Estimate development

Estimate documentation

• Estimate documentation must be completed for all PS&E submittals. The estimate documentation requirements are included in the FDM 19-5-6.
• Estimate documentation template. Provides a consistent report structure for all estimate documentation submittals.
• esd-template.docx
• The estimate guidance document provides additional estimate documentation guidance and examples.
• esd-guidance.docx

Bid history data

• HCCI bid history - Past bid results are located under each letting and called all bids received.
• Average unit prices - Average unit bid prices for the past three years. Not to be used for PS&E estimates.
• Bridge cost data - Summary of structure costs produced by the Bureau of Structures.

Miscellaneous

• Final Estimate Creation Process Document is maintained by the Southeast Region. This document assists with outlining the steps and recommendations for estimating, and it is a one-page estimating guidance discussing significant items and estimate documentation.
• Justification Email Guidance – Guidance for design engineers who are responding to justification emails for Post Letting Estimate Review (FDM 19-5-7.3.2).
• Productivity Estimation Tool - is the preferred way to estimate production rates (FDM 19-10-30.3)
• Average Production Rate Table
• Wisconsin DOT Chained Fisher Construction Cost Index (Updated March ​2024) – The WisDOT Chained Fisher Construction Cost Index provides an indicator of construction cost escalation over time and can be used to convert past bid history into current dollars. The WisDOT CCI is updated each quarter by calendar year. See FDM 19-5-5.3.7 for guidance to adjust historic prices into current dollars.
• Understanding the WisDOT Chained Fisher CCI
• National Highway Construction Cost Index (NHCCI) price index
• Recent estimating trends (Updated March 2024)
• Bid Item List (Updated March ​2024​) - The bid item list is an Excel file that contains a list of all standard, STSP and SPV bid items. This list contains current and obsolete bid items and can be used to find items recently made obsolete that new items have replaced. Obsolete bid items shall not be used.
• Practical Guide to Cost Estimating, 1st Edition - AASTHO publication that focuses on cost-estimating techniques. WisDOT employees can access the book through the WisDOT library. The region program control engineer also has a copy of the book. Copies of the guide may be purchased from AASHTO.
• Work Classifications - prescribe what type of contractors are able bid on each proposal.