About Us

We've been engaged in freelance estimating for a century, and for the past 47 years, we've been sharing our expertise in drywall and painting estimating. It all began with my grandfather, who started estimating projects for clients in his local community back in 1921. In 1957, my Dad joined him, and in 1979, I followed suit.

In essence, we represent three generations deeply entrenched in the estimating and teaching business. Initially, my grandfather would personally mentor individuals, one at a time. Then, in 1976, my Dad established the Carter School of Estimating, putting us on the map in this field.

Our initial foray into freelance estimating was centered around the painting industry, where we provided estimates for painting and wall coverings. However, my Dad expanded our services to include drywall, metal framing, insulation, acoustical ceilings, and various other trades.

I had the privilege of being part of my father's pioneering work when he created the world's first commercial estimating program for the painting, drywall, and other related industries.

When I joined my father in 1979, I was trained in the "old school" method of estimating, which involved pricing everything without the assistance of computers. Little did I realize then how crucial my understanding of production rates, man-hours, and the creation of unit prices would become. My father would often send me to projects to meticulously time workers on various tasks, such as walls, ceilings, and door frame installations. He insisted on precision, leaving no room for guesswork.

Now, more than a century later, we continue to deliver high-quality estimates. While we no longer rely on manual estimation methods, we haven't lost sight of the essence of what it means to be an estimator.

Regards,

Harry Carter