Price Transparency / How to Estimate Mass Timber Construction

What the Data Tells Us About Projects Big and Small: A Survey of Over 40 Completed Projects
• Evaluate timber design and efficiency across a range of projects of varying scale, construction type and grid size
• Quantify value trends in secondary trades typically impacted by the use of mass timber
• Discuss aggregated outcomes, including schedule and cost, and how they have changed over time

Lisa Podesto

Director of Preconstruction for Mass Timber and Industrialized Construction
Swinerton

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DeMASStifying Cost Variables

This interdisciplinary panel of contractor, architect, engineer, and manufacturer will provide an engaging discussion that delves into evolving landscape of mass timber construction and the critical role of price transparency in the industry. As mass timber continues to gain traction as a sustainable building material, understanding its cost implications is essential for all contractors, architects, engineers, and related consultants.

This panel will brings together industry experts to explore the challenges and best practices in estimating costs for mass timber construction that include the impact of market fluctuations, and strategies to promote transparency in pricing. Strategies to maintain competitive bids until final manufacturer selection to ensure best value for the client while optimizing fiber volume for cost-effectiveness will be discussed.

Ian Gelbrich

Partner
FFA Architecture and Interiors

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Jon Potter

Project Development Manager
Carpentry Plus Inc.

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Session CEUs: Course Description and Learning Objectives

Course Description

Understanding mass timber’s cost implications is essential for contractors, architects, engineers, and owners to realize its benefits as a sustainable and efficient building material. This course provides a comprehensive overview of price transparency and cost estimation in mass timber construction through data-driven insights. Participants will explore trends across a range of project scales, construction types, and grid sizes, focusing on secondary trades impacted by mass timber use. Industry experts will discuss best practices, evolving cost variables, and strategies to maintain competitive bids while optimizing material efficiency and ensuring client value.

Learning Objectives

1. Assess timber design efficiency across various project scales, construction types, and grid layouts by analyzing aggregated data from completed projects.
2. Identify and quantify value trends in secondary trades impacted by mass timber, such as mechanical, electrical, and fire protection systems, to understand their influence on total project cost.
3. Understand the challenges of cost estimation and pricing transparency in mass timber construction, including market fluctuations, and strategies for optimizing material usage and client value.
4. Learn from an interdisciplinary panel about the roles and perspectives of contractors, architects, and engineers in addressing price transparency and ensuring successful project outcomes.