When was the last time you finished a job and went back to compare what you estimated against what it actually cost? Not just the total — line by line. Labour, materials, plant, and subbies.

The Pattern Nobody Catches

When you look at estimated versus actual labour hours across four recent jobs, a pattern often emerges: every single one was underestimated. The same mistake, made four times in a row.

A lot of construction companies estimate the next job based on gut feel and the last price they can remember. But if you never go back and check, you keep making the same errors. You keep underestimating concrete labour. You keep missing the extra week of scaffolding.

Close the Loop

The data is there — it's in your job costs. You just have to close the loop. One hour reviewing actuals before you price the next job could save you thousands. It's the simplest way to improve estimating accuracy, and almost nobody does it.