HVAC Estimating Software Fundamentals

Commercial HVAC construction includes highly specialized engineering, materials and highly accurate multilayer labor costing built on specification driven data. There are four major fundamentals that should apply to all HVAC estimating software to ensure accurate results. Commercial HVAC estimates reire dynamic material and multi trade pricing driven by strict construction specifications. Per piece construction labor cost should be analized along with raw weight, gauges and density of fittings vs. straight duct. Mechanical piping and pipe fittings should be calculated on size, material type and linear footage with labor cost broken down by joining method. Detailed material lists shoukd be integrated with local sulliers based on quantities during early stage estimate development. Labor costing should include all direct and indirect cost for payroll taxes, insurance, workers compensation and benefits. Wage rates built on job classifications should be factured into direct labor cost for all phases. Labor cost productivity factors need to be factored based on methodology and equipment employed for a project. Labor cost should also consider external factors such as project location complexity, space limitations, elevations and equipment requierd for supporting external factors. While there is a great deal to be considered here this fundamental outline touches on important basic considerations when estimating projects manually or with automated HVAC estimating software.