About Us

4BT works with our clients to provide robust, integrated, collaborative planning, procurement, and project delivery solutions for repair, renovation, maintenance, and new builds. We offer and support environments in which team-based process-supported accomplishments, and emergent learning about how to leverage collaboration are possible! 

Our solutions enable all project stakeholders have actionable, current information when the need it, anywhere, anytime.

We challenge how repair, renovation, maintenance, and new build projects are managed throughout their lifecycle to ensure improvement at every
phase. 

By collaborating,  organizations share information, resources, activities, and capabilities to achieve shared purposes that cannot be achieved independently.

Prove, robust processes enable an environment where participants negotiate shared purposes and address issues of competing perspectives, distrust, and often lack of established governance structures and processes, as well as resource shortages.

Well-designed and well-managed collaborations can significantly improve productivity, reduce project timelines, lower overall costs, and improve both quality and participant relationships.   In this regard, shared understanding, mutual trust, and committed leadership
among participants are all important in making collaboration successful.  Compliance, procedural and substantive rationality, and accountability are all end results.

Unfortunately, studies have shown that collaboration is often initiated not because of proven effectiveness, but because of pressures
from the environment, such as government mandates or policies, established norms, or best practices which are deemed effective by
a significant number of organizations.  To date, none of these “drivers” have occurred.   As a result, less than 5% of organization have even attempted implementation and none successfully accomplished full implementation.

Research also clearly demonstrates participants can make collaboration effective by building trust, affirming shared commitments, exercising leadership, and establishing rules, norms, workflows, common data environments, and appropriate governance arrangements.

Four BT, LLC – CAPABILITY STATEMENT

Established in 2016, Four BT, LLC. (“4BT”) is a certified veteran-owned small business focused upon providing objective, verifiable, and current local market construction cost data, associated secure cloud-based technology for construction cost estimating and full related support services.  

Four BT, LLC   84 Cottonwood Lane  Naples, FL

Phone 903.326.9965  
Emailaddress info@4bt.us    
DUNS number 080379826        
EIN 81-2495737  
CAGE 7RB80  
Website  https://www.4bt.us                                   

Mark Powell
President and Cofounder
Four BT, LLC

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

4BT offers a solution that provides higher cost visibility and greater cost manager capability than traditional national average cost databases and tools such as “RS Means Online” as all data is locally researched for the specific location(s) and not dependent on location factors.  

Construction cost data is relatively simple.

It is made up of labor, equipment, materials, and associated productivity for the defined task.  It is critical that data is gathered per the local market and that users can view, change, enhance, and share granular cost items with respect to the individual labor, equipment, material, and crews.   

4BT creates local market granular cost data for relavant locations as per our methodology, organized by expanded CSI MasterFormat and is supported  with cloud estimating software.

Our fully dedicated team of cost researchers and engineers, who have decades of specialty field experience, source the data for integration within our cloud software and work collaboratively with our technology professionals.  Our team has worked for firms including The R.S. Means Company, LLC, VFA, Inc., and 4Clicks Solutions, LLC. Our cloud technology enables intuitive, fast, and easy access to construction cost datasets and estimates and management across multiple disparate yet collaborative teams and locations.  Our SaaS (software as a service) technology is hosted by Microsoft Azure Government Cloud or Amazon AWS.

Our cost data development team leverages multiple resources including business manufacturers, commodity suppliers, and wholesale chain information and pricing, dynamic cost databases across disparate domains of materials and equipment, and local general contractor and subcontractor labor costs across multiple trades. 

The continuous maintenance and updated research cost dataset is used as the basis for updating and/or creating granular construction task lines.  

Unlike other traditional databases, these elementary cost elements are the foundation for, and link with, all granular tasks enabling over one (1) million updates for each localized dataset.

The founders established 4BT to provide a superior alternative to traditional “industry leading” cost data that relies upon “national average cost data” and location factoring.   As demonstrated by third party studies, location factoring cannot accurately account for local market conditions, resulting in significant errors in cost estimation for all types of repairs, renovation, maintenance, and new construction activities.   Examples of these studies/reports are as follows:

“Location factors are used during preliminary project evaluations. They are not intended to be used when preparing appropriation-quality estimates. They often are applied to conceptual estimates for identifying “go/no-go” projects at an early stage.”  (Peitlock, B.A., ccc, Developing Location Factors Using a Factoring Method, International Cost Engineering Council, ICEC International Cost     Management Journal (ICMJ), 1998.)

