Explanation of Simple Resources

In your estimation software, resources are the building blocks of your projects. They represent the various materials, labor, and services required to complete a task. Simple resources are basic entries where you define the description, rate, and unit for individual components. Unlike complex resources, which bundle multiple elements into a cohesive unit, simple resources are straightforward and singular in their function. They are essential for tasks that don’t require intricate layering of multiple items and are used extensively across different sections of a project.

Adding a Simple Resource

1. In the Resource Table, select the line item where you want to insert the new resource. This could be directly below an existing resource or within a specific Section Header.
2. If necessary, you can create a new category for better general ledger grouping by adding a new Section Header.
3. Right-click on the selected line item to open the Context Menu or use the Application tool bar and click on the Add Item + Icon.
4. This will create a new line where you can enter the resource details.
5. Fill in the Description, Rate and Unit fields.

Your resource is now ready to be used for pricing bill items.

Alternate Methods

If the resource is frequently used across multiple projects, consider adding it via the Copy from Master feature. This allows you to transfer the resource from a previous project, saving time and ensuring consistency.

You can also utilize the Auto Estimate feature to search for and add a resource with current price rates directly into your project. This ensures you have the most up-to-date pricing and availability for the resource.

Complex Resources

Efficient Resource Management for Building and Civil Projects,

In the dynamic world of construction, efficient resource management is crucial for project success. Methvin's innovative concept of Complex Resources transforms this process, allowing you to group multiple simple resources into a single unit, saving time and effort when compiling bills of quantities.

Example: Insulation and Lumber-Lined Wall Assembly

Let's visualize constructing a complete wall section. Instead of manually adding each individual component—bricks, mortar, insulation, lumber, labor—you can create a Complex Resource called "Insulated and Lined Wall Assembly." This composite resource would encompass all necessary elements:

• Brick Wall: A Complex Resource itself, including bricks, mortar, scaffolding and labor.
• Insulation Installation: Involving the materials and labor for installing insulation.
• Internal Stud Wall: Encompassing lumber, fasteners, Plasterboard and labor for constructing the interior wall.

By nesting these resources, you create a comprehensive and easily manageable unit for pricing and project management.

Creating a Complex Resource

To make a Complex Resource, open worksheet icon  at the end of each record in the Actions column. This action will open a dialog box asking for confirmation to make a complex resource click confirm.

Adding New Resource to Worksheets

To add a new resource in a worksheet for pricing and making a complex resource follow the steps below,

1. Add a new line item to a blank Worksheet, by accessing the Context menu or from the Application Toolbar.
2. Then navigate to the resource column to activate the resource drop box selector.
3. Enter the new Resource Description.
4. This will open the Create Resource form.
5. Navigate to the Resource Section Header where you would like to save your New Resource. Or add a new Resource Section Header to save the New Resource.
6. Select the Save option.
7. Then tab to the Rate column and enter the Resource Rate.
8. Tab again through to the Unit column and enter the Unit.

Another way to add a new resource to your worksheet is the Auto Estimate.

Adding Existing Resources to worksheet

Below are ways to add resources to worksheets,

1. Drag a resource item from the right-hand side slide-out "Copy from Resource Table."

2. Inside the worksheet, add a new line item, then use the drop box resource selector in the resource cell to choose your resource.

3. The resource description, rate and unit is now displayed on the worksheet.

4. Enter your equation calculation *2 in the Equation column.

Save Your Worksheet Options

The worksheet has to be stored to make a complex resource. The Store modes available are:

1. Save & previous worksheet: Store the current worksheets and displays the previous bill item's worksheet.
2. Save & return to document: Store the current worksheet and return to the Bill
3. Save & next worksheet: Store the current worksheets and displays the next bill item's worksheet.

Key Advantages of Complex Resource

• Streamlined Resource Management: Complex Resources simplify the organization and tracking of resources, reducing complexity and potential errors.
• Simplified Pricing: Nesting resources allows you to price intricate building elements with ease, ensuring accurate cost estimates.
• Enhanced Flexibility: The ability to create nested resources empowers you to model complex building components effectively, adapting to various project requirements.
• Optimized Project Planning: Clear visibility of resource requirements aids in accurate scheduling and forecasting, optimizing project timelines and resource allocation.

