3 Nov 2017

Industry Events: MTE Beatrix Expo 2017 + MTE Welkom Expo 2017 + Moneyweb

by | posted in: Construction Events | 0

1. Event:

MTE Beatrix Expo 2017

 

Date:

07 November 2017

13:00 to 17:00

 

Event location:

Security Soccer Field

 

Event Description:

Located in the Free State province of South Africa, Beatrix Mine is a gold mining operation owned by Sibanye Gold. Although nominal surface reserves represented by surface rock dumps (SRDs) that accumulated during the operating history of the mine have been found at the mine, Beatrix is predominantly an underground operation.

Beatrix, a shallow to intermediate-depth operation, mining at depths of between 700m and 2 200m below surface, exploits the Beatrix Reef at shafts 1 and 3, and the Kalkoenkrans Reef at Shaft 4. Situated near regional urban centres where it can routinely obtain supplies, the mine has access to the national electricity grid and to water, road and rail infrastructure. The mine also has two processing plants, where carbon-in-leach and carbon-in-pulp are used.

Exhibitors we would like to see at the expo include those involved in new technology for gold mining, automation, efficiency, conveyer technology, in-stope lighting, dust filtration, water management, net tensioners in stope and new technology for PPE.

 

Contact Person:

Andrew Macnamara

E-mail: andrew@interactmedia.co.za

Tel: +27(0)82 720 0083

 

Event Website:

MTE Beatrix Expo 2017

 

 

2. Event:

MTE Welkom Expo 2017

 

Date:

09 November 2017

13:00 – 17:00

 

Event location:

Welkom Tegniese Hoërskool

 

Event Description:

Whether you’re interested in gold, uranium or diamonds, Welkom’s reputation in mining shines. Located in the Free State, some 140km north-east of Bloemfontein, Welkom is an ideal location for MTE, thanks to its renowned mining culture. Welkom is also well known for its agricultural and manufacturing sectors, not to mention its impressive sporting culture that covers motorsport, soccer and rugby.

Exhibitors we would like to see include those involved with dust control, noise reduction, new technology for ventilation, underground sanitation, PPE for woman, in-stope for support drilling, pumps, tramming technology, lubrication, LED lighting, blast barricades, underground mining machines, lock outs, mud vacuum machines, derailing devices and fall of ground support.

 

Contact Person:

Andrew Macnamara

E-mail: andrew@interactmedia.co.za

Tel: +27(0)82 720 0083

 

Event Website:

MTE Welkom Expo 2017

 

 

3. Event:

Moneyweb

 

 

Date:

09 November 2017

07:00 – 07:30

 

Event location:

54 on Bath, Rosebank, Johannesburg

 

Event Description:

Many South African businesses have found expansion across the African continent challenging.

An economic slowdown, infrastructure capacity challenges, illiquid capital markets and a lack of skills have hampered expansion plans. This changing landscape has resulted in a more collaborative approach between businesses, suppliers and their finance partners.

If Africa expansion is on your agenda, diarise November 9, 2017 when Moneyweb and Standard Bank bring together industry experts to share their thoughts and strategies for developing business across the continent.

 

 

Contact Person:

E-mail: carolyn@moneyweb.co.za

 

Event Website:

Moneyweb

About Eldary Carpenter

I have been with Leads 2 Business for 5 years and absolutely love working for such a dynamic company. I started off as a Content Researcher in the Tenders Department before being promoted to Customer Relations.

2 Nov 2017

L2B Blog: What is SAFMA?

by | posted in: Frequently Asked Questions, General | 1

When I hear the term facilities management I think of companies like Servest, Bidvest, Broll etc. It is a question often asked by building owners and occupiers as well as professionals in the property industry.

So… What exactly does facilities management entail? Here are a few definitions from various websites:

 

What is Facility Management?

  • All services required for the management of buildings and real estate to maintain and increase their value.
  • The means of providing maintenance support, project management and user management during the building life cycle.
  • The integration of multi-disciplinary activities within the built environment and the management of their impact upon people and the workplace.

