Scope and deliverables
Grading Inputs & Civil Sitework Takeoffs
Earthwork estimating carries some of the highest financial risks in construction. An inaccurate cut/fill calculation can result in hundreds of thousands of dollars in unexpected off-site dirt export fees or imported select fill hauling costs.
At F&K Estimatings, sitework scope is reviewed against existing and proposed grading information, stripping depths, subgrade requirements, utility profiles and paving sections. The written scope identifies the available inputs, measurement method, volume basis and geotechnical assumptions.
We provide complete line-item takeoffs for earthwork, underground utilities (storm, sanitary, water), paving, curbs, and erosion control with assumptions and exclusions for contractor review.
Scope, price, and delivery are confirmed after reviewing the project documents and requested deliverables.
Deliverables for your agreed scope
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
Measured quantities organized by CSI MasterFormat, with units and separately stated waste allowances. Labor, material and equipment rates are included only in an agreed priced estimate.
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
Scope-gap notes and drawing clarifications for the agreed trades. A separate constructability review is included only when specified in the written quote.
Contractors and builders we serve
Sitework & Earthwork Contractors
Bidding on commercial site grading, mass excavation, and heavy civil infrastructure tenders.
Site Utility Contractors
Quantifying pipe linear footages, trench volumes, precast structures, and tie-in connections.
Paving Subcontractors
Estimating asphalt tonnage, aggregate base course, concrete curbs, and sealcoating square yards.
General Contractors
Auditing complete civil package scopes and reconciling earthwork balances before bid day.
Land Developers
Requiring preliminary earthwork cut/fill feasibility budgets for raw land acquisition.
Sitework and Earthwork: quantities, checks and quote requirements
Sitework takeoffs calculate cut and fill volumes from existing and proposed grades, measure utilities by size and depth, and quantify paving, curbs and erosion control.
Measurement and reporting basis
- Cut and fill volumes (CY)
- Storm, sanitary and water utilities (LF)
- Structures such as manholes and inlets (EA)
- Paving, base course and curbs
- Erosion and sediment control
Documents to include
- Civil grading and utility plans
- Geotechnical report with boring logs
- Existing survey or topography
Also identify the current revision, addenda, project ZIP code, requested trades and bid deadline.
A scope check before pricing
Keep excavation, compacted fill and hauled material volume bases distinct. Separate trench bedding, pipe LF, structures EA, paving SF and mobilization; identify haul distances and soil assumptions.
Scope limits: Surveying, geotechnical investigation and unshown underground conditions cannot be verified by a drawing takeoff.
Worked estimating example
Name the volume basis before using a haul rate
A 100-foot trench, 2 feet wide and 3 feet deep, has 22.22 CY of geometric excavation before overbreak or material movement assumptions.
- What the estimate should record
- Separate bank excavation, compacted backfill and loose hauled volume. Record bedding, unsuitable material and haul assumptions rather than reusing one CY total for every operation.
- Resolve before pricing
- What geotechnical information, trench details and disposal or haul instructions are available?
Sitework takeoff services for excavation and civil utility contractors
Civil quantity takeoff services depend on the surfaces, utility details and boundaries available in the site drawings. Request separate earthwork, paving and utility quantities rather than one unexplained site allowance. For grading takeoff services, identify the existing and proposed surfaces, stripping limits and the agreed treatment of shrink, swell and export quantities.
Earthwork takeoff services
Requested output: Cut, fill and agreed stripping or trench quantities from supplied data.
Confirm in your quote: Survey basis, existing/proposed surfaces, shrink/swell assumptions and export ownership.
Underground utility takeoff
Requested output: Pipe lengths by size and system, structures and shown fittings.
Confirm in your quote: Depths, bedding, trench restoration, service connections and testing.
Paving and site concrete
Requested output: Surface areas, layer volumes, curbs and other shown site improvements.
Confirm in your quote: Thicknesses, limits of work, compaction assumptions and access phasing.
Identify the survey and geotechnical inputs used. Undocumented ground conditions, unsuitable material and dewatering should be clarified or carried as explicit allowances, not hidden within measured quantities.
Request this estimating scopeUS project coverage for sitework and earthwork
For US projects, include the ZIP code and the location-sensitive inputs below.
- Supply the project survey, geotechnical information where available and proposed disposal or borrow locations.
- Identify haul distance, disposal fees, utility constraints and local crew or equipment rates separately from measured excavation and fill volumes.
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 sitework and earthwork scope quoteScope coverage for your bid package
CSI Division 31 - Earthwork & Grading
Cut/fill quantities from agreed grading inputs, topsoil stripping, building pad prep, soil stabilization, and compaction.
CSI Division 32 - Exterior Paving & Hardscape
Asphalt pavement, aggregate base stone, concrete curbs/gutters, sidewalks, and parking lot striping.
CSI Division 33 - Storm & Sanitary Utilities
Storm drainage RCP/HDPE, sanitary sewer SDR-35, manholes, catch basins, and headwalls.
Site Water Distribution & Fire Lines
Ductile iron / C900 water mains, fire hydrants, backflow vaults, service taps, and gate valves.
