Three contractors were visiting a tourist attraction on the same day. At the end of the tour, the guard asked them what they did for a living. When they all replied that they were contractors, the guard said, “Hey, we need one of the rear fences redone. Why don’t you guys take a look at it and give me a bid?”
So, they all went to the back fence to check it out. The first contractor took out his tape measure, did some measuring and said, “Well, I figure the job will run about $900. $400 for materials, $400 for my crew, and $100 profit for me.”
Next was the second contractor. He also took out his tape measure, did some quick figuring and said, “Looks like I can do this job for $700. $300 for materials, $300 for my crew, and $100 profit for me.”
Without so much as moving, the third contractor said, “$2,700.”
The guard, incredulous, looked at him and said, “You didn’t even measure like the other guys! How did you come up with such a high figure?”
“Easy,” he said. “$1,000 for me, $1,000 for you and we hire the guy doing it for $700.”