Unless you work in the construction industry or perhaps in natural resources management, you probably give little thought to the dirt work involved in construction, other than wondering why it takes so long for the excavation process to be completed. These beginning stages of construction actually often are some of the most complicated and time-consuming.

At Earth Calc, we focus on providing our clients with highly accurate dirt estimates, and while these are a crucial part of the construction process, there are many other crucial issues regarding soil that engineers, city planners and other professionals must handle on any given construction project.

When it comes to dirt work, which probably more accurately should be called soil work, it really doesn’t matter how big or small your project might be soil is going to be a huge part of your project.

Let’s think about it in simple terms. Even for the very smallest dirt work project, such as the construction of a garden, the soil conditions are crucial. Is the soil too dry? Is the soil too wet? Are there contaminants in the soil? Is the soil too alkaline or too acidic? Does the soil lack organic matter?

Of course, construction teams don’t have to worry about soil in terms of growing crops or flowers, but issues such as soil content and compaction are huge. Another huge issue facing construction engineers is what to do with the excess soil. In some cases, it certainly can be used as fill, but there are times when you just don’t need as much fill as the soil that was cut away.

Where Does Soil Go?

That’s the million-dollar question. In some cases, a construction company can simply move the dirt to the site of another construction site and use it for fill. In other cases, the cut can be sold and used for another project.

In a perfect world, these would be two great, cost-effective options. Unfortunately, you don’t always need the cut for one of your own projects and you might not find a convenient buyer. Additionally, there are times when the soil might be contaminated and really not suitable for use at another site. Particularly rocky soil also typically is unsuitable for use as fill.

So, where does the cut end up going? Often, it must be transported to a landfill or a quarry, and this is definitely not a cheap option. After all, you have to load up truck after truck with dirt and pay to transport it to the landfill, paying for labor and transportation costs as well as fees at the landfill. If soil is contaminated, it becomes even more difficult to find a location to place it because it cannot simply be dumped at a landfill.

There are companies that specialize in the removal of soil and even those that focus on the removal of contaminated soil. Some of these companies also help with the remediation of the soil that remains on the construction site. But again, these are additional costs that drive up the total cost of the project.

How We Can Help

While we don’t provide cut and fill services and cannot solve all of your soil issues, our portion of “dirt work” involves the creation of highly accurate dirt estimates for any size construction project. Once you’re ready to start grading, we also can provide you with machine control files.

Using an experienced outsourcer for dirt estimates and machine control files can save you money in the long run, freeing up portions of your budget which then can be used to pay for soil removal and possibly remediation, if needed.

How do we save you money? Expert outsourcers improve accuracy at a construction site, and mistakes are costly, both in terms of time and money. We’ve been providing dirt estimates for more than 35 years, and our team has the skills necessary to ensure that your dirt estimates are completed correctly the first time around.

We can come in at any point in the construction process, such as during the bidding or planning phases, or even to double-check a large or particularly complex project. We’ve handled a wide range of projects around the globe, including dirt estimates for the George Bush Airport, Facebook’s Menlo Park facility, the Pearl Harbor Berths and many more.

Additionally, the use of machine control systems improves accuracy and the speed at which construction projects can be completed, both of which save you money in the long run. We can provide you with accurate machine control files for your Trimble, Topcon or AGTEK machine control systems.

We know that dirt work is complicated and expensive, and we do our best to provide you with work as quickly as possible to keep your project on schedule. If you need dirt estimates or machine control files, give us a call today or click on the Send Us Work tab on our homepage.

At EarthCalc, we’ve been in the construction game for 40 years and we were one of the first companies to use software for earthworks. We are often asked which software is the best. Should you use AGTEK, Trimble or Autodesk quantity takeoff software or something else?

To be honest, it really doesn’t matter. Each of these companies has developed quality software for the construction and engineering industries. While we typically use AGTEK, Topcon and Trimble, Autodesk quantity takeoff software definitely has its strengths. If you look at various online discussion sites, you’ll definitely see that it tends to boil down to personal preference much of the time and what you really need out of the software.

The main factors that you need to think about when purchasing software is the ease of use and cost. All of the software programs, whether it’s Autodesk or AGTEK have a learning curve. Fortunately, most of these companies offer training sessions, so you can get your team up to speed as quickly as possible. In some cases, such as with Autodesk, you will need to contact an authorized training center.

Using software programs, such as Autodesk quantity takeoff software, has many important benefits, including:

• Speed – Once you’ve been trained, using the software will be a much faster process than older methods.
• Accuracy – Mistakes cost money, and when it comes to accuracy, software programs definitely can help, but this is provided your team is well-trained and able to manipulate the data.
• Real-Time Changes – If changes need to be made, they can be made and shared in real-time and everyone on your team will have the latest plans on their smartphone or tablet.
• Machine Control Capability – Machine control substantially increases accuracy, safety and speed on just about any given construction site. Many software companies offer quality machine control programs that work seamlessly with their other software.

Keep in mind; we’re talking about integrated, cloud-based software. You definitely want to choose a software provider/system that allows you to work on many different types of tasks and software that can be used with smartphones and tablets.

AGTEK, for instance, has a huge suite of products. For instance, with Underground 4D, you create estimates for underground utilities, such as sewer and water lines. AGTEK also offers Sitework 4D, Materials 4D, Gradework 4D and much more.

You can kind of just pick and choose based upon your needs. Software companies such as Autodesk, Trimble and others also offer software suites so that you can do everything from estimates to machine controls and much more. Generally, speaking, it’s a good idea to find a company you like and stick with their suite of software products to keep everything seamless.

In general, some types of software are more suited to those large enterprise construction firms while others are better for mid-size or smaller businesses. In some cases, this is due to budget, but often a smaller company just doesn’t need the same level of software because their tasks are more limited and the scope is more limited. Additionally, most of these software programs work exclusively with Windows operating systems, so if you prefer Linux or a Mac OS, the software choices will be limited.

But, let’s get back to the issue of training. While software has a plethora of benefits, it’s crucial that the user not only understands how to use the software but also truly understands what they are reading and how to manipulate the data. In our experience, we have found that many people can make a good-looking model, but it’s not always accurate.

This is one of the main reasons to contact an expert and outsource some of your takeoff and earthworks. At EarthCalc, we have an experienced staff that has been using software and doing this work for more than two decades. We complete more than 1,300 projects annually.

Typically, an engineer might work on 1-3 projects per year and contractors perhaps 4-5 per month. Our team completes more than 100 per month, so we truly have the experience needed to complete projects quickly, and most importantly, accurately. In the end, accuracy is the most crucial factor.

We can handle any dirt estimates that you might need, and no project is too big or too small. We’ve handled smaller jobs but also huge projects, such as our work at Facebook’s Menlo Park facility or the Pearl Harbor berths.

Clients bring us in at many different stages of a project from planning to bidding or even to double-check a particularly large or complex project. We also can provide you with highly accurate machine control files, so once you win that bid and are ready to start grading, we can help.

While we can’t help you decide whether to purchase Autodesk quantity takeoff software or perhaps Trimble or AGTEK or Topcon or something else, if you need a dirt estimate or machine control files, you can send us work at any time. To get started,

Site work estimating software has been around for decades, but surprisingly there are still plenty of companies out there that are sticking with paper plans. Software can transform your entire construction process, and many of these estimating tasks can even be outsourced to further streamline your business model.

Advantages of Site Work Estimating Software

1. Save Time & Money

Creating pen and paper plans takes far more time than using site work estimating software. With automation, you also greatly improve accuracy, and we all know how expensive mistakes can be on any construction project.

2. Everything Is Cloud-Based

If you need to review paper plans, you have to head to the location where those plans our stored. With site work estimating software, everything can be stored securely in the cloud. You can pull up those plans at any time day or night, and from just about anywhere on earth, and this is a huge advantage over paper plans.

3. Make Changes In Real Time

If you need to make a change, you can plug in some numbers and the software can recalculate everything in a manner of seconds. Best of all, everyone on your team can see the changes in real time. You don’t have to wait for paper plans to be updated, it’s all there in the cloud.

Why Outsource Sitework Estimating?

Whether or not you use site work estimating software or not, outsourcing site work estimating tasks can make a lot of sense over keeping everything in-house for several reasons, including:

1. Outsourcers Are Experts
When you hire an outsourcer, you are choosing someone who probably has completed a specific site work estimation task hundreds of time. For instance, at EarthCalc, we’ve been completing dirt estimates for more than 35 years and have handled hundreds of large-scale projects around the globe. When you hire EarthCalc, you are hiring a team with decades of experience both with dirt estimates and with the use of site work estimating software.

2. Outsourcers Can Be Less Expensive
While you are paying an outsourcer for their services, this can be much less expensive than hiring a full-time employee to handle a specific estimating task. After all, with an employee, you are paying for salary, benefits, vacation time, training time and much more. With outsourcers, you can reduce your payroll and still ensure the quality of your construction projects.

3. Ensure Accuracy
Of course, because outsourcers are experts in their piece of the construction pie, this improves accuracy, but outsourcers aren’t just helpful during the bidding phase of a project. We often receive calls from clients that need us to double check dirt estimates for a particularly large or complex project. This is another way to utilize outsourcers.

How EarthCalc Can Help

If you need dirt estimates, you’ve definitely come to the right place. However, if you need a materials estimate or utilities estimates, we can help with that, as well. Additionally, we can create machine control files for your Trimble, Topcon or AGTEK machine control systems.

Send Us Work

We make it easy to get started with a new project. The first step is to click on the Send Us Work project on our homepage. If you want an upfront cost estimate, we can review the project quickly and provide you with a cost quote.

You can upload your CAD files or PDF files quickly and easily via our file transfer site or you can email files under 20MB or even send us a link to your FTP or file transfer site. If you are using files other than CAD or PDF, we still may be able to help as we can use many other types of files, so let us know what you have and we’ll let you know if we can help.

Since 1983, we’ve been helping global construction firms, civil engineers and contractors with dirt estimates, materials estimates, utilities estimates and machine control files. We are experts at using many different types of site work estimating software, so if you have a project, large or small, contact us at any time.

Unless you work in the world of construction, engineering or surveying, it probably would surprise you to learn all that has to happen before we even begin the actual construction of a building, home, bridge or even a road. Sitework and sitework estimating is a huge part of any construction project and EarthCalc can help.

Site work and site work estimating can include a wide variety of tasks. For instance, one of the first tasks on any construction site will be to look at the geology and soil. It’s crucial to know what types of rock formations lay under a site as well as the type or types of soil on the site.

In some cases, the soil onsite isn’t suitable for the intended use of the property and the construction or engineering firm in charge of the project will have to bring in dirt. No matter what happens with the soil, cut and fill calculations will be need to be made as well as grading and excavation.

Of course, during the excavation process, dirt, rocks, trees, tree stumps and other materials will need to be moved and disposed of in some way. This is yet another consideration that will have to be addressed during the planning stages of the project.

