Abstract:
A computer program for estimating underground piping systems operates as a condensed spreadsheet having predetermined user-defined default values. A rough cost estimate is produced by the user making an original selection and then entering as few as two data columns, an item name and an item quantity. A single six-page report is generated having the first two pages displaying costs, the following three pages displaying backup data and the sixth page providing user comments. Eight items common to the field are categorized and appear in data sheets. Estimation formulas are substituted for large data tables. The program stores data input and/or updated by the user, interpolates or extrapolates for items not provided with specific criteria and provides user designated rounding factors and tax factors for calculating costs.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/651,404 filed on Feb. 9, 2005. The disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD  
       [0002]     The present disclosure relates in general to computer cost estimation programs and more specifically to a computer program for preparing excavation and piping system construction cost estimates.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0003]     Estimators currently use computer programs to prepare project estimates in a variety of fields. In the construction industry, computer programs can be purchased for use by contractors and/or estimators in calculating construction project costs including costs for example for excavation and piping systems. These programs commonly provide a database which is large and therefore frequently updated by the program owner. Some programs include database information having costs from an entire country or region which are averaged. A factor is then applied to correct for different sections of the country for more accurately determining local, and current component and material costs. Maintaining such a database is a continuous process and is costly and therefore its use can result in continuing costs to the user of the program. Also, the estimator&#39;s local knowledge of costs and item use to meet code requirements is often not advantageously accommodated by the program.  
         [0004]     The acquisition of updated information commonly requires payment of a user fee for access or downloading, and often requires the program user to access the owner&#39;s database. Common programs of this type have multiple screens and windows which are accessed for each component type and for each stage of the estimate, from which the user determines size, length, weight, volume, etc. for each component or item of a system being estimated.  
         [0005]     Because of the size and complexity of the database, a step-by-step, one-time-through format is often required which can require significant training by the user and can result in detailed estimates that often cannot be reviewed for accuracy without printing multiple reports. Correction or modification of the estimate then requires a similar step-by-step process using many windows and screens and a similarly large number of printed reports. The user also may not have visible access to a changing estimate total and is not shown the impact individual changes are making on the estimate until the end of the process when the reports are printed.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0006]     According to several embodiments of the present disclosure, a computer program for preparing contractor estimates operates as a spreadsheet enabled using a program such as Microsoft™ Excel. The program includes a plurality of data sheets each having a plurality of data cells. A group of work items is displayable in predetermined ones of the plurality of the data cells and selectable by the user for management of a plurality of work items. At least one user inputted work item cost is expandable by the program using a regression analysis into a plurality of work item costs. An estimated project cost is created when the user inputs a minimum of a work item name and size, and work item quantity.  
         [0007]     According to other aspects of the present disclosure, the computer program recognizes work items and their sizes as they are entered in a data sheet. The program retrieves associated cost data of matching work items stored in a program data sheet. This retrieved data combined with user provided default data in the worksheet produces an estimated project cost.  
         [0008]     According to yet another aspect of the disclosure, the computer program database sheet includes work item names and associated combinations of hard number data and formulas, which can be converted to hard numbered data. This formula stored data condenses the database, but can be easily viewed, entered, modified or deleted by a user.  
         [0009]     According to yet still another aspect of the disclosure, pop-up windows appear when the user selects predetermined cells of the spreadsheet data sheets. The pop-up windows allow data entry/modification, provide explanations of how data is used or input or of the terms used, viewing of data, and/or viewing of formulas used to generate the data appearing in the cell(s). Formulas applied to limited data entered by the user in predetermined pop-up windows can either extrapolate or interpolate the limited data to identify a broad range of similar item data, such as multiple size ranges and/or estimated costs.  
         [0010]     In still another aspect of the present disclosure, the user can input one or more aliases for any work item named in the database. The program thereafter recognizes the original work item name and any alias(es) uniquely assigned to the original work item name. Aliases can also be abbreviations of work item names, or full descriptions of the work items.  
         [0011]     In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, one or both of a plurality of rounding factors and tax factors are assigned by the user when preparing cost estimates. These factors are selected for application and defined at predetermined data field boxes or cells of the spreadsheet data sheets.  
         [0012]     Further areas of applicability of the present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the disclosure, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]     The present disclosure will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a flow diagram identifying  5  data sheets and a process flow path for a computer program for estimating construction including piping systems according to the present disclosure;  
         [0015]      FIG. 2  is a plan view of a total costs section of a worksheet of the present disclosure as displayable on a computer monitor;  
         [0016]      FIG. 3  is a plan view of a unit costs section of the worksheet;  
         [0017]      FIG. 4  is a plan view of a labor and equipment costs section of the worksheet;  
         [0018]      FIG. 5  is a plan view of a volume calculation section of the worksheet;  
         [0019]      FIG. 6  is a plan view of a pipe/material/subcontracts section of the worksheet;  
         [0020]      FIG. 7  is a plan view of a duration and remarks section of the worksheet;  
         [0021]      FIG. 8  is a plan view of a total costs section printout;  
         [0022]      FIG. 9  is a plan view of an exemplary row insertion format;  
         [0023]      FIG. 10  is a plan view of the volume calculation section of the worksheet showing additional excavation, fill, and trench bedding data;  
         [0024]      FIG. 11  is a plan view of another view of the volume calculation section of the worksheet showing alternate trench bedding data;  
         [0025]      FIG. 12  is a plan view of a pipe/material/subcontracts section showing additional bedding data;  
         [0026]      FIG. 13  is a plan view of a unit-prices sheet;  
         [0027]      FIG. 14  is a plan view of a unit price print out;  
         [0028]      FIG. 15  is a plan view of a database sheet;  
         [0029]      FIG. 16  is a plan view of an exemplary database pop-up work item with various sizes;  
         [0030]      FIG. 17  is a plan view of an exemplary data base pop-up for items lacking various sizes;  
         [0031]      FIG. 18  is a plan view of a database table of aliases;  
         [0032]      FIG. 19  is a plan view of a database price history table;  
         [0033]      FIG. 20  is a plan view a conversion table sheet;  
         [0034]      FIG. 21  is a plan view of the total costs section of the worksheet of  FIG. 2  further showing a work item pop-up window; and  
         [0035]      FIG. 22  is a diagrammatic view of an exemplary application of the estimating program of the present disclosure. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0036]     The following description of the preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the disclosure, its application, or uses.  
