It is assumed that in submitting an estimate the plumber does so honestly, in all fairness, and without collusion or combination with other contractors. These introductory remarks might be out of place if it were not for the dishonest practice in some cities for a certain clique of contractors to combine, and, knowing they are the only ones estimating for a certain architect or owner, decide among themselves who shall submit the lowest estimate, how much it shall be and what prices the remaining contractors shall offer to do the work for. Indeed, it was only a short time ago that the building committee for a large building refused to consider the bids submitted by plumbing contractors in their own town and went outside of the city to secure a fair and reasonable estimate. In doing so they made public their reason, which did not reflect much credit on the honesty and fair dealing of the local plumbers. In reporting the matter the committee said:

"Having knowledge of the cost of the fixtures proposed to be used and having carefully estimated the cost of setting the same and adding a reasonable profit on the entire contract, your committee were surprised upon opening the above bids to find that they materially exceeded our estimate. Upon investigation we were informed that a meeting of the above bidders had been held previous to handing in their bids, at which meeting, we were informed, it was decided who should be the lowest bidder; which low bidder was to furnish his figures to the other bidders who were to present higher bids. This action seemed so reprehensible and savored so strongly of collusion that the committee rejected all bids and secured an estimate from a thoroughly reliable plumbing firm to furnish the fixtures and to install the same at a considerable saving over the prices submitted by the combine."

Such a proceeding is not only reprehensible but, likewise, it is a bad business policy. Once such a combination is worked on an architect the doors of his office will thereafter be closed to all who entered into the combine, and the news of the attempt to hold up an architect by means of an unlawful combination will travel fast and will not impress those who learn of the business incapacity and lack of fair dealings of those in the ring. The way to succeed is to master thoroughly the details of the business and the practice of plumbing, then, secure in the strength of your position, refuse to enter into unfair combinations and carve out your business future by fair dealings, accurate estimating, close application to business and mastery of detail.

The contractor might gain a temporary advantage by combining with others to stifle competition, but in the end he will lose, and his wit not having been sharpened and his business methods improved by fair competition he will fail in the end.

If for any reason - such, for instance, as so much work on hand that you cannot handle more - you do not care to estimate on an operation, frankly tell the architect so. He will respect your fair dealings then and keep your name on his estimating list, while otherwise he would have to cross it off if he learned that for whatever reason, however innocent, you had submitted an estimate based on those submitted by others.