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While the production crew gears up to full bore, what about the guy in the office playing on the computer when he’s supposed to be cranking out the paperwork? Seriously, though… the office work is getting better, but still takes too long, short of getting it to do itself it will always take too long. There was a discussion about the difference between estimates and formal proposals, but I know the incredibly detailed estimates we give out win us the job much of the time, I don’t want to regress too far. At the same time, the tire-kickers suck up a lot of my time. Does anyone know of an estimating manual that is actually fairly accurate for ballpark pricing renos and new construction? What else could speed up the office work (besides taking away the boss’s internet access?)?
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Ross,
I guess you'd have to call me a tire kicker, but I often haven't the foggiest idea what something will cost and need to know if I can even afford it or where/when I'll have to put it in the budget and home plan. My roof, for instance -- something one does only a few times in a lifetime. The cost for it in 1970 certainly isn't applicable now, so a tire has to be kicked. Sorry if it's a distraction, but I don't see an available alternative.
I had noted a few months ago that a couple of local guys were starting a company called Contractors Connection, whereby they would be the go-between for contractors and homeowners for any home projects. Some of you wanted me to follow up on it. Well, it's kicked off and already starting to overwhelm the two in their third month. Both homeowner and contractor response has been enthusiastic. They have also found that initially qualifying contractors is very time consuming for them and for the contractors. At least it only has to be done once under this program and not for every job. If anyone's interested in learning more about this enterprise, they can contact its president, Rick Mould, at (608)784-6660 or at.