ASTM E2514-15

Standard Practice for Presentation Format of Elemental Cost Estimates, Summaries, and Analyses

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Significance:  
5.1.1 The application of elements (see 3.1.1 and Terminology E833) to the description and the summary and analysis of building construction cost provides a consistency, commonality, and utility through all stages of design that other forms of estimate presentation do not.  
5.1.2 This practice describes a simple format for elemental cost analysis presentation that is both valuable and informative when used during the various design stages of construction development.  
5.2 Use—Users include owners, developers, contractors, cost professionals, estimators, architects, engineers, quantity surveyors, facility managers, and others involved in property development, construction, maintenance, and management.  
5.2.1 Reporting—Cost reports structured by elements provide estimates, summaries, and analyses by applying “Cost to Function.” This application works whether the approach is “Design to Cost” or “Cost to Design.” Value analysis is greatly assisted through the allocation of estimated cost to elements.  
5.2.2 Controlling—Comparison of progressively more detailed estimates is simplified where cost is allocated to appropriate elements regardless of design or specification, permitting efficient review and checking of new estimates. Design estimating using elements allows for benchmarking and the setting of cost limits (baseline) for a building design from the outset, and also permits the establishment of an elemental cost plan (see 3.2.1). Baseline records and cost plans are accessed and compared with current reports.  
5.2.3 Recording—Historic and baseline cost records are easily kept for all forms of building construction, and in a format that can be used for the planning and design of future projects.  
5.2.4 Other Uses—Elemental summaries and analyses are equally useful in forensic estimating and in quantitative risk analysis.  
5.2.5 Relationship to “Trade” Estimating—Traditional trade (or construction) estimating summarizes cost to a prod...
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers the concurrent use of relevant ASTM standards for the preparation of elemental cost estimates, summaries, and analyses and specifically their presentation in a concise, consistent, and logical manner.  
1.2 While the style and directions use construction terms applied to buildings, the principles apply equally well to other forms of construction where appropriate elemental classifications exist.  
1.3 This practice is not an estimating manual, nor is it a guide to the skills and knowledge required of an estimator or other cost professional.
Note 1: The skills and knowledge acquired by a trained and experienced estimator are essential to the successful application of any elemental presentation format. They are the foundation of any estimate and the underpinning knowledge required when applying the elemental technique.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Apr-2015
• ICS: 03.100.20 - Trade. Commercial function. Marketing
• Technical Committee: E06 - Performance of Buildings
• Drafting Committee: E06.81 - Building Economics

