---
tags:
 - estimating
---
# 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* Proposals to GC's can be withdrawn for any reason
* Proposals from subcontractors can be withdrawn for any reason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.