Concrete & site quantities
Concrete, reinforcement, formwork and site-improvement quantities with separate source units.
48 selected line items · drawing and workbook references where available
Inspect quantities and source excerpts →Remote estimating for US contractor bids
Construction Estimating Services for US Contractor Bids
Send your current bid set for a single-trade or multi-trade estimate. Choose measured quantities in Excel with PDF markups, or ask for a priced bid using agreed material, labor and equipment rates. Get a written scope, fee and delivery date.
- Commercial preconstruction package
- $150–$1,000 typical
- Typical delivery
- Typically 3–5 business days after approval
- Deliverables
- Excel + marked-up PDFs
Final fee, deliverables and delivery date are confirmed after document review. Larger and multi-trade packages take longer. See scope-specific fees and timing.
Your next contractor bid
Request a construction estimating quote
Send the current bid form, drawing issue and requested trade divisions for a multi-trade estimate. Identify required alternates, owner-furnished equipment connections and general conditions. We confirm the deliverables, fee and delivery date in writing after document review.
Useful documents for this scope
- Complete drawing set (architectural, structural, MEP, civil as applicable)
- Specifications or a scope narrative
- Project address, bid date and delivery format
Check base bid and alternate scope
Keep each alternate visible beside the base bid. For owner-furnished equipment, assign final connections and verify whether they belong in the trade quote. Carry general conditions on the agreed basis so they remain traceable in the bid total. Inspect the sample deliverable formats and tell us which outputs you need.
Remote support across the United States. View service areas.
Prefer to discuss the scope first, or having trouble with the form? Email your project details or discuss your project on WhatsApp. Include your project location, trade scope and bid deadline.
Which estimating scope fits your bid?
Choose by the decision you need to make. A drawing-based bid, a supplier quantity list and an early design budget need different deliverables.
| Service | Your decision | Output to confirm |
|---|---|---|
| Construction estimating servicesThis page | Price a contractor bid from the issued drawing set. | Measured trade quantities plus the agreed material, labor and equipment rates; division summary, scope gaps and exclusions. |
| Quantity takeoff services | Measure work that your team or supplier will price. | Counts, LF, SF, CY or weight by line item, with drawing references and separate allowances. Prices are outside the quantity-only scope. |
| Cost planning and estimate review | Test a design budget, compare options or review an existing estimate. | An estimate at the available design stage, with its rate basis, allowances, contingency and changes identified. |
For any scope, identify the drawing revision, buildings, trades, alternates and bid date. The proposal confirms the fee, delivery date and addendum coverage before work starts.
Inspect the deliverable
Follow the drawing and quantity trail
Open the published sample workspace to inspect selected quantity rows, original units and available source drawing previews. These are excerpts, not a complete priced bid or evidence of a client result.
Coordinated MEP quantities
Plumbing, mechanical and electrical quantities organized by their recorded CSI divisions.
90 selected line items · drawing and workbook references where available
Inspect quantities and source excerpts →Worked example · assumed quantities and rates
Construction estimate example: from quantities to a priced bid
This representative example prices four selected work packages. It is not a client project, a complete building estimate or a current market-price quote. Each extended cost is quantity × (material + labor + equipment unit rate); the assumptions below show how the recap is built.
| Division / selected scope | Quantity | Material / unit | Labor / unit | Equipment / unit | Combined / unit | Extended cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 03 ConcreteSlab concrete placement package | 20 CY | $150.00 | $60.00 | $20.00 | $230.00 | $4,600.00 |
| 06 WoodSelected wall-framing package | 1,000 SF | $4.00 | $3.00 | $0.50 | $7.50 | $7,500.00 |
| 09 FinishesSelected drywall installation package | 2,000 SF | $0.80 | $1.20 | $0.10 | $2.10 | $4,200.00 |
| 26 ElectricalSelected lighting fixture package | 20 EA | $80.00 | $35.00 | $5.00 | $120.00 | $2,400.00 |
Bid recap for this selected scope
- Direct work packages
- $18,700.00
- General conditions allowance
- $1,500.00
- Subtotal
- $20,200.00
- Contingency: 5% of subtotal
- $1,010.00
- Overhead + profit: 10% after contingency
- $2,121.00
- Selected-scope total
- $23,331.00
Rate basis and exclusions stay visible
These rates are assumed for arithmetic only and have no project location or pricing date. A project estimate records the ZIP code, pricing date, drawing revision, supplier/client rate sources and labor-burden basis.
