Remodelers and contractors spend hours or days estimating their projects fully expecting that after all the bills are paid the remaining money matches the estimated amount.

Projects price and signed this spring are coming to a close.

Did you make as much as you thought you would?

Are you getting ready to purchase that boat, truck, tool, book your winter vacation or work on improving your business?

If that is your reality, then great job and keep up the super work. You likely have an estimating process in place that you can rely on. 

However, what if that is not your reality and the money you planned on making has evaporated?

A prospective client last week told me in our coaching interview he doesn't have a clue how much he made or how much he lost on numerous projects this year. He did say it looks like he will have less than anticipated and the wife isn't going to be happy!

He said he might be sleeping on the couch next week!

Do you know if you lost the money by missing items you should have included, in labor overuns, materials or sub-contractor work?

In our Hands On Estimating Workshop we talk about the evolution of estimating many contractors go through. Such as the yellow pad method and the WAG (WILD A$$ GUE$$) approach. Eventually many remodelers graduate to formula based methods using excel or estimating software programs but are not sure how to make it all work.

The challenge we often see is residential contractors do not have a solid foundation in estimating and are not sure how to set up a repeatable process that they can rely on.

Check out our Hands on Estimating Workshop schedule where Shawn McCadden and I help remodelers and home improvement begin the process of building a solid estimating foundation. If you have a process that works you too can benefit with the tools Shawn has created for attendees.

Imagine having the confidence that you know with certainty the right number you need to use because you figured it on purpose. This confidence will help you when the consumer says can you do better and know exactly what you can and cannot do to lower a price. 

This confidence starts with knowing your numbers, how they work and having a the right estimating tools in your pouch.

Hope you have a great fall spending all that money you planned on making earlier this year.