I'm going to make a bold claim: Every major construction bid should be estimated twice, independently, by different teams. Not just the risky ones. Not just the big ones.

Here's why this matters NOW:

Construction is eating the world. We're seeing unprecedented infrastructure spending, increasingly complex projects, and margins that keep getting tighter. The old way of estimating – one person, one spreadsheet, one shot at getting it right – is dead.

Let me tell you a story that changed how I think about this forever.

The Wake-Up Call

I left my boss’ office feeling totally deflated. That morning, I was ecstatic to learn that I would be part of the estimating team on a large and “nasty” highway widening bid. We were up against stout competition, and this was a target bid for us. It was fraught with phasing, risk, and complexity and would take years to build. I was honored to be included and assigned to what I believed were some of the toughest items of work, especially given that I was young and new to the company.

But I tried to mask my displeasure when told that another, more seasoned team member would be preparing a separate estimate on “my items”. Lacking in both experience and maturity, I took this as an indictment of my ability though it was explained that these items were so critical that we needed multiple eyes on them. I didn’t want to give away my Legos. This was wrong. We were second on the bid, I learned a ton during the process (ironically much from the person I was so worried about encroaching on my territory), and I later realized how much sense the two-pronged approach made for the company.

What happened next shocked me:

• I learned more in 30 days than in the previous year (better)

• The parallel approach saved us from multiple costly mistakes (best)

This helped me reimagine how I approach risk in construction estimating.

Why This Changes Everything

The conventional wisdom is that double estimating is inefficient. "Why pay two people to do one job?"

This is EXACTLY BACKWARDS.

Here's what double estimating actually gives you:

1. Creativity multiplication (not just validation)

2. Risk decimation (two people rarely make the same mistake)

3. Competitive advantage (better numbers = better bids)

4. Team development (younger estimators learn from veterans)

The Market Is Wrong About This

Everyone in construction talks about risk management. But look at what they DO:

• Single points of failure everywhere

• No real peer review

• Massive bets on individual judgment

• Learning opportunities missed

This is insane.

Look at every other high-stakes field:

• Aircraft design? Multiple independent teams

• Software development? Peer review required

• Medical diagnosis? Second opinions standard

• Legal documents? Multiple lawyer review

Yet in construction, where millions are on the line, we rely on single-threaded processes?

The Future Is Already Here

Smart contractors are already doing this. They're just quiet about it.

When to use double estimating:

• Complex phasing requirements ✓

• High liquidated damages ✓

• A+B bids ✓

• Design-build projects ✓

• New work types ✓

• Must-win situations ✓

But What About...

"It's too expensive!" → Wrong. What's expensive is losing money on bad bids.

"We don't have enough people!" → This is why you train your field engineers and PM’s on estimating.

"It creates conflict!" → Good! Conflict = better numbers.

"It slows things down!" → Speed isn't your problem. Bad bids are.

How To Make This Work

1. Clear rules of engagement:

   • No peeking at each other's work

   • Independent processes

   • Structured comparison at the end

2. Culture changes required:

   • Celebrate differences in approach

   • Reward finding mistakes

   • Focus on learning, not blame

3. Process specifics:

   • Separate workspaces

   • Different estimation approaches encouraged

   • Formal reconciliation meetings

The Stakes Are Massive

Look at the financials of major civil contractors from involved in Design-Build and/or Public Private Partnership (PPP) work in the United States from 2016-2020. It’s a bloodbath. The ones who got crushed? Single points of failure in estimating. The ones who thrived? Robust review processes.

What This Means For You

If you're a:

• Contractor: Start pilot testing this tomorrow

• Project Manager: Push for this on your next big bid

• Estimator: Embrace this as career insurance

• Owner: Start asking about which complex jobs fit the criteria

The Future

Double estimating on complex projects isn't just a better way to bid work. It's the only way that makes sense in a world where:

• Projects are getting more complex

• Margins are getting thinner

• Mistakes are getting costlier

• Talent is getting harder to find

What’s cool is that intelligent automation through large language models (LLMs) will remove much of the manual work in estimating in the not too distant future. Doubling up will come easier. Best to get started now.

Take Action

1. Pick your next significant bid

2. Assign two independent teams

3. Set clear ground rules

4. Compare results

5. Learn and adjust

Stop treating estimating like a solo sport. Start treating it like what it is: the foundation of your backlog and financial performance.

Building something big? I'd love to hear your thoughts on double estimating. We value your feedback, so please share your experiences in the comments below.

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About the Author

Tristan Wilson is the CEO and Founder of Edgevanta. We make software that helps contractors win more work at the right price. He is a 4th Generation Contractor, construction enthusiast, ultra runner, and bidding nerd. He worked his way up the ladder at Allan Myers in the Mid-Atlantic and his family’s former business Barriere Construction before starting Edgevanta in Nashville, where the company is based. Reach out to him at [email protected]