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"Simplified Construction Estimate" by Max Fajardo Jr. is a foundational Philippine reference providing straightforward formulas and tables for accurate material cost estimation in construction. The guide covers concrete, masonry, earthworks, and reinforcement, aiming to enhance efficiency and reduce errors for industry professionals. For access to the document, view the Simplified Construction Estimate (Third Edition) | PDF - Scribd on Scribd.
Free Download: Simplified Construction Estimate | PDF - Scribd
This is the most heavily used section. The PDF provides tables for:
In a cramped site office in Manila, young engineer Luis Torres stared at a blank estimate sheet. His first solo project—a two-story residential house—was due to bid in three days, but he had no idea how much gravel, sand, or cement to order.
His foreman, Mang Rudy, tossed a worn-out PDF printout onto the table. "You haven't read Fajardo?"
Luis opened the file: "Simplified Construction Estimate – Max Fajardo." The title was plain, but the pages were gold.
As he scrolled through Chapter 1, the numbers began to breathe. He learned how to compute concrete volume using the "linear meter method." Walls, columns, footings—once abstract lines on a blueprint—became measurable things. Wood forms for a 3-meter high wall? Fajardo said: multiply by 0.45 board foot per square meter. It was like a spell. Simplified Construction Estimate Max Fajardo.pdf
By midnight, Luis had filled his first column of quantities. But the real story began when he met an older architect at a construction supply warehouse the next morning.
The architect saw the printout peeking from Luis’s bag. "Ah, Fajardo," he smiled. "That book built half the houses in this province. When I started in the 90s, we had no software. Just Fajardo, a ruler, and a prayer. You know the story behind it?"
Luis shook his head.
"They say Max Fajardo was a site engineer who got tired of seeing contractors lose money because they over-ordered—or worse, under-ordered and halted work for weeks. So he simplified everything. He turned estimating into tables and formulas that even a high school graduate could follow. He didn't invent concrete, but he made sure no one poured it without knowing the cost."
That afternoon, Luis went back to the PDF. He wasn't just following numbers anymore—he was following a legacy. He estimated the gravel, sand, cement, hollow blocks, rebars, paint, and even nails. For the first time, his estimate matched the actual purchase orders.
The bid was won. The house was built on time. And when the client asked, "How did you know exactly how many bags of cement to order?" Luis pointed to the PDF on his tablet. "Simplified Construction Estimate" by Max Fajardo Jr
"That book," he said. "It’s like a compass for builders. It doesn't build the house for you, but it makes sure you don't get lost."
Years later, Luis would pass the same PDF—still dog-eared in digital form—to a new intern. And he would say the same words Mang Rudy told him: "You haven't read Fajardo?"
If you actually need a summary, table of contents, or practical guide based on Max Fajardo's book (without accessing the PDF), let me know and I’ll provide that instead.
This report outlines the book's objectives, scope, key content areas, and its significance to the construction industry.
REPORT ON: SIMPLIFIED CONSTRUCTION ESTIMATE BY MAX B. FAJARDO JR.
DATE: October 26, 2023 TO: Interested Parties / Engineering & Construction Department SUBJECT: Summary and Review of "Simplified Construction Estimate" Class A, B, and C Concrete Mixes (40kg vs 50kg cement bags)
The book breaks down how to estimate board feet of lumber needed to hold wet concrete. It includes tables for:
Modern PDF readers allow you to highlight formulas, add sticky notes with current price updates (since Fajardo’s prices are outdated, but his formulas are timeless), and bookmark critical tables.
If you download or browse this PDF, you will find that the book is structured to follow the actual flow of construction, from dirt to doorknob. Here is a chapter-by-chapter breakdown of what you are getting.
Dated Examples (Original Edition):
Some material prices, labor rates, and certain construction methods reflect late 20th-century practices. If you’re using an old PDF, adjust prices to current market values.
Limited Coverage of Modern Systems:
Minimal or no content on:
Minimal Plumbing/Electrical Details:
While present, the MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing) sections are basic compared to dedicated estimating manuals.
Repetitive Format:
Some readers find the constant “solve by proportion” method repetitive across chapters.