Multifamily takeoff
Unit-by-unit quantities for wood-frame and podium apartment buildings, with repeated floor types and shared corridor scope.
SF · EA · per unit typeQuincy, MA
Construction estimating services in Quincy, MA
Quincy permitted 132 new privately-owned residential units in 2025, 85% of them multifamily. We produce CSI-formatted quantity takeoffs and estimates for contractors, developers and owners building in Norfolk County and across the South Shore.
24–48 hours for most projectsTypical turnaround
Every CSI divisionSitework through MEP
Quincy ZIP pricingLocal material and labor
Price confirmed firstBefore any work starts
Census BPS · Quincy · 2025Real permit data
Quincy new housing permits2025
New housing units132Change vs. 2024−58%Permitted construction value$32MAverage value per unit$241,500Rank among covered Massachusetts cities#9
Single-family: 20 (15%)Multifamily: 112 (85%)
U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2025. Residential only.
What makes construction estimating in Quincy, MA different?
Quincy pricing turns on four things: dense multifamily and mixed-use infill, granite and glacial till excavation, coastal exposure on the Fore River and Quincy Bay, and Boston-metro labor rates that sit among the nation's highest. Lab and life-science fit-out demand nearby adds mechanical and electrical scope that drives cost per square foot well above typical residential work.
- Quincy permitted 132 new housing units in 2025, #9 among the Massachusetts cities we cover.
- About 85% were in multifamily buildings; 15% were single-family.
- Permit volume was down 58% compared with 2024.
Quincy sits between Boston and the South Shore, and its permit mix shows it: of the 132 new privately-owned residential units permitted in 2025, 112 were multifamily, an 85% share. That concentration matters at takeoff. Multifamily and mixed-use projects carry repeated unit types, shared MEP risers, corridor and stair framing, and fire-rated assemblies that a single-family estimate never touches. We build those quantities by typical floor and unit type so your bid reflects the repetition instead of pricing every floor from scratch.
We price with ZIP-code-adjusted material and labor data in RSMeans, take off in Bluebeam Revu and PlanSwift, and deliver Excel and PDF files organized by CSI MasterFormat division with marked-up plan sets. Most projects turn in 24–48 hours, with rush available. If you are bidding against contractors working out of Brockton or Newton, the same plan set can price differently by trade labor and trucking distance, and our Massachusetts construction estimating approach keeps those adjustments visible line by line.
- Coverage
- Quincy and nearby Massachusetts communities
- Deliverable
- Excel estimate + marked-up PDF plans
- Pricing basis
- Quincy ZIP-code material and labor costs
- Turnaround
- 24–48 hours for most projects
- Software
- Bluebeam Revu, PlanSwift, RSMeans data
01
For bidders. You need quantities you can defend at a bid review. We deliver division-by-division takeoffs with waste factors, unit costs and marked-up plans so every number traces back to a sheet and a detail.
02
For builders. You are buying out subs and ordering material. We break scope by trade and unit type, flag missing scope between divisions, and format quantities so your purchase orders and subcontracts match the estimate.
03
For owners. You are testing a pro forma or a change order. We price the scope you have, list the assumptions behind it, and separate hard construction cost from allowances so your budget review is honest.
Quincy by the numbers
Quincy's residential construction pipeline
Select a bar to compare Quincy with the largest Massachusetts markets we cover.
132New housing units, 2025
2.9%Of all units in the Massachusetts cities we cover
$32MPermitted residential value
85%In multifamily buildings
New housing units permitted in 2025. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey.
This city
Quincy
132 new housing units in 2025 (-57.6% vs 2024).
20 single-family · 112 multifamily (85%).
Residential permits fell, and the mix is still multifamily
Quincy issued 132 new privately-owned residential units in 2025 against 311 in 2024, a 58% drop, with a permitted value of $32M and an average of $241,500 per unit. Only 20 units were single family; 112 were multifamily. For a bidder, that means fewer but larger jobs, and the ones that move are apartment and condo buildings, not subdivisions. At $241,500 average value per unit, the per-unit budget is tight for wood-frame multifamily over podium or garage, so scope gaps in fire-rated assemblies, sound isolation and MEP rough-in get argued at buyout. Track the same pattern in Lynn and Fall River, where multifamily also dominates the permit count.
