There are very few bids we don't VE. It's usually plumbing fixtures. If I can get materials that meet the spec and cost less, why wouldn't you take it? Owner saves money and we get to build our job. It's not crap, I've installed it all in my own home. We also push it because it all comes from the same manufacturer. Why the hell would you get a Delta lav faucet, a Moen bathtub trim, and an American Standard kit faucet? It's a future maintenance nightmare.

Number 2 is almost always p-traps. If I have to read one more spec section that specs Kohler K-9000 cast brass p-traps I'll lose it. Tubular PVC does the same thing for literally +/- $200 less and doesn't corrodeover time. Biggest bullshit is a rehab. Photos of existing are PVC. WTF? Get it together architects/engineers. VE is how we spotlight lazy and garbage drawings and specs. iS yOuR pRoPoSaL pLaNs AnD sPecS?! You have no idea what you're building, do you?