Only the four named packages and stated allowances are counted here. Other trades, reinforcement/formwork outside the slab placement package, design fees, permits, sales tax, freight and bonds are excluded from this example. A project quote must assign these items explicitly.
Contingency and markup percentages are example assumptions, not F&K’s estimating-service fee or a recommended bid margin. Compare these calculations with the source drawing and quantity excerpts above.
Track an addendum without hiding the cost change
Using only the hypothetical wood package above, suppose a revised drawing increases the measured scope from 1,000 SF to 1,100 SF. Hold its assumed combined rate at $7.50/SF for this calculation: the line moves from $7,500 to $8,250, a direct-cost increase of $750.
- Quantity record: Original 1,000 SF; revised 1,100 SF; change +100 SF. Record both drawing issues and the affected sheet/detail.
- Rate record: $7.50/SF unchanged in this example. If the specification or installation conditions also change, review the rate separately rather than attributing the entire difference to quantity.
- Bid recap: Recalculate any applicable percentage allowances and markups on their stated bases. The $750 is this line’s direct-cost change, not the revised full bid total.
For subcontractor estimating, identify your trade boundary and exclusions before the comparison. Send both drawing issues and the earlier workbook when requesting an addendum review; revision coverage is confirmed in the written proposal.
Construction Estimating: quantities, checks and quote requirements
A construction estimate prices the full scope shown in the drawings: quantities by CSI MasterFormat division, material and labor pricing, and a summary with the assumptions and exclusions written out.
Measurement and reporting basis
- Quantities: EA, LF, SF, CY or weight by trade
- Pricing: quantity × stated unit rate; labor HRS where included
- Summary: direct costs, agreed indirects and separate allowances
Documents to include
- Complete drawing set (architectural, structural, MEP, civil as applicable)
- Specifications or a scope narrative
- Project address, bid date and delivery format
Also identify the current revision, addenda, project ZIP code, requested trades and bid deadline.
A scope check before pricing
A full bid package combines measured trade quantities with the agreed pricing basis. Identify which divisions are covered before comparing the total with subcontractor offers.
Scope limits: Design, stamped calculations and an award or profit guarantee are excluded.
Worked estimating example
Reconcile the bid before adding the total
Suppose a concrete quote includes excavation while the sitework quote includes the same footing excavation. Adding both full quotes carries the same operation twice.
- What the estimate should record
- Keep one excavation line in the base bid and record which subcontractor owns it. Carry concrete placement, reinforcement and haul-off under their agreed packages.
- Resolve before pricing
- Which divisions, alternates and general conditions must be in the submitted bid?
Choose the construction estimating package your bid needs
For contractors comparing construction estimating companies, the useful comparison is the work included in the quote. Our construction estimators organize a bid around the drawing issue, included divisions and your pricing inputs. Building estimating services for an early budget and a detailed contractor bid require different levels of measurement and clarification.
General contractor bid estimate
Requested output: Trade quantities, agreed cost inputs, general conditions and a division summary.
Confirm in your quote: Self-perform trades, subcontractor allowances, alternates and who carries each shared item.
Building budget from early drawings
Requested output: A budget organized by the design information available, with allowances and exclusions identified.
Confirm in your quote: Design stage, floor areas, specification gaps and which items are provisional.
Independent estimate review
Requested output: A comparison of your existing estimate against the agreed drawings and scope.
Confirm in your quote: Whether quantities, rates, omissions, or all three need review.
Before accepting a proposal, confirm the drawing issue, included divisions, pricing basis, output format, revision allowance and delivery date. Review our published sample work against the level of detail you need.
Request this estimating scopeUS project coverage for construction estimating
For US projects, include the ZIP code and the location-sensitive inputs below.
- Identify the project ZIP code, pricing date and whether the bid requires union, non-union or prevailing-wage labor.
- Include site access, construction duration and contractor general conditions so location-dependent costs stay separate from measured trade quantities.
The proposal records the pricing date, cost sources and unconfirmed allowances. Explore US service area information or send your project details for a scope quote.
Use the document checklist above to request quantities only, a priced estimate or a review of an existing bid.
Request a construction estimating scope quoteOutsource construction estimating services around your bid calendar
Use project-by-project support for one bid or discuss an ongoing queue when your team has regular deadlines. The written proposal identifies the buildings, trades, quantity-only or priced output, rate sources, delivery date and addendum coverage. A retainer does not mean unlimited projects or revisions.
