Skip to content
CivilsBites logo featuring a cartoon cost estimator in a hard hat using a calculator

Civils Bites

  • Privacy Policy
  • The Hilarious (and Slightly Terrifying) World of Infrastructure Estimation
CivilsBites logo featuring a cartoon cost estimator in a hard hat using a calculator
Civils Bites
  • Cost Estimator
    Blog

    From Excel Guru to Fortune Teller: The Unexpected Skills Required of a Cost Estimator

    ByCarlo Gabriele Borri MCIOB AMICE March 29, 2024

    Alright, infrastructure enthusiasts, gather for a confession that might surprise you: a cost estimator isn’t just a spreadsheet wizard who can summon budget breakdowns with a click of a button (although that is a pretty impressive skill). This profession requires a surprisingly diverse skillset that would make even a seasoned professional say, “Wait, I also…

    Read More From Excel Guru to Fortune Teller: The Unexpected Skills Required of a Cost EstimatorContinue

  • Blog

    Budgeting for the Apocalypse (or Just the Next Traffic Jam): Why Infrastructure Needs a Rainy Day Fund 

    ByCarlo Gabriele Borri MCIOB AMICE March 27, 2024

    Let’s be honest, folks. Life is full of surprises. And in infrastructure development, those surprises can sometimes significantly impact the budget. That’s why, as a cost estimator, I’m a big advocate for something often overlooked: a dedicated infrastructure “rainy day fund.”  Hear me before you start picturing me stockpiling emergency road cones and duct tape. We…

    Read More Budgeting for the Apocalypse (or Just the Next Traffic Jam): Why Infrastructure Needs a Rainy Day Fund Continue

  • Cone Zone Charade
    Blog

    Sleepless in Seattle (and Every Other City With Ageing Infrastructure): The Never-Ending Battle Against Budgetary Backlog 

    ByCarlo Gabriele Borri MCIOB AMICE March 26, 2024

    Ah, infrastructure. It is the backbone of our cities, the arteries of our commerce, and the occasional source of restless nights. For a cost estimator like me, the never-ending battle against budgetary backlogs in the face of ageing infrastructure can feel like living in our version of “Sleepless in Seattle.” Instead of waiting for love…

    Read More Sleepless in Seattle (and Every Other City With Ageing Infrastructure): The Never-Ending Battle Against Budgetary Backlog Continue

  • Blog

    From Shiny New Bridge to Rusting Relic: The High Cost of Ignoring Infrastructure Maintenance (and Why We Should All Be Friends with Civil Engineers) 

    ByCarlo Gabriele Borri MCIOB AMICE March 25, 2024March 25, 2024

    Let’s face it, folks. Infrastructure sometimes gets a raw deal. We celebrate the grand opening of a sparkling new bridge, but who wants to think about the not-so-glamorous world of maintenance?  As a cost estimator, I can tell you that ignoring infrastructure maintenance is a recipe for financial disaster (and maybe a bumpy commute). Here’s…

    Read More From Shiny New Bridge to Rusting Relic: The High Cost of Ignoring Infrastructure Maintenance (and Why We Should All Be Friends with Civil Engineers) Continue

  • Excel Epiphany
    Blog

    The “Excel Epiphany”: When You Spend All Night Wrestling With Spreadsheets and Suddenly Understand Why They Call It ‘Infrastructure Adventure’ 

    ByCarlo Gabriele Borri MCIOB AMICE March 22, 2024March 22, 2024

    Ah, the spreadsheet. For some, it’s a productivity powerhouse. For a cost estimator like me? Let’s say it’s the battleground where epic clashes occur between numbers and deadlines. We spend countless hours wrestling with formulas, chasing down data, and praying for that glorious moment: the “Excel Epiphany.” What exactly is an Excel Epiphany? Imagine this: you’ve been…

    Read More The “Excel Epiphany”: When You Spend All Night Wrestling With Spreadsheets and Suddenly Understand Why They Call It ‘Infrastructure Adventure’ Continue

  • Blog

    My Weekend Plans? Rereading Every Infrastructure Contract Clause Ever Written (Because Sleep is for the Financially Carefree) 

    ByCarlo Gabriele Borri MCIOB AMICE March 21, 2024March 21, 2024

    Ah, the allure of a relaxing weekend. For some, it’s catching up on sleep, indulging in hobbies, or spending time with loved ones. But for a cost estimator like me, my idea of a thrilling Saturday night involves a deep dive into the fascinating world of infrastructure contract clauses. Don’t get me wrong, I love…

    Read More My Weekend Plans? Rereading Every Infrastructure Contract Clause Ever Written (Because Sleep is for the Financially Carefree) Continue

  • Blog

    The Hunger Games of Infrastructure Bidding: How to Survive Without Getting Eaten Alive (By Your Budget) 

    ByCarlo Gabriele Borri MCIOB AMICE March 20, 2024March 20, 2024

    Ever feel like you’ve stepped into a real-life Hunger Games Infrastructure scenario? Well, buckle up, infrastructure enthusiasts, because the world of infrastructures bidding can sometimes feel just as cutthroat (minus the actual bloodshed, thankfully). Here’s the deal: The competition is fierce. Every firm wants that coveted project; let’s be honest, the pressure to come in with the lowest…

    Read More The Hunger Games of Infrastructure Bidding: How to Survive Without Getting Eaten Alive (By Your Budget) Continue

  • Blog

    “Should We Tell Them?” Dilemma: When You Realise a Project Costs More Than a Rocket Launch (But It’s Just a Bus Stop) 

    ByCarlo Gabriele Borri MCIOB AMICE March 20, 2024March 20, 2024

    Alright, infrastructure enthusiasts, gather for a confession that might make you both chuckle and cringe. We’ve all been there: the moment you crunch the numbers and realise the initial costs for a seemingly ordinary project are about to send eyebrows soaring. Here’s the thing: in the world of cost estimation, sometimes the “should we tell…

    Read More “Should We Tell Them?” Dilemma: When You Realise a Project Costs More Than a Rocket Launch (But It’s Just a Bus Stop) Continue

  • Blog

    Material Madness: When the Price of Steel Makes You Want to Take Up Knitting (But You Still Need to Build a Bridge) 

    ByCarlo Gabriele Borri MCIOB AMICE March 19, 2024March 19, 2024

    Let’s face it: Infrastructure projects are ambitious undertakings requiring tonnes of materials. Lately, however, the price of those materials has been on a serious rollercoaster ride.  Is the price of steel going up faster than your commute during rush hour? Are concrete prices reaching new heights (literally, for some buildings)? As a cost estimator, these…

    Read More Material Madness: When the Price of Steel Makes You Want to Take Up Knitting (But You Still Need to Build a Bridge) Continue

  • Blog

    Why My Shower Thoughts Are Never About What to Eat for Lunch (It’s Always About Infrastructure Costs) 

    ByCarlo Gabriele Borri MCIOB AMICE March 19, 2024March 19, 2024

    Let’s be honest, folks. We all have those moments in the shower where brilliant ideas strike. But for a cost estimator like me, those “aha!” moments rarely involve the day’s lunch menu. Instead, my brain becomes a mini-infrastructure cost-analysis factory, churning out calculations and potential scenarios faster than you can say “escalation clause.” Why is…

    Read More Why My Shower Thoughts Are Never About What to Eat for Lunch (It’s Always About Infrastructure Costs) Continue

Page navigation

Previous PagePrevious 1 … 3 4 5 6 Next PageNext

© 2026 Civils Bites - WordPress Theme by Kadence WP

  • Privacy Policy
  • The Hilarious (and Slightly Terrifying) World of Infrastructure Estimation