Not every project starts with fully detailed drawings, and thats something most contractors deal with all the time. Still, decisions have to be made early, whether its budgeting, scheduling, or even deciding if the project should move forward at all.

This is where preliminary estimating becomes really useful. Instead of waiting for perfect plans, early estimates help set realistic expectations based on available information. It gives teams a clearer picture of potential costs, major risk areas, and overall project feasibility before too much time is invested.

From what Ive seen, contractors who rely on early estimates tend to plan better and avoid last-minute surprises. Even if numbers change later, having an early cost direction makes the whole process smoother.

How do you usually handle projects at the early stage? Do you prefer waiting for final drawings or working with preliminary numbers first?