vault backup: 2025-11-11 17:19:52

2025-11-11.md

@@ -33,3 +33,26 @@ facts of our role:
 In these ways we're actually more like court
 wizards than artists, which is an understandably
 desirable position.
+
+## 2025-11-11 14:41
+
+I just saw a post on a construction estimators forum
+from a user lamenting that their coworkers and customers
+largely do not understand the difference between markup and margin.
+
+It made me remember the micro-debates about that I would have with Dale
+every time we were closing out an estimate.
+This is the example I would always give
+while trying to explain it to him.
+
+![[markup-vs-margin]]
+
+***
+
+The user also stated that they would prefer to list overhead and profit
+separately from scope line item costs,
+but that their customers push back when they try.
+
+I'm not sure where they got this preference.
+Sure that would be more "transparent",
+but it's at odds with the purpose of a breakdown.

distributed-antenna-systems-takeoff.md

@@ -38,9 +38,11 @@ Match Fire Alarm takeoff Length and Count
 
 ### Stairwell Riser Every 2 Floors
 
-`Area` = "Typical - Building Even Levels"
+> [!info] Takeoff
-
+> * `Area` = "Typical - Building Even Levels"
-`COMMON ASSEMBLIES`/`FIRE ALARM & DAS SYSTEMS`/`DAS ASSEMBLIES`/`STAIRWELL RISER EVERY 2 FLRS = ...`
+> 
+> 1. `COMMON ASSEMBLIES`/`FIRE ALARM & DAS SYSTEMS`/`DAS ASSEMBLIES`/`STAIRWELL RISER EVERY 2 FLRS = ...`
+>     * **Count** = Each stairwell
 
 ### FACR to Electric Room
 
@@ -56,9 +58,9 @@ Takeoff in every Electric Room
 
 ### Top 2H Rated Room To Roof
 
-`COMMON ASSEMBLIES`/`FIRE ALARM & DAS SYSTEMS`/`DAS ASSEMBLIES`/`TOP 2HR RATED RM TO ROOF = ...`
+> [!info] Takeoff
-
+> 1. `COMMON ASSEMBLIES`/`FIRE ALARM & DAS SYSTEMS`/`DAS ASSEMBLIES`/`TOP 2HR RATED RM TO ROOF = ...`
-* **Length** = 15ft or height of ceiling on last building level
+>    * **Length** = 15ft or height of ceiling on last building level
 
 ## Horizontal
 
@@ -66,6 +68,6 @@ Takeoff in every Electric Room
 > Usually only for cellular DAS.
 > Confirm takeoff requirement with [[pdi-estimating#Bid Estimating|Bid]].
 
-`COMMON ASSEMBLIES`/`FIRE ALARM & DAS SYSTEMS`/`DAS ASSEMBLIES`/`CORRIDORS ...`
+> [!info] Takeoff
-
+> 1. `COMMON ASSEMBLIES`/`FIRE ALARM & DAS SYSTEMS`/`DAS ASSEMBLIES`/`CORRIDORS ...`
-* **Length** = Length measured  for every corridor/garage
+>     * **Length** = Length measured  for every corridor/garage

fire-alarm-takeoff.md

@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ For each Elevator Control Room (ECR):
 `COMMON ASSEMBLIES`/`FIRE ALARM & DAS SYSTEMS`/`GEN, ELEV, FIRE PUMP & FA ROOM ASSEMBLIES`/`FACR TO ELEV CONTROL RM ...`
 
 * **Length** = Length measured from the most distant points of the FACR and ECR.
-* Input adder length to reach the level of the ECR (Minimum 15ft).
+    *  Input adder length to reach the level of the ECR (Minimum 15ft).
 
 ### Elevator Shafts
 

fixture-designations.md

@@ -237,7 +237,7 @@ Create its own breakout in WBS, and phase in Accubid
 ## Site & Courtyard
 
 > [!important]
-> Coordinate with landscape
+> Coordinate with landscape drawings
 
 ### Breakdowns
 
@@ -245,7 +245,8 @@ Create its own breakout in WBS, and phase in Accubid
 
 ### Pole Lights
 
-`FIXTURE ACCESSORIES`/`SITE POLE ASSEMBLIES`/...
+> [!info] Takeoff
+> 1. `FIXTURE ACCESSORIES`/`SITE POLE ASSEMBLIES`/...
 
