5.3 KiB
id, title, tags, daily
| id | title | tags | daily |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-02T10:09:38-0400 | 2026-06-02 10:09:38 | 2026-06-02 |
2026-06-02 10:09:38
PDI Estimating Town Hall
pdi-estimating Town Hall lead by Aaron and Mitch Permuy.
Note that the text is of my own interpretation. Information presented as fact may not be so.
Agenda
- Notable Awards
- 2026 Metrics
- Proposal Audits
- LFG
- Fleet/Wire Distribution
- Power Design Global
- PE Program
Notable Awards
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Williams Brice Stadium
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St. Regis Sunny Isles Beach
Lost Mechanical and Plumbing scope. Aaron expects that the awarded contractor(s) may be in a financial situation to give discounts that PDI isn't desperate enough for.
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10MW ALBQ Data Center
Same developer as similar job in El Paso
Mitch and Aaron described strategy for data centers: "boutique" rather than hyperscale. This job falls in the boutique range.
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Acc Opp Lane & High
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SpaceX Gigabay
Aaron and Mitch described how data center work was the boost PDI needed to break out of multifamily into other markets (stadiums, casinos, hospitals, etc.) which are not as "compressed" as our usual work.
Off of SpaceX Gigabay and a possibility of work for Elon Musk's house, Mitch mentioned an existing plan to make PDI "the first electrical contractor in space." (pp.)
Lauren: "Lunar-ready. There's a whole plan."
GC's have been hesitant about qualifying us due to lack of experience in other markets.
"What do GC's do? Risk manage. Everything's a risk manage." ---Mitch
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CoStar Headquarters Virginia
CoStar validates project funding plans, financial models for developers to secure monies.
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OMNI Midland (MEP)
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Camping World Stadium Renovation
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Shorecrest (Electrical and Plumbing)
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Mary Immaculate Hospital
- First Hospital
GC is Whiting-Turner, whom Mitch explained has been a long time loyal GC.
2026 Metrics
- 28mil sqft awarded
- $650mil awarded
- $380mil 95%
Mitch said that today we're where we were in November last year.
Strategy
Given our performance, Aaron emphasized the importance of taking the right jobs. Mitch suggested coordinating with pdi-operations for their availability.
"Don't negotiate down." We are still aggressive in certain markets, but we don't want to take deals that don't make sense.
Proposal Audit
Aaron highlighted recent improvement to Proposal Audit scores, emphasized the importance of the proposal as our first impression on the customer, the first document they will see of ours.
Reiterated kudos but mentioned room for further improvement.
LFG
Zac suggested the next estimating town hall should be at the LINK.
"40 switchboards this month"
Purchasing Agreements
LFG recently secured a direct purchasing agreement with Siemens. ABB proposed another immediately after.
Mitch explained the manufacturers hesitated due to fear of reaction from other contractors citing unfair advantage---"which it is," he said--- but are not able to resist the deal.
"We can match the spec for Siemens, for ABB."
"No specification limitations"
Medium voltage equipment
MGM transformers including PDI branded LV transformers.
Outside Sales
Zac described recent sales to other contractors including a microchip plant.
Zac noted LFG's growing pains, but thanks Power Design for "sticking through it."
Mitch notes that this a big step for LFG, that selling to PDI is safe, selling to other contractors is risky.
%% I believe Mitch was referring to concerns of schedule overrun. We can eat our own missed promises, but others' may come with litigation. %%
Bus Duct
Market lead time for bus duct at least 52 weeks.
Aaron and Mitch say that estimating should be selling spec, but proposing LS Electric for schedule. Tell GC's "if they don't award soon, their schedule is in jeopardy."
LFG engineers were recently at GRID, training engineers on the "nuances" of LS Electric bus duct.
Fleet/Wire Distribution
PDI has (8) 18-wheeler trucks. Value proposition is project investment on the part of delivery--- which is normally lacking from distributors--- with the expectation that this translates to speed and reliability.
Clients say seeing LINK was the most impactful experience in their decision, noting supply chain control and risk reduction.
LINK prefab has a crew of 160.
Estimating needs to explain that prefab is not a discount, it costs money. The advantage is in schedule. ---Aaron (pp.)
Power Design Global
Aaron highlighted PDG's improvement getting average hours per job from ~50 to ~31.
Project Engineer Program
The PE program is the future of the business. ---Aaron (pp.)
Founding Principles
Aaron mentioned a "PDI Founding Principles" document (or video?) to be released within the next few weeks.
PDI Estimating Experience
PDI estimating has a cumulative tenure of 429 years, spread among 92 people. %% mean 4.66 years %%
Aaron and Mitch suggest that estimating experience at PDI may be worth more than at other contractors ("more experience per year") because PDI bids "30--40 jobs per week" compared to "5--6" for the "average contractor."