Table of Contents

The following categories must be estimated when completing the Sitework tab of the Worksheet:

• Demolition
• Site Layout Materials
• Site Layout Labor
• Excavation
• Erosion and Sediment Control Materials
• Erosion and Sediment Control Labor
• Fill Materials
• Well and Septic System

Estimating Process

Demolition and disposal fees vary by project. Some projects take place on already-developed parcels of land with existing buildings. On projects like this, the cost of demolishing and removing any structures or components on the jobsite must be included in the estimate. See Demolition in the Reference Book for an explanation of the various costs associated with this item.

Step 01: Check the Template for the Various Materials Databases

• The materials column should be set up with a Data Validation List that will allow you to select the appropriate material from the materials databases that have been provided.
• The Size and Units columns should be set up with an If function and a Vlookup function that will automatically put in the proper information when you select a material.  If the material column is blank then the size and unit columns should also be blank.
• The Unit Cost section should be set up with an, If, Vlookup, and Match function so that the proper price is provided when the material and the supplier is selected.

Step 02: Estimate Corner and Straight Batter Boards

Determine the quantities needed of both corner and straight batter boards. Use the information, procedures, and rules outlined in the Site Layout section of the Reference Book to determine the quantity of corner and straight batter boards and batter material that you will need to purchase.

• There is no single right answer and many possible solutions to the problem. You should strive to be as efficient as possible, using as few batter boards as possible, while still making sure all exterior foundation corners are located.
• Write an Excel formula that will automatically calculate the lineal feet of batter boards that you will need based upon the quantities that you input in the header section.
• Write an Excel formula that will automatically calculate the number of batter board stakes that you will need based upon the quantities that you input in the header section.

Step 03: Estimate Other Materials

Determine the quantities needed for other materials for this portion of the estimate based on your takeoffs from the plans and the information provided in the textbook. Manually enter other materials and quantities. These items typically include:

• Layout Stakes
• String
• Tie Wire
• Paint (Marking)
• 8d Duplex Head Box Nails
• 16d Duplex Head Common Nails

See Site Layout in the Reference Book for an explanation of the various costs associated with this item.

Estimating Process

Site layout labor costs are determined by using the price from the residential section of the National Construction Estimator (NCE).  Use the price for “Layout, Foundation layout, medium to large residence unless otherwise directed by the Project Manager. The Man-hours are determined by multiplying the Craft -hours by the quantity.

See Site Layout in the Reference Book for an explanation of the various costs associated with this item.

Step 01: Estimate Tree and Brush Removal

• Use the costs from the “Excavation with Heavy Equipment, Tree and Brush Removal” subsection of the Residential Section of the NCE for determining the cost of clearing and grubbing.

Step 02: Estimate Topsoil

• Read the soil test results to determine the depth of the topsoil on the jobsite.
• Check the (site plans?) for any other specifications or requests from the owner regarding excavation.
• Determine the quantity of soil that will need to be removed and stored and the cost of doing this.
• Identify any excavation equipment owned by the builder. The use of company-owned equipment will be added to the estimate in the Tools & Equipment portion of the worksheet later in the process.
  • If the excavation requires the use of equipment not owned by the builder, use the cost for “Excavation with Heavy Equipment “in the Residential Section of the NCE. Use the cost for a Bulldozer 65 HP unit.

Step 03: Estimate Foundation Excavation

• The main foundation excavation will extend 2 feet outside of the perimeter of the building unless otherwise specified by the Project Manager.  Determine the quantity of soil to be removed. The foundation excavation will have straight sides.
• Use the cost for “Excavation with Heavy Equipment “in the Residential Section of the NCE. Use the cost for “Backhoe, operator and one laborer, ¾ CY bucket”.  Use the “Average Soil” category.
• Garage footings are typically trench excavated.
  • Use the cost for “Trenching and backfill with Heavy Equipment” from the Residential Section of the NCE.
  • Use the cost for “24” wide bucket, 24” wide trench. Depths 3’ to 5’. Use the “Medium soil” option.
  • Use the total for labor and equipment.

Step 04: Estimate Foundation Backfill

• The foundation will need to be backfilled to the current level of the soil.  In addition the soil around the foundation will need to be built up around the foundation and sloped out so that water will drain away.
• All of the soil (excluding top soil) that was excavated from the foundation will be used to backfill and build up around the foundation
• Use the cost for “Excavation with Heavy Equipment “in the Residential Section of the NCE. Use the cost for “Bulldozer 65 HP unit”.

