Category: How to Estimate

Blog  ›  How to Estimate Payments · Construction Finance What Is Retainage in Construction? A plain-language guide to retainage: what it is, the rules that govern it, the math, and how contractors get the held money released. Sourced from the FAR, the Prompt Payment Act, and state retention statutes. SimplyWise Updated June 23, 2026 14 […]

Blog  ›  How to Estimate Construction Billing · Estimating Guide What Is an SOV in Construction? A 2026 Contractor Guide An SOV, or schedule of values, breaks the total contract sum into priced line items. A contractor bills for the work as it gets done. Sourced from the American Institute of Architects, the Bureau of […]

Blog  ›  How to Estimate Construction · Project Documents What Is a RFI in Construction? A Plain-English Guide A request for information (RFI) is the formal, written way a contractor asks for clarification on unclear plans, specs, or site conditions. Sourced from the Navigant Construction Forum, the American Institute of Architects, the Associated General Contractors […]

Blog  ›  How to Estimate Contracts · Estimating Guide What Is a Change Order in Construction? A Contractor Guide for 2026 A change order in construction is a written, signed amendment to the original contract that adjusts the scope, price, or schedule of a job. This guide breaks down how change orders work, sourced from […]

Blog  ›  How to Estimate Estimating · Job Costing Guide What Is Overhead in Construction? A Contractor Guide 2026 Overhead is the cost of running a construction business that is not tied to any single job. This 2026 guide breaks down what counts as overhead, how to calculate it, and how to recover it in […]

Blog  ›  Contractor How to Estimate  ›  How to Estimate an HVAC Job HVAC · Estimating Guide How to Estimate an HVAC Job: 2026 Contractor’s Guide A seven-step framework for HVAC contractors: Manual J load calc, equipment selection, ductwork sizing, materials, labor, permits, and profit margin. Three worked examples included. SimplyWise Updated May 7, 2026 […]

Blog  ›  Estimating Guides  ›  How to Estimate a Plumbing Job Plumbing · Estimating Guide How to Estimate a Plumbing Job: 2026 Contractor’s Guide A fixture-by-fixture, foot-by-foot guide to building a defendable plumbing estimate: rough-in labor hours, material costs, code allowances, and worked examples. SimplyWise Updated May 7, 2026 12 min read How to estimate […]

Blog  ›  Painting  ›  How to Estimate a Painting Job Painting · Estimating Guide How to Estimate a Painting Job: 2026 Contractor’s Guide A field-tested 7-step framework to estimate a residential painting job, from sq ft measurement to coverage rates to loaded labor and profit margin. SimplyWise Updated May 7, 2026 12 min read How […]

Draft stub for How to Estimate a Roofing Job (Contractor Guide) — see Notion Content Calendar for context.

Blog  ›  Contractor Estimating Guides Estimating · Guide How to Estimate a Whole Home Remodel: A Contractor's Guide A contractor's framework for pricing a whole home remodel bid. Scope, unit costs, loaded labor rates, overhead, contingency, and a worked sample estimate. SimplyWiseUpdated April 22, 202614 min read The 7-step framework Walk the site and define […]