Mr. Hewitt has a BSc and MSc in Civil Engineering from Queen’s University in Canada. He has been a member of the Association for the Advancement of Cost Engineering (AACE International) for over 30 years and has presented papers on Infrastructure Cost Work Breakdown Structures, Estimating Heavy Hydro Projects, Indexing International Cost Data, and Comparing & Reconciling Joint Venture Estimates. Mr. Hewitt has recently been a member of the Panel of Experts for Global Hydropower & Dams with the World Bank in Washington DC.


After working as a Field Engineer & Project Engineer for 6 years he began his estimating experience for Pitts Engineering Construction in Western Canada. Right from the start he noticed the lack of training resources, proper procedures & reliable cost data available for young estimators. He started to develop his own methods to track crews, production rates & man-hour factors utilizing a standard Master Work Breakdown Structure applicable to Heavy Civil Construction. In the beginning this was done using paper & pencil, then evolved into early spreadsheets like Lotus 123, the early versions of Microsoft Access & onto todays sophisticated Estimating Software Platforms.


Later in the 1980’s Mr. Hewitt moved on as Vice President & Chief Estimator for Matthews Contracting in Toronto Canada. During this time, he led the first estimates for Design Build Own Operate Airport projects in North America.

In the 1990’s he joined the Aecon Group in Toronto Canada as Chief Estimator for special International Joint Venture projects. These projects included Toll Highways, Light Rail Transit & International Airport projects in North America, South America, Europe, The Middle East & the Asia Pacific Region.

In 2004 he formed his own estimating consulting company, Hewitt Estimating Consultants. He split his time working for major Contractor Joint Ventures on Design Build Highway, Bridge, Tunnel, Light Rail Transit & Hydro Projects as well as working for Engineers preparing Feasibility Estimates on similar projects. During that time, he was involved with estimates totalling over $70 billion.

Based on his early estimating experiences he has made available on this website a series of online “Basis of Estimate” documents as well as a library of online “Cost Books” in easy-to-use Flip Book format for young estimators starting out, for veteran estimators looking to better enhance their knowledge & for Engineers & Owners looking for easy to find reference costs for Heavy Civil & Infrastructure projects.

Mr. Hewitt has been involved in the development of 3 estimating software solutions & is the originator of the Chief Estimator Software. Since incorporating Hewitt Estimating Consultants & working as an Estimating Consultant 20 years ago, he has used most of the leading Estimating Software applications to serve his clients.

In 2020 Mr. Hewitt incorporated HCI Cost Data Limited & set out to consolidate 45 years of experience into Master Estimates in downloadable digital format & Cost Books in online Cost Book Format.

In addition to the online Cost Books featured at no cost on this website, HCI is proud to now offer for sale, the complete library of Master Estimates in downloadable digital format. The files are available in HCSS HeavyBid, InEight & Chief Estimator Formats.

.