How we estimate residential projects
Residential estimates cover new homes, additions, remodels and multi-family buildings. They are usually organised by trade or by construction stage — foundation, framing, rough-ins, envelope, finishes — so they can be used for budgeting, lender draws or subcontractor comparison.
For renovations, existing conditions and allowances matter as much as the drawings. Allowances for owner-selected finishes are stated clearly rather than buried in unit prices.
Typical projects
- Custom and production single-family homes
- Additions and major renovations
- Townhouses and multi-family buildings
- Accessory dwelling units
- Trade-by-trade or stage-by-stage breakdowns
- Allowance schedules for finishes and fixtures
What to send us
- Architectural plans, elevations and sections
- Structural drawings, if engineered
- Finish selections or allowance targets
- Site information and photos for renovations
What you receive
- Cost breakdown by trade or construction stage
- Quantity takeoffs supporting each trade
- Allowance schedule
- Assumptions and exclusions
The exact contents and format are agreed when we quote the estimate.
Units of measure
- United States and Canada
- Trade-specific units (CY, SF, LF, BF)
- United Kingdom (and metric projects)
- Trade-specific units (m³, m², m)
