Construction estimating services in Denver, CO

Denver's permit volume is heavily multifamily — about 78% of the 4,727 residential units permitted in 2025 were in multifamily buildings, according to the U.S. Census Bureau Building Permits Survey. That means more podium slabs, post-tensioned decks, and shared MEP systems than you would see in a typical single-family market. Expansive soils and freeze-thaw cycles also add over-excavation and frost-depth details that change foundation quantities. If you are pricing a project in Aurora or Colorado Springs, the mix shifts and so does the takeoff emphasis.

We read the geotech report before we measure anything. If it calls for over-excavation, we quantify the unsuitable material by volume, add the structural fill import, and price both separately from the footing concrete. We also check for lime or fly-ash treatment, moisture barriers, and deeper pier foundations where the report requires them. Those items rarely appear on the architectural plans, so they are a common source of missed cost. If your geotech report is not available yet, we note the assumption and flag it for revision.

Yes. At roughly 5,280 feet, air density is lower, so furnaces, boilers, and rooftop units must be derated and ductwork sized accordingly. In a takeoff, we verify equipment schedules against the mechanical drawings rather than copying a sea-level template. We also count diffusers, registers, and grilles by type and size, and measure ductwork by linear feet. If the drawings show standard equipment without altitude corrections, we flag it as a scope gap before pricing.

Hail-resistant assemblies dominate. Class 4 impact-rated shingles are common on residential and light commercial roofs, and we take off underlayment, ice-and-water shield at eaves and valleys, drip edge, and vent flashing as separate line items. On larger buildings, TPO or EPDM membrane is measured by square feet including perimeter termination, and roof drains and scuppers are counted individually. We do not bundle roofing accessories into a square-foot allowance, because that is where bids usually leak money after a hailstorm.

We use RSMeans data adjusted by ZIP code for both material and labor, so the rates reflect the Denver market rather than a national average. That matters because labor availability and wage scales in the Front Range corridor differ from rural Colorado. We do not publish a single wage number because it varies by trade, project type, and union status. If your project has prevailing wage or certified payroll requirements, tell us up front and we will adjust the labor burden accordingly.

You receive an Excel workbook and a PDF organized by CSI MasterFormat division, plus marked-up plan sets showing what we measured. The Excel file is structured so you can adjust quantities, waste factors, and unit costs without rebuilding the estimate. We use Bluebeam Revu and PlanSwift for takeoff, and RSMeans data for pricing. If you need a different format for your estimating software, tell us before we start and we will match it.

Most projects are delivered in 24 to 48 hours. Rush turnaround is available if you have a bid deadline closing sooner. Turnaround depends on the completeness of the plan set — a full architectural, structural, and MEP set takes longer than a single-trade package. If you send partial drawings, we will estimate what is shown and list the assumptions and exclusions so you know what is missing before you bid.

Yes. We cover the Front Range corridor, including Aurora, Colorado Springs, and Fort Collins. Each city has its own permitting office, adopted code editions, and inspection requirements, so we confirm the local jurisdiction before finalizing the estimate. If your project is in a surrounding county or a smaller municipality, send the address and we will verify the applicable codes and fee schedules. Our Colorado construction estimating services cover the entire state.

The permit figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau Building Permits Survey for 2025. They count new privately-owned residential units permitted by the city itself — 4,727 total units, of which 1,027 were single-family and 3,700 were multifamily. The survey does not include commercial permits, renovations, or accessory dwelling units. We use this data to understand the volume and mix of residential construction in Denver, not as a projection of your specific project.

Send the complete plan set — architectural, structural, civil, and MEP — plus the geotech report if you have it. We also need the project address to apply the correct ZIP-code pricing and confirm the local jurisdiction. If you have a bid date, tell us so we can schedule the turnaround. Partial sets are acceptable; we will note what is missing and price the rest. You can get an estimate through our Get an estimate page.