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CSI Division 23 Ductwork Takeoffs, Equipment Schedules & ASHRAE-Compliant HVAC Estimates in 24-48 Hours
HVAC estimating is the most measurement-intensive trade in construction. A single commercial building can have 40,000 square feet of sheet metal ductwork, hundreds of fittings, dozens of pieces of equipment ranging from $800 rooftop units to $250,000 centrifugal chillers, thousands of linear feet of hydronic piping, and a building automation system that alone can cost more than the mechanical equipment it controls. One missed riser, one wrong equipment spec, one duct gauge assumption that does not match the spec - and a profitable job becomes a losing one before the first sheet metal crew sets foot on the site.
The Virtual Estimation prepares complete HVAC estimates for mechanical contractors, sheet metal contractors, general contractors, commercial developers, and design-build firms across 🇺🇸 USA, 🇨🇦 Canada, 🇦🇺 Australia, and 🇬🇧 UK. Every estimate covers the full CSI Division 23 scope: supply and return ductwork taken off by FastDuct with linear footage and sheet metal weight calculations, equipment schedules priced from current manufacturer data, hydronic and refrigerant piping, DDC controls, TAB (testing, adjusting, and balancing), and insulation - all organized by Division 23 sub-section in Excel format ready to submit.
Our estimators use FastDuct for ductwork digital takeoffs, PlanSwift for general quantity measurement from PDF drawings, Wrightsoft and Manual J for residential and light commercial load calculations, and RSMeans Mechanical Cost Data (updated quarterly) for regional labor and material unit pricing. We are AACE International certified cost professionals and AIQS members. Our HVAC estimates are produced to ASHRAE 62.1, ASHRAE 90.1, and SMACNA duct construction standard compliance, and for healthcare projects, ASHRAE 170 and FGI Guidelines.
At The Virtual Estimation, we understand the critical role accurate cost estimation plays in the success of your construction projects. Our team of expert HVAC Cost Estimators combines industry knowledge, cutting-edge software, and thorough attention to detail to provide you with precise cost estimates and Ductwork & Sheet Metal Takeoffs.
Whether you're working on residential, commercial, or industrial projects, our estimators have the expertise to deliver reliable results that help you win more bids and stay within budget.
We review your mechanical drawings - floor plans, sections, equipment schedules, duct riser diagrams, control diagrams - plus the Division 23 specification sections. We flag missing schedules, equipment substitution language, duct pressure class requirements, and insulation spec details before takeoff starts, so the estimate reflects what the spec actually requires.
Every supply and return duct run is traced digitally in FastDuct, calculating duct area in square feet, sheet metal weight in pounds by gauge, and fitting counts by type (elbows, tees, transitions, offsets, reducers). Flexible duct is counted separately by linear foot. Duct accessories - fire dampers, volume dampers, access panels, turning vanes - are counted from the drawings, not assumed from a percentage.
Every piece of HVAC equipment on the schedule is priced from current manufacturer data for your specific region. Hydronic piping is taken off by linear foot and pipe size. Refrigerant piping is measured by line set. Controls and DDC system work is estimated from the specifications and control sequences. Insulation is taken off in square feet for duct and linear feet for piping, by insulation type and specified R-value or thickness.
You receive Excel and PDF deliverables within 24-48 hours, organized by CSI Division 23 sub-section with quantities, unit costs, labor hours, and totals. Marked-up drawings showing all measured items are included so you can verify any number. If addenda affect equipment specs or duct routing before bid day, we update the estimate at no additional charge.
We provide a complete range of HVAC Estimating services tailored to meet your specific project needs:
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Request a Free ConsultationHealthcare HVAC is the highest-complexity, highest-value HVAC work in construction. A 200,000 SF hospital addition can have $8-15 million in HVAC work alone. The systems are more complex, the code requirements are more stringent, and the consequences of getting the estimate wrong are more severe than on any other project type. It is also the niche where the most HVAC estimating companies do not have real expertise - which means it is where The Virtual Estimation most clearly separates from generic estimating services.
