Jeff continues his discussion on the errors that can happen in estimating.
This month, we continue our ongoing discussion of mistakes made in the estimating process, and the ways and means by which they can be eliminated and minimized. Our topic of discussion this month concerns one of the most frequent mistakes: oversights. In estimating parlance, it is the first deadly sin—the sin of omission.
Normally, I would save these items for last on a typical project but there is a method to my madness in this case. The fishing expedition I have embarked upon allows me to get familiar with the building, its subtleties and nuances, ultimately allowing me to be confident that my quantity survey is comprehensive and complete when all is said and done. This approach allows the building to define itself, by detail and condition. It is, in effect, the path of least resistance. Anything that affects production and contributes to cost, whether as an ancillary cost item pertaining to the wall types or specific conditions, must be identified and dealt with separately in the quantity survey and cost analysis. To do otherwise would be self-defeating; for it would ignore those items of cost that are an inherent part of any given project and reflective of the true cost; it would be an oversight of the most pervasive kind. When it comes to items of cost, ignorance is never bliss.