Multifamily takeoffs
Unit-by-unit quantities for podium, wrap and garden apartments common across San Diego's 88% multifamily permit mix.
EA · SF · CYSan Diego, CA
Construction estimating services in San Diego, CA
Scope Precision Estimate produces CSI MasterFormat takeoffs for San Diego contractors, developers, architects and owners. We price from your plans and specs with ZIP-code-adjusted material and labor rates, delivered in 24–48 hours as Excel and PDF with marked-up plan sets.
24–48 hours for most projectsTypical turnaround
Every CSI divisionSitework through MEP
San Diego ZIP pricingLocal material and labor
Price confirmed firstBefore any work starts
Census BPS · San Diego · 2025Real permit data
San Diego new housing permits2025
New housing units6,828Change vs. 2024+3%Permitted construction value$1.2BAverage value per unit$176,400Rank among covered California cities#2
Single-family: 819 (12%)Multifamily: 6,009 (88%)
U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2025. Residential only.
What makes construction estimating in San Diego different?
San Diego bidding turns on coastal corrosion specs, hillside and canyon grading, cut-and-fill foundation design, Title 24 energy compliance, and a permit mix that is 88% multifamily. Add prevailing-wage and school-district work, and unit costs swing widely between Chula Vista, Carlsbad and downtown infill.
- San Diego permitted 6,828 new housing units in 2025, #2 among the California cities we cover.
- About 88% were in multifamily buildings; 12% were single-family.
- Permit volume was up 3% compared with 2024.
San Diego County construction runs from downtown high-rise and mixed-use infill to coastal residential in La Jolla, Del Mar and Carlsbad, plus inland industrial and logistics work near Otay Mesa and the I-15 corridor. Each of those markets carries different cost drivers: salt-air exposure and corrosion-resistant coatings near the water, canyon-edge shoring and deep footings on hillside lots, and long haul distances for cut spoil on inland sites. Permitting costs in California stay elevated, and housing shortages keep competition tight on every multifamily bid.
We build takeoffs that match how you buy the work. Concrete is measured by CY with formwork by SFCA, structural steel by TON, framing by board feet and LF of plate, roofing by square, and MEP by LF of pipe and count of fixtures and devices. Every quantity is organized by CSI MasterFormat division so your subcontractor quotes line up with your bid form. If you bid across the region, our California construction estimating page covers the state-level cost picture, and we also produce Los Angeles construction estimating and San Jose construction estimating takeoffs for contractors working multiple metros.
- Coverage
- San Diego and nearby California communities
- Deliverable
- Excel estimate + marked-up PDF plans
- Pricing basis
- San Diego ZIP-code material and labor costs
- Turnaround
- 24–48 hours for most projects
- Software
- Bluebeam Revu, PlanSwift, RSMeans data
01
For bidders. You get division-by-division quantities, waste factors and a marked-up plan set you can hand to subs, so your bid form closes without a last-minute scope scramble.
02
For builders. We quantify what you self-perform — concrete, framing, roofing, MEP rough-in — and flag scope gaps before you sign a subcontract on a hillside or coastal job.
03
For owners. Use our takeoff as a check on contractor proposals and change orders, with quantities you can trace back to a highlighted sheet and a detail callout.
San Diego by the numbers
San Diego's residential construction pipeline
Select a bar to compare San Diego with the largest California markets we cover.
6,828New housing units, 2025
18.7%Of all units in the California cities we cover
$1.2BPermitted residential value
88%In multifamily buildings
New housing units permitted in 2025. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey.
This city
San Diego
6,828 new housing units in 2025 (+3.2% vs 2024).
819 single-family · 6,009 multifamily (88%).
