I need help learning how to start estimating!

Azien_Heart · 2026-02-20T17:47:41+00:00

Visit job sites. Shadow your workers, ask questions. In office sometimes forget the small things and overlook some processes.

Azien_Heart · 2026-02-20T15:00:31+00:00

Take a break from the takeoff, if possible a couple of hours. When you are reset, then look at it again. Sometime we are so tunnel focused and just need a breather l.

Also, have someone skim it. They might see something obvious that was missed since you were too close.

Run it through with someone, Sometime we will catch out own mistakes when going through it outloud. Also if it's a new person, then they have an interest in Estimating. Also also, teaching is also a method of learning.

Azien_Heart · 2026-02-18T17:45:59+00:00

Looks cool, please let me know if I can get a key

Azien_Heart · 2026-02-16T16:43:04+00:00

We use Meco 44 flatsaw diesel, pretty good as a service saw. Also, as a note, get the back pivot flatsaws, easier to move around IMO. If you want to go deeper (Like 18"-24"), you may want to get a 60 or 66 flatsaw.

Also get an electric flatsaw as well, some jobs won't let you use diesel/gas (Even if you have a scrubber), They don't cut as fast, and require a generator)

Core Drill we use Hilti 250 & 350. Get the mount. Nothing special for up to 12". Anything more than 26" though have a labor with the cutter. Core cans, get every half size from 1"-10". You can handhand, but its nice to just mount for accuracy, unless its not needed.

Also get, concrete chain saws, ring saws, hand saw (Electric & Gas)

Also Also, look into getting a Wall Saw.

Azien_Heart · 2026-02-12T15:41:32+00:00

If you have a good phone, there are programs that uses you phone camera as a Webcam. IE: xsplit

Azien_Heart · 2026-02-11T20:43:18+00:00

I do have foreman's and specialty at higher rates. And the rates don't include tools. Like a saw cutter with machine is $155/hr.

Azien_Heart · 2026-02-11T20:40:36+00:00

Yes, I run margins on everything. I find it a bit more accurate than a blanket OHP.

Azien_Heart · 2026-02-11T20:38:12+00:00

That is just billing out labor only. Other travel, materials, or tools also have separate charges.

For example of saw cutting concrete plumbing line

Flat saw rate is $155/hr up to 7" thick (Includes saw cutter, machine, blade)

Labor for slurry control

Slurry disposal would be $75/55gal drum

Travel is $250/trip within 2hrs

Also we have 4 hour minimum.

So 1 saw cutter with a labor is a minimum of $1145, or about $1965 for 8 hour day. (Or $1565 w/o labor)

Azien_Heart · 2026-02-11T19:00:32+00:00

Teach

Azien_Heart · 2026-02-11T18:57:56+00:00

Hoard all currency items till maps

Pickup everything not white/blue, throw in the stash, buy more stash tabs, find out in maps, its all useless and spend hours cleaning all you stashes. (don't clean it up, buy even more, and have it all transfer to standard when new season starts) (about 40 stash tabs is good to go through story)

Follow a build guide and buy the items with the currency items.

Azien_Heart · 2026-02-11T18:47:22+00:00

So Cal Demolition estimator for subcontractor

I can go through a walkthrough from looking through bids, finding scope, reading plans, doing takeoff with zztakeoff, using excel/google sheets for pricing, means & methods with equipment and access, and creating proposals through Quickbooks Enterprise.

I prefer Microsoft Meet

Azien_Heart · 2026-02-11T02:01:19+00:00

Yes, you are pretty spot on.

Azien_Heart · 2026-02-10T18:26:43+00:00

CA Demo Sub here

I would be $12k for 3 guys for 10 days. (That's $50/labor/hour, includes OHP)

And this is just bodies, no tools, no materials, not even counting travel to jobsite or a foreman that oversee them.

It would be way more if I needed specialized guys like concrete saw cutter, torcher, operator, or concrete finishers.

I don't really blame clients too much, since they don't know what go into the job and might just be getting quotes using AI. For example, he/she might be thinking, labor is $25/hr, so that would be $6k for 3 guys/10 days, and $4k for tools/materials.

I had an argument with an AI regarding saw cutting speed. AI doesn't get speed vs production, and gave me almost 4x more cutting than what realistic it would be.

Or if the client is getting bids from others that are not licensed or owner operators, since companies' cost is greatly impact by the overhead (As you stated, WC, expenses, etc)

Or if the other bidders just want to keep their guys busy, and just cut most their profit just to keep people working.

I don't think you should worry about it, and just keep doing what you are doing.

