To prepare an accurate takeoff for pricing, the first step is reviewing all drawings for concrete work. CSI Division 3, Concrete, can be found primarily in the structural drawings, specifically the foundation plan and sections showing details of footings, walls, piers, slabs-on-grade, and elevated slabs. Site drawings should also be reviewed for items such as concrete walks, pads, and miscellaneous site concrete.

Other drawings, such as mechanical and electrical, should be studied for items like box outs for piping and conduits, or "housekeeping" pads for specific pieces of equipment, such as furnaces and hot water heaters. Architectural drawings may include indications of surface finish treatments or architectural concrete with exposed surfaces. The specifications and drawings should be reviewed to determine the strength of the mix or the particular additives specified, in order to properly separate the different mixes for accurate pricing.

Concrete work can be organized into the following categories for takeoff and estimating:

• Concrete materials
• Formwork/placement of concrete
• Concrete finishing
• Concrete curing
• Concrete reinforcement
• Precast concrete
• Embedded items

Taking off Quantities

Concrete is taken off by the CF and converted to CY, the accepted units for both estimating and purchasing. One CY of concrete contains 27 CF. The quantities of different types and strengths of concrete should be listed separately in the takeoff and estimate, because a variety of factors will affect pricing. Concrete components should also be segregated by application. For example, concrete for foundations should be separated from concrete for flatwork, concrete placed as a slab, pad, or walkway. Study the specifications carefully for type and strength, as well as any additives to the mix.

This article is excerpted from Estimating Building Costs by Wayne DelPico, published by RSMeans.