Permit volume says multifamily, not single-family
San Diego issued 6,828 new privately-owned residential units in 2025, up 3% from 6,615 in 2024, per the U.S. Census Bureau Building Permits Survey. Of those, 6,009 units — 88% — were multifamily, against 819 single-family. Permitted value reached $1.2B, an average of $176,400 per unit. For bidders, that mix means your estimating effort belongs on Type III and Type V over podium and wrap construction, not tract houses: unit-mix matrices, repeated floor plans, corridor and stair cores, and garage decks. The city ranked 2 of 25 covered state cities by units and accounted for 18.7% of the 36,591 units permitted statewide, so San Diego pricing is a major share of California volume. Our multi-family estimating services page shows how we structure those takeoffs.
What the average unit value hides
At $176,400 per permitted unit, San Diego sits in high-cost territory, but that average blends a Carlsbad townhome with a downtown tower unit over structured parking. When you estimate here, separate the drivers: excavation and shoring depth, podium concrete volume, exterior skin (stucco, fiber cement, or curtain wall), and the mechanical scope for Title 24 compliance. Parking ratio drives cost more than unit count on infill sites, and coastal projects add corrosion-resistant fasteners, membranes and coatings that inland jobs in Santee or Escondido do not carry. Compare your numbers against regional benchmarks rather than a single per-unit figure, and check the commercial estimating services page if your project includes ground-floor retail or office.
Services
Construction estimating services in San Diego
We prepare quantity takeoffs and bid estimates for the project types that dominate San Diego County, priced with ZIP-code-adjusted material and labor data.
Sitework and grading
Cut and fill volumes, shoring, export haul and utility trenching for canyon-edge and hillside lots.
CY · LF · TONConcrete and foundations
Footings, mat slabs, podium decks and retaining walls, with formwork measured by contact area.
CY · SFCA · TONFraming takeoffs
Wood and light-gauge studs, joists, sheathing and hardware counted from plan and elevation sheets.
BF · LF · EARoofing and waterproofing
Low-slope membrane, tile and shingle systems with flashing, deck and coastal corrosion detailing.
SQ · LFMEP estimating
Plumbing, HVAC and electrical rough-in sized for Title 24 compliance and high-rise riser layouts.
LF · EA · TONCommercial and TI
Tenant improvements, retail shells and office fit-outs in downtown, UTC and Kearny Mesa.
SF · EA · LFIndustrial and warehouse
Tilt-up, slab-on-grade and racking-ready shells near Otay Mesa and the I-15 corridor.
SF · CY · TONWho we provide estimates for
Who we prepare San Diego estimates for
General contractors
You bid downtown infill and coastal remodels against tight schedules. We deliver division-by-division quantities fast so your bid form closes without a last-minute scope scramble on La Jolla or Otay Mesa jobs.
Subcontractors
Your concrete, framing, roofing or MEP scope needs quantities you can trust. We measure formwork by SFCA, pipe by LF and devices by count, so your quote matches the GC's bid form.
Developers
You need a pro forma check before land close or a construction loan draw. We quantify the residential and mixed-use units you plan, tying each line to a highlighted sheet and detail callout.
Architects
Your permit set needs a cost check before it goes to the city. We flag missing scope in the drawings, such as roof drainage or fire-rated assemblies, before it becomes a change order.
Owners and facility managers
You compare contractor proposals for a tenant improvement or a building addition. Our takeoff gives you traceable quantities to test each bid and each change order.
Property investors
You underwrite fix-and-flips or small multifamily in Chula Vista or El Cajon. We measure the hard costs so your repair budget reflects real quantities, not a rule of thumb.
Where we provide estimates
San Diego areas and nearby communities we cover
We cover projects across San Diego County, from coastal neighborhoods to inland suburbs. If your job is near one of these areas, we can match the takeoff to local conditions and haul routes.
Downtown and central
- Downtown San Diego
- East Village
- Little Italy
- Bankers Hill
- North Park
- Hillcrest
- Mission Valley
Coastal and north county
- La Jolla
- Pacific Beach
- Del Mar
- Solana Beach
- Encinitas
- Carlsbad
- Oceanside
Inland and east county
- Chula Vista
- El Cajon
- La Mesa
- Santee
- Poway
- Escondido
- Otay Mesa
Nearby metros we also serve
Property types
Types of San Diego properties we estimate
San Diego's 2025 permit mix is heavily multifamily: about 88% of new privately-owned residential units are in multifamily buildings, with single-family making up the rest. That mix shapes where the estimating risk sits.