         [0037]     According to a preferred embodiment for a computer program to prepare construction estimates for construction and piping systems of the present disclosure, and referring generally to  FIG. 1 , an estimating program  10  includes a plurality of sheets, including a worksheet  12  and a database sheet  14  each having user entry capability and program function items. Database sheet  14  presents data stored in a database of estimating program  10  (a portion of the database is viewable as database sheet  14 ). Estimating program  10  further includes a unit price sheet  16 , a price list sheet  18 , and a conversion sheet  20 . The term “sheet” or “data sheet” as used herein refers to various spreadsheets within the program. The term “section” refers to that range of contiguous columns within a spreadsheet that can be viewed on a single screen. For view screens or monitors of appropriate size, the columns viewed on the view screen or monitor generally correspond to columns displayed on a printed page. The sheets are divisible into two groups including a first group operable as read-only data cells (including price list sheet  18 ) and a second group (including worksheet  12 ) having user operable data for entering or modifying data.  
         [0038]     The individual sheets  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18  and  20  identify user entered information in rectangular boxes and a plurality of program functions identified in oval shaped windows. Worksheet  12  provides for multiple entries of a work item/size  22 . For each work item/size  22 , a parsing function  24  recognizes and parses or separates an individual work item  26  such as an ASCII formatted character from a work item size  28 , thus providing the information required to retrieve data from database sheet  14 . For each work item/size  22 , the user also enters a quantity  30 . Following performance of the parsing function  24  to separate work items  26  from sizes  28 , estimating program  10  performs a data retrieval function  32 . Data retrieval function  32  extracts data from the database. To reduce the volume of data which is used or saved within estimating program  10 , instead of providing values for every conceivable size, quantity and/or type of item, estimating program  10  includes a plurality of formulas. The formulas are derived through either an interpolation function or using regression analysis when extrapolation of data is required using a limited set of data entries in a formula conversion function  34  to convert the data entries into multiple data entries. The formulas are provided in a language such as Visual Basic or Visual Basic Application, but the program is not limited to a specific language. Following formula conversion function  34  and/or entry of quantity  30 , the data is manipulated and final cost displayed by a data manipulation and display function  36 .  
         [0039]     Database sheet  14  provides a user work item entry  40 . A user provided hourly data entry  42  follows work item entry  40  and precedes storage of the data in a data storage function  44 . In parallel with hourly data entry  42 , the user is also provided with a volume and cost data entry  46 . Following entry of the data via volume and cost data entry  46 , estimating program  10  includes a data-to-formula conversion function  48 . Data-to-formula conversion function  48  incorporates volume and cost data into one or more formulas. This information is then stored during data storage function  44 .  
         [0040]     Unit price sheet  16  provides for a lump-sum-to-unit-price conversion function  38 . This function allows the user the option to view any of the individual work items  26  of worksheet  12  with a percent mark-up added to each of their unit costs and make modifications as desired. Costs adjustments cannot be made on unit price sheet  16  on the items in columns “G” through “O” and are available for viewing only.  
         [0041]     Estimating program  10  in price list sheet  18  allows the user to extract and display data on the database sheet  14  using data storage function  44  as display values following re-conversion of the data from the various formulas. This feature is permitted by a data display function  50 .  
         [0042]     Conversion sheet  20  provides the user with the capability of adding or revising the various units and conversion factors used in estimating program  10  and viewing the individual conversion tables and data of the conversion tables provided in a units/metrics conversion function  52 . This provides the user with the added ability of operating estimating program  10  in a plurality of countries having different engineering units for describing input data, for example, U.S. or metric forms. Also displayed and capable of being revised are tax factors for various materials, as well as an over-time factor. Data can also be entered in one unit format and converted for viewing into another unit format.  
         [0043]     Referring next to  FIG. 2 , a total costs section  54  of worksheet  12  is shown. Because estimating program  10  functions as a template used for example with the Microsoft™ Excel program, individual data sheets are displayed having rows and columns formatted similar to the Excel program. Total costs section  54  and other sections are selected by the user by selecting a worksheet tab  56  and scrolling a selector bar  58  to the desired section. Additional sheets are available by clicking on their respective tab, including a database tab  60 , a conversion tab  62 , a unit price tab  64  or a price list tab  65 . In the example of  FIG. 2 , total costs section  54  is used by selecting worksheet tab  56  and entering a plurality of data.  
         [0044]     Each sheet or section including total costs section  54  is provided with row designators  66  having a plurality of numerically identified rows, and column designators  68  distinguishing a plurality of alphabetically configured columns. The user initiates data entry into total costs section  54  by first entering a job title into a job title bar  70  (which can optionally include a date to help distinguish individual jobs), at least one work item entry  26  in a work item column  72  (item  22  on  FIG. 1  is a combination of work item  26  and size  28 ), and at least one quantity  30  (associated with the work item  26 ) in a quantity column  74 . Estimating program  10 , using the data input in job title bar  70 , work item column  72  and quantity column  74  determines an associated unit of measure  75 , calculates total costs associated with each of a predetermined group of work items  76 , and a predetermined unit cost  78  resulting in a total cost  80 , and includes individual costs for each of a plurality of field-specific items  82 .  
         [0045]     Total costs section  54  contains columns labeled A through N of column designators  68  and can also be referred to as the ‘total costs’ section or page of worksheet  12 . Column A is blank except for a dash visually indicating that the row is formatted, and can be overwritten with an optional item number. Column B provides for manual input of the work item(s)  26  in rows numbered  12  and higher. Column C provides a numerical entry for a quantity  74  associated with each work item  76 . Column D provides for manual input of unit of measures  75  for each work item  76 . However, if the work item entered in column C is recognized as an item currently in database sheet  14 , data need not be manually entered in column D or any other column to the right, as pertinent data will have already been automatically entered by estimating program  10  and other computations and relevant data generated.  
