Solar Estimating and Takeoff Services for Solar Contractors

Solar Estimating is the takeoff and pricing of a photovoltaic system: modules, inverters, racking, electrical balance of system, trenching, interconnection and installation labor.

We estimate panels, inverters, racking, electrical balance-of-system, trenching and labor so solar contractors can price confidently on residential, commercial, ground-mount and carport projects.

How we estimate PV projects

We start from the system size and design — module count, string layout, inverter type, racking and roof or ground conditions — and measure conduit, wire, disconnects, combiner boxes, trenching and foundations. Pricing separates equipment, materials, labor and subcontract items so you can adjust it to your supplier quotes and crew productivity.

What you receive

• Equipment and balance-of-system takeoff
• Racking, conduit and wire quantities
• Labor and equipment pricing
• Allowances for permits, interconnection and inspections
• Excel and PDF deliverables

Technical scope and terminology we work with

• PV modules, inverters, optimizers, microinverters and racking
• DC and AC wiring, conduit, disconnects and combiner boxes
• Trenching, foundations, piles and ballast
• Interconnection, metering and monitoring
• Residential, commercial, ground-mount and carport systems

Who this service is for

Solar installers, EPCs, electrical contractors and developers.

How it works

1. Send the design, equipment list and site information.
2. We confirm scope and price.
3. We prepare the takeoff and estimate.
4. We update it when design or equipment changes.

Software, standards and file formats

We work in PlanSwift and Bluebeam Revu for digital takeoff and markup, Excel and RSMeans-style cost data for pricing, Oracle Primavera P6 and Microsoft Project for scheduling, and AutoCAD-compatible formats for drawings. Deliverables are provided as Excel, PDF and, where relevant, DWG files, organized by CSI MasterFormat.

When to use this service

Use solar 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 solar 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

• Construction estimating and quantity takeoff
• Pre-bid, solicitation response and post-bid support
• Shop drawings, structural drafting and permit drawings
• Public bid estimating, pricing, samples, FAQ and bidding glossary

What a solar estimate covers

A solar estimate prices every part of a photovoltaic installation: PV modules, inverters (string, micro or central), optimizers, racking and attachments, DC and AC wiring, conduit, disconnects, combiner boxes, monitoring, meters, point of interconnection equipment and labor. For ground-mount and carport systems we also take off earthwork, foundations (driven piles or ballasted footings), trenching, fencing and site restoration.

Roof, ground-mount and carport systems

• Residential rooftop: array layout on roof planes, setbacks and fire pathways, attachment spacing, conduit runs, service-panel work and permit allowances.
• Commercial rooftop: ballasted or attached racking, roof penetrations and flashing, string and inverter layout, trenching and tie-in to switchgear.
• Ground-mount: pile or foundation counts, tracker or fixed-tilt racking, trenching, fencing, access roads and stormwater items.
• Carports and canopies: structural steel, foundations, lighting and EV-charging provisions.

Pricing variables

Equipment pricing changes with supply conditions and incentives, and installation labor depends on roof access, pitch, conduit length and utility requirements. We separate material, labor, equipment and subcontract costs and list allowances for permits, interconnection fees and inspections so you can adjust them to your own pricing.

Combine with permit drawings

Most installers order the estimate together with a solar permit plan set so quantities, string design and the single-line diagram agree. See our overview of solar permit and design services, the subcontractor services page and the FAQ.

Frequently requested solar scopes

• Residential rooftop PV with battery storage allowances
• Commercial rooftop and ground-mount PV
• Carport PV and EV-charging infrastructure
• Takeoff-only quantities for installers who price materials themselves