06/22/2007 Business & Finance

ConcreteCOST Estimator is a concrete construction cost estimating program based work activities identified by cost divisions, paragraphs and costcodes. The built-in cost database covers all aspects of concrete construction. ConcreteCOST Estimator includes a handy Concrete Calculator tool for computing concrete volumes. It has the flexibility for the user to modify takeoffs depending on actual conditions. Download its 7-day trial version.

To build an estimate:

Open the estimate file (ConcreteCost.xls or file saved in another name).





Add new cost items into your estimate in batch mode using the "Add Standard Cost Item(s) Using Lookup" submenu from the ConcreteCOST menu. To do that, first click on ConcreteCOST menu, then select "Add Standard Cost Item(s) Using Lookup". This will display the Work Product Identification window.

Enter a brief Work Product ID, eg. Driveway. Then enter the Work Product dimensions using decimal entries. When finished, click OK. This will cause to display the Lookup window. You may make multiple cost item selections from the Lookup window.





You may navigate the Lookup window by clicking on the division tabs or by using Previous and Next buttons. When ready, click on the Finish button. ConcreteCOST Estimator shall quickly transfer selected cost items into the Estimate worksheet.

To maintain or modify an estimate:

Open the estimate file

Click your mouse on the row representing the cost item you wish to edit

Click on Edit Cost Item submenu from ConcreteCOST menu

Edit the detail using Edit Cost Item window

To delete a cost item from estimate worksheet:

Click your mouse on the row to identify the row to be deleted. Then click on ConcreteCOST menu and select "Delete Cost Item Row". ConcreteCOST Estimator will confirm deletion and permanently delete the row from the Estimate worksheet.

To clear the estimate worksheet:

Click on ConcreteCOST menu. Then click on "Clear Estimate Worksheet". After a warning, ConcreteCOST Estimator will clear the estimate worksheet from all data entries. Note that this procedure is not reversible and all data shall be irreversibly lost.

To create reports:

Click on ConcreteCOST menu. Then click on the type of report that you want. ConcreteCOST Estimator will create the report in a separate Excel worksheet called Book1, Book 2 etc. You may generate as many reports as you like during the estimate. Upon the completion of the estimate, after viewing the final report, you should save it in another name.

To add Custom Cost item

During an estimate, it may be desirable to add a custom cost item that does not exist in the data worksheets. This ConcreteCOST Estimator menu item is used for this purpose. When the menu item is clicked, the Add Custom Cost Item window will appear.

First, type in a Work Product ID. Then add Costcode, Description, Quantity and Unit. Because this is a custom cost item, all data entered will be added into the estimate as entered. Proceed to add cost data and manhours. The cost data entered should be before markup application since the system will apply markups upon closing the window. Also, it will be automatically adjusted by your choice of city from the City worksheet.

To print reports

At any time, you can create Estimate, Bill of Material and Quote reports by selecting the appropriate submenu item from the ConcreteCOST menu. After ConcreteCOST Estimator creates the report, you can use Excel's printing functions to print reports on the printer.

To save the estimate

At any time during or after the completion of an estimate, you may use Excel's Save function to save your project. Each project should be saved as a file under an easily identifiable name.

Ideally, the original ConcreteCost.xls file should remain intact as the main template. Each time you open the ConcreteCost.xls file in order to start a new estimate, you should immediately save it under a new name before you start adding estimate data. That way, all changes in the estimate file will be retained in the renamed estimate file and not apply to the ConcreteCost.xls main file.

ConcreteCost Estimator for Excel

The world's best way to create office productivity is now the easiest way to build quick and accurate concrete construction cost estimates. You can now work in a single MS Excel environment to quickly create, build, and manage your concrete cost estimates. As a construction professional, improving cost estimating efficiency translates to profits.

Designed for Microsoft Excel and improving on its capabilities, ConcreteCOST Estimator is contained completely within an Excel file with several worksheets. All you have to do is open your MS Excel program, then open the ConcreteCOST Estimator Excel file. Create your estimate and print reports. All tied to a convenient menu.

ConcreteCOST Estimator generates instant, on-screen reports. Click a button to print or format as you would format any MS Excel spreadsheet file. You can use Excel's powerful data saving and exporting tools for managing and distributing your estimates in electronic format and as email attachment.