Estimating

Know the number. Know how sure you are.

Three calculators built on the same estimating systems we use for highway, schools, rail, light rail and subway work. Choose one to begin.

Prices and scores are placeholder assumptions, not agency rates. Nothing you enter leaves your browser.

Vanguard Resolve LLC · Illustrative planning estimate

Planning estimates only. Not a bid, a guaranteed price or a substitute for project-specific professional estimating. Talk to an estimator

Insights

How the numbers are built

Sector explorer

How each kind of project is built up

Pick a sector to see its cost structure, its largest line items, and what usually moves the number. Every template opens in the estimator.

Cross-sector risk

Where the uncertainty lives

Eight risk drivers scored 0 to 10 for each sector. Toggle sectors on the radar to overlay them. The heat matrix shows all five at once. Scores are our illustrative judgments for typical projects.

Risk exposure radar

Risk driver heat matrix

Our method

Six steps from scope to confidence

Define scopeConfirm the design level, the basis of estimate and the delivery method.
Take offBuild the work breakdown structure and quantities by item.
PriceApply unit prices, crew and equipment rates, and local market data.
Mark upAdd indirects, overhead and profit, soft costs and escalation.
Model riskRun correlated cost-risk simulation to get P50 and P80.
ReportDeliver assumptions, exclusions, ranges and contingency recommendation.
Estimating systems

Work breakdown structure for each sector

Each template groups line items into cost categories so quantities, prices and risk can be reviewed in the same structure. Open one, then load it in the estimator.

Sample reports

Try an illustrative estimate

These open the estimator pre-loaded with a sample. Print or save any of them as a PDF, or download the CSV.

Illustrative sampleHighway rehabilitationPavement, drainage, barrier and traffic control with markups and a P80 contingency check.Open sample → Illustrative sampleRail track renewalTrack, ties, ballast, signals, traction power and flagging, with risk on long-lead items.Open sample → Illustrative sampleSubway cost-risk analysisTunnel, stations and systems with low, base and high scenarios and contingency confidence.Open sample →

Sample prices are placeholder assumptions. They are not NJDOT, NJ TRANSIT, MTA or other agency rates.

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