Strengthening Cost Intelligence in Preconstruction: Insights from Holder’s Jeff Bleau
1. What impact has the introduction of new tariffs had on your firm’s preconstruction and estimating processes?
Jeff: Initial unjustified panic price increases and aggressive contract language that has had little impact on demand or procurement of materials.
2. How do you think increased adoption of technologies like AI and model-based estimating will change the role of estimators and preconstruction leaders?
Jeff: Estimators will shift focus from performing actual take-off to QA/QC managers of the take-off work performed by AI. Although this is a good thing, saving time and money for organizations, fundamental skills and the “why” behind the cost will inevitably and eventually be lost.
3. What best practices have your team implemented to strengthen conceptual estimating and risk mitigation on complex projects?
Jeff: Creating a controlled data estate of historical costs and sophisticated systems to augment those costs to current market conditions.
4. What are you most looking forward to about Advancing Preconstruction 2026 and why?
Jeff: Feedback from similar contractors on their estimating practices, how they collect and store data, as well as make should-cost projections.
5. What key takeaways are you hoping to share with the Preconstruction community as a speaker at the conference?
Jeff: Sharing quick-implemented and longer-term solutions for real-world integration of cost estimators and precon professionals.
Explore the Full Preconstruction Agenda
- 80+ speakers from leading GCs, Trades, Clients & Design Firms
- The US’ largest strategic preconstruction conference
- 25% of speakers from Top 30 General & Trade Contractors (ENR)
- Network with 1000+ of the nation’s most dedicated preconstruction leaders
- Brand-new ‘Preconstruction Management’ track to foster strategic innovation across all projects