Additionally there will be sitework and sitework estimating completed for tasks such as installing septic or sewer systems, the construction of retaining walls and to address issues such as sedimentation or erosion controls. We hear all the time from people who aren’t in the construction industry that are surprised at just how long it takes to even reach the point where the actual “building” begins and often how much faster this process seems to be in comparison with the early site work.

Outsourcing Sitework Estimating

While there are many tasks you can handle in-house, even large construction and engineering firms often outsource a portion of their earthworks and sitework. This just makes good financial sense. Outsourcers are experts in niche areas of construction; therefore you will be acquiring the best people to handle a given task. This ensures accuracy and we all know how costly mistakes can be in a construction project.

How EarthCalc Can Help

For more than 35 years, we’ve been helping civil engineers, construction engineers, architects and other construction professionals by providing the following services:

Dirt Estimates – When we talk about dishing up the dirt, we aren’t gossiping about the latest scandals in reality TV, we are talking about providing quality dirt estimates for our clients. The dirt estimates we provide are on-time and cost-effective and we can come in at any stage of your project.

For instance, civil engineers give us a call throughout the various stages of the design process. Some clients will call us in during the bidding process or perhaps the grading phase of a project. We also often are called in and used as a double check for large or complex projects.

Machine Control Files – If you aren’t using machine control yet, we highly recommend upgrading your equipment and heading into the machine control world. Machine control improves accuracy, speed and safety on any given job site, and we can build machine control files for your Trimble, Topcon or AGTEK machine control system.

We can provide our particular type of site work estimating services for any size project, and we’ve handled large-scale projects around the world. Some of our past jobs include the Pearl Harbor berths, the UFC headquarters and the Georgia State University football practice facility. If you need dirt estimates or machine control files for any size project, give us a call or click on the Send Us Work tab on our homepage.

In the past, the only data collector you had was a person with a pad of paper and pencil writing down calculations. Today, with a Carlson data collector or another top brand, you can simplify many aspects of a construction or engineering project.

Sadly, many construction professionals stick with the old ways. In fact, a 2018 survey by TrackVia indicated that nearly 50% of construction and engineering firms still collect data manually on jobsites.

It’s just too expensive to use data collectors or it’s too difficult, they might say. However, a Carlson data collector or Leica or Topcon system can be easier to use than you might think and it eliminates the time consuming process of writing something down and then manually entering data later.

You can do it all right on the job site and automatically upload it in real time. There’s no waiting around for data entry. Plus, you can correct data or make changes in real time as well. This speeds up the whole construction process and greatly improves accuracy. In the end, all of this will save you money.

Another survey, this one from Dodge Data & Analytics, found that of those companies that did use technology in the field, more than 80% felt that it helped the company complete jobs faster and under or on budget.

Which Data Collector Is Best?

This is a tough question. Some people love a Carlson data collector while others swear by Topcon or Trimble or Leica. If you ask 10 different surveyors or engineers, it’s possible that you’ll get 10 different answers.

It really depends on your needs and what type of data you will need to collect. Your budget also might be a factor. In some cases, it might be wise to stick with familiar software. For instance, if you are already using Carlson software for construction tasks, a Carlson data collector might be an easy option to consider.

We highly recommend that you do some research and talk to others in your industry. Each website, Carlson, Topcon, Leica, etc. will have detailed information about all that their products can accomplish.

In many cases, it is wise to consider undergoing some training sessions before heading out into the field. We also recommend that you take advantage of all of the support that these companies provide.

For instance, if you have a Carlson data collector, Carlson provides a very high level of customer service. You can call or text or email a rep during normal business hours to ask questions or voice concerns. Additionally, Carlson has a discussion forum on its website where you can ask questions or troubleshoot an issue.

Leica, Topcon and Trimble also have similar levels of support for their customers. You can find online forums, webinars and talk to company reps about training systems. This can be extremely helpful, especially if you are moving from one company’s software to a new company’s software.

These data collectors also are highly durable. After all, if you are heading out to a job site, these handheld devices need to be able to withstand moisture and dust and, perhaps, even occasionally being dropped.

We’ve heard tales of people dropping their data collectors into pits or even running them over with a car and they can still perform. In fact, we heard one story about a Carlson data collector training seminar where the company rep literally threw the device at a wall to demonstrate its durability.

Of course, at EarthCalc, we’ve long been proponents for using software and related technology to streamline construction tasks. We’ve been creating highly accurate dirt estimates and machine control files for years, using software from Carlson, Trimble, Topcon and others, and find that while each company is unique, any one of them can help improve your business model.

So, whether you decide to use some type of Carlson data collector or opt for a Leica data collector, using the latest technology is sure to make a huge (positive) impact on your business. And, if you need some dirt estimates or machine control files, give us a call at any time. We can help at any phase of your project, providing you with fast and accurate services.

Since the early 1980s, the construction industry has relied more and more on earthworks estimating software to streamline projects. This software has been a boon to the industry, and can help us complete projects on time (or early) and on budget (or below budget).

Of course, there are dozens of companies out there creating quality earthworks estimating software. Some of the big players include AGTEK, Carlson and Trimble, but there are plenty of additional options. So, which option is the best fit for your needs? To figure it out, consider a few factors.

1. Think About Training
Many companies that sell earthworks estimating software can provide you with training and support. For instance, Trimble has an online community on its main website where you can ask questions and troubleshoot problems. Trimble also offers training sessions and courses to help beginning users as well as those with some experience with Trimble software or other types of comparable software.

Trimble is just one example of a software company that provides additional support options. Carlson, InSite, ProCore and AGTEK also offer training and workshops to help you maximize your use of these programs. It’s a good idea to opt for a company that provides plenty of additional support and resources.

2. Think About Machine Controls
If you aren’t using machine control, we highly recommend that you make the switch. Machine controls allow you to complete work faster and more accurately than ever before. Machine control also increases safety and reduces the need for extra personnel on a job site.

If you do use machine control files for your construction equipment, it might make sense to use the same software brand for these files as you do for all of your planning. So if you want to use AGTEK for your machine control, why not use AGTEK for your all of your earthworks estimating needs? From a training perspective, this can be an easy option. Keep in mind, we aren’t pushing one product over another, this is simply one example. There are many software companies that produce a full suite of construction software.

3. Think About Your Operating System
In general, pretty much every major player in the earthworks estimating software game is designing products to be used with the Windows’ operating system. If you use Windows-based PCs, then you have tons of choices. However, if you need software for macOS or Linux, this definitely narrows down your options. There are some cloud-based software options to consider as well.

Keep in mind that while some of these software programs won’t work on a desktop computer with macOS, you can still view plans on your iPhone or iPad provided your operating system is up-to-date.

Most software companies have designed user-friendly apps that work with all types of Apple and android devices, and these are a fantastic resource, allowing people on site to see plan changes and updates in real time.

The Outsourcing Factor
Of course, handling every task of a construction project in-house may not be feasible for your company, no matter how much software you own. Outsourcing can be a highly cost-effective option, and this is where we come in.

At Earth Calc, we are proficient with many types of earthworks estimating software, and can provide you with highly accurate dirt estimates, materials estimates and utilities estimates. We can work with CAD files, PDF files and many others, so if you have a different type of file, give us a shout out and we will let you know if we can help. We’ve been handling these types of projects for more than 35 years so there’s few file types that we haven’t seen.

In addition to providing dirt and materials estimates with earthworks estimating software, we also can provide you with quality machine control files. No matter how big or small your project might be, we can help. If you use Trimble, Topcon or AGTEK machine control systems, give us a call and hand off your machine control files to our team.

For most construction firms, using outsourcers or subcontractors for various construction takeoff services just makes a ton of sense. It allows projects to be completed quicker and usually ensures a higher level of accuracy as you are contacting niche experts to handle certain tasks. Within these niches, there are some pretty profitable and rewarding job opportunities.

As this is that time of year when teenagers and young 20-somethings are entering the job market, we thought it might be fun to present them with a few career options that they might not have considered previously. After all, our industry is far more than operating heavy machinery and putting up drywall, although naturally those tasks are important.

Of course, it’s crucial that we kind of explain construction takeoff services. Takeoff basically is one of the first steps in a construction project, when a company estimates all of the materials that will be needed for the project, from the number of lightbulbs to the amount of dirt that will need to be brought in or taken away (or both).

We don’t actually consider the cost of the labor itself within the guise of construction takeoff services, we are strictly looking at materials, but that doesn’t mean that outsourced labor won’t be crucial, including the following jobs.

1. Drone Operators

Today, it’s all about the drones and if you don’t yet have a drone operator (or several) on your team, hiring a drone expert is a great idea. Drones provide the cheapest and safest way to monitor a construction site at any stage, from the early surveying tasks to the day the project is complete.

In fact, if you are searching for a great career and love working outdoors, consider purchasing a high-quality drone and becoming an expert drone operator. A quality drone operator can earn about $21 per hour or more, so this can be a great side business or even a full-time business.

2. Security

Security is often a concern at construction sites, installing security cameras and taking other security measures often is crucial, such as hiring on-site security guards. This is actually another business opportunity for someone searching for a profitable and rewarding career.

Whether you are the one responsible for setting up the security equipment, the person monitoring the scene from afar or perhaps the dude that’s keeping things safe on site at night, there’s always a need for construction security. Until they start building security robots (fast forward to a Terminator-esque future reality), security personnel will be needed at many construction sites.

3. Fire Protection

Obviously, every dwelling, whether it’s a residence or commercial structure, will need to meet (or exceed!) fire codes. Of course, your company may build in a myriad of cities, states and countries, and each location will have its own unique rules and regulations. This is one of those jobs that’s typically best left to the locals, as they know what’s required.

A fire protection specialist is not just knowledgeable about fire codes; they also know how to install and repair complex fire alarm systems as well as installing emergency and exit lighting. These companies also can provide you with sprinkler systems, install fire extinguishers and provide you with whatever fire safety equipment might be needed at any given site.

Typically, the professionals that complete these tasks are licensed electrical contractors, and fire safety can be a great niche within the electrical industry. To get started, you’ll want to find a trade school in your area that specializes in electrician training. After completing your coursework, you’ll work as a paid apprentice for several years, before becoming either a journeyman electrician or eventually a master electrician.

4. HVAC Specialists

When a construction project includes any type of building, from a single story home to a skyscraper, HVAC (heating, ventilation & air conditioning) technicians are needed. Not only do HVAC techs install heating, ventilation and cooling systems, they also will provide repairs.

This can be a fantastic career opportunity because it’s something that will always be needed. No matter what state you live in, these HVAC systems have to be installed and maintained. Technology has changed the construction industry drastically, but the need for qualified HVAC technicians has not abated.

5. X-Ray Technician

Ok, we admit that this doesn’t have anything to do with construction takeoff services, but it’s still a unique job within the construction industry. As an industrial x-ray technician, you won’t be taking pictures of humans but rather studying structure defects using gamma ray images, ultrasound imaging and x-ray imaging.

For instance, you might study structures such as a bridge or railroad tracks to look for any defects. Obviously if any of the materials in a bridge or railroad track are defective, this could be potentially catastrophic, so industrial x-ray techs are important professionals and it’s not a career that many people know about.

