Estimating formwork

A realistic appraisal must be made of the kinds

and amounts of materials and the needed size of crew

T he final profit or loss on a struc-

ture is often decided in the esti-
mating or bidding stage before a job
actually starts.
Basically the cost of forming de-
pends upon thickness, height and
length of wall but there are also
many other factors involved that are
not always easy to evaluate and
some of which are even likely to be
unforeseen . Typical of much of the forming today is this job with its many offsets,
The knowledge necessary for suc- projections, ledges and box-outs. Cut-up forming such as this makes estimating
cessful formwork estimating is more complex and overall forming costs higher.
gained by trial and error—though
some is obtained by schooling. A
highly useful supplement is the as-
ufacturer have to be both honest to be of unusual design, it may
sistance offered by most manufac-
and realistic with each other. prove more economical to use spe-
turers of concrete forming equip-
cial forms if they can be reused
ment who can give estimates, cost Estimating material require- enough times to justify the cost.
quotations and layouts for the use of ments Once the estimate is started it
their equipment. Such information
To begin the estimate the con- proceeds according to the following
can be included in estimating the
tractor must consider what forming four steps, usually in this sequence
overall cost of the job. Since con-
equipment is available, how much but not always:
crete work may be as high as 75 per-
of the needed equipment he owns • analysis of the total job
cent of the total cost on some jobs
and how much he must rent or pur-
and since forming may represent 60 • examination of equipment or sys-
chase. The next step is to analyze
to 75 percent of the concrete cost tems available
the job in terms of what types of
the help given by the manufacturer • consideration of the effect of the
equipment are needed—prefabri-
should be valuable in keeping these choice of formwork on the total
cated, job-built or specials. The
costs low. Occasionally complaints job
manufacturer should be asked for
are heard that a manufacturer has
assistance and for this purpose he • consideration of factors other
misfigured the job or has not sup-
should be given all the information than formwork that can affect the
plied enough equipment so that de-
needed to make a realistic estimate. results
lays have occurred and the schedule
There are two types of formwork Reviewing these in detail we find
has had to be adjusted. When this
by which the job can be handled: the following:
happens it is usually because the
job-built or prefabricated. The 1. Analysis of the total job. To un-
contractor and manufacturer have
choice can considerably affect the derestimate a job and receive the
not understood one another, have
p re p a ration of the bid and its contract can prove to be a financial
not supplied each other enough in-
amount. Sometimes the design dic- problem to the contractor and even
formation or have not planned
tates the type of equipment re- lead to business failure.
properly. The contractor and man-
quired. For example, if columns are
 The blueprints should be re-
viewed to analyze each area or seg-
ment of the job that involves con-
c re t e. If the job is large or cut up,
detailed notes should be made re-
garding any questionable areas as a
safeguard that nothing be over-
looked.
Many jobs will have some factors
about them that will immediately
indicate the job plan, the equip-
ment to use and sequence of work.
Others will not, and particular at-
tention must be given to these jobs.
Overlooking one small item or mis-
figuring a size or sizes can have a
bearing on the success of the job.
Usually the big errors are not caused In preparing the estimate or
by misfiguring but by omitting or take-off of areas to be
overlooking some key item or phase formed, careful attention
must be paid not only to the
of work.
equipment and sizes needed
Many estimators prepare a rough but to the amount of labor
estimate at this point to determine required. Job-building of
the amount of concrete to be forms for conditions such as
formed, expressing it in terms of this requires careful planning
square feet of contract area. This to minimize costs
will provide a rough indication of
what percent of the total job is con-
cerned with forming. It will also aid
in selection of forming equipment. Gang forming of large
2. Examination of available sections of forms, when
equipment or systems. If the con- possible will reduce the
tractor owns forming equipment he square foot cost in both
may prepare a detailed take-off of erection and stripping,
the job to see if his inventory is ade- Crane handling of forms
should be planned to
quate or if additional equipment
coordinate with crane
and materials are necessary. If new handling of materials to
equipment is to be rented or pur- minimize idleness of
chased, the take-off will be of great equipment.
assistance in planning and schedul-
ing. The take-off will be especially
helpful if he plans to build the forms
himself.
