Cost Data and Estimating Methodology
- Current Ohio pricing sources
- Location, season & labor adjustments
- AACE estimate classification
- Documented basis of estimate
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Why Methodology Matters
An estimate is only as good as the data and judgment behind it. Two estimators can measure the same quantities and still reach different totals because of the prices, productivity and assumptions they use. That’s why we document our methodology — so clients can see how numbers are built and decide how much to rely on them.
This page explains our pricing sources, how we adjust for Ohio conditions, how we classify estimate accuracy and how every estimate is reviewed. It supports the step-by-step estimating process and the editorial policy that governs our published cost content.
Where do your construction costs come from?
Our Cost Data Sources
| Cost component | Primary sources | How it’s used |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | Current Ohio supplier and distributor quotes; manufacturer pricing | Unit material costs, dated in the basis of estimate |
| Labor rates | Market rates by metro; union scales; Ohio prevailing wage rates by county and trade | Hourly rates applied to labor hours by trade |
| Productivity | Published production data; recent project experience; estimator judgment | Labor hours per unit, adjusted for conditions |
| Equipment | Rental rates and operating costs | Equipment by type and duration |
| Subcontracts | Subcontractor quotes and historical subcontract pricing | Trade pricing or verification of quotes |
| Benchmarks | Recent projects and published cost databases | Sanity checks on totals and ratios |
How We Adjust for Ohio Conditions
Location
Labor basis
Season
Taxes and fees
How We Classify Estimate Accuracy
| Estimate type | AACE class | Design maturity | Typical use | Expected accuracy range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conceptual / order of magnitude | Class 5 | 0–2% | Screening, early feasibility | −20% to −50% / +30% to +100% |
| Feasibility budget | Class 4 | 1–15% | Feasibility, budget authorization | −15% to −30% / +20% to +50% |
| Design-development budget | Class 3 | 10–40% | Budget approval, funding | −10% to −20% / +10% to +30% |
| Detailed control estimate | Class 2 | 30–75% | Cost control, bid check | −5% to −15% / +5% to +20% |
| Bid / definitive estimate | Class 1 | 65–100% | Bids, contracts, change orders | −3% to −10% / +3% to +15% |
Ranges per AACE International Recommended Practice 18R-97; building projects follow the parallel RP 56R-08.
How Every Estimate Is Reviewed
Every estimate is reviewed by a second estimator before delivery. The review checks quantities against the drawings, unit costs against current data, labor productivity against project conditions, scope coverage against the drawings and specifications, and the math of every extension and markup.
Findings are corrected before the estimate is released. Lessons from bid results and client feedback are fed back into our checklists and cost data.
Review checklist
- Quantity spot-checks & ratios
- Unit-cost comparison to current data
- Productivity vs. site conditions
- Division-by-division scope check
- Markups & math verified
- Assumptions & exclusions documented
What Estimates Can and Can’t Do
Estimates are forecasts
Design changes
Market movement
Unknown conditions
Methodology FAQs
How often is your cost data updated?
Pricing is checked against current supplier data for each estimate, and our internal data is updated continuously as new quotes and project results come in.
Do you use national cost books?
We use published cost databases as one input and benchmark, adjusted for Ohio conditions, but we rely primarily on current local pricing.
How do you price prevailing wage projects?
We use the Ohio prevailing wage rates applicable to the project county and trade classifications at the time of the estimate.
Do you guarantee accuracy?
No estimate can guarantee final cost. We state the estimate class, assumptions and pricing date. See our disclaimer.
Can I see the basis of estimate?
Yes. Every estimate includes a basis-of-estimate summary with assumptions, exclusions and pricing dates.