CONSTRUCTION COST ESTIMATING - CVG 5184 SUMMER 2021
BID COST ESTIMATING
Given is a seven-floor residential building with an underground level. The structure is reinforced
concrete that will be constructed in Ottawa, Ontario. A detailed bid estimate for the project is required
with a focus on earthwork, reinforced concrete work and partially architectural components.
The tentative due date to submit the detailed bid estimate for the project is June 15, 2021. Therefore,
your expertise and collaboration are highly required to ease the difficulty associated with time
constraints.
To prepare the bid estimate, you are provided with a set of drawings, a list of specifications and
assumptions alongside some helpful information listed below. Hence, your main task is to estimate
the cost of earthwork, reinforced concrete work and some architectural components in a very detailed
format using MasterFormat WBS and RSMeans 2021 first quarter cost data for the following:
1) Generate an adequate work breakdown structure (main division and sub-divisions up to level4 for the scope of work to be executed in the project.
2) Produce quantity take-off and cost estimate for:
a) Earthwork (Excavation)
b) Concrete work (formwork, concrete and reinforcement bars),
c) Wet area and Kitchen; Ceramic Tiling levels +1 to +6; Kitchen Cabinets levels +1 to+6
d) Interior walls (drywall); levels +1 to +6 (Exterior walls shall be excluded.)
f) Doors; levels +1 to +6
Consider an inflation rate of 3%, if needed, and 10% to cover markup and profit.
The case study is to be solved and to be submitted as group work. Your submission must be in
electronic format (Actual file Word and Excel formats ONLY. PDF format is NOT accepted)
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Specific Assumptions for the Project
1. Topsoil Removal Thickness – 200mm
2. Excavation to Foundation Level – Common Earth
3. Compaction and Backfill Factors – Same as Class Notes.
4. Earthwork Equipment (R.S. Means):
1. Excavation
• Excavator
• Push Dozer
• Scrapers
2. Hauling
• Truck
3. Back Filling/ Filling
• Dozer or Loader
4. Compacting
• Steel Wheel Tandem Roller
• Wobbly Wheel Roller
• Vibratory Plate
5. Working Space Allowance - At Least 1.00 m on Each Side
6. Transportation Distance from Site to Stockpile – 8 Miles
7. Transportation Distance from the Borrow Pit to Site – 8 Miles
8. Pit Fees - Same as Note
9. Formwork Material - Steel
10. Inflation Rate - 3%
11. Canadian Construction Industry Wages - Typical
12. All drawings Measured in Meters and Centimeters (do pay attention to the units conversions
in your estimate whenever are needed).
13. All steel rebar sizes are in the Metric system (do pay attention to the units conversions in
your estimate whenever are needed). Table 1 can be used to convert steel bar sizes. For the bars
that are not included in this table, select the nearest size to the bar.
14. Waterproofing Items are not part of the Scope of Work
15. Ramps and Stairs are to be excluded.
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Table 1: Steel Reinforcing Bars Conversion
General
The notes on this sheet refer specifically to drawings STR-C-001 through STR-C-027.
1. These notes are general and apply to the entire project except where specifically indicated
otherwise.
2. Structural dimensions, elevations controlled by or related to mechanical or electrical equipment
shall be coordinated by the contractor prior to construction. Bolt sizes, types, and patterns shall be
verified with the manufacturer. All bolt patterns shall be templated to ensure the accuracy of
placement.
3. Mechanical and electrical equipment supports, anchorages, openings, recesses, and reveals not
shown on the structural drawings but required by other contract plans shall be provided for before
placing concrete.
4. Structural drawings shall be used in coordination with mechanical, electrical, and civil drawings
and with shop drawings provided by manufacturers of equipment.
5. Structures have been designed for operational, hydrostatic, and backfill loads on the completed
structures. The structures have not been designed to resist these loads while only partially
constructed. During construction, the structures shall be protected from all construction loads by
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bracing and balancing until all structural elements are in place and all concrete has reached the
specified 28-day compressive strength unless defined differently in the specification. Overloading of
any structural component is prohibited.
6. Unless otherwise shown, on all structural drawings, the finished grade around structures is thus
demonstrated, indicating either ground surface or other symbols indicating the top of the concrete
slab or ac pavement.
