vault backup: 2026-01-06 17:28:27

mike-holts-illustrated-guide-to-electrical-estimating.md

@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 ---
 id: mike-holts-illustrated-guide-to-electrical-estimating
 aliases: []
+title: "_Mike Holt's Illustrated Guide to Electrical Estimating_"
 tags:
   - authorship/original
   - destiny/permanent
@@ -8,44 +9,62 @@ tags:
   - topic/construction/electrical
   - topic/estimating
   - type/media-commentary
-title: "_Mike Holt's Illustrated Guide to Electrical Estimating_"
 ---
 # _Mike Holt's Illustrated Guide to Electrical Estimating_
 
-```yaml
-authors:
-  - Mike C. Holt
-year: 2023
-title: "Mike Holt's Illustrated Guide to Electrical Estimating"
-publisher: Mike Holt Enterprises
-type: book
-pages: 234
-```
+Commentary on [[holt_2023_estimating]].
 
-## Pros
+## Goodreads Review
 
-* Attractive design
-* Detailed color illustrations
-* Compelling topic organization and progression
+_Mike Holt's Illustrated Guide to Electrical Estimating_,
+like all of Holt's printed content I'm familiar with,
+is a masterclass in construction education presentation
+featuring attractive design, and plenty of detailed illustrations.
+The bones of a great estimating textbook are present,
+it has a compelling topic organization and progression,
+however the content does not deliver on the promise.
 
-## Cons
+The text treats estimating like an invariable set of procedures:
+(1) get the documents
+(2) do the takeoff
+(3) do the closeout
+(4) send the bid;
+**if** there's ambiguity in the documents,
+**then** send an RFI.
 
-* No mention of RFQ process
+The reality of the industry is far messier than Holt would have you believe.
 
-* Many/most topics are grossly oversimplified
+What do you do when RFI's go unanswered?
+Drop the job?
 
-* Tone is undeservedly authoritative and principled,
-  refusing to acknowledge the questions of complexity
-  that the content itself begs
+In fact, the text suggests that _all_ assumptions ==are bad==
 
-  > "Never make assumptions"
-  > What happens when RFI's go unanswered?
+I was compelled by my employer to purchase this book
+along with several others of Holt's
+as part of my apprenticeship curriculum.
+I can't shake the feeling that this entry
+was intended to pad out the course to four years.
 
-## Best Suited For
+## Goodreads Review Scratch
 
-* Electricians with no prior estimating experience and no real need of detail
+Holt's tone is undeservedly authoritative and principled.
+
+It refuses to acknowledge the questions of complexity
+that the content itself begs.
+"Never make assumptions"
+
+Many topics are grossly oversimplified,
+or omitted entirely (subcontractor RFQ process)
+
+This book is far too large in scope to lack the detail it does.
+
+It feels designed for those unlikely to need or understand its topics,
+except it is far too long for a layman's introduction.
+
+If there will ever be a book to be what this one could not,
+I don't think Holt would be the one to write it.
+The group's content is very "teach to the book"
+which is exactly what you want for contractor exams,
+but not practical for estimating methodology.
 
-## Overall
 
-This book is far too large in scope to lack the detail it does. The curriculum
-is clearly designed for those unlikely to need or understand its topics