American Society of Professional Estimators - Chapter 43 - DFW

The ASPE Chapter 43 hosts a CPE certification review workshop each year, coordinated with the certification cycle.

Check the Registration section of the website for the date and venue of then next workshop.

This workshop reviews all subjects contained in the CPE certification test for General Estimating Knowledge and Discipline Specific Test.

Review Seminar Agenda

Overview of test subject matter

1. Business process overview
2. Discipline Specific overview
3. Estimating problems
4. Suggested study materials
5. AIA Forms

Test taking tactics

1. Test Preparation
2. Multiple Choice
3. Tr!ck Quest!ons
4. Calculation and Mathematics
5. Estimating problems
6. Noting a test anomaly

Mathematics 102

1. Volume and Area Calculations
2. Common weights and measures
3. Unit conversion
4. Markup vs. Margin

Estimating for the DST test

1. Earthwork
2. Concrete
3. Wood framing
4. Steel erection
5. Other estimating problems

Review Seminar Resources (please log in to view available downloads)

If you are studying for the CPE certification exam you may want to supplement your studies with these materials.

1. American Society of Professional Estimators and McGraw Hill Construction, Recommended Bidding Procedures for Competitive Construction Projects. 2008, New York: McGraw Hill Construction.
2. Frank R. Walker Company., Walker's building estimator's reference book. 28th ed. a practical and thoroughly reliable reference book for contractors and estimators engaged in estimating the cost of and constructing all classes of modern building. 2006, Chicago, Ill.: Frank R. Walker Co.
3. Glover, T.J., Pocket ref. 3rd ed. 2003, Littleton, CO: Sequoia Publishing. 768 p.
4. Thomsett, M.C., Builder's guide to accounting. Rev. ed. 2002, Carlsbad, CA: Craftsman Book Co. 355 p.
5. Cook, M.J., Bid Shopping and Suggested Remedies Part I of II, in Estimating Today. 2004. p. 15-17.
6. Cook, M.J., Bid Shopping and Suggested Remedies Part II of II, in Estimating Today. 2004. p. 10-11.
7. Hauge, G., Estimating for Design Build Electrical Projects, in Estimating Today. 2005. p. 14-15.
8. Logan, D.A., Partnering as an Alternative to Bid Shopping, in Estimating Today. 2005. p. 19-20.
9. Miller, K.R. and B.H. Weidman, Estimating With Electronic Documents, in Estimating Today. 2005. p. 12-15.
10. Peterson, S.J., Estimating Trench Excavation, in Estimating Today. 2004. p. 10-14.
11. Peterson, S.J., Estimating Concrete Volumes for Composite Decks, in Estimating Today. 2005. p. 12-14.
12. Peterson, S.J., Estimating Pipe Bedding, in Estimating Today. 2006. p. 13-15.
13. Smith, C.R., Understanding Prevailing Wage Law Can Yield More Competitive Bids, in Estimating Today. 2005. p. 12-15.
14. Spors, D.A., Conceptual Estimating of Major Commercial Projects, in Estimating Today. 2006. p. 9-10.
15. Warfle, S., Developing Accurate Estimating on Excavation Projects, in Estimating Today. 2005. p. 8-10.
16. Charette, R.P. and H.E. Marshall, UNIFORMAT II elemental classification for building specifications, cost estimating, and cost analysis. 1999, National Institute of Standards and Technology: Washington, DC.
17. Occupational Safety & Health Administration. Safety and Health Regulations for Construction.; Available from: http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owastand.display_standard_group?p_toc_level=1&p_part_number=1926.
18. Ward, R.L. Math Forum. Ask Dr. Math FAQ: Geometric Formulas  2007; Available from: http://mathforum.org/dr.math/faq/formulas/.

AACEI Reference to writing a good technical paper (adapted for ASPE):

1. Criteria commonly used for refereeing and therefore a valuable guide to writing
   • Relevance – to the conference topics and to the area of education in general. The ideas in the work need to be usable by others.
   • Quality of work – showing some originality (Is it worth while for colleagues to read this paper?), well planned, context well explained, etc.
   • Scholarly – showing an awareness of good practice. For example, in papers which are reports on actual projects, it is essential to include some evidence of reflection and evaluation. The work also should be grounded in relevant literature (see below).
   • Style of presentation – must to be written in a suitable academic style and in clear and accessible English. Diagrams and tables should be used appropriately.
2. Role of the literature
   • This should assist the story of the paper. A few points here:
     • Full and complete citations are important. Citations indicate that you understand the relationship of your work to other peoples’ work, that you are not just ‘reinventing the wheel’. They also assist readers who wish to find other relevant work in your area.
     • Long lists of references may be appropriate in a theoretical paper. A smaller number of references to key principles may be all that is needed in a more practical paper. Referees (most anyway) are not fooled by long lists of unnecessary references.
     • Being quite clear about the use of terms is vital. A vague reference to being constructivist is not acceptable (this is a very common problem). Unpacking the principles on which your work is based is crucial.
3. Structure of the paper
   • Look at past conference proceedings and papers.
   • Be clear and accurate about the title. Catchy is OK, but with clear meaning.
   • Plan the papers with clear headings.
   • Use clear and concise English. Avoid the use of unnecessary ‘jargon’. It is acceptable to write in the first person when describing work that the author(s) have actually done.
   • Work out carefully what diagrams are useful. Be careful about using screen dumps. Make sure they are a) interpretable and readable, and b) add value to the paper.
   • Make sure the opening sentences of your Abstract and your first section are not identical. Your Abstract should be a succinct summary of the whole paper and not just an introduction.
   • Read any guidelines carefully and adhere to them – length, formatting, etc. Please note that very short papers will be automatically rejected. It is also inappropriate to submit something that is clearly a long chapter from a recent thesis; it will almost certainly be rejected. The paper submitted mustbe an essentially complete Full or Brief paper.
   • Always provide attributions where the work of others has been used. If you alter it, use ‘after’, e.g. (Figure x. Title. After McNaught, 2001).
   • Give complete references. In particular, note that online references need to have the date of accession of the URL recorded. There are many online sites that give guidance on APA style. Check that any you use are current. University libraries often have nice guides.
   • Use a spell checker!
   • Use a grammar checker. You don’t have to accept all the suggestions, but they are often correct.
   • For authors with relatively little experience, the peer review of a few colleagues is invaluable.