#project cost forecasting

[asestimationsconsultants]

The Role of a Construction Estimating Service in Contractor-Client Negotiations

Introduction Negotiation is a fundamental aspect of any construction project. Whether it’s about project timelines, costs, or terms of delivery, both contractors and clients need to ensure that they are aligned on expectations. This is where a construction estimating service plays a vital role. By providing accurate and comprehensive cost estimates, estimators act as neutral parties that assist both contractors and clients in establishing fair terms for the project. In this article, we’ll explore the crucial role that construction estimating services play in contractor-client negotiations, ensuring that both parties are well-informed and on the same page throughout the project lifecycle.

How Construction Estimating Services Facilitate Transparent Negotiations A construction estimating service provides a detailed breakdown of all expected costs associated with a project. This level of transparency is essential in negotiations, as it helps both contractors and clients understand the financial scope of the project. Here's how estimating services facilitate transparent negotiations:

Clear Breakdown of Costs: Estimators provide detailed cost estimates that break down the costs for labor, materials, equipment, and overhead. This clarity allows both the contractor and the client to see where the money is going and facilitates informed discussions about adjustments or changes.

Clarification of Budget Expectations: One of the primary reasons for budget disputes is the lack of clarity around expectations. A construction estimating service removes ambiguity by presenting a clear financial forecast based on current market prices and conditions. This gives both parties a clearer understanding of the project’s budget.

Neutral Ground for Discussions: Estimators often act as intermediaries between contractors and clients. Because they are not directly involved in the project’s execution, they can provide unbiased opinions about cost implications. This neutral stance is particularly important when there are disagreements about costs or scope changes.

Ensuring Fair Pricing for Both Contractors and Clients The role of a construction estimating service is not just to serve the client’s interests but also to ensure that the contractor can fairly price their work. Estimators help contractors set realistic budgets that reflect the true costs of doing business. This way, contractors are not forced to cut corners or underbid projects to make them profitable. Key ways in which estimating services contribute to fair pricing include:

Accurate Labor and Material Estimates: Estimators use data-driven models to predict the costs of labor and materials. This allows contractors to set a price that ensures their profitability while keeping the project affordable for the client.

Identifying Potential Risk Factors: Construction projects are full of uncertainties. Estimating services help identify risks such as inflation in material costs, labor shortages, or possible design changes that could affect pricing. By factoring these risks into the estimate, estimators help contractors prepare for potential cost increases and negotiate a fair price for their work.

Setting Realistic Contingency Plans: A well-prepared estimate includes contingencies for unexpected events or changes in scope. This ensures that both contractors and clients are prepared for unforeseen circumstances, and it provides a cushion for negotiation if costs exceed initial projections.

How Estimating Services Help Mitigate Disputes During Negotiations Disputes between contractors and clients often arise over pricing, project scope, or deadlines. Accurate and detailed estimates from a construction estimating service can help mitigate such disputes by addressing potential issues in advance. Some ways they contribute to smoother negotiations include:

Prevention of Underestimations and Overestimations: Construction projects that are underpriced or overpriced can lead to significant issues down the road. An estimator’s detailed calculations help ensure that the initial estimate is neither too low (leading to financial strain on the contractor) nor too high (causing the client to overpay). Both parties can negotiate confidently when the estimate reflects the true cost of the project.

Documentation of Scope Changes: During construction, scope changes are inevitable, whether due to design modifications, unforeseen site conditions, or client requests. A construction estimating service helps document these changes in a formal estimate, ensuring that both parties understand how these modifications impact costs. This documentation provides a clear reference point in case disagreements arise later on.

Transparent Change Orders: If a project encounters unanticipated issues or requires scope adjustments, estimators can provide accurate and timely change orders. These orders are based on detailed analysis and reflect the actual cost of the change, allowing both parties to come to an agreement on new pricing without misunderstandings.

Building Trust Between Contractors and Clients Trust is a critical factor in any business relationship, and construction projects are no different. For contractors and clients to work effectively together, they must trust that the project will be completed on time and within budget. A construction estimating service fosters this trust by ensuring that both parties are equipped with realistic and fair estimates. Some ways estimators build trust include:

Providing Detailed and Accurate Estimates: When estimators present well-researched and accurate cost projections, it instills confidence in both contractors and clients that the project will proceed smoothly. Clients are more likely to trust contractors who provide transparent estimates, while contractors feel secure knowing that they have a fair price for their work.

Clear Communication of Risks and Challenges: A good estimator doesn’t just present a price; they explain potential risks, such as volatile material prices or difficult site conditions, and how they might affect the budget. By communicating these factors upfront, estimators help both parties understand the complexities involved in the project, thereby avoiding surprises and fostering a cooperative relationship.

Establishing Long-Term Relationships: When contractors and clients have positive experiences with a construction estimating service, it can lead to long-term business relationships. A reputation for accurate, fair, and transparent estimates helps estimators build credibility and trust within the industry.

