Operational rate estimating
Contents |
[edit] Introduction
Operational rate estimating is a method used to calculate building costs. In operational rate estimating a distinct parcel of work is priced as a package. This is as opposed to projects where each unit of the bill of quantities are priced individually.
The estimator will still need to calculate all the individual items that are required in unit rate estimating , such as labour, plant and materials, but the key difference in operational estimates is that the estimator views a section of the work as a whole rather than as a set of separate items.
[edit] Operational Rate
Operational rate estimating is commonly used in the civil engineering industry. This is generally due to the larger quantities involved in civil engineering projects. The plant and machinery required in civil engineering works can also play a more significant role in the project. Operational estimating is preferred in plant-dominated projects.
Operational rate estimating can also be be used for pricing in design and build contracts where the contractor is responsible for their own pricing methods and a bill does not have to be produced.
The estimator will calculate all the resources needed for parts of the construction packages together rather than in isolation. Operational estimating will involve forecasting the cost of completing a construction operation, which may consist of many bill items.
Operational estimating will require a completed:
It is usually beneficial for the estimator to work alongside the operational teams to prepare the resource schedules and programmes as they may require comparative estimates or cost alternatives to help adopt the most suitable approach and achieve value for money.
Typical packages in operational estimating are:
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- All-in rates.
- Approximate quantities cost plan.
- Bills of quantities.
- Budget.
- Capital.
- Contract sum.
- Cost control.
- Cost engineering.
- Cost information.
- Cost plan.
- Elemental cost plan.
- Estimating
- Initial cost appraisal.
- Measurement.
- New Rules of Measurement.
- Order of cost estimate.
- Pre-tender estimate.
- Tender cost.
- Unit rate estimating.
[edit] External references
- Quantity Surveyor’s Pocket Book by Duncan Cartlidge.
Featured articles and news
Places of Worship in Britain and Ireland, 1929-1990. Book review.
The emancipation of women in art.
CIOB Construction Manager of the Year 2025
Just one of the winners at the CIOB Awards 2025.
Call for independent National Grenfell oversight mechanism
MHCLG share findings of Building Safety Inquiry in letter to Secretary of State and Minister for Building Safety.
The Architectural Technology Awards
AT Awards now open for this the sixth decade of CIAT.
50th Golden anniversary ECA Edmundson awards
Deadline for submissions Friday 30 May 2025.
The benefits of precast, off-site foundation systems
Top ten benefits of this notable innovation.
Encouraging individuals to take action saving water at home, work, and in their communities.
Takes a community to support mental health and wellbeing
The why of becoming a Mental Health Instructor explained.
Mental health awareness week 13-18 May
The theme is communities, they can provide a sense of belonging, safety, support in hard times, and a sense purpose.
Mental health support on the rise but workers still struggling
CIOB Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment 2025 shows.
Design and construction material libraries
Material, sample, product or detail libraries a key component of any architectural design practice.
Construction Products Reform Green Paper and Consultation
Still time to respond as consultation closes on 21 May 2025.
Resilient façade systems for smog reduction in Shanghai
A technical approach using computer simulation and analysis of solar radiation, wind patterns, and ventilation.
Digital technology, transformation and cybersecurity
Supporting SMEs through Digitalisation in Construction.
Villa Wolf in Gubin, history and reconstruction. Book review.
Construction contract awards down one billion pounds
Decline over the past two months compared to the same period last year, follows the positive start to the year.
Editor's broadbrush view on forms of electrical heating in context.