Single-trade takeoff
$250 to $600
- One trade or CSI division
- Quantities, with or without pricing
- Marked-up drawings
Delivered in 24 hours
Get a Quote
Pricing
Simple, Fixed-Fee Pricing
One price per project, agreed before we start. No hourly billing.
Our fees depend on how much there is to measure: the number of drawings, the number of divisions and how complete the documents are. They don't depend on the contract value of your project, so a large job with a simple scope doesn't cost you more just because it's large.
Plans
Typical Fees by Project Type
These ranges cover most projects. Your quote gives the exact figure for your drawings.
Multi-trade residential
$600 to $1,500
- Custom homes, additions, multi-family
- All trades priced to your ZIP code
- Assumptions and exclusions page
Delivered in 24 to 48 hours
Get a QuoteFull commercial, multi-division
$1,200 to $2,500
- Every division, CSI MasterFormat
- Material, labor, equipment, O&P
- Second-estimator review
48 hours or more, depending on scope
Get a QuoteMonthly retainer
from $1,500/mo
- A set volume of estimates each month
- Priority queue placement
- The same dedicated estimator
For contractors who bid every month
Talk to Us
$0 extra
for anything on this list
Included as Standard
What Every Fee Covers
- Document review: conflicts and missing information flagged before anything is measured.
- Itemised quantity takeoff by CSI division, measured digitally from your drawings.
- ZIP-code pricing for material and labor from RSMeans and our maintained databases.
- Equipment, overhead, profit and contingency as separate lines you can adjust.
- Assumptions and exclusions page documenting every allowance and scope gap.
- Second-estimator review of quantities, formulas and totals.
- Excel and PDF files, marked-up drawings, or your own bid template filled in.
- NDA on request and confidential handling of every document.
What Sets the Fee
What Makes an Estimate Cost More, or Less
If you want to keep a fee down, these are the levers.
| Factor | Why it matters | How to keep it down |
|---|---|---|
| Number of drawings | More sheets means more to measure and cross-check. | Send only the disciplines in scope. |
| Divisions in scope | Each division is its own takeoff, pricing and review. | Tell us exactly which trades you're bidding. |
| Document completeness | Gaps take time to resolve and document as assumptions. | Include specs and every addendum up front. |
| Quantities or priced | Pricing adds local material and labor research. | Ask for quantities only if you use your own unit costs. |
| Turnaround | A very short deadline means rearranging the queue. | Send plans as soon as you decide to bid. |
| Output format | Re-mapping into a custom template takes setup time. | Reuse the same template on every project. |
The Real Comparison
In-House Estimator vs. Prime Estimation
A fully loaded in-house estimator runs well into six figures a year. Here's how the two compare beyond the salary.
| In-house estimator | Prime Estimation | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost structure | Fixed salary, benefits and overhead, busy or not | Per project: scale to zero when you're quiet |
| Takeoff software | Licences and training to buy and maintain | Included: PlanSwift, Bluebeam, On-Screen Takeoff |
| Cost data | Subscriptions and your own price tracking | RSMeans, Craftsman and maintained regional data |
| Bid-season peaks | Overtime, or bids you have to pass on | Extra capacity when deadlines stack up |
| Quality check | Often one person checking their own work | Second estimator reviews every estimate |
| Time to start | Weeks or months to hire and onboard | Send plans today, quote within hours |
For most contractors submitting fewer than twenty bids a month, the arithmetic doesn't favour hiring.
FAQ
Pricing Questions
Is the quote free?
Yes. We review your drawings and send a fixed fee with a delivery date at no cost and with no obligation. You only pay for estimates you approve.
Do you charge by the hour?
No. Every estimate has a fixed fee agreed before work starts. If a project turns out harder than expected, that's our problem, not an extra line on your invoice.
Why isn't the fee based on project value?
Because the work of estimating depends on what has to be measured, not on what the building will cost. A $5M warehouse with a simple scope can take less effort than a $1M fit-out with dense drawings.
What happens when an addendum changes the scope?
Send it over and we update the affected line items on the same estimate. Clarifications and corrections to our own work are always included; if an addendum adds significant new scope, we tell you before doing any extra work, so nothing is billed without your approval.
Can I get just quantities to save money?
Yes. Quantities-only takeoffs cost less than fully priced estimates and are ideal if you apply your own unit costs. Choose it in the quote form or mention it in your request.
How does the monthly retainer work?
You agree a set volume of estimates per month for a fixed monthly fee, starting from $1,500. Your projects get priority in the queue and stay with the same dedicated estimator. Contact us to size a retainer to your bid volume.
Ready to Get Started?
Find Out Exactly What Your Estimate Costs
Send the drawings and you'll have a firm, fixed fee and a delivery date back, usually within a few hours: free and with no obligation.