Estimating services
Order one trade or the whole set. Every job comes back the same way: an Excel workbook in CSI format, a marked-up PDF, and a cost summary, reviewed by a second estimator.
Complete estimates
The whole building, every division from 01 to 33, priced and summarized. For new construction, additions and full remodels across residential, commercial, public and industrial work.
- Allowances, alternates and by-others carried
- Addenda, notes and specifications folded in
- Cost summary and bid form included
Single-trade takeoffs
One scope, measured by an estimator who does that trade all week. Demolition, sitework, concrete, masonry, framing, drywall, finishes, roofing and more.
- Quantities with wastage by size and type
- Optional labor and material pricing
- Legend ties every markup to a workbook row
MEP estimates
Mechanical, electrical and plumbing counted fixture by fixture and run by run. Panels, conduit and wire; RTUs, ducts and diffusers; fixtures, pipe and drains.
- Electrical gear, devices, conduit and wiring
- HVAC equipment, ductwork and air distribution
- Plumbing fixtures, piping, valves and drainage
Trades, one by one
Each trade page lists what we count and the units it comes back in. Click through for details or go straight to the estimate form.
Division 02
Demolition
Selective and full demolition quantified by assembly so the dumpster count and labor hours line up with what is actually coming out.
Units: SF, LF, CY and EA
Division 03
Concrete
Footings, slabs and walls in cubic yards with rebar tonnage, so the pour schedule and the steel order come from the same sheet.
Units: CY, SF, LF and tons
Division 03
Formwork
Contact area for every concrete element, with reuse factored, so the form package and labor are priced on real square footage.
Units: SFCA and LF
Division 04
Masonry
Block and brick by unit type and size, plus the accessories that get missed: flashing, weeps, angles and scaffold time.
Units: SF, EA, LF and units
Division 07
Insulation and waterproofing
Thermal, moisture and fire-stopping materials by R-value and location, from foundation waterproofing to roof insulation.
Units: SF and LF
Division 05
Structural and miscellaneous metals
Structural steel by member with connection allowances, and the miscellaneous metals that make up half the fabricator's ticket.
Units: Tons, LF, SF and EA
Division 06
Lumber and rough carpentry
Framing lumber by size and length so the yard can pull the order straight from the takeoff.
Units: BF, LF, SF and EA
Division 09
Drywall
Board, framing and finishing counted by wall type and ceiling height, with tape, mud and screws worked out from the board count.
Units: SF, LF, rolls and boxes
Division 09
Flooring
Every finish by room with subfloor prep, transitions and base, so nothing is left to be discovered on site.
Units: SF and LF
Division 09
Painting and coatings
Paintable area by surface and coating system, with doors, frames, trims and railings counted separately.
Units: SF, LF and EA
Division 09
Ceilings
Ceiling systems by type and height with grid, tile, framing and trim so the estimate matches the reflected ceiling plan.
Units: SF and LF
Division 07
Roofing
Roof area by slope and system with every accessory that rides along: underlayment, flashing, vents, gutters and downspouts.
Units: SQ, SF and LF
Divisions 04 and 09
Facade repair and restoration
Repair scopes measured from elevation drawings and survey notes, itemized so the bid separates rebuild from repoint from repaint.
Units: SF, LF and EA
Division 08
Openings, storefront and glazing
Doors, windows and storefront by size and type with hardware sets and trims scheduled against the door and window schedules.
Units: EA, SF and LF
Division 21
Fire protection
Sprinkler heads, pipe by diameter and pumps counted from the fire protection drawings or laid out from the code coverage.
Units: EA and LF
Division 22
Plumbing
Fixtures and rough-in counted from the plumbing plans and risers, with pipe by material and size.
Units: EA and LF
Division 23
Mechanical (HVAC)
Equipment by schedule and ductwork by pound or square foot, with air devices counted from the mechanical plans.
Units: EA, LB, SF and LF
Division 26
Electrical
Gear, devices, fixtures, conduit and wire counted from the power and lighting plans and the panel schedules.
Units: EA and LF
Division 27
Communications
Structured cabling and outlets counted per room and per drop so the low-voltage bid matches the technology plans.
Units: EA and LF
Division 28
Electronic safety and security
Life-safety devices and panels itemized from the fire alarm and security plans.
Units: EA and LF
Divisions 31 to 33
Sitework and earthwork
Cut, fill, paving and utilities from the civil set, with over-excavation, backfill and compaction quantified separately.
Units: CY, SF, LF and EA
Division 31
Shoring and underpinning
Support-of-excavation systems and underpinning pits taken off from the SOE drawings for urban and tight-site work.
Units: LF, SF, CY and EA
Every order includes
Excel
Quantity takeoff workbook
One row per item: drawing reference, description, quantity, unit, wastage, quantity with wastage, labor and material unit cost, and line total. Grouped by CSI division with subtotals.
Marked-up drawings
Every area, length and count is color-coded on the plans with a legend that ties back to the workbook. You can check any number in seconds.
Excel
Cost summary
Trade cost per division, cost per square foot, then overhead, insurance, contingency and tax at the percentages you use, ending in a suggested bid.
How an order runs
- 1Day 0
Send drawings
Upload PDFs, DWGs or a link to your plan room. Tell us the trades you need and when the bid is due.
- 2Same day
Get a fixed quote
We review the set and reply with a price and delivery date the same business day. No surprises after the fact.
- 31 to 3 days
Takeoff and review
Your estimator measures every quantity in Bluebeam. A second estimator checks it against the drawings before it leaves.
- 4Delivered
Receive the estimate
An Excel workbook and marked-up PDF land in your inbox. Revisions from addenda are included for 14 days.
Frequently asked
What is in the takeoff workbook?
An Excel file with one sheet per scope. Each row carries the drawing reference, item description, quantity, unit, wastage percentage, quantity with wastage, labor and material unit costs and the line total. Divisions are subtotaled and a cost summary sheet rolls everything up with overhead, insurance, contingency and cost per square foot.
How do I get started?
Send the drawings through the estimate form or by email, and tell us which trades you need and when your bid is due. You will have a fixed quote and a delivery date the same business day. Work starts as soon as you approve.
What files do you accept?
PDF drawings are ideal. We also work from DWG, DXF, image scans and plan-room links. Specifications, addenda and geotechnical reports help and are folded into the estimate when provided.
How long does an estimate take?
Single-trade takeoffs usually come back in 2 to 3 business days. Full multi-division estimates take 5 to 7. If a bid is due sooner, ask for the 24-hour rush option when you request a quote.
Do you price the estimate or only count quantities?
Both, your choice. Quantities-only takeoffs are cheaper and let you apply your own rates. Priced estimates use RSMeans Online location-adjusted rates, or your own unit costs if you send them.
Can I see a sample before I order?
Yes. The Work page shows three delivered projects with their markups and workbook excerpts. Ask and we will email a full sample in your trade.
What if my drawings are incomplete?
We estimate what is drawn and flag what is assumed. Assumed items are labeled in the workbook so you can review them line by line. For early-stage residential work we can price on an assumption basis and update when plans firm up.
What happens if an addendum changes the scope?
Revisions caused by addenda are included for 14 days after delivery. Larger scope changes are quoted separately at the same rate as the original work.
How do you handle confidentiality?
Your drawings are used only to prepare your estimate and are never shared. We sign NDAs on request and delete project files after 90 days unless you ask us to keep them.
What payment methods do you accept?
Card, ACH and PayPal. Monthly retainer clients are invoiced at the end of each month.
Send the drawings. Get a fixed quote today.
Upload a set and tell us the trades and the due date. You will hear back within one business day with a price and a delivery date.