Residential Construction Estimating Services for Builders, Remodelers and Homeowners
Itemized takeoffs and estimates for custom homes, remodels, additions and accessory dwelling units.
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Residential Construction Estimating is the takeoff and pricing of single-family homes, remodels, additions, accessory dwelling units and small residential projects by trade.
Residential estimates have to be detailed enough to price accurately and clear enough to explain to a homeowner. We organize them by trade — site and foundation, framing, roofing, windows and doors, MEP, insulation, drywall, flooring and tile, cabinetry and finishes.
Residential project types
- Custom and production homes
- Kitchen and bath remodels
- Room additions and second stories
- Accessory dwelling units and garages
- Whole-house renovations
Allowances and selections
Residential bids often rely on allowances for finishes and fixtures. We state each allowance clearly, so homeowners understand what can change and builders can update pricing when selections are made.
What you receive
- Itemized estimate by trade
- Allowance and exclusion list
- Quantity takeoff and lumber package
- Budget summary with contingency
Technical scope and terminology we work with
- Allowances, selections and change orders
- Foundation, framing, roofing and envelope
- Rough-in and finish phases for MEP
- Permit fees, inspections and utility connections
- Cost per square foot and contingency
Who this service is for
Home builders, remodelers, general contractors, homeowners and small developers.
How it works
- Upload plans, specifications and addenda with the bid date.
- We confirm scope, firm price and turnaround.
- We take off, price and review the estimate.
- We support addenda, bid leveling and post-bid clarifications.
Software, standards and file formats
We take off in PlanSwift and Bluebeam Revu, price in Excel with RSMeans-style cost data, schedule in Oracle Primavera P6 or Microsoft Project, and deliver Excel, PDF and DWG, organized by CSI MasterFormat divisions 01–33.
When to use this service
Use residential construction estimating when a bid date is close, when your team is stretched across projects, when you need an independent check of your own numbers or drawings, or when you want consistent deliverables in the same format every time. Tell us the due date when you request a quote so the schedule can be planned around it.
Engagement options
- One project: order residential construction estimating for a single bid or job and receive a firm price and turnaround before we start.
- Several trades or divisions: combine this service with related scopes so quantities, drawings and pricing agree.
- Bid-season capacity: send multiple projects with their due dates and we schedule the work to hit each one.
- Ongoing support: repeat-volume contractors can agree standard formats, cost codes and turnaround so every delivery drops straight into their process.
Quality control, confidentiality and communication
Every deliverable is reviewed by a second team member before it reaches you, and assumptions, inclusions and exclusions are written down so they can be checked. If information is missing we send a short list of questions rather than guessing, and we tell you which assumption we used when a question cannot be answered in time. Your plans, specifications and files are used only to prepare your project work and are not shared publicly; see our privacy policy.
Related services, guides and pages
Frequently asked questions
Can you estimate from sketches?
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Yes — early budget estimates from sketches with clear assumptions, and detailed estimates from complete plans.
Do you include allowances?
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Yes, stated clearly so selections can be priced later.
Can you provide a lumber takeoff?
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Yes — framing and sheathing takeoffs with hardware lists.
Can you compare a contractor quote?
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Yes. We compare line items and flag scope gaps.
Bid Sharp at a glance: 3 steps, 50 states
Bid Sharp prepares construction estimates, takeoffs, shop drawings, structural and permit drawings and schedules for contractors and homeowners in all 50 states, on public and private projects. Typical turnaround is about 48 hours; the turnaround and a firm price are confirmed before any work starts.
- 1. Upload plans. Send PDF, DWG or a plan-room link with your bid due date.
- 2. Get a firm quote. Scope, price and turnaround in writing, with no obligation.
- 3. Receive deliverables. Excel and PDF files, plus DWG for drawings, checked by 2 team members.
Standards and official sources
Rules, wage rates, codes and procurement procedures change and differ by agency. Confirm the requirements that apply to your project with these primary sources and with the solicitation itself.
Keep exploring
Last updated by the Bid Sharp estimating team.