There are five categories of tools we need to think about for estimating: - Take-off software - Estimating software - Document management - CRM and bid tracking - AI tools Some platforms do all of them, some only do one small, specific thing. Do I think you need five expensive construction-specific platforms? No. A smaller contractor could cover most of this with a purpose-built take-off tool, Excel, SharePoint or Google Drive, a simple CRM, and Claude or ChatGPT. As your team grows, dedicated estimating software or an all-in-one platform might make more sense. The important thing is choosing tools that suit your process and let you export your data. I broke down the different options in this video: https://youtu.be/AyL3tXCtz18 What does your current estimating stack look like? Which tools would you recommend?

The hardest calculation in an estimate is quantity × rate. Year-8 maths. The mistakes people make in estimates aren't maths problems. It's making sure the quantity is right and the rate is right, and then binding that price to terms that say exactly what's in and what's out. That's the whole skill. Here's the process I run, start to finish. 1. Read the bid documents — scope of works first, then drawings. Drawings show the finished product. The scope tells you who supplies what. Free-issue items are invisible on a drawing. Raise clarifications early, and exclude what you can't price. 2. Structure your pricing. Either use the client's schedule or price in your own standard work breakdown and map it across. Break it down further than feels necessary — "Electrical works — $200,000" is not a defensible price. 3. Build your assemblies. Work out what you actually need to measure, and what falls out of it. One light fitting also means a bracket, five metres of cable and two hours of labour. 4. Measure the quantities. If the assemblies are set up properly, this gives you the full labour, plant and material summary for the whole job. 5. Enter it into your pricing structure. Add the items that never appear on a drawing — compaction testing, unit-rate items — and run your subbie procurement. Check quotes for silently excluded scope, not just the number. 6. Price the indirects. These are a function of duration, so you need a realistic programme before you can price them. 7. Add risk, corporate overheads and margin. 8. Review, then submit with a letter of offer that states your inclusions and exclusions.

My new laptop has Windows 11 Home. Is that fine, or does Claude Cowork require Windows 11 Pro?

Has anyone set this up for their company yet? I know a lot of contractors are now using claude chat, but wanted to know any of you had made the leap to agents? @Tim Fairley teaches a lot about claude for estimating and scheduling, which is amazing. I have taken the deep dive into claude code, and basically vibe coding all my own systems, and now some for other trade biz friends. But recently getting into claude cowork as a "easier" or more manageable approach for businesses. Love to hear anyones experience using it for business solutions.

Hey everybody, thought I would kick off a new post for August. What are your goals for this month and what are you trying to get out of the community? Mine are pretty simple and straightforward 1. Keep experimenting with AI and sharing what I'm learning 2. Keep making a ton of youtube videos 3. Keep learning about construction project management and working out the best way to deliver projects and run a construction business Keen to hear what you're goals are and what you want to get out of the community