Conclusion A construction estimating service plays an indispensable role in contractor-client negotiations by providing clear, accurate, and fair cost estimates. Through transparency, the identification of risks, and the fair pricing of labor and materials, estimators create an environment where both parties can confidently negotiate the terms of the project. Furthermore, by helping prevent disputes and fostering trust between contractors and clients, construction estimating services contribute to smoother project execution. Whether it’s through initial cost breakdowns or managing changes during the construction process, estimators are essential partners in ensuring that construction projects meet their budgetary and operational goals.

[costitright]

What is Cost Forecasting? Master Predictive & Dynamic Costing Techniques

Learn about cost forecasting and its importance in project management. Explore two key techniques—predictive costing and dynamic costing—to master project cost forecasting and ensure accurate financial planning with Cost It Right.

[eliskherr]

Power Purchase Agreements Market Trends & Growth Analysis

[kapilasteel]

How to Forecast TMT Rod Price for Large Projects

Predicting TMT saria price fluctuations can make or break your construction budget. For big infrastructure tasks spanning months or years, even small rate variations translate into sizeable monetary implications. Mastering the art of metallic fee forecasting isn't just about saving cash—it is about approximately projecting survival.

Understanding the Steel Market Dynamics

TMT rod price volatility stems from a complex interplay of factors. Raw material costs, particularly iron ore and coking coal, drive base pricing. When international ore prices surge, domestic steel production costs follow suit, ultimately affecting the final TMT rod price quoted to developers and contractors.

Global steel trade flows create ripple effects across regional markets. China's production levels and export policies often trigger price movements that reach local suppliers within weeks. Energy costs represent another crucial variable—steel manufacturing remains energy-intensive, making electricity rates and fuel prices key determinants of TMT rod price trends.

Supply chain disruptions can cause unexpected spikes. From railway transportation issues to port congestion, logistical bottlenecks frequently create temporary price pressure. Monitoring these indicators provides valuable early warnings about potential TMT rod price adjustments on the horizon.

Essential Forecasting Methods for Construction Materials

Successful price prediction combines multiple forecasting techniques. Historical price analysis reveals cyclical patterns and seasonal variations that often repeat. Five-year price charts typically expose how TMT rod prices respond to economic cycles, helping project planners anticipate future movements.

Industry publications and specialized steel market reports offer forward-looking insights. These analyses frequently include projected pricing for various steel products, including dowel bars and reinforcement materials. Dowel bars, which play a critical role in concrete structure reinforcement, often follow similar pricing trends as standard TMT products, making them useful comparative indicators.

For granular cost planning, tracking the 8mm rod price per piece provides a practical baseline. The 8mm rod price per piece serves as an excellent reference point since these smaller diameter rods respond quickly to market shifts. When the 8mm rod price per piece starts trending upward, larger diameter variants typically follow the same trajectory within 2-3 weeks.

Practical Forecasting Strategies for Project Planners

Building a reliable forecasting model requires gathering data from multiple sources. Establishing relationships with at least three major suppliers enables access to their pricing projections. These suppliers often share insights about upcoming dowel bar pricing and other steel product trends based on their own market intelligence.

Creating a quarterly price adjustment buffer in project budgets addresses the inherent uncertainty in TMT rod price forecasting. Most successful infrastructure projects incorporate a 5-7% contingency specifically for steel price variations. This buffer proves particularly valuable when dealing with specialty items like dowel bars, which may have less predictable supply chains.

Breaking down large steel requirements into scheduled purchases helps optimize pricing. Rather than committing to total quantities upfront, phased procurement allows leveraging favorable market conditions. This approach proves especially effective when the 8mm rod price per piece indicates an upcoming favorable buying window.

Timing Your Purchases Strategically

Price seasonality offers strategic buying opportunities. TMT rod price typically softens during monsoon months when construction activity naturally slows. Conversely, prices often strengthen during peak construction seasons. Planning major purchases during historically favorable periods can yield substantial savings.

Commodity futures markets provide valuable forward indicators. While not perfectly correlated, steel futures trends generally signal the direction of physical TMT rod price movements. Monitoring these financial markets helps anticipate price shifts 30-45 days before they materialize in actual quotations.

For specialized requirements like dowel bars, maintaining flexibility in specifications helps navigate price pressures. When certain grades or dimensions see price spikes, having pre-approved alternatives keeps projects moving without budget overruns. Similarly, tracking the 8mm rod price per piece across multiple suppliers identifies which vendors respond most rapidly to market shifts.

[europeanquality1]

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#financialmodelling#powerindustry#energyfinance#FinanceTraining#RiskManagement#excelforfinance#projectfinance#InvestmentAnalysis#businessgrowth#financialplanning#oilandgas#petroleum #gasandoil#EnergySector#financeprofessionals

financial modelling, power industry, energy finance, financial analysis, risk management, Excel for finance, investment strategies, financial decision-making, project evaluation, corporate finance, energy sector, cost optimization, financial forecasting, capital investment, financial performance

[cloud9technologies2]

Benefits of Implementing ERP Software for Engineering Firms

The engineering industry is one of the biggest industries in the world, and it plays an important role in growing the economy as well. The engineering sector is growing day by day and is highly competitive. Hence, efficiency, accuracy, and streamlined operations are crucial for success in this sector. Businesses face several challenges in this sector, like the complexities of a project, resource management, and deadline restrictions. ERP software for engineering firms is the best way to overcome all of these challenges as it integrates and automates business processes.

