FAQ
Questions we actually get, answered plainly
If you don't see your question here, send it to us directly — we'd rather answer it than have you guess.
- What's the difference between a quantity takeoff and a full estimate?
- A quantity takeoff measures and counts everything on the drawings — linear feet, square feet, cubic yards, fixture counts — without pricing attached. A full estimate (what we call bid estimating) takes those same quantities and applies pricing to produce a bottom-line number ready for submission.
- Quantity Takeoff →Bid Estimating →
- How fast is turnaround, really?
- Most single-trade residential packages come back in 24–48 hours. Larger or multi-trade commercial packages typically run 48–72 hours. Urgent scopes can be turned around in 24 hours when needed — there's no rush surcharge for that.
- What file formats do you need from us?
- PDF construction drawings are the most common. We also work directly from DWG files, and can pull a plan set from a plan-room link if you'd rather not download and re-upload it yourself.
- What software do you use?
- Takeoffs are produced in PlanSwift, On-Screen Takeoff and RFMS Measure, with deliverables finalized in Microsoft Excel. Deliverables arrive as an editable workbook, not a locked PDF with a single number on it.
- Do you check your own work before sending it back?
- Every takeoff is produced by one estimator and re-checked against the drawings by a second before it ships. Each trade page lists the specific mistakes that review is built to catch for that trade.
- See every trade →
- Can you handle multiple bids due the same week?
- Yes — that's one of the main reasons contractors use us instead of relying solely on an in-house team. Packages are worked in parallel rather than queued behind each other.
- Do you work on projects outside the US and Canada?
- Our estimating services are built for and focused on general contractors, subcontractors, home builders, architects and developers across the United States and Canada.
- Is our drawing set kept confidential?
- Yes. Drawings and project information you send are used solely to produce your takeoff or estimate and are not shared outside the estimating team working on your package.
- What if the scope changes after you've already started?
- Send the revised drawings or the specific change — we quantify the delta and can usually turn a change-order price around same-day to 48 hours, separate from re-running the whole original takeoff.
- Change Order Estimating →
- Do you offer revisions if a number looks off?
- Revisions during your active bid window are included at no extra cost — the goal is a number you're confident submitting, not a one-shot delivery.
- How early can you get involved, before drawings are finished?
- As early as a program of requirements or a schematic set, using conceptual and budget estimating rather than a full takeoff.
- Conceptual & ROM Estimating →Budget Estimating →
Didn’t find it? Ask us directly.
Bid more. Win more.
Stop turning down invitations to bid because the takeoff will not get done in time. Send us the plans and get your numbers back in 24–72 hours.