Request an Estimate
Facilities offers a cost estimating service that supports departments planning work, whether capital or non-capital. There are two primary types of estimates offered.
The first, a Budgetary Allowance cost estimate, presents a high-level range of expected costs and timelines, based on similar work. This level of detail is appropriate for determining if the project will align with the available funding or schedule. These cost estimates are generally provided based on the customer’s description of the scope without a site visit, investigation, or contractor engagement. There is no fee for a Budgetary Allowance estimate.
The second, a Detailed cost estimate, is developed with a greater level of detail, and very often with support from a design team and/or contractors. As such, there is a departmental charge associated with the estimates. A Detailed estimate is intended to be used for finalizing a project budget and, while not guaranteed, is intended to present a more detailed and accurate cost estimate.
Jump to additional information about estimates:
- How to request an estimate
- Predicted costs and standards
- How to proceed with an estimate
- Types of estimates
- Requisitioning or changing a project
How to Request an Estimate
Both Budgetary Allowance and Detailed estimates can be requested online through Facilities Connect. In the Request Central menu, the “Estimate” request class will present the two estimate types to choose from.
The following information is required:
- A detailed description and location of the intended work
- The desired completion timeline, if known
- The intended budget
- A contact name and phone number
- A department chartstring, if requesting a Detailed estimate
Additional information, such as photos, previous estimates, etc., can also be attached.
Upon receipt of the request, Facilities will initiate the estimate process within five business days. A Budgetary Allowance estimate will normally be completed and returned via Facilities Connect within 15 business days of its initiation. The timeline for a Detailed estimate will depend on the project's complexity; the assigned Facilities estimator will review directly with the requestor.
Please note that Facilities units perform a higher volume of work over the summer. Due to resource allocations and the fiscal year closeout timelines, estimates and project requests submitted after Commencement may not be able to be fully completed and billed within the fiscal year.
Predicted costs and standards
All estimates will be based on the University’s construction standards, which ensure full code compliance, safety, quality of work, compatibility with existing infrastructure, and maintainability.
A number of factors can influence the project costs or timelines. Examples include the pricing or availability of raw materials, supply chain disruptions, code requirements, enabling work, site availability, and existing conditions. Budgetary Allowance estimates attempt to broadly capture these in the ranges provided for both costs and timelines. Detailed estimates account for these factors in a more granular nature.
Due to the ever-changing landscape, all estimates are valid for a limited amount of time (typically 90 days, but it will be indicated on the delivered estimate).
How to proceed with an estimate
You will receive the completed estimate through Facilities Connect as a workbook that can be downloaded from the system.
If you do not approve the estimate, there is no need to do anything further. The estimate will expire.
If you do approve the estimate you received, you can proceed with the work by submitting a new request via Facilities Connect:
- In the Request Central menu, under the “Estimate” request class, select the “Perform Estimate” option.
- Reference the Estimate Number in the Estimate Request field.
- Upload the estimate workbook.
- Provide the appropriate funding chartstring.
Please note that any projects that meet the University’s definition of a Capital Facilities Process will need to follow that approval process before Facilities can proceed with the work.
Types of Estimates
Estimates are approximate calculations of proposed renovation costs. Facilities can provide three types of estimates.