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Construction Cost Estimating

Performance You Can Count On—Because We Do the Work.

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A reliable estimate is the financial roadmap for your project. We provide estimating services grounded in the reality of today’s construction market, not just historical databases. Our experience delivering massive capital programs—like the $250M Fresno Southeast Surface Water Treatment Facility—allows us to build budgets that owners can trust for funding approvals and project planning.

How We Deliver Value

Cost certainty is the ultimate value. We deliver this by approaching every estimate with a “builder’s mindset.” On the Fresno Southeast project, our pre-construction involvement didn’t just price the drawings; it improved them. 

Through value engineering and design optimization, we helped identify $15 million in capital and O&M savings for the City. 

We bridge the gap between conceptual budgets and final costs to prevent shock and scope reduction later.

We consistently save our clients time and money through…

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Beyond Database Pricing

Standard databases often lag behind supply chain realities. Because we are active builders procuring materials for projects like the Anaergia Rialto Bioenergy Facility, we utilize real-time market data for steel, piping, and mechanical equipment.

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Conceptual Budgeting & Design Support

The most critical financial decisions happen when the design is only 30% complete. We specialize in developing reliable budgets from incomplete drawings, a skill proven on the UC Merced 2020 campus expansion where we helped deliver a complex multi-year, multi-building program. We help owners understand the cost implications of design choices early, ensuring the project develops within its funding limits.

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Production-Based Labor Costs

Labor is the biggest variable in construction. Unlike consultants who rely on industry averages, we use production rates derived from our own self-perform crews. Whether it’s the massive earthwork at Wasco or the precise mechanical installations at Davis WWTP, we know exactly how many man-hours it takes to execute. This precision allows us to price risk accurately and eliminate guesswork.

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Transparent Risk Assessment

W. M. Lyles Co. provides estimating services backed by a legacy of successful project delivery across California. We understand the unique cost drivers of water treatment plants, pipelines, and civil facilities. Whether providing a check estimate for a municipality or a hard bid for a private development, our numbers represent a commitment to accuracy, constructability, and market reality.