Seminar Style

• The seminar features a live demonstration of the seminar outline and Excel presented on a large screen using a state-of-the-art computer projector.
• Seating is classroom style with tables.
• Coffee will be served in the morning.
• The Seminar Handouts include the speaker's complete outline used during the seminar to allow you to focus on the presentation without being distracted by taking notes.

Seminar Description

• The Speed Estimating Seminar is about using the entire estimating process as a method of demonstrating your professionalism with the specific goal of convincing potential customers that they should pay you a higher price.
• The seminar begins by discussing the role of cost code systems in coordinating specification writing, estimating and job cost accounting with the strategy of having these different tasks supporting each other.
• The seminar continues by addressing the art of quickly writing thorough specifications to everyone's benefit, developing the budget, and presenting the proposal in a manner that leads to negotiating, not "bidding", a contract. There is much discussion on customer psychology and identifying trouble customers before you sign a contract.
• The seminar's final segment discusses various contract issues and reviews critical contract clauses, including the Right of Recession and other legal pitfalls.
• The seminar does not expend time reviewing math and takeoff procedures simply because we assume that you already know how to count 2x4's and concrete or you wouldn't be in business.

The depth of the material covered in the seminars is too extensive to include in the following brief outline. The outline below can do justice in describing a seminar that is filled with strategy discussions, real-life examples, specific strategies and practical procedures.

SEMINAR HANDOUTS

• 20 page seminar outline detailing the specific strategies and procedures presented during the seminar.
• Sample Construction Specifications
• Sample Construction Estimate
• Sample Contract Documents
• Confirmation of Instruction Form
• Construction Cost Categories Chart
• MasterCode Cost Code chart

INTRODUCTION

• Coordinating Estimating, Proposal Writing and Job Cost Accounting.
• Spreadsheet Estimating verses other software.
• Establishing a consistent estimating procedure.

WRITING the SPECIFICATIONS

• The difference between Scope-of-Work & Specifications.
• The eight sections of well-written specifications.
• Writing specifications everybody can understand – FAST!
• Using Excel to write specifications at an average rate of just three minutes per page.
• Using specifications to save time, money and aggravation.

PERFORMING the TAKEOFF

• Using estimating tools to speed the process.
• The difference between a Quantitative Takeoff and a Material Takeoff – Which is correct?
• Learn what to measure and what to skip.

KNOWING YOUR COSTS

• The 300 construction costs you need to track.
• Using spreadsheets to calculate your unit costs (not some theoretical cost from a national pricing guide)
• Negotiating unit prices from you subcontractors.

CALCULATING the NUMBERS

• Using the Specifications to create the estimate.
• The difference between Margin and Markup – Stop giving away 15% of your profits.

WRITING the CONTRACT

• Critical Clauses – What to leave in and what to leave out.
• Using Excel to write fully-customizable contracts in a matter of minutes.

SELLING the PROJECT

• Qualifying leads quickly to get the customers you want.
• Understanding today’s customer: What’s really on their mind and how to use it to your advantage.
• Having confidence in your numbers gives you the confidence to stick to your price.
• Use your professionally written specifications and contract to sell the project at Your price.

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