Architects Essentials of Cost Management

Easy access to crucial business information for design professionals Find the concise, practical business information you need right now in the Architect’s Essentials of Professional Practice Series. These authoritative guides quickly make you an instant expert on the best business practices crucial for success in today’s design and construction professions. Each portable, affordable, user–friendly volume gives you: Authoritative advice from leading national figures Flip–and–find access to critical business information Bulleted lists and callout boxes for quick reference Clear, insightful explanations of complex business topics Architect’s Essentials of Cost Management presents a complete, organized approach to cost management that includes both underlying concepts and practical techniques. First, it helps you understand today’s building economics and the industry trends that can significantly affect cost. Then, it equips you with the cost–estimating methods and tools–both print and computer–based–to do the job effectively. Finally, you’ll learn how to use cost management techniques for best results, whether it’s budgeting and planning effectively at the outset of a project, successfully managing costs during design and construction, or even assessing the potential cost management impact of alternate delivery systems. Written by a leading expert in the field, Architect’s Essentials of Cost Management is an indispensable resource for architects, landscape architects, interior designers, construction professionals, and others whose work involves cost management.

Foreword. Acknowledgments. 1 Introduction. Terminology. Cost Management Considerations. Cost Management Methodology. 2 Building Economics. Breakdown of Construction Costs. Cost Components. Distribution of Hard Costs. Factors That Influence Building Costs. Conclusions. 3 Cost–Estimating Methodology. Establishing Standard Formats. Identifying and Managing Cost Drivers. Estimate Preparation Principles. Cost–Estimating Methods. Dealing with Escalation and Contingencies. Risk Management and Range Estimating. Special Estimating Challenges. Value Management. Life–Cycle Costing. Conclusions. 4 Cost–Estimating Tools. Interpreting Cost Information. Using Cost Indexes. Referencing Published Cost Information. Developing and Maintaining CostData Files. Doing Computer–Assisted Estimating. Conclusions. 5 Cost Management Methodology. Integrating the Cost Management Process. Planning, Programming, and Budgeting. Budgeting Methods. Managing Costs during Design. Implementing Construction PhaseCost Management. Understanding the Impact of DeliveryMethods on Cost Management. Conclusions. References. Index.

MICHAEL D. DELL′ISOLA, PE, CVS, Senior Vice President of the Alexandria, Virginia, office of Hanscomb, Inc., has thirty years of experience in technical and management areas specializing in cost control, value engineering, technical facilitation/partnering, life–cycle costing, and project management. He serves as a member of the board of directors of the Construction Sciences Research Foundation, the Construction Management Association of America, and SAVE, the Value Society, and is an internationally recognized speaker on cost, value, construction economics, and project delivery.