Construction Plan Review and Constructability Audits
Comprehensive preconstruction plan reviews and constructability audits across all 50 US states. Identifying drawing discrepancies, cross-discipline MEP clashes, and pre-bid RFIs for general contractors and developers.
Forensic Cross-Discipline Plan Review Services
Many construction disputes and budget overruns trace back to conflicts between architectural, structural, civil, and MEP drawings. Discovering that a main duct trunk clashes with a structural steel beam during preconstruction costs minutes to resolve with an RFI; discovering it on site halts entire crews and generates expensive change orders.
At F&K Estimatings, our multi-discipline estimators perform forensic plan reviews before you submit your bid. We overlay drawing sets, check detail references, and audit equipment schedules.
We produce prioritized RFI logs, conflict markups, and constructability reports within 48 to 72 hours.
Scope, price, and delivery are confirmed after reviewing the project documents and requested deliverables.
Plan Review: quantities, checks and quote requirements
A plan review checks the drawing set before you price it: missing sheets, conflicts between disciplines, unclear scope and items that are likely to become change orders.
Measurement and reporting basis
- Sheet and detail references
- RFI or clarification log with responsible party
- Scope or allowance impact of unresolved information
Documents to include
- Current drawing set and specifications
- Addenda issued to date
- Your scope of work if you are a subcontractor
Also identify the current revision, addenda, project ZIP code, requested trades and bid deadline.
A scope check before pricing
Log a drawing reference, the unresolved issue and the estimate consequence for each finding. Route conflicts to the contractor or design team for an RFI instead of silently redesigning an assembly.
Scope limits: Permit plan review, stamped design review and certification that every clash has been found are excluded.
The written quote defines the deliverables and revision coverage. Measured quantities and drawing markups can be supplied for the agreed scope; a priced estimate adds the identified material, labor and equipment cost basis. Missing information is recorded as a clarification or allowance.
Send the documents above for a written quote confirming the scope, fee and delivery date after document review. Indicate whether you need quantities only, a priced estimate or a review of an existing bid.
Request a plan review scope quoteContractors & Builders We Serve
Our preconstruction deliverables are tailored to the exact financial requirements of industry stakeholders:
General Contractors
Auditing bid sets before submitting GMP proposals to eliminate change order risk and protect fees.
Commercial Developers
Validating architect/engineer deliverables prior to contractor bidding and GMP contract execution.
Design-Build Teams
Performing rapid constructability reviews during 50% and 90% drawing development phases.
Trade Subcontractors
Verifying trade-specific drawings against master architectural sets to catch uncoordinated items.
Architects & Engineers
Conducting independent peer reviews before submitting drawings for municipal building permit review.
Comprehensive Scope Coverage
We provide full digital quantification across all related CSI MasterFormat divisions:
Overlaying MEP, structural, civil, and architectural drawings to flag physical spatial interferences.
Structured RFI logs with referenced sheet numbers, detail callouts, and suggested technical solutions.
Evaluating site access constraints, crane staging, scaffolding logistics, and temporary shoring.
Demarcating measured trade package ownership lines between concrete/earthwork, MEP/structural, and drywall/framing.
Verifying IBC egress widths, ADA accessibility clearances, fire-resistance ratings, and UL assembly details.
Identifying over-engineered details and practical material substitutions to optimize preconstruction budgets.
Deliverables Included in Every Takeoff Package
Color-Coded PDF Markups
High-resolution drawing sheets with every line item, area polygon, and linear foot color-coded in Bluebeam.
Itemized CSI Excel Schedules
Spreadsheets broken down by CSI MasterFormat with dynamic formulas, labor rates, and waste allowances.
Project-Specific Pricing Basis
Cost assumptions are stated in the written proposal and can use client rates, supplier quotes, or another identified basis.
Pre-Bid RFI & Scope Gap Audit
Constructability review identifying missing architectural-structural coordination points and plan conflicts.
