07/30/2026
Great conversation at the latest B/A/D Talk!
Thanks to moderator Kyle Hoepner, and panelists Payam Bakhshi, PhD, PE , Catherine Truman, , and Jim Youngblood, for leading a thought-provoking discussion on the realities of competitive bidding and project estimating.
One of the biggest takeaways for me was the tremendous amount of time, expertise, and resources that architects, builders, designers, and subcontractors invest in preparing project estimates, often with limited information and no guarantee of being awarded the work. The conversation challenged attendees to think about why this model has become the industry standard and whether there are better alternatives.
I especially appreciated the discussion around client education and the importance of helping homeowners understand the value behind the preconstruction process. Accurate estimating requires collaboration, experience, and careful planning long before a project ever breaks ground.
These B/A/D Talks always spark meaningful conversations, and this one was no exception. It was great to hear diverse perspectives from both the panel and audience on how our industry can continue to evolve. And, great catching up with friends!