Where to start?

[Rich]

Where does, in your opinion, a good estimate begin? I don't mean getting an invitation to bid, or having a complete set of plans either - although they are necessary for proper bidding.
Let's hear some ideas.

[grumpydasmurf]

Depends Rich... Are we talking from the position of a sub or general?

When I get a set of prints the first thing I do is a quick take off guaging general size etc... Then I look to the specs/schedules hopefully to pre-answer some questions. Unfortunately dummy architects always cause more problems with absurd specs. After I've sumamrized and simplified the spec and scope of work I go back to the drawings.

I do a complete material take off and input all the values into my spreadsheet. My spreadsheet computes the job cost.

[Rich]

That's good.. I was trying to get somebody to say that they look at the company status at that time or when the project is going to start. Many times smaller contractors (Sub or GC) want to grow but they do so too quickly. Sometimes they may get 5 projects to bid within a short time.. do they bid all of them hoping to get 2? Or do they choose the 2 that they think will fit their company the best and work hard at getting just those 2? If you bid all 5 what happens if you get all of them and they are within weeks of each starting? What happens if you go with the 2 best fit and you end up not getting any? That's the dilemma - and it becomes easier with experience of knowing when to do one or the other.
I do agree with your system grumpy - it's the right way to perform an estimate. I was just looking for something right before actually doing a take-off etc.

[grumpydasmurf]

I bid every project that comes my way. I put in the hours necessary. I am moving away from new construction though. There is way too much headache involved.

[Rich]

Boy - isn't that the truth. But on my end of it (GC) - remodeling is worse yet. I used to bid everything that came my way - but it takes me quite a few more hours to provide an estimate on every house that comes my way.
So I do agree on the subcontrator side it makes sense to bid every project... well almost every project. I can imagine that there are some that you wouldn't want to touch. Right now I can't seem to find a pool subonctractor that wants to do a custom gunnite pool. Amazing in my opinion. 4 have backed out already. Could be a huge seller for them too.. it's definately not typical.