‘Quick Roof Question’ Enters Third Drawing Revision

SATIRE / FICTION

This is an original fictional story. The characters, organizations, events and dialogue are invented.

A request described as a quick roof question entered its third drawing revision Wednesday after the sender clarified that he needed only a rough number, broken out by roof area, assembly, access condition, and three possible phasing scenarios.

The estimator initially received a screenshot of a warehouse with a circle around most of it. The question, “Any idea what this might run?” was answered with a request for dimensions. This produced a plan set and the first indication that the favor had a specification.

By noon, the sender had added an optional section, two alternates, and a request to compare keeping the existing insulation with replacing it, while showing both possibilities as the base price.

“We’re not asking for a whole proposal,” the sender explained. “Just everything we’d need to award one.”

A site visit was arranged to resolve the quick question about access. The visit generated four additional questions, each marked quick so the original workload would remain unchanged.

The latest email asks for a comparison matrix, a revised drawing, and confirmation that the number includes anything the sender may have forgotten to mention. Its subject line remains “Tiny favor.”

The estimator submitted the package Thursday, including a cover sheet identifying every assumption and a six-page attachment showing what had changed.

The sender thanked him for taking a quick look.