Blanchard Cost Estimating

02/18/2026

News Flash! Blanchard Cost Estimating just released our latest technical brief: “The Architect’s Guide to Cost Structure: UniFormat vs. MasterFormat.”

It breaks down how these two systems help align your designs with real-world budgets, from big-picture systems to trade-specific details. Great read for anyone in architecture or construction!

Check it out: https://tinyurl.com/4m7zx32z

What are your biggest challenges with project costing? Drop a comment below—we’d love to hear!

01/26/2026

We’re proud to share a recent milestone from one of our major school projects: our Construction Documents (CD) estimate came in within 1% of the final bid results.

That level of accuracy doesn’t happen by chance. It reflects a disciplined, data-driven estimating process and a commitment to continually validating our work against real-world bid data.

Accurate pre-bid estimates give owners confidence, support better decision-making, and strengthen project outcomes from design through construction.

At Blanchard Cost Consulting, accuracy isn’t a talking point — it’s a benchmark we hold ourselves to.

Learn more about how we approach cost clarity:
👉 https://blanchardcost.com/

At Blanchard Cost Estimating, we go beyond numbers to become trusted partners in construction. For over 25 years, we’ve worked alongside architects, engineers, owners, government agencies, and general contractors—delivering precision, insight, and dedication at every stage. Together, we build w...

01/05/2026

This past year was a big one for Blanchard Cost Estimating — and we’re proud of what our team and partners accomplished together.

In the last 12 months, we supported dozens of projects nationwide, including:
✔️ Hospitals, clinics, and healthcare expansions
✔️ Schools, universities, and libraries
✔️ Military, USPS, and federal facilities
✔️ City, municipal, and public works buildings
✔️ Commercial renovations and industrial projects
✔️ Right-of-way parcels and eminent domain cost reports

From early conceptual estimates to final construction documents, budget reviews, and trial-ready cost reports, our mission stayed simple:
Help clients make confident decisions with clear, defensible cost data.

We’re grateful for the trust placed in us by architects, engineers, public agencies, contractors, and owners — and we’re excited to keep raising the bar in the year ahead.

More projects. More impact. Same commitment to accuracy.

12/25/2025

Merry Christmas! 🎄✝️

Today we celebrate the birth of Jesus—the greatest gift ever given—and the hope and peace He brings to the world.

I’m incredibly thankful for our family, friends, clients, and partners who have supported us throughout the year. At Blanchard Cost, we’re grateful for the trust you place in us and the relationships we’ve been blessed to build.

Wishing you a joyful Christmas filled with faith, family, and gratitude.

12/01/2025

Today marks five years since my dad, Greg Blanchard, passed away. As many of you know, Greg spent decades building a reputation for integrity, hard work, and a deep commitment to serving clients with honesty and excellence. He poured himself into running a business while raising a family, and the lessons he taught continue to shape the way we operate at Blanchard Cost Estimating today.

For those who had the privilege of knowing or working with my dad, I’d be honored if you would share a memory, a story, or something you remember about your interactions with him. Whether it’s a funny moment, a project you worked on together, or a quality that stood out to you, your stories mean more than you know.

Please feel free to comment below or share this post so more of his former clients, colleagues, and friends can contribute. Hearing your memories helps keep his legacy alive, not just for our family, but for our whole team who continues the work he started.

Thank you for helping us honor him.

— Daniel Blanchard

11/27/2025

🦃 Happy Thanksgiving from Blanchard Cost Estimating! 🍁

This time of year always reminds me how grateful I am for the people who make our work meaningful.

To our clients:
Thank you for allowing us to be part of your projects and trusting us to deliver the cost insights you rely on. We truly appreciate the opportunity to work alongside you.

To my colleagues and peers:
Thank you for the conversations, advice, encouragement, and support you’ve shared throughout the year. Your feedback and friendship mean a great deal to me.

To the Blanchard Cost team:
You’re the ones who keep this ship moving. Thank you for your hard work, long hours, willingness to grow, and commitment to excellence. I couldn’t ask for a better team. Trevor and Christa

Wishing you and your families a warm, joyful, and restful Thanksgiving.

We are thankful for each of you!

— Daniel Blanchard

08/29/2025

👏 We’re proud to share that our CEO, Daniel Blanchard, will be presenting multiple sessions at the CERT Annual Conference 2025
in Omaha on September 24–25! (https://www.certusa.org/events/cert-annual-conference-2025---omaha)

One featured session, “From Clicks to Calculations: AI in Takeoff Assemblies,” will explore how artificial intelligence is transforming the estimating process and the future of preconstruction.

We’re excited to see Blanchard Cost Estimating represented on the national stage and to contribute to shaping the future of construction estimating.

08/05/2025

Helping Infrastructure Move Forward—While Ensuring Fairness Along the Way

At Blanchard Cost Estimating, we’ve had the opportunity to support right-of-way agents and appraisal firms by preparing detailed, defensible cost reports.

Our specialized estimates help clarify the cost of site improvements, relocation, and cost-to-cure scenarios—supporting efforts to ensure just compensation for property owners when public infrastructure projects require land acquisition.

