Job order contracting (JOC) is a collaborative construction project delivery method that enables organizations to get numerous, commonly encountered construction projects done quickly and easily through IDIQ or multi-year umbrella contracts. JOC reduces unnecessary levels of engineering, design, and contract procurement time along with construction project procurement costs by awarding long-term contracts for a wide...Continue Reading
The RFP just came out. You have 30 days to win this IDIQ bid. The clock starts now! You have 2 options to execute this bid: Spreadsheets e4Clicks Project Estimator Spreadsheets: Open a spreadsheet, hope that you can copy and paste from the bid schedule and that you don’t have to recreate it by hand...Continue Reading
Another fantastic year to appreciate our great customers, team and partners. In 2016, we celebrated our 15th 4Clicks Birthday. We look forward to many more years of providing you with the best possible construction cost estimating and project management software for your facility repair, renovation, sustainability, and new construction projects. 4Clicks is here to support your cost...Continue Reading
4Clicks Customers: All of our Training Playlist videos have been refreshed – and a couple have been added. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCiY9-bygonf6o63Uxg86trx-fMQLZUTP Training 101 — Creating a Project Training 102 — Creating an Estimate Training 103 — Opening Your Pricing Guides Training 104 — Searching RSMeans™ with the Index Training 105 — Searching RSMeans™ with the Favorites Training...Continue Reading
There are a couple of ways to quickly check or report on the labor hours in your estimate. Look over these options and see which one meets your current need: Line Item Level (Individual): On the Line Items tab, highlight a line item. Then look in the gray information panel on the right side. If...Continue Reading
Construction delivery methods and their associated processes and contractual documents are directly linked to the success or failure of any project. The business strategy leading to the integration of previously disparate competencies, business processes, technologies and teams is the primary goal of a BIM execution plan. Read more here from CMO, Peter Cholakis in the article...Continue Reading
COEFFICIENT: A numerical factor that represents costs (generally indirect costs) not considered to be included in JOC Unit Price Book (UPB) unit prices, e.g. general and administrative and other overhead costs, insurance costs, bonding and alternative payment protection costs, protective clothing, equipment rental, sales tax and compliance with tax laws and contractor’s profit. Contingent costs,...Continue Reading
We have been notified by the United Stated Patent Office that 4Clicks will be issued a Patent for Storing Application Data (3528-P10980US). We have been striving hard for the past five (5) years to develop truly unique cloud computing applications to assist our clients reach the next levels of productivity, collaboration, and transparency. Ceasel, or...Continue Reading
In October, our CMO, Peter Cholakis, was invited to present at the Pentagon to the Washington Headquarters Services Facilities Services Directorate (WHS-FSD). WHS-FSD supports approximately 64,000 civilian and military personnel, including the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Joint Chiefs of Staff, Defense Agencies, and the military departments in the National Capital Region. It provides...Continue Reading
Within the Public Sector…DOD and non-DOD Federal Government, as well as many State/County/and Local Governments, RSMeans Cost Data is the standard, and knowledge of it and its use are fundamental requirements. Outside of these sectors, knowledge of how to use RSMeans Cost Data and how it is structured can be very beneficial in terms of...Continue Reading
Ceasel is here! It’s released in beta testing, being used, and available for purchase! After years of creating the most robust cloud-based estimating platform, it’s finally commercially available! We’ve been testing the Beta version for a couple of months now. Overall speed and functionality continues to increase. We are very grateful to those who have...Continue Reading
It’s that time of the year, just released, your new RSMeans City Cost Index update. There are two ways to complete this update. First is the manual way for folks that don’t have the permission to run the update or have time to wait for their IT team to complete this process. Simply download the actual CCI...Continue Reading
4Clicks Solutions, a leading provider of enterprise class software and services announces the beta release of Ceasel. Ceasel is a highly advanced, multi-user, collaborative cloud cost estimating platform designed from “the ground up”. Based upon Microsoft’s Azure cloud computing platform, Ceasel combines the latest cloud computing technology with superior ease-of-use to enable users to cost-effectively, easily,...Continue Reading
I remember the first time I started estimating for SABER. It was the first job, and we were a new SABER team at Luke AFB, AZ. I came in as a Plumber by trade and had some experience working on the SMART team and in the shops. I had some exposure in carpentry, heavy equipment,...Continue Reading
Estimators come with multiple skill levels and various areas of expertise. Here’s a list of traits and attributes common to many construction cost estimators. 1. Years (typically at least a decade) of experience as an estimator, usually including some form of “field work.” 2. Love of a new challenge. While there are similarities is many/most...Continue Reading
There are several technologies that can be very important to facility life-cycle management. Here’s an alphabetical listing for your review and comment. 1. BIM – Building Information Modeling – Centralized information repository for life-cycle management. 2. BAS – Building Automation System – Automatic building controls/sensor system – HVAC/environmental, access control/security. 3. CAFM – Computer-Aid Facility...Continue Reading
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 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
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
“Does anyone have a list or checklist of some sort that you use to make sure you do not miss anything on the drawings? “ “What estimating procedures do you use to help you?” While 4Clickers’ know the answer is, “Use e4Clicks Project Estimator!”, here are a few more thoughts. 1. Everything starts with process...Continue Reading