Multifamily apartments
Wood-frame and podium projects in East Village, North Park and Chula Vista. We quantify unit-by-unit finishes, common-area MEP and sitework, and separate Type III and Type V construction costs.
Watch for: Unit mix changes, balcony railings, trash chutes, fire-rated assemblies.
Single-family homes
Custom and tract homes on hillside lots in La Jolla, Poway and Encinitas. We measure framing by board feet, foundations by CY, and roofing by square with coastal wind uplift.
Watch for: Retaining walls, slope drainage, Title 24 envelope details.
Mixed-use infill
Ground-floor retail with apartments above in Little Italy and Hillcrest. We separate podium concrete, structural steel, and residential framing so each subcontractor bids the right scope.
Watch for: Podium transfer slabs, storefront glazing, separate utility metering.
Tenant improvements
Office, clinic and restaurant build-outs downtown and in Mission Valley. We count partitions by LF, ceiling by SF, and MEP devices by fixture, matching landlord and tenant scopes.
Watch for: Demising walls, grease duct, ADA restroom counts.
Industrial and logistics
Warehouse and light manufacturing near Otay Mesa and the I-15 corridor. We quantify tilt-up panels by SF, slab by SF, and racking foundations by count, with long-haul spoil in mind.
Watch for: Slab flatness, dock equipment, fire sprinkler density.
Coastal residential remodels
Additions and renovations in Del Mar, Solana Beach and Pacific Beach. We measure selective demolition, corrosion-resistant fasteners and coatings, and new framing tied to existing structure.
Watch for: Salt-air corrosion, stucco patching, window replacement.
Local factors
What changes a construction estimate in San Diego
San Diego pricing moves with code cycle, soil conditions and coastal exposure. These are the drivers we check before we send a takeoff.
Permitting and code cycle
California adopts new building, energy and fire code editions on a three-year cycle, and San Diego County cities amend them locally. Permit fees, plan-check comments and inspection sequencing add cost and time. We organize takeoffs by CSI MasterFormat division so you can tie quantities to the permit set. Confirm the adopted code edition and local amendments with the city or county building department before you bid.
IBC · CBC · Title 24 · local building departmentSoils and foundations
Hillside lots in La Jolla, Poway and Encinitas often need deep footings, caissons or pier-and-grade-beam systems. Expansive clay and undocumented fill inland can require over-excavation and recompaction. We quantify concrete by CY, formwork by SFCA and reinforcement by TON, and flag shoring and dewatering as separate line items. A geotechnical report is the input we need to price foundation scope correctly.
geotechnical report · caissons · over-excavation · shoringCoastal climate and hazards
Salt air within a few miles of the ocean drives corrosion-resistant fasteners, stainless steel flashing and marine-grade coatings. Wildfire zones in the inland foothills trigger ignition-resistant detailing under Chapter 7A. Seismic design categories D and E add hold-downs, shear-nailing and moment frames. Each of these changes material counts and labor hours, so we price them as separate assemblies rather than burying them in a general condition.
Chapter 7A · seismic design category · salt-air corrosion · wind upliftLabor market and wage rules
San Diego construction labor is tight, and many public and publicly funded projects carry California prevailing wage and skilled-and-trained workforce requirements. That shifts labor rates and crew mix compared with private work. We apply ZIP-code-adjusted labor pricing and keep Davis-Bacon or state wage determinations separate when your project requires them. Tell us the funding source at bid time so we load the right rate.
prevailing wage · DIR · skilled-and-trained workforce · ZIP-code laborSite work, drainage and land use
Canyon-edge sites need shoring, drainage swales and slope stabilization, while flat inland parcels may need import or export of spoil with long haul distances. Stormwater requirements under the municipal NPDES permit add BMPs, and coastal development permits add review time. We quantify cut and fill by CY, pipe by LF and erosion control by SF, and list haul and disposal as a separate line.
