05/24/1993 11290

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION COST ESTIMATOR

DEFINITION: This is specialized technical work in the review and computation of quantities and costs of general building, mechanical and electrical materials and labor for new construction and renovation projects under the jurisdiction of the Department of General Services.

An employee in this class analyzes specifications, blueprints and cost breakdowns prepared by professional engineering and architectural consultants to ensure accuracy and validity of project quantities and costs, and works with departmental staff to compute quantity and cost projections for the full range of new building and renovation projects. Work involves providing review and verification of computations and estimates in all of the building construction disciplines including plumbing, electrical, mechanical, HVAC and general. Work is assigned by change order package, and review is accomplished upon completion by an administrative superior for soundness of recommendations, adherence to policies and procedures, and timeliness.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Reviews and verifies complete quantity "take-off" estimates from project building plans, and identifies material and labor costs for each item or grouping of items by using pricing references such as Means, Berger, or departmentally developed references, or by contacting outside vendors or contractors.

Computes quantities and costs for labor and materials to compare against contractor calculations on work required on change orders of an on-going project.

Justifies cause of the change order and determines if it is an Error/Omission by the professional.

Compares material and labor estimates computed against those projected by professionals and verifies project quantities and costs indicating agreement, or disagreement with support justification, based on current market conditions or scope of the project.

Computes and provides technical guidance to designers in preparing estimates of project quantities and costs for projects designed in-house.

Converts man-hour projections of contractors to labor costs where necessary.

Incorporates cost escalation factors as defined in reference
sources such as the U.S. Department of Commerce Composite Cost Index applicable to the preparation of allotment amendments.

Reviews project quantity and cost estimates submitted at sketch, preliminary, pre-final and final phases of project.

Computes costs for departmental personnel where a building acquisition or alterations or renovations of leased buildings are being evaluated.

Conducts field site surveys in such situations as those where no reliable plans exist, or a change order has been initiated and work has been performed prior to change.

Maintains historical records of bids by types of project such as hospitals, dormitories, or projects for handicapped access.

Provides general cost-per-square-foot estimate by type of project to departmental or other agency personnel from historical records or reference source such as Means for use in the establishment of future allocations.

Performs related duties as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of symbols and terminology used in engineering and architectural design and building construction.

Knowledge of principles, procedures and formulae applied in computing areas, volumes and general dimensions.

Knowledge of materials and commodities commonly used in the building construction process.

Knowledge of pricing reference sources for materials and labor.

Knowledge of current market trends in building cost escalation and de-escalation.

Knowledge of the basic principles of building design.

Skill in making computations and estimates on quantities and costs of construction in the general building, mechanical or electrical disciplines.

Skill in developing quantity "take off" estimates indicating quantity and pricing of every element of building construction.

Skill in reading and interpreting architectural, mechanical and electrical engineering drawings, blue prints and specifications.

Skill in solving mathematical problems involving algebra, geometry and trigonometry.

Ability to learn the policies and procedures of the Commonwealth and Department relative to building projects, particularly as applied to bid preparation.

Ability to calculate and estimate quantifies and costs of materials accurately through determination and application of appropriate procedures and formula.

Ability to utilize pricing reference and outside business sources to determine the most current pricing data.

Ability to operate standard adding machines and calculators.

Ability to explain interpretation of building plans, blueprints and specifications in order to express a point of view or gain support and concurrence.

Ability to prepare written reports so as to convey a meaning or express a point of view, to include photos and on-site inspection reports as necessary.

Ability to speak and communicate effectively in order to convey a meaning.

Ability to establish and maintain effective work relationships with co-workers, professional architects and engineers, contractors and sub-contractors, and members of the general public.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: Six years of progressively responsible experience in the computation of construction quantities and costs, with at least two years involving major building projects such as multi-story office, hospital, or apartment buildings. Post high school education in disciplines applicable to building construction cost estimating such as architectural engineering may be substituted for experience on a year-for-year basis to a maximum of four years.

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Any equivalent combination of experience and training.