Concrete Unit Prices

Problem

User is confused-- why is concrete by the square foot? Why are there two unit prices for slabs, footings and concrete walls? Why don't we do them with just one Assembly?

Diagnosis

Goldenseal construction estimating software includes "double" unit prices for concrete footings, concrete walls and concrete slabs. By doing the pricing with two different Assemblies, we can handle any size of concrete footing, and any thickness of walls or slabs.

Solution

Explain the basics:

CONCRETE FOUNDATION FOOTINGS
One unit cost is by LENGTH-- this covers the cost of forming (which is about the same for any size)
One cost is by VOLUME-- this covers the concrete and placement cost. The amount is calculated from the footing size dimension.

CONCRETE WALLS
One unit cost is by AREA-- this covers the cost of forming, form removal, finishing (same for any thickness)
One cost is by VOLUME-- concrete and concrete placement cost. It's calculated via the foundation thickness dimension (as a multiplier)

CONCRETE SLABS
One unit cost is by AREA-- this covers the cost of forming, form removal, finishing (same for any thickness)
One cost is by VOLUME-- concrete and concrete placement cost. It's calculated via the slab thickness dimension (as a multiplier)

NOTE-- we used the same calculation in MacNail and BidMagic construction estimating software. There are also some simple unit costs for basic thicknesses and sizes. They can use those if they want to do it in one whack (however the two-unit items will still be useful if they have an odd thickness).

Comments

Entered 5/21/04. Updated 10/24/2010.