A 5-Level Estimation Plan: Tips for Construction Companies

Construction Estimation Plan

The building industry is about accurate budget planning where all the expenses are over the control of the construction estimators. If any of the imperfections in the estimations take place, both the tender performance of the contractor and its profit margin are at the risk.

The budget plan of the construction company should cover direct and indirect costs. The initial estimating process is based on the determination of all the spending patterns required for the residential or commercial building project.

A New Normal of the Modern Construction Estimating Routines

To be sure that the construction process will be free of extra expenditures and bring guaranteed profit, high-quality contractor estimating software is used. Most of the calculations are undertaken automatically if the required parameters and details of the project are specified correctly.

Online tools as estimating software for contractors take into account both direct (material, labor compensations, equipment rentals, purchase, and maintenance) and indirect costs (administrative remunerations, quality control payments, utilities, fees, and permits).

Although the wide range of digital solutions presented on the tech market for contractors and other players of the building industry sector, the construction estimators should keep track of the tactics and practices that make their measurements more accurate. 

A 5-Level Estimating Plan in 2021

For example, the most hot-topic approach to the estimating process today is the 5-level estimate plan provided by the ASPE (American Society of Professional Estimators). This method allows estimators to reduce the risk of failures and calculate all the expenditure items faster and more efficiently.

Level 1: Rough Construction Project Estimates

This is the starting stage of the estimating process. All the calculations are rough and far from accurate. All the measurements are based on the initial design draft and planned expenses (according to the insights provided by marketing, accounting, and other departments of the company). 

This type of estimate is also called the Order of Magnitude. It is recommended to take into account the specifics of the building project at this very stage (residential or construction). The difference of the showings presented in rough estimates from the final budget plan should be no more than 60-70%.

Level 2: Intermediate Estimates

This stage is suitable for giant construction projects where each detail should be taken into consideration. For example, the architect has updates to the design that change the previous estimating figures. Most commercial projects require intermediate estimates before the preliminary phase of the budget planning. 

Level 3: Preliminary Construction Project Estimates

The main figures for the estimating process at this stage are the financing flows that are going to support the project performance. It is necessary to understand if the contractor has the investors, subcontractors, solely consumers that provide funds for building, etc. Almost all the financial data entries are available in the tender documentation.

Level 4: Substantive Estimates

The design of the construction project is usually approved during this phase. That is why the focused attention of the estimators is paid to the architect’s insights. Also, all the key objectives are determined. The more detailed picture of the building project gives the opportunity to get more accurate estimating showings that should not vary from the final budget plan by more than 20%.

Level 5: Definitive Construction Project Estimates

All the cost baselines (material, labor costs, other expenditures) are ready to be included in the budget plan and form the set of expense patterns required for the construction process. The preparation for bidding and tender routine takes place when the estimating report is ready. 

Finally, the budget plan is analyzed by the risk managers and approved if all the figures meet the objectives of the building company and the client. All five levels of the estimating process are usually included in the modern software for construction estimators. This way the budget-planning routines, bidding, and tender performance will take place faster and more effectively for the contractor. 

Apart from this, you can also read EntertainmentTech, and Health-related articles here: Goku, Kung Fu Panda 4Leonardo DiCaprio net worth, Diabolik Lovers Season 3, Twitch Error 2000Alyson HanniganBrent Rivera net worthEmma Watson net worth444 angel number666 angel number1616 angel number777 angel number333 angel numberDave Portnoy net worthLionel Messi net worthKeanu Reeves net worthThe Equalizer 3The 100 Season 8Gina Carano net worthBruno Mars net worthKissAnimeJim Carrey net worthPDF DriveYoutbeBailey Sarian Net WorthBollyshareAfdahMoviezwapY8JalshamoviezProject Free TVKissasianMangagoJio RockersM4uHDHip dipsM4ufreeNBAstreams XYZCCleaner Browser reviewAvocado CaloriesBear Grylls net worthHighest Paid CEOThe 100 season 8Sundar Pichai net worthGrimes net worth, and, F95Zone.


Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Related Articles

Top Trending

latest IPCC Report
Visualizing 1.5°C: What The Latest IPCC Report Means For Us? The Alarming Truth!
Top climate tech influencers 2026
10 Most Influential Voices in Climate Tech 2026
Best ethical coffee brands 2026
5 Best Ethical Coffee Brands 2026: The Sustainable Morning Guide
Stocks Betterthisworld
Complete Guide to Purpose-Driven Investing in Stocks Betterthisworld
Serum Qawermoni
Serum Qawermoni For Skin: Benefits, Uses, and Skincare Guide

Fintech & Finance

safest stablecoins 2026
5 Stablecoins You Can Actually Trust in 2026
Most Innovative Fintech Startups
The 10 Most Innovative Fintech Startups of 2026: The AI & DeFi Revolution
Best alternatives to Revolut and Wise
Top 5 Best Alternatives To Revolut And Wise In 2026
credit cards for airport lounge access
5 Best Cards for Airport Lounge Access in 2026
Best credit monitoring services 2026
Top 6 Credit Monitoring Services for 2026

Sustainability & Living

Indigenous Knowledge In Climate Change
The Role of Indigenous Knowledge In Fighting Climate Change for a Greener Future!
best durable reusable water bottles
Top 6 Reusable Water Bottles That Last a Lifetime
Ethics Of Geo-Engineering
Dive Into The Ethics of Geo-Engineering: Can We Hack the Climate?
Eco-friendly credit cards
7 "Green" Credit Cards That Plant Trees While You Spend
top renewable energy cities 2026
10 Cities Leading the Renewable Energy Transition

GAMING

Custom UggControMan Controller
UnderGrowthGames Custom Controller UggControMan: Unlocking The Gaming Precision!
Upcoming game remakes 2026
7 Remakes And Remasters Confirmed For 2026 Release
The 5 Best VR Headsets Under $500 January 2026 Guide
The 5 Best VR Headsets Under $500: January 2026 Buying Guide
Do Mopfell78 PC Gamers Have An Advantage In Fortnite And Graphic-Intensive PC Games
Do Mopfell78 PC Gamers Have An Advantage in Fortnite And Graphic-Intensive PC Games?
Esports Tournaments Q1 2026
Top 10 Esports Tournaments to Watch in Q1 2026

Business & Marketing

Stocks Betterthisworld
Complete Guide to Purpose-Driven Investing in Stocks Betterthisworld
charfen.co.uk
Mastering Entrepreneurial Growth: A Strategic Overview of Charfen.co.uk
Crew Cloudysocial
Crew Cloudysocial: Boost Your Team's Social Media Collaboration
The Growth Mindset Myth Why It's Not Enough
The "Growth Mindset" Myth: Why It's Not Enough
15 SaaS Founders to Follow on LinkedIn for 2026 Insights
15 SaaS Founders to Follow on LinkedIn: 2026 Growth & AI Trends

Technology & AI

Best cloud storage for backups 2026
6 Best Cloud Storage Solutions for Backups in 2026
snapjotz com
Mastering Digital Thought Capture: A Deep Dive into Snapjotz com
Custom UggControMan Controller
UnderGrowthGames Custom Controller UggControMan: Unlocking The Gaming Precision!
tech tools for hybrid workforce management
The 5 Best HR Tech Tools for Hybrid Workforce Management
Best alternatives to Revolut and Wise
Top 5 Best Alternatives To Revolut And Wise In 2026

Fitness & Wellness

The Psychological Cost of Climate Anxiety Coping Mechanisms for 2026
The Psychological Cost of Climate Anxiety: Coping Mechanisms for 2026
Modern Stoicism for timeless wisdom
Stoicism for the Modern Age: Ancient Wisdom for 2026 Problems [Transform Your Life]
Digital Disconnect Evening Rituals
How Digital Disconnect Evening Rituals Can Transform Your Sleep Quality
Circadian Lighting Habits for Seasonal Depression
Light Your Way: Circadian Habits for Seasonal Depression
2026,The Year of Analogue
2026: The Year of Analogue and Why People Are Ditching Screens for Paper