Most underbidding happens before the calculator. Here’s what I always review first: • Wall type legend • Reflected ceiling plan • Spec section 09 29 00 • Door schedule backing • Ceiling height differences Missing one of these can erase your profit. What’s the most expensive thing you’ve ever missed in a plan set?

Before I ever submit a number, I check: 1️⃣ Wall Type Legend – Gauge, fire rating, shaft walls 2️⃣ Reflected Ceiling Plan – Bulkheads, soffits, height changes 3️⃣ Spec Section 09 29 00 – Board type and finish level 4️⃣ Door Schedule – Backing requirements 5️⃣ Insulation Responsibility – Who owns it? Most contractors don’t lose money on labor. They lose money on missed scope. What’s the biggest thing you’ve ever missed in a set of plans?

Let me break down something I’m dealing with right now. 100+ year old building. Framing + drywall scope. Developer says: "I want you to make money.” But here’s the reality: • Another contractor was pressured into dropping $80,000 off his price • He’s now regretting it • Proposed structure: $45/hr. per man + 10%• My guy pays his men around $30/hr. On the surface that sounds “fair.” But let’s break it down: $45/hr. – $30/hr. = $15 gross margin Out of that $15 you still have: • Workers' comp • Payroll tax • Liability insurance • Supervision • Travel • Tools • Administrative overhead • Risk on a 100-year-old building (unknown framing conditions, out-of-plumb walls, hidden rot, etc.) That 10% “profit” isn’t profit. It’s protection. And on a building that old? Risk is not theoretical. It’s guaranteed. The dangerous part? When someone says “I want you to make money” while referencing another contractor who folded. That’s negotiation psychology. Not partnership. The Real Lesson: Old buildings eat low bids alive. You don’t lose money because you can’t build. You lose money because you price fear instead of risk. Now I want to ask you: Have you ever adjusted your price down…and felt it in your stomach immediately after? What happened?

How I Would Bid a 20,000 SF Office Build-Out (Framing & Drywall) If I’m bidding this, here’s what I look at first: 1️⃣ Wall type legend – Are there multiple gauges? Fire ratings? Shaft walls? 2️⃣ Reflected ceiling plan – Any high ceilings? Bulkheads? Soffits? 3️⃣ Spec section 09 29 00 – What board type and finish level? 4️⃣ Door schedule – Heavy frame backing? 5️⃣ Insulation coordination – Who owns it? Where most contractors lose money: • Missing shaft walls • Not pricing Level 5 finish • Ignoring ceiling height differences Before I submit a number, I always clarify: • Who provides insulation? • Who owns backing? • Phasing requirements? • Working hours? That’s how you protect margin💪