         [0046]     Data cannot be manually entered in columns E through N. Column E provides a total unit cost for each work item  76  which estimating program  10  copies from total unit cost column O on a subsequent section of worksheet  12 . Column F is a sum of each of the values in columns G through N for each work item  76 . Columns G through N provide a total cost for each of an exemplary quantity of eight field-specific items  82  which include a labor costs  84 , an equipment costs  86 , a trucking costs  88 , a sand costs  90 , an aggregate costs  92 , a pipe costs  94 , a material costs  96 , and a subcontracts costs  98  for each work item  76 . An asterisk associated with a title such as ‘sand’ indicates an item which is taxable and alerts the user that tax data also applies to values identified.  
         [0047]     Each of the items of field-specific items  82  are preselected and stored in estimating program  10  and are specifically applicable to preparation of excavation and/or utility contractor estimates for a construction project. By selecting a predetermined macro-key, all the data in rows  17 - 19  and columns E-N automatically appear. A subtotal job cost  100  is calculated based on the total cost  80  for each of the work items  76 . A mark-up value  102  is added to the subtotal job cost  100  based on a percentage  104  identified by the user. The sum of the subtotal job cost  100  plus the mark-up value  102  is provided as a job total estimated price  106 . Total costs section  54  also provides the user with the capability of identifying special information using a special information window  108  identifying total cubic yards of excavation, total cubic yards of sand and total tons of aggregate, and a total sales tax window  110 . A vertical scroll bar  112  allows the user to scroll up or down between multiple work items if the number of work items exceeds the 31 rows of work items shown.  
         [0048]     Referring next to  FIG. 3 , a unit costs section  114  includes a unit costs summary section  116  which appears by scrolling selector bar  58  as viewed in  FIG. 3 . Unit costs section  114  includes column designators  68  ranging from A through D in common with total costs section  54 . By scrolling selector bar  58  further to the right from total costs section  54 , the user is able to view unit costs section  114  of worksheet  12  which includes, in addition to columns A through D, column designators  68  ranging from the letter O through W. For consistency, unit costs section  114  identifies job title bar  70 , work item column  72 , quantity column  74  and each of the plurality of work items  76 . In addition, unit costs section  114  identifies the individual or unit cost for each of the field-specific items  82  identified in  FIG. 2 . Unit costs section  114  is used to identify the current information available in estimating program  10  for the individual unit costs of each of the work items  76 . Column O is a sum of each of the values in columns P through W for each work item  76 . Columns P through W provide a unit cost of the work item for each of: labor, equipment, trucking, sand, aggregate, pipe, material, and subcontractor unit cost, respectively.  
         [0049]     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a labor/equipment section  118  includes the same left-hand side information as provided in total costs section  54 , including columns A through D of column designators  68 , and each of the plurality of work items  76 . New information provided by labor/equipment section  118  is viewed by scrolling selector bar  58  as viewed in  FIG. 4  until labor/equipment section  118  having for column designators  68  the letters X through AO appears. Data of labor/equipment section  118  includes a production-per-day column  120  in column X, a laborers-used-per-day section  122  broken down into labor types in columns Y through AB, an equipment-quantity-per-day section  124  broken down into equipment types in columns AC through AJ, a truck quantity per day section  126  broken down into truck types in columns AK through AL, and a daily-total-costs section  128  broken down into labor, equipment and trucking total costs in columns AM through AO.  
         [0050]     Production-per-day section  120  provides estimated number of units of a particular work item in the total quantity column  74  that can be completed in one day for each of the work items  76 . A quantity of hours used to identify work hours per day is a default number that can be selected by the user. In the example shown the quantity of hours has been selected as eight hours per day. This quantity can be changed by the user to accommodate shorter or longer working days. In the laborers-used-per-day section  122 , data automatically retrieved from the database provides the number of laborers required and a labor rate to perform the daily amount of work against each of the work items  76 . This can include, for example, operators (OP), laborers (LR) and foremen (FO), etc. Additional types of crew members can also be identified by the user. Equipment-quantity-per-day section  124  identifies the number of equipment types used per day and an hourly rate for each type, for example excavators (EXC), loaders (LDR), dozers (DOZ), etc.  
         [0051]     The truck quantity per day section  126  identifies the number of truck types used per day and an hourly rate, for example, semis (SEMI), trains, etc. Using the information input into each of sections  120  through  126 , estimating program  10  calculates and displays in daily total costs section  128  a total cost for each of the work items  76  divisible into each of the categories of labor, equipment and trucking. For example in  FIG. 4 , for work item  13 , asphalt removal, an 8 hour day is selected in column X, one operator at $50/hr, one laborer at $42/hr, one excavator at $50/hr and 3 semi trucks at $65/hr are identified. The subtotal for each of the labor, equipment and trucking are identified in total daily costs columns AM, AN and AO respectively.  
         [0052]     As best seen in reference to  FIG. 5 , a volume calculation section  130  of worksheet  12  includes the same left hand information as total costs section  54 . Volume calculation section  130  is accessed by further scrolling selector bar  58  to the right as shown in  FIG. 5  until volume calculation section  130  having in column designators  68 , the columns AP through BC, each having values calculated as described in reference to Table 1 herein. Volume calculation section  130  is provided for the user to add or modify information related to trucking, sand and aggregate associated with each of the work items  76 . Trench volume calculations based on the above values are automatically performed by estimating program  10  and displayed to the right in volume calculation section  130 . Volume calculation section  130  further includes a trench width value  132 , an oversize space value  134 , a depth value  136 , a depth value  138 , a trench wall slope value  140 , a start-of-slope distance  142 , a portion of trench backfilled with sand value  144 , a unit and type of fill for a non-trench work item aggregate  146 , a bedding type  148 , an aggregate price  150 , and an aggregate conversion factor  152  for each of the work items  76 .  
         [0053]     Exemplary data is shown in volume calculation section  130  for an 18 inch storm pipe work item. Oversize space value  134  represents the oversize spacing between a pipe and the associated trench wall having a unit of measure in feet. Depth value  136  is a depth in feet to the pipe invert. Depth value  138  represents a total depth of the trench measured to the bottom of the trench. Trench wall slope value  140  represents a rise over run value representing the slope or pitch of the trench wall. Start-of-slope distance  142  represents a distance from the bottom of the trench to a start of the sloping portion of the trench. The portion of trench backfilled with sand value  144  represents that portion of the trench which includes sand backfill. The aggregate (agg)  146  is exemplary of an alternate function of column AW, identifying the type of fill material, for example aggregate (agg) or sand material used with a non-trench work item, instead of that portion of sand backfill as it typically applies with a trench related work item. Bedding type  148  represents the material used for the trench bedding, in this example sand. Aggregate price  150  is a per ton price. Conversion factor  152  allows the user to compensate for truck load quantities of the aggregate which can affect the cost estimate depending upon the volume of the material capable of being hauled. Different aggregates have different load quantities based on their weight per unit volume and therefore the volume that can be hauled per truckload. Columns BA, BB and BC are calculated as described in reference to Table 1 herein.  
