The Estimate That Protects Margin
Build estimates that hold margin
build estimates that hold marginsmb / agenciestool-agnosticagencypricingestimatingmarginproposalsintermediate
Entry PT-0256 · full text · stolen 0 timesReceived
Our project estimates keep losing money: [TWO RECENT PROJECTS - ESTIMATED VERSUS ACTUAL HOURS, WHERE THE OVERAGE CAME FROM, OUR HOURLY COST, WHAT WE FORGET TO PRICE - MEETINGS, REVISIONS, PM TIME]. Fix the estimating: the line items everyone forgets (kickoff, status calls, two revision rounds, file delivery), the contingency percentage justified by our own history, the change-order trigger written into the estimate itself, and the walk-away number for each deal type so discounting is a decision, not a reflex.
Inputs needed
- ■Estimated-vs-actual history, cost rate, blind spots
What good output looks like
Forgotten line items priced; history-based contingency; change-order trigger embedded; walk-away floor
The stream (0)
Reading the room…