NPDES · coastal development permit · cut and fill · erosion controlMaterials, logistics and taxes
Most structural materials arrive by truck from Los Angeles or the Inland Empire, so freight and fuel surcharges affect unit prices. Sales tax applies to materials, and California's tax rate varies by city and county, which changes the bottom line on material-heavy scopes. We use RSMeans data adjusted to the project ZIP code and show sales tax as a separate line so you can update it if your vendor's rate differs.
RSMeans · sales tax · freight surcharge · ZIP-code adjustmentSan Diego estimating guide
How San Diego conditions show up in a takeoff, trade by trade
San Diego's mix of coastal exposure, expansive soils, and a multifamily-heavy pipeline changes what you measure and how you price it. Here is how we read those conditions trade by trade.
Sitework and drainage
San Diego's canyons, mesas, and seasonal storm flows drive earthwork quantities well beyond a simple cut-fill balance. We measure clearing by acre, mass excavation by cubic yard, and import/export by truckload, then separate on-site haul from off-site disposal because the two carry different rates. In coastal and hillside areas, you will also see permanent erosion control, desilting basins, and energy dissipators specified. Confirm with the local building department whether your project triggers a drainage study or a specific stormwater control plan. Our sitework estimating services break these items out so you can see the dirt balance before you bid.
Framing and structural
Wood framing dominates low-rise residential and mixed-use, but you will also see structural steel and light-gauge metal studs on podium and commercial projects. We count studs by length and spacing, plates by linear foot, joists and rafters by piece with waste, and sheathing by sheet. Hold-downs, anchor bolts, and shear nailing schedules are separate line items because they are easy to miss. On hillside homes, cantilevered decks and stepped foundations change the framing takeoff significantly. Check the adopted code edition for wind and seismic detailing with the local building department. Visit our framing estimating services page for how we organize these quantities.
MEP and life safety
Title 24 energy requirements shape HVAC sizing, duct insulation, and lighting controls on nearly every project in the city. We count plumbing fixtures by type, pipe by linear foot and diameter, ductwork by pound or square foot, and electrical devices by count. Fire sprinkler coverage is common in multifamily and commercial buildings, and NFPA 13 compliance affects head counts and pipe routing. On mixed-use podium projects, separate metering and riser diagrams add scope. Verify the adopted California code editions and any local amendments with the building department. Our MEP estimating services organize these divisions so nothing falls between trades.
Concrete and foundations
Expansive clays and undocumented fill are common across the county, so foundation scopes often include over-excavation, import of engineered fill, and deeper footings than a standard prescriptive design would require. We take off footing and stem wall formwork by square foot of contact area, rebar by pound with lap and dowel allowances, and concrete by cubic yard with a typical 5–10% waste factor. Post-tension slabs, mat foundations, and grade beams appear on multifamily and commercial work. Review the geotechnical report before you finalize quantities. Our concrete estimating services and foundation estimating services cover both residential and commercial foundation systems.
Roofing and waterproofing
Coastal San Diego sees salt air, marine layer moisture, and occasional Santa Ana winds, so roofing assemblies often specify corrosion-resistant fasteners and enhanced underlayment. We measure roof area by square (100 square feet), include hip and valley waste, and separate flat membrane from steep-slope tile or shingle. Flashing, counterflashing, and roof-to-wall transitions are linear-foot items that regularly get missed. On multifamily buildings, you may also see deck coatings and pedestrian waterproofing. Confirm the required fire classification and cool-roof requirements with the local building department. Our roofing estimating services handle both residential re-roofs and commercial membrane systems.
Scope gaps we see on San Diego bids
- Over-excavation and import fill are often excluded from the base bid, leaving the contractor to absorb unsuitable soil removal.
- Deferred submittals for structural steel, trusses, and fire sprinklers are not priced, and their coordination costs are missed.
