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Home | Free Content | Fundamentals of Estimating, Part 1
 

Michael Stone
Michael Stone


Fundamentals of Estimating, Part 1
Profitable Estimating Bootcamp Series - 1 of 13

An accurate estimate is the first step in selling and building a profitable job. Construction estimating isn't easy, and knowing how to estimate a construction job is critical for any remodeling contractor, new home builder, or specialty contractor.

 

Join us as Michael Stone presents a 12 part series on Profitable Estimating, walking through the process of estimating a construction job.  This series will benefit any remodeling contractor or specialty contractor. Michael Stone is a popular speaker and teacher who has taught estimating to contractors in 42 different states and in Canada.

Learn more about the series at Profitable Estimating, sign up here.

In This Course You'll Get Answers to These Questions and Many More!

My estimates aren't accurate, and the errors are costing me money.
We will show you the steps to follow on every estimate that reduce your error factor and eliminate guessing.

I procrastinate and have lost customers because I've taken too long to get back to them.
You will develop confidence in your ability to estimate so that you don't dread the process, allowing you to get back to your customers and make the sale.

My last estimate was short because I missed the little things -- the temporary job cover, a "make-do" sink for the homeowners.
On every job, we'll review how to mentally build the job so nothing is forgotten, from permits through cleanup.

It's too difficult to interpret plans and identify the work and materials required.  I'm not sure if the problem is the plans, or if I don't know how to read them.
Some plans are not detailed enough, others are just poorly drawn. You will learn to recognize plans that need more work and what to do about it.

I keep forgetting items while doing the takeoff.
You will attain the discipline needed to do the same thing, the same way, every single estimate, eliminating forgotten items.

Labor is so difficult to estimate.
By discovering how to review every job, you'll be able to accurate predict the labor requirements.
 
How can I get a good quote from my subs and suppliers when I don't have the job yet?
You will learn how to develop a working relationship with fellow contractors allowing you to secure accurate, on-the-jobsite quotes from subs and suppliers as needed.

How can I use installed or material allowance amounts to protect myself?
We'll discuss the difference between installed allowance amounts and material allowance amounts, when and how to use them, and the benefits and risks.

I spent hours on my last estimate, only to learn the customer was "just shopping". 
Securing a commitment from the customer BEFORE developing an estimate is critical. We'll discuss what to say and when to say it to get a commitment first.

My estimates are great -- it's the Additional Work Orders that cost me money.
The Additional Work Orders are as important as the estimate when it comes to accuracy, and we'll detail how to estimate them.

You can watch Part 1, the fundamentals, below. 

 

 



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Review Part 2 for Free Here 

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·  Whole House Remodel with 2 Change Orders, continued -- April 21
·  Whole House Remodel with 2 Change Orders, continued - April 7
·  Whole House Remodel with 2 Change Orders, continued - March 31
·  Whole House Remodel with 2 Change Orders - March 10
·  Two Story Addition with Change Order - March 3
·  Single Story Addition with Change Order - February 10
·  Medium Kitchen Remodel with Change Order - February 3
·  Small Kitchen Remodel
·  Medium Bath Remodel
·  Small Bathroom Remodel
·  Estimating Fact Finding Session
·  Profitable Estimating Bootcamp - An Online Class