Home / Our Estimating Process

HOW WE WORK

Our Estimating Process: From Plans to a Verified Estimate

A documented, eight-step workflow that turns your drawings into a clear, checked and ready-to-use construction estimate — with no surprises on scope, fee or delivery date.

QUICK ANSWER

How Does the Construction Estimating Process Work?

Our construction estimating process has eight steps: document intake, scope review, fixed quote, digital takeoff, pricing, location adjustment, independent quality review and delivery with support for revisions. Every step is documented so you can see how each quantity and cost was produced.

Process Highlights

STEP BY STEP

The Eight Steps of Every Estimate

1. Document Intake

You send drawings, specifications, addenda, project location, scope and deadline by email, upload or shared link.

2. Scope Review

An estimator reviews the documents, confirms which trades or divisions are included and flags missing information.

3. Fixed Quote

You receive a fixed fee and delivery date. Work begins only after you approve.

4. Digital Takeoff

Quantities are measured with professional takeoff software, color-coded on the drawings and organized by trade and area.

5. Pricing

Material, labor, equipment and subcontract costs are applied from current pricing sources and labor schedules.

6. Location Adjustment

Costs are adjusted for the project's city, labor basis, code requirements, logistics and season.

7. Quality Review

A second estimator checks scales, quantities, pricing and formulas against our quality checklist.

8. Delivery & Support

You receive Excel, PDF and marked-up drawings, and we answer questions and process revisions.

WHAT YOU SEND

Documents We Need

Complete drawing set (PDF preferred; DWG/DXF accepted)
Specifications and project manual
All addenda and bulletins
Project address or city
Scope, trades or CSI divisions to price
Labor basis: union, open shop or prevailing wage
Bid date or required delivery date
Photos and notes for renovation or insurance work

What You Receive

Summary by CSI division
Detailed line items with quantities and unit costs
Material, labor and equipment columns
General conditions and markups (when included)
Clarifications, assumptions and exclusions
Color-coded marked-up drawings
Editable Excel file and client-ready PDF

TURNAROUND

How Long Does an Estimate Take?

Small Projects

Single-trade takeoffs and small residential estimates are usually delivered within a few business days.

Mid-Size Projects

Multi-trade commercial and multifamily estimates typically take longer depending on drawing size.

Large Projects

Large or complex projects receive a schedule agreed in the quote, sometimes with phased delivery.

Rush Service

Rush delivery is available when your bid date requires it, subject to capacity.

Exact delivery dates are confirmed in every quote. See Construction Estimating Pricing.

REVISIONS

Revisions, Addenda and Ongoing Support

Corrections to errors in our work are always made at no charge. When addenda, design changes or new scope arrive, we update the existing estimate and clearly mark what changed so you can see the cost impact at a glance. Larger revisions are quoted before we start.

Our checking standards are published in our Estimate Accuracy and Quality Policy, and you can see the format of our deliverables on Sample Estimates.

Tools We Use

FAQS

Process Questions

More answers on our Frequently Asked Questions page, or contact our estimators.

Do I pay before the estimate starts?

Payment terms are stated in the quote. Work begins once the quote is approved.

Can I talk to the estimator?

Yes. You can speak directly with the estimator working on your project.

What if the drawings are incomplete?

We list missing information during scope review and either request it, use stated allowances, or note assumptions.

Can you match my estimate format?

Yes. Send a sample and we will organize the estimate to match your format.

Are my documents confidential?

Yes. See our Privacy Policy.

Start Your Estimate Today

Send your plans today and receive a detailed, trade-by-trade estimate priced for New York labor, materials and site conditions — ready for bidding, budgeting or financing.

OFFICE LOCATION

Visit or Contact Our Brooklyn Office

New York Cost Estimating works from Brooklyn and serves contractors, developers, owners and design teams across all five boroughs, Westchester, Long Island and Upstate New York. Plans are reviewed digitally, so you can send drawings from anywhere in the state.