Delve into the world of construction terminology, where key definitions and abbreviations play a significant role. Providing clarity about the importance of correct usage of these terminologies, this article offers insightful explanations about construction terms such as 'estimate', 'master format', and 'takeoff'.
Key Insights
- The term 'estimate' in construction refers to an approximate calculation or judgment of the value, number, quantity, or extent of something. It is a vital component in assessing the probable cost of a building project.
- 'Master format' is a 50-division coding schema used universally across the construction industry, from estimating to project management. It might sometimes appear as 48 divisions, but it includes a zero division and a 49th division reserved for future use.
- 'Takeoff' signifies the quantification or list of measurements required for an estimate. This essential process can take up about 75% of the total time it takes to build an estimate, underscoring its significance in the construction process.
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everyone. Now we're going to discuss definitions, terminology, and abbreviations in construction—how they impact or relate to the class we're taking, and how they are addressed and utilized within the field itself.
An estimate—that's what we're all here for. It's an approximate calculation or judgment of the value, number, quantity, or extent of something based on available information. We talked at length in the beginning about what an estimate is.
You could do a professional estimate, or you could be estimating how much paint it takes to paint your room. It's all the same and it all means the same thing—it is a calculation of what you think it's going to cost to build something. MasterFormat.
MasterFormat is a 50-division coding schema that's used today by most construction companies throughout the entire industry—not just for takeoff or estimating, but also in project management. A similar number structure is often used in the accounting system as well. To be clear about the 50-division structure, it's important to note that while MasterFormat may appear to have 48 divisions, Division 49 is reserved for future use.
There's also a MasterFormat level called Division 0, which precedes Division 1. So by the time you include Divisions 1 through 48, add Division 49 for future use, and Division 0, that brings the total to 50 divisions. It's important to be aware that if you see references to either 48 or 50 divisions in MasterFormat, they are essentially referring to the same system.
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It's the same framework. Don't worry about the extra divisions—they refer to the same thing.
We're going to be working with MasterFormat 2016. While it appears to contain 48 divisions, it also includes Division 0 and Division 49. Spec Section. As mentioned, we'll be utilizing MasterFormat specification reference numbers, often referred to simply as a spec section (Spec Section), or just “spec.”
It's always in reference to the specifications from MasterFormat. Takeoff. A quantification or list of measurements required for an estimate is referred to as a takeoff.
Sometimes it's even referred to as QTO (Quantity Takeoff). An estimate cannot begin without some form of quantity, which is why the takeoff is such a vital and valuable component.
In fact, the takeoff itself can take up to about 75% of the total time it takes to build an estimate. The takeoff accounts for about 75% of the time, and the remaining 25% goes to the estimate, where you're applying a unit cost to the units of measure derived from the takeoff. So let's talk about units of measure.
Feet, linear feet, square feet, cubic yards, and so on—all of these are called units of measure, and they can be abbreviated as UOMs. You'll see that term in the spreadsheet later as we work through it. Unit costs.
These are the costs applied to each individual unit. Decimals. The number of digits to the right side of the decimal point.
Now it's important that we define this. We'll go into more detail later. Should it be one decimal point or two decimal points past the digit? We'll talk about that further, including when and why you'd use it.
Just understand that if it's two decimals, for example, 0.01—that would be two decimal places, and so on.
