Pro tip: an old guy at the lumber yard told me to add 10% to every framing estimate and I ignored him for 2 months
Burned through 6 extra 2x4s on a deck job in Salem because I bid it tight, and that was $40 I ate out of my own pocket. Now I'm torn on whether padding estimates is smart business or just a way to lose bids to the cheaper guy down the street. How do you all handle the cushion without pricing yourself out?