Here is the list of top benefits of utilizing ERP systems for the engineering industry:

1. Project Management:

The projects in engineering sectors have a detailed documentation process, different teams, and complicated workflows. ERP system for engineering firms help in various ways, like centralizing project data, enabling limitless collaboration, and getting real-time updates. Because of this software, every team member has all the updates, which in turn reduces miscommunication and delays in the project.

2. Resource Management:

For all engineering projects, it is essential to allocate all resources carefully, like equipment, materials, and labor. With the utilization of ERP software, the monitoring of resources can be performed easily. It helps in checking resource availability, optimizing usage, and forecasting requirements. This ultimately results in improving cost efficiency.

3. Quality Management:

Ensures engineering projects meet industry standards and regulations.

Quality Control: Offers tools for monitoring and managing the quality of materials, processes, and completed projects.

4. Data Management:

Using ERP software, engineering firms can make sure that they can get a unified database to eliminate data silos and ensure consistency through all departments. A centralized data management system is beneficial for decision-making as well it provides critical information when required.

5. Time and Budget Management:

When the whole system gets automated with ERP software, it reduces time and cost on repetitive tasks like data entry, procurement, and inventory management. The utilization of ERP systems in engineering firms helps in reducing manual errors and improving productivity. Hence, the firms can focus on other important things like innovation and project execution.

6. Client Relationship Management:

Most ERP systems include customer relationship management tools that are very helpful in managing client interactions. This tool allows the firm to track communication history, project milestones, and client preferences. Because of this feature, firms can improve customer satisfaction and build long-term relationships.

7. Scalability and Flexibility

ERP solutions may scale with the company as it grows, allowing for more projects, clients, and resources. Customization: ERP solutions can typically be tailored to an engineering firm’s specific demands and operations.

8. Financial Management

Accounting combines financial accounting with project management to provide a complete picture of the company’s financial health. Reporting: Creates detailed financial reports, such as profit and loss statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements.

How PMTRACK ERP Helps:

Managing development processes, monitoring complex projects, and ensuring seamless collaboration across divisions are becoming increasingly important for company success. Engineering organizations in Pune, India, and around the world have distinct issues in successfully managing their operations.

Implementing a bespoke Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solution provides transformative benefits by streamlining processes, improving project management, and ultimately generating profitability.

For businesses considering ERP adoption, selecting the correct ERP software vendor is critical. PMTRACK ERP, a reputable ERP solution provider in Pune, India, specializes in engineering ERP systems tailored to the demands of engineering and manufacturing companies.

ERP software is used to connect project management with financial accounting, inventory control, and procurement procedures. This integration gives project managers real-time information about project costs, resource availability, and schedules, resulting in better-informed decisions and more effective project execution.

Engineering firms that use an ERP system can improve operational efficiency, reduce costs, improve project delivery, and ultimately boost client satisfaction and profitability.

Summary:

ERP software provides several advantages to engineering firms in Pune, India, ranging from better project management and financial control to higher client satisfaction and scalability. Engineering organizations can employ a comprehensive ERP solution to improve operations, decrease inefficiencies, and drive long-term growth.

PMTRACK ERP, one of the leading ERP solution providers in Pune, India, provides comprehensive, industry-specific ERP solutions that are suitable for engineering organizations’ unique requirements. Firms that collaborate with an experienced engineering ERP software company in India receive a trusted partner in negotiating the complexity of their business, setting them up for success in an increasingly competitive landscape.

[reasonsforhope]

No paywall version here.

"Two and a half years ago, when I was asked to help write the most authoritative report on climate change in the United States, I hesitated...

In the end, I said yes, but reluctantly. Frankly, I was sick of admonishing people about how bad things could get. Scientists have raised the alarm over and over again, and still the temperature rises. Extreme events like heat waves, floods and droughts are becoming more severe and frequent, exactly as we predicted they would. We were proved right. It didn’t seem to matter.

Our report, which was released on Tuesday, contains more dire warnings. There are plenty of new reasons for despair. Thanks to recent scientific advances, we can now link climate change to specific extreme weather disasters, and we have a better understanding of how the feedback loops in the climate system can make warming even worse. We can also now more confidently forecast catastrophic outcomes if global emissions continue on their current trajectory.

But to me, the most surprising new finding in the Fifth National Climate Assessment is this: There has been genuine progress, too.

I’m used to mind-boggling numbers, and there are many of them in this report. Human beings have put about 1.6 trillion tons of carbon in the atmosphere since the Industrial Revolution — more than the weight of every living thing on Earth combined. But as we wrote the report, I learned other, even more mind-boggling numbers. In the last decade, the cost of wind energy has declined by 70 percent and solar has declined 90 percent. Renewables now make up 80 percent of new electricity generation capacity. Our country’s greenhouse gas emissions are falling, even as our G.D.P. and population grow.

