Evolving Estimating Challenges in the Post-Pandemic Era
Article published in the March-April 2023 DCD magazine (page 52) written by CERT board member Dan Frondorf, CPE, CDT https://www.dcd.com/issues/issue
Estimators vs Bid Qualifiers
Article published in the September/October 2020 DCD magazine (page 46) written by CERT member Joshus Huck, owner of Estimatica, Inc. https://www.dcd.com/issues/issue
In Defense of Paper
As we continue to move towards a paperless society, CERT member Dan Frondorf makes a case for the importance of paper plans in today’s ever changing estimating world. Dan’s article was published in the March/April 2020 edition of Design Cost Data (DCD) page 23. https://www.dcd.com/issues/issue
Viable Estimates and Good Shoes
Clink the link to read CERT member Rifka Malik, CPESC, CPE guest editorial publication in the January/February 2020 Erosion Control magazine pages 22 through 25. Erosion Control January and February 2020
The Developing Trend of Hiring Independent Consulting Estimators
The trend of hiring independent consulting estimators is gaining momentum. While many construction companies are now subcontracting their estimating projects to independent firms, others choose to integrate the consulting estimator into their in-house teams. By Rifka Malik, CPESC, CPE
Managing Unrealistic Client Expectations
Most of us in the consulting estimating profession have been astounded by the expectations of our clients at various times.
Let’s Level The Playing Field
Let’s Level The Playing Field Is it fair to place the burden of a quantity take-off on the contractor/sub-contractor? By: Rifka Malik, CPESC
How Do YOU Use DCD Magazine?
Are you getting the most out of this publication? Is it possible that DCD can be an even greater resource to you and your firm?
The Estimating Industry is Changing! Are You Changing With It?
If you are a seasoned estimator or construction professional, you probably remember when construction documents were printed on paper, and the thought of anything digital was very Back to the Future.
The New Estimator
For many in my profession, traditional roles and duties have developed into something that “old school” estimators wouldn’t necessarily recognize. Maybe a better verb for the previous sentence would be “transformed”, or perhaps more appropriately, “evolved”. It isn’t uncommon for the modern day estimator to wear even more hats than they always have.
Construction Estimating Pitfalls and Pratfalls
Estimators who work for general contractors may know this saga of stress, anxiety and comic relief all too well: It is 2:00 AM the night before the day of the big bid.
My Journey into unCERTainty
A little over two years ago I started thinking about starting an estimating and consulting business. After about nine months of thinking, planning, and weighing the options, I decided to go for it and started all the paperwork to establish an LLC with the State of Ohio.
Things an AEC Company Or Owner Should…
Things an AEC Company Or Owner Should Know When Hiring An Estimating Consultant Firm To Do Work For Their Business By Edward Walsh, Executive Director – CERT The Consulting Estimators Round Table [www.CERT-USA.org] has developed some recommended guidelines for any AEC firm, building owner or developer thinking about hiring the services of a CE firm.
Partnering for the Estimating Consultant
WHY CERT?
Architects, engineers, owners, developers, planners, law firms, sureties, and contractors no longer have to take as much risk or time when selecting an estimating consultant with whom to partner on their projects. There is now an excellent resource for those with a need for reliable construction cost estimating services to find experienced and dependable consulting construction estimators to work with when they need accurate and unbiased estimates for the projects they are designing, planning, negotiating, or bidding.
What Do I Really Need?
So you have decided that now is the time to go out and become a consultant. What tools do I really need and how can I get into the business without spending a lot of money.
CERT Consultants Take The Stage in Indianapolis
Members of the Consulting Estimator Roundtable (CERT), a trade association founded by several ASPE members who are independent consulting estimators, have developed and will present a three hour session focusing on the requirements for starting a practice, marketing it, finding clients, running it successfully, collecting payments, and making it a sustainable enterprise.
Report From The CERT 2014 Winter Conference
On Friday and Saturday February 7-8, 2014, six members of the Consulting Estimators Round Table (CERT) met in Scottsdale, AZ for the 2014 CERT Winter Conference.
Other Services for Estimating Firms
The reader might ask, why would an estimating firm provide services other than estimating? Many of us got started in this business doing something other than estimating.
Networking To Build An Estimating Consultancy
Traditional networking, (no password required), means that the more people one knows, and knows well, the wider the network. Networking is a valuable resource and many businesses depend on it for survival. It means we can foster growth through introductions to new contacts by people we know, people who can offer personal references as to our skills and reliability.
Legal, Insurance, and Contractural Issues for the Estimating Consultant
When considering the start up of a construction estimating practice, the business structure of the enterprise is usually the first concern that makes the list. It’s human nature to be concerned about the ramifications of making a mistake on which another person or company makes a cost decision, so this is of course a topic … Continue reading Legal, Insurance, and Contractural Issues for the Estimating Consultant
Getting Paid
There is nothing as satisfying as payday. The hard work you have completed since the last payday is rewarded to you to maintain your lifestyle.
Marketing Notes for the Estimating Consultant and the Career Estimator
We are all marketers. In some capacity or another, we all sell. Some are good at it and others not so much. Think back to that sales pitch you gave your spouse … and she bought the whole thing … for some reason or another.
Business Structuring for the Estimating Consultant
For the most part, we (the folks reading this article) are estimators, right? And many of us are, have been, or may in the future have our own estimating business.
Getting Started As An Estimating Consultant
Almost every estimator I have ever visited with has considered what it would be like to start up and run a professional cost estimating consultancy. A lot of contractor employed estimators do some amount of kitchen-table style moonlighting for a couple of clients as a way of picking up spending money.
Expanding Our Horizons
For the past several years, many involved in ASPE leadership agt the national and chapter level have been estimators engaged in private practice – in other words, consultants.