Construction Estimating Services in Chicago, IL
F&K Estimatings provides independent, remote construction estimating and quantity takeoff services for general contractors, trade subcontractors, and developers bidding projects across Chicago and Cook County. We review your digital plans, project manuals, and addenda to quantify materials and labor assumptions, factoring in the City of Chicago’s distinct building codes, rehabilitation requirements, and public procurement standards.
Remote estimating services from supplied drawings and specifications. F&K does not maintain a physical local office in Chicago.
Available Estimating Scope
Detailed Material Quantity Takeoffs
Accurate counts and linear/volumetric measurements prepared in PlanSwift and Bluebeam, delivered in organized CSI division summaries.
Full Bid Estimating & Preconstruction
Priced construction proposals incorporating project-specific labor rates, local material allowances, equipment rentals, and general conditions.
Subcontractor Trade Quantification
Focused takeoff packages for structural steel, masonry, cast-in-place concrete, commercial MEP trades, drywall, and interior finishes.
Adaptive Reuse & Rehabilitation Scopes
Takeoff support for historic loft conversions, tenant fit-outs, and building modernizations governed by the Chicago Building Rehabilitation Code.
Deliverables You Receive
- Line-item quantity takeoff workbooks delivered in Microsoft Excel format
- Marked-up digital plans with highlighted measurements in PlanSwift or Bluebeam Revu
- CSI MasterFormat division summaries and trade cost breakdowns
- Document discrepancy report detailing missing callouts, uncoordinated sheets, and scope gaps
- Comprehensive scope narrative identifying all takeoff assumptions and exclusions
Local Estimating Considerations in Chicago
Construction estimating for projects in the Chicago market requires attention to local regulatory frameworks, code adoptions, and municipal bidding procedures that differ from baseline standards.
| Local Condition | Jurisdiction / Source | Estimating Implication |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago Construction Codes (Title 14B & Title 14R) The City of Chicago enforces its own independent municipal construction codes—including Title 14B (Chicago Building Code) and Title 14R (Chicago Building Rehabilitation Code)—administered by the Chicago Department of Buildings rather than a statewide commercial building code. | City of Chicago Department of Buildings City of Chicago – Construction Codes | Drawing audits must align with Chicago-specific provisions for fire protection, egress stairs, structural masonry, and interior partition ratings rather than standard unamended IBC provisions. Takeoff line items and assemblies are structured in accordance with the 2019/current Chicago Construction Codes indicated in the contract drawings. |
| Title 14R Rehabilitation Code for Alterations Title 14R provides specific regulatory tracks for existing building repairs, alterations, and additions, establishing distinct work classifications that govern life safety and structural upgrades. | City of Chicago Chicago Building Rehabilitation Code (Title 14R) | For renovation and adaptive reuse projects in Chicago, demolition, structural shoring, and partition takeoffs must account for existing assembly retention and designated repair thresholds. Alteration and tenant build-out scopes are quantified based on the repair classification and selective demolition plans provided in the drawing set. |
| Cook County Prevailing Wage Schedules (820 ILCS 130/) Public works contracts in Chicago and Cook County require payment of prevailing wages established by the Illinois Department of Labor under the Prevailing Wage Act, with distinct rates for city and county work. | Cook County / Illinois Department of Labor Illinois DOL – Current Prevailing Wage Rates | Labor rates in priced public bids must be adjusted to the current Cook County craft classifications and fringe benefit schedules rather than statewide averages. When pricing covered public work, trade labor hours are extended using the applicable IDOL Cook County prevailing wage schedule specified for the bid letting. |
| City of Chicago DPS eProcurement & Trade Packaging City of Chicago construction bidding through the Department of Procurement Services (DPS) utilizes the online eProcurement (iSupplier) platform and enforces specific M/WBE subcontracting commitment goals. | City of Chicago DPS City of Chicago – Department of Procurement Services | Bid packages must be leveled and segregated to accommodate prime contractor trade packages and certified subcontractor participation targets. Quantities and line items are organized by CSI division to assist prime contractors with bid packaging and trade leveling for DPS solicitations. |
City of Chicago Department of Buildings (DOB) Administration
The Chicago Department of Buildings administers all building permits, plan reviews, and construction inspections within the city limits. Chicago’s electrical code (Title 14E) and plumbing code (Title 14P) maintain stringent local standards—such as metal conduit requirements for electrical wiring—that significantly affect material counts and installation labor.