Location factors are primarily used in class 4 and 5 estimates and are not intended to be used for higher quality estimates, such as class 3, 2, or 1. The RSMeans city cost index (CCI) and the Department of Defense area cost factor (ACF) index are two primary examples of location factor publications. (Martinez, A., Validation of methods for adjusting construction cost estimates by project location , University of New Mexico UNM Digital Repository, 2010)

“Despite its potential weaknesses, estimation by adjustment factors is a very common approach for all types of construction. A very common approach for performing quick-order-of-magnitude estimates is based on using Location Cost Adjustment Factors (LCAFs). The accuracy of cost estimates in the early phases varies within an expected range that spans from -100% to +200% ” “Using the results of this study, various commercial entities (e.g., RS Means) could enhance their online tools by uploading publicly available socio-economic variables and allowing users to perform geostatistical analysis. As a result, a cost engineer could input the location of a project and obtain the most accurate location adjustment factor through a mix of interpolation and geostatistical prediction techniques.” (Migliaccio, G., Empirical Assessment of Spatial Prediction Methods for Location Cost Adjustment Factors, J Constr Eng Manag. 2013)

“Problems within the methodology, unfortunately, will continue to arise as standardized estimation tools (CCI) simply cannot account for the unique characteristics of individual states.  Unfortunately, the accuracy of program wide CCIs occasionally led to swings of ±20 percent after projects had gone through the bidding process. Additionally, no direct application of market or economic conditions existed in this conventional CCI process, which was theorized by FHWA to potentially be a significant influence on resulting project estimate accuracy. ”  (University of Colorado Denver College of Engineering and Applied Science Department of Civil Engineering, Validation of Project-level Construction Cost Index Estimation Methodology, 2017)

“In the United States, RSMeans and other published construction cost data are useful for estimating the overall cost of a project. However, these are typically nationally aggregated mean costs and intended to be used with a local multiplier. Prior studies have found that locally adjusted RSMeans costs vary from actual local material prices. For example, Estes (2016) found that for a slab-on-grade foundation assembly with 0.1 m (4 inches) thick slab, vapour barrier and welded wire fabric in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States, concrete was found to be underestimated by 18% and vapour barrier by as much as 67%. Additionally, assembly costs for 0.1 m (4 inches) thick concrete slab were found to differ significantly (p = 0.004, α = 0.05) when comparing locally sourced costs and adjusted RSMeans cost data (Estes, 2016). Published cost data also lack accuracy due to the type and manner of data collected and represented. For example, RSMeans data do not account for variations caused by local codes, productivity rates, climate conditions, labour quality and availability, or costs related to land prices and permit fees (Ontario Construction Secretariat, 2001).” (Kodavatiganti Y, Rahim MA, Friedland CJ, Mostafiz RB, Taghinezhad A and Heil S (2023), Material quantities and estimated construction costs for new elevated IRC 2015-compliant single-family home foundations. Front. Built Environ. 9:1111563. doi: 10.3389/fbuil.2023.1111563

 

Unlike traditional national average cost data providers, we do not cobble together statistical datasets base upon selects cities and building types or use hidden “black box” formulae, and/or rely upon “location factors” and/or “economic factors”.  (Note: Gordian/RSMeans City Cost Index is a factor and compares materials, labor, and equipment and to a national average of 30 major U.S. cities. Material, labor and equipment prices and quantities are input into “ a composite cost model”, which is weighted to attempt to reflect construction costs.) 

The use of local market cost data and associated robust processes can easily achieve 30%-40%+ in overall cost savings and/or  improved cost visibility when combined with the use of included line item modifiers as well as adoption of associated robust processes.

 

Since inception 4BT’s unique and proven approach and tools have supported thousands of projects, serving hundreds of government professionals, designers, and builders, replacing outdated methods.   Furthermore, 4BT products have replaced products/solutions provided by Gordian/RSMeans by providing higher levels of service and significant cost savings.

 

4BT researched LOCAL labor, material, and equipment costs and are organized by expanded CSI MasterFormat and updated quarterly or as otherwise mutually agreed upon.   Accounts are set up for with usernames and passwords.   Users are able to create, store, update, and download detailed line-item construction cost estimates using the 4BT local market construction cost database.  Users can also create their own line items and any user created line items are so indicated within the software.

Four BT, LLC is CMMC LvL 2 compliant.

Each line item contains an appropriate unit of measure and detailed description of the construction task, in plain English, without the excessive use of acronyms or abbreviations, to make the cost estimating data intuitive and clear about what each task is intended to accomplish.

Individual line items are included for demolition and for quantity, means and methods, or other variables impacting cost.

Our construction cost data is designed to capture the most common units of construction tasks.  That said, when requirements exist for items not included, there are two options available.  

First, any user can create a new line item with an associated description, labor, material, and equipment costs and is designated as non prepriced within the 4BT estimating software .