In the report, we were tasked with projecting future climate change. We showed what the United States would look like if the world warms by 2 degrees Celsius. It wasn’t a pretty picture: more heat waves, more uncomfortably hot nights, more downpours, more droughts. If greenhouse emissions continue to rise, we could reach that point in the next couple of decades. If they fall a little, maybe we can stave it off until the middle of the century. But our findings also offered a glimmer of hope: If emissions fall dramatically, as the report suggested they could, we may never reach 2 degrees Celsius at all.

For the first time in my career, I felt something strange: optimism.

And that simple realization was enough to convince me that releasing yet another climate report was worthwhile.

Something has changed in the United States, and not just the climate. State, local and tribal governments all around the country have begun to take action. Some politicians now actually campaign on climate change, instead of ignoring or lying about it. Congress passed federal climate legislation — something I’d long regarded as impossible — in 2022 as we turned in the first draft.

[Note: She's talking about the Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure Act, which despite the names were the two biggest climate packages passed in US history. And their passage in mid 2022 was a big turning point: that's when, for the first time in decades, a lot of scientists started looking at the numbers - esp the ones that would come from the IRA's funding - and said "Wait, holy shit, we have an actual chance."]

And while the report stresses the urgency of limiting warming to prevent terrible risks, it has a new message, too: We can do this. We now know how to make the dramatic emissions cuts we’d need to limit warming, and it’s very possible to do this in a way that’s sustainable, healthy and fair.

The conversation has moved on, and the role of scientists has changed. We’re not just warning of danger anymore. We’re showing the way to safety.

I was wrong about those previous reports: They did matter, after all. While climate scientists were warning the world of disaster, a small army of scientists, engineers, policymakers and others were getting to work. These first responders have helped move us toward our climate goals. Our warnings did their job.

To limit global warming, we need many more people to get on board... We need to reach those who haven’t yet been moved by our warnings. I’m not talking about the fossil fuel industry here; nor do I particularly care about winning over the small but noisy group of committed climate deniers. But I believe we can reach the many people whose eyes glaze over when they hear yet another dire warning or see another report like the one we just published.

The reason is that now, we have a better story to tell. The evidence is clear: Responding to climate change will not only create a better world for our children and grandchildren, but it will also make the world better for us right now.

Eliminating the sources of greenhouse gas emissions will make our air and water cleaner, our economy stronger and our quality of life better. It could save hundreds of thousands or even millions of lives across the country through air quality benefits alone. Using land more wisely can both limit climate change and protect biodiversity. Climate change most strongly affects communities that get a raw deal in our society: people with low incomes, people of color, children and the elderly. And climate action can be an opportunity to redress legacies of racism, neglect and injustice.

I could still tell you scary stories about a future ravaged by climate change, and they’d be true, at least on the trajectory we’re currently on. But it’s also true that we have a once-in-human-history chance not only to prevent the worst effects but also to make the world better right now. It would be a shame to squander this opportunity. So I don’t just want to talk about the problems anymore. I want to talk about the solutions. Consider this your last warning from me."

-via New York Times. Opinion essay by leading climate scientist Kate Marvel. November 18, 2023.

[costmastersindia]

Best Estimating and Costing Software - Cost Masters

Find reliable project cost estimation and optimization with Cost Masters – a trusted provider of estimating and costing software. Streamline your budgeting process with our precise and efficient tools. Eliminate errors and simplify cost management. Learn more about Cost Masters today.

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Allison Fisher at MMFA:

During The New York Times’ “Climate Week NYC” discussion with Heritage Foundation president and Project 2025 architect Kevin Roberts, reporter David Gelles outlined the right-wing initiative’s regressive approach to climate change and the environment. Gelles also noted that Project 2025's call to dismantle climate action comes as the world is already experiencing the consequences of a warming climate, pointing out that a record number of people in the Phoenix, Arizona, area were killed by extreme heat this year alone. Roberts responded by pointing to Heritage Foundation research claiming that there has been a “reduction in climate deaths — climate-related deaths — over the last century by 98%.” Not only is this a red herring argument used by climate deniers to downplay the climate crisis, but that reduction is reportedly due in part to improved forecasting, which is done by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, an agency Project 2025 has called to dismantling.

As Reuters has reported, the decrease in deaths since 1920 is largely due to “better forecasting and preparedness,” even while “the number, intensity, and cost of climatic and meteorological hazards have all increased over the last hundred years.”

Notably, Project 2025 calls for dismantling NOAA, which houses the National Hurricane Center, the very agency that has improved the forecasting of deadly weather events and is critical to providing life-saving information. 

With Hurricane Helene in the process of making landfall, Project 2025 architect and Heritage head honcho Kevin Roberts told the Climate Week NYC hosted by The New York Times vomited out climate denialist talking points. Project 2025 has called for the dismantling of NOAA and National Hurricane Center (NHC) and the privatization of the NWS.