 

Simply put, it is the management of buildings and services.

The International Facility Management Association (IFMA) defines FM as a profession that encompasses multiple disciplines to ensure functionality of the built environment by integrating people, place, process and technology.

FM can be split into two areas of hard and soft services. What is the difference between the two?

Hard Services – are ones which relate to the physical fabric of the building and cannot be removed. They ensure the safety and welfare of employees and generally are required by law. These include:

  1. Building fabric maintenance                                                                 5. Air conditioning maintenance
  2. Decoration and refurbishment                                                              6. Lift and escalator maintenance
  3. M & E plant maintenance                                                                     7. Fire safety system maintenance
  4. Plumbing and drainage                                                                        8. Minor project management

 

Soft Services – are ones which make the workplace more pleasant or secure to work in. They are not compulsory and can be added and removed as necessary.

Carrying out a Facilities Needs Assessment will help you to identify which services are actually needed by the company and which are unnecessary. These include:

  1. Cleaning                                                                                                5. Recycling
  2. Security                                                                                                 6. Pest control
  3. Handyman services                                                                              7. Grounds maintenance
  4. Waste disposal                                                                                      8. Internal plants

 

How important is Facility Management?

Facilities management has gained importance over the last few years as businesses have identified that well-managed buildings and utilities help companies function effectively and efficiently. Facilities management team consists of professionals involved in the day-to-day analysis, maintenance and repair of the company utilities. The facilities management team should also actively be involved in strategic planning activities that help in cutting costs and increasing employee productivity.

According to a Deloitte report on the “Strategic Role of Facilities Management”; almost 75% of facilities professionals agreed that facilities management has a significant strategic impact. However; only around 20% of a facility manager’s time is spent in strategy and planning activities while a whopping 53% is spent on the regular day-to-day operations.

 

About SAFMA (South African Facilities Management Association) – www.safma.co.za

“The South African Facilities Management Association (SAFMA) is a self-sustaining body recognised locally and internationally for its meaningful role in the South African Facilities Management Community. SAFMA defines Facilities Management as an enabler of sustainable enterprise performance through the whole life management of productive workplaces and effective business support services.

 

SAFMA offers its members many benefits, including sharing expertise with other facilities management professionals in South Africa and internationally, access to an advisory service, networking events, establishing contacts overseas, keeping up-to-date on local and international facilities management trends.

 

The primary objectives of SAFMA are to facilitate, promote and support skills development for Facilities Managers through working with the Quality Assurance Councils and with Endorsed Training Providers – thereby enhancing skills supply. SAFMA aims to promote and encourage networking between Facilities Management Professionals to ensure an exchange of information and best practice. Click here to read more”.

 

The end goal for any business is to cut costs, improve staff productivity and increase ROI. An effective facilities management process is vital to an organisation as it covers almost all the business aspects and their role in strategic planning helps a company achieve their business objectives.

 

Sources:

How Important is Facilities Management? | Empower CS

South African Facilities Management Association (SAFMA)

Facility management – Wikipedia

https://www.highspeedtraining.co.uk/hub/soft-hard-facilities-management-difference/

About Candice Van Aswegen

I started working for Leads 2 Business in May 2012 as an Account Co ordinator and more recently the Deputy Head of Department for the Telesales team. I schedule appointments for the Account Executives with potential clients.

1 Nov 2017

Featured Project: Nongoma Water Supply

by | posted in: Featured Project | 0

Description: Construction of pipelines for the water supply to Nongoma Wards 5, 10, 11, located in KwaZulu-Natal. Estimated project value: R170 million (Incl. VAT). 

Status: Tender

Industry: Water

Region: Nongoma

Sector: Public

Value: R 100 million+ 

Timing: 2017 / 2018

If you are a valued Projects subscriber, you can find more details click here

About Bianca Warwick

I had the privilege of joining the Leads 2 Business content team in January 2012. I work in the exciting Projects department, following the progress of construction developments in KwaZulu-Natal and the Free State.

