Topics below cover services, pricing, process, files, Pennsylvania requirements and confidentiality. Read the detailed guides.
CLEAR ANSWERS
What do contractors ask about our service?
Services and deliverables
What is construction estimating?
Construction estimating forecasts the cost of defined work by measuring quantities and assigning supported costs for labor, materials, equipment and related project scope.
Is an estimate the same as a bid?
No. An estimate is a cost forecast. The contractor chooses the selling price, risk and terms of the bid it submits.
Can you produce quantities without prices?
Yes. Request a quantity-only takeoff and specify the measurement rules and desired organization.
Do you estimate individual trades?
Yes. Trade packages include electrical, plumbing, HVAC, roofing, concrete, framing, drywall, painting, flooring, masonry, sitework and steel.
Are alternates shown separately?
Yes, when requested. Supply the tender instructions so the base package and alternates follow the required format.
Do you design structures or building systems?
No. Engineering, system sizing, design compliance and approvals remain with the responsible professionals.
Do you represent insurance claims?
No. We estimate documented construction repair scope; insurance coverage, claim negotiation and public adjusting are separate services.
What format can the deliverable use?
Discuss an editable spreadsheet and PDF summary, with the structure and drawing references agreed in the scope.
Pricing and delivery
How much does estimating cost?
The fee depends on documents, trade coverage, complexity and deliverables. Request a fixed service quote after plan review. The pricing model is confirmed with your service quote.
How long does an estimate take?
Delivery is confirmed after document review. Tell us your bid deadline so we can assess the requested schedule.
What affects the service quote?
Drawing quality, amount of scope, trade complexity, pricing depth, review requirements and delivery date affect the required estimating work.
Do you publish standard construction prices?
No. Project prices need current supplier evidence and contractor-reviewed labor assumptions. The online tool uses rates you enter.
Can you use my supplier quotations?
Yes. Include quote dates, product descriptions, exclusions and validity conditions so coverage can be checked.
Are revisions included?
Confirm correction and new-scope terms before commissioning the package.
Process and files
Which files can I send?
Send PDF drawings and specifications or DWG files. Include all addenda and tell us if the available information is limited to sketches or photographs.
How do I start?
Send the current drawings, scope, location, trade and deadline through the quote request or contact email.
What if documents are incomplete?
We identify missing information and discuss a limited preliminary package or the clarification needed for a detailed estimate.
Can you work from scanned plans?
Legible scans with reliable dimensions may be usable. Distortion and missing scale information need review.
Can I upload several plan files?
The form supports up to three PDF or DWG files, each up to 10 MB. For larger sets, email to arrange an approved transfer method.
Pennsylvania coverage and requirements
Do you serve every Pennsylvania county?
Yes. The service is remote and supports projects across all 67 Pennsylvania counties.
Do you handle residential and commercial scope?
Yes. Define the building type, trade coverage and intended use in your quote request.
Do you use one Pennsylvania frost depth?
No. The applicable authority, site information and approved design establish the foundation criteria.
Can you estimate public-work bids?
Yes, with the tender and applicable labor information supplied. Confirm wage determinations and classifications for the actual project.
Does HICPA registration prove skill?
No. The Attorney General states that registration is not an endorsement of competency or skill. Contractors must review applicable registration and contract obligations.
Do you have an office in every city?
No. Location pages describe remote service coverage, not local offices. No public street address has been confirmed.
Confidentiality and service limits
Are plans confidential?
Documents should be supplied only with permission and used for the agreed estimating work. Confirm confidentiality terms before sharing restricted documents.
Do you guarantee bid awards or final costs?
No. Awards, site conditions, design changes, market prices and contractor decisions can affect the outcome.
Can you sign an NDA?
Ask for review of your proposed terms before sending restricted documents.