---
tags:
  - destiny/permanent/entry-point
  - topic/construction
  - topic/estimating
  - type/encyclopedia
title: Construction Estimating
---
# Construction Estimating

Construction estimating is a subset of cost estimation.

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## TALK

This note should be wide and shallow,
specific sub topics should be extracted and linked.

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## Scope

This note is intended for: _facts_
that are _about the profession_,
specifically, _as it is currently practiced_.

For philosophy see [[bid-process-strategy]]

[[estimating-ethics]]

## Topics

### Subtopics

* [[history-of-construction-estimating]]
* [[estimating-methodologies]]
* [[construction-estimating-software]]
* [[estimate-laboring]]

### Cross-Topics

* [[actuarial-science-for-construction-estimating]]
* [[risk-management-for-construction-estimating]]
* [[auction-theory-for-construction-estimating]]
* [[game-theory-for-construction-estimating]]
* [[project-management-for-construction-estimating]]
* [[utility-in-construction-estimating]]
* [[ambiguity-in-construction-estimating]]
* [[nontraditional-computing-for-construction-estimating]]
* [[object-oriented-programing-for-construction-estimating]]

## Misconceptions

### Standard Practices

In general, many things thought to be standard are quite the opposite.

* Use of square receptacle symbols

### Proposals

Proposals are not legally binding,
which is a double edged sword
for intermediate subcontractors like electrical:

* Proposals to GC's can be withdrawn for any reason
* Proposals from subcontractors can be withdrawn for any reason

This is obviously not popular practice,
however it is important to recognize
that errors aren't set in stone
until a contract is signed.

Destigmatizing proposal retraction is of critical concern for subcontractors.
See [[estimating-culture]] for more on estimate error [[game-theory]].

It's important to recognize that retracting a proposal
may upset a few people employed by the GC,
but consider how little your own opinion
matters to your company's strategic decisions.
Much bigger people are involved after the proposal is accepted.

## Resources

* [[electrical-estimators-manual]]
* [[electrical-estimating-methods]]
* [[construction-estimating-using-excel]]
* [[holt_2023_estimating]]