 Add subassemblies for stub-outs, pole, base, and grounding as appropriate.
 
@@ -256,9 +257,12 @@ Add subassemblies for stub-outs, pole, base, and grounding as appropriate.
 > * market lighting
 > * catenary lighting
 
+> [!info] Takeoff
 > 1. `FIXTURE LABOR`/`FIXTURE LABOR 2HR`
+> 
 > 2. `FESTOON & ROOF ASSEMBLIES`/`FESTOON CABLE HANGER & EYE BOLTS - LENGTH`
 >    * **Length per Unit** = Light string length
+> 
 > 3. `COURTYARDS & LANDSCAPE`/`ALUM BOX W/ FLEX FIX,  3/4" CONDUIT - PVC40 - ...`
 >    * **Length per Unit** = Distance to panel + 15ft
 
@@ -273,9 +277,10 @@ Add subassemblies for stub-outs, pole, base, and grounding as appropriate.
 | Fixtures built into cabanas/pergolas | .../`ALUM BOX W/ FLEX FIX,  3/4" CONDUIT - PVC40 - ...`            |
 | Handrail light                       | .../`ALUM BOX W/ FLEX FIX,  3/4" CONDUIT - PVC40, IMC ELBOW - ...` |
 
-[^2]: If we don't own concrete, delete Pre-cast bollard base from assembly
+[^2]: If we don't own concrete, delete pre-cast bollard base from assembly
 
 ## FAA Lighting
 
+> [!info] Takeoff
 > 1. `FIXTURE LABOR`/`FIXTURE LABOR 1HR`
 > 2. `FESTOON & ROOF ASSEMBLIES`/`Aircraft Warning, 3/4" Conduit GRC/PVC 2#10, 1#10G`

markup-vs-margin.md

@@ -0,0 +1,29 @@
+---
+id:
+aliases: []
+tags: []
+title: Markup vs. Margin
+---
+# Markup vs. Margin
+
+$$
+\text{Profit} = \text{Sell Price} - \text{Cost}, \quad
+\text{Markup} = \frac{\text{Profit}}{\text{Cost}}, \quad
+\text{Margin} = \frac{\text{Profit}}{\text{Sell Price}}
+$$
+
+Suppose a product that
+* costs $80 to produce
+* is sold for $100
+
+$$
+\text{Profit} = 100 - 80 = 20, \quad
+\text{Markup} = \frac{20}{80} = 25\%, \quad
+\text{Margin} = \frac{20}{100} = 20\%
+$$
+
+Because of \*waves hands\* finance reasons,
+contractors (and sellers of products and services in general)
+almost exclusively talk about profit in terms of margin.
+Even if someone says "15% _markup_"
+they're still probably talking about margin.

uncommon-syntax.md

@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+# Uncommon Syntax
+
+* **i.e.** --- _id est_ ("that is")
+
+* **e.g.** --- _exempli gratia_ ("for example")

units-takeoff.md

@@ -55,17 +55,18 @@ Used in lieu of individual split systems.
 
 ### Dedicated Circuit Receptacles
 
-For N5-15R/N5-20R receptacles serving fixed equipment such as:
+> [!quote] Joel Jansen 2025-11-11, pp.
-
+> 
-* refrigerators
+> For N5-15R/N5-20R receptacles serving fixed equipment such as:
-* gas ranges
+> 
-* microwaves
+> * refrigerators
-* clothes washers
+> * gas ranges
-* hood fans
+> * microwaves
-
+> * clothes washers
-use single receptacle assemblies, even where shown as duplex.
+> * hood fans
-
+> 
-`COMMON ASSEMBLIES`/`UNITS - MC CABLE ASSEMBLIES`/`KITCHEN & BATH  ASSEMBLIES - METAL STUD`/`SGL REC ...`
+> match the receptacle configuration shown on the plans
+> (i.e. simplex to simplex, duplex to duplex).
 
 ### Air Sealing