It’s rewarding to contribute to projects that reduce congestion, expand access, and support long-term growth across our communities.

💬 Let’s connect if you have a case that could benefit from solid cost documentation.

https://blanchardcost.com/contact

Views expressed are general and not specific to any case or agency.

Reach out to us for expert construction cost estimates and consulting services. We’re here to assist with your project needs.

07/29/2025

Ever Wonder Why Construction Estimates Can Be So Different Between Companies?

You’re not imagining things—contractors and consultants do approach estimating very differently. But it’s not random. It depends on the stage your project is in, the information available, and the tools being used.

At Blanchard Cost Estimating, we specialize in building accurate, well-documented cost reports. However, before we arrive at that final number, we must choose the right approach to estimating for your specific needs.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the most common methods firms use:

🧮 Detailed Unit Cost Estimating
The gold standard for accuracy. This is where we break every trade, material, and task down to the finest detail. Time-consuming, yes—but ideal for final budgets, bid packages, and legal documentation.

📐 Square Footage Estimating
Quick and easy. Often used at the very start of a project to get a rough ballpark based on similar buildings. Not super accurate, but great for early decisions.

🔧 Assemblies Estimating
Think: “the cost per linear foot of pipe” or “cost per square foot of wall.” It bundles related materials and labor together for a balanced view.

📊 Parametric Estimating
This method utilizes historical data—such as “projects of this size and type usually cost $X”—and adjusts accordingly based on known variables.

🧠 Expert Judgment
Sometimes, the best estimates come from the gut of someone who’s seen hundreds of jobs. Especially useful when designs are unclear or constantly changing.

🧩 Hybrid Approaches
Most of the time, we blend methods. We might start with a square-foot estimate, refine it using assemblies, and finalize it with detailed line items before it goes to bid.

💻 Software & Technology
We’re big believers in working smarter. We utilize high-end estimating tools, such as DESTINI and BIM, to enhance accuracy and speed—especially on ROW (right-of-way) parcels and specialty builds.

🔍 Bottom line: Estimating isn’t a one-size-fits-all task. The method chosen depends on the project’s scope, schedule, and what you’re trying to achieve.

💬 Got questions about how we’d approach your next project? Drop us a message or visit our site to learn more.
🔗 https://blanchardcost.com/

07/23/2025

🚧 Why We Chose DESTINI Estimator 🚧

At Blanchard Cost Estimating, we’re always looking for ways to improve the way we serve our clients. One of the best decisions we’ve made recently was to adopt DESTINI Estimator by Beck Technology.

This powerful software has streamlined our preconstruction process, making it easier to produce accurate and timely estimates while collaborating more efficiently with architects, engineers, and contractors.

If you're in the estimating world and tired of the spreadsheet shuffle, take a look at DESTINI. It’s built specifically for our industry—and it shows.

✅ Better speed
✅ More precision
✅ Clearer communication

Want to see for yourself? Use our referral code to get connected with Beck Technology:

👉 https://becktechnology.r.deeto.ai/?u=0X0958KQ

Let’s raise the bar in preconstruction.

Referral Program By Deeto

07/22/2025

Should Your General Contractor Prepare Your Estimate? Here’s What Owners Need to Know.

When you’re planning a construction project, one of the first and most important questions is: Who should prepare the cost estimate?

Many owners turn to their General Contractor (GC) for this task—after all, they’re already managing construction, right? It can be convenient, but before handing over this critical responsibility, it’s worth taking a closer look at what’s truly best for your project’s bottom line.

Yes, a GC can do your estimate. Here's why that appeals to owners:
✅ Integrated Services – GCs often bundle estimating with scheduling, procurement, and project management, keeping things under one roof. ✅ On-the-Ground Experience – They know the real-world costs of building because they do it every day. ✅ Subcontractor Network – GCs typically have strong supplier and subcontractor relationships, which can yield competitive quotes. ✅ Convenience & Accountability – Having one party responsible for both estimating and ex*****on simplifies oversight.

But here’s the flip side…

What Owners Often Overlook:
⚠️ Bias Toward Award – A GC may present an overly optimistic estimate to win the job. That “low” number might not hold up later. ⚠️ No Competitive Benchmark – If you rely solely on the GC, you miss the opportunity to compare multiple estimates for cost validation. ⚠️ Varying Levels of Detail – Not all GC estimates are created equal. Some lack the rigor and transparency of third-party estimates.

This is where Blanchard Cost Estimating comes in.
As independent estimators, we serve project owners by delivering clear, objective, and detailed cost estimates that you can trust—before your project hits the ground. We help you:

✅ Verify GC estimates
✅ Get a second opinion
✅ Ensure competitive pricing
✅ Clarify scope and assumptions
✅ Strengthen your negotiating position

In short, we work for you.

Whether you're still evaluating options or already working with a GC, Blanchard Cost Estimating can be your trusted partner in cost clarity.



Here is a link to our website that contains more information about our services and contact information - https://blanchardcost.com/owners