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Procore

Unit Costs

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THE 101 ABOUT UNIT COSTS  

What Is A Unit Cost?

  • A unit cost defines the value ($$$) of a material per unit of measure (LF, SY, SF, Ton, CY, etc.)

 

Why Do Unit Costs Matter?

  • Quantity x $/Unit = Construction Cost.  Anyone can do take-offs, but you can't have a construction cost without a dollar per unit.  An accurate estimate requires both quantity and Unit Cost
  • Brinkmann's lifeline is our ability to accurately estimate project costs with limited information. All projects shall complete a Unit Cost Summary sheet, upload into it's respective project folder in Procore, and shared with the Preconstruction Department.

Things to Remember When Completing a Unit Cost Sheet

  • Not all projects are the same - know the project type and how quantities supplied affect the unit cost rate (i.e. warehouse has a much different rate than multi-family).
  • Region of construction will affect the unit costs (Denver rates differ from St. Louis)
  • There are two different cost templates geared to their project types
    • Industrial/Retail/Office
    • Senior/Multi-Family/Hospitality (more unit based projects)
  • Breakdown each cost of the subs proposal into useful units of measure that match the way we estimate a project.
    • Example: Don't do a SF take-off of foundations, we need CY of concrete
  • Getting the information during/before buyout is MUCH easier
  • This task is completed by the Engineer, with final review by manager and then director
HOW DO YOU COMPLETE UNIT COST SHEETS

It Starts with the Bidding...

  • Unit Cost Information starts with:
    • Subcontractor Proposals
    • A good detailed Brinkmann estimate
    • Bid Forms 
  • Understand the unit of measure we use to estimate and breakdown the subcontractors proposals accordingly.  THE MORE DETAIL YOU HAVE THE SUB PROVIDE, THE EASIER THIS JOB IS
  • Utilize the work others have already completed. (Estimate form, bid form, schedule of values from the sub (after buyout), etc.)
  • Call and request this information breakdown from the sub, and follow-up with them until its completed.

A SAMPLE UNIT COST BREAKDOWN

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