Below is what drives the price, what you should get for it, and how to compare estimating services.
What drives the price of an estimate
Estimating services price by the work involved, not by the value of your project. The main factors are:
- Number of trades. A drywall-only takeoff is far less work than a full GC estimate across every CSI division.
- Size of the drawing set. A 15-sheet tenant improvement and a 300-sheet school are very different jobs.
- Complexity. Multi-level buildings, phasing, many finish types and detailed MEP all add time.
- Pricing depth. Quantities only (a takeoff) cost less than quantities plus material, labor and equipment pricing.
- Turnaround. Rush delivery for a bid due tomorrow costs more than a standard schedule.
Typical options
| Option | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Single-trade estimate | Subcontractors bidding one scope (concrete, drywall, electrical, etc.) | From $300 |
| Multi-trade or full-project estimate | GCs bidding a whole project | Quoted by plan size |
| Monthly plan | Contractors who bid every week | Quoted by volume |
See our pricing page for details.
What you should receive
A professional estimate is more than a total. Make sure you get:
- Quantities for every item, with waste shown separately
- Material, labor and equipment unit costs for your project location
- An Excel file organized by CSI division that you can edit
- Marked-up plans showing what was measured
- Written assumptions, clarifications and exclusions
If an estimating service sends only a PDF total, you cannot check it, adjust it or defend it on bid day.
Is outsourcing worth it?
Compare the cost to the alternative. An in-house estimator carries salary, software and overhead whether you are bidding or not. Outsourcing lets you bid more projects without adding staff, and pay only when you have plans to price. Many contractors use a service for overflow during busy bid seasons and for trades outside their own.
How to get an accurate quote
Send the full drawing set and specifications, and tell us:
- Which trades or divisions you need
- Whether you need quantities only or full pricing
- Your bid due date
We reply with a price and a delivery date. Work starts with a 50% deposit, and the remaining 50% is due on delivery. Send us your plans to get a quote.