Step-by-Step Methods for Successful Contractors Estimating is not a simple task, and estimates are not guesswork. No one ever purchases "about a dozen 2 x 4s" or agrees to pay a subcontractor "around $5,000." Accurate construction estimating is an essential skill of every successful contractor. Without it , you take on a heavy burden of risk, or you fail to be competitive. Every contractor has a unique system for puttinga bid together...but when you submit a price, you must be prepared to back it up with a reliable estimate. This book gives you a step-by-step process for organizing all the information you need to assemble an estimate you can rely on...so you'll be competitive and know that you'll make a worthwhile profit.