When filling out bid forms make sure: The numbers and the words match! (6,000,000 and six million) All the blanks are filled in. All the required signatures are accounted for. It may sound simple, but it does happen!
I am seeing more projects that go out to bid with at least one addendum. Addendums are becoming the norm instead of an occasional thing. Sometimes the changes are clouded on the drawings, other times the changes are issued on new drawings. Sometimes there are simple changes to the specifications, other times entire spec sections [...]
An estimator is a true jack of all trades. Not only do we have to know how the job is going to be built we also have to know what the contract has to say. Contracts are not written in conversational English instead it is written in legal speak. Before signing a contract you have [...]
The other day I was talking with a long time estimator. We were discussing why, after all these years, he is still doing estimating. He said it was all in the thrill of the hunt. The estimate was the preparation for the hunt and bid day was the hunting trip. And when the final numbers [...]
July 4th Independence Day – is absolutely my favorite holiday. It is a day that I love to celebrate our freedoms. I am looking forward to the grilling with friends and family then some nighttime fireworks as a tribute. I hope you will enjoy the holiday also.
Is it time for a few of the lower end contractors to fold up shop? I think the resounding answer to the question is YES. I have heard horror stories from all over the country about how the low bidder is taking the job for less that the material and subcontract costs! Also there is [...]
Are you protected if the contractor has a payment and performance bond? I would be willing to bet a majority of people in the construction industry would answer yes without a single hesitation. Owners are willing to bet their own money on these bonds under the assumption it guarantee’s the protection of their project! I [...]
When starting an estimate you can make a checklist from the specification and go through the checklist while you are doing the takeoff. When you are done with the takeoff you can compare the items that you have checked off of the list with the estimate and see where any holes in the documents might [...]
The total dollar amount for a construction project can be a hard number to swallow by owners. When preparing budgets for owners, the first thing they look at typically is the bottom line and then there is a moment of silence followed by some remark about the project can’t possibly cost that much. Detail is [...]
Some owners are seeing a benefit to the economic times. Projects get few and far between and the backlog shrinks. The contractors want to keep their best people busy and not lay them off. This can mean that the cream of the crop for the construction of the next project may be available. The days [...]
