Commercial Estimating Services
Commercial estimating built for competitive bid days
From tenant improvements to multi-story ground-up buildings, we prepare commercial estimates that follow your bid form, track addenda, and break cost out by division and trade.
Overview
What this service covers
Commercial bids move fast and the documents are large. We work through architectural, structural, civil, and MEP drawings alongside the project manual so that scope written in the specifications is not missed on the plans.
Whether you are a general contractor assembling a full bid or a subcontractor pricing a single package, we format the estimate the way you submit it: by CSI division, by trade, by building, or by bid alternate.
Projects and contractors we support
- Office buildings and corporate interiors
- Retail, restaurants, and shopping centers
- Medical office buildings and clinics
- Hotels and hospitality
- Schools and institutional work
- Mixed-use podium and mid-rise buildings
Typical clients:
- Commercial general contractors
- Trade subcontractors
- Construction managers
- Developers
- Owner's representatives
Scope of work
Scope is confirmed in your proposal after we review the drawings. A typical engagement includes:
- Specification review alongside drawings
- Addenda tracking and re-pricing
- Bid alternates and unit prices
- Site work and building separated
- Trade-by-trade breakdowns for sub coverage
- General conditions and requirements
- Phasing or building-by-building splits
- Clarifications and exclusions log
Typical deliverables
Division-level estimate
Detailed Excel workbook with quantities and pricing by CSI division and trade.
Takeoff markups
Highlighted PDF sheets showing each measured area, length, and count.
Bid-form ready summary
Totals arranged to match your bid form, including alternates.
Scope narrative
Inclusions, exclusions, and assumptions written for the bid package.
Trades and construction divisions
Organized using CSI MasterFormat where it fits your bid, or by your own cost codes.
- 02Existing Conditions
- 03Concrete
- 05Metals
- 07Thermal & Moisture
- 08Openings
- 09Finishes
- 10Specialties
- 21Fire Suppression
- 22Plumbing
- 23HVAC
- 26Electrical
- 31Earthwork
Software and methods
We measure on scaled drawings with digital takeoff tools and deliver editable spreadsheets. Tools used on this service typically include:
- On-Screen Takeoff
- PlanSwift
- Bluebeam Revu
- Accubid
- Microsoft Excel
Our workflow
- Request a quoteSend a short request through our quote form, then email your drawings or share a download link.
- Project reviewAn estimator reviews the documents, confirms scope, trades, and level of detail, and lists any questions about the drawings.
- Receive proposalYou get a written proposal with scope, deliverables, fee, and a delivery date confirmed for your project.
- Estimating & quality checkWe complete the takeoff and estimate, then a second review checks quantities, pricing, and assumptions.
- Final deliveryYou receive the editable estimate, marked-up drawings, and summary, and we answer follow-up questions.
Benefits for contractors
Specs and plans read together
We price what's written in Division 01 through 33, not only what's drawn.
Matches how you bid
Output follows your bid form and trade packages so assembly on bid day is faster.
Addenda handled
When addenda arrive, we identify the changes and update the affected lines.
Better sub coverage
Trade breakdowns help you check subcontractor numbers against an independent baseline.
Frequently asked questions
Can you estimate only one trade on a commercial project?
Yes. Many subcontractors send us a full plan set and ask for a single trade, such as drywall, concrete, or electrical. We price only that scope and note related work by others.
Do you review the project specifications?
Yes. For commercial work the specifications often define materials, testing, and requirements that are not visible on the drawings. Send the project manual with the plans whenever it is available.
How do you handle addenda?
Send each addendum as it is issued. We identify affected sheets and sections and update the estimate. Revision terms are confirmed in your proposal.
Can the estimate follow our company template?
Yes. If you have a preferred spreadsheet layout or cost code structure, share it and we will format the estimate to match.
Related services
Often paired with commercial estimating
Start a project
Ready to price your project?
Send your drawings for commercial estimating. We review every plan set before quoting so your proposal reflects the actual scope.