The estimate said eight hours. The job took twelve. The estimate still says eight.

Most businesses that quote work already know their estimates drift. Far fewer know which direction the error runs, or what it is quietly doing to the jobs they choose to take.

By Steve 5 min read
Abstract bridge artwork for The estimate said eight hours. The job took twelve. The estimate still says eight.

In almost every business that quotes work before doing it, the variance between estimate and actual is recorded somewhere. Timesheets, job cards, a project code in the accounting system. The data exists. What rarely exists is a route from that data back to the number the estimator uses next week. The job closes, the invoice goes out, the variance is absorbed into the month, and the price book stays exactly where it was. This is not a reporting failure so much as a structural one. The loop has no owner.…

Keep reading for free

Create an account to read the rest.

The whole library is free. No card, no subscription, no trial that quietly ends. An account simply lets us know who we are writing for, and opens every article from here on.

  • Every article, in full, at no cost
  • New articles published every weekday
  • Takes about twenty seconds
Create a free account I already have one

Free means free. We will not charge you for the library, and you can read as much of it as you like.

Important: General information only. Rialto Bridge articles describe patterns and considerations that may apply to a business; they are not financial, legal, tax or accounting advice, and they take no account of your particular circumstances. Consider your own situation and seek advice from a qualified professional before acting.

More on Pricing

Scroll to Top