- Coastal corrosion protection, stainless fasteners, and special coatings are omitted on projects within a few miles of the ocean.
- Title 24 commissioning, testing, and verification are left out of the electrical and mechanical scopes.
- Final cleaning, haul-off, and disposal fees are missing, especially on hillside sites with limited access.
- Temporary erosion control, SWPPP maintenance, and dust control are not carried through the construction duration.
Free tool
Concrete volume calculator
Quick check for a single element. For a full drawing set, send the plans and we measure everything, including the items calculators miss.
Typical waste: 3–5% for slabs, 5–10% for footings and walls. Truck count assumes 10 CY loads; confirm load size with your ready-mix supplier.
Result
19.4CY
Net volume18.5 CY
Cubic feet500 CF
Ready-mix trucks (10 CY)2
80 lb bags (premix)875
Need the full takeoff with pricing? Upload your plans.
How it works
How we estimate a San Diego project
- Read the full setArchitectural, structural, civil and MEP drawings, the geotechnical report and every addendum.
- Check San Diego conditionsLocal code edition, site and drainage requirements, soils and any hazard rules are confirmed before the takeoff starts.
- Take off by CSI sectionQuantities measured and color-coded on the plans, so every number traces to a sheet.
- Price to San DiegoMaterial and labor costs adjusted to the project ZIP code, or to your own supplier quotes and crew rates.
- Check and deliverA second estimator checks quantities before the estimate goes out.
Sample output
Sample takeoff: San Diego multifamily podium project
| Section | Line item | Qty | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 03 30 00 | Cast-in-place concrete, footings | 185 | CY |
| 03 30 00 | Cast-in-place concrete, slab on grade | 420 | CY |
| 04 20 00 | CMU block, exterior walls | 12,500 | SF |
| 05 12 00 | Structural steel, podium framing | 48 | TON |
| 06 10 00 | Wood framing, studs and plates | 38,000 | LF |
| 07 21 00 | Batt insulation, exterior walls | 22,000 | SF |
| 09 30 00 | Tile, unit bathrooms and kitchens | 9,800 | SF |
| 22 11 00 | Plumbing pipe, domestic water | 6,400 | LF |
Worked example: footing concrete for a San Diego multifamily building
This example uses a continuous strip footing for a three-story multifamily building on a site with expansive soil. Dimensions are illustrative and must be replaced with your project's actual footing schedule and geotechnical recommendations.
Assume a perimeter footing 180 feet long, 24 inches wide, and 18 inches deep. Convert depth to feet: 18 in ÷ 12 = 1.5 ft. Volume per linear foot = 2 ft × 1.5 ft = 3.0 CF. Total volume = 180 LF × 3.0 CF = 540 CF. Convert to cubic yards: 540 ÷ 27 = 20.0 CY. Add a typical 7% waste factor for over-excavation and spillage: 20.0 × 1.07 = 21.4 CY. Round up to 21.5 CY.
| Step | Calculation | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Footing length | Given | 180 LF |
| Width × depth | 2 ft × 1.5 ft | 3.0 CF/LF |
| Total volume | 180 LF × 3.0 CF/LF | 540 CF |
| Convert to CY | 540 ÷ 27 | 20.0 CY |
| Add 7% waste | 20.0 × 1.07 | 21.4 CY |
| Order quantity | Round up | 21.5 CY |
If the geotechnical report calls for over-excavation and replacement, you must add that volume separately. For a 2-foot over-excavation below the footing, the additional volume would be 180 LF × 2 ft × 2 ft = 720 CF, or 26.7 CY, before any waste. That import fill is a separate line item with its own compaction and testing costs. Always cross-check your quantities against the structural drawings and the soils report before you finalize your bid. Our concrete estimating services can help you build this level of detail into every foundation takeoff.
FAQ
San Diego construction estimating questions
Where does the permit data on this page come from?
