Send the Project
Plans, trade scope, bid due date and project notes.
All Services
Preconstruction
Early Cost Clarity Before the Final Bid Stage.
Available upon request. Use preliminary estimating to test budget direction, feasibility and early design decisions. Budget pricing includes assumptions, allowances and exclusions; it is not a final bid price.
ServiceBudget / Preliminary Cost Estimating
Service Overview
Useful Pricing With the Assumptions Made Visible
Budget / Preliminary Cost Estimating supports early planning rather than claiming guaranteed final pricing. The estimate should clearly identify the information available, assumptions, allowances, exclusions and other limitations that affect the result.
Budget estimateAssumption logAllowance summaryScope notes
What’s Included
A Defined Scope With Reviewable Deliverables
The exact output is confirmed for the project before estimating begins. Typical elements include:
- Preliminary quantities where drawings allow
- Budget material and labor allowances
- Design-stage cost structure
- Assumptions and exclusions
- Feasibility / planning support
- Recommended verification points before final bid
How It Works
From Plan Set to Contractor Review
Scope Review
We review the information and confirm fee, scope and turnaround.
Estimating Work
The agreed takeoff, calculations and documentation are prepared.
Quality Review
Deliverables pass through the internal QA workflow before delivery.
Who This Is For
Designed for Teams That Need Reliable Estimating Capacity
Early design and feasibility reviews
Owners and builders testing project budget direction
GCs preparing preliminary client pricing
Projects where the final scope is still developing
Service FAQ
Questions About Budget / Preliminary Cost Estimating
Is budget pricing the same as a final bid?
No. Budget pricing is preliminary and may change with final drawings, supplier pricing, labor productivity, site conditions, equipment and subcontractor quotations.
Can you estimate before drawings are complete?
Yes, when enough project information exists to define reasonable assumptions. The level of confidence depends on the available design information.
Will assumptions be shown?
Yes. Assumptions, allowances, exclusions and important limitations should be documented so the estimate can be interpreted correctly.
Can the budget estimate later become a final estimate?
Yes. As design information matures, the work can be updated and expanded into a detailed takeoff and construction estimate.
Remote Estimating Process
Documents, Pricing and Agreed Deliverables
All estimating and quantity takeoff services are provided 100% remotely throughout the United States. We do not perform site visits.
Location-Specific Cost Inputs
When cost estimating is requested, we use RSMeans Data as one of our primary sources for location-specific material and labor pricing. Inputs are selected for the project’s city/state and adjusted as appropriate for specifications, trade requirements, quantities, construction type and information supplied by the client.
A quantity-only takeoff does not include cost pricing unless it is part of the agreed scope.
What to Send
- Architectural, structural and/or MEP drawings in PDF
- Scope of Works, specifications and relevant schedules
- Addenda, revisions and trade-specific requirements
- Project location and preferred material, labor or supplier pricing
- Required inclusions, exclusions and bidding requirements
What You Receive
Depending on the agreed service and trade, deliverables may include a quantity takeoff / BOQ, material quantities, labor quantities or hours, drawing markups, trade breakdowns, inclusions and exclusions, and assumptions and clarifications. Material and labor costs are included when requested; 3D views are optional where applicable.
Missing or unclear information can be recorded as assumptions and exclusions. We confirm the scope and deliverables from the documents received before work begins.
Prepared using professional estimating tools including PlanSwift, Bluebeam, CostX and BuildSoft Cubit. See our service process and available support →
Have a Project to Bid?
Send the Plans. We’ll Review the Scope.
Tell us the trade, bid due date and project requirements. We’ll confirm scope, fee and turnaround before work begins.