31 Oct 2017

Featured Tender: Funding, Design and Build of Ndarugu 1 Dam (Nairobi – Mavoko – Kitengela) Water Supply Project

by | posted in: Featured Tender | 0

Contract Number: Funding, Design and Build of Ndarugu 1 Dam (Nairobi – Mavoko – Kitengela) Water Supply Project – Tanathi Water Services Board

Description: Tanathi Water Services Board – This invitation for bids (IFB) is for Funding, Design and Build of the proposed Ndarugu 1 Dam (Nairobi – Mavoko – Kitengela), Water Supply Project. The Scope of the project includes but not limited to the construction of a 35m high concrete dam with a reservoir capacity of 225 Million m3, a 173 000m3/d treatment works, transmission pipes, Storage tanks and associated works. The Tanathi water services board hereby invites sealed bids from eligible firms for the Funding, Design and Build of Ndarugu 1 water supply project (herein after called “the works”)

Category: Consultants

Industries: Water + Institutional

Region: Kenya

Site Inspection: A pre-bid site visit shall be held on 09 November 2017 at 09:00 (Local Time) at Mavoko Water and Sewerage Company.

Closing Date: 28 November 2017 at 12:00

Restrictions: International competitive bidding will be conducted in accordance with the government of Kenya Procurement Law and Regulations and the evaluation criteria contained in the bidding documents. The invitation for bids is open to international firms who meet the following eligibility criteria: Minimum average annual turnover as prime contractor (defined as billing for works in progress and completed) over the last 5 years of 10 Billion Kenya Shillings. Successful experience as a contractor, management contractor, or subcontractor in the execution of at least 1 project of a nature and complexity comparable to the proposed contract within the last 10 years, with a value of at least 18 Billion Kenya Shillings. The experience should include minimum key production rate of: Laying of water pipes 800mm diameter at a rate of 2850m per month; Earthworks at a rate of 130,000m3 per month; Concrete works at a rate of 3000m3 per month; Have appropriate equipment and staff as defined in the bidding documents; Access to, or availability of financial resources such as liquid assets, unencumbered real assets, lines of credit, and other financial means, other than any contractual advance payments sufficient to meet: A Construction cash – flow requirement of 1 Billion Kenya Shillings. The Overall cash flow requirements for this contract and its current commitments. Has the ability to mobilise the required finances to implement the project through support of the applicants Government or Applicants country Export Bank or any other financial institution capable of providing funds with acceptable terms and conditions by the National Treasury. Bids must be accompanied with Bid security of at least 1% of the contract price.

If you are a valued Tender subscriber, Click here for more information.

About Pauline Rainbird

I have been working at L2B since March 2011 and my current position is Deputy Head of Department - Africa. When I am not working I am either riding my bicycle or spending time with my dogs.

30 Oct 2017

Did you Know #DYK: Trench-less Technology

by | posted in: Did You Know | 5

 

I did not know much about the ‘nitty gritty’ of my topic, so in my research, I have managed to repair the link between the unknown and new information. I do hope that I am able to shed some light to others too.

 

“Trenchless Technology”. Trenchless?! How may I ask could any material be placed underground without digging a trench?

 

Well, literally: Trenchless Technology means “no-dig” construction. Few trenches or no continuous trenches are required to being dug below the surface for minimal disruption to the surface. It is green, sustainable and cost-effective. The servicing rehabilitation, replacement of existing, the construction of new, public utilities and other services underground without the digging of trenches, including the development of all kinds of underground condition assessment and mapping techniques, tunnelling devices and specialist machinery, materials and equipment.

 

I became more interested and investigated further. Especially as it is rapidly growing within the construction and civil engineering industries.

 

Why?

As previously mentioned;

· There is less disruption to the surface.