For many of these jobs, a two-year degree or certificate might be required as well as many hours served as an apprentice. For other jobs, you may need a four-year degree as well as additional certifications. Obviously, college costs can be exorbitant, but for many of these jobs, joining a branch of the military can be an inexpensive way to become a trained specialist.

For instance, if you join the Army, you can work to become everything from an HVAC specialist to an electrician. You can learn the skills needed to become a mason, a building inspector, a surveying technician and much more. And, that’s just for enlisted soldiers. Officers have additional options, and the military will pay for your schooling as well as providing you with tons of training and experience.

If the military doesn’t seem like a good fit for you, consider looking at your local trade schools and junior colleges and checking out the educational costs. Don’t forget to look into any available scholarships and grants, as well as financial aid to help cover some of the educational costs.

A Look At Our Services
As for Earth Calc, what is our job within the myriad of construction takeoff services? We provide dirt estimates and machine control files for any size construction project. For both of these tasks, we use the latest software programs from industry leaders such as AGTEK and Trimble.

Today, using computer programs for construction takeoff services is crucial, as these programs are far more accurate than pencil and paper. For instance, with our machine control files, we can calculate a grading project down to the centimeter to ensure that everything is completed precisely as it should be.

If you already are proficient with CAD software, you might be a great candidate for a career in the engineering or construction industries. For our part among construction takeoff service, we take CAD files and PDF files and use those to create dirt estimates using software from companies such as Trimble and AGTEK. If you head to their websites, you can find training workshops that will provide you with some solid information about these software programs.

Are your projects often taking longer than they should? Do you often find yourself going over budget? You aren’t alone. In fact, a recent study revealed that it’s normal for construction projects to take about 20% longer than expected and more than 80% of all construction projects go over budget. Using tech such as machine control systems, drones and cloud-based software can go a long way to reducing project times and costs.

1. Machine Control Systems

We touched on the benefits of machine control systems in several other articles, but it’s worth restating. Machine control systems improve accuracy, speed up construction projects, reduce costs and improve safety in one fell swoop.

For instance, with machine control systems, we know precisely how much to grade a site or exactly how much to cut or fill. Because the software is so accurate, there’s no need to go back and check and redo an area and this saves time and money. Additionally, you’ll need fewer people on site, which increases safety and profits, and you can complete jobs far more quickly with machine control.

Here’s just one example of how machine control far surpasses manual operation. With Topcon machine controls for bulldozers, a sensor installed that measures blade movements 100 times per second. You can literally improve accuracy down to the centimeter level with this technology, and when you can ensure that level of accuracy at a higher speed than you ever thought possible, you can begin to truly understand the advantages of machine control.

Even for smaller companies, using machine control systems makes good financial sense. The initial cost upgrading to machine control is certainly always a factor, but in the long run, using machine control can pay for itself.

2. Drone Technology

Drones have given a huge boost to the construction industry, and if you aren’t using a drone, you probably should be. There’s just no easier and more affordable way to look over every inch of a construction site. From the initial surveying through to completion, drones allow you to check progress and make changes quickly.

Drones make it easy to take pictures or video of areas that might be difficult or dangerous for an inspector or contractor to reach. Drones also can be used to monitor progress at a site, and if you have multiple projects underway at the same time, this allows you to virtually be in many places at one time.

3. Software & Integration

In the end, it kind of all comes down to the software. With comprehensive cloud-based options from companies such as AGTEK, Trimble, Topcon and others, everyone on your team can correspond quickly and make changes that will be adjusted in real time. There’s no more waiting for updated paper plans to appear at a site, an engineer can simply check a phone or tablet to receive the most up-to-date information which can be downloaded quickly to machine control systems whenever needed.

The days of paper-based projects are pretty much behind us, but it’s often hard to make a transition from the old ways to the new. But when you consider that everything you do can live in the cloud and you can make changes instantly and on devices as small and portable as a smartphone, it just makes sense to use the software.

Furthermore, don’t underestimate the power of earthwork software during the planning and bidding process. Software improves our ability to develop more accurate plans and bids and makes it easier to communicate with other, but also with our clients who can monitor progress throughout the project remotely rather than visiting the site often, which can lead to delays.

If you need to outsource some elements of a construction project, we can help. At Earth Calc, we’ve been creating highly accurate dirt estimates for more than 35 years, and have handled projects around the globe. Our projects include everything from helping with the construction project for a single home to a subdivision of homes or even larger scale projects such as the construction of roads, airports and skyscrapers.

In addition to our quality dirt estimates, we also can help you with machine control. When you are ready to start grading, we can build machine control files for your Trimble, Topcon or AGETK machine control systems. All we need to get started is an approved set of plans in PDF format, along with the matching CAD files.

To send us a project, either for dirt estimates or machine control files, click on the Send Us Work tab on our homepage. Turnaround times vary based upon the scope and complexity of a project, and once we review your files, we will provide you with an accurate price and time estimate as soon as possible. If you are up against a deadline, let us know what that date is, and we will do whatever we can to make it work for you.

There’s no doubt about it – earthwork software is amazing. When you think back to the process of construction prior to the development of earthworks software, it feels a bit archaic to say the least. While software has transformed our industry, adding drones to the mix can take construction takeoff and earthworks to another level. Here’s a quick look at how drones benefit any construction project.

1. Lower Costs

In the past, if you wanted a bird’s eye view of your construction site, helicopters and small aircraft were your only options, and these were expensive options to say the least. Helicopters still commonly are used for site surveys as their ability to hover at low altitudes make them a solid option, but these can cost between $350 to $800 per hour (or more) to rent.

While quality drones aren’t cheap, once that initial cost is passed, you can use a drone to study your site every day if you need to where it would be cost-prohibitive to get a helicopter up in the area every day. A quality drone could run anywhere from $700 up to as much as $7,000 although you should able to find an option well below that top figure.

2. Convenience & Speed

A drone is always there when you need it. You don’t have to spend time booking a helicopter and flying to a site and then taking pictures. If your aerial photographs aren’t precisely what you need, it’s not exactly convenient (or cost-effective) to just call in the helicopter again and take more pictures. With a drone, you can have it up and surveying the site and sending back quality images in just 15 minutes or less.

In the initial phases of a construction project, a drone can save huge amounts of time. How long does it typically take for surveyors to walk a site and measure? Depending on the size of the site, it can take one or two days for a human to do the work that a drone can accomplish in minutes. Of course, there are going to be some instances where you absolutely want someone on the ground to study the site initially; but using drones can make it easier and faster to monitor progress on a construction site.

3. Improve Safety

With drones, you don’t have to send as many people into the field for surveying tasks, which puts fewer people in jeopardy of injury. After all, it’s not as if all construction sites are perfectly flat parcels, are they?

Additionally, you can use drones to monitor a site during the entire construction process. Even if you are not onsite, you can see if everyone is following proper safety procedures as well as working productively and keeping the project on schedule. If you spy something amiss, you can handle it quickly and fix the issue before injuries occur or projects fall behind schedule.

Drones also are the perfect option for companies working multiple jobs at the same time, as contractors obviously cannot be in two places at once, but drones allow you to keep tabs on every site in near real time.

4. Improve Accuracy

With earthworks software and machine control files, we are able to complete even the largest and most complex projects more accurately than ever before. Add drones to the mix and you increase that level of accuracy even more. Drones can import images directly into an earthworks software program, saving you time and improving accuracy in every stage of the process. You can monitor a site day-to-day easily and make any necessary alterations or fix issues as quickly as possible.

5. Client Communication & Inspections

While clients foot the bill, there’s no getting around the fact that some of them like to visit the site often to monitor progress. Obviously, they have a huge stake in the project and are welcome to head over to a site, but this can cause a delay in progress as everything might halt so that they can walk around and ask questions.

With drones, you can send clients videos and site images as often as they might like, and they can monitor progress remotely. This allows your team to focus on their work without costly interruptions, but still allows the client to feel as though they are informed about every part of the process.

Drones also can be used to monitor every inch of a construction project, even areas that are difficult for inspectors to reach. Not only can you ensure that a project is progressing according to code, using drones allows you complete this process as quickly as possible. The inspection process will be much faster if you use drones on your site.

While we can’t help you select the perfect drone, we can help with one crucial part of the construction process. At dirt estimate specialists, we use several different types of earthwork software to create highly accurate dirt estimates for all types of construction sites, large and small.

We’ve been using earthworks software since the earliest days of its inception, way back in the early 1980s, and our team of experts quickly can provide you with accurate dirt estimates. We can come in at any part of the process, whether you are in the bidding process, the grading process or you need someone to double-check a particularly complex project.

In addition to providing dirt estimates using earthwork software from AGTEK and other top companies, we also can provide you with machine control files for Trimble, Topcon and AGTEK machine control systems. To get started with dirt estimate or machine control project, simply click on the Send Us Work tab on our homepage, give us a call at (800) 765-1717 or email us at EarthCalc@EarthCalc.com

As dirt estimate specialists, our services make up one portion of the earthwork estimating pie. Earthwork tasks include all of the excavation and embankment work that must be completed for any construction project. This is a crucial part of the construction process, and it struck us recently that earthwork and construction projects in general can be a metaphor for a well-lived life.

Embrace The Dirt

With earthworks, the focus is, as the name suggests, on earth. This includes excavating topsoil and muck and rocks, and every project brings new challenges. To edit Forrest Gump’s philosophy a bit – life is like earthworks estimating, you never know what you’re going to get.

Some projects are more challenging than others. Sometimes you encounter rocky terrain, and sometimes you’ll find excessive amounts of water and muck. Sometimes you can use excavating materials for embankment, and sometimes you have to bring in new materials.

Every project is like a new journey, and complex projects teach us how to better solve problems and use our creativity to come up with the most affordable and practical solutions. So, in life, rather than worry about all of the rocks and muck you encounter, embrace the dirt, so to speak, as every difficulty teaches you something.

Create A Solid Foundation

Every construction project, whether it’s a skyscraper, a business park, a single-family home, a bridge or something else entirely needs to rest on a solid foundation. In the construction industry, we know that the earth is unpredictable and changes over time, but a solid foundation can keep your building or structure secure for decades and perhaps centuries.

In life, a solid foundation ensures that you can stay grounded when the unpredictable occurs. Life throws a lot at us, but with a strong foundation built around friends and family, we can better handle the challenges we inevitably will have to face.

A Well-Planned Life Yields Results

A poorly planned construction problem can yield catastrophic results. Each step of the construction project must be planned carefully, including earthwork estimating and takeoff, construction takeoff, labor estimates and the 1,000 (or more) tasks that need to be accomplished by a certain date.

Without planning, the construction process would be chaotic, not to mention dangerous, and a life without some planning can be equally chaotic. What happens when we don’t plan, a least a little?

Let’s take an easy example – traveling, and dissect it a bit. If you plan ahead, booking flights and hotel rooms and rental cars, you can save money and reduce stress. If you wait until the last minute, you’ll pay more and face uncertainty as to whether or not your travel plans will be successful.

