Cost Estimating

Accurately estimating and providing a realistic budget is essential to project success. Wirthlin Consulting Group has estimated projects of all sizes,  from a few thousand dollars to several hundred million dollars, working with as little as a napkin sketch to a full set of finished contract documents.

Our President, Adam Wirthlin, has several years of direct estimating experience working forcontractors which gives WCG a valuable advantage. While other firms prepare estimates that rely on historical or published data, WCG prepares detailed cost estimates similar to how a contractor would bid the work focusing on labor, specialized equipment and other market factors.

Wirthlin Consulting Group can prepare a thorough independent cost estimate (ICE) for projects at any level of design, as well as provide check estimates for change orders on projects under construction.

Scheduling

Establishing and maintaining the project schedule is equally critical to the success of theproject. Wirthlin Consulting Group draws on experience creating and updating Critical Path Method (CPM) schedules for projects of all sizes, from a few activities, to several thousand. 

WCG has the capability to prepare a baseline project schedule or provide schedule updates utilizing current industry standard software. 

Claims and Dispute Support

Construction claims are unfortunately a reality, our experience working for both engineers and contractors gives Wirthlin Consulting Group unique insight to help analyze and resolve claims. On the engineering side, our team has analyzed construction claims for both owners and contractors. On the contracting side, we have submitted claims to owners and resolved subcontractor claims. Wirthlin Consulting Group utilizes a detailed approach analyzing the data to provide recommendations based on construction experience and engineering judgment.

Constructability Review

The best design is worth nothing if it can’t be built. A thorough review of construction drawings and documents for constructability is a valuable investment to prevent potential delays, change orders, and claims.  Wirthlin Consulting Group can review project documents based on our construction experience which design engineers often lack and rely on our experience gained preparing engineer’s estimates at early and final design levels.

Contractor Bid Preparation Support

Sometimes contractors miss potential opportunities because of limited resources to prepare additional bids.  Multiple projects are often released at the same time causing contractors to choose which projects to bid because of limited estimating personnel.  Rather than bring on more full-time estimating personnel, Wirthlin Consulting Group can support contractors with as-needed resources to bid more projects when there are multiple solicitations.  Support services include quantity takeoffs, material and subcontractor quotations, specification and bid document review and more. For a contractor, bid day is stressful, we understand the benefits of an additional review of bid documents and can provide "a second set of eyes" to help ensure peace of mind on bid day.

Submittal Preparation and Review

Along with mobilization, submittals are necessary for starting a project, these can be tediousand complicated. Owner comments and multiple iterations have the potential to delay the start of key activities. Wirthlin Consulting Group can support contractors or owners drawing on submittal preparation experience which includes onsite engineering support and review.

Value Engineering

Project scope changes and unrealistic expectations can create serious challenges, threatening a project’s existence. Wirthlin Consulting Group can support value engineering efforts identifying key areas for cost savings, schedule optimization or resequencing, and market factors.  We have participated in over 15 formal VE studies for projects all over the US and Canada.