HVAC Estimating and Ductwork Takeoff Services

HVAC Estimating Services (Division 23) is the takeoff and pricing of heating, ventilation and air-conditioning equipment, ductwork, piping, controls and insulation from mechanical drawings and specifications.

We take off ductwork by size and gauge, count diffusers and equipment from schedules, and price piping, insulation, controls and test-and-balance so mechanical contractors can bid with confidence.

What we measure and price

Specifications and CSI MasterFormat references

Division 23 includes 23 05 00 Common Work Results for HVAC, 23 31 13 Metal Ducts, 23 73 00 Indoor Central-Station Air-Handling Units and 23 09 00 Instrumentation and Control, with energy-code requirements. We read the specification section alongside the drawings so that products, performance requirements, testing, warranties and allowances are priced the way the solicitation intends — not just what appears on the plan sheets.

Pre-bid review: what we check before pricing

• Scope definition: what is in your trade and what belongs to others, with inclusions and exclusions written down.
• Addenda and bulletins: every addendum is logged and its effect on quantities, alternates and unit prices is carried into the estimate.
• Requests for information (RFIs): conflicts between drawings and specifications are listed so they can be submitted before the question deadline.
• Alternates, allowances and unit prices: priced separately and tied to the bid form so the proposal is complete and responsive.
• Bid form and qualifications: required line items, bond and insurance requirements, prevailing-wage or Davis-Bacon language and any bid-day instructions are flagged.

Pricing considerations that move the number

• Equipment lead times and pricing volatility.
• Ceiling congestion and coordination.
• Insulation, fire dampers and access.
• Controls scope and commissioning.

Submittals and shop drawings for this scope

HVAC submittals are equipment and coordination heavy.

• Equipment submittals and performance data
• Ductwork shop drawings and coordination layouts
• Controls sequences and point lists
• Test and balance reports

We prepare shop drawings and submittal packages for many of these scopes, and we can resubmit after architect or engineer comments.

Common estimating mistakes we help you avoid

• Pricing ductwork by weight without fittings, hangers and insulation
• Missing controls, balancing and commissioning
• Ignoring equipment curbs, pads and rigging
• Not coordinating with sprinklers and electrical above ceilings

What you get

• Marked-up plans showing every count and measurement
• Quantity takeoff organized by area, system and CSI section
• Material, labor, equipment and subcontract pricing (or takeoff only)
• Clear assumptions, inclusions, exclusions, alternates and unit prices
• Excel and PDF files ready to drop into your bid or post-bid scope sheets
• Support on addenda, clarifications and bid leveling after delivery

Who this is for

Mechanical and HVAC contractors, design-build firms and general contractors.

How it works

1. Upload your plans, specifications and addenda, or paste a plan-room link, with your bid due date.
2. We confirm scope, price and turnaround before any work starts.
3. Our estimators complete the takeoff and pricing and a second estimator reviews it.
4. You receive the files and we stay available for addenda, RFIs and post-bid clarifications.

Software and standards

We take off in digital takeoff tools such as PlanSwift and Bluebeam Revu, price with RSMeans-style cost data and your own unit prices where you provide them, schedule in Oracle Primavera P6 or Microsoft Project when needed, and organize quantities by CSI MasterFormat (Division 23). Estimating is done remotely from your drawings, so we support public and private projects in every state.

Why contractors outsource hvac estimating

Bid season compresses the time estimators have for each solicitation. Outsourcing the hvac takeoff and pricing lets your team cover more bids, respond to addenda quickly and keep an independent check on subcontractor and supplier numbers. You keep control of the bid: you review the quantities, adjust unit costs and decide the final price.

Public, private and prevailing-wage projects

We price this scope on public solicitations (IFB, ITB and RFP responses) and private open-shop projects alike. When the solicitation includes a prevailing-wage or Davis-Bacon wage determination, we apply the stated rates and fringe benefits to the labor in each line item and allow for certified payroll administration. See public bid estimating and our prevailing wage guide.

Related services and pages

Combine this scope with quantity takeoff, bid leveling and proposal support, pre-bid and post-bid support, shop drawings and CPM scheduling. Browse every CSI division page, read the CSI MasterFormat guide or check the bidding glossary.