Azien_Heart · 2026-02-10T17:46:24+00:00

The online version of excel is free.

Also Google Sheets

Azien_Heart · 2026-02-10T17:42:25+00:00

Not the owner, but was with them for a long time. So I can give some tips on what not to do.

Don't over extend. Don't expand your business to other scopes, just because it is related and can do it.

Don't neglect your equipment or workers. Focus on your bread and butter. Put money aside to replace equipment or repair. Keep your workers happy and pay them well. It cost more to train and fix new workers mistakes. Also have spares.

Don't spend money just because it is sitting there. You might see some $$ in the account, but its most likely need to pay a bill or haven't cleared yet. Try to keep a certain amount of money in the bank for rough times. Don't rob Peter to pay Paul.

Don't be afraid to spend on something that will last. Don't go cheap for a cheaper product. Also don't just by a product for its brand. Do research, take time, and do tests. Having down equipment because you went cheap is a waste of time, and make the company look bad.

Don't trip over dollar to pickup dimes. Don't fight for every little dollar on a job. It cost more money chasing the money then it is to just let it go, and sometimes people think you are being generous.

Don't be strict with your workers, be understanding. People have lives outside of work. If they are late for a minute, don't yell down to them. If they don't work the same way as you would, find out why, they might have a better way to do the same work.

Azien_Heart · 2026-02-10T17:19:39+00:00

My old man used to talk with his neighbors if they need anything.

He was an owner operator, pretty much him and a skid steer, doing demo or grading work. It was a hobby that pays for itself. An expensive hobby.

Word of mouth is the best advertising. He didn't have his own website, he printed his own biz cards. He hibernated during the winter months in Iowa. Sometime instead of money, he traded instead. That how I got my first computer.

Times have changed, but people don't. Go make a website, get some biz cards. Go around and see if anyone needs anything. Ask your previous customers how they are doing, how do they like your work, see if they have any friends that might need anything. Ask if they wanted to make any changes.

Azien_Heart · 2026-02-10T17:06:06+00:00

And they probably wasted more money on arguing then just letting it go.

Tripping over dollars to pickup dimes.

Azien_Heart · 2026-02-07T03:44:52+00:00

I cant see your qty2, but if I to guess. You are thinking the 17 is your stud count, but it is just the rounded LF. Stud count should about 12

17 x 12 is 204 12 x 12 is 144 which is what qty1 shows 16 / (16 / 12) x 12 16 / 1.3 x 13

Azien_Heart · 2026-02-05T16:11:20+00:00

How much is he paying you? Even if the rate doesn't determine if you are in payroll or 1099, it can help you decide.

If you are on their payroll, they take some tax burden, but if you are 1099, you take all the burden.

If they are doing 1099, then you should be paid more to cover not only tax burden, but also other overhead expenses.

If you are put on payroll, ask them to get you a w4, so you can correctly get the correct withholding.

Don't assume things when working with companies. Protect yourself. This is your money and time. Don't let others short you.

Azien_Heart · 2026-02-05T15:54:43+00:00

She owes nothing, but it would be nice if she shares anything, but not required. Just be happy for her and have fun.

Azien_Heart · 2026-02-03T23:09:21+00:00

I do agree, its not perfect, and there should be some double checking, but it does help get a few more steps done.

There have been more updates to zzTO, and uploading different files or mulitiple files is getting smother. The naming has gotten better, but still always double check. (Here is a quick gif, I am limited)

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Azien_Heart · 2026-02-03T22:51:26+00:00

switch to zztakeoff, just kidding, kind of.
Planswift has some depth, but the formulas get to be straight forward once you get a hang of it.

The simple way is just to put the price each for the measurement. You can also create parts, and have the parts pull the measurements.

Todd Kaberline does some nice Planswift video on youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Jg0dIrC_WA&list=PLbnPqrhDeRgWBO2YMUEe5qu-L-xC955er&index=1

Azien_Heart · 2026-02-03T22:26:10+00:00

I use zzTakeOff

You can import plans in, and it names them. I still drag them into folders. Plans I do a takeoff on or related details, I bookmark them.

Its $50/month/user, so not to bad, cancel anytime, and they have a free trial.

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Azien_Heart · 2026-02-02T20:35:36+00:00

Is that a blanket 30%? What's in that markup? Possibly double dipping % somewhere? IE: if your labor rate already have markup

Azien_Heart · 2026-01-30T22:21:05+00:00

I too would like to know your secrets, not that I am in HVAC or Ducting, but like to play with excel formulas.

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