Computer Assisted Estimating of Steel Fabrication and Erection.

The steel fabrication industry in the Pittsburgh market area, generally defined as Southwestern Pennsylvania, Northern West Virginia, and the bordering sections of Ohio, is composed in part of specialty contractors who fabricate and erect miscellaneous metals and light structural steel for the construction industry. Many ot these fabricators are small businesses which operate in a highly competitive environment. This environment and the custom nature of the steel fabrication industry make it both challenging and critical to have valid, reliable cost estimates. This report will identify the need for and trace the development of a computer program designed to assist in estimating labor, material, and margin for the fabrication and erection of miscellaneous metals and light structural steel. The program uses a Lotus 1-2-3 macro command language. The computer assisted estimate models the estimating method which a consultant currently uses to provide an estimating service to the miscellaneous metals and structural steel industry.