How Builders Really Price Your Construction

“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 Introduction00:29 Meet Rick Hughes01:38 Why Estimating Matters03:28 Do You Need Site Experience10:14 Tiers of Estimating11:25 Tech Tools and Templates13:43 Four Step Estimating Framework14:25 Sponsor Break ProClima Details15:31 Who Should Estimate and Check18:46 Stop Wasting Trade Quotes25:23 Builder vs Trade Expertise31:01 Common Sense Pricing Examples33:30 Getting Paid for Precon35:15 Sponsor Break Systems Webinar37:19 Tenders And Budget Reality40:30 Fixed Price Vs Cost Plus48:56 In House Trades DebateOur Sponsors:Pro Clima - https://mindful-builder.captivate.fm/proclimaMEGT - https://mindful-builder.captivate.fm/megtBiz Tech Guru: https://www.biztechguru.com.au/Wunderbuild: https://www.wunderbuild.com/LINKSEstimating Online: https://estimatingonline.com.au/Connect with us on Instagram: @themindfulbuilderpodConnect with Hamish:Instagram: @sanctumhomesWebsite: www.yoursanctum.com.au/Connect with Matt: Instagram: @carlandconstructionsWebsite: www.carlandconstructions.com/