         [0054]     As shown in  FIG. 6 , a pipe/material/subcontracts section  154  provides left hand information common to each of the previously identified sections and similar to total costs section  54 . Pipe/material/subcontracts section  154  is viewed by further scrolling selector bar  58  to the right as shown in  FIG. 6  from the view of volume calculation section  130  previously described until pipe/material/subcontracts section  154  having column designator letters BD through BU is visible. Pipe/material/subcontracts section  154  includes a trench-top-to-backfill distance  155  in column BD, a pipe type  156  in column BE, a pipe outside diameter  157  in column BF, a bedding-thickness-below-pipe  158  in column BG, a bedding-thickness-above-pipe  159  in column BI, and a tax  160  associated with each work item  76  in columns BJ through BL for sand(s), aggregate(a), pipe(p) and other materials(m). Pipe/material/subcontracts section  154  includes further items as follows. An ‘other’ material  161  in column BN is retrieved from the database and viewable on database sheet  14 . An encasement material cost  162  in column BO is generated from volume calculations in the preceding section, which added together equal a material unit costs  163  in column BT. In similar manner, a subcontracts cost  164  in column BP contains data retrieved from the database sheet  14  and a dump fee cost  165  in column BQ are generated from volume calculations in the preceding sections, which added together equal a subcontracts unit cost  166  in column BU. A pipe costs  167  in column BS is retrieved from data directly from the data base. Data in columns BD through BU are calculated as further described in reference to Table 1 herein.  
         [0055]     Trench-top-to-backfill distance  155  represents the cover or distance from the top of the trench to the top of the backfill. Items  156  through  159  are self-explanatory. Tax is automatically added to sand, aggregate, pipe, and materials. If for example a supplier has included tax in his price, an “X” provided by the user in the appropriate column BJ through BL avoids duplication of that tax. Tax  160  can be adjusted by the user to accommodate individual State taxes, County taxes, City taxes, etc. Calculated values for each of the work items  76  are presented to the right of pipe/material/subcontracts section  154 . Data in columns BD-BR provide user adjustable source data for columns BS-BU and are calculated as further described in reference to Table 1 herein.  
         [0056]     Referring generally to  FIGS. 4, 5  &amp;  6 , areas defined by dashes contain the “source data” which defines the estimated costs generated by estimating program  10 . For example, in  FIG. 4 , data in columns AM-AO is automatically changed by the user adding or changing a value in columns X-AL.  
         [0057]     As best seen in reference to  FIG. 7 , a duration section  168  of worksheet  12  identifies the estimated number of days to complete each of the work items  76  identified by the user. Duration section  168  is viewed by scrolling selector bar  58  further to the right as viewed in  FIG. 7  until column designators  68  having letters BV through BX of duration section  168  are visible. A number-of-days-to-complete  170  in column BV is entered automatically for each of the work items  76 . A total is then shown in column BV, row  17 , providing the total number of work days to complete the job. Duration section  168  also provides a drawing information column  172  in column BW and a user notes column  174  in column BX. Drawing information column  172  allows the user to enter known drawing information data such as the page where information may be found and a specific drawing. User notes column  174  permits the user to enter comments relating to individual ones of the work items  76 . Data in column BV is calculated as further described in reference to Table 1 herein.  
         [0058]     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , a total costs report  176  is shown. Total costs report  176  is the printed version of the information identified in  FIG. 2  in total costs section  54 . For ease of use the screen information shown on the user&#39;s computer monitor is sized so that columns displayed coincide with those of a printed report page. Blue fonts seen on the monitor serve only to designate cells that can be overwritten. For printing individual reports, any color visible in the individual sheets is turned off because the color serves no purpose for the printed report. Column lines, column numbers, designation letters and remaining border information is also turned off for printing reports such as total costs report  176 .  
         [0059]     Referring now to  FIG. 9 , an insertion page  178  identifies how a new work item is inserted into the individual sheets of the present disclosure. Data is never entered in row seven (7) of the worksheet or worksheet section because row seven (7) provides a master row  184  which is pre-formatted and prepared to be copied by the user to add additional blank work item rows. The user can add or insert a formatted row by copying row seven (7) to a designated location. In the example shown, to insert a new row between existing work items, an exemplary row  180  is selected by the user which produces a pop-up insert window  182 . The user selects the “insert-blank-formatted-row” instruction and clicks this instruction in pop-up insert window  182  to automatically copy master row  184  from row seven for insertion of an additional work item. This process can be repeated for as many new work items as desired. By using or copying master row  184 , cell formulas are placed in the appropriate columns. Default values of the units associated with quantity column  74  will also appear based on predetermined values stored in estimating program  10  or modified units selected by the user.  
         [0060]     As best seen in reference to  FIG. 10 , a volume calculation section  185  is similar to volume calculation section  130  of  FIG. 5 , which deals generally with trench volume calculations, but  FIG. 10  has 3 new work items  186  inserted to show how columns AP and AW are able to provide excavation and fill source data respectively, for non-trench work items. Volume calculation section  185  includes column designator letters AP through BC of column designators  68 . An item ‘truck’  187  placed in column AP, either automatically by estimation program  10  or by the user, triggers a truck unit cost  188  for a new work item ‘basement excavation’ in column BA. An item ‘sand’  189  inserted in column AW triggers generation of a sand unit cost  190  for the new work item ‘basement backfill’ and appears in column BB. A large quantity of excavation and sand backfill can also be included for new item ‘pump station’. By inserting a cubic yard excavation quantity (having a right arrow)  191  in column AP, a truck cost  192  is calculated and presented in column BA. Similarly, by inserting a cubic yard sand backfill quantity (with right arrow)  193  in column AW, a backfill cost  194  is calculated and presented in column BB. Default data in their respective columns for a truck to in-place-cubic-yard conversion factor  195  in row  8 , and a truck yard price  196  in row  9 , are also part of these calculations.  
