Learn How to Estimate a Planning Job: Introduction to Estimating Planning Services

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Polly Carolin, AICP, Roger Blevins, AICP, Mary Anne Bowie, AICP
Author Info

Abstract

Nominated for the APA Division's Special Project award, Estimating Planning Services is a joint effort of the Private Practice Division, the Federal Planning Division and the American Society of Consulting Planners.
Estimating Planning Services uses a Statement of Work approach to estimating. Any job to be accomplished must be clearly described in order to be clearly estimated. An effective statement of work contains five essential elements:
  1. purpose statement
  2. scope description
  3. specifications
  4. tasks and deliverables
  5. quality assurance controls
The characteristics of each of these elements and examples are provided.

In order to develop a cost estimate, one must define and estimate the cost factors. Cost factors include: labor categories required and labor rates, amount of time required for each task, a calculation of the cost of labor, amount of expenses or other direct costs that will be charged to the job, and overhead and profit rates. All these items are defined and techniques to determine each are included.

Planning products created from planning projects are diverse, but the methodology to estimate products presented is helpful for all planning projects. A variety of planning products are described to assist the non-planner. Sample worksheets contained within the book provide useful tools for estimating. These include hourly cost worksheet , task estimate worksheet and multiple task summary labor/cost estimating worksheet.

Authors Mary Anne Bowie from Florida and Roger Blevins from Texas have created an easy to use comprehensive guide to estimating private and public planning projects. Polly Carolin, Chair of the Private Practice Division from Nevada was instrumental in promoting the publishing of this document and Bradley Johnson, AICP from Indiana created the cover, graphics and handled the publishing.

To purchase a copy of Estimating Planning Services, send a check for either $20.55 or $19.50. Cost of book is $15 (and $1.05 sales tax for Florida residents) plus $4.50 postage and handling.
Address check to Mary Anne G. Bowie Associates, Inc. 1358 Fruitville Rd. Sarasota, FL 34236