1 rich Libsyn https://www.libsyn.com 90 600 A building automation project can look profitable when it is sold and tell a very different story when it closes out. Often, the problem is labor. Hardware costs are relatively straightforward to quote. Labor requires judgment. If that judgment misses part of the work, overlooks site conditions, or relies on assumptions that no longer match reality, those missing hours can quickly consume project margin. In Episode 565 of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast, you’ll explore how to approach labor estimation so the number reflects the work your team will actually perform. If you estimate, sell, manage, or execute building automation projects, this episode will help you think differently about what should happen before a proposal goes out the door and what your completed projects can teach you about the next estimate. Topics Covered • Why building automation labor estimates can drift so far from actual hours • The phases of controls work that need to be considered during estimating • Where overlooked and uncertain labor can put project margin at risk • How sales and operations can align before a project is booked • Why completed job data should influence future estimates A defensible labor estimate is not about adding more hours. It is about selling the work at a number your operations team can trust and your project can deliver. The Smart Buildings Academy Podcast | Teaching You Building Automation, Systems Integration, and Information Technology https://www.smartbuildingsacademy.com/ <iframe title="Libsyn Player" style="border: none" src="//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/43176183/height/90/theme/custom/thumbnail/yes/direction/forward/render-playlist/no/custom-color/88AA3C/" height="90" width="600" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen></iframe> https://assets.libsyn.com/secure/item/43176183