         [0061]     Referring next to  FIG. 11 , a volume calculation section  201 , similar to volume calculation section  185  of  FIG. 10 , provides the same left hand information as seen on the previous sections such as total costs section  54 . Two new work items  202  added to volume calculation section  185  as shown in volume calculation section  201  identify how estimating program  10  incorporates two other common types of pipe bedding material, ‘aggregate’ and ‘concrete encasement’. In this example, the user has overwritten the default bedding material, which is ‘sand’  203 , with an aggregate/sand designator  204 , using the initial for sand bedding (s) below and the initial for aggregate bedding (a) above. The following two rows in column AX provide a concrete bedding  205 . In row  19 , the concrete encasement has been formed requiring a 2.5 foot working space  206  on each side of the encasement to allow workers to set forms. This entry causes an automatic revision of a trench width  207 .  
         [0062]     An information pop-up window  208  is exemplary of information which is provided by estimating program  10  when the user moves the cursor and selects any particular column heading or default number given in rows nine and  11 . Information pop-up window  208  provides a brief description of the column information. Volume calculation section  201  further includes an aggregate price  209  in column AY and an aggregate cubic yard conversion factor  210  in column AZ. A clearance-about-pipe  211  in column AQ corresponds to a clearance on either side of the pipe. Working space  206  similarly corresponds to a clearance on either side of the encasement. Bedding material in column AX is selected from a plurality of material types including sand, aggregate, concrete or any combination of two of these materials. Conversion factor  210  provides a conversion factor (for example from tons to cubic yards) for the selected material.  
         [0063]     In the example shown, multiple item entries  212  of an 18 inch storm pipe are provided each having individual quantities given in linear feet. Multiple item entries  212  are provided to demonstrate the capability of estimating program  10  to differentiate similar work items where individual criteria varies such as trench width, backfill material, bedding material and/or trench slope. Values for each of the columns of trucking, sand and aggregate are provided to the right in volume calculation section  201  for each of the work items shown.  
         [0064]     Referring now to  FIG. 12 , a pipe/material/subcontracts section  214  of worksheet  12  further identifies additional source data required for volume calculation section  201 . Pipe/material/subcontracts section  214  similarly provides the left hand information of the previous sections such as total costs section  54  as well as columns BD through BU. Pipe/material/subcontracts section  214  includes pipe type and outside diameter in columns BE and BF, and bedding thickness below and above the pipe (in feet) in columns BG and BI respectively. An actual encasement thickness  216  entered by the user is shown for example in column BG. The user has entered a value for the actual encasement thickness  216  below the pipe. The user is also able to differentiate a split of material as a percentage using split-of-aggregate/sand  220  for values appearing in column BH. For example, the value of 0.50 as item  221  indicates an even split between aggregate and sand material to be positioned at the pipe midpoint. Cost-of-encasement  218  is determined by estimating program  10  using a value inserted by the user, for example a cost of concrete per cubic yard. In the example shown, a cost of $100 per cubic yard has been entered as a default number  222 , which when combined with calculations made in the volume calculation section results in a $94.12 value for the cost-of-encasement  218 .  
         [0065]     Referring now to  FIG. 13 , an unit-price sheet  224  provides an estimate in unit prices instead of a lump sum. The right half of the unit-prices sheet  224  includes unit costs copied directly from the previous section with the addition of unit prices in a column “L”. Unit price is equal to a unit cost plus a percent markup  226  displayed in cell “L 3 ”. The percent markup  226  is a value input by the user which increases the unit cost value for each work item listing to incorporate a profit value (as a percentage) that the estimator desires to use. Duplication of data in columns “A” through “F” allows the user to make adjustments or round prices while at the same time being able to view calculated prices from the worksheet. If printed, only columns “A” through “F” appear, therefore the desired profit identified by percent markup  226  is not reproduced. If the user inputs an “X” in a rounding designator box  228 , unit price values shown in column “E” are rounded.  
         [0066]     Referring next to  FIG. 14 , a unit price printout  230  identifies the data shown in columns “A” through “F” of unit-prices sheet  224 . The appearance of unit price printout  230  is similar to total costs report  176 , having row and column lines as well as row and column numbers and letters turned off. Any color or shading of unit-prices sheet  224  is also turned off.  
         [0067]     As best seen in reference to  FIG. 15 , a database sheet  232  is available to the user when database tab  60  is selected. Database sheet  232  includes a work item list  234  having a complete list provided in alphabetical form of all of the work items saved in the database of estimating program  10 . Estimating program  10  is initially pre-loaded with a plurality of industry standard or commonly known work items when the user first loads and actuates estimating program  10 . Thereafter, work items can be modified/removed, or additional work items entered and saved in database sheet  232 . Database sheet  232  also includes an item unit column  236  showing an item unit selected by the user. Data in database sheet  232  is associated with labor, equipment and trucking (columns F through Q) the user wants to retrieve when a particular work item is entered in worksheet  12 . A plurality of data in columns  238  designated with an “X” are not stored as hard numbers, but as formulas created by regression analysis and/or extrapolation. By right-clicking on any cell containing an “X”, a pop-up window appears which displays the data (explained in the following paragraph). If the user wants a default size to apply, even though a size is not included when the work item is entered in column B or work item column  72  of the worksheet, a default size  240  will be used in the database provided the size was entered as a default size  240  in column “AC” of the database sheet  232 .  
         [0068]     For estimating program  10 , certain Pop-up windows are provided in two different formats, one for work items having different sizes as shown in  FIG. 16 , and a second for work items that are not designated by a size as shown in  FIG. 17 . If a work item has different sizes the unit size is automatically entered, for example, inch (″), feet (′), square feet (sf), etc. for a plurality of size units  242  of a size  240  in column “AC” of database sheet  232 .  