In life, planning can keep you focused and on track. Certainly, circumstances and plans change, and you have to be flexible and go with the flow sometimes, but a well-planned life can be a well-lived life. Making daily, weekly, monthly and yearly plans can keep you focused on whatever goals are important to you and ensure that crucial tasks aren’t forgotten.

Technology Can Be Your Friend Or Foe

These days, just about everyone uses technology throughout the day. You might work, as we do, in front of a computer screen much of the time. For earthwork estimating and our own dirt estimate tasks, we use complex software programs that help use create extremely accurate dirt estimates.

We’ve been using AGTEK, Trimble and other software programs for decades and have the skill and know-how to complete huge and complex projects. In our capable hands, these computer software programs yield amazing results. However, if you select a company with less experience or expertise, these software programs can cause more harm than the old-fashioned methods. Technology is a boon, but only if it’s used well.

This is true in the construction industry, but also in life. Technology can connect us like never before, allowing us to see and talk to friends and family that might be far away. We can connect with former classmates and friends, help others through tough times by donating money online, and learn about events around the globe in real-time.

Computers make it easy to quickly gain knowledge about any subject. We can plan our finances, schedule appointments and buy just about anything we might need in just a few seconds.

On the flip side, technology also can be a foe. Technology allows people to say just about anything they want via social media. Sometimes what’s said is angry, hurtful and inaccurate, leading not to any type of positive conclusion, but to more strife. Sometimes people become too fixated on their technology and forget to focus on the people in their lives and on their goals. When used well, technology can enhance your life, but when placed in the wrong hands, technology can be dangerous.

Building Relationships

The construction industry is, of course, all about building. But, we in the industry also build solid professional relationships and these relationships are one of the biggest keys to success. To build a reputation as a quality provide of earthwork estimating services, you have to build solid relationships with your clients and the team at EarthCalc focuses on this every day, providing the best possible services as quickly and affordably as possible.

Building relationships is as crucial for building a happy life as it is for creating a flourishing business. In life, if you are dependable, hard-working and collaborate well with others, you can go far. But building relationships is something that needs constant focus or the foundation of these relationships can start to crumble.

After all, buildings and bridges and homes are inspected to ensure that their foundations are still solid, and as people, we all need to check on our relationship foundations from time to time to see if any improvements or shoring up needs to be accomplished.

Now that we’ve waxed poetically about life, let’s talk a little about earthwork estimating and how we can help. At EarthCalc, we’ve been providing our clients with quality dirt estimates since 1983, and we can come in during any part of the construction process.

Clients sometimes call us in during the bidding stage or perhaps the grading stage. Engineers also call us in during the design process or simply hire us to double-check a large or complex project. We’ve handled dirt estimates for large-scale projects around the globe, including construction at George Bush Airport, Pearl Harbor, the UFC headquarters and many more.

In addition to dirt estimates, as part of earthwork estimating and construction takeoff, we also can provide you with precise machine control files. We can create files for your Trimble, Topcon or AGTEK machine control systems. If you need dirt estimates or machine control, contact us and we’ll get start on your unique project.

There’s no getting around that fact that quantity takeoff is perhaps the most time-consuming component of any construction project. During this process, every aspect of a project is considered and detailed estimates are created. This includes materials estimates, as well as cost estimates.

The quantity takeoff process can be easier and faster with the use of qualified outsourcers. Using experts in one or more aspect of quantity takeoffs can streamline the entire process and there are companies skilled in virtually every aspect of quantity takeoff. These experts can be a boon to contractors that do not have estimators on staff or they can be used to double-check estimates for large and complex projects. Here’s a quick look at some commonly outsourced quantity takeoff jobs.

Earthwork Takeoff

This is a huge slice of the construction pie, including the many different types of excavation that may be needed on a given construction site. This ranges from topsoil excavation, rock removal, much excavation as well as all your cut and fill tasks. This also can include removing items such as trees and shrubs if any are present and in the way.

Dirt Estimates

This is one of our particular niches, and one that we’ve been handling for more than 35 years. For dirt estimates, we can come in at any stage of a project. Whether you need us to come in during the bidding process or perhaps the grading process, we are ready to help. We often are called in to double-check dirt estimates on complex projects or to provide services for companies without on-site dirt estimators.

Our goal is to provide you with top-quality and cost-effective dirt estimates in as timely a manner as possible. In some cases, we can provide you with rush services. Just let us know the date by which you need your estimates, and we will do all we can to make it work. Typically, we receive CAD files and PDF files from our clients, but we can work with many other file types.

Concrete & Masonry Estimation

The substructure of any building includes many different components, including the aforementioned excavation tasks, as well as tasks such as the laying of a concrete foundation and a variety of masonry tasks. An outsourcer can provide you with detailed information about the type and amount of concrete needed, as well as estimating the cost of all concrete-related work.

Lumber Estimates

While most laypeople associate lumber with the construction of houses, we in the construction industry understand that most commercial and civil projects both require the use of lumber. Whether it’s for bracing, lagging, cribbing or something else, lumber is essential and an outsourcer can look at your plans and determine the amount and type of lumber needed, as well as the estimated costs.

Electrical Estimates

The electrical system for a basic home is complicated enough, but imagine all of the necessary electrical components for a commercial building or a new school or a hospital. This is a huge part of quantity takeoff, determining everything from the number of outlets to the installation of fire alarms and emergency lighting.

That’s a quick look at some types of quantity take off tasks that you can outsource, which can be a time-saving and cost-effective way to launch a construction project or secure a bid. Hiring an expert in any given field can be one of the best ways to ensure that every aspect of your construction plans are accurate and complete. These days, all of these outsourcers use specialized software to create their estimates, which lessens the likelihood of errors and ensures that your estimates and costs are as accurate as possible.

At EarthCalc, not only can we provide you with accurate dirt estimates as part of quantity takeoff, we also can provide you with machine control files. Machine control files can reduce the overall time it takes to complete your construction project, as well as ensuring that no mistakes are made during the excavation, embankment and grading phases of construction.

The cut and fill process typically is one of the first steps taken at any construction site, ensuring that the site is level and at the precise elevations needed for the project. In the past, detailed topographic maps were created by hand to identify segments of the site and the elevation in each segment, but today we use cut and fill software, which has many advantages over the old method.

1. Using Cut & Fill Software Is The Most Accurate Option

Cut and fill software is highly accurate, definitely more so that completing cut and fill calculations and cut and fill mapping by hand. With more accurate mapping, you are less likely to encounter mistakes during the construction process and mistakes are costly. Using cut and fill software is the best way to ensure that your maps are as flawless as possible.

2. Cut & Fill Software Improves Cost Estimates

When you know precisely how much dirt will be cut and precisely how much fill you will need, you will be able to create more accurate cost estimates. Unexpected costs can cause huge headaches and even sideline a project, but using cut & fill software can ensure that your estimates are as accurate as possible.

3. Cut & Fill Software Saves Time

This harkens back to the point about mistakes. When you use cut and fill software, the cut amounts and fill amounts are highly accurate, which means you won’t have to go back and make adjustments. Using cut and fill software in conjunction with machine control files also increases the accuracy of cut and fill operations.

If you aren’t using machine control files, we highly recommend that you make the switch, as this ultimately saves tons of time, reduces the likelihood to mistakes to practically zero and even increases safety, as you simply don’t need to have as many employees on site.

If you opt to use cut and fill software, it is crucial that your team undergo some training. This type of software has been a boon to the construction industry, but the software truly is only as good as the person using it. In many cases, outsourcing your cut and fill calculations can be a smart move, especially if your team is not yet trained. Additionally, even if you are an expert with cut and fill software, it can be smart to hire an outsourcer to double-check your work, especially if you are working on a very complex project.

At EarthCalc, creating dirt estimates and machine control files is our bread and butter and we were one of the first companies to use construction software, way back in the 1980s. For your projects, we use construction or cut and fill software created by Carlson, AGTEK, Trimble and other industry leaders. We can take CAD files, PDF files and other file formats and quickly provide you with accurate dirt estimates, materials estimates and machine control files. You can upload a project directly to our website or give us a call at any time.

Every construction project, no matter how large or small, includes a long list of complicated tasks that must be completed. Outsourcing many of these jobs can save time and money, and here’s a quick look at some of the construction takeoff and earthwork services you might need.

1. Excavation

When we talk about earthwork services, excavation immediately springs to mind and there are many different types of excavation that you may need on any given construction project. Topsoil excavation and stripping tend to be the first excavation services you need for a project, but rock excavation, muck excavation and earth excavation also are crucial tasks. Rock and muck excavation may or may not be needed, but as these are highly specialized types of excavation, so outsourcing these earthwork services can be an excellent idea.

2. Clearing & Demolition

Actually, let’s back up a bit. While excavation is an early part of the construction process, you may need to have a few items cleared-up, so to speak, before other earthwork services can commence. For instance, if your work site includes existing structures, you’ll need a demolition crew to come in and remove these structures. Likewise if you site includes a plethora of trees and other growth, this will need to be cleared before excavation can begin.

3. Soil Testing

Ok, let’s back up even further. Once you’ve identified a potential construction site, soil testing is going to be one of the very first tasks before you even begin any planning. Completion of moisture content testing, dry density testing, specific gravity testing and so forth, are essential in order to understand the quality of soil. Even if there’s a structure on site, this doesn’t mean that the soil is perfect for construction, and you need to know what you will be working with before you break ground.

4. Dirt Estimates

As far as “earthwork services” go, this is where EarthCalc comes into the picture. We’ve been providing top-quality, precise dirt estimates for our clients for more than 30 years. Our clients include civil engineers and contractors and we can come in at any stage of a project. We often come in during the design process and bidding process, as well as the grading phase or we can simply come in and double-check dirt estimates for a particularly complex project. We’ve handled dirt estimates for clients around the world and for small projects as well as large and highly complicated projects.

5. Machine Control Files

This is another of our areas of expertise. If you’ve completed the bidding process and are ready to start grading, we can help. We can provide you with highly precise machine control files for your Trimble, Topcon or AGTEK machine control system.

Whether you need dirt estimates or machine control files, sending us work is quick and easy. Simply go to our homepage and click on the Send Us Work tab. For machine control files, just fill out our quick contact form and attach a PDF file with your project plans. For dirt estimates, we are able to work with many different file formats, including CAD files, PDFs and more. You can email files under 20MB directly to us or you can send us a link to your FTP or file transfer site.

Our earthwork services team will email you to indicate that we’ve received your file, and then we will review it quickly to provide you with an estimate of the cost and turnaround time of the project. Every project is unique, some are more complicated than others, but we do everything we can to fit easily within in your time frame, and rush services also may be available upon request.

3D machine control files can increase productivity, accuracy and safety on a job site, not to mention reducing costs. While the construction industry is headed toward using machine control virtually 100% of the time, we aren’t at that level yet. As experts in building machine control files, we certainly encourage engineers to move toward this technology, but not until they’ve considered the following factors.

1. Is Your Team Ready?

While we can build you highly accurate 3D machine control files, if you don’t have a team trained to use these files, then you might not be ready to take the plunge into the machine control world. You either need to hire professionals experienced in using equipment with machine controls or train your team.