[collapsedsquid]

As I’ve said before, the problem with “government efficiency” isn’t that it’s a bad idea per se, it’s that almost always, the cost of doing something is so much less important than the thing that’s getting done. And yet, I have never in my life seen anyone trying to “fully benefit” the things that they are always “fully costing”. Somebody should set up a Department of Government Effectiveness; there are all too many areas of public policy where the cost/benefit ratio is not a number, because the benefits never arrived. (I would also like to see more recognition that you can’t actually save costs by being “conservative” about benefit ratios. The Elizabeth Line in London is used by more than twice as many people as expected, for example. For some reason, this is not being treated as a massive embarrassment , nearly as bad as a 100% cost overrun. Even though it probably points to serious errors in the forecasting process which might have delayed or cancelled extraordinary amounts of necessary investment). Because the benefits are much more important than the costs, and because effectiveness is so much more important than efficiency, I’m sceptical about efficiency drives, even in the best possible case (which I think Mulgan pretty closely describes). You ought to be really, really sure that you’re cutting a useless function, or that centralising procurement is going to deliver the same goods and services at lower cost with no interruption to service. Most of the time, taking a 10% chance of failure in order to save 10% of the project costs is a bad tradeoff.

[dandelionsresilience]

Dandelion News - May 8-14

Like these weekly compilations? Tip me at $kaybarr1735 or check out my Dandelion Doodles!

1. An ink that boosts coral settlement by 20 times could help rebuild reefs worldwide

“Biologists have recently discovered that certain rocky pink algae, called crustose coralline algae (CCA), play an important role in attracting coral larvae and encouraging them to settle on the reef. [… Scientists] developed a transparent ink material infused with metabolites derived from CCA[, d]ubbed SNAP-X[….] By applying SNAP-X to rocks or other surfaces, researchers can create an inviting microhabitat that helps coral larvae settle and grow.”

2. New Legislation Offers Vital Support for Habitat Conservation in Cities and Towns

“The bill establishes a new dedicated investment of $1 million annually for the Urban Bird Treaty program[….] In addition to supporting birds, the program supports efforts that can deliver tangible benefits to people and businesses, from increasing green space and enhancing outdoor recreation to improving resilience to flooding and minimizing urban heat islands.”

3. Has Maine learned how to make heat pumps lower electricity costs for all?

“Over the next three years, the incentives in the plan are forecast to support 38,000 new whole-home residential heat pump systems — including 6,500 in low-income households — and weatherization for 9,900 houses. […] This strategy should decrease annual heating costs by more than $1,000 each for homes that switch to heat pumps [… and] suppress electricity rates by more than $490 million over the long term.”

4. Montana court strikes down ban on gender-affirming care for trans minors

“[Because t]he ban violates the rights to privacy and free speech guaranteed by the Montana Constitution, and it amounts to discrimination based on viewpoint, [… the court] issued a permanent injunction against its enforcement. […] Since the ruling is based on the Montana Constitution, not the U.S. Constitution, trans youth, their families, and health care providers are protected from any potential negative outcome at the U.S. Supreme Court[….]”

5. Solar, batteries and an EV charger win funding for energy resilience scheme

“[… T]he fund provides grants for projects across AusNet’s electricity distribution network […] that help build long-term community energy resilience and provide support to communities during severe weather events. [… Recipients include] nearly $50,000 for the Taggerty Community Progress Group to create a solar hybrid microgrid at its Community Hub which will act as an emergency hub for the local community.”

May 1-7 news here | (all credit for images and written material can be found at the source linked; I don’t claim credit for anything but curating.)

[asestimationsconsultants]

Top Software Tools Used in a Residential Estimating Service

The construction industry has witnessed significant technological advancements in recent years, and estimating software has played a crucial role in these improvements. For residential projects, accurate cost estimation is vital to ensure that homeowners stay within budget, contractors avoid costly mistakes, and the project proceeds smoothly. Residential estimating services rely on specialized software tools to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and collaboration between all parties involved. Below, we’ll explore some of the top software tools used in residential estimating services and how they streamline the estimation process.

1. Buildertrend

Buildertrend is one of the most popular project management software tools for residential construction. It’s designed to streamline communication, project scheduling, and budgeting, making it an all-in-one tool for contractors and homeowners alike.

Key Features:

Cost estimation and budgeting tools

Real-time updates for project costs and schedules

Change order management and client approvals

Document sharing and communication between stakeholders

Buildertrend allows contractors to create detailed cost estimates and adjust budgets as the project progresses. Homeowners can track expenses, monitor change orders, and ensure that their project stays within financial limits. This software’s flexibility makes it suitable for both small residential builds and larger home improvement projects.

2. ProEst

ProEst is a comprehensive estimating software that provides detailed cost breakdowns and real-time data, enabling contractors and estimators to make precise calculations for residential projects. This tool is popular among residential estimators due to its user-friendly interface and customizable features.

Key Features:

Pre-built cost databases and templates

Integration with other software like QuickBooks and Procore

Customizable project reports

Cloud-based platform for easy access from anywhere

ProEst is particularly beneficial for contractors who handle a variety of residential projects, as it allows them to create accurate, data-driven estimates based on real-time material and labor costs. The software also supports collaborative features, enabling multiple users to work on the same project estimate simultaneously.

3. Clear Estimates

Clear Estimates is a cloud-based software designed specifically for residential estimators. This tool simplifies the process of creating accurate, detailed cost estimates for construction projects by providing access to a large database of material costs and labor rates.

