ᐅ Structural Shell Contractor / Structural Shell Cost Estimation – How Do They Calculate?

Created on: 25 Oct 2018 13:41
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alexisan
Hello everyone,

I’m interested in how a bricklayer estimates the shell construction costs. Is it usually done very roughly?

All our window lintels are in the ceiling. Using CAD, I can calculate the wall areas minus the window openings.

Is this how a tradesperson would calculate? For example, using the area with 35.5 Ytong blocks?

Looking forward to any tips!

Best regards, Alex
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ivenh0
2 Nov 2018 21:51
alexisan schrieb:
Yes, there was a colorful folder with many details. But the specific breakdown of the shell construction costs was not clear from it... that's why I’m asking where I can get a typical shell construction bill of quantities. I would adapt this to my case and request initial quotes to get a sense of pricing...

Our shell construction bill of quantities is 67 pages long. I hardly think you can simply adjust that quickly to your building.
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Bookstar
2 Nov 2018 22:08
What is a structural shell bill of quantities used for? What exactly is it?

We received a 10-page quote detailing everything that was being purchased, and that was sufficient.
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ivenh0
2 Nov 2018 22:15
For us, all materials and measurements were precisely defined. This allowed the offers to be compared perfectly because they followed a consistent format.
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alexisan
2 Nov 2018 22:19
And that’s exactly how I imagine it.
I can precisely determine all areas or volumes using CAD...
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nordanney
2 Nov 2018 22:31
alexisan schrieb:
I can precisely determine all areas or volumes using CAD...

So, have you already received the reinforcement plan from the structural engineer, or are you calculating the steel yourself?

By the way, the shell construction also includes smaller items like site setup, scaffolding, construction door, earthworks, foundation with utility lines, formwork, perimeter insulation, hourly rates for services not calculated as a lump sum, damp-proof course bricks, wall insulation membrane, if applicable, concrete stairs with all associated work, columns to support the floor slabs, and so on.

These are just the things that come to mind spontaneously, and you can determine all of them precisely using CAD? Then you just need to list the appropriate materials for the calculated quantities, and you’re ready to go.

Seriously, let a professional handle this or be prepared to receive numerous change orders during your shell construction phase, because your tender will almost certainly not be complete and accurate.

By the way, my last house had a specification document over 23 pages long for the shell construction alone, excluding carpentry, roofing, and external thermal insulation composite system (ETICS) or brick cladding (I had both on the house).
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alexisan
2 Nov 2018 22:36
Of course, sooner or later we will need a professional. No question about that. But I am impressed by how far you can get as a layperson. The plans were created by myself. Every day I make some progress and learn more, including from many skeptics. And there are certainly plenty of those here.