Cost Consulting

What is conceptual estimating?

Conceptual estimating is the ability to understand and to mentally visualize the intent of the designer, a lot of questions need to be asked regarding the function of the building. This process helps to determine the buildings use, and as a result it is often a plan to establish the parameters of cost, when plans are not available.

What is schematic design?

Here we have the ability to look at perhaps a footprint, single line elevations, maybe a parking lot, possibly not more than three sheets of the designers thoughts.

What is cost modeling?

Cost modeling is the ability through propriatary programs to take projects of like kind and compare by location, cost, and similar features to see if they fall into an acceptable and comparable cost with similar projects.

How do you handle value management?

Value management is often confused with value engineering, there are very significant differences in both types of systems. We handle value management in a format that does not conflict with the designers intent, we can and do offer alternatives only on the approval of the design proffessional, we are very sensitive to the integrity and the intent of design. We do not believe in the hachet method of eliminating cost. This often creates a negative approach between the design professional and the end user.

Wind Farms

How do I develop a wind farm?

There are several ways to proceed, generally the first approach is to hire a consulting firm to do all the front end work for you, prepare the wind studies that are required and see if in fact they can support developing a wind farm. Then comes the critical part of the puzzle, getting an energy provider to buy the projected electrical energy that is proposed. The third puzzle piece is to have sufficient funds available to be in a situation of being able to pay the firms involved to actually proceed with the required services to build a wind farm.

What is the outlook for alternative energy in the next 10 years?

Although the current economic window for wind energy development looks favorable there is always that question of how much is enough in the industry? The bottom line is that in the next 7-10 years we are very optimistic about the future of alternative wind energy worldwide.

How do you manage such a large undertaking?

When developing a large wind installation, it requires an incredible amount of coordination with all the players, including foremost the ability of an energy supplier to purchase the power that is generated. The most likely scenario is that a system of transmission of the generated power needs to be established. As you can see there is a lot of work to get to this point, scheduling the requirements that are needed can be a real challenge.

Is mapping a nightmare?

Although mapping is a very big part of the wind farm process the largest portion of the mapping occurs when transmission line work is involved, that is in the development of the transmission line layout from point a to point b. This can often pose very difficult environmental impact issues for the entire team as well as the purchaser of the power. We use existing mapping services, as well as any global positioning services that can provide us with our required information, to execute a final map.

Frequently Asked Questions