         [0069]     As shown in  FIG. 16 , while working in database data sheet  232 , if the user selects any of the columns identified having an “X” within such as sewer item  244  in “sewer” work item row  47  and pipe column “W”, a pop-up window  246  appears. Pop-up window  246  is in a predefined form, which in the example shown identifies a sewer pipe and provides an area where the user can enter data  248 . A user predetermined range of sizes  250  is also provided. A cost  252  for each item listed in pop-up window  246  is provided as follows. When entering user entered data  248 , the user also provides a cost for not fewer than two of the sizes  250  shown. Estimating program  10  interpolates a cost for each item bounded between any two entered values of user entered data  248 . Estimating program  10  extrapolates a cost for each item larger or smaller than either the largest or smallest entered value of user entered data  248 . For example, the cost of the 120 inch size of sewer pipe identified in pop-up window  246  is an extrapolated value because the largest size having a value entered by the user is 48 inches. The cost for a 36 inch sewer pipe identified in pop-up window  246  is interpolated by estimating program  10  because a 36 inch sewer pipe size is bounded within the values entered by the user for 24 inch and 48 inch sewer pipe sizes, respectively. Subsequently, for any size sewer pipe desired by the user, costs per unit size are either interpolated or extrapolated even if they are not definitively provided by values entered by the user in area  248  of pop-up window  246 .  
         [0070]     Referring now to  FIG. 17 , while also working in database data sheet  232 , if the user selects a cell having an “X” entered, which corresponds to a work item having no range of sizes, a pop-up window such as exemplary pop-up window  256  appears. In this example, pop-up window  256  identifies a work item  242  “seed”. There is no generic column of sizes for the work item “seed” and no size unit entered in database  232 , therefore a size range column  258  includes only the designator “ALL”. Any cost entered by the user into pop-up window  256  results directly in a cost per the unit equal to the cost entered. By accessing pop-up windows such as pop-up window  256 , the user also has the capability of changing the cost per item which affect all other uses of the item in an estimate. Once a cost is entered, the user selects “Compute” to update the individual pop-up window and the database of estimating program  10 , and then selects “OK” to save the data for future use. The pop-up window can then be closed to allow further access to database data sheet  232 .  
         [0071]     Referring to  FIG. 18 , a table of aliases  260  is available for input by the user into estimating program  10 . The use of aliases allows the user to use multiple, local, common, or abbreviated names for any of the work items in the database. For any work item, the user can enter one or more aliases, any of which are then recognized by estimating program  10 . Estimating program  10  retrieves data upon recognition of any work item name or alias having one of the aliases identified of table of aliases  260  providing that the alias is unique meaning it is not applied to more than one work item. In the example shown in  FIG. 18 , a base name  262  of “hydrant” is a work item identified in the database. The user has entered an alias “hydrant assembly”  264 . Similarly, the database contains an abbreviated name “R fence”  266 . The user has entered an alias name equating the abbreviated name “R fence” to “remove fence”  268 . Table of aliases  260  can be accessed at any time to add or remove aliases for any of the work items by selecting database tab  60  and using a scroll tab  269  to view the list of aliases in column “AG”.  
         [0072]     Referring next to  FIG. 19 , a price history table  270  is shown. Price history table  270  is an optional section. It is accessed by selecting database tab  60  and scrolling to the right using scroll tab  269  until columns “BX” through “DM” appear. Where a double pound-sign (##) symbol is provided in any cell of price history table  270 , data is provided which can be accessed and modified by the user. For example, by selecting a cell  272  for a work item number  47  corresponding to a sewer pipe having a size of 24 inches an example of a typical Excel comment window  274  appears.  
         [0073]     Referring now to  FIG. 20 , if the user selects conversion tab  62 , a conversion sheet  284  appears on the screen. Conversion sheet  284  includes an identification box  286  which shows the user the unit type which is currently used by each of the worksheets and currently selected for use by the database. In the example shown, Imperial units are identified for each of the worksheet and database. Identification box  286  permits the user to change between unit types. For example, the user can change from the Imperial units shown to metric or United States units. Conversion table sheet  284  therefore also provides a plurality of conversion tables including an Imperial/metric equal unit conversion table  288 . A multiplier table  290  provides factors for calculating taxes as well as overtime rates. Multiplier table  290  therefore provides a plurality of multiplier values  292  associated with each factor. An equal unit conversion table  294  is also provided. Equal unit conversion table  294  provides conversion factors for converting a plurality of units to similar units. For example, equal unit conversion table  294  provides the conversion factor for converting square feet to square yards. For tax factors identified in multiplier table  290 , each tax factor identifies taxes to be applied (1) totally, (2) not applied, or (3) only partially applied to any costed item. For example, a tax can apply to all costs of a work item such as pipe, but may only apply to a material portion of work items such as “sand” or “aggregate” but not apply to hauling sand or aggregate materials. Use of the tax factor therefore permits the user to identify what percentage of each work item such as sand is taxable.  
         [0074]     Referring next to  FIG. 21 , a pop-up window  295  displays work items stored in the database. Pop-up window  295  appears (for example when working in worksheet  12 , total costs section  54 ), when a work item entered in work item column  72  is recognized as more than one work item in the database (caused for example by an ambiguous name in the database, which can be corrected by the user at a more convenient time). When pop-up window  295  appears, one of the ambiguous work item names is highlighted. The user can either accept the work item which is highlighted, scroll the menu until the desired work item is located and accepted, or cancel the pop-up window  295  which at the same time cancels the item of work just entered in the sheet. The user is also able to cause pop-up window  295  to appear by right-clicking an input device such as a mouse while a selector indicator is positioned on a work item in work item column  72  (in this example ‘18″ storm’).  
         [0075]     Referring now to  FIG. 22 , a diagrammatic view of estimating program  10  includes an exemplary buried pipe  296 , a bedding of aggregate  300 , sand  302 , and backfill  304 . Backfill  304  can be brought up to a grade  306  below a ground level  308  and is referred to as “backfill cover”. A computer  310  has estimating program  10  loaded into a memory  312 . Estimating program  10  operates as a template for Microsoft™ EXCEL. A user can view data using a viewing device  314  and/or print or show data via an output device  316 . Data can be input or modified using estimating program  10  via a first input device  318  such as a keyboard and/or a second input device  320  such as a mouse. The devices shown are provided as examples only and do not limit the types of devices which can be used to enter, manipulate, view or output data for estimating program  10 . Estimating program  10  can be provided for downloading into computer  310  on a portable memory device such as a CD ROM or one or more floppy discs.  
