Nail Your Numbers: A Path to Skilled Construction Estimating and Bidding

Bidding and estimating are the heart of any sustainable construction business. You might be a great craftsman, project manager, and even salesperson. But if you cannot astutely select the right jobs to bid, closely estimate your costs for building them, and calculate overhead and profit to arrive at a viable selling price, you are not likely to survive much less prosper.

Nail Your Numbers laysout the procedures you need to bid wisely and estimate accurately one logical step at a time. You will learn to:

• Create a powerful estimating spreadsheet
• Efficiently execute takeoffs
• Closely figure labor costs
• Get reliable subcontractor and supplier quotes
• Appropriately mark up for overhead and profit
• Protect bids from erosion during construction

The book will take you even further. It will help you move "beyond bidding for free" to getting paid for your estimating and related pre-construction work. It can enable you to convert estimating from a costly time-suck and cash drain to a source of income.

Nail Your Numbers is the only book that methodically imparts all the skills necessary for successful bidding and estimating. With its large format, spacious full color interior, and relaxed conversational style, it makes the task of acquiring those skills as approachable as possible.

Nail is generously illustrated with photos and drawings and is packed with sample forms and checklists. For the price of a good table saw blade, Nail Your Numbers will enable you to put in place the systems that are the essential foundation of a successful and enjoyable construction business.