· There are more environmental regulations, so the demand for this technology has increased.

· And expense, this technology is a non-disruptive, cost-effective solution to pipe laying.

 

The NASTT website provides a simple and straightforward definition:

[Trenchless technology refers to] a family of construction techniques for installing or rehabilitating underground infrastructure with minimal disruption to surface traffic, businesses, and residents. Also includes technologies for inspection, leak location, and leak detection with minimal disruption and minimal excavation from the ground surface.

 

The following methods used in this form of technology are: tunnelling, micro-tunnelling (MTM), horizontal directional drilling (HDD), also known as directional boring, pipe ramming (PR), pipe jacking (PJ), moving, horizontal auger boring (HAB)*, minimal excavation takes place for the installation of pipelines and cable below the ground.

 

Methods on a site being rehabilitated are known as: slip-lining, thermoformed pipe, pipe bursting, cured-in-place pipe (CIPP), grout-in-place pipe, mechanical spot repair, and other methods for the repair, rehabilitation, or replacement of existing buried pipes and structures without excavation, or at least with minimal excavation.

 

 

A lot needs to be considered, to prevent the surface caving in, the load on the surface must not have too much pressure to affect the bore which means the soil characteristics must be considered. For example, is the soil is sandy or there is a shallow water table or constant heavy urban traffic? All of this will need to be investigated and researched.

 

Examples where Trenchless Technology is useful:

• Sensitive areas in terms of the environment

• Golf Courses

• Airport Runways

• Railroads

• Waterways

• Busy Road Ways

• Residential or Commercial Areas

• Sewers

Trenchless Technology could quite possibly revolutionise the plumbing industry by providing a more efficient and economical way to restore and repair underground utilities likes pipes and plumbing, without the need for excavation.

When underground pipes get clogged, it can often require expensive and difficult excavation to repair the issues.

Trenchless sewer repair offers a much more streamlined and resourceful way to get your essential plumbing tasks done and once again, here’s why:

1) Saves you money

2) Saves you time

3) “Preserve the Beauty”

4) Improving infrastructure with less disruption

Impressive – I think…

 

Image sources:

Directional Drill

Directional drilling illustration

Technology has no ethics

 

Research tools:

-Myway image search

-Google images

-(Trenchless Technologies cc)

-(Taken from Book “Trenchless Technology: Pipeline and Utility Design, Construction and Renewal. Publisher: McGraw-Hill Education, New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Athens, London, Madrid, Mexico City, Milan, New Delhi, Singapore, Sydney, Toronto. Published: 2005. Authors Mohammed Najafi, Ph.D, P.E.)

*(Wikipedia)

 

About Tara Hutton

My employment at Leads 2 Business commenced in January 2010, where for two years I worked in the Directory Department establishing a better understanding of construction and where Leads 2 Business fitted in. In February 2012, I moved to the Accounts department where I have been looking after accounts queries and anything related to accounts since then. I have been told by many that I’m resilient, yet caring individual and good to have on “their” side. Calm under pressure, which is quite useful in my line of work. I am proud and honoured to be part of the L2B mothership adding my bit to the greater good. Should you require more information, please do not hesitate to contact me.

27 Oct 2017

Industry Events: Eskom Industrial Trade Exhibition + Africa Petrochemicals Durban Roadshow

by | posted in: Construction Events | 0

1. Event:

Eskom Industrial Trade Exhibition

 

Date:

02 November 2017

 

Event location:

Mogol Recreation Club, Lephalale

 

Event Description:

The ESKOM Industrial Trade Exhibition brings new products to market with resounding success, benefit from on-site sales, new sales leads and brand visibility. It delivers a great return on investment for exhibitors, with visitors keen to see the latest in products, services, technologies, and trends across the mining, construction, Industrial, power generation and machine tool sectors.

