Choice Review

Konkel, who has more than 35 years of engineering experience, in this book uses labor and material costs from previous jobs to estimate the cost of a new project. He uses that practical knowledge to develop an effective, rule-of-thumb way to make estimates. The author explains estimating techniques for site work, plumbing, heating and cooling, HVAC units, controls and instrumentation, insulating, and fire protection. The book contains many practical examples to illustrate different techniques of estimating. This volume can be used by architects, developers, consulting engineers, and mechanical contractors to estimate reliable costs of the mechanical systems in a building project. Recommended for college and university engineering libraries; it can also be used as supplementary material for an undergraduate course in estimating.-S.N. Amirkhanian, Clemson University