Where Quincy sits in the state pipeline
Quincy ranked 9th of 25 covered state cities by residential units in 2025, at 2.9% of the 4,601 units permitted across those cities. That is a mid-pack position in a state where Boston-area life-sciences and urban infill keep costs among the highest in the country. Practically, your competition for framing, drywall and MEP labor is the same pool working in Boston, Cambridge and the Route 128 lab corridor. Estimates that use a generic national labor rate will read low. We adjust material and labor by ZIP code and keep the labor burden, overtime assumptions and trucking distance explicit. For South Shore sitework and utility packages, see our sitework estimating services.
Services
Construction estimating services in Quincy
We take off and price the scopes that show up on Quincy plans, from granite excavation to multifamily MEP risers.
Sitework and excavation
Rock excavation, dewatering and utility trenching priced for Quincy's granite and glacial till conditions.
CY · LF · TONConcrete and foundations
Footings, slab-on-grade, podium slabs and garage decks, including formwork and reinforcement by area.
CY · SF · LBFraming
Floor, wall and roof framing with sheathing, hardware and waste factors for multifamily repetition.
LF · SF · BFRoofing
TPO, EPDM and asphalt shingle systems with insulation, flashing and coastal wind-uplift details.
SQ · SF · LFMEP systems
Plumbing, HVAC and electrical rough-in and trim, including riser counts and common-area distribution.
LF · EA · TONCommercial fit-out
Interior build-outs along the Hancock Street and Quincy Center corridors, with partition and ceiling takeoffs.
SF · LF · EACSI-format deliverables
Excel and PDF estimates organized by MasterFormat division, with marked-up plan sets for bid review.
Div 01–33Who we provide estimates for
Who we prepare estimates for in Quincy
General contractors
You bid multifamily and mixed-use jobs against Boston-area competition. We give you division-by-division quantities with waste factors and unit costs so your bid review holds up.
Subcontractors
You need scope split by trade before you sign a subcontract. We break out framing, concrete, roofing and MEP quantities so your buyout matches what you install.
Developers
You are testing a pro forma on a Quincy infill parcel. We price the scope you have, list assumptions, and separate hard cost from allowances for your budget.
Architects
You need a cost check while drawings are still moving. We take off from your plan set and mark up the sheets so you can see which assemblies drive the number.
Owners and property managers
You are scoping a renovation or capital repair in an older Quincy building. We quantify the existing conditions you can see and flag the ones you cannot.
Municipal and institutional bidders
You are pricing a public or nonprofit project in Norfolk County. We format quantities by CSI MasterFormat division so your bid form and schedule of values line up.
Where we provide estimates
Quincy areas and nearby communities we cover
We take off Quincy projects from the water north to the Blue Hills, and we price the surrounding South Shore and Boston-area cities on the same ZIP-adjusted basis.
Downtown and central Quincy
- Quincy Center
- Wollaston
- North Quincy
- Montclair
- Wollaston Heights
Waterfront and southern Quincy
- Marina Bay
- Squantum
- Quincy Point
- Germantown
- Houghs Neck
Nearby cities we cover
Property types
Types of Quincy properties we estimate
Quincy's 2025 permit mix was 85% multifamily, so most of our takeoffs here are for repeated unit types, shared risers and fire-rated assemblies rather than one-off houses.
Multifamily buildings
Podium and wood-frame apartment buildings with repeated unit plans. We take off by typical floor and unit type, then multiply, so corridor, stair and riser quantities are not double-counted.
Watch for: Shared MEP risers, corridor framing, unit-to-unit fire separation.
Mixed-use infill
Ground-floor commercial under residential floors near Quincy Center and North Quincy. We separate the commercial shell from the residential scope so each cost package carries its own quantities and rates.
Watch for: Separation between commercial and residential scope, storefront systems.
Single-family homes
Infill and replacement houses on the city's smaller lots. We price foundation, framing, roofing and finishes from the plan set, with waste factors for the framing and siding packages.
Watch for: Tight-lot excavation, foundation drainage, framing waste.
Renovations and additions
Older Quincy housing stock gets gut renovations, dormers and rear additions. We quantify selective demolition, temporary protection and new work separately so the owner sees what the existing building costs to touch.
Watch for: Selective demolition, hidden conditions, temporary protection.