         [0076]     Referring to Table 1 below, operations performed on identified columns of data are identified. An ‘X’ in the User Enter column indicates cells that the user can enter data into. An ‘X’ in the YES column of the ‘Overwrite Possible?’ query identifies columns of cells that can be overwritten by the user. An ‘X’ in the NO column of the ‘Overwrite Possible?’ query identifies columns of cells that cannot be overwritten by the user. A column designator identified with an asterisk is a “hidden” column of data which is provided in the database, but not visible to or directly accessible by the user. These columns are used to manipulate data for subsequent use in other columns and/or to produce the printable total cost estimate.  
         [0077]     Columns at the right side of Table 1 generally describe the cell, area of the database or column where data shown at the column identified to the left is read or derived from. Data in the “hidden cells of the database” is directly read from the database sheet or derived from one or more formulas in the database that combine the data from the identified columns or cells. The data can be derived using a plurality of formulas that will be obvious to the skilled practitioner. For example, an exemplary formula to derive the data identified in column CP is: 
 
=IF( CG 13&gt;0,IF( OR ( AT 13 −BD 13 &lt;CG 13 ,AT 13 −BD 13 &lt;BG 13 +BF 13),IF(AND( AT 13 −BD 13&lt; CG 13 ,AT 13− BD 13&lt; BG 13 +BF 13),( AT 13 −BD 13 −BG 13)/ BF 13,IF( CG 13 &lt;BG 13 +BF 13,( CG 13− BG 13)/ BF 13,( AT 13 −BD 13 −BG 13)/ BF 13)),IF( CG 13 &lt;BG 13 +BF 13,( CG 13 −BG 13)/ BF 13,1)),0) 
 
 Similarly, an exemplary formula to derive the data identified in column DR is: 
 
=IF( DS 13=0,VALUE( getVectorElement ( DQ 13,0)), DS 13) 
 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               TABLE 1                           COLUMN DESCRIPTION            Col.   Function   User   Overwrite                WORKSHEET   Description   Enter   Yes   No   General source of data                    Section 54 TOTAL COST SECTION            A   Line number (optional)   X           (dash)       B   Work Item   X           (blank)       C   Quantity   X           (blank)       D   Unit       X       DATABASE B       E   Unit Cost of Work Item           X   O       F   Total Cost of Work Item           X   sum of O thru N       G   Total Labor Cost of Work Item           X   C × P       H   Total Equipment Cost of Work Item           X   C × Q       I   Total Trucking Cost of Work Item           X   C × R       J   Total Sand Cost of Work Item           X   C × S       K   Total Aggregate Cost of Work Item           X   C × T       L   Total Pipe Cost of Work Item           X   C × U       M   Total Material Cost of Work Item           X   C × V       N   Total Subcontractor Cost of Work Item           X   C × W            Section 114 UNIT COST SECTION            O   Unit Cost of Work Item           X   sum of P thru W       P   Labor Unit Cost of Work Item           X   M ÷ X       Q   Equipment Unit Cost of Work Item           X   N ÷ X       R   Trucking Unit Cost of Work Item           X   (AO ÷ X) + BA       S   Sand Unit Cost of Work Item           X   BB + BJ8 × CONVERSION K8       T   Aggregate Unit Cost of Work Item           X   BC + BJ8 × CONVERSION K8       U   Pipe Unit Cost of Work Item           X   BS + BJ8 × CONVERSION K8       V   Material Unit Cost of Work Item           X   BT + BJ8 × CONVERSION K8       W   Subcontractor Unit Cost of Work Item           X   BU            Section 118 LABOR AND EQUIPMENT SECTION            X   Production units per day       X       DATABASE C       Y   Number of Tradesmen (Operators)       X       DATABASE F       Z   Number of Tradesmen (Laborers)       X       DATABASE G       AA   Number of Tradesmen (Foremen)       X       DATABASE H       AB   Number of Tradesmen (blank)       X       DATABASE I       AC   Number of Equipment (Excavators)       X       DATABASE J       AD   Number of Equipment (Loaders)       X       DATABASE K       AE   Number of Equipment (Dozers)       X       DATABASE L       AF   Number of Equipment (Rollers)       X       DATABASE M       AG   Number of Equipment (Backhoes)       X       EW, DATABASE N       AH   Number of Equipment (Miscellaneous)       X       EW, DATABASE O       AI   Number of Equipment (blank)       X       EW, DATABASE P       AJ   Number of Equipment (blank)       X       EW, DATABASE Q       AK   Number of Trucks (blank)       X       EW, DATABASE R       AL   Number of Trucks (Semis)       X       EW, DATABASE S       AM   Total Daily Labor Cost           X   X9 × (Y9 × Y + . . . + AB9 × AB)       AN   Total Daily Equipment Cost           X   X9 × (AC9 × AC + . . . + AJ9 × AJ)       AO   Total Daily Trucking Cost           X   X9 × (AK9 × AK + AL9 × AL)            Section 130 VOLUME CALCULATION SECTION            AP   Trench Width yards or units excavation       X       AR9       AQ   Overwidth       X       AQ9       AR   Over Overwidth, when encasement       X       (blank)       AS   Depth       X       AQ9       AT   Depth, Adjusted       X       AS + BF + BG       AU   Slope (horizontal to vertical)       X       AU9       AV   Off the Bottom (beginning of slope)       X       AV9       AW   Trench (portion of sand backfill) yds fill       X       AW9       AX   Bedding Material       X       AX9       AY   Aggregate, price per ton       X       AY9       AZ   Aggregate, conversion tons to yards       X       AZ9       BA   Trucked out excavation, cost per unit           X   BA8 × BA9 × (AP or CJ + CK + CI)       BB   Sand trucked in, cost per unit           X   BB8 × BB9 × (AW or CJ + CK + CL − CI)       BC   Aggregate trucked in, cost per unit           X   BC8 × BC9 × (AW or CJ + CK + CL − CI)            Section 154 PIPE, MATERIAL &amp; SUBCONTRACTOR SECTION            BD   Cover, above backfill       X       BD9       BE   Pipe, type       X       BE9       BF   Pipe, outside diameter       X       BF9 × CV(dia)       BG   Bedding thickness below pipe       X       BG9       BH   Split between bedding materials       X       BH or blank       BI   Bedding thickness above pipe       X       BI9       BJ   Mark (x) if sand vendor included tax   X           (blank)       BK   Mark (x) if aggregate vendor included tax   X           (blank)       BL   Mark (x) if pipe vendor included tax   X           (blank)       BM   Mark (x) if material vendor included tax   