Demo Contractor • Cheat Sheet
🏗️ Field & Estimating Cheat Sheet
Fast tips, formulas, mini-tools, and templates for daily use—pre-bid through closeout.
🧭 Pre-Bid Quick Wins
- Mirror the client’s bid format (divisions/sections). If unsure, ask for the bid form early.
- Log addenda in a simple table (number, date, summary) and reissue your QTO with a revision stamp.
- Chase two quotes for major scopes (e.g., lighting/switchgear, HVAC, finishes). Scope-complete beats lowest number.
- Document assumptions in-line while estimating—those become clarifications later.
- Benchmark sanity: compare $/SF or $/room to 2–3 similar projects (flag ±15% variance).
📐 Takeoff & Pricing Tips
- Calibrate every sheet on a known dimension; avoid “apply to all” unless verified on 2+ dims.
- Separate layers: Demo / New / Alternates / Allowances. Prevent double-counts on exports.
- Keep QTO exports tidy: Area • Item • Qty • Unit • Rev • Notes.
- Use unit pricing where possible (LF/SF/EA). Bag small tools, freight, permits as consistent lines.
- Update vendor quotes to the very end—track timestamp and lead time on your leveling sheet.
🧮 Mini Calculators
Margin ↔ Markup
Markup: — • Mult: —
Formulas: Markup = m/(1−m); Margin = u/(1+u)
Crew Duration (Days)
Duration: —
Fast Cost Impact
Price: — • Profit: —
✉️ Rapid RFI & Email Subjects
RFI-__: —
Question: [State the specific conflict or missing info in one sentence.]
Impact: [Schedule/cost/coordination risk if unanswered.]
Request: [Exact detail needed or proposed resolution.]
Needed by: [Date/Time] to maintain schedule.
Subjects
- RFI-12 – Plan conflict E2.3 vs E7.1 – Conduit routing
- Submittal – Lighting Package – Rev B – Lead Times Included
- Bid Submission –
– Div 01–33 – Demo Contractor
🔄 Change Orders — 6 Moves
- Log request (date/source); assign CO#.
- Clarify scope in writing (drawings/spec refs).
- Quantify labor/material/equip + productivity hits.
- Apply correct stack: DC → OH → Profit (margin).
- Identify schedule impact & material lead times.
- Submit with expires-on date + backup exhibits.
Tip: Use unit prices where available to accelerate approvals.
🛠️ Daily Field Controls
- AM huddle: risks, deliveries, outages, inspections.
- Daily JHA & photos: before/during/after work areas.
- Three constraints cleared daily (info, material, access).
- 2:00 PM look-ahead: tomorrow’s crew & laydown ready.
📦 Procurement Lead-Times (Example)
| Item | Typical Lead | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Switchgear / Panels | 14–24 weeks | Confirm at bid; consider VE alternates |
| Lighting Fixtures | 4–10 weeks | Watch custom finishes & controls |
| Mechanical RTUs | 10–20 weeks | Early submittal critical path |
| Doors/Frames/Hardware | 4–8 weeks | Coordinate fire ratings & hardware sets |
Action: Release long-leads within 5 business days of award with approved submittals.
🧪 QA/QC — Last Look
- Quantities reconcile to drawings/spec sections.
- Math audit: random-line check + totals check.
- Compare against $/SF benchmarks (±10–15%).
- Lead-time risks called out; alternates separated.
📁 Closeout Essentials
- O&M manuals, warranties, as-builts, training dates.
- Punchlist log with photo proof of completion.
- Final lien releases & permits/CO documents.
- Lessons learned captured (schedule/cost/RFIs).