2. Can You Afford To Make The Switch?

In some ways, we’d say that you really cannot afford to not make the switch, as using 3D machine control files and enabled equipment will save you money in the long run. After all, with machine control, you improve accuracy and avoid costly mistakes. You also improve safety, because you will need fewer workers on site. Thirdly, machine control can reduce the time needed for excavating, grading and so forth.

Still, you do have to upgrade equipment or purchase new equipment and you’ll have to train your staff or hire experienced drivers. You’ll need to weigh the pros and cons, but keep in mind that this is definitely the way our industry is moving, and keeping up with the latest tech can give you an edge during the bidding process.

3. Which Software Should You Use?

When it comes to 3D machine control files, you have many excellent software options, but which one is best? Should you use Trimble machine control? Should you use Topcon? Or perhaps AGTEK? Essentially, all of these are excellent options, and you can’t really go wrong with any of them.

In some cases, it can be smart to go with a system with which you already are familiar. If you’ve used AGTEK software, such as Gradework 4D or Sitework 4D, you might want to stick with AGTEK. If you have worked with Trimble products, perhaps you want to stick with their 3D machine control software.

The good news is that if you wish to outsource the creation of 3D machine control files, the team at EarthCalc is able to use just about any type of software you select. We have been using AGTEK, Topcon and Trimble for decades to create dirt estimates and machine control files.

In order for us to create 3D machine control files, we will need an approved set of plans in PDF format as well as the matching CAD files. Cost and turnaround time varies depending on the complexity and size of your project, but we always do our best to provide you with affordable services as quickly as possible. To get started, simply go to our homepage and click on the tab that says “Send Us Work,” and we will get started on your unique project.

Recently, we were enjoying an issue of Civil & Structural Engineer and that got us thinking about some of the exciting trends in the construction industry and earthwork takeoff services. The industry is moving forward in leaps and bounds, and here’s a look at a few trends shaking the dust, so to speak.

1. Easier Communication

In the past, when changes were made to construction plans, it meant delays. Every member of the team needed to be notified and updated, which took time. Software companies, such as AGTEK, are working to eliminate these types of delays and improve job site communication. When changes are made, everyone on and off the job site can receive updates and learn about changes in real time. All you need is a smartphone or tablet and you can access the most up-to-date information.

2. Prefabricated & Modular Construction

Rather than handling all construction tasks on site, modular construction can be handled off-site, which means construction projects can be completed faster than ever before. While your building structure components are being handled somewhere else, you can be dealing with earthwork takeoff services. Everything can be completed more quickly, but you don’t have to sacrifice quality or safety. In addition, construction doesn’t have to stop due to inclement weather which can be a huge bonus in many areas prone to heavy rains, hurricanes and other weather issues.

3. Drones, Drones, Drones

If you aren’t using drones yet, maybe you should be. Drones are the easiest and cheapest way to take aerial photography of your construction site. In the past, drones were extremely delicate and difficult to use, but in the last few years, drones have become cheaper and easier to use. When it comes to earthwork takeoff services, images from drones are highly precise, and some of the cameras include features such as infrared sensors and geo-location sensors, which will increase the accuracy of your 3D models.

Drones also can improve site safety, as a drone can take measurements in areas where people previously would have to climb to reach. Additionally, drones can be used throughout a project to ensure that everything is working according to plan.

4. Safety Improvements

We’ve all heard the horror stories of the past. For instance, more than 20 people died during the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge, not to mention the many construction workers that were badly injured or maimed. However, we don’t even have to go back that far to talk about construction nightmares. During the building of Channel Tunnel, 10 workers were killed, and that was only about 25 years ago.

Fortunately, earthwork is much safer than it was even in the 1990s, and improving safety continues to be a huge priority. Several companies are developing wearable technology for construction workers that will alert them if hazards are imminent and track workers that have become injured so that medical help can be sent for immediately.

5. Going Green

These days, everyone is concerned about sustainability and limiting their impact on the environment and this is definitely trending in the construction industry. This includes using greener materials to create buildings and homes, as well as making these structures as energy efficient as possible.

When it comes to earthwork takeoff services, the team at EarthCalc is always keeping up with the times. We handle dirt estimates and the creation of machine control files using the most up-to-date software programs from AGTEK, Trimble, Topcon and more. If you need either service, give us a call today or just click on the Send Us Work tab on our homepage.

When it comes to the construction industry, AGTEK has long been a leader in software development. We’ve been using AGTEK software to help with our dirt estimates since the 1980s, when using software was something new and cutting edge.

AGTEK Software Options

AGTEK is cloud-connected, which means you can use it in your office, on-site or anywhere else you need to be. AGTEK’s Earthwork 4D Suite includes software to help with every possible construction task you can imagine. For instance, with Underground 4D, you can provide estimates for storm, water and sewer utilities. With Sitework 4D, you quickly can create accurate quantity takeoffs, grading plans and 3D models.

AGTEK Mobile Apps

AGTEK also produces several handy mobile apps for smartphones and tables. SmartDirt, SmartTrack, SmartGrade and SmartBlade and SmartPlan are programs that you can take out into the field. If you wish to use these mobile apps, we recommend that you talk with the team at AGTEK to provide you and your staff with a quick training session. The apps can work with both android smartphones as well as iPhones.

Want another fun fact about AGTEK and AGTEK software? AGTEK, which is headquartered in Livermore, California, recently was acquired by the Swedish technology giant Hexagon AB. This company produces complex software for industrial metrology tasks and surveying tasks, among others, and now they can add AGTEK’s high-quality earthworks software to their list.

Whether you’re tasked with building a new road, constructing a stadium or planning a housing community or constructing a parking lot, AGTEK software can take you from planning to project completion. If you need someone with AGTEK experience, we’ve been using AGTEK, Trimble, Carlson and other top brands of earthwork takeoff software for more than 30 years. We can provide you with quality dirt estimates for any size construction project as well as providing you with machine control files.

Our Services

No matter how large or small your project might be, we can provide quality dirt estimates and at any stage of your project. Some clients have us come in during the bidding process, while others need us to double-check a large or particularly complex project. Because projects vary widely, we ask that you send us your files before we provide cost and time estimates. We’ll take a look at your plans and provide you with an accurate price and time estimate. It’s always our goal to provide the most cost-effective solution possible in the fastest possible turnaround time.

If you need machine control files, we can provide this service, as well. We can create machine control files for Topcon, Trimble and AGTEK software, and to get started, we’ll just need your approved plan in PDF format along with matching CAD files. As with dirt estimates, we strive to provide top-quality, affordable service in a timely manner. If you need rush service, this also may be available upon request. To get started, simply click on the Send Us Work tab, which is located on our homepage.

When we discuss earthwork calculations, we basically are talking about any type of “soil disturbance” in regard to a construction project. This could be virtually any type of construction, from the building of a new road to a housing tract to the construction of a skyscraper and even a mining operation. Of course, earthwork calculation tasks are just one of many steps in a construction project.

The Concept

Every construction project, big or small, begins with an idea. Perhaps a city council decides a road needs widening, or a school district determines that a new school needs to be built to accommodate a growing population. A hotel chain might consider building a new property or a company might want to add on to its headquarters.

Once the concept or idea has been proposed, the next step is to determine whether or not the project is feasible. This, of course, leads to a feasibility study. This comprehensive study will include a wide range of details. Obviously, the proposed cost of a construction project is crucial, as well as determining if a specific site is able to accommodate the construction project. Additionally, a feasibility study includes information about the length of time a project will take to complete and, perhaps most importantly, an environmental impact report.

This report includes potential environmental impacts as well as methods that will be used to minimize the impact of the new construction. These reports are presented to city councils and other governing bodies before a project is approved, and include information about potential noise pollution, air pollution, traffic impact, impact to surrounding businesses and the impact the project may have on local flora and fauna. Environmental impact reports are shared with the public as well as public officials, so that citizens will have an opportunity to fully understand the scope of a construction project, ask questions or voice concerns. As earthwork calculation and dirt estimate experts, we often come in during this part of the process, to provide the dirt estimates that are part of the planning and bidding processes.

Earthwork Calculations: A Step In The Planning Process

There are many types of earthwork calculations, and our part is to provide you with dirt estimates as well as machine control files. Civil engineers often call us in during the planning stages, either to provide dirt estimates or to double check dirt estimates for quality control purposes.

Breaking Ground

Once a project has been thoroughly planned and approved by government officials, permits have been acquired and all of the necessary teams have been assembled, it’s time to break ground. This is a momentous day, as it can take many months or even years to move from concept to earthwork calculations to approval.

Throughout the construction process, there will be constant quality control by project managers to ensure that everything is going according to plan. While maintaining the timeline and staying within budget are a huge portion of project management, safety and quality are the most important factors. The team at EarthCalc can help during the grading phase to ensure that dirt estimates are correct, and we also can provide you with quality machine control files which further ensure that a project is completed to exact specifications.

Project Closeout

After the dust settles, so to speak, and every aspect of a project is complete, it’s time for the project closeout. If you’re not in the construction industry, closeout might not seem as important as aspects such as earthwork calculations, drainage, grading, electrical work and the actual building of a structure, but closeout is an essential step in any construction project.

Project closeout actually might occur at several times during the course of a project, as various projects are completed. This process allows you to review the work, ensuring that the project was completed properly, and it also helps prepare you for future projects by learning what worked well or perhaps not as well as expected. For instance, after earthwork calculations have been provided and all earthwork tasks are complete, you might undergo project closeout for this portion of the construction project before moving on to laying a foundation or another task.

At EarthCalc, we are happy to help with earthwork calculations for any size project. We can provide accurate, quality dirt estimates and machine control files and offer fast turnaround times. Typically, dirt estimates can be provided in just three days, depending on the size and scope of the project, and machine control files will take about five days to complete. We can accept a variety of file and plan formats, including 2D and 3D CAD, as well as PDF, TIFF, ASCI and hard copy plans. We’ve been providing companies around the world with quality dirt estimates since 1983 and look forward to helping you with the earthwork calculation phase of your project.

Hiring a construction engineering consultant or several consultants can be your smartest option for just about any construction project. At EarthCalc, our consultants can provide you with quality dirt estimates as well as machine control files, and there are several reasons why we urge you to consider our services.

Save Time
While you might possess a certain set of skills, a construction engineering consultant can free up your time, allowing you to handle other crucial tasks. Additionally, using our services can be one of the best ways to ensure that your project is completed on time. At EarthCalc, our turnaround time for dirt estimates typically runs just three days, depending on the size and scope of the project. We also can build machine control files in about five days, again depending on the size of the project. Of course, if you need a project completed more quickly, rush services may be available upon request.

Save Money
While it might sound strange to think that spending money on an outsourcer actually will save you money, our services are more affordable than you might think. Keep in mind, using a top construction engineering consultant ensures that your project is completed exactly according to plan and we stand by our expertise. Mistakes not only cost you time, they can cost you a substantial amount of money.