1. Set the package boundary
Send the current documents and tell us which work your team or subcontractors already carry. Separate base bid, alternates and exclusions.2. Confirm pricing and review
Identify client rates, supplier quotes and missing inputs. Agree the review responsibility and record unresolved scope questions before finalizing.3. Keep the handoff traceable
Receive the agreed Excel/PDF package with document references and assumptions. New addenda are assessed and quoted separately unless included.
For a regular bid list, explore dedicated estimating support. Published ongoing support is $1,800/mo typical; capacity, queue and revision coverage are confirmed in writing.
What information should I send for an estimate?
A complete intake lets us check your trade boundaries and deadline before proposing the work. Include the current revisions and identify anything you need priced separately.
- Send the current drawing set, specifications, and available addenda.
- Identify the trades, project location, bid date, and any required inclusions or exclusions.
- Choose quantities only or a priced estimate, then confirm the scope and delivery date in writing.
Interactive Tool
Typical service fees
Check Typical Estimating Fees and Delivery
Explore published package ranges. These are estimating-service fees, not the cost of building your project. Your drawing count, trades and pricing requirements determine the final proposal.
Estimated Proposal Range
$150–$1,000 typical
Delivery Timeline: Typically 24–48 hours after approval
Transparent Pricing
Estimating Fees and Delivery by Package
Published ranges for each package. Where your project falls depends on drawing count, trades, and quantities-only vs. priced. See the full pricing guide for worked examples.
| Estimating Scope | Turnaround | Estimated Rate | Software Used | Key Deliverables |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single-trade material takeoff Subcontractors bidding one trade package | Typically 24–48 hours after approval | $150–$1,000 typical | PlanSwift / Bluebeam | Color-coded PDF markups + Excel quantity sheet |
| Residential construction estimate Custom home builders, remodelers, framing contractors | Typically 2–4 business days after approval | $400–$1,000 typical | PlanSwift / Bluebeam | Takeoff and priced estimate organized by CSI MasterFormat division |
| Commercial preconstruction package General contractors and developers | Typically 3–5 business days after approval | $150–$1,000 typical | PlanSwift / Bluebeam | Multi-division takeoff and estimate + subcontractor bid leveling sheet |
| Industrial & heavy civil takeoff Industrial GCs and infrastructure contractors | Typically 4–7 business days after approval | $1,000–$5,000+ typical | Project-specific tools | Earthwork cut/fill, process piping and equipment quantities |
| Ongoing estimating support Contractors with an ongoing bid list | Priority queue agreed in writing | $1,800/mo typical | Tools agreed in scope | Ongoing takeoffs and estimates for your bid list |
* The proposed scope, fee and delivery date are agreed before work begins.
Engineering Workflow
Estimating Workflow
The estimating workflow, review steps, and deliverables are agreed for each project:
1
Drawing Intake & Scale Calibration
We take in architectural, structural, civil and MEP drawing sets and calibrate the scale on every sheet, flagging sheets that are not to scale.
2
Digital Vector Takeoff in PlanSwift & Bluebeam
Estimators measure every area polygon, linear foot, and component piece count across multi-layer assemblies, isolating waste factors and structural overlaps.
3
Pricing Assumptions
Any requested pricing uses the agreed project location and stated assumptions; confirm the pricing basis in the quote.
4
Review & Scope-Gap Check
The agreed review scope can include checking supplied addenda and noting questions or gaps in the source documents.
5
Bid Package Delivery & Addendum Support
We deliver color-coded PDF drawing markups and Excel CSI MasterFormat workbooks. Revisions for addenda are quoted separately unless included in the written quote.
Full Scope Coverage
Trade details Trade details Trade details Trade details Trade details Trade details Trade details Trade details Trade details Trade details Trade details Trade details Trade details
CSI MasterFormat Division Coverage
We estimate the CSI MasterFormat divisions below. Click any division for the trade's scope, deliverables and FAQs:
Division 01
General Conditions
Supervision, permits, safety plans, scaffolding, dumpsters, temporary power, and jobsite mobilization.
Division 02
Existing Conditions & Demolition
Selective interior demo, total structural demolition, site clearing, hazardous material abatement.
Division 03
Concrete & Foundations
Footings, slab-on-grade, post-tension decks, rebar tonnage, formwork contact area, and volumetric yardage.
Division 04
Masonry & Stone Assemblies
CMU block counts, brick veneer, structural mortar, grout fill, lintels, ties, and seismic reinforcing.
Division 05
Metals & Structural Steel
Wide flange beams, HSS columns, bar joists, metal decking, stairs, railings, and miscellaneous metals.
