Construction Estimating Services for General Contractors and Subcontractors

A comprehensive construction estimate includes material quantities with unit pricing, labor costs by trade and work hours, equipment costs, subcontractor quotes, general conditions and overhead, profit margin, permits and fees, bonds and insurance, contingency allowances, and bid preparation costs. Deliverables include a detailed material takeoff spreadsheet, a cost breakdown by division or CSI code, a labor analysis by trade, and a bid summary suitable for proposal submission.

We deliver 99 percent accuracy on all construction estimates. Our estimators use digital takeoff software to measure every quantity directly from the drawings and apply regional pricing from RSMeans, supplier quotes, and historical data. Conceptual estimates carry a plus or minus 15 to 20 percent accuracy range, detailed estimates achieve plus or minus 5 to 10 percent, and final bid estimates based on complete drawings achieve plus or minus 3 to 5 percent accuracy.

We estimate all types of construction projects including commercial office buildings, retail and mixed-use developments, multifamily residential, single-family custom homes, healthcare facilities, educational institutions, industrial warehouses and manufacturing plants, hospitality and hotel projects, government and public works, religious institutions, renovation and tenant improvement projects, and infrastructure and site development across the United States and Canada.

Most construction estimates are delivered within 24 to 48 hours of receiving your drawings and specifications. Small to medium commercial projects are often completed within 24 hours. Larger ground-up projects with multiple divisions may require 48 to 72 hours and are scoped during the initial quote at no charge. Conceptual and budget estimates for early design phase projects are typically delivered within 24 hours.

We accept PDF, DWG, DXF, Revit, and Bluebeam files for construction estimating. For complete estimates we need architectural drawings, structural drawings, MEP drawings, specifications, and any addenda. For conceptual estimates we can work with preliminary floor plans, elevations, and basic scope descriptions. Email drawings to info@thevirtualestimation.com with your project name and we will respond within one hour.

Yes. We serve general contractors, subcontractors, developers, and owners in all 50 states and Canada. Our pricing database maintains separate labor rates by trade for union and open shop in each county and major metropolitan area. We track regional material pricing for lumber, concrete, steel, mechanical equipment, electrical supplies, and all other construction materials by state and local market conditions.

Yes. Renovation and tenant improvement estimates cover selective demolition, abatement if specified, structural modifications, new MEP systems, finishes, and all associated work. We itemize demolition quantities and new construction quantities separately, account for existing conditions contingencies, and provide clear scope documentation for each phase of the renovation. We have extensive experience with occupied space renovations requiring phased construction.

Yes. For design-build and early design phase projects we provide conceptual and budget estimates based on square foot costs, assembly pricing, and historical data from similar projects. Our system pricing estimates use unit costs for major building systems including foundations, structure, enclosure, interiors, MEP, and finishes. Preliminary estimates are clearly marked with their accuracy range and assumptions for feasibility analysis and budget planning.

We use PlanSwift and Bluebeam Revu for digital takeoffs, RSMeans Online for current regional pricing by zip code, Sage Estimating for detailed cost breakdowns, Microsoft Excel for estimate organization and bid forms, OnScreen Takeoff for quantity verification, and ProEst for conceptual estimating when applicable. Our estimators are certified in multiple platforms and choose the best software for each project type.

We offer flat rate project pricing based on the size and complexity of your construction project rather than hourly billing. Residential estimates start at a low flat rate, commercial building estimates are quoted based on square footage and number of divisions, and large ground-up project pricing is scoped during a free initial review of your drawings. First-time clients receive 30 percent off their first estimate. Email your drawings for a free quote with no obligation.