Sample Constructability & RFI Audit Matrix
Cross-discipline drawing clashes, priority levels, and suggested contractor resolutions:
Illustrative format and quantities — not a client project or a project-specific price quote.
| Drawing Discrepancy & Clash Description | Count | Severity Rating | Recommended Estimator Resolution | Estimator Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Discrepancy 01 - Sheet M-201 vs S-102: 36x24 Supply Duct Clashes with W18x50 Beam | 1 | RFI | CRITICAL | Recommended Action: Request 4-inch duct transition or structural beam penetration sleeve |
| Discrepancy 02 - Sheet A-601 vs E-201: Sensor Flush Valves Missing 120V Circuit Feed | 36 | EA | MODERATE | Recommended Action: Add electrical branch homerun circuit to panel LP-2 |
| Discrepancy 03 - Sheet C-301 vs S-101: Civil Paving Thickness Excludes Slab Dowels | 1 | RFI | MODERATE | Recommended Action: Clarify concrete trade ownership for smooth joint dowel baskets |
| Discrepancy 04 - Sheet A-102: Fire-Rated Shaft Wall Lacks Specified Deflection Track | 420 | LF | CRITICAL | Recommended Action: Add slotted deflection track detail per UL design HW-D-0181 |
Software Digitizers & Standards Applied
| Software / Tool | Engineering Purpose | Compliance Standard |
|---|---|---|
| PlanSwift Pro | Digitized linear, count, and area takeoff quantification | Industry Benchmark |
| Bluebeam Revu | Vector drawing markup, multi-discipline overlay & RFI logging | CSI MasterFormat |
| Client Rates / Supplier Quotes | Project-specific pricing basis when a priced estimate is requested | Assumptions Stated |
Estimated Pricing & Delivery Timelines
| Scope / Project Type | Average Turnaround | Estimated Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Single-trade material takeoff | Confirmed after document review | $150 – $350 |
| Residential construction estimate | Confirmed after document review | $250 – $450 |
| Commercial preconstruction package | Confirmed after document review | $450 – $1,200 |
| Industrial & heavy civil takeoff | Confirmed after document review | $1,000 – $3,500+ |
| Dedicated estimator retainer | Queue and capacity agreed in writing | $1,800 – $3,000 / month |
* Exact rates and delivery dates depend on the drawings, scope, and deadline. Request a written quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a comprehensive construction plan review include?
Our plan review conducts a forensic cross-audit across architectural, structural, civil, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) drawings. We identify drawing inconsistencies, dimensional clashes, missing details, constructability obstacles, and code compliance gaps before contracts are signed.
How do you identify spatial coordination issues between MEP and structural trades?
We perform multi-discipline plan overlays in Bluebeam Revu, mapping high-pressure duct runs against structural steel beam depths, verifying underground plumbing slope against footing grade beams, and checking electrical disconnects against mechanical equipment schedules.
Do you provide an itemized RFI log for pre-bid clarification?
Yes. Every plan review delivers a structured Pre-Bid RFI Matrix categorized by drawing sheet, CSI division, priority level (Critical, Moderate, Low), and recommended question wording ready to submit to the architect or owner.
Can plan reviews be performed on schematic design (SD) or 50% DD drawing sets?
Absolutely. Early-stage plan reviews during Schematic Design (SD) and Design Development (DD) provide the highest return on investment, allowing design teams to fix discrepancies before construction documents (CDs) are finalized.
What is your typical turnaround time for a complete plan review?
Delivery depends on the drawing set, requested trade scope, pricing requirements and bid deadline. The delivery date, scope and revision coverage are confirmed in the written quote after document review.
Request a Project Quote
Send your plans for an itemized flat-rate proposal.
Direct Estimator Support
All CSI Trades & Scopes
Large Blueprint Sets?
Contact us to agree on a suitable transfer method for large or confidential plan files.
Enter Bid Room