vault backup: 2026-04-18 19:02:34

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

@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ 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.
 
-The text treats estimating like an invariable set of procedures:
+The text treats [[construction-estimating]] like a strict procedure:
 (1) get the documents
 (2) do the takeoff
 (3) do the closeout
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ The reality of the industry is far messier than Holt would have you believe.
 What do you do when RFI's go unanswered?
 Drop the job?
 
-In fact, the text suggests that _all_ assumptions ==are bad==
+In fact, the text suggests that _all_ assumptions ==are bad==.
 
 I was compelled by my employer to purchase this book
 along with several others of Holt's
@@ -56,6 +56,8 @@ 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.
+If it was only supposed to be a primer that would be expected,
+but 
 
 It feels designed for those unlikely to need or understand its topics,
 except it is far too long for a layman's introduction.
@@ -65,3 +67,16 @@ 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.
+
+> [!quote] [[holt_2023_estimating#7.2 Advantages and Disadvantages of Unit Pricing]]
+> #### Disadvantages
+> 
+> Unit pricing is not suitable for jobs
+> where outlets are not located at standard intervals.
+> For example, if you have 200 identical fluorescent luminaries to install
+> in a building where the ceiling heights vary from 8 ft to 15 ft in different areas,
+> unit prices will need to be adjusted to an average luminaire height,
+> or different unit prices will need to be applied for the different ceiling heights.
+
+This is not a disadvantage
+it's just how you use the method.