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- over 420,000 Posts - PlumbingForum.com -
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Author:
davemtheplumber (IL)
This sounds like a stupid question but is there any training,classes you can take to be a good estimator? I am a great plumber,a great foreman,general foreman and would like to take the next step.Small commercial on up is the work Im talking about.I know what your going to say on the job?office experience is best,but telling that to my new boss doesnt exite him.If I could go to a week or two seminar or I think software will have some training aspects. IDEAS???
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Author:
joe plumber (NE)
Trade magazines would be a GREAT place to look for training concerning your question.Also check area trade schools and go on line.I would also say that in order to be a GREAT estimator one would also need alot of hands on experience.JMHO.
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Author:
waukeshaplumbing (WI)
for new homes i use a bidding method which has been passed around for many years....it gives a 'basic' hour value to each type of house...2 bath ranch, 2.5 bath 2 story (2 up), 2.5 bath 2 story (1 up) and then you add hours for extra's....extra lavs, 1st floor laundry, etc.
works well
for remodels I have come up with my own 'basic' hour's for projects...i start with those hours and look for extra's
i can estimate hours on any project in under 2 minutes.
i add up every part needed for the job and add 10% for error
bidding isnt very hard for residential
i also do light commercial and just go by feel...
large commercial projects would be scary though
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Author:
hj
One problem with estimating someone else's installation, is that you have to know how fast, or slow, he works. If you overestimate, you will either not get the job or will make more profit. If you underestimate, you will probably get the job and will probably lose money.
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Author:
nhmaster3015 (NH)
Good software and experience in the field.
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Author:
hj
ANd you cannot go to school to learn experience.
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Author:
stemity23 (ME)
The RS Means Books are an excellent resource for estimating. They take a bit of getting used to, but once you get the hang of them they are tough to beat. I used them all the time as a plumbing designer/estimator.
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Author:
royboy
A good place to start would be to get your hands on the blueprint and spec book of the last job you worked on. Do a detailed "take off" of EVERY fitting and piece of pipe on the job and every valve and fixture that is used. Price out your material list and compare it to all the material actually used on the job. Then count up the man hours that you estimate it will take and compare it with the time sheets for that job. The first time you do this will take MANY hours but each succesive time it goes faster. This is a great confidence booster and you will laugh the next time a competitor says he lost money on a job that he quoted "per fixture".
Edited 1 times.
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Author:
dlh (TX)
actually the better way is to get the plans for your next job and do an estimate of what you think it will cost.. then compare to the finished projects actual numbers
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PLUMBERS "Protecting The Health Of The Nation"
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Author:
hj
Either way will be the same, comparing your estimate to the actual job. But then, compare your estimate to the "official" estimate that was used to get the job, and see how THAT compares to yours, because THAT is what you would have been going against if you were actually bidding the job.
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