Sitework takeoff
Cut and fill, grading, storm drainage and paving for Miami Valley sites with clay soils and seasonal frost.
CY · LF · TONWe prepare construction estimates and quantity takeoffs for Dayton contractors, developers and owners. Deliverables arrive in Excel and PDF by CSI MasterFormat division with marked-up plan sets, usually within 24–48 hours.
Dayton pricing turns on four local drivers: Montgomery County's clay-heavy soils and frost depth, older masonry and brick building stock needing selective demolition, prevailing-wage and Ohio school facilities work, and material haul distances from Cincinnati and Columbus suppliers. ZIP-code-adjusted RSMeans data keeps each line item grounded in the local market.
Dayton sits in the Miami Valley, where the building stock runs from pre-war masonry commercial blocks downtown to new single-family subdivisions on the outskirts. A takeoff here often includes selective demolition, masonry restoration and structural reinforcement alongside new work, scopes that are easy to miss when you bid from a plan set alone. We measure each one and price it with ZIP-code-adjusted material and labor rates.
Our estimates are organized by CSI MasterFormat division, delivered in Excel and PDF with marked-up plan sets, and typically returned within 24–48 hours. Whether you are chasing a Montgomery County renovation or a new build near the Interstate 75 corridor, the numbers arrive in a format your team can use directly. Start from our Ohio construction estimating overview, or see how we handle commercial and residential scopes.
For bidders. You need a defensible number before the bid date. We return division-by-division takeoffs with quantities and unit costs so you can adjust markups, add alternates and submit with confidence.
For builders. You are buying out trades and tracking production. Our marked-up plan sets and Excel quantities let you issue scopes, compare subcontractor quotes and flag overruns before they hit the job.
For owners. You are testing a budget before design is complete. We price what is drawn, list assumptions and exclusions, and give you a cost baseline you can carry into the next design milestone.
Select a bar to compare Dayton with the largest Ohio markets we cover.
174 new housing units in 2025 (-33.1% vs 2024).
131 single-family · 43 multifamily (25%).
Dayton issued 174 new privately-owned residential units in 2025, down from 260 in 2024 — a 33% drop. Single-family units totaled 131, multifamily 43, so roughly 25% of the year's residential permits were multifamily. Permitted value was about $27M, averaging $156,400 per unit. For bidders, the smaller pipeline means fewer jobs and more competition per bid, so takeoff accuracy matters more than ever: a missed line item is harder to recover when margins are thin. The city ranked 6th of 20 covered Ohio cities by units and accounted for 1.5% of the 11,913 statewide units, so Dayton remains a steady but selective market. Compare conditions in Cincinnati and Toledo when you price regional work.
Intel's Columbus-area chip plant and broader Midwest reshoring and logistics investment are pulling industrial and warehouse work into the region, even when local residential permits soften. That demand shows up in Dayton as plant upgrades, distribution buildings and supplier facilities, plus the school and municipal work that continues on its own cycle. These projects carry heavier MEP, structural steel and sitework scopes than residential, and their estimates need separate divisions for process piping, electrical gear and concrete foundations. If your backlog mixes residential and industrial, keep the pricing basis consistent. Our industrial estimating and MEP estimating teams handle those divisions.
We cover the divisions Dayton projects actually use, from sitework through finishes, with quantities and unit costs you can bid from.
Cut and fill, grading, storm drainage and paving for Miami Valley sites with clay soils and seasonal frost.
CY · LF · TONFoundations, slabs, walls and paving priced with local ready-mix and formwork rates for commercial and residential work.
CY · SF · LFFootings, stem walls, waterproofing and reinforcement sized to Dayton's frost depth and soil conditions.
CY · SF · LBWood and light-gauge framing, trusses, sheathing and hardware measured from architectural and structural sheets.
LF · SF · EATPO, EPDM, asphalt shingle and metal roofing with insulation, flashing and tear-off quantities.
SQ · LF · EAPlumbing, HVAC and electrical takeoffs for tenant fit-outs, schools and light industrial buildings.
LF · EA · TONUnit-by-unit takeoffs for apartment and townhome projects, with shared site and amenity scopes separated.
EA · SF · CYFull-division estimates for retail, office, medical and institutional projects across Montgomery County.
SF · LS · EACity of Dayton and Montgomery County projects require unit-price breakdowns and alternates. We deliver division-level quantities so your bid form reconciles line by line before submission.
Downtown Dayton's pre-war masonry buildings need repointing, lintel replacement and selective demolition measured separately. We quantify each scope so your quote does not absorb another trade's risk.