Key Features:

Easy-to-use interface with customizable templates

Material and labor cost databases tailored for residential construction

Automatic pricing updates based on current market data

Integrated reporting and proposal generation tools

Clear Estimates is ideal for contractors who need to produce quick yet accurate estimates for smaller residential projects. Its pre-built templates save time and ensure that estimators do not overlook any key components when calculating costs.

4. RSMeans Data Online

RSMeans is a widely recognized cost estimating software used by contractors and construction professionals to access comprehensive cost data. While it’s commonly used for larger commercial projects, it also provides detailed cost estimates for residential construction projects.

Key Features:

Extensive cost data for materials, labor, and equipment

Market-specific pricing for various regions

Built-in calculators for more accurate estimates

Integration with other software tools for seamless workflow

RSMeans Data Online is ideal for contractors working on larger or more complex residential projects that require detailed cost analysis. It’s particularly valuable for ensuring that all components of a project are priced accurately, including materials, labor, and overhead costs.

5. CostCertified

CostCertified is a relatively new but highly efficient estimating tool designed specifically for residential contractors. It focuses on providing real-time cost estimates, enabling homeowners to make quick decisions based on accurate pricing. This software is particularly popular for home renovations and custom home builds.

Key Features:

Real-time cost updates with vendor pricing

Seamless collaboration with clients through the app

Transparent cost breakdowns, including materials and labor

Detailed reports and change order tracking

CostCertified’s ability to provide real-time cost updates is particularly useful for residential projects where material prices fluctuate frequently. The software also allows homeowners to interact with contractors directly, making it easier to track changes, approve costs, and stay on top of the budget.

6. PlanSwift

PlanSwift is a takeoff and estimating software designed to improve accuracy and speed during the estimating process. Contractors and estimators use PlanSwift to calculate material quantities, measure blueprints, and generate cost estimates for residential construction projects.

Key Features:

Digital takeoff tools for measuring and quantifying materials

Integration with popular accounting and project management software

Ability to calculate material costs and labor expenses

Fast and accurate estimations with minimal manual input

PlanSwift is particularly useful for contractors who need to calculate material quantities quickly and accurately. Its digital takeoff feature saves time by automating the measurement process, reducing errors that can lead to cost discrepancies.

7. Buildertrend vs. ProEst: Which Is Better for Residential Projects?

Both Buildertrend and ProEst are excellent tools for residential estimators, but each excels in different areas. Buildertrend offers robust project management capabilities, making it ideal for contractors who need to handle communication, scheduling, and budgeting all in one place. On the other hand, ProEst is a more dedicated estimating tool with a focus on accuracy and real-time data integration.

For residential projects that involve a lot of communication and collaboration with homeowners, Buildertrend might be the better option. However, if the primary goal is to create highly accurate estimates based on current market data, ProEst might be the better choice.

8. Bluebeam Revu

Bluebeam Revu is a powerful software used by construction professionals for digital design and project collaboration. Although it’s often associated with commercial projects, Bluebeam can also be highly effective for residential estimating by enabling detailed takeoffs and cost estimations based on digital plans.

Key Features:

PDF-based design and takeoff tools

Real-time collaboration features for teams

Integration with estimating software and project management tools

Detailed markup and reporting capabilities

Bluebeam Revu is especially useful for residential estimators who need to work with detailed plans and collaborate with architects, contractors, and homeowners on project costs. The ability to measure directly from digital blueprints reduces errors and increases efficiency.

Conclusion

The use of estimating software in residential construction projects has become indispensable for contractors, homeowners, and developers. These tools enhance accuracy, speed up the estimation process, and improve collaboration between all parties. From basic tools like Clear Estimates to more advanced options like ProEst and RSMeans, residential estimators now have a variety of software tools to help them create precise, data-driven cost estimates. By leveraging these tools, residential projects can stay within budget, meet timelines, and avoid costly mistakes, ensuring a smoother and more successful construction process.

[sepdet]

Save me from the White American Man Who Knows Everything. I know it is an unfair stereotype, and there are a great many who have NOT been indoctrinated with this attitude

but I just got home from dealing with insane family, stepped out for takeout, identified the planet Venus for someone admiring her hanging out with the Moon tonight, only to be corrected by a man insisting, "That's a drone."

"No, look, it's Venus," I say, holding up the SkySafari app I use for comet hunting.

"That wasn't there until 5 years ago," he insists, when it wasn't there five days ago because that is fucking Venus, the brightest object in the sky besides the Moon. "It's a drone."

"Sir, I have two telescopes," I say. "My grandmother was a planetarium director and my father is a rocket scientist. [As a matter of fact, one of his last projects was the delayed ignition system for the braking rocket to put the Venus Express probe in orbit ] "That is a planet. It's Venus."

"I don't care," he says. "You're wrong. That's a drone."

What could I say?

I just... despair, you know? I go out to the desert to take photos of planets and moons. This is my lockscreen, my own photo.

We've sent balloons sailing in Venus' clouds, maybe even detecting rain. Japan's Akatsuki spacecraft spent 9 years studying the planet and making new discoveries, even after multiple Soviet and NASA missions.

We have all this information at our fingertips. A simple planetarium app does more than the wonderful state-of-the-art Zeiss projector my grandmother operated, which cost about $245K in the 1960s.

And yet.

