Show him salaries for similar jobs, and say, &quot;this is what the market is for people who are talented at this, and it&#x27;s probably only going to go up. You get what you pay for, just like you would if you hired an oil field engineer, or a civil engineer for building a bridge.&quot;<p>Qualify your initial estimates as having been initial, and ask if he wants more accurate revisions of them, based on current market prices and a need forflexibility if there are issues or problems that lead to overruns.  Then overestimate, and use savvy business skills to &quot;save&quot; the difference, if possible.