Insights

Cost Engineering
Knowledge Hub.

Practical articles, methodology guides and market analysis from CAF Corporation cost engineers — covering AACE practices, location factors, escalation trends and more.

All Topics AACE Methodology (12) Location Factors Cost Escalation (1) Benchmarking (7) Equipment Costs (4) Renewable Energy Labor Rates General (11)
Featured · General
The KPEX Ecosystem: From First-Generation Estimating to a Connected Cost Intelligence Network
The capital project industry is shifting from spreadsheets to integrated platforms and fully connected KPEX ecosystems. This transformation is redefining how cost estimates are produced, improving accuracy, accelerating decisions and enabling data-driven competitive advantage, while exposing the limits of fragmented, traditional approaches.
Ca
Carlos Fuenmayor
· May 2026 · 5 min read
Read article
AACE Methodology 12 Cost Escalation 1 Benchmarking 7 Equipment Costs 4 General 11
AACE Methodology
Kpex · Module C: A Cost Model for Every Facility, in One Platform
Module C is the only place an estimator can put a credible, defensible number on a refinery, a rail line, a hospital, a solar farm...
Jul 2026
5 min read
Read article
AACE Methodology
Kpex Exchange: The Intelligence Flywheel
How a closed-loop data architecture connecting estimators, vendors, and executed project cost data is redefining cost intelligence...
Jun 2026
5 min read
Read article
AACE Methodology
Class 3 vs. Class 2: The FID Line That Transforms Your CAPEX Estimate
A Class 3 and a Class 2 estimate are not just different levels of accuracy — they operate in fundamentally different data environm...
Jun 2026
5 min read
Read article
AACE Methodology
Class 5 Cost Estimate: Order-of-Magnitude Using Cost Curves
The fastest estimate you can produce — and the one most likely to shape a billion-dollar decision. Learn how Class 5 power-law cos...
May 2026
8 min read
Read article
AACE Methodology
Class 4 Cost Estimate: Study Estimate with Equipment-Factor Methods
Moving beyond screening to the first equipment-based estimate: Class 4 uses your equipment list and proven factoring methods to pr...
May 2026
9 min read
Read article
AACE Methodology
Class 3 Cost Estimate: Budget Estimate with Four-Level WBS
The Class 3 estimate is where most capital project decisions are made — it's the "approved budget" number that management carries...
May 2026
10 min read
Read article
AACE Methodology
Class 2 Cost Estimate: Control Estimate with Resource-Loaded WBS
The Class 2 estimate is the cost baseline for project control — built on detailed quantities, market labor rates, and equipment re...
May 2026
11 min read
Read article
AACE Methodology
Class 1 Cost Estimate: Definitive Estimate for Bid, Tender and Claims
Class 1 is the gold standard of cost estimation — prepared when the project is fully defined, all vendor quotes are received, and...
May 2026
9 min read
Read article
AACE Methodology
BENCHMARKING DE COSTOS DE PROYECTOS ⇔ ESTIMACIÓN DE COSTOS DE PROYECTOS
May 2026
3 min read
Read article
1 2 Showing 1–9 of 12 articles
Access the full Kpex knowledge base
Members get access to all gated articles, cost data and platform tools.
Create Free Account