Concrete Estimating Services

Post-tensioned slabs require a different takeoff approach. We measure the slab area and thickness for concrete volume, but we also take off the post-tensioning tendons, anchors, and sheathing separately. Tendons are measured in linear feet from the placing drawings, and we count anchors and couplers by each. We also note the required shoring and stressing sequence, which can affect the formwork schedule. If the drawings do not include a tendon layout, we note the assumption and recommend you obtain it from the engineer. We do not design post-tensioning systems; we only quantify what is shown.

SFCA stands for square feet of contact area. It is the actual surface area of formwork that touches concrete. Slab area is the horizontal surface of a slab. For walls and beams, SFCA is much larger than the slab area because formwork is needed on both sides and the bottom. If a takeoff uses slab area for wall formwork, it will significantly understate the formwork labor and material. We measure SFCA for every element and list it separately under CSI 03 10 00. This ensures your bid reflects the true cost of forming.

Yes. We take off rebar by bar size from the placing drawings, and we include lap splices, dowels, and bar chairs. Lap splices are calculated based on the specified lap length, which depends on bar size and concrete cover. Dowels are counted from the foundation schedule or details. Bar chairs are estimated based on typical spacing. If the placing drawings are not available, we use the structural details and note the assumption. This prevents the common gap where rebar is taken off by bar marks alone, missing the additional weight from laps and dowels.

We price each mix design separately using ZIP-code-adjusted material and labor rates from RSMeans data. The price per cubic yard depends on the specified compressive strength, aggregate size, slump, and air entrainment. For example, a 4,000 psi mix with 3/4-inch aggregate for a slab-on-grade will price differently than a 5,000 psi mix with 1-inch aggregate for a footing. We list each application as a separate line item so you can see the cost breakdown. We also add waste and overpour as a separate line, typically 5% to 10% depending on the element.

Most concrete estimates are delivered within 24 to 48 hours after we receive the complete set of drawings and specifications. Rush service is available for an additional fee. The turnaround depends on the project size and complexity. For a single-family foundation, we can often deliver in 24 hours. For a multi-story commercial building with elevated slabs and post-tensioning, it may take 48 hours or more. We will confirm the schedule when you send the documents. If you have a specific bid date, let us know and we will prioritize accordingly.

We can estimate any portion of the concrete scope. Many clients ask for foundation-only pricing to compare with a subcontractor's bid. We can also take off just the elevated slabs, walls, or rebar. If you need a partial takeoff, send the relevant sheets and we will focus on that scope. We will note any assumptions about items that are not included, such as sitework or MEP rough-in. If you later need the full package, we can add the remaining scope. Our pricing is based on the quantity of work, not a flat project fee.

We add waste and overpour as a separate line item so you can see the allowance and adjust it based on your own historical data. Typical waste factors for concrete range from 5% to 10% depending on the element type and placement method. Footings and walls may have higher overpour if excavation is irregular. Slabs on grade typically have less waste. We apply a percentage to the net concrete volume and show it as a separate line in the Excel workbook. This transparency lets you compare our allowance with your own experience and make adjustments.

We use Bluebeam Revu for plan markup and measurement, PlanSwift for quantity takeoff, and RSMeans data for pricing. Bluebeam Revu allows us to measure lengths and areas directly on the digital plans and mark up the sheets so you can see exactly what we measured. PlanSwift helps us organize quantities by CSI MasterFormat division and generate the Excel workbook. RSMeans data provides ZIP-code-adjusted material and labor rates. We also use these tools to cross-check dimensions and catch discrepancies between plan and details. The final deliverables are in Excel and PDF, with marked-up plan sets.

We provide a rebar list by bar size, including dowels, lap splices, and chairs. If the placing drawings include a bend schedule, we can take off the bent bars as shown. If not, we list the straight bars and note that bent bars are excluded. For a full bar list with bend schedules, we recommend our Rebar Estimating Services, which specializes in that scope. We can also coordinate with your fabricator if you provide the bar list for verification. Our goal is to give you quantities that match how the rebar is purchased and installed.

Shoring and reshoring are means-and-methods items, but they affect the cost of elevated slabs. We include them as a separate line item based on the deck area and the number of levels. The quantity is typically measured in square feet of deck area per level, with the number of reshoring levels determined by the construction sequence. If the drawings specify a shoring plan, we follow it. If not, we note the assumption and recommend you confirm with your superintendent. This prevents the common gap where shoring is omitted from the concrete estimate and later becomes a change order.

Cast-in-place concrete is placed and formed on site, so we take off formwork, rebar, and concrete volume. Precast concrete is manufactured off site and delivered to the project, so we take off the precast units by piece, including connections and grouting. Architectural precast is a separate CSI section, 03 45 00. If your project includes both, we will list them separately. Precast requires coordination with the precast fabricator's shop drawings, which may not be available at bid time. We note any assumptions and recommend you confirm with the fabricator.

Yes. Many general contractors use our takeoff as a baseline to compare subcontractor bids. We provide a line-by-line quantity takeoff in Excel, organized by CSI MasterFormat Division 03. You can check each subcontractor's quantity against our independent measure. If a bid is significantly lower or higher, you can see which line items differ. We also mark up the plans so you can trace every quantity. This helps you identify scope gaps or mathematical errors before you award the contract. We do not provide bid leveling services, but our takeoff gives you the data to do it yourself.

Our concrete takeoff services include a full concrete quantity takeoff for footings, pile caps, grade beams, slab-on-grade, and elevated slabs. We measure concrete formwork in square feet of contact area (SFCA), break out rebar by bar size with lap splices and dowels, and list welded wire reinforcement by area. Each line is tied to CSI Division 03 and Division 05, with ready-mix concrete volumes by mix design and a marked-up plan set. Deliverables are Excel and PDF, ready for your bid package.

A concrete estimator performs rebar takeoff by bar size, then converts to tonnage using published unit weights. We include dowels, lap splices, chairs, and welded wire reinforcement, and we note bend schedules where the drawings provide them. For concrete reinforcing estimating, we separate Division 03 concrete from Division 05 reinforcing so your bid package shows each scope clearly. We use on-screen takeoff and concrete estimating software to mark every bar on the plan set.

Yes. Concrete flatwork estimating covers slab-on-grade, sidewalks, aprons, and pads by square feet and thickness, while concrete foundation estimating covers footings, pile caps, piers, and grade beams by linear feet and volume. We keep them as separate line groups so you can compare subcontractor quotes. Both use the same concrete quantity takeoff and concrete cost estimating basis, with ready-mix concrete and concrete formwork priced from ZIP-code-adjusted RSMeans data.