The permit figures we cite come from the U.S. Census Bureau's Building Permits Survey. They count new privately-owned residential units permitted by the city itself, not the entire metro area. For 2025, that was 6,828 total units, with 819 single-family and 6,009 multifamily units. The data is useful for understanding market direction, but it does not include commercial or industrial permits, and it does not tell you what any specific project will cost. Use it as context, not as a pricing input.
Do you need the geotechnical report to estimate foundations in San Diego?
Yes, if one exists. Expansive soils, undocumented fill, and high groundwater can change footing depths, reinforcement, and the need for over-excavation. Without the report, we estimate from the structural drawings and note assumptions. If the report later shows a need for deeper footings or import fill, those quantities are added as a separate line item. Providing the geotech report up front reduces the number of assumptions and makes your bid more accurate.
How do you handle Title 24 energy requirements in a takeoff?
We review the Title 24 compliance documentation for the project and extract the prescriptive or performance requirements that affect the takeoff: insulation R-values, window U-factors and SHGC, HVAC efficiency, duct sealing, and lighting controls. These become specific line items in the relevant divisions. If the compliance documentation is not available, we estimate based on the drawings and note that the final requirements may change. Always confirm the adopted code edition with the local building department.
What is the typical turnaround for a San Diego estimate?
Most projects are returned within 24 to 48 hours. Rush service is available for time-sensitive bids. The actual time depends on the size and complexity of the project and the completeness of the documents you send. A single-family addition with full plans may be faster than a podium multifamily building with deferred submittals. We will confirm the schedule when we receive your plans.
Can you estimate projects in nearby cities like Los Angeles or San Jose?
Yes. We cover San Diego County and the surrounding region, and we also produce estimates for projects in Los Angeles, San Jose, San Francisco, and Fresno. Each estimate uses ZIP-code-adjusted material and labor pricing for the project location, so the numbers reflect local costs. If your project is in a different city, let us know the address and we will apply the correct pricing basis.
What formats do you deliver estimates in?
We deliver Excel workbooks and PDF reports organized by CSI MasterFormat division. You also receive marked-up plan sets showing what we measured. The Excel file is structured so you can sort, filter, and adjust quantities. The PDF is suitable for sharing with your team or client. If you have a specific template you prefer, we can usually accommodate it.
How do you account for coastal corrosion in material pricing?
For projects within a few miles of the coast, we specify corrosion-resistant fasteners, connectors, and coatings where the drawings or specifications call for them. If the drawings do not specify, we note the exposure and include an allowance based on typical practice for the area. The exact requirements depend on the project's proximity to saltwater and the design professional's specifications. Always confirm with the local building department and the project architect.
Do you estimate both residential and commercial projects?
Yes. We estimate single-family homes, multifamily buildings, mixed-use podium projects, commercial tenant improvements, and light industrial work. Our residential estimating services cover custom homes and tract housing, while our commercial estimating services cover retail, office, and hospitality. The takeoff method is the same, but the scope and detail level change with the project type.
What information do you need to start an estimate?
Send us the architectural, structural, civil, and MEP drawings, plus any specifications, geotechnical reports, and Title 24 documents you have. If you have a bid date, tell us. We will confirm receipt and let you know if anything is missing. The more complete the documents, the fewer assumptions we have to make. You can upload plans directly through our get an estimate page.
How do you handle waste factors in your takeoffs?
We apply waste factors by material and installation method. Concrete typically gets 5–10%, framing lumber 5–10%, drywall 10–15%, and roofing 10–15% depending on roof complexity. These are typical ranges, not fixed rules. We state the waste factor we used for each line item so you can adjust it if your crew's experience differs. Waste is shown separately from net quantity so you can see the basis.
Other California cities we cover
Popular services in San Diego
Send your San Diego project plans for a quote
Upload your drawings and we will return a detailed, CSI-organized estimate with marked-up plans, typically within 24–48 hours.
- We review the set and check for missing sheets or addenda.
- You get a quote with a price and a delivery date.
- You approve and we start the takeoff.
- You receive the Excel estimate and marked-up plans.