[Nathan]

How many of you guys take the time to measure out a job verses just looking at it and coming up with a number? I guess another way to ask this would be, are your estimates an exact science or more of an art?

A follow up question is how easy would it be for you to train someone to do estimates for you?



My Answer:
I measured everything and entered the data into an excel spreadsheet. The tools I used to do my estimates where:

INTERIOR

EXTERIOR

 

[DelW]

I measure all jobs, if nothing else it gives me a history to look at for production rates. As far as teaching someone to estimate for you, I have a hard time giving up control, besides its a chance to meet one on one with the customer. I think there are so many little things that come into play when doing an estimate. For me anyway its alot more than just plugging in the numbers.

 

[Humble Abode]

I have both of those tools, but I never use them. Usually I just eyeball the room/house and plug in the numbers in a spreadsheet.

I don't like doing it that way...

 

[welovepainting]

Big jobs I measure by wheel and or tape. Small jobs I eyeball the measurements. I know a realtor that usues the digital device but it doesnt always work so well. I was just reading about a different laser device how you can stand in the middle of the building shot one corner, shot the other corner and it culculates the measurments tringular it works upto 650 feet away I think. I am thinking about getting it but after all it really doent take to long to measure out.

 

[Painted Dreams]

We measure it out for the most part.
Small jobs tend to get the eyeball method though.

PD

 

[Rich]

Good question Nathan. I measure just about everything, except smaller jobs, like a small kitchen where I know how long it will take and what supplies I'll need just by looking.

But on most jobs I do measure. I have a laser tape and the wheel for outside, which I most certainly use when needed. (Think of the benefits of doing this even just for paint purposes-who in there right mind wants to get too much paint that you can't return? not me)

I'm the same mindframe as Del...I honestly don't think I could ever teach someone to do estimates for me. I've got too many things that I factor in that someone else might not even think about factoring. But I applaud the guys that can train others to do it and make it all work :notworthy:

 

[Kelly Painting]

Eye everything, not sure if it's the right thing to do..just the way I know how.

 

[bikerboy]

I measure, my father eyeballs. When the I finish the estimate, he is usually in the same ballpark. Oh what 50 years experience can do! I can only hope to achieve a shadow of his greatness.

 

[Dave Mac]

Heck i can pull in a neighborhood and know what the price is going to be, lol

I count things like windows doors shutters, pickets, i eyeball things (walking off measuremnets) like sidining, boxing, walls,.

Estimating is a art, no doubt, that can use all the scientific data it can get to aceive the most accurate estimate.

Every time i measure, every last thing on a job, it comes so close to what i eye ball it at, it seems like a waiste of time to measure, but their are times i wished i have measured, lol

I would pay huge money for someone to show me how to measure all estimates good ehough to train someone with out any experience, their are so many things to deal with , condition of surface, height, and so many more

thanks
dave mac

 

[NuView Painting]

I measure everything...unless its something unmeasureable, Then I go with payment for my time..my By the hour method depending on whats gonna be fies able for me to profit...

 

[Tmrrptr]

I'd like to try a sonar measuring device, and do use a wheel for exterior.
Mostly just to dazzle the client w numbers.
I pretty much walk a jobsite, take notes and count 5's and days.
Then I'll correspond all the figures.
r

 

[timhag]

I am a 100 % eyeballer, 2 much time measuring.

 

[slickshift]

I get a first impression by eyeball for sure
I'll measure it to back it up and/or do fine tuning, and for actual product requirements (cans of paint)
It also adds a little customer confidence

 

[Ethan]

We measure everything and put into spreadsheets - I no longer do the majority of the estimates, which is nice - helps me work on the business and perfect the standards/systems we have. The estimators call me when there is something out of the ordinary or sometimes they take digital pictures and we'll look at them together in the office. They come up with really good numbers, and although sometimes its a little low and sometimes a little high - we still win a certain % of our bids and profit a certain % on average.

This system works for us - I liked the idea of the laser thingie but it often told me that the bathroom was 72' long. I went back to pacing...

Ethan

 

[Schnobie1]

I measure, my father eyeballs. When the I finish the estimate, he is usually in the same ballpark. Oh what 50 years experience can do! I can only hope to achieve a shadow of his greatness.

Same way me and my father works but as he says "I have a soft heart" so his estimate is usually 1000 off mine.

 

[Brian]

I measure everything, and I mean everything.

It doesn't take that long. I can do the interior of a typical 3500 square foot house in less than 15 minutes. I usually only need 2 measurements per room. I use a measuring wheel.

I've taught this method to numerous people, which makes it very easy to hire an estimator/ salesman.

Brian Phillips

 

[Dave Mac]

I measure everything, and I mean everything.

It doesn't take that long. I can do the interior of a typical 3500 square foot house in less than 15 minutes. I usually only need 2 measurements per room. I use a measuring wheel.

I've taught this method to numerous people, which makes it very easy to hire an estimator/ salesman.

Brian Phillips

How do you train them in answering questions, like what type of finish for the bathroom, or is that oil or latex, do you paint the bottom edge of crown.Or to look out for tricky ladder moves, that are going to require more time. Im having truoble understanding this, or letting this go, it reminds me of when i was painting in the field and I thought to myself no one can do it better then me, and it took a while to let someone else do the work.

thanks
dave mac

 

[KellyRose]

I measure everything and put it in a spreadsheet. I just feel like I have the most control this way. Delegating duties is a hard thing to do, for sure. I've been able to delegate somewhat, but I still like to do the estimates myself. I like to get to meet the clients and I think that seeing my face beforehand puts them at ease. It's a personal touch that I'm not ready to give up yet.

 

[Tmrrptr]

Ethan is right and brings up a great point... pictures.
Preliminary pictures.

Start off on the right foot, taking pictures through the job.
It will substantiate things later.
r

 

[Ethan]

How do you train them in answering questions, like what type of finish for the bathroom, or is that oil or latex, do you paint the bottom edge of crown.Or to look out for tricky ladder moves, that are going to require more time. Im having truoble understanding this, or letting this go, it reminds me of when i was painting in the field and I thought to myself no one can do it better then me, and it took a while to let someone else do the work.

thanks
dave mac

Dave Mac,


Those are really good questions.

General Patton had a great quote, "Don't tell people how to do things, tell them what to do and let them surprise you with the results"

Like brian said about making it easy to hire an estimator.

Teach them how to estimate in a broad sense, give them a system, what things to look out for and how to deal with them, etc.

But most importantly, teach them to THINK FOR THEMSELVES.

When I train a new salesrep, I tell them, "I'll do estimates with you until I feel comfortable with you on your own, but I know how to do these estimates and I could help you with them, but I won't. I'll be there to make sure you don't do something really crazy, but I won't answer your questions, I'm going to ask you, 'what do you think?' and I'm going to expect you to actually THINK, and come up with your own answer"

That way, when they encounter those unexpected things, they'll be ready to think it through and make a decision.

Then keep good track of how many hours they bid and actual hours and you'll know how well they're doing.