What is PACES™?

Making the right decision.

Because our clients need decision-making tools that will help them improve their operational efficiency, increase accuracy and reduce overall costs, we offer solutions through technology. Our specifically designed software supports construction and renovation projects through timely and accurate budget management.

Taking a Parametric Approach:

Earth Tech’s Parametric Cost Engineering System (PACES) software is a cost engineering tool to help plan and budget facility and infrastructure construction and renovation costs. PACES is an integrated Windows-based system that prepares parametric cost estimates for new facility construction, renovation and life cycle cost. PACES uses pre-engineered model parameters and construction criteria to accurately predict construction costs with limited design information.

This parametric approach differs from traditional cost estimating methods by allowing users to input a minimum amount of information in creating a cost estimate with model default quantities based on similar projects and experienced architectural and engineering assumptions. Predefined and documented engineering relationships link the primary parameters to detailed design assumptions and associated engineering quantities.

In PACES, these quantities can be changed at various places within the model to reflect project specific conditions. The use of the parametric models helps avoid errors and omissions that are commonly associated with traditional cost estimating procedures, particularly during planning and early design phases.

Key Benefits

Construction cost management and evaluation features, including preliminary budget forecasting and project tracking.
A totally integrated system of architectural and engineering parameters, construction criteria and methodologies. Sophisticated general conditions and overhead and profit models quickly calculate indirect and direct costs.
Proven accuracy to within 7.5 percent of actual construction costs compared to initial budget.
Complete facility construction and renovation cost estimates with very little up-front engineering data. Modifications can be made during the process to refine the estimates.

Features

The ability for users to develop detailed estimates based on minimum design information. Those estimates can be applied to any phase of the project
Cost estimates are location specific and include general conditions, overhead and profit
Assumptions to labor, equipment and material can easily be modified as site conditions change
Comprehensive cost database with more than 25,000 line items and location-specific cost adjustments for 2,120 cities worldwide
System is updated to reflect current construction and price data

Who uses PACES?

USACE - Construction Engineering Research Lab (CERL)
US Air Force
US Department of Health and Human Services
US Army Corps of Engineers

How Is PACES Used?