What We Offer

Technical cost estimation services for small and medium residential construction projects in Chile. Systematic quantification, current market pricing, and detailed budget documentation.

Service Scope

Our work consists of preparing detailed construction cost estimates based on project plans and specifications. We quantify all construction elements, apply current Chilean market rates, and organize results into comprehensive budget documents. The service is technical in nature—we measure, price, and document construction costs.

Estimates are prepared for residential projects in the small to medium scale range. This includes single-family homes, small multi-family buildings, and residential renovation projects. We work from architectural plans, structural drawings, and technical specifications provided by project owners or their design professionals.

Quantification Process

Cost estimation begins with systematic measurement of all construction elements shown in project documents. For structural work, this includes foundation volumes, concrete quantities, reinforcement weights, formwork areas, and structural framing members. For finishes, we measure wall areas, floor areas, ceiling areas, door and window units, and fixture counts.

Mechanical and electrical systems require counting of fixtures, measuring of distribution runs, and sizing of equipment. Site work involves earthwork volumes, paving areas, drainage system components, and landscaping quantities. Each element is measured using standard quantity surveying methods appropriate to Chilean construction practice.

Pricing Methodology

After quantification, we apply unit rates to each measured element. These rates reflect current Chilean construction market conditions including material costs, labor rates, equipment costs, and subcontractor pricing. Rates vary by region within Chile, and we adjust pricing based on project location.

Material pricing incorporates typical procurement practices for residential construction. Labor rates reflect prevailing wage levels and productivity factors. Equipment costs include rental rates and operating costs for machinery required for construction. Subcontractor pricing is based on typical market rates for specialized trades.

Budget Organization

Cost estimates are organized by construction phase and building system. Major categories include site preparation, foundation work, structural frame, building enclosure, interior finishes, mechanical systems, electrical systems, and site improvements. Within each category, costs are broken down to individual line items.

This organization allows project stakeholders to understand cost distribution across the project. It facilitates value engineering by identifying high-cost elements that might be modified. It also supports construction planning by showing costs for each phase of work.

Contingency Recommendations

Construction projects involve uncertainty. Design may not be complete, site conditions may vary from assumptions, material prices fluctuate, and construction methods may differ from those anticipated. Contingency allowances address this uncertainty.

We recommend contingency percentages based on project-specific factors including design completeness, site investigation quality, project complexity, and construction method clarity. Contingencies are not padding—they are calculated provisions for known sources of cost variation. We explain the basis for contingency recommendations in our cost reports.

Documentation Deliverables

Cost estimates are delivered as detailed spreadsheet documents showing all quantities, unit rates, and extended costs. Summary sheets show total costs by major category. Detail sheets show line-item breakdowns within each category. Notes sections explain pricing assumptions, clarify scope interpretations, and identify areas where design information was incomplete.

Documentation is prepared to support project financial planning. It provides the cost detail necessary for budget development, financing applications, and construction contracting. The level of detail allows comparison with contractor bids and supports cost monitoring during construction.

Service Limitations

We prepare cost estimates—we do not provide design services, construction management, project financing, or investment advice. Our scope is limited to technical cost analysis. If project documents are incomplete or unclear, we identify these gaps but do not fill them through design assumptions.

Cost estimates reflect pricing conditions at the time of preparation. Construction costs change over time due to market conditions, material availability, and economic factors. Estimates prepared today may not accurately reflect costs for construction starting months or years in the future.

Required Project Information

To prepare cost estimates, we require architectural plans showing building layout, dimensions, and finish specifications. Structural drawings showing foundation design, framing systems, and structural details. Mechanical and electrical drawings showing system layouts and equipment specifications. Site plans showing grading, paving, drainage, and landscaping.

The more complete the project documentation, the more accurate the cost estimate. Preliminary estimates can be prepared from schematic designs, but detailed budgets require developed design documentation. We identify information gaps that affect estimate accuracy.