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estimating-detail.md

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+# Estimating Detail
+
+In [[construction-estimating]], the acceptable level of detail of an estimate is a contentious subject.
+What's worse, estimators often disagree on what makes an estimate more detailed than another.
+With our [[risk-oriented-estimating]] approach,
+detail is essentially the inverse of epistemic [[uncertainty]].
+
+That said, the correct answer is this.
+
+> As detailed as possible, given required turnaround and available estimating resources.
+
+An estimate's detail is irrelevant to its quality.
+A less detailed estimate is a more [[risk]]y bid,
+but **it is not the role of the estimator to determine acceptable risk**.
+
+## Experiment
+
+Perform a system takeoff (lighting for example) in exacting detail,
+the maximum amount you would ever consider using,
+and measure the time required to do so,
+as well as the cost of the scope.
+
+Have another estimator takeoff the same scope using the proposed time saving strategy.
+
+Repeat the test on additional projects.
+
+Treat the detailed takeoff as the true value
+and find the error of the time saving strategy.
+
+$\frac{d\sigma}{dt}$
+
+### Expectation
+
+Time-saving strategies will overestimate or underestimate detailed takeoff
+depending on the assumptions used in their creation.