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: E2514 − 15
Standard Practice for
Presentation Format of Elemental Cost Estimates,
1
Summaries, and Analyses
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2514; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 2.2 ASTM Adjuncts:
3
Basic Instructional Model Spreadsheet
1.1 This practice covers the concurrent use of relevant
ASTM standards for the preparation of elemental cost
3. Terminology
estimates, summaries, and analyses and specifically their
3.1 Definitions: For other definitions of general terms re-
presentation in a concise, consistent, and logical manner.
lated to building construction used in this practice, refer to
1.2 While the style and directions use construction terms
Terminology E631; and for general terms related to building
applied to buildings, the principles apply equally well to other
economics, refer to Terminology E833.
forms of construction where appropriate elemental classifica-
3.1.1 element, n—in construction planning, design,
tions exist.
specification, estimating, and cost analysis, a significant com-
ponent part of the whole that performs a specific function, or
1.3 This practice is not an estimating manual, nor is it a
functions, regardless of design, specification, or construction
guide to the skills and knowledge required of an estimator or
method.
other cost professional.
3.1.1.1 Discussion—While through analysis, or by direct
NOTE 1—The skills and knowledge acquired by a trained and experi-
encedestimatorareessentialtothesuccessfulapplicationofanyelemental application, construction estimates categorized into elements
presentation format. They are the foundation of any estimate and the
(functional elements) with allocated costs, may be summarized
underpinningknowledgerequiredwhenapplyingtheelementaltechnique.
in an elemental cost summary or elemental cost analysis;
elements (functional elements) also provide a framework for
2. Referenced Documents
consistent preliminary project description, outline, and perfor-
2
mance specification, through all stages of planning, design,
2.1 ASTM Standards:
construction, and maintenance.
E631 Terminology of Building Constructions
E833 Terminology of Building Economics
3.1.2 elemental cost analysis, n—in construction planning,
E1557 Classification for Building Elements and Related
design,specification,estimating,andcostanalysis,atabulation
Sitework—UNIFORMAT II
of cost categorized by major group element, group element,
E1804 Practice for Performing and Reporting CostAnalysis
or element, or any combination thereof, to which a parameter
During the Design Phase of a Project
quantity, or parameter quantities, has, or have, been applied to
E1836/E1836M Practice for Building Floor Area Measure-
derive benchmark figures (rates, ratios, percentages, and so
ments for Facility Management
forth).
E2083 Classification for Building Construction Field
3.1.2.1 Discussion—Elemental cost analyses are valuable
Requirements, and Office Overhead & Profit
tools in planning, estimating, and controlling construction cost
E2168 Classification for Allowance, Contingency, and Re-
through all stages of planning and design. The benchmark
serve Sums in Building Construction Estimating
figures are primarily derived from underlying estimate detail
but can, in some circumstances, be used directly to approxi-
mate estimates for other projects.
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E06 on Perfor- 3.1.3 elemental cost summary, n—in construction planning,
mance of Buildings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E06.81 on
design,specification,estimating,andcostanalysis,atabulation
Building Economics.
of cost categorized by major group element, group element,
CurrenteditionapprovedMay1,2015.PublishedJuly2015.Originallyapproved
or element.
in 2006. Last previous edition approved in 2008 as E2514 – 08. DOI: 10.1520/
E2514-15.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
3
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available from ASTM International Headquarters. Order Adjunct No.
the ASTM website. ADJE2514.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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E2514 − 15
3.1.4 group element, n—in construction planning, design, through the planning, design, construction, and final archival
specification, estimating, and cost analysis, a significant com- record stages common to
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: E2514 − 08 E2514 − 15
Standard Practice for
Presentation Format of Elemental Cost Estimates,
1
Summaries, and Analyses
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2514; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 This practice covers the concurrent use of relevant ASTM standards for the preparation of elemental cost estimates,
summaries, and analyses and specifically their presentation in a concise, consistent, and logical manner.
1.2 While the style and directions use construction terms applied to buildings, the principles apply equally well to other forms
of construction where appropriate elemental classifications exist.
1.3 This practice is not an estimating manual, nor is it a guide to the skills and knowledge required of an estimator or other cost
professional.
NOTE 1—The skills and knowledge acquired by a trained and experienced estimator are essential to the successful application of any elemental
presentation format. They are the foundation of any estimate and the underpinning knowledge required when applying the elemental technique.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E631 Terminology of Building Constructions
E833 Terminology of Building Economics
E1557 Classification for Building Elements and Related Sitework—UNIFORMAT II
E1804 Practice for Performing and Reporting Cost Analysis During the Design Phase of a Project
E1836E1836/E1836M Practice for Building Floor Area Measurements for Facility Management
E2083 Classification for Building Construction Field Requirements, and Office Overhead & Profit
E2168 Classification for Allowance, Contingency, and Reserve Sums in Building Construction Estimating
2.2 ASTM Adjuncts:
3
Basic Instructional Model Spreadsheet
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this practice, refer to Terminologies E833 and E631.
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:Definitions: For other definitions of general terms related to building
construction used in this practice, refer to Terminology E631; and for general terms related to building economics, refer to
Terminology E833.
3.1.1 element, n—in construction planning, design, specification, estimating, and cost analysis, is a significant component part
of the whole that performs a specific function, or functions, regardless of design, specification, or construction. construction
method.
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E06 on Performance of Buildings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E06.81 on Building
Economics.
Current edition approved May 1, 2008May 1, 2015. Published August 2008July 2015. Originally approved in 2006. Last previous edition approved in 20062008 as
E2514 – 06.E2514 – 08. DOI: 10.1520/E2514-08.10.1520/E2514-15.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3
Available from ASTM International Headquarters. Order Adjunct No. ADJE2514.
3.1.1.1 Discussion—
While through analysis, or by direct measurement,application, construction estimates categorized into elements (functional
elements) with their allocated costs, may be summarized in an elemental cost summary or elemental cost analysis; elements
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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E2514 − 15
(functional elements) also provide a framework for consistent preliminary project description, outline, and performance
specification, through all stages of planning, design, construction, and maintenance.
3.1.2 elemental cost plan,analysis, n—an estimate, summarized and presented inin construction planning, design, specification,
estimating, and cost analysis, element groups, that has a tabulation of cost categorized by major group element,group element,
or element, or any combination thereof, to which a parameter quantity,been sanctioned by the owner/client. or parameter
quantities, has, or have, been applied to derive benchmark figures (rates, ratios, percentages, and so forth).
3.1.2.1 Discussion—
In practice an elemental cost plan includes the high le
...