{"id":57348,"date":"2019-05-22T09:27:17","date_gmt":"2019-05-22T08:27:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pbctoday.co.uk\/news\/?p=57348"},"modified":"2024-06-28T10:40:00","modified_gmt":"2024-06-28T09:40:00","slug":"mep-estimators-challenges","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pbctoday.co.uk\/news\/digital-construction-news\/bim-news\/mep-estimators-challenges\/57348\/","title":{"rendered":"5 challenges MEP estimators in the UK face today"},"content":{"rendered":"

Estimators need to be able to produce a high volume of consistently estimates without sacrificing accuracy \u2013 but they face a number of challenges, from a lack of information to multiple, varied requests<\/h2>\n

Construction estimating has always been both an art and a science. There are plenty of hard facts to work with, but experience and intuition also play a significant role in taking the customer\u2019s, architect\u2019s and engineer\u2019s inputs<\/a> and combining them into a valid, accurate project estimate and bid. Then, moving that forward into material take-off adds another layer.<\/p>\n

Additionally, the technology available to help with estimating projects continues to evolve, adding a new learning curve to master. With an average of eight to ten bids being created for everyone your company wins, the sheer volume of work keeps increasing as well.<\/p>\n

Despite these challenges, customers expect speed, accuracy, transparency and a professionally presented bid. And you expect those things from yourself. It\u2019s safe to say MEP estimators face a host of challenges today, whether they\u2019re highly experienced or not. We\u2019ll discuss just five of these specific challenges.<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. \n

    Starting with too little information<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Whether you\u2019ve been building estimates for decades or days, it\u2019s always going to be daunting to try and pull together an estimate or bid based on too little information. For example, a conceptual estimate may be requested based on very loose project scope and perhaps an architect\u2019s initial drawings.<\/p>\n

    Steve Watt, an expert on construction workflow efficiency at Trimble, had this to say about conceptual estimates: \u201cThe prospect of winning a bid is appealing, but the reality of developing a budgetary estimate is far less attractive. While conceptual estimates are extremely valuable from an owner\u2019s perspective, they can fail to deliver a return on investment for contractors. Understandably, you may be inclined to decline the offer to participate.<\/p>\n

    \u201cBut doing so doesn\u2019t come without a cost. Should you opt out at this early stage, you likely won\u2019t be invited back later. And you may hurt your reputation long term, too. It can feel like a no-win situation.<\/p>\n

    \u201cThe same principles apply anytime you\u2019re asked to submit a valid estimate based on too little information.\u201d<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. \n

      Juggling different requirements<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      While the desired end result \u2013 an accurate estimate of time, materials, and labour \u2013 is the same each time, different customers and contractors will often have different expectations for take-off and what they expect out of a bid or estimate.<\/p>\n

      If stakeholders within the same project have conflicting expectations, you may even find yourself essentially creating two different estimates for the same project. This isn\u2019t just time- and labour-intensive, it\u2019s stressful and inefficient.<\/p>\n

        \n
      1. \n

        Volume of bids<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        As noted earlier, the average MEP contracting company wins around 12.5% of the bids they submit. Meaning, of course, that you\u2019re producing eight to ten bids for every one that turns into revenue. To maintain profitability under those conditions, most MEP estimators are producing approximately 100 estimates per year. In some places or disciplines where competition is particularly fierce, that number is much higher.<\/p>\n

        Considering the work involved in creating an accurate and professionally presented bid or estimate, completing one every two or three days is a tall order. If you\u2019re not approaching the estimating process efficiently, keeping up is going to be that much harder.<\/p>\n

          \n
        1. \n

          Constant variation orders<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          Of course, if you could easily move from estimate to estimate the volume described above might become easier as you gained experience. But, that\u2019s not the case.<\/p>\n

          The back and forth of repeated variation orders and RFIs from multiple projects means you\u2019re likely spending at least a third of your working hours fielding these requests. They may take seconds or hours, depending on the specifics, but they\u2019re always going to derail your train of thought and slow down the completion of whatever you were working on when they suddenly became the priority.<\/p>\n

            \n
          1. \n

            Reinventing the wheel<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

            As you are undoubtedly aware, many of these challenges we\u2019ve been discussing tend to stack up. The volume of work alone would be challenging enough, but when you add in the variation orders coming left and right, the added difficulty of multiple requirements and the lack of vital information to work with, it can feel like a perfect storm.<\/p>\n

            Fortunately, every project estimate<\/a> can and should contain the same general categories of information, and can usually be approached similarly. While every project is different, it\u2019s not necessary to start each estimate with a blank slate. But, if you\u2019re still handling estimates and bids on paper, it can feel like that\u2019s exactly what you\u2019re doing.<\/p>\n

            \u201cDespite these challenges, customers expect speed, accuracy, transparency and a professionally presented bid.\u201d<\/p>\n

            We just covered five specific challenges MEP estimators in the UK face today, and there are plenty of issues we didn\u2019t discuss in this article. But you\u2019ve probably identified some key patterns already, and they hold true for just about all the major issues you\u2019re currently facing.<\/p>\n

            Estimators need to be able to produce a high volume of estimates consistently without sacrificing accuracy. They need to be able to efficiently move from one bid to the next without reinventing the wheel every time, and without being derailed by variation orders and RFIs. Fortunately, these challenges can be met and overcome by integrating technology into the estimating process.<\/p>\n

            Ready to overcome these challenges? Browse our extensive library of resources with useful guides and tips on estimating.<\/p>\n

             <\/p>\n

             <\/p>\n

            Trimble MEP<\/strong><\/p>\n

            Tel: +44 (0)1908 608833<\/p>\n

            constructible.trimble.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n

             <\/p>\n

            Please note: this is a commercial profile.<\/em><\/p>\n

            \n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

            Estimators need to be able to produce a high volume of consistently estimates without sacrificing accuracy \u2013 but they face a number of challenges, from a lack of information to multiple, varied 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