Estimating
Common paving estimating mistakes and how to check them
Counting an area twice
Give each measured section a name and draw its boundary. Check shared corners and side returns for overlaps. Subtract exclusions only if they were included in the original measured footprint.
Mixing quantity and price units
Keep metres, square metres, cubic metres and tonnes distinct. A rate per tonne cannot be applied to cubic metres without a suitable conversion. Record the supplier’s selling unit beside the rate and inspect it before calculating cost.
Adding the same allowance twice
Keep the measured area unchanged. Apply an explained material allowance once, then separately round to the supplier’s order increment. Check whether any all-in rate already includes the same losses before adding another uplift.
Missing small-area tasks
Edging, covers, setup, deliveries and disposal can create significant work without adding much surface area. Review the scope by task as well as by material. A square-metre comparison is most useful after the complete costs are known.
Confusing markup and margin
With a £3,000 cost basis, 25% markup produces £3,750, whereas 25% gross margin produces £4,000, before tax. Select the intended pricing method and check the result backwards. The percentage does not correct an incomplete cost basis.
Sending an unchecked revision
Preview the saved PDF, confirm customer and address, check scope and total, and identify the revision. Retain the earlier issued record when the work changes. Make it clear which offer the customer is considering.
A final five-minute review
Check boundary, quantities, supplier units, labour hours, associated work, pricing method and document version. Resolve uncertainties or state their basis explicitly. A repeatable review helps catch avoidable errors before they become customer conversations.
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