So many people have lost the ability to see stars, or even the planets which children would have recognized when my grandparents were kids. (They still do in other countries, I remind myself. The appalling state of the U.S. education system is not universal.)

Do yourself a favor tomorrow. Go outside after sunset, say 6-6:30pm, and look southwest.

From the northern hemisphere, the crescent Moon should be just above and to the left of Venus. (Use this free website and enter date and time to forecast the sky at your location.)

Celebrate their beauty and the human knowhow that lets us see these things, know what they are, and where they'll be.

Share that knowledge, that joy with somebody.

Let there be light.

[eponymous-rose]

Monday!

It's been a while since I've done one of these week-in-the-life posts (and I LOVE reading them from others), and it's a particularly stressful week where I'm trying to stay off social media for Reasons, so hey, let's do this again!

It's a busy day, but it starts relatively late - I don't have to leave for the office until 10AM. So, you may ask, why on earth do I set my alarm for 8:30? Is it because I have an elaborate morning routine? Is it so I can hit the gym and go for a jog? No, no, no, it's because I have a little cat who takes the alarm as her cue to cuddle and I don't want to disappoint her, so I inevitably spend half an hour hugging her like a purring teddy bear first thing in the morning before I get up.

I respond to some e-mails as I get ready and on the bus ride over - mostly prep for our department's holiday party (I'm in the band and we're trying to get as much practice in as possible), but also a little work getting supercomputer access restored for an undergrad research assistant, offering to write a letter of recommendation so my colleague doesn't have to (we both know the student well and said colleague is traveling across the country for a funeral on a redeye flight tonight...), reworking some elements of the rubric for the faculty search committee I'm on, and confirming a meeting with my grad student.

10:45 - I get to the office and go to make my usual mug of tea... and realize in the moment I close my office door that the keys are still inside. I get the hot water from the lounge and meander by the office, but nobody's there. Just as I'm about to work up the nerve to go interrupt a more senior professor's meeting to borrow his keys, one of the office staff walks by and is happy to open the door for me, phew.

11:00 - My most senior grad student is doing an internship in Colorado this quarter (it's the location he most wants to do a postdoc at as well!), and we've set up a call to catch up after a few weeks without chatting. It's a bit of an awkward chat because he wants to go to his second conference in two months, and I had to bring out the "well, um, this is a side project you're doing with someone else's research group and you may want to check with them about where the $2000+ for conference costs is coming from". I possibly have an avenue - I might ask him to just attend for a couple of days instead of the whole time, so I can use some funding from a different grant, but I'm hoping we can get some cost-sharing going here, or possibly the other professor he's working with can present his poster for him if need be. Still, his work's going great and I'm hoping we can get him to this conference! He finishes his PhD this year, and I can attest to how helpful conferences are for landing postdocs.

12:00 - Speaking of grants, I had a successful grant come through late last summer to study wildfire smoke dynamics with novel instrumentation (something new to me!), and the whole team is meeting up for the first time to talk logistics! I also have to teach real soon, so I'm only on for the first chunk of the call, but we get some of the plan set up. Looks like we'll be meeting at a NASA facility early next year to do some siting stuff prior to the first controlled burn. I genuinely have no idea what I'm doing on this project, apart from being willing to write a big chunk of the proposal, but it's a good time!

12:30 - Class time! This is my domain-specific intro-to-python class that I developed 5 years ago and have been iterating on ever since. It's going a lot smoother this week than last, and the students are pretty responsive to my jokes (priority #1, lbr) and seem to be following along quite well, judging by the handful of questions I get after class. Not a ton of technical issues today, either, which is a HUGE win over last week.

1:30 - Forecasting time! I'm once again part of our university team in a giant forecasting contest. While I'm decidedly average at it (usually around 250th out of 1000 participants), my grad student was #1 for a while there. We chat in broad terms about the next week of weather in our targeted forecasting region.

2:30 - Meeting with another graduate student! We talk about some of the researchers he reached out to after his first conference a couple weeks ago, and we're starting to narrow down a possible author list for his first paper. He's working on writing up the methods and data for that paper while he incorporates a few new datasets into his preestablished workflow. He's been doing really well! Being a dual-major in CS means his code is a heckuva lot more organized than most second-year grad students I've had.

3:30 - ...nothing??? I've decided to skip my usual seminar and postpone one undergraduate student research meeting this afternoon (the one currently locked out of the supercomputer he needs for his project) since I have a couple of grant proposals due very shortly. I head out to grab some teriyaki to bring back to my office for lunch/dinner, but the restaurant just has a big sign out front saying "closed for FIRE" so I opt to go across the street for some chicken katsu and boba tea instead. I approve the final budget (coming up on a million dollars, no pressure) and keep plugging away at the statement of work (which is basically "what are you going to do, in detail, with one million dollars over the next three years? please tell us in exactly 15 pages, not counting your 3-page bibliography and 6 appendices"). I even find a perfect paper to reference to discuss one of our theories! We've made it through one round of reviews with our pre-proposal, and man, we'd love to do this project - it would be myself, a colleague, and a postdoc looking at some really novel stuff in severe storm predictability over the next three years. I also get a little work done on the invited talk I'm giving to a student journal club tomorrow, and work on some more e-mails (trying to set up a meeting with a friend's graduate student to help her out with some methods she's using from an older paper of mine).