Division 06
Wood, Plastics & Composites
Rough carpentry, lumber board footage, wood framing cut-lists, engineered trusses, and architectural millwork.
Division 07
Thermal & Moisture Protection
Commercial TPO/EPDM roofing, asphalt shingles, below-grade waterproofing, vapor barriers, and spray foam.
Division 08
Openings (Doors & Windows)
Storefronts, curtain walls, hollow metal frames, hardware schedules, fire-rated doors, and glazing.
Division 09
Finishes (Drywall, Flooring, Paint)
Metal stud framing, drywall boards, acoustic ACT tiles, paint gallons, tile, carpet, and LVT flooring.
Division 21-22
Fire Suppression & Plumbing
Sprinkler pipe linear feet, heads, backflow preventers, sanitary waste, domestic water, and fixtures.
Division 23
Heating, Ventilating & HVAC
Chillers, RTUs, sheet metal ductwork poundage, diffusers, refrigerant piping, and controls.
Division 26-28
Electrical & Low Voltage
Branch conduit, wiring, switchgear, panels, lighting fixtures, fire alarm, and structured cabling.
Division 31-33
Earthwork & Site Utilities
3D cut/fill grading volumes, excavation, trenching, stormwater retention, sewer, and water mains.
Technology Stack
Estimating Software Stack & Industry Standards
PlanSwift and Bluebeam support digital measurement and markups. Additional file formats and pricing inputs are confirmed in the written scope:
PlanSwift Pro
Vector linear, area, and count takeoffs with assembly-level formulas.
Bluebeam Revu
Drawing markup overlays, visual QA audits, and pre-bid RFI logs.
Project Pricing Inputs
Client rates, supplier quotations and any other identified pricing basis agreed for the project.
Electrical Scope Mapping
Specialized electrical conduit, branch wiring, and switchgear takeoff modeling.
Mechanical Scope Mapping
Granular mechanical plumbing, piping, and HVAC ductwork quantification.
Client-Supplied CAD / BIM Documents
Model or CAD inputs require scope and format confirmation; design and coordination approval are excluded.
Deliverables Package
What to Confirm in Your Estimate Package
Color-Coded Bluebeam PDF Markups
Use the agreed PDF markups to check the drawing references and quantities in the workbook.
Itemized CSI Excel Workbooks
Dynamic spreadsheets organized by CSI MasterFormat codes with adjustable profit margins, labor rates, and waste allowances.
Pricing assumptions
Confirm whose material quotes, labor rates and equipment costs are used. Review freight, tax and markup treatment separately in the estimate assumptions.
Scope-Gap & Pre-Bid RFI Log
A documented checklist of blueprint discrepancies and RFIs ready for submission to the project architect or owner.
Nationwide Coverage
Construction Estimating in Top US Markets
We work remotely from your documents and apply location-based labor and material pricing for the project ZIP code:
Expert Answers
Frequently Asked Questions
What are construction estimating services?
Construction estimating services turn issued drawings into measured quantities and, when requested, a priced bid estimate. The agreed package can include Excel quantities, drawing markups, rate assumptions and scope exclusions.
How much do construction estimating services cost?
Typical bands: single-trade takeoffs $150–$1,000 typical, residential $400–$1,000 typical, commercial $150–$1,000 typical. Drawing count, included trades and priced vs quantities-only scope can move the fee. The written proposal confirms the exact fee before work begins.
How accurate are outsourced construction estimates?
An estimate can only be as complete as the documents behind it. We list the sheets, revisions and specifications used, mark every quantity on the drawings so you can check it, and state assumptions and exclusions. We do not advertise an accuracy percentage. If a quantity does not match the documents we were given, tell us and we will review and correct it.
What is your standard turnaround time for a construction estimate?
Single-trade takeoffs: Typically 24–48 hours after approval. Residential estimates: Typically 2–4 business days after approval. Commercial packages: Typically 3–5 business days after approval. Drawing count, trade coverage and available documents affect the schedule; the written quote confirms your delivery date.
What should I send to get a quote?
Send the current drawings or a share link, specifications, addenda, project ZIP code, bid deadline and requested trades. Tell us whether you need quantities only or a priced bid, and include the bid form or alternates when required.
What software and cost data do your estimators use?
The takeoff workflow uses digital measurement and marked-up drawings. The specific software and pricing basis depend on the agreed scope. Priced estimates use project documents, client-provided labor and material rates, supplier quotations, or another documented basis identified in the written proposal.
What deliverables are included in a complete takeoff package?