X           (blank)       BN   Material, other       X       DH       BO   Material, encasement       X       BO9 × (CJ + CK)       BP   Subcontracts       X       DI       BQ   Dump fees, at landfills       X       BQ9 × (BA ÷ BA9)       BR   Dump fee switch, mark (x) if on       X       BR9       BS   Pipe price per unit       X       DG       BT   Material price per unit           X   BN + BO       BU   Subcontract price per unit           X   BP + BQ            Section 168 DURATION &amp; REMARKS            BV   Work Item days to complete           X   C ÷ X       BW   Drawing numbers (optional)   X           (blank)       BX   Remarks (optional)   X           (blank)            *Hidden Cells In Database            *BY   Trucked out Excavation, total truck yrds           X   BA, BA9, C                           *cells are hidden       *BZ   Sand trucked in, total truck yrds           X   BB, BB9, C       *CA   Aggregate trucked in, total tons           X   AY, BC, C       *CB   Total tax           X   BB, BC, BJ8, BS, BT, C, CONVERSION       *CC   Total adjusted tax (not paid by vendor)           X   BB, BC, BJ, BJ8, BK, BL, BM, BS, BT, C,                           CONVERSION       *CD   Bedding, location of comma           X   AX       *CE   Bedding, 1st           X   AX, CD       *CF   Bedding, 2nd           X   AX, CD       *CG   Bedding, 1st bed height           X   AT, AX, BD, BF, BH, BG, BI, CF       *CH   Bedding, 2nd bed height           X   AT, BD, BF, BG, BH, BI, CF, CG       *CI   Pipe area           X   BF, CW       *CJ   Bedding, 1st bed area           X   AB, AF, AU, AV, AX, BF, CG, CQ       *CK   Bedding, 2nd bed area           X   AP, AR, AU, AV, CF, CG, CH, CJ, CS       *CL   Sand trench backfill           X   AP, AT, AU, AV, AW, BD, BS, CJ, CK       *CM   Trench excavation           X   AP, AT, AU, AV, AW, BD       *CN   Calculator valadation           X   AP, AQ, AS, AS1, B, C,       *CO   Calculator computations           X   AP, AQ, AS, AU, AV, C, CW       *CP   Part of pipe, 1st bed portion           X   AT, BD, BF, BG, CG       *CQ   Part of pipe, 1st bed area           X   BF, CP       *CR   Part of pipe, Backfilled portion           X   AT, BD, BF, BG       *CS   Part of pipe, Backfilled area           X   BF, CR       *CT   (not used)           X   (blank)       *CU   Work Item name           X   DR, DATABASE       *CV   Work Item size           X   DA, DB       *CW   Work Item size multiplier           X   CV, DQ       *CX   Work Item size unit           X   DR, DATABASE       *CY   Work Item entered size unit           X   DQ       *CZ   Work Item entered size           X   DQ       *DA   Work Item scaled size           X   CZ, DP       *DB   Work Item default size           X   CZ, DR, DATABASE       *DC   Vector element           X   DQ       *DD   Truck number           X   CV, DD9, DR, DATABASE       *DE   Sand number           X   CV, DE9, DR, DATABASE       *DF   Aggregate number           X   CV, DF9, DR, DATABASE       *DG   Pipe number           X   CV, DG9, DR, DATABASE       *DH   Material number           X   CV, DH9, DR, DATABASE       *DI   Subcontractor number           X   CV, DI9, DR, DATABASE       *DJ   Validation for column AP           X   D, AP, AS, AU, AV, AW, AX, BE       *DK   Validation for column AT           X   D, AP, AS, AU, AV, AW, AX, BE       *DL   Validation for column AU           X   D, AP, AW, AX, BE       *DM   Validation for columns AR, AS, &amp; AV           X   D, AP, AW       *DN   (not used)           X   (blank)       *DO   (not used)           X   (blank)       *DP   Unit conversion           X   CX, CY, CONVERSION       *DQ   Parser           X   B, DATABASE, CONVERSION       *DR   Work Item number           X   DS, DQ       *DS   Work Item number override           X   DR            DATABASE SHEET 14                                (blank)            CONVERSION SHEET 20                                (blank)            UNIT PRICE SHEET 16            A   Line Number       X       G       B   Work Item       X       H       C   Quantity       X       I       D   Unit       X       J       E   Unit Price       X       K       F   Total       X       C × E       *G   Line Number           X   WORKSHEET A                           *cells are hidden       *H   Work Item           X   WORKSHEET B       *I   Quantity           X   WORKSHEET C       *J   Unit           X   WORKSHEET D       *K   Unit Price           X   K × (1 + K3)       *L   Total           X   I × K       *M   Unit Cost           X   WORKSHEET E            PRICE LIST SHEET 18            A                   (blank)       B                   (blank)       C   Size   X           (blank)       D   Price           X   J2, J3, DATABASE                       *X   *cells are hidden                       *X                  
 
         [0078]     A computer program for estimating excavation and piping systems of the present disclosure provides several advantages. By using a spreadsheet format rather than a large database for the computer program, a user can enter and modify data quickly and in fewer steps than are required for programs of similar nature. By reducing the size of database tables and using formulas to either interpolate or extrapolate information based on limited user input, the program is made simpler and better suited to performing both rough and finished estimates. By limiting the number of worksheets, data sheets and report pages required for the estimating program of the present disclosure, total user time to produce an estimate is reduced. The program also provides the benefit of pop-up windows providing explanations and/or additional data to the user, when desired, by selecting individual cells of the sheets. This hides most of the data and formulas of the program from the user when the user does not require them but provides easy access when necessary.  
         [0079]     The description of the present disclosure is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the disclosure are intended to be within the scope of the disclosure. For example, the preparation of cost estimates for piping and excavation systems is described herein. The computer program of the present disclosure is not limited to piping and/or excavation systems, and can be applied to construction and/or contracting estimates in general, including but not limited to hauling, material supply/removal, paving, site grading, etc. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.