Our cost-effective pricing for dirt estimates starts as low as $300, again depending on the size and complexity of the project. Our pricing for the development of machine control files starts at just $500. Compared to the cost of mistakes, our construction engineering consultant services are well worth the money.

Additionally, you will save your company the expense of keeping a dirt estimate specialist on your full-time staff. It’s simply far more economical to hire a consultant. If you have a dirt estimate specialist on staff, you’ll be paying that person even when you don’t need their services, so it just makes sense to outsource certain tasks and reduce your overall payroll.

Increase Accuracy
As a construction engineering consultant, we often are hired because a civil engineer or contractor does not have anyone on their team that is skilled with dirt estimates or machine control files. The team at EarthCalc has 35+ years of experience and has provided quality dirt estimates and machine control for projects around the world.

We can come in at any stage of the process, from design to bidding to grading and so forth. Many of our clients also call us in to simply doublecheck dirt estimates for very large or very complex projects. Even if you have people on your team able to provide dirt estimates, it can be wise to hire us and ensure that your plans are 100% accurate. Our dirt estimate and machine control experts use the latest software programs from Carlson, Topcon, AGTEK and Trimble to create precise dirt estimates.

Contact Us Today
Since 1983, the team at EarthCalc has been serving as a construction engineering consultant for companies and engineers that need dirt estimates or machine control files. We’ve handled projects all over the globe, and no job is too big or too small for our team. You can send us files or plans in just about any format, including CAD, PDF, TIFF, ASCI, hard copy plans and so on. It takes just minutes to submit a plan via our website or you can contact a project coordinator at (800) 765-1717 or at earthcalc@earthcalc.com.

For some people, the word “excavation” conjures up images of Indiana Jones and archaeological digs. For those of us in the construction industry, the term encompasses a wide range of excavating tasks that might need to be accomplished for any given construction project. Here’s a quick look at some of the common types of excavation and how excavating software can expedite and improve the process.

In general, excavation types are classified either by the material that is excavated or the purpose of the excavation. For instance, you might be tasked with the removal of muck or rock, which would be material-based excavations. On the other hand, you might be tasked with stripping the land, which is a purpose-based type of excavation.

Stripping Excavation & Topsoil Excavation
When you have a large construction project, cut and fill is a big part of the equation. This type of excavation, also sometimes known as stripping excavation, includes the removal of topsoil, and possibly other materials such as sand, sediment and so forth. This process ensures that there is a safe, strong base on which a foundation can be laid. Sometimes this type of excavation also is considered to be topsoil excavation because we do remove top soil during the stripping exaction process. But, as stated before, stripping is a purpose- based exaction, while topsoil exaction refers to the materials that are being removed. These days, most companies will use exaction software to ensure the accuracy of a stripping excavation project or topsoil excavation project.

Earth Excavation
Of course, during a construction project, we often remove much more than the just the topsoil. In a previous article, we detailed the layers of soil which include the top layer, which is very thin and known as the O Layer or O Horizon. This is just the thin top layer with decomposing materials, such as leaves and insects. Below this is the topsoil and below this is the subsoil, which contains clay and minerals. During earth excavation, we often delve into this subsoil layer, and excavating software also can help streamline this process.

Muck Excavation
Water can be an issue with any construction project, and we often find large quantities of muck on a construction site. Muck is a combination of soil and water, and we often remove it because it might contain too much water or perhaps there is something contaminating the muck, so we remove it. In some cases, the muck is removed and then spread out over a large area so that it can dry out and perhaps be used as fill.

Rock Excavation
As you might expect by the title, this is a materials-based type of excavation that involves the removal of rocks at a construction site. This can be a very complex type of excavation and costly, as well, but often necessary if rock formations exist on the construction site. Specialized equipment will be needed to break up and remove the rock.

These are just a few types of excavation that exist within the world of construction. Using excavating software can be an excellent way to streamline the excavation process and can be used to calculate cut and fill, topsoil stripping, strata and rock cuts and more. At EarthCalc, our role in the excavation process is to provide high-quality dirt estimates and we use sophisticated excavation software and earthworks software to complete these estimates. If you need dirt estimates, we are able to receive plans in a variety of formats including CAD (both 2D & 3D), TIFF, ASCI, PDF and even hard-copy plans. If you need dirt estimates, materials estimates or even machine control files, the team at EarthCalc is here to help. You call or email us at any time or simply click on the Send Us Work tab at the top of our homepage.

The advent of GPS guidance benefits a wide range of industries, including the construction and civil engineering industries. When it comes to moving dirt, GPS and products such as Trimble machine control files makes the process far easier thus ensuring the highest possible accuracy during excavation, grading, embankment and so forth. If you haven’t delved into the world of machine control, here are a few facts that may be of interest.

1. Machine Control Is Available For A Myriad Of Equipment
Trimble machine control files can be utilized for many commonly used pieces of construction equipment. For instance, you can use the files for grade control with excavators, dozers, motor graders, wheel loaders and scrapers as well as for more compact pieces of equipment.

2. It’s Not Just About Earthworks
Here at EarthCalc, our focus is on providing dirt estimates and providing 3D machine control files related to “moving dirt,” but there many other applications for Trimble machine control files. For instance, these files can be used for paving equipment, such as asphalt compactors and milling machines. Trimble software also can be utilized for piling and drilling systems, and Trimble also offers payload weighing systems.

3. Trimble Was There At The Beginning
GPS was developed in the 1970s by the U.S. Department of Defense. In those early days, the use of GPS was used only the U.S. Government and it wasn’t until the 1980s that civilian use was allowed. Trimble was founded in 1978 by three former Hewlett-Packard employees, including Charlie Trimble, and initially their products were based on LORAN technology and used for marine navigation. In the 1980s, the team at Trimble realized the potential of GPS and quickly developed products that took advantage of this new technology, beginning with products to help with geodetic surveys and, as time passed, for surveyors and civil engineers.

4. Training Is Essential
If you’ve been using machine control for several years, you probably already understand the importance of training. Many people mistakenly believe that they can simply move from traditional methods over to machine control seamlessly, but your machine operators will need some training. Even the best machine operators need to update their skill set before they switch over to machine control. Your dealer can be a fantastic resource for training, but training also may be available through Trimble, Topcon, Leica or whatever manufacturer you decide to use.

5. There Are Many Key Advantages
In previous articles, we’ve discussed a few of the benefits of using machine control. If you and your team are well-trained, machine control can increase productivity and drastically reduce the time it takes to complete earthwork. You’ll also need fewer crew members on hand, which increases safety as well as profitability.

If you need Trimble machine control files, the team at EarthCalc can help. You can move dirt with confidence using our 3D files. We can work with just about any type of information you have, including TIFF, PDF, hard-copy plans and more to ensure that the CAD files from the engineer represents the approved plant set. In addition to Trimble machine control files, we can create files for all major systems, such as Topcon, Agtek and more.

Trimble machine control systems provide a myriad of benefits to anyone who uses earthwork machinery and, at EarthCalc, we can provide you with 3D files for your machine control-enable equipment. Not sure if machine control is worth the cost? Consider the following reasons why you need to consider this option.

1. Greater Accuracy & Consistency
While humans certainly work hard enough at their tasks, machine control systems are far more accurate. Using GPS aligned with your 3D design files, these systems virtually guarantee that you will remove or place the correct amount of material at the construction site. On most construction sites, rework is a common and frustrating reality, but with Trimble machine control, you can eliminate the need for rework. Additionally, it can be tough to find highly experienced operators for your earthwork machinery, and using machine control systems can make it much easier to train operators and this provides you with the option of using workers with less experience.

2. Increased Productivity
Often, with Trimble machine control, you can eliminate excess equipment at a specific job site. For instance, a job that might have required the use of three or four pieces of excavating equipment now might need only two pieces of equipment to accomplish the same task in less time. This allows you to move your equipment to another job site and handle multiple jobs at one time.

3. A Safer Option
Without machine controls, such as Trimble machine control, it is often necessary to have extra staff on hand to ensure that a project is completely accurately. With machine control systems, you can eliminate the need to have surveyors or other types of engineers on hand, which increases safety, not to mention lowering your personnel costs.

4. Cost Control
Using Trimble machine control systems saves money in the long run. Because machine controls are highly accurate, rework is unnecessary, and this reduces the wear and tear on your earthwork equipment. As they say, time is money, so ensuring that work is completed correctly and efficiently the first time around makes it far easier to complete your construction project on time and on budget.

There are several companies that produce quality machine control systems, and Trimble machine control is one of the industry leaders. We can create 3D files for equipment using Trimble machine control systems as well as Topcon, AGTEK and all other major machine control systems. Typically, our turnaround time is about five days, depending on the complexity and size of your project. To get started, you can give us a call or start the process online. Just head to the Machine Control tab or the Send Us Work tab on our website and submit your project.

If you aren’t involved in the construction business, you probably haven’t given a great deal of thought as to what happens prior to the actual construction of any building, road, bridge or other construction project. Sitework and sitework estimating, however, is a crucial component of all construction projects and includes some of the following tasks.

Clearing The Land
These clearing tasks include removing all trees, shrubbery and plants, as well as tree stumps and other natural materials. Additionally, the site might already feature structures that need to be removed as well as pavement or asphalt. Obviously, nothing can proceed until the land has been cleared completely.

Excavation & Embankment
Of course, sitework is not just about clearing the land; one also needs to deal with the elevation of the lot. A lot needs to be level, and in order to ensure a perfectly level, we typically have to excavate some of the land and then add fill to other areas. We typically refer to this as cut and fill or, alternatively, as excavation and embankment. When it comes to sitework estimating, this is one of our areas of expertise, as engineers will hire us to complete dirt estimates either during the design process, the bidding process or perhaps during the grading phase of a construction project.

Subgrade Stabilization
Another aspect of sitework and sitework estimating includes the task of subgrade stabilization. This process is crucial when one plans to complete a construction project over soft soils. Before a contractor pours the concrete slab, the soil must be stable and most construction sites don’t magically offer the perfect conditions. There are countless examples of foundation and pavement issues that occur if the support system below the slab or substructure is minimal.

Erosion Control
Erosion is a natural process that occurs all over the earth, even under the sea. However, erosion occurring near buildings, bridges and roads can pose disastrous consequences. Fortunately, there are many methods that can be employed to control erosion. For instance, you’ll want to develop a construction plan that controls run-off water and you also must ensure that there is erosion and sediment control on any slope areas. That’s just the tip of the iceberg for this crucial component that falls under the guise of sitework and sitework estimating.

Utilities
Before a foundation is laid, the groundwork for utilities must be completed, such as installing water lines, sewer lines, drainage systems and other similar tasks. Electrical and gas systems also need to addressed before construction of the actual structure itself begins. All of these tasks and many more must be completed as part of sitework and sitework estimating.

At EarthCalc, in addition to providing dirt estimates as part of the sitework estimating process, we also create 3D files for machine control-enabled equipment. For both dirt estimates and machine control projects, we can work with just about any type of information including CAD (2D or 3D), TIFF, ASCI, PDF, hard copy plans and more. Turnaround times for dirt estimates tend to run about three days, while machine control projects tend to take about five days to complete on average. If you need dirt estimates or machine control files, we’ve been providing quality services for 35 years, and look forward to helping you with your latest project.

