Cost Estimate Modes

Genesis edition only.

When constructing a Cost Estimate, there are three different modes that can be used to help calculate the Resource Quantity to be used on each line. The mode of a Cost Estimate can be changed from the Mode drop-down in the Cost Estimate ribbon menu. When the mode of a cost estimate is changed, existing lines will be converted to the new mode.

A default Cost Estimate Mode can be set for every new Cost Estimate that is created from within the Options – Cost Estimate window. This will not affect any lines that are already existing in a project (Blank/Text Only lines included).

QUANTITY MODE

When using Quantity mode, the quantity of a resource used is entered into the Quantity field or calculated using the Formula field. This is multiplied by the resource’s rate to calculate the total for the cost estimate line.

This mode is useful when the required quantity is known to the estimator or can be calculated using a formula. For example, 5 hours of a labourer resource is required to complete a task.

Quantity mode is the default mode for Cost Estimates.

PRODUCTION MODE

Production based estimating calculates the resource quantity on a line based on the number of units and the total production. This is represented by the formula:

Cost Estimate Line Total = ( Quantity / Total Production ) * Number * Resource Rate.

Production mode estimates best lend themselves to estimates where the production rate is the key to the item. An example of this would be earthworks.

When working with this estimating mode, you have access to Production mode specific Cost Estimate Formula and automatic defines. These formula include:

• P(),
• N(),
• NPQ()/PQN()/QNP(),
• #LP,
• #LN.

TIME MODE

Time-based estimating mode calculates the resource quantity on a line based on the duration of the item and the number of units. This is represented by the formula:

Cost Estimate Line Total = ( Quantity * Number ) * Resource Rate.

When entering a resource against a line, if the Quantity field is blank it will be populated with the Cost Schedule item’s duration.

Time mode estimates best lends itself to estimated which are linked to an expired time period. Linear projects such as pipelines would be an example.

When working with this estimating mode, you have access to Production mode specific Cost Estimate Formula and automatic defines. These formula include:

• N(),
• #LN.