ASHRAE 170 Ventilation Requirements: ASHRAE Standard 170 (Ventilation of Health Care Facilities) mandates specific minimum air change rates per hour (ACH), pressure relationships (positive, negative, or equal), relative humidity ranges, and temperature ranges for each room type in a healthcare facility. Operating rooms typically require 20+ ACH with 100% outside air and laminar flow diffusion systems. Airborne infection isolation (AII) rooms require negative pressure relative to adjacent spaces. Protective environment (PE) rooms require positive pressure. Every room type has different requirements that must be estimated from the room schedule, not assumed.
Filtration: Healthcare HVAC specifications typically require MERV-13 or higher filtration for general patient care areas, MERV-16 or HEPA (MERV-17 through 20) for operating rooms, sterile processing, and pharmacy cleanrooms. HEPA filter housings and filter costs are a significant line item that non-healthcare estimators consistently miss or under-price.
Pressure Relationships & Exhaust Systems: Toilet rooms, soiled utility rooms, and laboratory spaces require dedicated exhaust at negative pressure. Isolation rooms require 100% exhaust with no recirculation. These dedicated exhaust systems require separate ductwork, dedicated fans, backdraft dampers, and controls sequencing - all of which must be estimated separately from the general supply and return ductwork system.
Operating Room Laminar Flow: OR-grade laminar flow ceiling diffuser systems with perforated face sheets, internal filtration, and integrated light/equipment supports are specialty items that require direct manufacturer pricing - not standard RSMeans assembly costs. We obtain current manufacturer pricing for all specialty healthcare HVAC equipment before including it in the estimate.
We have prepared HVAC estimates for hospital additions, surgery centers, medical office buildings, psychiatric facilities, laboratory buildings, and outpatient clinics. All healthcare estimates are delivered with room-by-room pressure relationship schedules and ACH calculation sheets so the mechanical engineer and owner can verify code compliance before the estimate is finalized.
Commercial kitchen ventilation is a specialized HVAC scope that requires estimating beyond standard ductwork takeoffs. Type I and Type II kitchen exhaust hood systems involve grease duct, listed exhaust fans, fire suppression system integration, and make-up air units sized to replace the exhaust volume - all governed by NFPA 96 (Standard for Ventilation Control and Fire Protection of Commercial Cooking Operations) and local health department requirements.
Type I Exhaust Systems (Grease-Laden Vapors): Type I hoods serve cooking equipment that produces grease-laden vapors - fryers, griddles, charbroilers, ranges. Grease duct must be 16-gauge minimum stainless or carbon steel with all-welded construction, no standard slip-and-drive joints, continuous liquid-tight welded seams, and clearances to combustibles as required by NFPA 96. Grease duct is priced by the pound like standard sheet metal but at a higher unit cost due to the welded construction requirement. Access panels must be installed at every change of direction and at specified maximum intervals.
Make-Up Air Units (MUA): Every exhaust CFM removed by a Type I or Type II hood must be replaced with make-up air. MUA units are typically roof-mounted direct-fired or indirect-fired gas heating units with face-and-bypass or modulating controls. They are sized to match the hood exhaust volume, and the ductwork from the MUA unit to the supply air register locations must be taken off and estimated separately from the general HVAC ductwork. We include MUA unit pricing, ductwork, gas piping connections, electrical connections, and controls as a complete kitchen ventilation estimate package.
Detailed estimates for foundations, slabs, and structural concrete work.
Comprehensive electrical takeoffs for all project types and sizes.
Accurate plumbing estimates including fixtures, piping, and labor.
Precise masonry takeoffs for brick, block, and stone projects.
Complete lumber takeoffs for residential and commercial framing.
Professional roofing estimates for all materials and project types.
Note: Pricing depends on drawing complexity, system scale, and turnaround requirements. We provide a firm lump-sum quote before starting any work.
| Project Scope | Estimated Fee Ranges | Turnaround Time |
|---|---|---|
| Residential HVAC (Custom Homes) | $150 - $400 | 24 hrs |
| Light Commercial (Restaurants, Retail) | $300 - $800 | 24-48 hrs |
| â Healthcare & Institutional | $500 - $1,500+ | 2-3 days |
| Large Industrial / High-Rise | Custom Quote | 3-5 days |
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