The process of quantity takeoff is an immense undertaking. This term is a blanket statement that includes all of the measurements and calculations involved in the creation and, ultimately, the completion of any given construction project.

Quantity takeoff includes all of the details, small and large, and tends to be the most time- consuming portion of the construction process as it includes everything from calculating labor costs down to small details such as how many light poles will be needed for the site. In the past, this arduous task was completed the old fashioned way with paper and pencil and a calculator, but for the past few decades, various software programs are utilized to speed up the process.

At EarthCalc, we help grading contractors and civil engineers with one portion of the quantity takeoff process — dirt takeoff. Our team of experts will study your plans and basically take a raw land and determine from the plans what amount of dirt needs to be moved onsite determining your excavation within a few percentage points. We have vast experience working on a wide range of construction projects, from waste water treatment plants to subdivisions and beyond.

Of course, prior to our entrance into the project, the soil and subsurface at the site must be studied carefully, and geotechnical engineers complete this process using a variety of methods, including the following:

Boring Tests
One might commence with the “boring” jokes at this point, but in respect to soil testing, “boring,” is not an indicator of the excitement of the task, but rather a description of the process. A hole is bored into the ground and soil samples are then removed and analyzed.

Test Pits
For this option, a geotechnical engineer will have an excavator create a pit at a specific depth to make it easier to study the sub-surface soil conditions.

Trenching
Trenching can be more accurate than a test pit, as it will cover a longer area of ground, and this can help an engineer study soil conditions throughout an entire construction site.

Of course, collecting the soil is just a small part of the process, it is crucial that this soil and subsurface is studied carefully. While all components of quantity takeoff are important, failing to analyze soil carefully can cause catastrophic results. A geotechnical engineer will study the soil, subsurface and as well as the type of rock found below the surface. Once the materials have been studied, it can be determined how best to excavate and fill the site in order to handle the load of the project.

Furthermore, it is essential to think about the soil in terms of the types of natural disasters, such as earthquakes and landslides. A structure’s ability to withstand a specific level of earthquake, for instance, will partly rest upon the construction of the structure itself as well as on the type of soil and excavation process.

Our services typically come into play after the geotechnical engineers has studied a site carefully and made recommendations. We can come in and help with dirt estimates during the design process or bidding process, as well as during the grading phase of a project. If you have a particularly complex project, we also can come in and double check your own dirt estimates. In general, turnaround takes us about 3 days, although this does depend on the complexity of the project. Outsourcing dirt estimates can lower your overall costs and speed up the quantity takeoff process significantly, so if you need dirt estimates, contact us today and we can get started on your project.

In general, the Global Positioning System, or GPS, has greatly improved our world, improving navigation for individuals and the transportation industry. Within the construction industry, GPS machine control has made excavation and embankment easier and more efficient, but navigation and machine control aren’t the only uses for GPS. Here are a few fun facts about GPS in general, as well as some helpful information about our machine control files.

1. GPS Was Developed By The U.S. Government
The Russians, or rather the USSR, launched the world’s first man-made satellite (Sputnik) in 1957. The launch of Sputnik pushed our government into high gear in the space race and the idea of using satellites for military operations and intelligence gathering had obvious appeal, especially during the Cold War. Additionally, the government could see the advantages of having an accurate global navigation system in general, and by 1973, the Global Positioning System had been created. This system was built upon previous navigation systems, but was far more accurate.

2. Four Is The Magic Number
Our GPS satellites form what is known as a satellite constellation, and this constellation includes anywhere from 24 to about 30 satellites. However, in order to receive accurate location services, you need only four satellites to determine your location. Technically, you can find your position with just three satellites, but this is not as accurate. So whether you are using GPS machine control files, navigating a cargo ship or out and about on a geocaching adventure, four satellites is your magic number for accuracy.

3. There Are Thousands Of Satellites In Orbit
While 24 to 30 satellites form a constellation, there are actually more than 3,000 satellites orbiting Earth. Some are owned by governments and some are owned by private companies. Obviously, not all of these are used for GPS-related purposes, such as GPS machine control files. As a side note, some of these satellites are no longer working and just orbiting around the planet with no function.

4. A Tragedy Inspired Public Use Of GPS
GPS was owned and used exclusively by the government for many years. However, in 1983, the Soviet Union shot down a Korean Air Lines jet that accidentally had ventured into its airspace. Because this incident partially was caused by a navigation issue, President Regan decided that the U.S.-owned GPS should be accessible to everyone worldwide. From there, the GPS industry began to boom and in less than 20 years; GPS machine control for heavy equipment became available.

5. Worried About Sharks? GPS Can Help.
If you are tasked with moving earth, you might not think about sharks often, but after those Sharknado movies appeared, it has become very clear that sharks are a global threat. In reality, though, we love sharks and recognize their place in the world. However, GPS can help lifeguards spot sharks more easily, providing them with ample time to move beachgoers out of the water and back to the shore. Sharks are tagged on their fins and then tracked. Not only could this be helpful for safety reasons, it also helps us learn more about these animals in general, which can help with both conservation and safety efforts. GPS is used to track other wildlife to make it easier for scientists to study all types of animals in their natural habitats, and GPS also can be used to track livestock.

Of course, at EarthCalc, we aren’t tracking sharks or worried about espionage. Our focus is on providing our clients with quality GPS machine control files. Our team has more than 30 years of experience in the industry, and you can move dirt with confidence using our quality 3D files. We can work with just about any type of information you send us include hard copy plans, PDG and TIFF to name a few. It takes us about five days to complete a machine control project and our pricing starts as low as $500. To learn more, give us a call at (800) 765-1717 or email us at earthcalc@earthcalc.com.

Earthwork takeoff has always been a part of construction projects, but sometimes it’s fun to think about how early or even ancient engineers managed to handle these tasks without the highly precise software we use today. There’s a reason why the Pyramids of Giza are one of the wonders of the world, while the pyramid-shaped Luxor hotel in Las Vegas is simply an impressive hotel. For those of us in the construction industry, it’s pretty awe-inspiring to think about how many of the structures of the past were created without the use of modern technology.

In case you aren’t an engineer, surveyor or a member of the construction industry and have simply stumbled on this blog post, perhaps mistakenly believing that Earthwork Takeoff was a new alternative band, here’s a quick definition. Earthwork takeoff basically includes estimating the amount of excavation, grading, filling and compaction that will be needed at a construction site.

After all, an empty piece of property isn’t automatically ready for construction. We have to study the dirt, so to speak, in order to ensure that the property is level and compact and ideal for building. Otherwise, you end up with the leaning tower of Pisa or perhaps an even worse disaster. These days, professionals use software and precise equipment to ensure that a construction site is ready for a new project, but in the past, builders, architects and engineers didn’t have high-tech earthwork takeoff software, so what did they do?

Let’s take the Pyramids as an example. These giant structures are nearly as tall as the Washington monument and include millions of blocks of stone. Ancient engineers, lacking earthwork takeoff software, would have to use very basic tools to ensure that the ground was level. Initially, these engineers would have searched for a spot that was already fairly level, above the flood plain and a spot where there was ample bedrock.

Of course, while the site might have been fairly level, it would still need to be graded to ensure that it was as level as possible. Lacking modern tools, an instrument such as a plumb level or plumb line probably would have been used to ensure that the surface of the ground was level. The pyramid engineers also would have to possess a high level of knowledge of mathematics in order to make the calculations necessary for earthwork takeoff as well as the rest of the construction process.

Sighting instruments, such as a groma might have been used as well. One of the earliest surveying instruments, this device was simply a vertical staff with two horizontal cross pieces mounted at the top of the vertical staff. Plumb lines would be hung from each end of the horizontal pieces, and this would help ancient engineers determine if the ground was level. Today, an engineer might use a more advanced instrument such as theodolite or a robotic total station to help with these calculations.

As time went on, mathematicians, surveyors and engineers began developing more precise tools, such as the aforementioned theodolite, to help them make precise earthwork takeoff calculations. Still, earthwork takeoff software has only been around for a few decades, so how did engineers, such as those who built the first skyscraper, create a massive building without any of our modern technology?

The Home Insurance Building in Chicago was the world’s first official skyscraper, although it never rose beyond 12 stories in height. Still, this was the first time that an architect designed a building that featured an external and internal metal frame. Metal, or rather steel, could handle the weight load of a taller building. Additionally, with the invention of the elevator, creating taller buildings became a much more practical idea.

Still, without computers and CAD files, the engineers of these early skyscrapers had to rely on their own knowledge and some basic surveying tools to complete earthwork takeoff tasks. At this point in history, tools such as the theodolite and spirit levels were used to ensure that the ground was level.

While earthwork takeoff is a crucial component of every construction project, large or small, our task at EarthCalc is just part of the process. We provide quality dirt estimates and machine control services for all types of construction projects, large and small. Using technology such as AGTEK and Trimble, we can quickly complete projects for civil engineers and grading contractors around the country or internationally. If you need dirt estimates or machine control files, give us a call today or submit your project electronically. To get started, simply click on the Send Us Work tab at the top of our homepage.

In a perfect world, every inch within a plot of land would be the perfect elevation for a construction project. Of course, this is never the case, which is why cut and fill calculations are an essential step in the construction process. Here’s a general overview of cut and fill, and a few considerations engineers must make during this process.

Excavation & Embankment

While we typically just call this process “cut and fill,” it would be more correct to call these excavation and embankment. In fact, you could even replace the phrase, “cut and fill calculations,” with the phrase “excavation and embankment calculations.”

Excavation is the “cut” portion of the phrase, where we determine how much soil and rock needs to be removed from a plot of land. Embankment, on the other hand, is how much “fill” will need to be added to create the final elevation that will be needed for a project.

When it comes to embankment, an engineer won’t simply be concerned with how much fill is needed, but also its compaction and the type of fill material to use as well as ensuring that proper drainage has been put into place and many other crucial factors. Hundreds of hours of work must be accomplished before the actual construction of a building, bridge, road or other structure begins.

Types Of Calculations

There are several types of complex software that can provide engineers with cut and fill calculations. The software programs provide cut and fill calculations using several different methods. This might include the grid method, the triangular prisms method, the cross-section method, the contour area method and others.

While software programs now make these calculations for us, learning how to accomplish these calculations by hand is an essential tool for any engineer or for contractors such as ourselves, tasked with providing dirt estimates for civil engineers and contractors. As we like to say, software is only as good as the person using it. Unless you have a thorough understanding of the mathematical calculations provided by the software and a true understand of the entire cut and fill process, the final results might not be as high quality as you want.

Software Options

Depending on the task at hand, there are several companies that produce quality software for cut and fill calculations, earthwork takeoff and so forth. At EarthCalc, the main technologies we use include AGTEK and Trimble. These programs can be used for earthworks as well as to build machine control files. Again, this is complex software, so it is imperative that the operator have the skills and experience necessary to take your plans, whether they be CAD files, PDF plans or hardcopy plans and provide you with accurate results.