Commercial and retail
Small commercial buildings, restaurants and office fit-outs along the Quincy Center and Wollaston corridors. We take off partitions, ceilings, storefront and MEP rough-in by CSI division.
Watch for: Storefront glazing, kitchen exhaust, sprinkler modifications.
Institutional and public work
Schools, municipal buildings and nonprofit facilities in Norfolk County. We format quantities by MasterFormat division so they match public bid forms and schedule-of-values requirements.
Watch for: Prevailing wage rates, bid form divisions, phasing.
Local factors
What changes a construction estimate in Quincy
Quincy sits in Norfolk County between Boston and the South Shore, and the cost drivers here come from code, ground conditions, weather, labor and logistics more than from the plan set alone.
Code and permitting
Massachusetts adopts the IBC and IRC with state amendments, and Quincy reviews projects through its building department and, for larger work, its planning and zoning boards. Sprinkler, alarm and energy requirements follow the adopted state editions. Confirm the editions and any local amendments with the building department before you lock the estimate, because a stricter energy or fire separation requirement can move wall, ceiling and riser quantities.
IBC · IRC · IECC · NFPA 13Soils and foundations
Quincy's ground runs from glacial till and bedrock near the Blue Hills to marine clay and filled ground along the waterfront. Those conditions change the foundation line: deeper footing embedment, engineered fill, dewatering or a mat where the clay is soft. We take off foundation scope from the geotechnical report and the structural sheets, and we flag where a design allowance is the honest answer instead of a firm number.
Glacial till · Marine clay · Bedrock · DewateringClimate and weather
Coastal Quincy takes nor'easters, freeze-thaw cycles and wind-driven rain, so roofing, flashing and exterior wall assemblies carry more detailing than inland work. Massachusetts energy code drives insulation and air-sealing quantities in the envelope. Winter concrete work needs cold-weather protection and heated enclosures, and those costs belong in the estimate as a seasonal line, not a contingency.
Nor'easters · Freeze-thaw · IECC envelope · Cold-weather concreteLabor and trade availability
Quincy draws from the same Boston-area labor pool as the rest of the inner core, and the life-sciences and lab construction market keeps crews busy. Trade rates and overtime assumptions should reflect that competition, and small renovation jobs can price higher per unit than large new construction because the crew is not on site long enough to hit production rates.
Boston labor pool · Life-sciences demand · Overtime · Crew sizeSite access and drainage
Many Quincy lots are tight, sloped or close to the water, and stormwater rules in the region push infiltration and treatment requirements onto the site plan. That adds drainage structures, underdrain and sometimes a detention system to the sitework package. On small urban lots, staging and crane or pump placement can drive the means and methods more than the excavation itself.
Stormwater infiltration · Underdrain · Detention · Staging limitsMaterials and logistics
Quincy is inside the Boston delivery ring, so trucking, permits for street occupancy and disposal fees are real line items. Material pricing is ZIP-code adjusted, and we use RSMeans data with local factors. Where a long-lead item such as switchgear, elevators or storefront glazing sets the schedule, we list it separately so you can carry escalation or an allowance instead of burying it in a division total.
ZIP-adjusted pricing · Street occupancy permits · Disposal fees · Long-lead itemsQuincy estimating guide
How Quincy conditions show up in a takeoff, trade by trade
Quincy's mix of dense multifamily infill, older housing stock, and coastal exposure changes what you measure and how you price it. Here is how those conditions land in each division of a takeoff.
Sitework and utilities
Quincy's glacial till and coastal lowlands mean you cannot price excavation from a generic soil class. We measure overburden separately from unsuitable material, note where dewatering will be needed, and carry a line for disposal of contaminated or high-moisture spoil. On tight lots near the Fore River and Quincy Bay, staging and truck access drive the haul cost as much as the cut itself. We take off utility runs to the property line, not just the building, and flag any need for rock removal or sheeting. For a full sitework takeoff, see our sitework estimating services.
Framing and envelope
Quincy's older two- and three-family buildings often get gut-renovated, and the framing takeoff has to account for existing balloon framing, out-of-plumb walls, and partial demolition. We measure new wood framing by linear feet of studs, plates, and headers, and count joists and rafters by span and spacing. For the envelope, we take off sheathing, housewrap, flashing, and cladding separately, because coastal wind-driven rain makes the flashing details a real cost item. Roof pitch and ice-dam membrane at eaves are standard here. See our framing estimating services for how we break these out.