Large-scale infrastructure example

The following flowchart illustrates the process required to create a Complex Resource called "Sub-base Installation", break the process in the following Complex Resources:

• Pavement Crew: Supervision, Operators and Labor required for the delivery of the works
• Pavement Plant: For excavation, grading, spreading, and compacting.
• Aggregate Cartage: Transportation of the crushed stone from the supplier.
• Aggregate Supply: The Aggregate Cartage plus the provision of the specified crushed stone for the sub-base.
• Sub-base Supply and Installation: Pavement Crew, Pavement Plant and Aggregate Supply.

Pricing Worksheets in Estimate

Estimate pricing in Methvin is streamlined and user-friendly, allowing you to efficiently price bills using worksheets. With various tools, shortcuts, and functions, you can quickly create accurate and detailed costings, enhancing your workflow and saving time.

⚠️ When pricing a bill item alongside it’s corresponding worksheet or a more intricate resource item, you're pricing for a single unit of that item. For instance, if you're pricing a Lump Sum Item, you'd calculate the cost for the entire work in that worksheet. Conversely, if you're pricing a unit rate, such as meters cubed or cubic yards of subbase material, or square feet of drywall, you should only calculate the price for one unit of that item in the worksheet.

Pricing the bill items

1. Navigate to the Pricing tab of your current project to begin pricing your worksheets.
2. Open a worksheet by either double-clicking on the Cost Rate cell of a Bill Item or clicking the Open Worksheet icon in the Actions column.

Adding Resources to Worksheets

Below are ways to add resources to worksheets,

1. Use Auto Estimate to add a new resource to your worksheet.
2. Inside the worksheet, add a new line item, then use the drop box resource selector in the resource cell to choose your resource.

3. Drag a resource item from the right-hand side slide-out "Copy from Resource Table."

Importing Worksheets

You can import worksheets in two ways,

1. Drag worksheets from the right-hand side slide-out window "Copy From Master" to add a previously priced worksheet into a new blank worksheet.
2. Open a previously priced worksheet, select all its line items (Ctrl+ A), copy them to your clipboard (Ctrl+ C), navigate to the new Bill worksheet you wish to price, and paste (Ctrl+ V) the copied worksheet into it.

Save Your Worksheet Options

The worksheet has to be stored to reflect the net rate in the Bill. The Store modes available are:

1. Save & previous worksheet: Store the current worksheets and displays the previous bill item's worksheet.
2. Save & return to document: Store the current worksheet and return to the Bill
3. Save & next worksheet: Store the current worksheets and displays the next bill item's worksheet.

Worksheet Variables and Functions

Methvin's worksheets offer a range of variables and functions to enhance your pricing capabilities:

Description/Comments:

Add comments to explain your pricing logic for each line item.

Applied Factor "∑":

• Use an applied factor to simplify calculations across multiple lines sharing a common production value.
• Insert a new line above calculation lines, indent them as a parent item, and enter the applied factor (e.g., /400m3/day) to streamline calculations.

Estimating with Variables:

• Set variables (e.g., length, width, height) in the Complex worksheet to reuse and adjust them for similar projects, automating calculations.

Equations Column:

• Enter mathematical functions directly into the Equations column for complex calculations. Remember to use brackets appropriately. Click here for Supported functions.

Unlocking the Power of Functions in Methvin: Advanced Equations, Variables, and Automated Pricing for Smarter Cost Estimation

Methvin provides a variety of functions to streamline calculations, whether you're managing complex construction projects or handling simpler measurements. These functions are designed to improve accuracy and simplify your workflow. Methvin supports a wide range of functions, including basic arithmetic, advanced JavaScript-based calculations, and date functions for managing project timelines. These functions are categorized into the following sections:

1. Quick Functions
2. JavaScript Math Functions
3. JavaScript Date Functions
4. Project Financing Example

1. Quick Functions

 These are commonly used functions for quick calculations.

Density of Mild steel

• [skg]: Returns the density of mild steel in kg/m³.
  • Example: [skg] returns 7850.
• [slb]: Returns the density of mild steel in lb/ft³.
  • Example: [slb] returns 490.636.

Mathematical Constants

• [PI]: Returns the mathematical constant pi (π), approximately 3.14159.
  • Example: [PI] returns 3.14159.

Using Global Variables in Equations

Global variables are user-defined values set within the estimating application. These variables can be seamlessly utilized in the Takeoff Tool’s equation field, allowing for automated calculations based on predefined project-wide values.

