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Presenting The Estimate: How Does an Owner Evaluate if a Cost Estimate Meets Project Budget and Schedule Goals?

What Is the Owner’s Main Concern When Reviewing a Construction Cost Estimate?

Learn what project owners focus on most when reviewing a construction cost estimate. Understand how estimators can align their proposals with client expectations for budget control and schedule compliance.

Question

When preparing a cost estimate for an owner, which of the following is typically the owner’s primary concern?

A. How crew productivity rates were calculated.
B. The sequencing of subcontractor bids.
C. The estimator’s choice of takeoff software.
D. Whether the estimate meets the project budget and schedule constraints.

Answer

D. Whether the estimate meets the project budget and schedule constraints.

Explanation

Owners are focused on total project cost, schedule, and overall value, they want confidence that the estimate aligns with their financial and time expectations.

When preparing a cost estimate, the owner’s primary concern centers on whether the projected cost and completion timeline align with the approved financial and scheduling objectives. Owners need assurance that the project can be delivered within funding limits while meeting deadlines. Accuracy, cost control, and schedule feasibility are key indicators of project success from their perspective.

While details like productivity rates, subcontractor sequencing, and software choices affect estimate quality, they are secondary to the owner’s overarching priority: ensuring the proposed estimate supports decision-making, financing, and timely project execution.

Presenting The Estimate certification exam assessment practice question and answer (Q&A) dump including multiple choice questions (MCQ) and objective type questions, with detail explanation and reference available free, helpful to pass the Presenting The Estimate exam and earn Presenting The Estimate certificate.