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Mentors
As often happens at the start of a new year, my thoughts turned to those in my life today and those who made their mark, but moved on. To get to where you are today there have been many people who have...
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A New Start for a New Year
A new year means a new start. I know, I know that is what every magazine & self-help book says this time of year. But the clean slate does not only apply to your exercise & spending habits....
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Good or Bad Project
It’s amazing how a project can turn out compared to the estimate cost at bid time. I have seen projects over the years that turned out the exact opposite of what was anticipated for better or for...
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Connect the Dotted Lines
Often times as the years pass, projects that you estimated seem to disappear from your memory. There are always a few projects that you will never forget and it will always seem like just yesterday...
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Keep It Simple
Getting overwhelmed by projects is really easy to do. Anyone in construction estimating knows this all too well! I was told a while ago by my mentor “When you have a big project to do, don’t get...
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Labor Factors
It’s always interesting talking to someone about labor hours and how long it takes to perform a certain task with a person not in the construction industry. I know on more than one occasion, I have...
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A Construction Marvel
I visited the Biltmore Estate during Christmas time. If you have not had the opportunity to go to the Biltmore please do so, if you are ever in the Asheville, North Carolina area. The mansion is the...
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Owner VS Design Team
As an owner with a project to build, how can you make sure your ideas become reality? I had been working with an owner who had a building that he wanted to make into a showcase museum in a historic...
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The Old Ball & Chain
Every estimator has been overwhelmed by a project from time to time. You don’t have the resources, seemingly impossible deadlines, complex project type, etc. It can feel like you are getting crushed....
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Independent Estimators
If you are an owner or developer, why should you use an independent cost estimator? An independent estimator can be truly objective. An independent cost estimator does not have any vested interest in...
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Questions
Through our blog I get a lot of questions about general construction terms. And no I don’t mean humorous terms like Mark and I covered in construction terms part 1 and part 2. So I thought I would...
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Imaginary Projects
Usually when I get involved in a project there is no work being done on site. The contracts are yet to be issued, materials are not purchased, and the only tangible representation of the project is...
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Professional Estimators
Many owners, architects, and engineers balk at the idea of hiring and paying for a professional estimator for their project. After all, wouldn’t it help to control costs to go with a cheaper option?...
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An Inside Look At Tempest Company
Guest Blog by Evelyn Huser – the newest member of the Tempest Team: I have been working at Tempest Company for about 5 months. Having come from a medical/dental background, I am familiar with...
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Estimators vs Project Managers
Some contractors use an interesting method to estimate and manage the work they are awarded. The job’s lead estimator becomes the job project manager. This person is already familiar with the project...
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Estimators Are Prepared
With the snow storm that hit the Northeast and one that is bearing down on the Great Plains, estimators that are bidding projects across the country and the world have to be prepared so they can get...
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Please Feed the Estimators
Have you ever heard the old adage about estimators “you give them the drawings and specifications, lock them in their office and don’t let them out until they are done”. Well yes, keeping the...
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Passing on a Project
You can actually come out ahead on some projects by passing on the opportunity rather than trying to tackle a project you know you shouldn’t! There can be many reasons to bail from contract terms or...
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Pulled In Every Direction?
Estimators have always been great multi-taskers. They are cultivating relationships with subcontractors and suppliers while they are scheduling the projects. Estimators are also bidding work and...
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Breakouts
Architects, engineers, small contractors, large contractors, government or private sector – I work for a diverse range of clients. I always want to make sure that the estimate is broken out in such a...
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