Frequently asked questions
Getting started
What does Precision Costing do?
We prepare construction cost estimates and quantity takeoffs from drawings and specifications. Work can cover a single trade, such as concrete or drywall, or a whole project, and is available for projects in the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada.
Who are your estimates for?
General contractors preparing bids, subcontractors pricing a trade scope, developers and owners setting budgets, and material suppliers who need quantities from a customer’s plans in order to quote.
How do I request an estimate?
Fill in the estimate request form with the project type, location, the trades you need priced and your deadline. We reply by email, ask for the drawings and anything else we need, and confirm the scope, price and delivery date of the estimate before starting.
Drawings and documents
What documents do you need?
Ideally the full drawing set for the trades being priced (architectural, structural, and civil where relevant), the specifications or finish schedules, any addenda, and a note of what is in and out of your scope. A geotechnical report helps for earthwork and foundations.
What file formats can I send?
PDF drawing sets are the usual starting point. If your documents are only available in another format, mention it in your request and we will confirm whether we can work from them. The website form does not accept uploads; we send a way to share files after we receive your request.
Can you estimate from incomplete or early-stage drawings?
Yes, but the result is a conceptual or preliminary estimate rather than a detailed one. Scope that is not yet designed is carried as stated allowances, and the assumptions are listed so the estimate can be updated as the design develops.
What you receive
What does an estimate include?
Measured quantities for each item in scope, and — when pricing is requested — material, labor and equipment costs, organised by trade, CSI division or NRM element. Every estimate lists its assumptions and exclusions. The exact format, such as a spreadsheet layout or a bid-form structure, is agreed in the quote.
Can I get quantities without pricing?
Yes. Many subcontractors and suppliers apply their own rates and only need the takeoff. Say “quantities only” in your request and list the units you price in.
What happens if the drawings change or an addendum is issued?
Tell us as soon as it is issued. How revisions are handled — what is included and what is quoted separately — is set out in the quote for each estimate.
Is an estimate a guarantee of the final cost?
No. An estimate is an opinion of cost based on the documents provided, the stated assumptions and pricing at a point in time. Actual bids and final costs also depend on market conditions, contractor pricing, scope changes and site conditions.
Pricing and timing
How much does an estimate cost?
Each estimate is quoted individually after we review the documents. The price depends on the size and complexity of the project, the number of trades, how complete the drawings are, whether you need pricing or quantities only, and the deadline. There is no fixed price list.
How long does an estimate take?
It depends on the same factors as price. We confirm a delivery date in the quote before work starts, so if you have a bid deadline, include it in your request.
Locations and standards
Which countries do you work in?
The United States, the United Kingdom and Canada. We work remotely from the documents you provide, using the project location for pricing.
Do you use imperial or metric units?
US projects are measured in imperial units, typically organised by CSI MasterFormat. UK projects are measured in metric units, typically following RICS NRM. Canadian projects can be either, so we confirm the unit system with you.
Still have a question?
Send it through the contact form, or go straight to the estimate request if your drawings are ready.