How we work
Our Construction Estimating Process
A clear, repeatable workflow from your plans to a bid-ready estimate — and support after bid day.
Every Bid Sharp estimate follows the same eight steps, so you know exactly what happens to your plans, when you will receive the numbers and how we protect accuracy. The workflow covers the pre-bid process before bid day and the post-bid process afterward.
- 1
Project submission
You upload plans, specifications, addenda and the bid due date, or paste a plan-room link. The more complete the package — drawings, spec sections, bid form and instructions to bidders — the faster and more accurate the estimate.
- 2
Initial assessment and firm quote
We review the documents, confirm the scope (trades, CSI divisions and deliverables), and send a firm price and turnaround before work starts. If the solicitation has special requirements — prevailing wage, bonds, alternates — we note them here.
- 3
Pre-estimation planning
We organize the plan set, log addenda, define trade packages and work breakdown, identify risks, conflicts and missing information, and prepare RFIs where drawings and specifications disagree.
- 4
Quantity takeoff
Estimators measure from the latest drawings with digital takeoff tools, by CSI division or trade, on marked-up plans so every count and measurement can be traced. Alternates, allowances and unit-price items are measured separately.
- 5
Pricing
Quantities are priced with material, labor, equipment and subcontract costs using current market data and your unit prices where provided, with general conditions, overhead, profit, taxes, bonds, insurance and contingency as needed.
- 6
Internal review and validation
A second estimator checks quantities against marked-up plans, compares ratios such as cost per square foot, and confirms assumptions, inclusions and exclusions. Where useful, we confirm key assumptions with you.
- 7
Delivery
You receive Excel and PDF files: itemized estimate, takeoff summary, marked-up plans, scope assumptions and alternates, ready to drop into your bid or scope sheets.
- 8
Support after delivery
We update the estimate when addenda are issued, answer questions, support bid leveling and clarifications, and help with post-bid work such as value engineering and buyout.
What we check before pricing
Before pricing begins we read the instructions to bidders, bid form, supplementary conditions and Division 01 requirements, then the specification sections for your trades and the drawings. We look for scope definition, alternates, allowances, unit prices, bonding and insurance requirements, prevailing-wage or Davis-Bacon language, liquidated damages, phasing and working-hour restrictions. Conflicts become requests for information (RFIs) so they can be submitted before the question deadline.
Quality control and accuracy
- Measurements come from the latest drawings and addenda.
- Marked-up plans make every quantity traceable.
- A second estimator reviews takeoff and pricing.
- Assumptions, inclusions and exclusions are stated in writing.
- Quantities are sanity-checked with ratios such as cost per square foot and concrete per square foot of slab.
Communication and turnaround
We confirm turnaround in the quote — typically about 48 hours — and rush options are available when a bid is due soon. If we find missing information we send a short list of questions rather than guessing, and we tell you which assumptions we used if a question cannot be answered in time.
What you receive
- Itemized estimate by CSI division or trade in Excel and PDF
- Quantity takeoff summary and marked-up plans
- Alternates, allowances and unit-price schedule
- Assumptions, inclusions, exclusions and clarifications
- Optional scope sheets, bid-leveling sheets and proposal documents
Drawings workflow
For shop drawings, structural drafting, permit drawings and solar plan sets the steps are similar: you send the contract documents and requirements, we confirm the sheet list and schedule, we draft and coordinate, and we revise after architect, engineer, plan-reviewer or utility comments.
Frequently asked questions
What do you need from me to begin?
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Plans, specifications, addenda and the bid due date. A plan-room link works too.
When is the price confirmed?
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Before any work starts. You receive a firm price and turnaround in writing.
What if addenda are issued during the estimate?
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Send them as soon as they arrive and we update the affected quantities and pricing.
See also how pricing works, our FAQ and sample deliverables.
Get an accurate construction estimate for your next bid
Upload your plans for a free quote on estimating, takeoff, structural or permit drawings. We reply with scope, price and turnaround.
Upload Plans & Get a QuoteBid 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.