ASTM E2514-08

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

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Significance:
The application of elements (see 3.2.1 and Terminology E 833) 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 3.2.2). Baseline records and cost plans are accessed and compared with current reports.
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.
Other Uses—Elemental summaries and analyses are equally useful in forensic estimating and in quantitative risk analysis.
Relationship to “Trade” Estimating—Traditional trade (or construction) estimating summarizes cost to a product, or trade classification. This is valuable when co...
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-2008
• ICS: 03.100.20 - Trade. Commercial function. Marketing
• Technical Committee: E06 - Performance of Buildings
• Drafting Committee: E06.81 - Building Economics

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM E2514-06 - Standard Practice for Presentation Format of Elemental Cost Estimates, Summaries, and Analyses
• Effective Date: 01-May-2008
• Referred By: ASTM E2620-15(2020) - Standard Classification for Program and Project Estimate Summaries
• Effective Date: 01-May-2008
• Referred By: ASTM E1804-16(2023) - Standard Practice for Performing and Reporting Cost Analysis During the Design Phase of a Project
• Effective Date: 01-May-2008
• Referred By: ASTM E2103/E2103M-19 - Standard Classification for Bridge Elements—UNIFORMAT II
• Effective Date: 01-May-2008
• Referred By: ASTM E3008/E3008M-16(2023) - Standard Classification for Transportation Surface Elements—UNIFORMAT II
• Effective Date: 01-May-2008
• Referred By: ASTM E1557-09(2020)e1 - Standard Classification for Building Elements and Related Sitework—UNIFORMAT II
• Effective Date: 01-May-2008
• Referred By: ASTM E1946-18(2023) - Standard Practice for Measuring Cost Risk of Buildings and Building Systems and Other Constructed Projects
• Effective Date: 01-May-2008

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 − 08
StandardPractice 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 definitions of terms used in this
presentation in a concise, consistent, and logical manner.
practice, refer to Terminologies E833 and E631.
1.2 While the style and directions use construction terms
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
applied to buildings, the principles apply equally well to other
3.2.1 element, n—in construction planning, design,
forms of construction where appropriate elemental classifica-
specification, estimating and cost analysis, is a significant
tions exist.
component part of the whole that performs a specific function,
1.3 This practice is not an estimating manual, nor is it a
or functions, regardless of design, specification, or construc-
guide to the skills and knowledge required of an estimator or tion.
other cost professional.
3.2.1.1 Discussion—While through analysis, or by direct
measurement, construction estimates categorized into elements
NOTE 1—The skills and knowledge acquired by a trained and experi-
encedestimatorareessentialtothesuccessfulapplicationofanyelemental
(functional elements) with their allocated costs may be sum-
presentation format. They are the foundation of any estimate and the
marized in an elemental cost summary or elemental cost
underpinningknowledgerequiredwhenapplyingtheelementaltechnique.
analysis; elements also provide a framework for consistent
preliminary description, outline, and performance specification
2. Referenced Documents
through all stages of planning, design, construction, and
2
2.1 ASTM Standards: maintenance.
E631 Terminology of Building Constructions
3.2.2 elemental cost plan, n—an estimate, summarized and
E833 Terminology of Building Economics
presented in element groups, that has been sanctioned by the
E1557 Classification for Building Elements and Related
owner/client.
Sitework—UNIFORMAT II
3.2.2.1 Discussion—In practice an elemental cost plan in-
E1804 Practice for Performing and Reporting CostAnalysis
cludes the high level presentation figures contained in any of
During the Design Phase of a Project
the relevant presentation formats referenced in this standard
E1836 Practice for Building Floor Area Measurements for
which, when sanctioned, become the benchmark figures
Facility Management
against which subsequent estimates are compared.
E2083 Classification for Building Construction Field
3.3 For additional guidance on certain other terminology
Requirements, and Office Overhead & Profit
related to estimates, budgets, cost plans, and cost models refer
E2168 Classification for Allowance, Contingency, and Re-
to Appendix X1.
serve Sums in Building Construction Estimating
4. Summary of Practice
4.1 This practice covers the concurrent use of several
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E06 on Perfor-
ASTM standards that together form a valuable and tried
mance of Buildings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E06.81 on
framework for elemental cost presentation especially when
Building Economics.
Current edition approved May 1, 2008. Published August 2008. Originally
used for design stage construction cost estimating of buildings,
approved in 2006. Last previous edition approved in 2006 as E2514 – 06. DOI:
and also:
10.1520/E2514-08.
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 volumeinformation,refertothestandard’sDocumentSummarypageon 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

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E2514 − 08
4.1.1 Identifies three arrangements, estimate, summary, and 5.2.4 Other Uses—Elemental summaries and analyses are
analysis, of elemental cost presentation; equally useful in forensic estimating and in quantitative risk
analysis.
4.1.2 Provides conventions for use in completing these
5.2.5 Relationship to “Trade” Estimating—Traditional
presentations; and
trade (or construction) estimatin
...

This document is not anASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of anASTM 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:E2514–06 Designation: E 2514 – 08
Standard Practice for
Presentation Format of Elemental Cost Estimates,
1
Summaries, and Analyses
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 2514; 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:
E 631 Terminology of Building Constructions
E 833 Terminology of Building Economics
E 1557 Classification for Building Elements and Related SiteworkUNIFORMAT II
E1699Practice for Performing Value Analysis (VA) of Buildings and Building Systems
E 1804 Practice for Performing and Reporting Cost Analysis During the Design Phase of a Project
E 1836 Practice for Building Floor Area Measurements for Facility Management
E 2083 Classification for Building Construction Field Requirements, and Office Overhead & Profit
E2166Practice for Organizing and Managing Building Data
E 2168Classification for Allowance, Contingency and Reserve Sums in Building Construction Estimating Classification for
Allowance, Contingency and Reserve Sums in Building Construction Estimating
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 Nov. 15, 2006. Published February 2007.
Current edition approved May 1, 2008. Published August 2008. Originally approved in 2006. Last previous edition approved in 2006 as E 2514 – 06.
2
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM 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.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E2514–08
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 E 833 and E 631.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1elemental cost plan, n—an estimate, summarized and presented in element groups, that has been sanctioned by the
owner/client.
3.2.1.1Discussion—In practice an elemental cost plan includes the high level presentation figures contained in any of the
relevant presentation formats referenced in this standard which, when sanctioned, become the benchmark figures against which
subsequent estimates are compared. Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.23.2.1 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.
3.2.2.1
3.2.1.1 Discussion—While through analysis, or by direct measurement, construction estimates categorized into elements
(functional elements) with their allocated costs may be summarized in an elemental cost summary or elemental cost analysis;
elementsalsoprovideaframeworkforconsistentpreliminarydescription,outline,andperformancespecificationthroughallstages
of planning, design, construction, and maintenance.
3.2.2 elemental cost plan, n—an estimate, summarized and presented in element groups, that has been sanctioned by the
owner/client.
3.2.2.1 Discussion—In practice an elemental cost plan includes the high level presentation figures contai
...