The cost of not planning. Her boss, Marcus, had pushed for the aggressive bid. “We’ll figure out the rock formations when we get there,” he’d said, waving a hand. “Geotechnical surveys are expensive. Let’s save that $40k and put it toward labor.”

That drainage study would have cost $8,000.

“We’re $240,000 over,” he said quietly. “And we still need to pave and install railings.”

The geology report—the one they hadn’t bought—would have shown a vein of quartzite running diagonally under the north abutment. Instead, the crew spent six days hammering through rock that should have taken two. Drill bits: $14,000 over budget. Fuel: $5,000. Overtime: $11,000.