 

Contact Person:

Tel: +27(0)62 294 6364

E-mail: info@roadshowminingexhibitions.co.za

 

 

2. Event:

Africa Petrochemicals Durban Roadshow

 

Date:

02 November 2017

 

Event location:

Amanzimtoti Civic Centre, Hutshinson Road, Amanzimtoti, 4126

 

Event Description:

The African Petrochemical Roadshow offers a diagonal slice of the industry, showcasing and highlighting multiple products, services and expertise available to the Petrochemical Industry, General Engineering, Mining and Power Generation sectors. This show includes Instrumentation and Control, Health and Safety, Environmental, Mechanical, Plant Optimisation solutions and much more…

 

Contact Person:

Tel: +27(0)62 294 6364

E-mail: info@roadshowminingexhibitions.co.za

 

Event Website:

Africa Petrochemicals Durban Roadshow

About Eldary Carpenter

I have been with Leads 2 Business for 5 years and absolutely love working for such a dynamic company. I started off as a Content Researcher in the Tenders Department before being promoted to Customer Relations.

26 Oct 2017

L2B Blog: Blasting & Explosives Technology

by | posted in: Construction Chat, General | 0

When we think of blasting & explosives the first thing that comes to mind for most is a building crumbling or the eruption of something catastrophic. Detonators & dynamite & a few seconds later there is a building implosion, leaving many in awe as a once beautiful building, now lays in a midst of dust & rubble. Did one ever wonder how this process happens, what actually goes into blasting & explosives?

Let’s take an insightful journey into the wonderful world of blasting’s & explosives.

What are explosives: Explosives are materials that produce violent chemical or nuclear reactions.

 

Boom! Did you hear that explosion? It sounded like a thousand sticks of dynamite blowing up at once. Can you imagine what that might look and sound like? Dynamite was used dating back to our forefathers & is still used today. These are the 4 main industries that use dynamite i.e. construction, mining, quarrying & demolition. An interesting fact, dynamite was used as a weapon in the military but in time other explosives took over & dynamite became a thing of the past

 

Blasting in the mining industry: In the mining cycle blasting is imperative. In almost every aspect of mining, rocks are broken by drilling & blasting. This technology is the process of breaking down material by using a certain amount of explosives on a mine site. Too many explosives on a mine site can cause damage to rocks & the caving of rocks. A more traditional method of blasting is using black powder & dynamite. The more common explosive used today is ANFO (Ammonium Nitrate Fuel Oil).

 

What is civil blasting: The most important function of civil blasting is for breaking, removing or demolishing rock of different sizes. So think about how roads are formed. The preparation that goes into forming this long stretched highway. Blasting is one of the most important functions, to ensure the road maintains a certain level, as well any hard rock found under is removed before the roadworks begin.

 

Building implosions: A building implosion has to be strategically planned, well timed & executed. The detonation has to be on point, so that the structure collapses on itself, in the blink of an eye. The reason for this well-executed implosion is to minimize damage to its surroundings. Building implosion is not just related to buildings, although the terminology, this includes bridges, towers, tunnels etc. History is quite amazing the first ever attempt at a building implosion was in 1773 in Ireland of the Holy Trinity Cathedral.

 

Technology does control the present & definitely the future with improvements being made every day. So picture great beaming machines, built of bolts, gleaming metal & revolutionized with technology, in the click of a button, from the comfort of your office a building or mine site can be blown up.

 

Blasting footage: https://youtu.be/6Fw3omoCxRs

 

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dynamite

http://technology.infomine.com/reviews/Blasting/welcome.asp?view=full

http://www.blastquest.co.za/blasting-a-drilling-info/30-blasting-the-types-of-blasting-services.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Building_implosion

 

Image Sources:

Collapsing building

Explosives

Blasting rock

Robot

About Meryl Matthew

I started at Leads 2 Business in 2014. I am a friendly, bubbly, enthusiastic person. I am passionate about sales & customer service. My motto "when you know better you do better".