The agreed takeoff can include an editable Excel workbook, marked-up PDFs, drawing references, assumptions and exclusions. A priced bid adds the agreed material, labor and equipment rates. Confirm any bid comparison, alternates or revision work in your proposal.
Are addendum revisions included?
Revisions for addenda are quoted separately unless they are included in the written quote. Send the addendum and we will tell you what needs re-measuring and the fee before starting.
Why should contractors outsource estimating instead of hiring in-house?
You pay per project instead of a salary, benefits and software licenses, and you can add capacity only when your bid calendar is full. If you bid enough to keep an estimator busy year round, an in-house hire may make sense; our pricing page compares the two with labeled assumptions.
Can you use our supplier prices and labor rates?
Yes. Send your supplier quotations, labor rates and productivity assumptions with the drawings. Identify whether labor rates include burden, the quote validity dates, and any tax, freight or equipment exclusions. The proposal records which inputs will be used and which items remain allowances.
Does a construction estimate include tax, freight and contractor markups?
Only as specified in the agreed scope. Confirm sales tax, freight, equipment, general conditions, contingency and overhead/profit treatment before pricing. If prevailing-wage requirements apply, provide the applicable project requirements and rate basis. Unconfirmed costs are identified as exclusions or allowances rather than silently treated as included.
Can you compare subcontractor bids and identify scope gaps?
Commercial packages can include a bid-leveling sheet. We compare supplied bids against a common scope, document inclusions and exclusions, and flag missing work or allowances. A lower quoted total is not treated as equivalent until scope differences have been reconciled. Confirm the comparison coverage in the written proposal.
Illustrative Sample Deliverables
Download Preconstruction Samples
Review illustrative commercial and residential deliverables with full CSI MasterFormat breakdowns and audit trails.
Pricing Basis: September 2026
Concrete CSI Division 03
Concrete Takeoff Sample
Footings, stem walls, 5" slab-on-grade, rebar by bar size with laps, formwork SFCA, CY with waste
Model: Representative sample project: 100' x 60' single-story commercial building (6,000 SF slab-on-grade)
27
Takeoff Lines
21
Priced Items
42
Formulas
Cover & Basis Quantity Takeoff Pricing Summary
Electrical CSI Division 26
Electrical Takeoff Sample
Panel & circuit schedule, conduit LF by size, wire LF by gauge, devices, fixtures, labor units
Model: Representative sample project: 6,000 SF office tenant fit-out in a 100' x 60' single-story building
34
Takeoff Lines
31
Priced Items
34
Formulas
Cover & Basis Circuit Schedule Quantity Takeoff Pricing Summary
Plumbing CSI Division 22
Plumbing Takeoff Sample
Fixture schedule, DWV and domestic water pipe LF by size, fittings, water heater, labor
Model: Representative sample project: 6,000 SF office tenant fit-out in a 100' x 60' single-story building
32
Takeoff Lines
31
Priced Items
27
Formulas
Cover & Basis Fixture Schedule Quantity Takeoff Pricing Summary
Drywall & Acoustic CSI Division 09
Drywall & Framing Takeoff Sample
Metal stud partitions by type and height, board sheets, tape & mud, corner bead, ACT ceilings
Model: Representative sample project: 6,000 SF office tenant fit-out in a 100' x 60' single-story building
26
Takeoff Lines
23
Priced Items
31
Formulas
Cover & Basis Partition Assembly Schedule Quantity Takeoff Pricing Summary
Residential General Estimating MasterFormat CSI 01-33
Residential Construction Estimate Sample
Whole-house estimate by CSI division with general conditions, overhead, profit and contingency
Model: Representative sample project: 2,400 SF 2-story custom home (30' x 40' footprint)
50
Takeoff Lines
50
Priced Items
26
Formulas
Cover & Basis CSI Division Summary Table Quantity Takeoff Pricing Summary
Sample deliverable — prepared on a representative project to show format and level of detail. Not a client project. Quantities are computed from the sample project dimensions stated below; unit costs are illustrative (pricing basis: September 2026, national average, not a quote).
Direct Estimator Support
Phone
+1 (317) 751-5969 Email Plans
info@fandkestimatings.us Turnaround Time
Single-trade takeoffs: 24–48 hours; commercial packages: 3–5 business days after approval. Exact date agreed in writing. All CSI Specialty Trades
Large Blueprint Sets?
Contact us to agree on a suitable method for sharing large or confidential plan files.
Enter Bid RoomBrowse specialty estimating services
See the drawings, quantities and sample deliverables for the project type or trade you are bidding.