Want to change your estimate review procedures for the new year? Tired of seeing errors creeping into your estimate and then not finding it until after the bid is submitted? Try the following:

  • Start requiring estimates to be completed with plugged subs and material prices at least 5 days before the bid is to be submitted.  Each estimator required to look at the “Check Estimate” Query prior to the review.
  • In the estimate review red line a cost printout (yes on paper and a red pen or pencil) so you have  a record of what is to be changed.  Review the estimate as a group especially if a large estimate.
  • After the estimate review estimators make revisions – this is where the Audit Trail is very cool as each estimator can turn in an audit trail report to the lead estimator that their revisions are completed and what the net cost difference is.  Ideally revisions are done the day of the review. If you don’t have the Audit Trail feature there is another way to assist the lead estimator. See my blog post LINK
  • Once revisions are done and verified no more work is done in the any area but the Quote Folders with the exception of the lead estimator who will be summarizing and pricing. Make this a hard and fast rule. If something has to be change the Lead does it. You can even password the estimate so the estimators are restricted to the Quote Folders only.

What the above workflow does is it minimizes mistakes.

Like the above? I have many more methods to make your estimating team  more efficient and accurate. I can spend two days in your office to maximize the benefits of using HeavyBid. Email me if you are interested.