MEP systems
Massachusetts energy code and local amendments push higher insulation values and tighter envelope performance, which in turn changes HVAC sizing. We take off ductwork by pound and linear foot, hydronic piping by diameter and length, and electrical by device count and homerun lengths. In Quincy's older buildings, knob-and-tube or undersized service often means a full electrical upgrade, and we carry that as a separate scope. Plumbing takeoff includes water, waste, and vent runs, plus any sprinkler work if the building exceeds code thresholds. Our MEP estimating services cover these trades together.
Concrete and foundations
Many Quincy projects sit on filled ground or old seawall backfill, so foundation scope often includes over-excavation and engineered fill that a plan set shows only in a detail. We take off footings, stem walls, slab-on-grade, and any mat or pile cap by volume, with formwork in square feet of contact area. For multifamily buildings, we separate garage slabs from residential slabs because mix designs and reinforcement differ. We also include waterproofing and drainage board on below-grade walls, which is easy to miss when the architectural and civil sheets disagree. Our concrete estimating services cover these items in detail.
Roofing
Roofing in Quincy takes a beating from nor'easters and freeze-thaw cycles. We take off roof area by slope, add typical waste factors for valleys and hips, and separate underlayment, ice-and-water shield, and ridge ventilation. On flat roofs common to commercial and larger multifamily buildings, we measure tapered insulation by average thickness and include crickets and drains. If the existing roof has multiple layers, tear-off and disposal are separate line items. We also note any roof-mounted equipment that requires curbs and flashing. Our roofing estimating services page shows the level of detail.
Scope gaps we see on Quincy bids
- Dewatering and disposal of unsuitable soils are often left out when the geotech report shows high groundwater or fill.
- Rock excavation is excluded, then becomes a change order when ledge is hit during foundation work.
- Temporary heat and hoarding for winter concrete pours are missing from the general conditions.
- Permit expediting and inspection fees are not carried, even though Quincy requires multiple inspections.
- Coordination of existing utilities with new service upgrades is not priced, leading to conflicts in the field.
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 Quincy project
- Read the full setArchitectural, structural, civil and MEP drawings, the geotechnical report and every addendum.
- Check Quincy 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 QuincyMaterial 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: three-story wood-frame multifamily in Quincy
| Section | Line item | Qty | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 03 30 00 | Footings, 24"x12" continuous | 180 | LF |
| 03 30 00 | Slab-on-grade, 4" thick | 2400 | SF |
| 05 12 00 | Structural steel lintels | 320 | LF |
| 06 10 00 | Wood framing, walls | 4800 | LF |
| 06 10 00 | Wood framing, floor joists | 3200 | SF |
| 07 21 00 | Thermal insulation, walls | 4800 | SF |
| 07 31 00 | Asphalt shingles | 2400 | SF |
| 09 29 00 | Gypsum board, 1/2" | 9600 | SF |
Worked example: concrete footings for a Quincy multifamily
We are pricing continuous footings for a three-story wood-frame building on a typical Quincy lot. The dimensions below are illustrative. The footing runs 180 linear feet, is 24 inches wide, and 12 inches deep. We calculate volume as length × width × depth, then convert to cubic yards. We add a typical 5% waste factor for over-excavation and spillage.
| Step | Calculation | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Volume (cubic feet) | 180 LF × 2 ft × 1 ft | 360 CF |
| Volume (cubic yards) | 360 CF ÷ 27 | 13.33 CY |
| Waste (5%) | 13.33 CY × 0.05 | 0.67 CY |
| Total concrete | 13.33 + 0.67 | 14.0 CY |
Next, formwork: the footing has two sides, each 12 inches high, so contact area is 180 LF × 1 ft × 2 = 360 SF. We add 10% for corners and bulkheads, giving 396 SF. Reinforcement: assume #4 bars at 12 inches on center, two rows. Total length = 180 LF × 2 = 360 LF of bar, plus 10% lap and waste = 396 LF. Convert to pounds: #4 bar weighs 0.668 lb/ft, so 396 × 0.668 = 264 lb. We round to 270 lb.
