Online Estimating Guide - Estimating Steps
General
The remaining sections of this guide describe the method and give the necessary information for a reliable steelwork estimate to be prepared.
When preparing an estimate follow the steps indicated in the following Estimate Flowchart.
Portal Frame Buildings
Portal frame buildings may be estimated using the guide, for all steelwork and purlins, excluding roofing cladding,. Both hot rolled and custom welded portals are covered by the various sections covering supply, coatings, fabrication and erection.
End connections required for an estimate include: Pinned Column Baseplate, Stiffeners, Welded Moment, Bolted Welded Beam Splice, Moment Endplate, Haunched Knee Joints, Purlin / Girt Cleats and Flybraces. Where a moment resisting baseplate is required for the portal columns Moment Endplate connections may be used to assess cost.
For portal frame buildings the steel erector may supply the crane rather than the head contractor. This needs to be allowed for separately to the erection rate developed using the guide.
Multi-Level Buildings
Estimates for multi-level structural frames including installation of floor decking ready for concrete topping may be developed using the guide. Both hot rolled, welded beam and hollow section supply, coatings, fire protection, fabrication and erection are covered. Concrete toppings may be estimated readily using other published construction estimating data.
In multi-level buildings it is common for the head contractor to provide cranes and operators as part of his Preliminaries and General allowance. Therefore no allowance for craneage is made in the erection estimates developed using this guide.
Structural Steelwork Frame Estimating Steps
