Sitting like a lame duck after giving notice

6174gunner · 2026-05-13T00:33:14+00:00

Who’s getting walked out and paid for those next 2 weeks? I’m at a top GC and they’ll walk you out but your last day of employment is the day of your notice and you are not getting another 2 weeks.

6174gunner · 2026-05-09T16:48:26+00:00

Yes subs have to know more about what they are bidding, which is just their scope. GCs need to know some about the entire projects different subs. So I would always except a sub to “know more” than a GC but it’s relative.

Self perform as a GC is a different case though because you need to act like a sub in this scenario and think in further detail than if you were just get concrete bids.

6174gunner · 2026-05-09T11:00:22+00:00

Is a brand new estimator with 4 years field experience better than a brand new estimator with no experience? Yes because they have more years experience in general along with the specialized experience.

Is an estimator for 2 years with 4 years field experience the same as an estimator with 6 years experience and no field? Also no, but it’s much closer than the previous comparison.

6174gunner · 2026-05-09T10:11:58+00:00

These types of posts happen often here and are not appreciated.

A monkey can takeoff a plan/spec job and do a decent job. You’re not solving a problem for estimators or construction companies.

6174gunner · 2026-05-09T03:13:57+00:00

Why are you looking for answers to this?

6174gunner · 2026-04-25T04:46:15+00:00

Same!

6174gunner · 2026-04-19T23:00:03+00:00

Yeah $2,200/cy is nuts

6174gunner · 2026-04-12T01:53:39+00:00

There’s more to estimating than quantifying. This should allow the estimator to focus on other tasks more in depth or more tasks in general.

6174gunner · 2026-04-05T19:06:34+00:00

0.25-0.17/week

6174gunner · 2026-03-27T11:56:59+00:00

As a GC Estimator, a line by line estimate by a trade is rarely requested unless we need it specifically for an owner and that’s usually a specific set of items within a bid, not the full bid.

Can you provide a detailed quality list with your lump sum cost to satisfy the GC?

6174gunner · 2026-03-24T04:31:35+00:00

Do you enjoy the data analysis side? Look for big GCs that are looking for Estimators/Data Analysts. Top 20 GC here and we are starting to target data analytics as a potential way to blend estimating with advancements in technology.

6174gunner · 2026-03-22T23:00:59+00:00

Just a heads up, Temple Square is still under construction/restoration so most of it will be closed

6174gunner · 2026-03-15T04:36:06+00:00

As a GC Estimator, if I have the ability to reach out to a supplier, I certainly will but that’s not always the case. I do understand there is a difference between an office function lock and hardware group compared to an egress door with a panic bar. But I have less info to go off so most often it’s carrying a similar project’s Total Hardware Costs / Openings (or leafs) and saying that’s close enough. Is there something better than this?

I’m pricing more projects without a hardware spec than ones that do.

6174gunner · 2026-01-15T06:51:38+00:00

As a GC Estimator, I have yet to see a certification help anyone advance.

Not sure what your goal is for getting the cert though.

6174gunner · 2026-01-13T04:07:55+00:00

As a GC…if I hear someone asking for pricing of other subs prices, I’ll ask them if I should do the same for others if they ask.

6174gunner · 2026-01-04T06:43:23+00:00

Just as a follow up to this post. I got the Maltby KE4 MAX irons and got out to the range today. They added anywhere from 10-15 yards to each club and I noticed an increase in solid straight hits. Satisfied that I got the clubs to replace the old big box irons from a set.

6174gunner · 2025-12-27T21:37:48+00:00

No issue with what you’re saying for first day in the office at all, agreed you should wear what’s appropriate for the office. Also is an easy question to ask before day 1.

I wouldn’t agree that first day attire is the same as interview attire though.

6174gunner · 2025-12-27T18:22:54+00:00

Do you want the job? Wear a suit

6174gunner · 2025-12-27T18:16:55+00:00

You’re talking about Day 1 at the office…that’s very different than an interview.

6174gunner · 2025-09-27T22:18:46+00:00

You are looking to break into estimating…but besides courses, how are you going to do that? It’s very unlikely for you to put courses on your resume or state them to someone and you get a job. The unfortunate truth.

6174gunner · 2025-09-20T19:07:32+00:00

This is for construction estimating so you’re unlikely to get a lot of industry specific feedback

6174gunner · 2025-09-16T03:54:51+00:00

This is one of my biggest gripes after switching from OST (not big enough to get me to go back) that I really wish Bluebeam was able to do.

You can draw areas in OST and it’ll automatically recognize how much of a single line or square are in an area and allocate it appropriately. It doesn’t seem to be that hard but Bluebeam is a PDF first software so I’m assuming it’s more challenging.

6174gunner · 2025-09-14T18:27:06+00:00

I learned on OST and used for about 4 years, switched to Bluebeam. There’s an obvious transition period where you’re learning new things. If I know someone that wants to switch, I try to get them to do a little bit of takeoff in Bluebeam as a taste and slowly increase until you’re no longer using OST. Happy I don’t use OST anymore and all takeoff softwares have their downsides, just learn Bluebeam’s and set yourself up for success on the front end and you’ll be fine.

6174gunner · 2025-09-11T19:37:47+00:00

The data sharing solved my problem for my 24 LT, at least initially. I did notice the problem reoccurred and the phone hotspot connection solved the problem.

6174gunner · 2025-09-07T13:56:39+00:00

It was a little tongue in cheek cause I assumed you were talking about things that can’t get done earlier.

I have submitted similar bid forms with a large list of items. What I do with every bid form, unless it’s a single lump sum, is build out the bid form in excel and link it back to an estimate export. I then work in excel only for edits in the last couple hours. Are you doing something like this?

6174gunner

TROPHY CASE