Reject formal estimates for software projects at your peril

Suppose you er a contractor, 'I want a 2-romance house, how much will it require to be paid to build and how long wish it take?'  If the contractor is smart he will not answer the verbal contest, if the contractor is a smart-ass he might say 'It direction cost up to $135 million to figure' (the most expensive 2-story firm in North America just sold with regard to $135 million).