Finally, we check against the geotech report. If the bearing capacity requires a wider footing, we adjust the width and recalculate. This method is the same we use for all foundation estimating services in Quincy. The key is to keep dimensions, waste, and reinforcement separate so you can see where the cost sits.
FAQ
Quincy construction estimating questions
What does the Census permit data say about Quincy?
According to the U.S. Census Bureau's Building Permits Survey, Quincy issued permits for 132 new privately-owned residential units in 2025, down from 311 in 2024. This counts only residential units, not commercial or institutional projects. The data helps us understand the volume of new residential work, but our estimating services cover all project types, including commercial and industrial. For a broader view of the state, see our Massachusetts construction estimating services page.
How does Quincy's coastal location affect material selection and costs?
Coastal exposure means wind-driven rain and salt air, so we specify corrosion-resistant fasteners, stainless steel flashing, and enhanced waterproofing. These items cost more than standard inland assemblies. In a takeoff, we separate them so you can see the premium. We also account for higher wind loads in structural connections, which may require additional hardware. For projects near the water, we recommend reviewing the building envelope details with a local architect to confirm compliance with the Massachusetts State Building Code. Always confirm the adopted code edition with the local building department.
Do you need to visit the site to prepare an estimate?
For most projects, we can prepare a complete takeoff from your plans and specifications without a site visit. However, for renovation work in older Quincy buildings, a site visit can help identify existing conditions like balloon framing or outdated wiring. We will let you know if a visit is recommended. If you have photos or existing condition reports, those are often sufficient. Our goal is to give you an accurate estimate without adding unnecessary travel costs.
What is the typical turnaround for a Quincy estimate?
We deliver most estimates within 24 to 48 hours. Rush service is available for time-sensitive bids. The exact time depends on the project size and complexity. We provide Excel and PDF formats organized by CSI MasterFormat divisions, with marked-up plan sets so you can trace every quantity. For larger multifamily or commercial projects, we may need a bit more time to ensure all divisions are covered. Contact us to discuss your schedule.
How do you handle Massachusetts energy code requirements in your takeoff?
We follow the current Massachusetts energy code, which often exceeds IECC baseline. In practice, this means higher R-values for insulation, tighter air sealing, and more efficient HVAC equipment. We include these items explicitly in the takeoff so you can price them. Always confirm the adopted code edition with the local building department, as amendments change. We also coordinate with your mechanical engineer to ensure the envelope and HVAC assumptions align.
Can you estimate both residential and commercial projects in Quincy?
Yes. We estimate single-family, multifamily, commercial, and industrial projects. Quincy's mix of older housing stock and new infill means we see a range of scopes. Our residential estimating services and commercial estimating services cover the specific needs of each. For multifamily projects, we also offer multi-family estimating services that address the unique challenges of stacked units and shared systems.
What information do you need to start an estimate?
We need the complete plan set, specifications, and any geotechnical or civil reports. If available, a scope narrative or bid form helps us align with your expectations. For renovations, existing condition reports or photos are useful. The more detail you provide, the more accurate the takeoff. If you have a project schedule, share it so we can prioritize trades that are on the critical path. Send your documents through our get an estimate page.
How do you price labor for Quincy projects?
We use ZIP-code-adjusted material and labor pricing with RSMeans data. This accounts for local wage rates and material costs in Quincy and surrounding areas. We do not publish fixed labor rates because they vary by trade and project conditions, but our estimates reflect current market conditions. For prevailing wage projects, we adjust rates accordingly. If you have specific labor rates you want us to use, we can incorporate them.
Do you cover nearby cities like Brockton and Newton?
Yes, we cover Quincy and surrounding cities including Brockton, Newton, and Lowell. Our ZIP-code-adjusted pricing works across Massachusetts, so you get accurate numbers for each location. See our Massachusetts construction estimating services page for the full list. We also cover other nearby cities like Lynn and Fall River.
What if my project is in a flood zone?
Flood zone designations affect foundation design, elevation certificates, and insurance requirements. In the takeoff, we include flood vents, breakaway walls if required, and higher foundation walls. We also note any need for floodproofing. Confirm the specific flood zone and requirements with the local building department and your civil engineer. For coastal Quincy, flood zones are common, so we regularly incorporate these items into our estimates.
Other Massachusetts cities we cover
Popular services in Quincy
Send your Quincy project plans for a quote
Email your plans and specs for a detailed takeoff 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.