Estimator’s Edge

2024 March

Caution: Speed Bump Ahead

As much as I hate to continue on a narrative of pessimism, some pretty authoritative voices are compelling me to do so

2024 February

Health Care, If You Dare

With a new year opening up before us like a yawning portal into a new and daunting dimension, I am compelled to succumb to a reflexive tug for throwing out a pithy prediction or two...

January 2024

Out of the Office

While this current decline in office space activity may prove to be a serious blow to commercial drywall contractors (and their estimators), it needn’t be a fatal one.

2023 December

Different Strokes

Of the many favorable features that our vocation offers, I think that none distinguishes us better from our management level peers than the many different approaches we take to our work.

2023 November

Simply Drywall Only (Well, Sort of …)

During a recent perusal of topics that I have previously explored through this column, it struck me that most of the content is written from the perspective of a commercial drywall adherent. I think that...

2023 October

The Dreaded PTO, Part 3

Yes, there is a consensus belief among estimators that vacations, or even PTO in general, should be avoided like the plague—held with the same regard as a root canal sans Novocain.

2023 September

The Dreaded PTO, Part 2

Yes, I think dread is the perfect word to describe my feelings toward taking time off from my estimating duties.

2023 July

Show Me the Door

Might as well jump … — from “Jump,” words and music by Van Halen Judging from all the many columns I’ve written about estimators, you would have to conclude that we are a...