Frequently Asked Questions

Upload your plans via our contact form or email them to [email protected]. A senior estimator reviews your scope within 4 business hours and replies with turnaround time and fee. No commitment until you accept the quote.

The complete construction drawing set (architectural, structural, MEP, sitework), the specifications, and the project location. If you have a target bid date or specific scope-of-services request, share that too.

Yes, on every engagement that requests one. We treat all project documents as confidential by default and never publish client names without written permission.

Standard turnaround is 24-72 hours for most projects. Larger commercial and industrial projects (>$10M) typically take 5-10 business days. Same-day rush turnaround is available with a fee.

Yes. Once we're engaged on a bid, we respond to clarifications in under an hour during your bid submission window — no extra charge.

We can still produce an estimate at the appropriate AACE class for the design maturity. We document every assumption explicitly so you know exactly where the precision is coming from.

Our deliverables target ±2% on material quantity takeoffs and ±5-10% on bid-grade cost estimates against final pay applications when complete plans are provided. We align to AACE International Recommended Practice 18R-97 estimate classes.

Yes. We maintain subscriptions to RSMeans Construction Cost Data (updated quarterly with 731 US city cost modifiers), BNi Building News, NECA Manual of Labor Units, MCAA Labor Estimating Manual, and others. Volatile materials are cross-checked against current supplier quotes.

Our internal QA process catches the vast majority of errors before delivery. If a measurable takeoff error makes it to your deliverable, we'll revise it free of charge. Pricing decisions (markup, contingency, profit) are your call — we don't guarantee outcomes that depend on your bid strategy.

PlanSwift, Bluebeam Revu, On-Screen Takeoff, Sage Estimating, Trimble Accubid, ConEst IntelliBid, McCormick, Square Takeoff, STACK, Autodesk Quantification, and Xactimate. Tell us your workflow and we adapt.

Yes. Common deliverables: locked PDF, editable Excel, your software's native file format (Accubid .qj, Sage estimate file, etc.), or a custom client template. Tell us what you need at engagement time.

Included in standard engagements at no extra cost. Senior estimator on call during your bid submission window with sub-hour response to subcontractor and client questions.

Per-project quotes based on scope, project size, drawing complexity, and turnaround. Standard rate is $0.10-$0.25 per SF of building area for full estimates; trade-specific takeoffs are typically $400-$2,500 per project. See our pricing page for more detail.

No formal minimum. The smallest engagements we take are residential remodels at around $500. Most engagements fall between $1,500 and $15,000.

Yes — our Dedicated Construction Estimator service is a monthly retainer (typically 80-160 hours) where a senior estimator is embedded with your bid pipeline. Usually $9K-$14K/month for the 160-hour tier.

All 50+ trade disciplines: concrete, masonry, framing, drywall, painting, flooring, roofing, sitework, lumber, landscaping, waterproofing, fireproofing, insulation, metals, rebar, millwork, cabinet, openings, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, HVAC, piping, BIM, Xactimate, fire sprinkler, scheduling. See the services index for the full list.

Yes. We apply current state Department of Labor prevailing wage schedules and federal Davis-Bacon classification rates by trade. Familiar with DSA, GSA, USACE, VA, and most state-fund submission requirements.

Yes, on a case-by-case basis. We've completed projects in the UK, Canada, Australia, UAE, and Mexico using local cost data and quantity surveying conventions where applicable (NRM2, SMM7).