Our Estimating Methodology
How we turn your drawings into takeoffs and estimates you can check, line by line.
Why does the review step matter?
A wrong drawing scale, a missed structural detail or a fixture that appears only on a schedule can change a takeoff. Checking the drawings against the schedules and specifications makes those differences visible before a quantity is used in a bid.
That is why every F&K Estimatings takeoff is marked up on the drawings and reviewed before delivery. You can see exactly what was measured, and the assumptions and exclusions are written down instead of hidden in a total.
Five checks you can make on a delivered estimate
- Trace a quantity. Pick a line and follow its sheet, detail, assembly and revision reference. A missing reference is a question to resolve, rather than proof that a quantity is complete.
- Check the unit. Compare EA, LF, SF, CY and weight separately. A duct length is not automatically duct surface area, and conduit length is not conductor length.
- Read the allowance basis. Keep measured quantity and adjusted quantity distinct. Check whether waste, laps or purchase rounding are already included before adding them again.
- Reconcile scope ownership. Confirm one responsible package for equipment connections, sleeves, transitions and other interfaces. Keep exclusions and unresolved questions with the summary.
- Check the pricing basis. For a priced estimate, review the rate source and date, labor assumptions, indirects and contingency. For a quantities-only takeoff, obtain prices separately.
Try these checks on the published workbook entries and reading notes. For a question about your delivered scope, send the line reference and the drawing or revision in question through our contact page.
Plan and scope review
We cross-reference architectural finish schedules, structural details and MEP sheets to find scope that is missing, duplicated or conflicting.
Localized pricing
Priced estimates use the project documents, client rates, supplier pricing, or another basis identified in the written proposal. The estimate states its assumptions and exclusions.
What are the five steps in every takeoff?
Document review
We list every sheet, revision and specification section received, check drawing scales, and note conflicts between disciplines (for example, ductwork shown through a beam, or mechanical equipment with no electrical connection). Questions go into an RFI list you can send to the design team.
Digital measurement
Quantities are measured on screen in PlanSwift and Bluebeam Revu: areas, lengths, counts and volumes. Each item is drawn on its own colored layer so the markup shows exactly what was counted.
Pricing (priced estimates only)
Labor, material and equipment pricing uses the project documents, client rates, supplier quotes, or another basis identified in the written proposal. Labor units, crew assumptions and waste allowances are written into the workbook.
Review before delivery
Before delivery the takeoff is checked against the drawings and schedules: counts are compared with fixture, door and equipment schedules, large quantities are sanity-checked, and missing scope is listed as an exclusion or RFI.
Delivery and questions
You receive an editable Excel workbook organized by CSI MasterFormat division and color-coded PDF markups. If you find a quantity that does not match the documents we used, we review and correct it.
Which standards and references do we use?
- CSI MasterFormat division structure
- Project-specific pricing assumptions
- Documented labor-hour and wage assumptions for the agreed priced scope
- Code references on the drawings (e.g. NEC, ACI) for measurement rules
See how this applies to electrical, MEP and concrete takeoffs, or compare pricing.
Send plans for a quote
You will receive a written quote confirming the scope, fee and delivery date after document review. Standard turnaround is most single-trade estimates are delivered in 24–48 hours after approval; multi-trade packages take longer, and the exact delivery date is confirmed in writing after document review.
Submit Plans For Estimate