Contractor Estimating, Takeoff & Bid-Desk FAQs
Everything general contractors, specialty subcontractors, and developers ask before sending their first drawing package.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Common Questions About Pricing, Software & Turnaround
Pricing, CSI MasterFormat deliverables, ZIP-code wage calibration, and turnaround windows
What drawing formats do you accept for construction takeoffs?
Vector PDF plans work fastest, and we also accept scanned PDFs, AutoCAD (.DWG/.DXF), Revit (.RVT), Navisworks, and links to Procore, BuildingConnected, PlanHub, Dodge, Dropbox, or Google Drive.
How does 5-digit ZIP-code calibration work in your estimates?
Every project is indexed to the exact 5-digit USPS postal code of the jobsite—adjusting trade crew hourly wages (union, Davis-Bacon prevailing wage, or merit-shop), regional productivity, tax, and material freight multipliers.
Can you work directly inside our company’s custom Excel bid sheet?
Yes. Send us your blank bid template or historical labor production rates and we map our CSI MasterFormat quantities directly into your exact layout.
What if plans are conceptual or incomplete (Design-Build / Budget stage)?
We prepare AACE Class 5 through Class 1 conceptual and schematic design budgets using historical RSMeans and real-project assembly benchmarks, clearly flagging design assumptions so you can carry smart contingencies.
How are payments and revisions handled?
Once you review our 15-minute flat-fee quote, you receive a secure invoice link (all major cards/ACH). Post-delivery scope clarifications and estimator walkthroughs are included at zero extra charge.
Do you cover residential, commercial, civil, and industrial projects?
Yes—from single-family custom homes and multifamily podiums to hospitals, schools, hyperscale data centers, DOT roadways, and ASME industrial process plants across all 50 US states.
Ready to price your next bid without guesswork?
Send your PDF drawings, specs, and 5-digit project ZIP code. Receive a firm flat-fee quote in 15 minutes and your unlocked Excel takeoff in 24–48 hours.
Flat fee from $80 · Dual-estimator QA review · Unlocked Excel + marked-up PDF layers