Cost and Value Databases

Historical Cost Database

The KIRK Associates historical cost database documents project consideration costs and design performance data during all stages of design development.  The projects are organized by their appropriate building category code and city cost index corresponding to project location.  The construction costs are broken down into twenty five subsystems according to the "UNIFORMAT" code of accounts.  The historical database includes the construction system quantities and the associated costs.  Each unit cost and the cost/GSF are automatically generated.  These unit costs can be automatically adjusted to different locations and project dates using the corresponding city cost index and the building cost index.  This historical database is very helpful in developing a reliable budget cost model for a project at the beginning of a project.

Life Cycle Cost Database

The KIRK Associates life cycle cost (LCC) database documents energy and maintenance costs for a variety of projects in different locations.  Energy costs include electric, gas, oil and steam energy.  Maintenance costs include repairs, modifications and administration costs.  All energy and maintenance costs are documented as annual costs per gross square foot of building.  The life cycle cost database can be adjusted to reflect different cities using a city cost index.  All projects are identified by their building category code.  The LCC database is a very helpful tool in estimating the overall energy and maintenance costs of project.

Value Standards Database

The KIRK Associates value standards database is designed to document various owner criteria standards such as: functional space sizes, environmental conditions and technical engineering requirements.  The value standards database includes design criteria for each engineering discipline including architectural, structural, civil, mechanical, electrical and landscape.  This data is used during a value engineering workshop as a "baseline" or "benchmark" for comparison with the current design.

VE Ideas Database

The KIRK Associates VE ideas "VE_XPERT" database documents value engineering ideas proven to be successful on previous projects that resulted in significant cost savings and/or improvements to the quality of the facility design.  These ideas are documented for each engineering discipline including architectural, structural, civil, mechanical, electrical and landscape.  This database assists the VE team to creatively build on a variety of ideas that could result in significant quality, cost and value improvements to the project.