I’ve found is helpful to revisit the basics of cost estimating, from time to time. 1. What construction delivery method is being used? 2. What’s the project start date? Is it realistic? 3. What’s the overall scope of the project from a total job perspective, as well as major division, system, and task levels. 4....Continue Reading

We are very excited about our upcoming Feb 15th-17th in San Antonio! We have worked really worked hard on this program and we love the opportunity to get your input at these sessions. Remember though, space is limited, so make sure to reserve your seat as soon as possible. Classes will be held at the...Continue Reading

Driven by economic and environmental pressures, facilities management (FM) will…. more rapidly align itself with the core mission, encompass more services, use global standards, embrace flexibility and continuity, focus upon life-cycle sustainability, maintain and end user/client focus, improve supply chain synchronicity, achieve a life-cycle / total cost of ownership perspective, and employ better capital/risk/performance reporting...Continue Reading

I was recently asked “Has digital takeoff and visual and/or electronic estimating changed estimating practices?” Many of us would respond differently, but digital takeoff and visual estimating provide a great deal more flexibility in how we estimate. That said, there are key points to check when using digital takeoff however, especially checking for the correct...Continue Reading

We hear this question a lot, and our best answer might very well be “both”. Standardized, repeatable methods, reference cost databases with common data structures and robust software technology enable information sharing and reuse. All are key components of the construction cost estimating process for facility portfolio owners, contractors, subcontractors, and AE’s. That said, experience...Continue Reading

Also let your colleagues know, who might also benefit by being a 4Clicker! October 27th and 28th – Atlanta, GA – Visit us at IFMA, We will be with RSMeans, our Strategic Partner, in Booth # 1732 November 17th-19th – Tampa, FL – Visit us at COAA, 2010 Fall Owners Leadership ConferenceContinue Reading

AE’s need to develop long term relationships with owners built upon trust and performance. To accomplish this, it’s important that architects and engineers leverage efficient construction project delivery methods to the same degree as innovative contractor s and owners. There is a reason that the first place owners look to reduce cost is the construction...Continue Reading

Speedy, accurate construction project delivery is important to Sustainability. Why is that? Buildings in the United States:   Consume 39% of all Energy   Generate 38% of all CO2 Emissions   Account for 72% of all Electricity Consumption   Use 14% of Potable Water   Responsible for 40% of Raw Materials use   Source 20%...Continue Reading

The Sept.-Oct. TME/SAME issue focuses on Asset Management. And, what better way to efficiently manage facility renovation, repair and sustainability project than with JOC and SABER, as well as IDIQ, SATOC, MATOC, MACC, POCA, and BOA. The article, “Integrated Order Contracting” outlines a business process embedded in software which enables DOD owners, contractors, and AE’s...Continue Reading

Over 200 professionals attended the recent August 19th, 2010 webcast titled, “Job Order Contracting – The Stimulus- Ready Delivery Method”. The event, jointly sponsored by RSMeans and 4Clicks, drew a wide variety of professionals: Estimators, Facility Managers, CEOs, Presidents, Asset Managers, Planners, Engineers, Project Architects, Operations Managers, Accountants, Commissioners, Project Managers, and Construction Managers. Multiple...Continue Reading

Officials are set to open a new fitness center at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., Aug. 20. The fitness ceneter will be the Air Force’s first building to meet the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Platinum level. http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123218638Continue Reading

This is great news for some of our clients, both government and contractors, always great to increase the mission and secure future funding, personnel and opportunities. 7/30/2010 – WASHINGTON (AFNS) — Air Force officials released several announcements regarding five different aircraft July 29. http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123215794Continue Reading

Lot;s of green projects already done, many more to come, share your news wish us, here is one from our great friends at Luke AFB. This is a massive solar project at Luke Air Force Base is expected to provide power for a majority of the base by 2011, strengthening the U.S. Defense Department’s reputation as...Continue Reading

Is your facility management team drifting too far toward being reactive? What can you do to operate more proactively?” Sounds pretty common right? Sometimes it helps to step back a bit. Are you reacting to the same types of things over and over? Are there “fixes” you could implement more broadly to eliminate similar issues?...Continue Reading

While most people don’t think about how they get their water, it is the mission of every civil engineer plumber to make sure clean water is received, and all water delivery systems are in working order. Plumbers routinely install, repair and maintain piping, fittings and fixtures involved in the distribution and use of water in...Continue Reading

4d-5d BIM will support facility management and associated construction projects, however, more efficient construction project delivery methods MUST be linked to your BIM strategy. Whether integrated with 4d, 5d BIM or stand alone, Job Order Contracting – JOC / SABER – is the standard for facility renovation, repair, and sustainability construction project control and transparency....Continue Reading

A recent change to FAR 51.1, Contractor Use of Government Supply Sources, may create expanded opportunities for GSA Schedule vendors. The change now permits Prime Federal Contractors to use the GSA Schedule as a source of supply when deemed appropriate for fulfillment of agency requirements. Previously, this was rare and only authorized on cost-plus contracts....Continue Reading

Sustainability and Green refer to the designing and maintaining the built environment to in concert with economic and ecological needs. Federal agencies are required to achieve 30% energy and water reductions by 2015 and zero use of fossil fuel by 2030 with schools and municipalities facing similar requirements. JOC (Job Order Contracting) and SABER (Air...Continue Reading

A long time 4Clicks’ client, JBI Construction, was asked to build a 9-11 Memorial for the Peterson Air Force Base, as part of a joint venture partnership with SB Construction. On April 30, 2010 a piece of damaged steel was delivered to the JBI Construction warehouse, a floor beam from the World Trade Center. Designed...Continue Reading

MasterFormat® Updates: Did you know Masterformat2004 will now be revised annually each spring? Did you know there is now a new Division? The major updates to MasterFormat2004 are: A new division, Division 46 – Water and Wastewater Equipment, which significantly expands the document’s coverage of environmental engineering specifications Revisions to Division 44 – Pollution and...Continue Reading

How many times have you heard … RSMeans costs are “too high” or “too low”? …. You can’t use RSMeans for replacement value? RSMeans is the “Bible” for most, if not all, experienced and successful cost estimators. RSMeans is an excellent cost basis to derive construction/replacement, renovation, repair, and maintenance values. Proper adjustments in forming...Continue Reading

Another great question from a 4Clicker – “What’s the difference between construction cost estimating, and construction cost engineering”? “Construction Cost Estimating” is the process/service of determining the future cost of a construction project/program for a new building, or the repair, maintenance, renovation, or renewal of an existing building ( or other physical infrastructure asset –...Continue Reading

Today’s professional estimators understand the value of a dynamic currently priced cost database. Did you know that as e4Clicks Project Estimator users you are the ONLY estimators to have access to 400,000 dynamic, up to date, currently priced line items? Every line item and modifier is completely built out in e4Clicks for them. Locate and...Continue Reading

We’re back from the SAME JETC Conference. It was great to spend some time with our friends at DWG & Associates. My old “boss” BCE Ron Descheneaux, from Air Force at Luke AFB walked into the 4Clicks booth. Colonel Descheneaux was at Luke Air Force base in the 90’s and was instrumental in starting up...Continue Reading