Construction Estimating, Takeoff, Design & Shop Drawings

Construction estimating predicts a project's cost from its drawings and specifications. Estimators measure quantities (the takeoff), price labor, materials, equipment and subcontract scopes, then add general conditions, overhead, profit, taxes, bonds, insurance and contingency. The result is a bid-ready number backed by marked-up plans, assumptions, inclusions and exclusions.

A quantity or material takeoff is the measured list of items needed to build the project — square feet, linear feet, cubic yards, counts and weights. The estimate prices those quantities. You can order a takeoff alone, organized by CSI division, or a complete priced estimate with alternates and unit prices.

The pre-bid process covers solicitation review, pre-bid conference and site visit, addenda tracking, RFIs, takeoff, pricing, alternates, allowances, unit prices and bid-form completion. We review the documents, keep the addendum log, flag conflicts as RFIs, measure and price the work, and help you submit a complete, responsive bid.

After bid opening the work includes reviewing the bid tabulation, leveling subcontractor bids to a common scope with scope sheets, sending clarifications, pricing value-engineering options, receiving the notice of award, executing contract and bonds, and buying out subcontracts. We support leveling, clarifications and budget handoff.

Yes. We build a compliance matrix from the solicitation — forms, bonds, insurance, wage requirements, goals and delivery instructions — and prepare pricing for the base bid, alternates, allowances and unit prices. The contractor reviews, signs and submits the bid in its own name.

Yes. We apply the wage determination stated in your solicitation to the labor in each line item, including fringe benefits and payroll burden, and allow for certified payroll administration. We also price private open-shop projects at market labor rates. Always confirm current wage requirements with the awarding agency.

Shop drawings show how part of the work will be fabricated and installed, based on the contract documents; they are one type of submittal, along with product data, samples and calculations. We prepare shop drawings for masonry, tile, steel, rebar, millwork and more, and handle resubmittals after architect or engineer comments.

Yes. We provide structural drafting from engineer markups, permit drawings to your building department's checklist and solar permit plan sets with single-line diagrams. Drawings that require a professional seal are reviewed and sealed by an engineer or architect licensed in the project's jurisdiction.

We estimate CSI MasterFormat Divisions 01 through 33 — general requirements, concrete, masonry, metals, wood, roofing, openings, finishes, plumbing, HVAC, fire protection, electrical, low voltage, sitework and utilities — plus solar. Work is done remotely from your drawings, so we serve contractors in all 50 states.

Price depends on project size, number of trades, drawing quality and turnaround. Upload plans for a free quote with a firm price and turnaround confirmed before any work starts. Typical turnaround is about 48 hours, with rush options when your bid date is tight.