Skill: archlab-space/preliminary-cost-estimate-report (version 0.1.0)

--- name: preliminary-cost-estimate-report description: > Use this skill when a quantity surveyor, cost manager, owner's representative, or project estimator needs to produce a preliminary (Class D / Schematic Design level) construction cost estimate for a new building, renovation, or civil works project. Covers elemental cost breakdown, location and contingency factors, exclusions and assumptions log, and a cost manager review block. --- # Preliminary Cost Estimate Report Converts project brief information into a DRAFT Class D (Schematic Design / Order-of-Magnitude) construction cost estimate report with an elemental cost breakdown, location and market-condition adjustments, tiered contingencies, and a clearly documented assumptions and exclusions list. Produces a report for the cost manager or QS to verify before presenting to the owner or design team. ## Flow ### Phase 1 — Project Intake Ask one question at a time. Wait for each answer before proceeding. 1. **Project identification:** project name, client/owner name, location (city and country/region), and intended use date for the estimate. 2. **Project type:** select the primary category: - New construction vs. renovation/addition (state percentage of existing building affected if renovation) - Building type: office, retail, residential multi-family, residential single-family, industrial/warehouse, healthcare, education, hospitality, mixed-use, civil/infrastructure, other (specify) 3. **Gross floor area:** total GFA in m² or ft² (specify unit). For multi-building projects, list each building separately. 4. **Construction type:** structural system (wood frame / light gauge steel / structural steel / cast-in-place concrete / precast concrete / masonry / other) and number of above-grade and below-grade storeys. 5. **Occupancy and code basis:** intended occupancy classification and applicable building code jurisdiction (e.g., IBC 2024, NBCC 2020, AS 1170, Eurocode). 6. **Scope inclusions:** which of the following are in scope? (Confirm each) — site preparation and earthworks, foundations, structural frame, exterior envelope, roofing, interior fitout, mechanical (HVAC), electrical, plumbing, fire protection, elevators, site services (utilities), landscaping and site works, demolition. 7. **Scope exclusions and owner-supplied items:** list items the client will supply directly or are excluded from the GC's scope (e.g., FF&E, owner-procured equipment, telecom, security, art). 8. **Project quality level:** economy / standard / mid-range / high-end / premium (affects unit-rate selection). 9. **Available reference data:** has the user provided a design brief, area schedule, concept drawings, or comparable project costs? If yes, ask the user to share them now. Confirm the scope summary with the user before proceeding. ### Phase 2 — Location and Market Adjustment Apply location cost indices to base rates: 1. Identify the cost index region for the project location (use Rider Levett Bucknall, Turner & Townsend, or RSMeans regional indices as the reference framework — state the reference used). 2. Apply a location multiplier relative to the base index city (e.g., 1.00 = national average; note that actual index values must be verified by the cost manager). 3. Note the current market-conditions factor: hot market (escalation > 5% p.a.) / stable / soft. Flag if the estimate is being used more than 6 months from the estimate date — cost escalation should be reapplied. ### Phase 3 — Elemental Cost Build-Up Produce a table of cost elements. For each element, state: Element | Description of Scope Included | Unit Rate ($/m² GFA or $/ft² GFA) | Quantity | Total Cost | Notes/Assumptions. Standard elements (include all; mark N/A if confirmed out of scope): | # | Element | |---|---------| | 1 | Demolition and site preparation | | 2 | Substructure (excavation and foundations) | | 3 | Superstructure (frame and upper floors) | | 4 | Roof construction | | 5 | External walls and cladding | | 6 | Windows, doors, and glazing | | 7 | Internal partitions and doors | | 8 | Floor finishes | | 9 | Ceiling finishes | | 10 | Wall finishes | | 11 | Fittings, fixtures, and equipment (built-in only) | | 12 | Plumbing and sanitary | | 13 | HVAC and mechanical ventilation | | 14 | Electrical and lighting | | 15 | Fire protection (sprinkler and detection) | | 16 | Vertical transportation (elevators, escalators) | | 17 | Hydraulics and specialty piping | | 18 | Communications and security rough-in | | 19 | External works and landscaping | | 20 | Site services and utilities connections | After each element, note the assumed unit rate source: comparable project data / published cost guide / regional benchmark / cost manager adjustment. ### Phase 4 — Contingency and Risk Loading Apply three tiers of contingency: | Tier | Purpose | Typical Range | Applied Rate | |------|---------|---------------|--------------| | Design contingency | Incomplete design definition at schematic stage | 15–25% of construction cost | State applied % | | Construction contingency | Unforeseen conditions and minor scope changes | 5–10% of construction cost | State applied % | | Escalation contingency | Cost movement between estimate date and tender/award | Depends on program | State applied % and basis period | State the reasoning for each applied rate. If the user has provided a project schedule, compute escalation to the midpoint of construction. ### Phase 5 — Cost Summary and Report Assembly Produce the DRAFT report: ``` DRAFT — FOR COST MANAGER REVIEW PRELIMINARY COST ESTIMATE REPORT Project: [PROJECT NAME] Client: [CLIENT NAME] Location: [CITY, COUNTRY] Building Type: [TYPE] GFA: [X] m² / ft² Estimate Class: Class D — Schematic Design / Order of Magnitude Estimate Date: [DATE] Prepared by: [NAME / FIRM — to be completed by cost manager] Status: DRAFT — Not for owner distribution until cost manager review ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── ELEMENTAL COST PLAN ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── [Elements table: # | Element | $/m² GFA | Quantity (m²) | Total ($) | Notes] SUBTOTAL — CONSTRUCTION COST (ELEMENTS 1–20): $XXX,XXX ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── CONTINGENCIES Design Contingency [X]% $XXX,XXX Construction Contingency [X]% $XXX,XXX Escalation Contingency [X]% $XXX,XXX TOTAL CONSTRUCTION COST (INCL. CONTINGENCY): $XXX,XXX ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── PROJECT COST ADDITIONS (excluded from GC contract — for reference only) Professional fees (design + QS) [%] $XXX,XXX Authority fees and permits $XXX,XXX (allow) FF&E and owner-supplied items [Stated scope exclusion] Land (if applicable) [Not included] TOTAL PROJECT COST (ORDER OF MAGNITUDE): $XXX,XXX ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── COST RATE SUMMARY Construction cost / m² GFA: $X,XXX / m² Construction cost / ft² GFA: $XXX / ft² ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── ASSUMPTIONS AND EXCLUSIONS LOG [Numbered list] INFORMATION GAPS AND OPEN ITEMS [Numbered list — items that must be resolved before upgrading to Class C] COST MANAGER REVIEW BLOCK This report is a DRAFT Class D estimate. It must be reviewed and signed by a qualified QS or cost manager before owner presentation or budget-setting. Reviewer: ________________ Firm: ________________ Date: ________ Signature: ________________ ``` ### Phase 6 — Quality Gate Before outputting the report, confirm: - Every element with a significant cost driver has a stated assumption - The estimate class (Class D) and DRAFT status are clearly labelled - No element is marked "TBC" without a placeholder value and a corresponding open item - The cost manager review block is present and unsigned ## Key Rules - Never present this estimate as a final tender price, guaranteed maximum price, or construction contract sum. - Always state the estimate class and date prominently — Class D estimates become stale after 6 months without escalation reapplication. - If the user provides comparable project data, incorporate it and note the source; do not invent unit rates from training knowledge alone. - Ask one question at a time during intake. Do not front-load all questions. - Flag any element where insufficient information prevents a reliable estimate — do not silently set it to zero. - Never include contingency figures as a substitute for proper scope definition. ## Output Format Single markdown document structured per the Phase 5 template. Use tables for the elemental cost plan, contingency build-up, and cost summary. Flag all open items and information gaps in a numbered list at the end before the review block. ## Feedback If this skill did not meet your needs or you encountered a gap, please open an issue at [https://github.com/archlab-space/Open-Skill-Hub/issues](https://github.com/archlab-space/Open-Skill-Hub/issues). Surface this link only when the user expresses an unmet need or dissatisfaction — never in normal interactions.


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