HOW TO SUCCEED AT BIDDING & ESTIMATING estimating process [ see chart ] will show you how to do that and will help you decide if you ’ re qualified , capable of successfully accomplishing what ’ s required , have enough resources , sufficient office staff , enough field staff , and appropriate financing .”
Lowery echoed Olayiwola ’ s cautionary statement . “ Be very selective ,” he advised . “ Knowing your clients is very important , as well as being aware of your backlog . If you have all these projects coming along and can ’ t add another job because of manpower or financials , you need to take that into consideration .”
The takeoff is the foundation of all estimates , said Lowery . A takeoff , also
known as a material takeoff or quantity takeoff , is a process that contractors use to determine the exact amount of materials needed for a project .
“ You get the plans and you start doing takeoffs ,” he said . “ If your scale is off , your estimates are going to be off . You want to build in enough time so that you can go back and double-check . Because you only get that one piece of equipment or material you are working with , you can ’ t afford to mess this up .”
There are several takeoff software programs contractors may use , including : Bluebeam Revu , RS Means , OnScreen Takeoff , PlanSwift , STACK , eTakeoff , and ProEst .
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