Project Plans and Specifications
Supplier and Subcontractor Alerts
Constructability / Approach to Project
Quantity Take Off
Unit Pricing
Extensions
Lump Sum Adds
Subcontractor Bids
Value Engineering
Summary
Our Terms and Conditions
Subcontractor Terms and Conditions
Cut / Add Sheet
Final Bid Price
For the complete article, please, email us at clientservices@stevensci.com and write "Why Excel" or go to stevensci.com and click on forms page.
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Matt Stevens is a management consultant who works only with construction contractors. He has performed training and business consultation for the contracting community since 1994. Matt can be reached at mstevens@stevensci.com.">mstevens@stevensci.com.
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Posted by Matt Stevens at October 10, 2005 4:33 PM