Our Estimating Methodology
How we turn your drawings into takeoffs and estimates you can check, line by line.
Why does the review step matter?
Most estimating errors start on the drawings, not in the field: a sheet printed at the wrong scale, a note on a structural detail, or a fixture that appears on the schedule but not on the plan. A takeoff that is not checked against the schedules and specifications carries those errors straight into your bid.
That is why every F&K Estimatings takeoff is marked up on the drawings and reviewed before delivery. You can see exactly what was measured, and the assumptions and exclusions are written down instead of hidden in a total.
Plan and scope review
We cross-reference architectural finish schedules, structural details and MEP sheets to find scope that is missing, duplicated or conflicting.
Localized pricing
Priced estimates use localized RSMeans-based cost data with location factors for the project ZIP code, or your own labor rates and supplier pricing.
What are the five steps in every takeoff?
Document review
We list every sheet, revision and specification section received, check drawing scales, and note conflicts between disciplines (for example, ductwork shown through a beam, or mechanical equipment with no electrical connection). Questions go into an RFI list you can send to the design team.
Digital measurement
Quantities are measured on screen in PlanSwift and Bluebeam Revu: areas, lengths, counts and volumes. Each item is drawn on its own colored layer so the markup shows exactly what was counted.
Pricing (priced estimates only)
Labor, material and equipment are priced with RSMeans-based localized cost data for the project ZIP code, or with your own rates and supplier quotes. Labor units, crew assumptions and waste allowances are written into the workbook.
Review before delivery
Before delivery the takeoff is checked against the drawings and schedules: counts are compared with fixture, door and equipment schedules, large quantities are sanity-checked, and missing scope is listed as an exclusion or RFI.
Delivery and questions
You receive an editable Excel workbook organized by CSI MasterFormat division and color-coded PDF markups. If you find a quantity that does not match the documents we used, we review and correct it.
Which standards and references do we use?
- CSI MasterFormat division structure
- RSMeans-based localized cost data
- Trade labor units (e.g. NECA, MCAA) for priced estimates
- Code references on the drawings (e.g. NEC, ACI) for measurement rules
See how this applies to electrical, MEP and concrete takeoffs, or compare pricing.
Send plans for a quote
You will receive a written quote with the fee and delivery date, usually the same business day. Standard turnaround is 24–48 hours for a single trade; 2–5 business days for multi-trade or large projects.
Submit Plans For Estimate