Source: Chicago Department of Buildings (City of Chicago)Public Agency Construction Bidding in Chicago
Major public building projects in Chicago are often procured through the Public Building Commission of Chicago (PBC), Chicago Public Schools (CPS), the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), or the City Department of Procurement Services. Solicitations typically mandate detailed division 01 requirements, pre-bid addenda tracking, certified payroll reporting, and structured line-item bid form submissions.
Source: City of Chicago Bidding Opportunities (City of Chicago DPS)Jurisdiction Control: City of Chicago vs. Suburban Collar Counties
Chicago’s municipal building code and DPS procurement rules apply strictly within the corporate boundaries of the City of Chicago. Adjacent municipalities across Cook, DuPage, Lake, Will, and Kane counties operate under their own local building departments, often adopting model International Codes with local amendments. Estimating assumptions are tailored to the precise project municipality.
What Documents to Send
- Complete architectural, structural, civil, and MEP drawing sets
- Project manual, technical specifications, and geotechnical reports (if applicable)
- All solicitation addenda and pre-bid clarifications
- Project location (Chicago city limits vs. suburban municipality)
- Required trade divisions or full general contractor scope
- Specific wage determinations or contractor pricing instructions for priced bids
Service Limitations
F&K provides independent estimating and material quantification. All engineering design, stamped calculations, permitting, and code certifications must be performed by licensed professionals.
Statewide Estimating Context
For projects outside the Chicago metro area or state-level Capital Development Board (CDB) single-prime bids, explore our Illinois State Estimating Hub.
Explore the Illinois State Estimating Hub →Official Local & AHJ Resources
- City of Chicago Department of Buildings City of Chicago
- City of Chicago Department of Procurement Services City of Chicago
- Illinois Department of Labor – Prevailing Wage Rates State of Illinois
Estimating Services
- Quantity Takeoff — exact material quantities for internal costing and procurement
- Construction Estimating — comprehensive bid estimates with project-specific pricing
- Commercial Estimating — commercial shell, interior build-out, and preconstruction models
- Plan Review — constructability analysis and scope-gap audits prior to bidding
Trade Takeoffs
- Masonry Estimating — brick veneer, CMU backup, and historic facade restoration takeoffs
- Electrical Estimating — conduit, switchgear, lighting, and low-voltage quantification
- Drywall Estimating — light-gauge framing, drywall assemblies, and acoustic ceiling tiles
- Concrete Estimating — foundations, deep caissons, and structural slab-on-grade takeoffs
- Plumbing Estimating — cast iron, copper, and specialized sanitary piping takeoffs
Frequently Asked Questions
Does F&K Estimatings have a local office in Chicago, IL?
No. F&K provides remote estimating and quantity takeoff services across the nation. We perform all plan takeoffs, material quantification, and cost modeling remotely from your uploaded digital drawing sets. We do not operate a local office in Chicago.
How do Chicago-specific electrical and plumbing codes impact material takeoffs?
Chicago enforces Title 14E (Electrical) and Title 14P (Plumbing), which mandate specific materials—such as metal raceways/conduit rather than non-metallic sheathed cable for most occupancies. Our estimators quantify the exact conduit runs, fittings, and specified piping materials indicated on your engineering drawings.
Can you estimate Cook County prevailing wage rates for public construction?
Yes. If your bid involves a public agency project subject to the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act, we will apply the current Cook County craft wage rates and fringe benefits designated in the solicitation documents to calculate labor pricing.
What is your fee structure and turnaround time for a Chicago project?
Pricing and delivery schedules are established on a project-by-project basis. Once you submit your plans and define the scope of work, we evaluate drawing volume and complexity to provide a written quote detailing the fixed cost and completion date.
Do you file permits or provide stamped architectural/engineering plans in Chicago?
No. F&K provides quantity takeoffs and estimating deliverables only. Stamped design calculations, sealed drawings, code certifications, and permit applications must be obtained through licensed Illinois architects and engineers.
Get a Written Estimate for Your Chicago Project
Send your drawing set, specifications, and scope requirements for a comprehensive written proposal and delivery schedule.
Separate regional inputs from the quantity review
Use the national quantity takeoff scope to define the measured output. F&K US sample pages support inspection of selected quantities, units and drawing references; they do not verify every trade, a local office or a completed project in this region.
Provide the project address, current issued drawings and addenda, the required units and trade interfaces. Agree how omissions, allowances, drawing discrepancies and revised quantities will be recorded. Use the sample evidence library to inspect the available format before requesting an output.
Pricing, labor productivity, permit interpretation and procurement quantities require their own agreed basis. Confirm these items and revision terms in the scope request.