Ge
Global Engineering
§ Studio Notes / Journal

Notes from the studio.

Estimating, building economics, and the craft of accurate cost prediction — written by the people doing the work.

Why Estimates Miss — and How to Know if Yours Will
FeaturedEstimating8 min read

Why Estimates Miss — and How to Know if Yours Will

Most estimate failures are predictable. Here are the seven variables that account for 80% of variance, and how we control each one.

Fixed-Fee vs. Percentage-of-Cost: What Your Estimator Isn't Telling You
Pricing6 minFebruary 2026

Fixed-Fee vs. Percentage-of-Cost: What Your Estimator Isn't Telling You

Percentage-based estimating fees create a conflict of interest that most clients don't notice until the bid comes in high. We explain why we charge fixed fees — and what you should ask any estimator you hire.

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How to Read a Bid Tabulation — A Plain-Language Guide for Owners
Bidding10 minJanuary 2026

How to Read a Bid Tabulation — A Plain-Language Guide for Owners

A bid tab is one of the most information-dense documents in construction. We walk through every column, flag the red lines owners miss, and explain what to do when the spread is 30%.

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MEP Estimating Is Not an Afterthought
MEP7 minDecember 2025

MEP Estimating Is Not an Afterthought

Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing routinely account for 25–40% of total construction cost on commercial projects — yet they're the last line item many estimators price. We explain how we approach MEP from the first sketch.

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Value Engineering Done Right: Save Money, Keep the Building
Value Engineering9 minNovember 2025

Value Engineering Done Right: Save Money, Keep the Building

VE is often a synonym for cheapening a project. It doesn't have to be. Here is our process for identifying $400k–$800k of savings without touching the things that make a building worth building.

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Montana Construction Market: What We're Seeing in 2026
Market5 minOctober 2025

Montana Construction Market: What We're Seeing in 2026

Labour costs up 14% year-over-year. Lumber stabilised. Steel still volatile. Concrete lead times extended in Flathead County. Our quarterly read on the local market — with implications for anyone bidding work in the Northern Rockies.

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