Estimate Lead Time

fireguy

Wednesday, I got a phone call from a GC about an alarm estimate. I was out of town at the time. I got back on Friday afternoon and met w/the GC. Two phone calls to the archetect and I had my other questions mostly answered. Date of offering was Monday, March 13, bid opening is March 19, 135 miles away. I often need to contact the FM, the archetect, other trades and material suppliers to get the information to make an accurate estimate. I have been given as little as 2 or 3 days to prepare estimates. It may take a week to get the archetect to get information to us for a job. Often the informtion from the archetect is contrary to code, or requires proprietary equipment for the job. Aaargh! I know there is no solution to this ongoing problem, but I do feel better ranting. Does anyone have a solution to this situation? Except of course not taking the time to estimate on short notice? If I do that of course, I am just limiting my work opportunities.

Fireguy

realpurty2

We go through this with Electrical often, one thing that helps is to keep notes from every one you speak with and their recommendations for future reference. Eventually, you'll have a book of info at your fingertips, cutting out the need to call them each time.

Also, even though it's a last resort, you can always ask for a bid extension and an RFI from the GC.

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Woman in a Man's World.

Grumpy

Dear General Contractor,

I will be bidding this project but in order to provide you with an accurate bid, I will require more time to do so. However if you would like a non binding estimate I can come up with some numbers for you.




I sometimes get prints in the mail, and the bid due date was like 3 days ago. I just laugh and throw them in the garbage. If he's late on sending out his prints, he'd goign to be late on paying.

Mud Master

I deal with this alot as well. Not so much with my regular builders, but I will get an ITB(Invitation To Bid) either in the mail, or through e-mail on the 3rd, and the due date for a bid is the 5th?!?! I cannot give an accurate bid in two days, nor do I have the time. It's not like were talking a day's worth of work, but brand new projects, a month or more worth of work. Some GC's have no concept of time, and expect alot for nothing. I do just as Grumpy and toss em'.

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RobertCDF

I feel better about things then. I call subs as soon as I can after I look at a project. I also let them know if I feel I have a really good chance of getting the job. Then as soon as contract is signed I call them up and let them know when I want them. Most of the time I can give at least a couple weeks notice sometimes more.

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Robert Shaw
Colorado Springs Custom Decks
Colorado Custom Decks
Custom Composite Decks

Cole

I dont mean to be a stickler but archetect is spelled architect.

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