What is a Control Estimate?

• A. The sum of the CM's estimate of the cost of the work plus the CM's fee.
• B. The contingency budget for design changes.
• C. The total final project price after completion.
• D. A separate contingency reserved by the architect.

Answer: (A)

A control estimate is the current forecast used to manage project costs. It combines what the work is expected to cost (labor, materials, equipment, subcontractors) with the Construction Manager’s fee for their services. This gives a single, controllable number that the owner and CM use to track budget and monitor changes as the project progresses. It does not include owner or architectural contingencies that are kept separate, and it isn’t the final price paid at project completion, since the forecast is updated as design and scope evolve.