The team at EarthCalc has been providing services such as dirt estimates and materials estimates for more than 30 years, and we also can provide you with machine control files. Project turnaround tends to run about three days, depending on the scope of the project. Rush service may be available upon request. If you want us to get started with a project, you can call us or upload the project via our website.

Construction takeoff encompasses many aspects of a construction process, but at EarthCalc, we focus on the dirt. At EarthCalc, our goal is to provide you the most precise construction takeoff calculations possible. Whether you are grading land for a road, preparing a construction site for a new building or developing plans for a suburban park or something else entirely, our team of experts can provide accurate calculations. Before we talk about our services, however, we’d like to share some fun facts about one of our favorite tops — dirt, or, more accurately, soil.

1. The Water-Dirt Connection
We’ve seen plenty of construction projects affected by groundwater or surface water. Water is always a huge consideration during construction planning and dirt takeoff, but for all the problems associated with water in soil, it might surprise you to learn that the earth’s soil contains less than one percent of the world’s water. The oceans on our planet hold more than 97 percent, and most of the remainder is found in rivers, lakes or glaciers.

2. Soil Is Diverse
If you don’t spend a bunch of time thinking about dirt and construction takeoff, it probably would never occur to you that there are many types of dirt or soil that we find around the country. In fact, there are about 700,000 different types of soil found in the United States. Each type presents its own challenges for construction engineers, surveyors and other professionals who have to excavate, grade, strip or calculate dirt takeoffs.

3. Soil Is Classified
While this might sound like soil is part of a secret government program, we are actually discussing the classification of soil and soil horizons. When you think about “horizons,” you typically think about the point where land and sky seem to meet, but with soil, we are discussing the layers of soil.

These include the top layer, designated with the letter O, which includes organic matter (also called humus). The next layer, or horizon, is designated with an A, and this is the topsoil. From there, we head down to the E portion of soil, the eluviated horizon which includes sand, silt, clay, minerals, organic materials and more. The next horizon is designated with the letter B, and this mineral-rich portion is the subsoil. From there, horizon C is the parent material and finally, we reach horizon R, which is bedrock. This bedrock, depending on your site’s location, might include granite, limestone, sandstone, basalt or other materials. When completing dirt estimates for construction takeoff, we consider each of these horizons as part of an overall soil profile.

When it comes to a construction site, dirtwork takeoff is one of the first phases of construction. Our part of construction takeoff includes calculating a raw lot from pad down, and this includes a multitude of items, including structural fill, stripping, excavation, grading and so on. We use complex software to create highly precise dirtwork estimates. We also can create 3D files for just about any type of machine-control enabled equipment.

Every construction project is completely unique, presenting its own set of challenges. As a contractor or engineer, you have a lot on your plate, so it just makes sense to outsource some portions of construction takeoff, such as your dirtwork calculations. Typically, it takes us about three days to complete dirt estimates, although this does depend on the scope of your project. In some cases, we can provide you with rush services, as our goal is always to keep your project on schedule. To get started, you can call us, send an email or upload a project submission online. Just click on the “Send Us Work” tab on our homepage.

To those not familiar with the world of construction, the words “concrete takeoff” probably conjure an image of someone grinding away at a sidewalk with a jackhammer, to remove all evidence of said sidewalk. This, of course, is not what concrete takeoff is all about, so in order to “cement” your knowledge, we offer a few facts about this crucial component of many construction projects.

1. Cement & Concrete: Not Always Separate, But Not Equal

As you see those huge concrete trucks heading down the road, their mixing drums spinning round and round, you might mistakenly have called this vehicle a “cement truck.” Cement, however, is one of the ingredients in concrete and not an interchangeable term. Concrete is a blend of paste and aggregates such as crushed stone, sand or gravel. The paste is the cement, which acts as a binder, binding together all of the sand and stone and gravel.

2. Most Cement Is Portland Cement

Most of the cement that is used in concrete is known as Portland cement. This type of cement was developed in the 19 th century in England, and its creator named it in honor of the Isle of Portland, because the color of the cement matches the color of the rocks typically quarried on that small limestone island. This type of cement generally includes limestone as well as chalk, seashells, shale and clay. While this blend of cement is the most commonly used in the world, not all of this cement actually comes from the Isle of Portland, as these “ingredients” are found readily throughout the world.

3. Concrete Takeoff: What’s It All About?

When it comes to concrete takeoff and concrete estimating, this includes studying every factor of a construction project that involves concrete. For instance, you need to calculate how much concrete will be needed, as well as the amounts of other materials such as rebar and reinforcing mesh. You must calculate the labor needed and the labor costs, as well as the cost of materials. Of course, before any concrete can be poured, there almost certainly will be excavation, grading and embankment tasks that must be completed.

Concrete takeoff is a huge portion of most construction projects. After all, concrete is used to help build everything from the foundation to the sidewalks that surround a building, as well as planters, parking lots and sometimes the entire skeleton or frame of a building is created from concrete. It’s also used for the construction of bridges and roads, as well.

4. Software Programs Can Help

At EarthCalc, our primary focus involves dirt estimates and creating machine control files, and in order to complete these projects, we use sophisticated software programs developed by companies such as Agtek and Trimble. These types of software programs also can be used to ensure accuracy and precision with concrete estimating and concrete takeoff.

While the team at EarthCalc can’t help you with concrete takeoff and concrete estimating, we can help with a few other crucial construction takeoff tasks. Since 1983, we’ve been providing clients with quality dirt estimates at various stages of a construction project. We can help during the design process, the bidding process or during the grading phase, and we often are called in to double check dirt estimates for large or complex projects. We are able to receive files or plans in just about any format, including CAD (both 2D & 3D), ASCI, PDF, TIFF and even hard copy plans. If you need dirt estimates or machine control files, give the team at EarthCalc a call today or email us at earthcalc@earthcalc.com.

At EarthCalc, we use many great software programs to help us with our dirt estimates and machine control files. This includes AGTEK and Trimble, of course, but also the Carlson family of software. Software such as Carlson Takeoff, Carlson Survey and Carlson Construction are invaluable tools for those of us in the construction business. Here’s a quick look at takeoff and construction software and what it offers to our industry.

1. Takeoff Software Took Off In The 1980s

Before about 1980, software such as AGTEK’s Earthwork 4D, Carlson Survey or Carlson Takeoff simply weren’t available. Keep in mind that home computers weren’t even available until the late 1970s, so it’s no wonder that surveyors, civil engineers, grading contractors and other professionals didn’t have access to sophisticated takeoff software. Carlson was established the same year as our company, way back in 1983, and we quickly understood the benefits of using software from Carlson, Trimble and AGTEK.

2. Software Training Is Intense

While software such as Carlson Takeoff or Carlson Survey certainly have improved the construction industry and simplified the process of takeoff in general, learning how to use these programs takes some time and plenty of training. Companies such as AGTEK, Carlson and Trimble offer an assortment of training classes every year, and at EarthCalc, we’ve been around just as long as these software programs, so we have more than 30 years of experience using these products.

3. Computers Don’t Replace Expertise

While programs such as Carlson Takeoff, AGTEK Earthwork 4D and Carlson Survey are certainly helpful, they don’t replace expertise. If the person using the software doesn’t have the training and skills needed to complete tasks such as dirt estimates or the creation of machine control files, then no software on earth can make up for that deficit. This is why it’s crucial for contractors and engineers to select the best possible companies when outsourcing these tasks. Of course, we certainly consider ourselves to be at the top of the list when it comes to dirt estimates, providing our clients with quality services as quickly as possible.

4. Software Can Be Used At Any Stage Of Your Project

Our clients contact us at many stages during a project. Sometimes we are called in during the bidding process, sometimes during the design process. At other times, our clients call us in during the grading phase of a project or perhaps use our services to double check their own work on a large or very complex project. At any step of the process, we can use our expertise and software such as Carlson Takeoff or AGTEK Earthwork 4D to complete your project in a timely manner.

5. We Can Use Many Plan Formats

Some people mistakenly believe that companies such as EarthCalc are only able to handle certain types of files or plans. While we can’t speak for other companies, we can handle just about any format, and this includes 2D and 3D CAD files, as well as PDFs, TIFF, ASCI and more. We can even use hard copy plans, and you can either upload your files directly from the website or mail us hard copies.

Once we understand the scope of your project, we will determine which type of takeoff software best suits your unique project. However, whether we use Carlson Takeoff, AGTEK or Trimble software, we guarantee that your project will be completed on time and on budget. Our typical turnaround for a project is about 3 days, depending on the project’s complexity, but expedited services may be available if needed.

Most people probably don’t spend a great deal of time thinking about dirt. However, civil engineers and grading contractors understand that how we handle dirt can make or break a project. At EarthCalc, we’ve been providing dirtwork services since 1983, and one of the top tools we use is AGTEK, the industry’s leading earthwork takeoff software.

With AGTEK, we are able to provide a myriad of services for clients, including takeoff services, project modeling and field control. The AGTEK Earthwork 4D Suite is the industry’s most advanced construction software. Connected to the cloud, we can use this AGTEK software virtually anywhere on the planet, providing ultimate flexibility. Whether you are in your office or using your mobile phone in the field, you can access your data.

With tools such as AGTEK, we can provide our clients with a wide range of services. For instance, if you are an engineer tasked with roadway construction, we can calculate the earthwork volume for cuts and fills, compaction & expansion, stripping, demolition and over-excavation, to name a few.

We also can help calculate volumes for all types of residential dwellings, from single-family and multi-family subdivisions and planned communities to amenities such as parks and nature trails. We’ve provided precise calculations for commercial endeavors such as the construction of schools, industrial sites, large business complexes, stadiums and even golf courses. Our dirt estimate services typically can be completed within three days, depending on the size and scope of your project. Rush services also may be available upon request, if you need a job completed more quickly. We can receive plans and files in a myriad of formats, including CAD (2D & 3D), PDF, TIFF and ASCI. We also can work with hard copy plans.

Of course, we also provide clients with machine control files, and AGTEK is on the cutting edge of this process. In 2016, for example, John Deere and AGTEK formed a partnership to make date integration between earth-moving equipment and 3D modeling software as seamless as possible. With AGTEK, we can create the 3D files for your machine control-enabled equipment, and you can move dirt with complete confidence.

If you aren’t using John Deere equipment, this is not an issue, as we can create 3D files for any make or model of machine-controlled equipment. When it comes to machine control jobs as well as our dirt estimation services, we can work with just about any type of information, including PDF, TIFF, ASCI, CAD (2D & 3D) and hard copy plans. As always, we offer fast turnaround, and it takes us about five days to complete a machine control job, depending upon the size and the complexity of the project. In addition to AGTEK, we can create files for all major machine control systems, including Trimble and Topcon.

If you need dirt estimates or machine control services, don’t hesitate to contact us at any time. We provide services to civil engineers and grading contractors throughout the United States but can provide services just about anywhere on earth. To get started, you can contact us via email or at (800) 765-1717. You also can simply click on the Send Us Work tab on our homepage, fill out some pertinent information about the job you need, and we can get started from there.