Construction estimating services in Columbus, OH

Multifamily adds shared systems: corridor and stair framing, common-area MEP, elevator shafts, trash rooms and site retaining walls. The unit mix also changes the fixture and appliance counts, so we take off by unit type and multiply. Podium or wrap construction adds transfer slabs and structural steel that single-family work never carries. We organize the takeoff by CSI MasterFormat division so your buyout packages line up with the trades you actually bid.

We measure footings to the depth shown on the drawings and note the assumed frost depth in the takeoff. Central Ohio frost depths typically run deeper than southern Ohio, so footing concrete and rebar quantities are higher per linear foot. If the geotech report or the local building department requires a deeper bearing elevation, we can rerun the quantities quickly. Confirm the adopted code edition and any local amendments with the city or county building department before you finalize your bid.

Yes. We use RSMeans data adjusted to the project ZIP code, so concrete, lumber, roofing and mechanical pricing reflect the Columbus market rather than a national average. Labor rates are adjusted the same way. That matters on a bid where the difference between a Cleveland labor rate and a Columbus rate can swing a trade package. We show the adjustment in the estimate so you can see what drove the number.

Most projects are returned in 24–48 hours, with rush service available if your bid date is close. Turnaround depends on the completeness of the plan set and whether we are pricing one trade or the full building. If you send architectural, structural and MEP drawings together, we can usually deliver the full takeoff in one pass. Partial or sketch-level documents take longer because we have to make and document assumptions.

You receive an Excel workbook and a PDF, both organized by CSI MasterFormat division, plus a marked-up plan set showing what we measured. The Excel file is built so you can adjust quantities, waste factors and unit prices for your own buyout. Marked-up plans let your superintendent see exactly where the quantities came from. If you need a different format for your estimating software, tell us before we start.

Yes. We cover Columbus and the surrounding market, including projects in Franklin County and the nearby cities of Cleveland, Cincinnati and Toledo. Pricing is adjusted by ZIP code, so a project in a different county gets its own material and labor rates. If your project is outside Ohio, start with our Ohio construction estimating services page to see how we handle the state, then send the plans.

We take off all divisions, including mechanical, electrical and plumbing. MEP takeoffs are done by fixture count, pipe length by diameter, duct weight or area, and device count with home runs. On multifamily projects, we separate unit-level work from common-area and central plant work so your mechanical and electrical subcontractors can bid the right scope. MEP estimating services covers the full trade list.

We apply typical waste factors by material: 5–10% on concrete, 10% on framing lumber, 10–15% on roofing shingles and 5% on rebar with lap allowance. The factor is shown as a separate line in the Excel file so you can change it if your supplier or crew runs tighter. Waste on a Columbus multifamily building is often higher than on a custom home because of repetition and cutting patterns, so we do not use a single blanket percentage.

The permit figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau Building Permits Survey for 2025, covering permits issued by the city itself for new privately-owned residential units only. That means the 9,116 units and $1.3 billion in permitted value exclude commercial, industrial and renovation permits. The survey is a useful demand signal, but it does not tell you what a specific project will cost. For that, send the plans and we will price your scope.

Send the complete plan set, including architectural, structural, civil and MEP drawings, plus any specifications and geotech report. If you have a bid form or scope sheet, include it so we match your trade breakdown. Tell us the bid date and whether you need a rush. Missing sheets are the main cause of delays, so if you know a sheet is coming, note it when you send the package.