Students calculate costs at contest

By Denise Dick

denise_dick@vindy.com

Youngstown

Civil and construction-engineering technology students at Youngstown State University earned some real-world experience learning about preparing and submitting bids for construction projects.

The students, divided into three teams of seven members each, competed Friday in an estimating contest sponsored by the Builders Association of Eastern Ohio and Western Pennsylvania.

“It’s a lot of fun,” said D.J. David, a senior from Mercer, Pa.

This marks his third year in the competition, and he’s a team leader this time.

“Everyone is having fun in there now, but in a couple of hours, there will be a lot of scrambling, worrying that we won’t get it done,” David said. “It’s exciting.”

The teams worked with industry mentors for about six weeks, learning about materials pricing, contract contingencies and the like.

On Friday, the teams were on their own, allotted 61/2 hours to prepare and submit bids for an actual project, the addition onto the Fred Martin Ford and Mercedes dealership in Austintown that was completed last year.

They’re awarded points to determine the winner, said Carol Lamb, associate professor of engineering technology.

“I tell them that even if they don’t want to go into estimating and specifications, it’s good to have the experience of working with it,” Lamb said.

Jeff Melick, a senior from Girard, is in his third year of the competition, his first as team leader.

The most challenging part of the contest is time management, he said.

“You have to keep it rolling,” Melick said.

Each student on the team must play a role and estimate an amount and price for materials, from glass to steel to masonry.

Dan Fry of the Builders Association said at least two YSU students have gotten jobs through their involvement with the competition, which is in its third year.

Daniel Terreri of Daniel A. Terreri and Sons Inc. of North Jackson, one of the competition judges who also is a YSU alumnus in civil-engineering technology, said students range from those with actual industry experience to those still learning in the classroom.

The contractors involved with the competition are Builders Association members.