Concrete
1. All elevations shown are in meters, and the dimensions shown are in millimetres.
2. All concrete shall have a minimum compressive strength in accordance with the requirements of
the specifications or as shown on drawings.
3. Concrete surfaces exposed to water flow must be smooth and free from spalls, honeycombs and/or
pockets.
4. Roughen surfaces of pours at construction joints, unless otherwise noted.
5. All waterstop shall be type a and continuous unless otherwise noted on the drawings. Joints at
splices and corners shall be bonded.
6. Unless otherwise shown on the plans, concrete cover for reinforcing bars shall be as follows:
Bottom of foundation and footings ...........................................................................................150mm
Surfaces in contact with weather ………………….………..…………………………..……...50mm
Formed surfaces in contact with earth ........................................................................................75mm
7. Unless otherwise noted or specified, all structural concrete shall develop a minimum compressive
strength of 30mpa in 28 days.
8. Location of all construction joints shall be as shown on the plans or approved by the engineer. All
construction joints located on the plans or required for construction, but not shown on the plans, shall
have a 150mm waterstop if members contact water.
9. Unless otherwise indicated on the drawings, laps, hooks, or links of reinforcement shall be as
shown in sheet STR-C-001.
10. Structural concrete to be a ready mix, heavyweight, delivered 4500 psi, includes local aggregate,
sand, Portland cement (type i) and water in beams, columns, walls, stairs and slabs, including placing
and curing.
11. Cement mix ratio to as follows: lean concrete to 150kg/m3. Foundation, columns, roofs and slabs
should not be less than 350kg/m3.
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Concrete reinforcement
1. Concrete reinforcement shall conform to the requirements of can/CSA-a23.1, concrete materials
and methods of concrete construction.
2. Steel reinforcement shall be deformed bars of grade 400 (fy=400 mpa) conforming to CSA g30.18.
3. Minimum tension embedment and hook development length shall be as given in sheet STR-C-001
4. Minimum lap splice length shall be classified as "class b" splice. "class b" splice lap lengths shall
be equal to the lengths given in sheet STR-C-001 and increased by 30%.
5. "top bars*" are horizontal wall and slab bars with more than 300mm of fresh concrete cast-in
underneath. "other bars" are all reinforcing bars not classified as "top bars*." Dimensions are to the
centerlines of bars unless otherwise shown.
6. The first and last bars in the walls and slabs shall begin and end with a distance equal to the clear
cover from each end of the member.
7. Concrete reinforcement shall conform to the requirements of can/CSA-a23-1, concrete materials
and methods of concrete construction.
8. Reinforcement steel shall be deformed bars conforming in quality to the requirements of can/CSA
- g30.18, "specifications for deformed billet-steel bars for concrete reinforcement," grade 400w.
9. All detailing, fabrication and placing of reinforcing bars, unless otherwise indicated, shall be in
accordance with RSIC (reinforcing steel institute of Canada), "manual of standard practice for
detailing reinforced concrete structures," latest edition.
Excavation
1. Refer to drawing number STR-C-001 to STR-C-004 and AR 01 (For the building area only.)
2. Excavate to bedrock. Cut to the required foundation bearing surface.
3. Do not construct on frozen ground.
Base slab
1. Remove all topsoil, silt, loose fill, debris, organic material (including tree roots), existing
foundation elements, tanks, etc.
2. Fill all voids and low areas with clean well-graded granular fill compacted to a minimum 95%
standard proctor density. Install and compact in 150mm (6").
3. Granular base - install a base of clean well-graded granular fill compacted to a minimum 95%
standard proctor density. Install and compact in 150mm (6") high lifts to the thickness specified on
the drawings.
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4. Compaction tests shall be performed by an independent testing company during the installation of
all granular material. The results shall be forwarded to the engineer.
7. Provide a 15 mil poly moisture barrier (well lapped and sealed) between the compacted granular
base and concrete slab unless noted otherwise.
7. Provide a full and continuous 12mm (1/2") wide flexcell joint between the edge of the slab and all
other structural elements (i.e., grade beams, foundations, retaining walls, columns, etc.) Unless noted
otherwise.
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