25 Oct 2017

Featured Project: Phiri SS

by | posted in: Featured Project | 0

Description: Construction of Phiri Secondary School located in North West Province. CIDB 8 GB

Status: Tender

Industry: Institutional

Region: North West

Sector: Public

Value: R61 Million – R100 Million 

Timing: 2018 onwards

If you are a valued Projects subscriber, you can find more details click here

About Carmen Barends

Social media adventurer for Leads 2 Business, exploring new frontiers and taking new ground. “Not all those who wander are lost.” JRR Tolkien

24 Oct 2017

Featured Tender: Design, Supply and Installation of 33KV Overhead and Underground Transmission Lines in the Lusaka South Multi – Facility Economic Zone under Two (2) Year Framework Agreement

by | posted in: Featured Tender | 0

Contract Number: LSMFEZ/G/FA/001/17 – Lusaka South Multi Facility Economic Zone (LSMFEZ)

Description: The Lusaka South Multi Facility Economic Zone (LSMFEZ) hereby invites eligible contractors with valid engineering practicing license in Electrical Engineering issued by the Engineering Institution of Zambia (EIZ) and valid National Council for Construction (NCC) Certificate under Category E, Grades 1, 2 and 3 for Design, Supply and Installation of 33KV Overhead and Underground Transmission Lines in the Lusaka South Multi – Facility Economic Zone under Two (2) Year Framework Agreement.

Category: Consultants + Electrical and Instrument

Industries: Power Grid + Institutional

Region: Zambia

Site Inspection: A mandatory site visit will take place on 01 November 2017 at 10:00 (Local Time) in the Lusaka South Multi-Facility Economic Zone.

Closing Date: 17 November 2017 at 10:00 (Local Time)

Restrictions: Bidding will be conducted using Framework Agreement (FA) and Open National Bidding (ONB) procedures in accordance with the Public Procurement Act No. 12 of 2008 and Public Procurement Regulations, 2011. Preferential Procurement regulations apply as per provisions of the Statutory Instrument No. 36 of 2011 on preferential procurement, to be read in conjunction with The Citizens Economic Empowerment Act No. 9 of 2006, as read together with the Public Procurement Act No. 12 of 2008: a) Citizen-influenced Company – 4%; ii) Citizen-empowered Company – 8%; iii) Citizen-owned Company – 12%; iv) Goods domestically manufactured by a Citizen-influenced, Citizen-empowered and Citizen-owned Company – 15%. Bids must be accompanied by a Bid Security of not less than 2%. Please note that late or electronic submissions shall not be accepted.

If you are a valued Tender subscriber, Click to here for more information.

About Nadia Milln

My journey at Leads 2 Business all started back in September 2014 as a content researcher in the Daily Tenders Africa Department. In March 2018 I was promoted to content researcher in the Private Project department. I am a fun loving, bubbly person and mom to a beautiful baby boy who is the absolute light of my life.

23 Oct 2017

Did you Know #DYK: Things you need to know about Project Cost Estimates

by | posted in: Did You Know | 8

If you are anything like me then you probably associate the word “Estimate” with the word “Guestimate”, but that is not exactly what we are talking about when we mention “Project cost Estimates”. The difference between a “Guestimation” and an “Estimation” is basically the science and realism of it all. An estimation is based on actual historical cost data, and a defined Work Breakdown Structure (which is in all probability standardised across projects) as well as a systematic understanding of the types of cost associated with each aspect of the project. Whereas a guesstimate is purely derived by us placing our finger in the air to see which way the wind is blowing and then thumb sucking a huge guess- around about figure.

Estimates are all derived from actual real-life history data, drawn up from completed projects done in the past, basically the moral of the story here is “we live and we learn”. Successful estimators and project managers learn from past cost trends and use this knowledge together with a few project cost estimate techniques to accurately estimate the cost of projects.

