AOG Helps Planners Avoid Costly Mistakes at KC Construction Estimating Academy

No one likes surprises in construction projects. Well-planned efficiency is the goal, and it starts with precise upfront estimations that set clear expectations and guide critical decision-making. Yet, one often-overlooked factor can make or break these estimates: geotechnical engineering.

Sharpening estimation precision was an objective of the 20th Annual KC Construction Estimating Academy in Olathe, Kansas. The February 2025 event, organized by ASPE Kansas City Estimators, brought together planning professionals from the region’s construction community to discuss strategies for improving estimation accuracy.

Ball Event Center, Olathe Kansas

Alpha-Omega Geotech (AOG) was there to shed light on our crucial piece of the puzzle.

“We welcome the opportunity to give insights about the essential role of geotechnical engineering and special inspections,” says AOG Business Development Director Dave Flessner. “The more Estimators understand how our services fit into their projects and help achieve their goals, the better the results. It’s that simple.”

AOG Business Development Director, Dave Flessner presented Geotech insights at the event.

The Real Cost of Misunderstanding the Role of Geotech

Flessner’s presentation, “Construction Estimating: Geotech Made Clear,” filled a conference room inside the Ball Event Center. Senior Estimators learned how the right geotechnical partner can eliminate unnecessary expenses, prevent delays, and mitigate risks — all critical factors for improving project outcomes.

Flessner included some of the most common estimating pitfalls:

Over-budgeting for materials due to unclear soil conditions, particularly for foundations
Under-budgeting for geotechnical services, only to realize later that they’re not just necessary, but often required by local building codes
Skipping Geotech entirely and paying the price when site conditions create unexpected foundation issues, soil instability, or permit delays

“Not fully understanding the impact of Geotech can mean budgeting too much or too little,” says Flessner. “That’s not what Estimators want.”

Lowest Bid vs. Smartest Choice

Another key takeaway from Flessner’s talk: treating geotechnical engineering and special inspections as separate spreadsheet line items, awarded to lowest bidders, can backfire.

“It can be short-sighted,” Flessner warns. “After a project is completed, the value of working with one partner from start to finish becomes obvious. The perception of cost savings from lowest-bid contracts disappears when teams face miscommunications, delays, and redundant work.”

Research backs this up. Studies show that projects with integrated geotechnical and inspection services experience up to 30% fewer construction delays and more accurate cost forecasting compared to those that treat these services as isolated bids. A 2022 McKinsey report on construction efficiency also found that poor risk assessment (often stemming from inadequate geotechnical evaluations) is a leading cause of cost overruns in commercial projects.

The bottom line, according to Flessner? “The right geotechnical partner isn’t just an expense, it’s an investment in efficiency, cost control, and risk mitigation.”