5:15 - One of my colleagues has retired this year and has a farewell song he wants to sing at our holiday party, which happens to be mostly voice & piano, so we agree to meet up before the main practice and go over it a couple times before the rest of the band shows up and he has to head out to dinner. I'm really sorry to see him leaving (although I know he's delighted to get to spend more time with his kids and grandkids) - he and his wife were extremely welcoming when I started here, and were so kind and supportive when Mom died. Just very touched that he reached out to me to play piano on this one. Tragically, though, whoever was supposed to bring in the keyboard hasn't left it in the practice room, so we'll have to wait and run through it with the rest of the band on Thursday. Instead, it's back to the office to get caught up on e-mail and try to slog through more of the grant application (all today's research and work has netted me... 1 page of writing, blah).

6:00 - The rest of the band shows up! We run three songs of our eight-song setlist, and I'm somehow now playing on 4/8 of them, despite there being five people signed up for keys. It's a good time, though!

8:00 - I make it home and give Clara a bunch of new toys that have arrived with her prescription food (one of which she licks for 15 minutes straight). Luckily, tomorrow's work schedule is much more chill!

[tomorrowusa]

We really do need to be concerned about NOAA. Nitwits with Sharpies are no substitute for professional weather forecasting.

Forecasters at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predict “above-average” activity this season, with six to 10 hurricanes. The season runs from June 1 to November 30. At least three of those storms will be Category 3 or higher, the forecasters project, meaning they will have gusts reaching at least 111 miles per hour. Other reputable forecasts predict a similarly active 2025 season with around nine hurricanes. Last year, there were 11 Atlantic hurricanes, whereas the average for 1991 to 2020 was just over seven, according to hurricane researchers at Colorado State University. A highly active hurricane season is obviously never a good thing, especially for people living in places like Florida, Louisiana, and, apparently, North Carolina (see: Hurricane Helene, the deadliest inland hurricane on record). Even when government agencies that forecast and respond to severe storms — namely, NOAA and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) — are fully staffed and funded, big hurricanes inflict billions of dollars of damage, and they cost lives. Under the Trump administration, however, these agencies are not well staffed and face steep budget cuts. Hundreds of government employees across these agencies have been fired or left, including those involved in hurricane forecasting. What could go wrong?

Warm seas act like jet fuel for developing storms. The Caribbean and the adjacent Gulf of Mexico have been getting hotter and hotter.

If this sounds familiar, that’s because the Caribbean has been unusually warm for a while now. That was a key reason why the 2024 and 2023 hurricane seasons were so active. Warm ocean water, and its ability to help form and then intensify hurricanes, is one of the clearest signals — and consequences — of climate change. Data indicates that climate change has made current temperatures in parts of the Caribbean and near Florida several (and in some cases 30 to 60) times more likely.

Thanks to DOGE, we have fewer forecasters studying worsening conditions.

[U]nder the Trump administration, hundreds of workers at NOAA have been fired or otherwise pushed out, which threatens the accuracy of weather forecasts that can help save lives. FEMA has also lost employees, denied requests for hurricane relief, and is reportedly ending door-to-door canvassing in disaster regions designed to help survivors access government aid.

Forecasting depends on observations and taking readings. There's less of that under Trump.

As my colleague Umair Irfan has reported, the National Weather Service is also launching weather balloons less frequently, due to staffing cuts. Those balloons measure temperature, humidity, and windspeed, providing data that feeds into forecasts.

Perhaps the only thing that might cause a reversal of this stupidity in the near future is back-to-back direct hits by hurricanes at Mar-a-Lago and the SpaceX launch site near the Texas-Mexico border.

Related: Trump disasters will become more expensive...

Trump​ Is Going to Raise Your Insurance Premiums

[darkmaga-returns]

45.1 million Americans are expected to travel over Memorial Day weekend, setting a new record according to AAA. With gas prices falling and inflation cooling, driving is becoming a top option for families seeking affordable getaways.

Key Facts:

AAA projects 45.1 million people will travel at least 50 miles from home between May 22–26.

This number breaks the previous Memorial Day travel record of 44 million set in 2005.

Car travel is expected to reach 39.4 million travelers, 1.2 million more than last year.

Gas prices are down to an average of $3.13 per gallon, compared to $3.59 last year.

Roughly 3.6 million Americans will travel by air, with 2 million using trains, buses, or cruises.

The Rest of The Story:

AAA’s forecast shows that Americans are taking advantage of improved travel conditions and lower fuel costs to hit the road in record numbers this Memorial Day weekend.

Most of these travelers—nearly 40 million—plan to drive, benefiting from a sharp decline in gas prices due to reduced crude oil costs this spring.

The average cost of gas nationally has dropped by over 40 cents from last Memorial Day.

This, paired with the tradition of holiday weekend trips and an extra day off from work or school, is creating the perfect storm for a major surge in travel.

While air travel and other forms of transportation also show increases, road trips are clearly the top choice for many Americans looking to reconnect with friends and family.