Estimating Tips and Software

In this episode of the HVAC School Podcast, host Bryan sits down with Phil, the executive electrical team leader at Kalos who has transitioned into the world of estimating. Phil shares his extensive background in electrical work dating back to 1994, from his high school electrical elective to running his own business for eight years before joining Kalos and eventually establishing their estimation department.

The conversation delves deep into the fundamentals of estimating in the trades, contrasting traditional qualitative approaches with more rigorous quantitative methods. Phil emphasizes that good estimating is about “finding the truth” – understanding the actual costs of materials and labor for a project. They discuss how traditional estimating often relies on heuristics and past experiences with similar jobs, while more detailed estimating involves comprehensive takeoffs and assembly-based counting. The pair explores how estimation isn't just about producing a final number but should provide valuable information that transfers to the production phase.

A highlight of the episode is Phil's introduction of his self-developed estimating software called Unity Build. He explains how his interest in AI technologies led him to learn programming and eventually create this cloud-based solution that integrates AI assistance while maintaining the fundamental tools needed for thorough estimating. The software allows for collaboration between team members, is entirely browser-based, requiring no downloads, and is priced at $125 per month per seat. Bryan emphasizes that this is Phil's own business venture that he's taken an interest in, and they both stress that potential users should buy it for what it currently offers, not future promises, though they are committed to continuous improvement.

Topics Covered:

• Phil's 30+ year journey in electrical work and how he learned estimating
• The difference between qualitative (heuristic-based) and quantitative (detailed takeoff) estimating approaches
• Unit pricing vs. assembly-based takeoffs in estimating
• How good estimating transfers value to the production phase
• The workflow of detailed estimating from information gathering to closeout
• Labor factoring and how it affects cost calculations
• Phil's development of Unity Build estimation software using AI integration
• Cloud-based advantages of the new software, including collaboration capabilities
• How Unity Build facilitates handoff from estimating to production
• Pricing model ($125/month per seat) and target customers (small to mid-sized contractors)
• The importance of estimating honesty and finding the “truth” in project costs

Check out Unity Build Estimation at https://unitybuildestimation.com/.

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