Best economy requires balancing
the effects of original investment,
reuse value of forms and efficiency
of erection and stripping cycles.
Here again, a little extra thought and
work can make a big difference. The
choice of job-built or prefabricated
forms may be dependent upon
these factors. The original cost of
equipment must be weighed
against expected performance, cost
per reuse, life expectancy, and cost
of finishing. Although there are
many other influencing factors the Equipment should be located as close as possible to where it will be used to
reduce moving time and costs.
others are more of a subject for
economy than estimating.
At this point assistance and esti-
mates from prefabricated form
manufacturers, most of whom offer
this service, can be of great help.
Manufacturers often work closely
with the contractor in finalizing the
cost quotation, bill of materials and
layout drawings.
In order for the manufacturer to
p re p a re a formwork estimate, he
must be furnished certain supple-
mentary information along with the
blueprints. He will want to know the
size of carpenter and labor crews,
number of concrete placements, the
equipment available for material
handling, tie specifications and
whether the job is to be hand-set or
gang-formed. From this he can pre-
pare a preliminary estimate with
complete layouts and bill of materi-
als when the job is awarded.
3. Consideration of the effect of
formwork on the total job. With esti-
mates on prefab forms or job-build-
ing, or both, the contractor can
compare figures and reach a con-
clusion on the best and most eco-
nomical way to proceed. Howe ve r,
the cost of forming cannot be con-
sidered completely independently
because it can affect the other oper-
ations or work from the very begin-
ning of a job. During the estimating
period consideration should be giv-
en to how forming operation will af-
fect such other operations as mater-
ial handling, steel work, plumbing
and finishing. When forming equip-
ment is first delivered to the jobsite
it should be located close to where it
will first be used. If it has to be
moved any distance at all and if the
quantity is large, the material han-
dling cost can become significant. If
it is possible that problems might
arise that would reduce efficiency,
cost allowances should be made or
High-rise construction
calls for careful planning
of equipment cycles and
smooth scheduling
sequence of trades
alternate plans prepared in case
they are needed. No one can foresee
e ve rything, but the key to cost re-
duction is reducing labor and in-
creasing the reuse of equipment.
Since the concrete work usually pre-
cedes almost all other work, a delay
of any nature can affect the whole
job.
4. Consideration of factors other
than formwork that can affect re-
sults. In making estimates calcula-
tions are often used from a previous
job where the work appeared to be
the same, where the design was sim-
ilar or where other factors suggest
that the figures are applicable again.
Yet it is rather hard to conceive that
two jobs can be identical, so previ-
ous estimates should be used only
with caution.
One factor not directly related to
materials and job operations is de-
l i ve ry of equipment. When it runs
into unexpected delays from strikes,
bad weather, accidents, or shortness
of supply it can cost the contractor
money.
The cost of moving onto the job-
site and the efficiency of workers
should be evaluated in terms of pro-
ductivity. This includes the cost of
supervision at all levels.
Labor relations affect the output
of work considerably. The contrac-
tor must be able to anticipate a cer-
tain amount of work each day. If
that work can become repetitious,
it adds to the economy, but only if
careful scheduling has been done so
all crews are kept moving without
undue pressure that detracts from
m o ra l e. Good working conditions
and safety aids have a bearing on
the mental attitude and efficiency of
the crews.
Se ve ral of the many other factors
that have an indirect bearing on
forming include job conditions,
weather, condition of equipment,
and strikes among the trades.
The estimator must be able to
make an educated evaluation of all
such factors that influence or might
influence the job. He may obtain ad-
ditional help from any of several es-
timating books available for figuring
labor, materials costs, wage rates,
fringe benefits and all types of con-
struction equipment. These books
allow for adjustment of labor rates
and the cost of equipment for vari-
ous parts of the country.