Erosion-Control Quantities
Silt fencing, stabilized construction entrances, rock check dams, inlet filters, and hydroseeding.
Site Clearing & Demolition
Acreage tree clearing, root grubbing, existing asphalt sawcutting, concrete pavement demolition, and hauling.
Sitework estimating services for contractor bids
Sitework estimating services help civil and excavation contractors separate earthwork, paving and underground utility quantities before pricing a site package. An earthwork takeoff should identify the volume basis and the limits of measurement.
Define your bid package
- Keep topsoil stripping, unsuitable material, excavation, reuse, import and export as distinct items. State whether each volume is bank, loose or compacted.
- Measure utility pipe by size, material and run; distinguish structures, trench excavation, bedding and restoration to avoid missing installation scope.
- Separate pavement areas from base thicknesses, curb lengths and erosion-control quantities. Identify phased work and demolition limits.
Documents to send for a scope quote
Send existing and proposed grading plans, utility plans and profiles, site details, pavement sections, geotechnical information and addenda. Include agreed stripping depths and haul assumptions.
Shrink and swell factors must come from the stated project basis rather than a universal percentage. Quantity support does not include civil design, survey certification or an engineered grading model unless separately agreed.
Related estimating scope
Sample CSI Division 31 & 33 Quantification Schedule
Net cut/fill quantities, utility pipe footages, asphalt paving areas, and SWPPP controls:
Worked estimating example. Quantities show the stated scope and format; this is not a client project or a project-specific price quote.
| CSI Scope Description | Quantity | Unit | Soil / Waste Factor | Civil Estimator Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division 31 23 00 - Mass Earthwork (Net Cut to Fill Balance) | 48,500 | CY | 15% Swell Factor | Calculated via 3D civil contour modeling; includes 6-inch topsoil strip |
| Division 33 41 00 - 24in. Reinforced Concrete Pipe (RCP Storm Drain) | 1,850 | LF | 5% | Includes trench excavation, #57 stone bedding, and backfill compaction |
| Division 32 12 16 - Heavy-Duty Asphalt Paving (3in. Surface + 8in. Crushed Base) | 14,200 | SY | 5% | Prime coat and tack coat included per DOT commercial specs |
| Division 31 25 00 - Wire-Backed Silt Fence (SWPPP Erosion Control) | 4,600 | LF | 8% | Positioned along site perimeter and downhill drainage boundaries |
State requirements that affect this scope
- New York — excavation support and street restoration on dense New York City sites.
From document review to your deliverables
- 01
Share the current bid set
Send issued drawings, specifications, addenda, location and deadline. Identify the trade packages and outputs you need.
- 02
Agree the written scope
Confirm included work, exclusions, estimating fee and delivery date before work starts.
- 03
Measure and review
Organize the agreed quantities or review findings. Record assumptions, missing information and scope clarifications.
- 04
Receive the agreed package
Review the deliverables against the written scope. Raise questions and identify any later drawing revisions separately.
Software and reporting standards
Measured quantities follow the agreed scope and are organized by applicable CSI MasterFormat divisions. Pricing sources and assumptions are identified separately when a priced estimate is requested.
| Software / tool | Purpose | Reporting basis |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Estimating fees and delivery
Most single-trade estimates are delivered in 24–48 hours; larger packages take longer and the written quote confirms the date Exact fee and date are confirmed in the written quote.
| Scope / project type | Typical delivery | Typical fee |
|---|---|---|
| Single-trade material takeoff | Typically 24–48 hours after approval | $150–$1,000 typical |
| Residential construction estimate | Typically 2–4 business days after approval | $400–$1,000 typical |
| Commercial preconstruction package | Typically 3–5 business days after approval | $150–$1,000 typical |
| Industrial & heavy civil takeoff | Typically 4–7 business days after approval | $1,000–$5,000+ typical |
| Ongoing estimating support | Priority queue agreed in writing | $1,800/mo typical |
These are estimating-service fees. Drawings, scope and requested delivery determine the written proposal.
Frequently asked questions
What information is needed for cut and fill quantities?
Provide existing and proposed grading information, boundaries, sections and the geotechnical report. Confirm the required measurement method before acceptance. Report bank, loose and compacted volumes separately; shrink, swell, unsuitable material and haul assumptions must be identified rather than inferred.
Can you estimate site utility pipe runs and underground structures?
Absolutely. We quantify all storm drainage, sanitary sewer, and domestic water distribution piping, along with precast manholes, catch basins, curb inlets, gate valves, and utility trench excavation/bedding volumes.
How do you handle site clearing, grubbing, and asphalt demolition?
Our sitework estimators calculate measured acreage for heavy tree clearing and grubbing, stripped topsoil volumes, and provide detailed square yardage and tonnage for existing asphalt, concrete curbs, and building demolition.
Do your sitework takeoffs include SWPPP erosion control?
Yes. We quantify silt fencing, construction exits, inlet protection bags, sediment basins, temporary hydroseeding, and straw wattles shown in the supplied erosion-control documents; this is measurement support, not a SWPPP design or compliance certification.
What is your typical turnaround for a sitework estimate?
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.
Coordinate related trades
Large or confidential drawing sets? Arrange a suitable transfer method in the bid room.