Using Downloads Within The Library Of trevorsadd.co.uk (PDF, Version 2.05, June 2008, 3 pages) A guide to the use of downloadable materials from TSA’s website including; a statement of purpose, levels of accessibility, forms of classification etc.
Frequently Asked Questions Answered (PDF, Version 1.00, June 2008, 13 pages) 45 common questions answered, from "How do you price work?" to "Why should we consider Trevor Sadd Associates?".
Estimating Service Guide (Part 1) (PDF, Version 3.08, July 2008, 19 pages) A guide to the five levels of pricing offered with examples of layouts and the rating methods.
Estimating Service Guide (Part 2) (PDF, Version 1.00, July 2008, 11 pages) A guide to the different print options available together with a discussion of their uses and examples.
Establishing Construction Costs And Sources of Supply (PDF, Version 2.00, July 2008, 28 pages) A TSA service guide that sets out the format, detail and cost information that TSA require from Contractors to ensure the appropriate level of accuracy in completed documents. The documents also give guidance as to the definition of terms on which rates are supplied.
Web User Downloads (Available To Registered Users And Clients)
Improving Commercial Accuracy And Success Rates Temporarily unavailable – document being upgraded for Camtasia) A presentation discussing the importance of accuracy and the existing techniques that estimators use. The presentation also looks at issues involved and affecting accuracy and how they can be improved. A full copy of the text is available to clients.
A Consideration of Sub-Contractor Bidding Decisions (PDF, Version 1.00, July 2008, 2 pages) A short white paper discussing sub-contractor bidding decisions based on an analysis of data collected and experience. It discusses both the decision to bid and the effects on mark-up.
Preliminaries (General Site Costs) (PDF, Version 2.02, March 2004, 18 pages) A simplified guide and check list for general use and discussion when formulating and pricing tenders. Also produced to clarify and jointly define the extent of preliminaries with contractors who price works using differing methodologies.
Use Of Resources Schedules (PDF, Version 2.02, January 2002, 1 page) The document discusses the use of resource (and requirements) sheets in relation to adjudication, planning and purchasing.
The Real Cost Of Estimating (Temporarily unavailable – document being upgraded) A PDF version of the Camtasia presentation described in the Web User section.
The Real Cost Of Estimating (Temporarily unavailable – document being upgraded for Camtasia) Comparing the variance in accuracy over different estimating systems with the ‘real’ or chargeable cost of estimators. The presentation suggests certain pricing strategies to enable the most effective use of estimators’ discussion when formulating and pricing budgets tenders.
Innovation Projects (Available To Innovation Partners)
TSA Innovation Project ‘Innovation Within Estimating’– Ideas Pack (3 pages, 32k, Version 3.04, March 2008)
(Working Draft PDF, Version 1.01, June 2008, 10 pages) Documents setting out how TSA intends to innovate over the next years including extracts of the actual documentation they intend to use for partners in innovation.
TSA Innovation Project ‘Improving Sub-Contractor Returns’ (3 pages, 32k, Version 3.04, March 2008)
(Working Draft PDF, Version 1.01, June 2008, 6 pages) Document setting out the framework and processes which TSA intend to use with their partners to improve (in all aspects) sub-contractor returns such that main contractors can bid confidently and effectively.
Consultancy/Training Services Available
Design And Build – The Issues From An Estimating Perspective (PDF, Version 2.01, March 2008, 3 pages) Part one of the document identifies the differences between design and build and traditional contracts. Part two of the document sets out examples of the additional responsibilities required in the estimating process. Part three deals with development cost and issues.
Lessons From Four Disputes And Three Adjudications (PDF, Version 2.01, March 2008, 5 pages) Between 2006 and 2008 TSA prepared documentation for and represented contractors in four disputes and three separate adjudications. Whilst each of the disputes and the adjudications were resolved successfully (from the contractor’s point of view) there were a number of common lessons to be learnt. This document (confidentially) sets out those lessons as a teaching aid to TSA’s valuation team.
Calculating Development Costs (Camtasia, Version 4.06, October 2007, 3 minutes 30 seconds). A short Camtasia presentation discussing the use of the development costs schedules, together with some notes on pricing strategies (including resolving issues relating to pricing utilities).
Overheads And Profit (PDF, Version 3.04, March 2005, 3 pages) Document discusses and defines overheads and profit and discusses the different methodology contractors apply to those definitions in the calculation of overheads and profit for the purposes of; estimating, adjudication and later in the presentation of tenders. The affect of overhead allocation is also discussed in relation to variations and the settlement of the same.
Market Based Estimating (DRAFT) (Working Draft PDF, Version 1.00, March 2008, 2 pages) A discussion of the difference between market based and cost based ( or cost plus) strategies are discussed in relation to the formulation of tenders.
Adjudication Strategies (PDF, Version 1.07, June 2006, 4 pages) Short check-lists setting out the document that are required when adjudicating tenders and a discussion of factors that contractors generally take into account in the decision making process.
Tendering Strategies – Avoid Loss Making Work (PDF, Version 1.00, March 2007, 2 pages) The use of business planning, marketing, real cost and variance reduction are discussed in relation to tender strategies.
The Cost Of Delays And Disruption In Construction (Working Draft PDF, Version 4.00, September 2007, 8 pages) During 2006 Trevor Sadd Associate’s funded a legal student to undertake a STEP project in relation to the analysis of costs to the contractor where there were significant delays and disruptions on construction projects. The work provided some interesting insights and suggests certain strategies that could assist parties in avoiding those costs.
The Use Of Predictive Planning – In The Management Of Construction Contracts Version 2.00, September 2007, 4 pages) Document explores, from a retrospective position, to what extent the employer and the employers teams performance in relation to a project can be predicted from the tender documents. Part two of the documents contains a discussion of how this can be used to the contractors advantage.
Some Notes on Negotiating Contracts (PDF, Version 2.01, March 2008, 2 pages) A few notes on the importance of pre-contract checks and the need to clarify agreements, wording and the extent to which supporting documents need to be bound into the contract.
Tender Presentation Strategies (PDF, Version 3.02 , January 2005, 3 pages) Ideas and techniques that could enhance or maximise a contractors chance of selection in relation to negotiated or informal tender situations on smaller projects.
Training Pack – The Essentials 1 Day Course (Presentation) (Working Draft PDF, Version 1.00, March 2008, Materials Pack) The trainers Power Point presentation setting out the strategies and processes that estimators can use to secure work in the most effective manner.