Generally speaking, the smaller
the work force, the lower the labor
unit cost. In order to determine the
correct size of labor force an analy-
sis should be made, the require-
ments set and the work force hired
to meet these requirements.
Determining the size of crew
It is hard to lay down exact rules
to follow in estimating formwork
but the following is an example of
how the size of a labor force can be
determined. Job conditions will
have to be ascertained and provided
for. Assume that a contractor wants
to place concrete in 4,800 square
feet of forming every third day and
is able to strip the following morn-
ing. The ratio of carpenters to labor-
ers is one to one. The carpenter rate
is $4.50 per hour including fringe
benefits and the laborer’s rate in-
cluding fringe benefits is $3.50 per
hour—a total of $8 for a two-man
team. Let us further assume that 20
cents per square foot would be ade-
quate for the labor of erecting and
stripping. Working backward we see
that erecting and stripping would
cost $960; spread over the three-day
period this would be $320 per day.
The cost of a team of one carpenter
and one laborer is $64 per eight-
hour day. If five teams of carpenters
and laborers are used the daily cost
will be $320, the same amount that
was allowed on the assumption that
the cost should be 20 cents per
square foot.
Over the three-day period the car-
penters and laborers will have to av-
erage 1,600 square feet per day or
320 square feet per carpenter-labor-
er team. This amounts to 20 two- by
eight-foot forms including waling
and bracing during each eight-hour
period. This is a very reasonable fig-
ure. Depending upon job condi-
tions it could perhaps be increased
considerably, thereby reducing the
labor force and square-foot cost.
This kind of analysis made by
working in reverse can insure the
most efficient production. If the re-
quirements are set first and the
work force is hired to meet these re-
q u i re m e n t s, the costs can be con-
trolled. The method facilitates early
recognition of problems so that cor-
rective measures may be taken be-
fore the work has gone too far.
Check list
The following is a general check
list of items that must be established
when figuring the forming:
• number of concrete placements
and average volume of each
• wall dimensions
• surface treatment
• construction joints
• treatment of reinforcing bars
• handsetting or gang forming
• crane time, if any
• ties: breakbacks, cones, washers
• length of time forms are required
to remain in place
• any special conditions or equip-
ment
Analysis of high-rise work or deck
forming follows much the same
p ro c e d u re. Howe ve r, the biggest
considerations in estimating the
working cycle for such work are the
criteria for shoring and how long the
forms must remain in place. Form-
ing costs can vary up to 50 percent
because of differences in specifica-
tions and severity of engineering re-
quirements.
In order to estimate shoring
equipment for slabs with a reason-
able degree of accuracy, the follow-
ing check list is needed:
• casting schedule
• length of time forms must be sup-
ported
• length of time stringers and
shoring must be supported
• cycle for stripping and handling
• adaptability of equipment from
floor to floor
• whether equipment can be used
at any location or must remain in
the same position for each floor
In going over this check list it will be
necessary to acquire the following
information:
• how many floors are typical and
how many atypical
• floor heights and slab thicknesses
• size and location of beams
• type of slab or its design
• sequence of erecting and casting
columns, shear walls, core walls,
spandrels and other elements
• number of concrete placements
per floor
• location of bulkheads
• treatment of other materials, such
as whether plumbing is sleeved or
cast in deck
• type of ceiling finish
• allowable deflection
Each region of the country has a dif-
ferent set of standards not only for
labor rates but also for working con-
ditions. These should be carefully
explored when moving from one
area to another. But no matter
where the work is done the basic
steps outlined here provide an easy-
to-use formula that can serve as a
guideline for all jobs. Use of such a
standard procedure will help the es-
timator develop material and labor
cost sheets for record-keeping pur-
poses and these will be of immea-
surable value for each new job.
PUBLICATION #C730149
Copyright © 1973, The Aberdeen Group
All rights reserved