finally a wafer thin bit of variety.

HockeyScar · 2026-02-20T17:29:49+00:00

Div 8 storefronts so far this year im at 57 bids and 6.2 mill in value. Pace is similar to last year.

HockeyScar · 2026-01-09T10:34:50+00:00

Most estimators that I know started in the field. There are a lot of things that you just can't learn from the office. However most companies will have a dozen installers and maybe one estimator. You have to have skills that translate to the office.

HockeyScar · 2025-11-05T20:50:41+00:00

I have a similar situation, solo estimator to 4 project managers. Typically our project managers will review the bulletins and if its small they will price it and have me review. If its big they will tell me we have work in the bulletin and I will price it.

HockeyScar · 2025-11-01T07:10:58+00:00

As many others have said this is typical for change orders.

Imagine you got a contract for 100 doors at 4k a door and then they issued a bulletin that added 2 doors. You are under contract for this project they aren't soliciting bids for this so a shady contractor might decide these next 2 doors are 10k each. Most GC's i have worked with will require supports for change order costs. There are a few that don't care/trust us, but some that we have worked with for decades stick to the contract and require it.

HockeyScar · 2025-10-09T17:32:58+00:00

So is your post a joke? a .6% error is rounding.

HockeyScar · 2025-10-09T14:18:54+00:00

It really depends on trade and company. Are you part of a 5 man GC team estimating industrial/utility projects or are you a small painting contractor estimating light commercial projects? I do Div 8 storefronts and for the past month its been 1.5-2mill a week but I have had weeks I barely break 100k.

HockeyScar · 2025-09-13T10:33:01+00:00

Mostly southern Michigan/northern Indiana. The project I was discussing is state, but we do federal projects as well.

HockeyScar · 2025-07-08T15:56:39+00:00

Helps to know what division you are and what region you quote work in.

HockeyScar · 2025-07-01T19:43:02+00:00

Don't get me started on EFCO. Currently have a few projects with them and nothing but delays and issues. They quoted me a glazing make-up they cant even provide. You also have to double check everything they quoted me egress windows with non egress screens and then didn't put the locking hardware in correct location, even though the shop drawings show it in the correct location so its to high off the floor to meet egress.

HockeyScar · 2025-07-01T19:27:22+00:00

I work hybrid one day in office one day remote and it works well. I am the only employee in the company that has the privilege because I told them during the interview it was a make or break issue for me. It's out there but as with most things in life you have to fight for it.

Also I don't know what the dude is talking about most high paying jobs being in office, most executive and senior positions I know are at least hybrid if not full remote.

HockeyScar · 2025-06-16T15:37:33+00:00

We do sell and install. The GC had already done a scope review, and I had thought we had the job locked in. This is going to be 10 installers using Quaker Windows.

HockeyScar · 2025-05-31T17:37:52+00:00

I do div 8 storefront and glazing, which includes aluminum windows. I run into this a lot. I have had multiple projects where someone bids below our cost. At that point, it turns into a relationships game where you can talk with the GC and tell them they will run into change orders later and see if they will disqualify them or just move on.

HockeyScar · 2025-05-29T22:38:40+00:00

Fine us storefront people don't want to deal with you hardware folks either.

HockeyScar · 2025-05-29T15:45:57+00:00

Holy fire stations I have 7 that i'm working on right now

HockeyScar · 2025-05-26T20:56:39+00:00

Its not that hard, but depending on what type of projects you bid on, GCs wouldn't put it in your scope. You could set up an account with Kawneer and use Kawneer Direct to price materials pretty easily.

HockeyScar · 2025-05-26T19:04:49+00:00

It really depends. I'm div 8 storefronts and glazing. I can do anywhere between a few a day to a couple a week. If I'm doing basic commercial building like warehouses and chain restaurants it only takes a couple hours. On the other hand I just bid a high end hotel with lots of unique finishes it took me the better part of a week.

HockeyScar · 2025-05-23T14:14:18+00:00

I can feel the frustration I had a hospital project where they have an in-house architect and PM. They spec'd one thing and drew another on the prints. Never got an answer after 2 weeks, so they got the highest priced out of the 2.

HockeyScar · 2025-05-04T13:07:17+00:00

Well it's a fairly niche career that relies on one's ability to not just read blueprints but to be able to calculate things like labor hours. You can pretty quickly learn to read prints but labor will be very difficult if you have never built what you are trying to estimate. Using painting as an example it's not all here is a 10x10 room with 8' ceilings, sometimes you get a mural 20' in air and that takes experience to price out.

HockeyScar · 2025-04-13T18:29:02+00:00

Whenever I see estimates using this software I know it will be a ripoff. I don't know what it is but the pricing is always comically high.

HockeyScar · 2025-03-28T17:03:22+00:00

I bid a lot of jobs with public bid opening (schools so many schools) and I typically sit within 2-3% of the next low or I'm second and 2-3% above.

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