subject: Construction Estimating - The Importance Of Being Accurate [print this page] Construction Estimating - The Importance Of Being Accurate
Do you run out of building supplies mid-project? If so, the chances are pretty good that you are not a good estimator. You are probably guessing when you should be estimating and all of your projects and finances are suffering as a result. If you want your construction projects to be a success then you need to be able to correctly estimate that materials that will be needed and the amount of time the work will take. A correct estimation of the work and cost involved should be established before you start knocking anything down or building. For example, say that you have a wall that you need to put a door frame in. It's impossible to say how much the job will cost by just looking at the wall. You need to thoroughly assess the wall, take measurements and check prices. Guesstimating will not only lead to the loss of money. It will cause you to lose out on contracts that could have been yours. It will be your lack of time and effort that will lose those jobs for you. Suppose you overestimate and quote a high price. You'll probably lose that job to the guy who did good estimates and came up with a lower price. Any good competition that you have in the construction market will be making careful and correct estimates. Don't foolishly lose money through laziness. Guesstimating lands you in trouble because each job is different, and just because a job should, in theory, be similar to one that you have worked on before, it does not necessarily mean that it will be. Whilst you should not ignore your past experience altogether, you do need to be wary of not fully taking into account what actually stands before you. So, don't let any of it be a guesstimate. Use scientific methods and mathematical techniques. Maybe you need to find a mentor who has more experience making estimates than you do. No matter how frustrated you may get, no guessing! In the long run, you'll be laughing all the way to the bank. You will have won the job, had enough supplies to finish the job, and won't be borrowing from the current job to pay for a past job.
