Cowen Estimating & Construction Services is committed to the art and the science of the estimating profession as well as the technical aspect of the industry.  We understand the need for accurate and concise estimates.   All estimates are developed with on screen take-off software for accuracy and ease of review.  Pricing is based on labor productivity and current material costs not only industry unit costs.

Mel Cowen, CPE started his estimating career in 1979 with a Kansas based General Contractor and has worked for contractors who self-performed work from Division 1 through Division 33. Specializing with sitework through all specialty trades. His positions ranged from a senior estimator to chief estimator to Vice President of Estimating. Mel has successfully estimated projects in 17 states in the US. These estimates ranged from hard bid to full design build projects. Cost of projects range from a few thousand dollars to well over one hundred million dollars per project. In 2005 Mel became an ASPE member and in 2007 successfully completed the requirements to become a Certified Professional Estimator (CPE)

Currently Mel is serving as National 2nd Vice President and a member of the Board of Trustees for the American Society of Professional Estimators.

Cowen Estimating is currently working on conceptual estimates, hard bid take-offs and labor production estimates as well as third party cost validation. The estimate take-off is completed on On-Screen Takeoff software. Estimates are developed using either Excel spread sheets developed for each individual client to match their requirements as well as Pro-Est and Sage (Timberline) estimating software.

Our range of work is diverse, covering all aspects of construction from earthwork to mechanical work across a broad range of industries and project types from water treatment plants, refineries and military installations to schools, transit stations, and rail lines to commercial building and warehouse facilities. We have also helped to bring to successful completion major projects for the US Army Corps of Engineers and numerous initiatives for hospitals and healthcare facilities.

We also have the in-house capabilities to develop pre-construction and estimate preliminary schedules on Microsoft Project software.

Cowen Estimating is affiliated with American Society of Professional Estimators and the Construction Specification Institute.