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I get whacked with at least a half dozen different Estimating Services that are all over the place with the exception of here in Georgia where I would be applying materials and labor via my own take off and break down. They tend to start off with "affiliated for 40 years with architects and general contractors for commercial and residential" whereas in reality in the sample take-offs are just any one of a number of "Construction Estimating" software packages that are available in stand alone or part of a Full Office mechanization which always appeared to be either waaay too much software for most construction offices or simply exporting the data from the same estimating programs into an Excel spreadsheet with their names, Po Box, mobile phone number and the credit cards that they accept.

I don't see these clowns as ever getting repeat business because the art of "Estimating is Part Science and Part Art." The science part being the ability to take off each lineal foot of wall plate for a residential structure and the assembly that makes it a wall. The art part is as in any science such as actuarial work wherein a $number at any one given time is affixed via all the numbers, factors and variables that shift constantly between net labor costs PLUS net materials cost...which is why your proposal to the Smythe family for a new home is only good for 30 days....and with that, hopefully 30 good days. You really have to pick up on the vibe of what's happening with the industry that you're ordering materials from that day....such as Ready Mix and how the effect of Portland production runs that price around your proposed price. And that is an art in and of itself.

I joined the ICEAA (International Cost Estimating and Analysis Association) maybe 25 years ago as computer take offs were just in the works and wanted to keep up with all the new programs, digitizers, etc. I kept up, but the products were outrageously expensive for my work and cost prohibitive...but talking along with other members of the local chapter that were not just construction valuations, I caught on how quick these guys and gals were to correct anybody as to a price on any item because things do change via not only the problems with the marketing, manufacturing and delivery....but the demand and competition for the same purchasers.

I can only encourage all those that get the same cold-call emails....it's too easy to call oneself an estimator...a job that doesn't require a license and only certifications through accredited groups that have been in existence for 30 years or more.