When you open your training kit, you will find a set of mechanical drawings for a small commercial building. We call it the Bell Building. Mechanical specifications are on the drawings as well. This is a small building that gives us a chance to learn the process of taking off, listing, pricing and applying labour to various systems and products in a very short period of time. You will also find a take-off pad of 50 sheets, an estimate pad of 50 sheets, bid summary sheets and a project file folder.

Next you will remove section 1.1 Material Take-off and the completed take-off guide
(A completed take-off done by me) from the first section of the manual. - Set up your take-off sheets by following instructions and my completed take-off package.

This will have taken you only about two hours and you have now mastered a process you can put to use. This is the only part of the estimating procedure that requires trade experience. Other non-trade staff in your company or family members can easily learn
the necessary steps to finish the estimate from this point on.

You need to carefully follow the instructions in manual section 1.2 and the guide
(my competed write-up) located at the back of section 1.2. Pricing sheets are included
to complete the pricing. Using these prices will give you a chance to compare your
price to mine. (Of course mine is perfect)!!

The green tab (2.0) manual section includes a full set of usable labour unit cards.
You must have a good read through section 1.3 to understand this process.

The bid summary instructions are in manual section 1.4. You have been provided with
a 17 X 14 blank summary sheet for your use and a matching sheet completed by me.

You are now ready to submit your tender with confidence.

In addition to the above, the manual includes a section (1.5) explaining typical take-offs
and job-site material take-off for ordering.

Section 3.0 through 3.7 offer some ideas on project cost control.