Most estimating problems do not begin with the takeoff.

They begin when the process lives in someone’s head.

This week on the PowerHouse Fence Show, Dan builds a step-by-step system for bidding commercial fence work to general contractors. He starts with the bid invitation and follows the job through qualification, document intake, takeoff, RFIs, estimating, proposal submission and follow-up.

It is not about creating a massive manual nobody will use. It is about giving your team a clear process, defining who owns each step and knowing when the work is actually complete.

If your company is still relying on tribal knowledge to train estimators and manage bids, this episode is for you.