Cost-Plus Contracting

📅 January 23, 2025 ⏱️ 33:53 🎤 Tyler Grace

Chapters

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0:33

Cost-Plus Challenges

Tyler introduces the episode topic, focusing on cost-plus contracting and common client questions regarding cost allocation.
1:50

General Conditions Explained

He defines general conditions, providing examples like temporary facilities and permit fees, and discusses their itemized budgeting for transparency.
5:00

Management as Direct Cost

Tyler argues that project management should be a direct job cost, not part of general conditions or overhead, to ensure proper markup.
7:56

Fixed Overhead vs. Project Costs

The discussion shifts to fixed overhead costs like office rent and salaries, distinguishing them from project-specific costs that incur markup.
17:05

Burdened vs. Market Rate

Tyler explains the difference between a fully burdened labor rate and a market rate, advising contractors to use market rates for budgeting to cover all costs.
30:07

Budget Management and Transparency

He emphasizes that a well-managed cost-plus project handles scope changes and budget adjustments transparently, rather than strictly adhering to initial estimates.
45:26

Legal and Strategic Considerations

Tyler concludes by stressing the legal and strategic importance of properly structuring cost-plus contracts and allocating costs for business success.
50:32

Pre-Construction Course Update

He announces the launch of version 2.0 of their pre-construction course, detailing enrollment specifics and its limited availability.

Speakers

Tyler Grace

Host

Key Takeaways

✦

Itemize general conditions in proposals to provide transparency to clients and protect against project scope changes.

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Attribute project management and supervision as direct job costs, not within general conditions or fixed overhead, to ensure appropriate markup and recovery.

✦

Carefully project annual revenue/cost of goods sold to ensure overhead percentages adequately cover all business expenses.

✦

Utilize a 'fully burdened rate' calculator to understand true employee costs, including wages, benefits, and taxes.

✦

Budget using 'market rates' for labor to ensure competitive pricing, create a buffer against cost fluctuations, and align with industry standards.

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Prioritize clear communication with clients about scope changes and budget impacts to maintain trust in cost-plus projects.

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Review and adjust your cost allocation strategies (above/below the line) to align with your company's unique structure, local regulations, and profitability goals.

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