Bid preparation and estimating trackwork can be confusing without the proper training in terminology and methods of construction. Lack of understanding scope of work can lead to overlaps or missed items. Let the Track Guy assist you in estimating and pricing your track project.
Looking for a check number? Give us a call. We produce accurate Engineers Estimates.
Estimating is how we get work, Execution is how we do work and Efficiency is how we make money doing the work. Contractors that have the best handle on the 3 E's are the successful ones. The first and the last E are the ones that involve money. The middle E involves planning and experience and that certain inborn talent of leadership. The other two E's require management. We will discuss managing an estimate in this section.
How do you manage your track estimates? Do you identify the Project Manager of the project before the bid goes in? Do you involve the field superintendents with the track estimate? Do you have a process for reviews of the track estimate? Do you use checklists? Do you do a formal risk analysis during the bid? Do you produce a schedule for the job with the track estimate? Do you perform a value engineering brainstorming session during the estimate? Do you strategize and identify your competition? Do you assign one person to put it all together? Do you do site visits? Do you get multiple quotes from subs and on material? Who is involved in assigning markup to the job? Do you have a war room? Does your safety, insurance, purchasing and financial departments look at the job and offer feedback? These are all basic questions involved with a proper track estimate. Some you need, some you don't -- but they should all be thought about along with dozens of other questions and thoughts.
A good track estimate involves many people and a formal hand off is absolutely a necessity. We used to write a check from The Bank of Fake Money and hand it off to the Project Manager at the "hand off" meeting. The amount was equal to the budget (not the bid) assigned to the job. The check went with a handshake and the words: "that's all you get, you get no more, good luck". It was a symbolic gesture that everyone participated in.
If you do the 3 E's right, then you will get a forth -- Effective.
