1984-10-04
HAYWARD AND PAKAN ASSOCIATES
ENGINEERS
ARCHITECTS
SURVEYORS
HAROLD HAYWARD. P.E.
WALTER S. PAKAN. P.E.
DONALD G. TOMLINS. P.E.
WILFRED A. ROHDE. P.E.
ROGER A. MASTRI. L.S.
JOHN V. KANE III.R."". AlA'
PETER R. CANTLINE. P.E.
October 4, 1984
CHARLES E. LISCUM. R.A.
Mr. Francis J. Versace
Supervisor, Town of Wappinger,
Members of the Town Board
Town Hall
Mill Street
Wappingers Falls, NY 12590
and
Re: Town of wappinger
Town Hall
6508
Dear Mr. Versace, and Members of the Town Board:
Persuant to discussions with Mrs. Ballard and letter from Mrs. Snowden, dated
October 2, 1984, we would like to comment on the bids recieved for construction
of the new Town Hall facility.
OUr last estimate of probable construction cost of $950,000.00 was presented
to the Town on May 21, 1984. At this time the total of the four lowest bonafide
bids for construction is $1,262,879.00 which amounts to a difference of $312,879.00.
After careful review and consideration we have identified several areas
which may account for some of the increase of the cost of the project, over
our last estimate, specifically:
Comparison between the May 21, 1984 estimate and the construction drawings
on which the September 27, 19~4 bids were based, revealed several items
which were not fully accounted for in the estimate. The items identified
include:
a. HVAC ec:>nomizer cycle for fuel -savings
b. Added radiation controls and piping for more effective control
of heat distribution
c. Increased buried Compressor/Condenser piping and wiring to locate
exterior units farther from the building
d. Controlled fill beneath the building
e. Additional wall insulation
f. Architectural woodwork in Court and Meeting Rooms
g. Factor for multiple prime contracts
Additional estimate probable cost for the above amounts to $144,000.00.
Page 1 of 2
321 MAIN MALL
POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. 12601
914-454-9440
(0
HAYWARD AND PAKAN ASSOCIATES
.;-
October 4, 1984
Page 2 of 2
The length of the bid period was sixteen days. While it may have been
desirable to have allowed for more time, we do not feel that this has a
major effect on the bid amounts. It is probable that some bids would
have been somewhat lower and others perhaps somewhat higher. No amount
can be defined for this item.
Additionally it has come to our attention that quotes for costs of
certain components of the building, (i.e. windows, woodwork) were more
than we, and some contractors, anticipated.
In summary, cost estimating is an inexact science at best. Naturally
we strive for a number which is representative of the low range of bids
received and use all available current data and our past experience to
do so. Clearly that was not the case in this instance, however, if the
$144,000.00 previously mentioned is added to the May 21,' 1984 estimate
we are approximately 15% under the lowest bids. The range among bids
received was $547,201.00, or 43%, which is an indicator of how inexact
a science cost estimating can be. Other than the additional items men-
tioned previously, there is nothing apparent other than possibly a saturation
of the construction market to cause the discrepancy except an aggregate
of minor cost differences from bid and estimate amounts. We are naturally
conducting a further in-house review to determine if this is the case.
Please let us know if you have any questions or require any further infor-
mation.
Sincerely,
~AYWARD AND PAKAN ASSOCIAT::
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John V. Kane III
Architect
JVK/amr/lac
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October 2, 1984
Mr. Charles Liscum
Hayward and Pakan Associates
321 Main Mall
Poughkeepsie, N.Y. / 12601
Re .. Town Ha 11 Bids
Dear Mr. Liscum~
I am sure you are aware that the bids on the proposed
Town Hall Building were on the agenda for consideration by the
Town Board at their regular meeting held October 1st, 1984.
The Board Members expressed their concern and disappointment
that the bids came in much higher than the estimate you submitted
on the cost of the building. They would like an explanation from
the firm on the reason this happened and hopefully this can be
supplied to them. The bids were not considered at the meeting
since they felt they would wait until a report was received
from you and a further review of them.
They would appreciate this report as soon as possible so
they can take appropriate action with the bids. Thank you.
Yours truly,
Elaine H. Snowden
Town Clerk
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