By incorporating global variables, users can efficiently standardize and automate measurements that share a common value across multiple takeoff elements.

Examples of Global Variables:

• [CD_GV] – Contract Duration
• [NF_GV] – Number of Floors
• [GPA_GV] – Gross Plan Area
• [WH_GV] – Working Hours on Site

This functionality enhances consistency and accuracy in estimating, ensuring that key project parameters are applied uniformly across all relevant calculations.

Power Calculation

• Computes the power of a number.
  • Example: 2^3 returns 8.

Square Root

• Computes the square root of a number.
  • Example: 4^(1/2) returns 2.

Conditional Statements

• Performs logic-based outcomes based on conditions.
  • Example: if(10 > 5) {55} else {66} returns 55.

Bill Item Quantity

• [qty]: Returns the quantity associated with a bill item.
  • Example: [qty] returns 100 (or the specified quantity).

2. JavaScript Math Functions

These functions utilize JavaScript for advanced mathematical operations.

Basic Math Functions

• E: Euler’s constant, approximately 2.718.
  • Example: Math.E returns 2.718.
• PI or [PI]: Returns the mathematical constant pi (π).
  • Example: Math.PI returns 3.14159.

Logarithmic Functions

• LN(x): Returns the natural logarithm of x.
  • Example: Math.LN(2) returns 0.693.
• log(x): Computes the natural logarithm of x.
  • Example: Math.log(10) returns 2.3026.
• LOG(x)E: Calculates the logarithm of x in base E.
  • Example: Math.LOG(2) returns 0.3010.

Rounding Functions

• ceil(x): Rounds x up to the nearest integer.
  • Example: Math.ceil(2.1) returns 3.
• floor(x): Rounds x down to the nearest integer.
  • Example: Math.floor(2.9) returns 2.
• round(x): Rounds x to the nearest integer.
  • Example: Math.round(2.5) returns 3.
• toFixed(n): Rounds x to n decimal places.
  • Example: 2.567.toFixed(2) returns 2.57.

Other Math Functions

• min(x, y, z, ...): Returns the smallest value from a list of arguments.
  • Example: Math.min(0, 150, 30, -200, -8) returns -200.
• max(x, y, z, ...): Returns the largest value from a list of arguments.
  • Example: Math.max(0, 150, 30, 20, -8) returns 150.
• SQRT(x): Computes the square root of x.
  • Example: Math.SQRT(9) returns 3.
• sin(x): Calculates the sine of an angle in radians.
  • Example: Math.sin(Math.PI / 2) returns 1.

3. JavaScript Date Functions

These functions are used to manage contract-related calculations and project timelines.

Contract Start and End Dates

• SD1: Define the contract start date.
  • Example: SD = 10/01/2017 sets the start date to 10th January 2017.
• ED1: Define the contract end date.
  • Example: ED = 24/05/2017 sets the end date to 24th May 2017.

Contract Duration

• Calculate the total duration of the contract in weeks.
  • CD1 = (([ED] - [SD]) / 1000 / 60 / 60 / 24 / 365.242 * 12 * 4.33).toFixed(2)
    This returns the duration in weeks, e.g., 19.07.

4. Project Financing Example

Contract Interest Cost Calculation Example

The table below demonstrates how to calculate the financing cost for a construction project, including initial principal, monthly increase, and interest over the repayment period. 

Example of a pricing worksheet for calculating contract interest costs:

Breakdown of Key Calculations

1. Initial Principal (IP): The land acquisition cost [LAC_GV] is the starting principal.

• Value: 1,600,000

2. Annual Interest Rate (AIR): The yearly interest rate is 4%, converted into a monthly rate:

• Formula: [AIR] / 12
  • Value: 0.0033333

3. Total Client Cost (CC): Sum of consultant, contractor, and provision costs.

• Formula: [TDC_GV] + [CEB_GV] + [CPC_GV]
  • Value: 80,667,600

4. Monthly Increase (MI): Monthly construction cost increase based on repayment period.

• Formula: [CC] / [CPD_GV]
  • Value: 1,390,820.69

• Total Interest Calculation: Using a loop formula:
  FOR(0, [NOR]): { answer += ([IP] + ([MI] * count)) * [MIR] }
  • Total Interest Value: 7,972,755.33