Episode
26
Thu, 02 Jul 2026 14:30:00 +0000
Most shop owners think estimating is simply about producing accurate numbers.
It isn't.
Estimating is really about making better business decisions.
Every week, architectural millwork and cabinet shops receive invitations to bid on projects. Some are a perfect fit. Others consume valuable time without ever becoming profitable work.
The challenge isn't estimating faster.
The challenge is deciding what deserves your attention.
That's exactly what Dominic Rubino discusses with Richard Bergan, Vice President of Bergen Architectural Woodworking.
Rich believes successful estimators share several qualities.
They pay attention to details.
They understand how work is actually built.
They ask great questions.
Most importantly, they work within simple systems.
Those systems help remove guesswork and reduce the chance of missing important deadlines.
When you spend hours estimating the wrong project, you're also choosing not to estimate another opportunity.
That's why successful shops develop a clear process for deciding which projects deserve their attention.
Instead of saying yes to every invitation, they evaluate:
That allows the estimating team to focus where they create the most value.
Many estimators spend hours preparing bids but never follow up afterward.
Rich explains that follow-up provides valuable information.
You learn:
Those conversations improve future estimates and strengthen relationships with general contractors.
One of the biggest lessons from this conversation is simple.
You don't solve estimating challenges by working longer hours.
You solve them by building better systems.
Simple processes help shops:
As Dominic often says, systems create freedom.
The shops that consistently improve aren't necessarily estimating more.
They're estimating smarter.
If estimating feels overwhelming inside your business, this episode is a reminder that better systems not more effort are often the answer.
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