Step 05: Estimate Sewer Connection

• Use the “Sewer Connections, Subcontract” subsection of the Residential Section of the NCE to determine the sewer connection costs.
• Determine the sewer trench width from the Scope of Work.
• The contractor is responsible for supplying a bed of sand 6” above and below the sewer line.
  
  • Use the Trenching and Backfill with Heavy Equipment subsection of the Residential section of the NCE.
  • Use the ¾ CY Wheel loader option.
  • The cost entered into the Sewer Connection subsection is for the equipment and labor cost of installing the sand bedding. The material cost for the sand will be added to the other utility trench bedding sand and priced in the Fill Materials subsection below.

Step 06: Estimate Water Connection

• Use the “Water Meter” subsection of the General Requirements section in the Commercial Section of the NCE to determine the cost of installing the water service.
• Determine the water line trench width from the Scope of Work.
• The contractor is responsible for supplying a bed of sand 6” above and below the water supply line.
  
  • Use the Trenching and Backfill with Heavy Equipment subsection of the Residential section of the NCE.
  • Use the ¾ CY Wheel loader option.
  • The cost entered into the Water Connection subsection is for the equipment and labor cost of installing the sand bedding. The material cost for the sand will be added to the other utility trench bedding sand and priced in the Fill Materials subsection below.

Step 07: Estimate Electrical Supply

• The utility company will supply up to 100 LF of electrical service supply line.
• The contractor is responsible for excavation and backfill of an electrical supply trench 1’ wide and 3’ deep extending from the supply transformer to the building exterior. Assume that the electrical trench will be excavated before the foundation is backfilled.
• Use the “Trenching and Backfill with Heavy Equipment” subsection of the Residential section of the NCE. Use the medium soil option.
• Use the “Soil, previously excavated” option for calculating backfill.
• Use the 60 HP front end loader.
• The soil will be compacted in 8” lifts using a jumping jack.
• The contractor is responsible for supplying a bed of sand 6” above and below the electrical supply line.
  
  • Use the Trenching and Backfill with Heavy Equipment subsection of the Residential section of the NCE.
  • Use the ¾ CY Wheel loader option.
  • The cost entered into the Electrical Supply Trenching subsection is for the equipment and labor cost of installing the sand bedding. The material cost for the sand will be added to the other utility trench bedding sand and priced in the Fill Materials subsection below

Step 08: Estimate Gas Supply

• The utility company will install the gas line from the street to the meter.
• The contractor is responsible for excavation and backfill of a gas line supply trench 1’ wide and 3’ deep extending from the street to the location where the meter entered the structure. Assume that the gas line trench will be excavated before the foundation is backfilled. Use the medium soil option.
• Use the “Soil, previously excavated option for calculating backfill.
• The soil will be compacted in 8” layers (lifts) using a jumping jack.
• The contractor is responsible for supplying a bed of sand 6” above and below the gas supply line.
  
  • Use the Trenching and Backfill with Heavy Equipment subsection of the Residential section of the NCE.
  • Use the ¾ CY Wheel loader option.
  • The cost entered into the Gas Supply Trenching subsection is for the equipment and labor cost of installing the sand bedding. The material cost for the sand will be added to the other utility trench bedding sand and priced in the Fill Materials subsection below

Step 09: Estimate Rough Grading

• The top soil that was stripped from the lot will be used for the rough grading unless otherwise specified by the Project Manager.
• Use the cost for “Excavation with Heavy Equipment “in the Residential Section of the NCE. Use the cost for “Bulldozer 65 HP unit” and the “Spread dumped soil” option.

See Excavation in the Reference Book for an explanation of the various costs associated with this item.

Estimating Process

Erosion and sediment control costs are determined by using the prices from the Concrete Database.

See Erosion and Sediment Control in the Reference Book for an explanation of the various costs associated with this item.

Estimating Process

Erosion and sediment control labor costs are determined by using the price from the residential section of the National Construction Estimator (NCE). The labor cost is for installation of the silt fence, and is measured by the actual lineal footage of fence installed.

See Erosion and Sediment Control in the Reference Book for an explanation of the various costs associated with this item.

Estimating Process

The fill sand quantity for all utility trenches will be combined together to determine the total amount of fill sand needed for the project.

See Fill Materials in the Reference Book for an explanation of the various costs associated with this item.

Estimating Process

Unless specified by the Project Manager, projects will be connected to a public utility system and there is no need for a well or septic system.