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“There’s no such thing as a quick estimate.”
Estimating is one of the biggest parts of pre-construction, and it is also where builders lose time, money, and trust when the process is loose. We sit down with Rick Hughes from Estimating Online to take a look at why the idea of a “quick estimate” is often the start of bigger problems later.
Rick breaks estimating into a four-step process, from the gut-feel feasibility estimate through to rapid software-based estimating, a detailed bill of quantities, and then true costing where the client is committed and trades are quoting a real job. They talk about why context matters, why inputs matter, and why different builders need different estimating strategies depending on the type of work they do.
They also cover trade quote fatigue, fixed price versus cost plus, and why construction still does things backwards by designing first and costing last. If you are trying to tighten your pre-construction workflow, this episode gives you a clear way to think about estimating without getting distracted by shiny tools.
CHAPTER MARKERS00:00 Introduction
00:29 Meet Rick Hughes
01:38 Why Estimating Matters
03:28 Do You Need Site Experience
10:14 Tiers of Estimating
11:25 Tech Tools and Templates
13:43 Four Step Estimating Framework
14:25 Sponsor Break ProClima Details
15:31 Who Should Estimate and Check
18:46 Stop Wasting Trade Quotes
25:23 Builder vs Trade Expertise
31:01 Common Sense Pricing Examples
33:30 Getting Paid for Precon
35:15 Sponsor Break Systems Webinar
37:19 Tenders And Budget Reality
40:30 Fixed Price Vs Cost Plus
48:56 In House Trades Debate
Our Sponsors:
Pro Clima - https://mindful-builder.captivate.fm/proclima
MEGT - https://mindful-builder.captivate.fm/megt
Biz Tech Guru: https://www.biztechguru.com.au/
Wunderbuild: https://www.wunderbuild.com/
LINKS
Estimating Online: https://estimatingonline.com.au/
Connect with us on Instagram: @themindfulbuilderpod
Connect with Hamish:
Instagram: @sanctumhomes
Website: www.yoursanctum.com.au/
Connect with Matt:
Instagram: @carlandconstructions
Website: www.carlandconstructions.com/
