Our town is trying to construct a storm sewer project. The project was competitively bid and a contractor selected. We are in the process of negotiating a change order with the contractor. He wishes to use “equipment rental rates” from your 2009 Heavy Construction Cost Data book.
Our question is: does the “operating costs” column in your book (beside the equipment rental column) include/suppose to include the actual man-labor costs to physically operate the piece of equipment listed, or is it supposed to only include other such costs as fuel, lubricants, insurance, etc?
As with the rest of your book, it is our belief that by adding all adjacent columns, one gets the total cost for that element of work — including labor. Your answer and clarification of this matter would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
You must be referring to the column entitled ”Hourly Oper. Cost“. This column represents the fuel, lubrication, maintenance, tires, electricity etc. It does not include costs for an operator.
Please see the Estimating Tips on page 465, first section center column.
Furthermore, please note that the column entitled “Equipment Cost/Day” also does not include for an operator. Please see the Estimating Tips on page 465, second section center column, for further explanation.
