A detailed look at every construction specialty—explaining all the components, takeoff units, and labor needed for well-organized, complete estimates.

Estimating is not a simple task, and estimates are not guesswork. No one ever purchases "about a dozen 2 by 4s" or agrees to pay a subcontractor "around $5,000." Accurate construction estimating is an essential skill of every successful contractor. Without it, you take on a heavy burden of risk, or you fail to be competitive.

Every contractor has a unique system for putting a bid together . . . but when you submit a price, you must be prepared to back it up with a reliable estimate. This book gives you a step-by-step process for organizing all the information you need to assemble an estimate you can rely on… so you'll be competitive and know that you'll make a worthwhile profit. Follow these methods and you'll create well-organized, complete estimates by:

• Correctly interpreting plans and specifications.
• Developing accurate and complete labor and material costs.
• Understanding direct and indirect overhead costs . . . and accounting for time-sensitive costs.
• Using historical cost data to generate new project budgets.
• Plus hard-to-find, professional guidance on what to consider so you can allocate the right amount for profit and contingencies.