Secondly, based upon client requirements, 4BT can research and add new prepriced line items based upon owner approval.  This process ensures overall database integrity.  It is important to note that 4BT is highly responsive to client requests.

Labor Costs

Unlike other cost data suppliers, 4BT’s research spans over 130 trades on a local market basis.  Hourly wage rates, workman’s compensation, and other detailed aspects that vary widely based upon trade and location.  As labor cost can account for 50% to 60% of a repair, renovation, maintenance, or new build activity, the importance of reliable cost data cannot be under emphasized.  The application of a factor to a cost line item, or even to labor cost specifically, cannot account for local variations.

(Note: Gordian/RSMeans CCI only covers 66 materials, 21 trades and six pieces of equipment, plus fuel and maintenance costs. It is a factor that compares materials, labor, and equipment  to a national average of 30 major U.S. cities. Material, labor and equipment prices and quantities are input into “ a composite cost model”, which is weighted to attempt to reflect construction costs.)

Material Costs

Sourcing is a critical aspect of determining reliable materials costs. Based upon the type of material, local, regional, or national suppliers are available.  Costs must therefore be researched for the specific project location. 

Reliable suppliers and prices can fluctuate significantly over time, so it is essential to use up-to-date pricing information to ensure the reliability of the estimate. 

4BT first attempts to source all materials locally, then expands area based upon need.

Equipment Costs

Equipment costs pertain to expenses associated with using/renting and operation of construction equipment on the project site.  Transportation of the equipment to the site is not included in the 4BT cost data.

By intensively researching local labor costs, material costs, and equipment costs, 4BT enables real property owners and their design builders to avoid the pitfall of outdated traditional cost estimating methods and significantly contribute to successful project planning and execution.

4BT applies a robust disciplined and thorough process to our cost data research.  While the benefits of locally researched cost data are obvious, the process has been tested and proven thousands of real-world applications. 

 CLOUD TECHNOLOGY

4BT recommends the use of our 4BT Benchmark Construction Estimator™ cloud technology  platform for estimating and our 4BT-PEP for JOC Program Management. 

The 4BT Benchmark Construction Estimator™ is a powerful purpose-built cost estimating solution created by teams of construction professionals and cost estimators in collaboration with technology developers with broad subject matter expertise.   4BT Benchmark Construction Estimator is infinitely scalability to support performance for an unlimited number of users with an unlimited amount of storage as well as access by any enabled user from any device with internet connection including desktop computers, laptop computers, tablets, or smart phones with an internet browser.

While other vendors can claim decades of market use, none can claim superior performance, higher functionality, or greater ease-of-use.

 

Features and capabilities of the 4BT Benchmark Construction Estimator include the following:

·                    Activity Dashboard 

·                    Support for Multiple Users

·                    Support for Multiple Cost Databases

·                    CSI MasterFormat Cost Data Architecture

·                    Ability to Create Estimates

·                    Ability to Create Estimate Templates

·                    Ability to Reuse and Modify Estimates

·                    Ability to Update Estimates with Another Cost Database

·                    Ability to Select Line Items and View the Estimate on the Same Page

·                    Audit trail capture

·                    Ability to Select Line Items and View the Estimate on the Same Page

·                    Ability to Approve an Estimate

·                    Estimate Export to MS Excel or PDF

·                    Ability to add User Defined Markups (Percentage or Dollar Value)

·                    Estimate and Line Item Search

·                    Estimate/Template Data Integrity

·                    Automatic Identification of User Created Line Items

·                    Full Audit Trail

 

The 4BT Benchmark Construction Estimator™ combined with 4BT current and actionable local market construction cost data enables robust cost estimate creation, updating, sharing, and downloading with the highest possible degrees of cost visibility.

 

 

OUR PURPOSE & VALUES

We work closely with clients to embrace a transformational approach aimed at benefiting all stakeholders—empowering organizations to reduce administrative burden, mitigate waste, improve quality, and shorten project delivery cycles.

We have developed a uniquely collaborative model fueled by the goal of helping our clients to improve decision-making with current, objective, and actionable information.

• Systems-thinking
• Integrity
• Value delivered
• Respect
• Transparency

#1   Poorly developed budgets continue to weaken credibility of PUBLIC SECTOR organizations and facilities management professionals.

#2   Cost overruns and project delays negatively impact mission-critical operations.

 

Building trust and rapport with stakeholders from diverse backgrounds and cultures is essential for successful repair, renovation, maintenance, or new build activities.

Real property owners, designers, engineers, builders, suppliers, and other stakeholders must establish a positive and respectful relationship that facilitates collaboration and communication.

4BT’s team and solutions  help our clients to integrate internal and external teams within a supportive, transparent, and productive environment.