 

Now you are probably asking yourself the next reasonable question- “What on earth do they start with and why?”
The answer is simple, they start with a reasonable understanding of what is expected and what they need to deliver. This includes all resource costs needed to complete the project successfully, efficiently and on time within a certain budget constraint. Why? Because let’s face it, when we ask someone for a price for a service or product, it can either go one of two ways. If we are given a ridiculously high price we will walk away and find our next victim and if we are given a ridiculously low price, many of us would jump at the bargain and insist they start right away, however, can you imagine doing work for free yourself? – Hell no.

 

Let’s break it down a little further:

Did you know there are three vital points to consider when estimating a cost of a project? Namely:

 

-Money: Yes! Money makes the world go around, and it is for that reason that you need to calculate your cost correctly, apply your markup, and present the total to your customer.

-Accuracy: We all severely dislike surprises that tend to come out of our pockets (and not go into them) so you have to ensure that there are no surprises when it comes to a pre-construction estimate and the final amount to be paid. This is where historical data plays a huge part if we know the price of a job we have done before and take into account appreciation over time as well as various market trends then we should not be too far off in our figures.

-Speed: The world is full of impatient customers, we want our estimates quickly. Customers will not wait weeks for their estimates. It’s survival of the fittest out there, and more and more companies understand the importance of a speedy delivery, therefore it is imperative you get your estimates out quickly, research shows that customers are more likely to go with one of the first two estimates they receive.

 

Okay so now we know what to consider when estimating, but how do we actually go about doing this estimating thing?

There are a few options available to us, I personally like to call them “New school” and ‘Old school”:

 

New school– We now have technology that can do this all for you. Yes, that’s right, the world has evolved! The amazing thing about technology is that it gives you the advantage of speed. We live in such a fast-paced society, technology is a huge advantage in any business.
All the software programs nowadays come with the standardised:

Takeoff tool: To assist us in the process of taking measurements from paper or digital plans.

Integrated cost databases: which use market available data, combined with your own data for cost estimating.

Calculations for estimates: This generates a worksheet that will show you exactly how the software got to the costs and what was taken into consideration.
Like any other online platform, it also comes with its own comments and notes section allowing you to personalise your estimates.

 

 

 

 

 

Old School– If you are a die-hard, hands-on type of person then this is the option for you. We haven’t fully erupted into the age of the machine. A lot of people still find the most success by going back to the basics.

 

 

 

 

There are 4 major techniques when it comes to cost estimates by hand.
Analogous Estimation: This technique also goes by another nickname “Top-Down Estimation”, and is primarily used when you have very little detail about the project, therefore it is a little less reliable than the others. In this technique, you will have to use experienced judgement to determine a cost estimate based on similar projects you have done previously.
Parametric Estimation: The only difference between Parametric and Analogous estimation is that Parametric estimation uses actual historical and statistical data to calculate a more accurate cost estimate
Three-Point Estimation: This technique is based on removing uncertainties while making estimate assumptions by having three possible estimates and then finding the average between the three and using that figure as the overall estimate.
Bottom-Up Estimation: This technique is the most used and is far more accurate, although more time-consuming. The cost of every single item and activity is estimated and then added to arrive at a total estimated figure.

 

So who wins, Technology or man?

Now we get down to the nitty-gritty of it all, who does it better? The answer is simple, we work well together. Working through a program has the advantage of speed, however it is just a program at the end of the day and cannot replace that age-old experience that a person would have, and on the other end of the spectrum a person cannot calculate as accurately and as quickly as the program can, therefore, hand in hand, they are an estimating force to be reckoned with, which means customers will receive accurate, efficient estimates in a timely manner.

 

Sources:
https://imgflip.com/memegenerator (Pictures)
https://blog.capterra.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-construction-cost-estimating/
https://galorath.com/blog
https://blog.planningproapp.com/estimate-project-cost/
https://www.markupandprofit.com/articles/basics-estimating

 

About Jade Nel

I joined Leads 2 Business in July 2017 as an Account Executive in Durban. My main focuses are sales and customer retention, I am extremely bubbly, fun and competitive.

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