Estimating Concrete

The BidMagic construction estimating software includes unit costs for concrete forming and placement.

Concrete Estimating

This card handles all poured concrete work. Most of the dimensions used by this card are set on the Foundation Dimensions card (see page 198).

NOTE: If you subcontract concrete work for a flat fee, you can enter the actual bid directly instead of itemizing costs (see page 255).

Forms & Reinforcing includes wood or metal formwork and steel reinforcing. Many of the Concrete line items already include the cost of forming and reinforcing, so work should be included here only if using a concrete item that does not include forms or reinforcing.

HINT: To see exactly what is included in any unit price, check the Unit Price Editor (see page 257).

Concrete Walls covers the placement of concrete in footings, grade beams and walls (foundation, stem and retaining). Formwork and reinforcing are already included in most of the line items in this subcategory.

HINT: If you are a builder who does only occasional concrete work, then include forms and reinforcing separately for the walls you build yourself, since it's probably much more expensive for you to do formwork. Do not include forms or reinforcing when you subcontract the work.

The first two unit prices for footings provide 'two step' pricing that will cover any size of footing or grade beam. Select both prices to cover the full cost of footings. One price is per lineal foot of footing--covering formwork, reinforcing and screeding labor. The second item is per cubic yard of concrete--covering the concrete material and placement costs--with the concrete volume figured for you automatically, based on the footing dimensions on the Foundation Dimensions card.

The first two unit prices for concrete walls also provide 'two step' pricing that will cover any wall thickness. Select both prices to cover the full cost of a concrete wall. One price is per square foot of wall, covering formwork, reinforcing and finishing labor. The second item is per cubic yard of concrete, covering the concrete material and placement costs. The concrete volume is figured for you automatically, based on the wall thickness on the Foundation Dimensions card.