New single-family permits in Dayton reached 131 units in 2025. We take off framing, foundation and MEP from plan sets so you can compare lot-by-lot costs across subdivisions.
Multifamily was 25% of Dayton's 2025 residential permits. We break out unit mixes, corridor lengths and common-area MEP so your pro forma reflects the actual building, not a per-unit average.
Miami Valley logistics and reshoring investment drives tilt-up and pre-engineered building work. We measure slab areas, dock equipment and process utilities for [industrial estimating](/industrial-estimating-services/) scopes.
You need a cost baseline before design is complete. We price what is drawn, list assumptions and exclusions, and return the estimate within 24–48 hours for your next milestone.
We estimate projects across Montgomery County and the Miami Valley, from downtown Dayton to the surrounding suburbs and nearby cities.
Dayton's 2025 residential permit mix leaned heavily to single-family, with a quarter of new units in multifamily buildings. Commercial and industrial work follows the same split between renovation and new construction.
New builds and infill in Kettering, Centerville and Huber Heights run from slab-on-grade to full basement. We measure framing, roofing and MEP from the plan set and price with ZIP-code-adjusted rates for Montgomery County.
Watch for: Verify frost depth, footing drainage and whether the lot needs a retaining wall.
Low-rise apartments and townhomes made up 25% of 2025 residential units. We take off unit mixes, corridor lengths, common-area MEP and sitework separately so your per-unit cost reflects the actual layout.
Watch for: Separate unit plumbing stacks from common-area distribution; they price differently.
Pre-war masonry buildings on and around Main Street need selective demolition, repointing, lintel replacement and structural reinforcement. We quantify each scope and flag where existing conditions require field verification.
Watch for: Include masonry restoration and temporary shoring in the base bid, not as an alternate.
Tilt-up and pre-engineered buildings near the I-75 and I-70 corridors need slab, dock and process utility takeoffs. We measure flatwork by square foot and equipment by count so your bid covers the full scope.
Watch for: Confirm slab thickness, dowel layout and dock equipment counts before pricing.
Schools, hospitals and municipal buildings in Montgomery County require phased occupancy and prevailing wage documentation. We organize takeoffs by division so you can separate base scope from alternates and allowances.
Watch for: Prevailing wage rates and phased-occupancy requirements affect labor and schedule.
Tenant fit-outs along the Wilmington Pike and Miller Lane corridors need grease duct, hood, walk-in cooler and ADA restroom scopes. We quantify each trade and list exclusions so your quote matches the landlord's work letter.
Watch for: Landlord work-letter items are often excluded; confirm who provides HVAC and sprinkler.
Dayton's costs move with code adoption, soil conditions, weather and the labor market. These are the variables we adjust for on every estimate.
Ohio adopts the International Code Council family statewide, but the City of Dayton and Montgomery County enforce their own amendments and inspection schedules. Confirm the adopted edition and local amendments with the building department before you price. Plan review turnaround and permit fees vary by project type, and those costs belong in the estimate as a line item, not a percentage guess.
City of Dayton Building Services · Montgomery County · Ohio Board of Building StandardsMiami Valley soils include glacial till, clay and pockets of organic material near the Great Miami River. Footings must bear below frost depth, and a geotechnical report may call for over-excavation, engineered fill or caissons. We price foundation scope from the soils report when available, and carry an allowance when it is not. Basement waterproofing and drainage board are common adds.
Geotechnical report · Frost depth · Engineered fillDayton sees freeze-thaw cycles, spring flooding along the Great Miami River and occasional high-wind events. Roof assemblies need ice-and-water shield at eaves, and sitework must account for erosion control and temporary drainage. We include these items in the base scope so they are not added later as change orders. Snow-load and wind-speed design values come from the adopted code edition.
Freeze-thaw · Ice-and-water shield · Erosion controlSkilled trades in the Dayton area are shared with Cincinnati and Columbus, and competing projects can tighten availability. Wage rates and productivity assumptions should reflect the current market, not last year's numbers. We use ZIP-code-adjusted labor rates and note where crew size or shift work may affect the price. Prevailing wage applies on public-funded work.
Prevailing wage · ZIP-code-adjusted rates · Crew productivityMany Dayton infill lots have existing utilities, old pavement and buried debris that must be removed before new construction. Stormwater management requirements may call for detention basins, permeable pavement or water-quality structures. We measure clearing, grubbing, excavation and backfill separately, and list any sitework assumptions so the bid is comparable.
Stormwater detention · Utility relocation · Clearing and grubbingDayton sits within a day's drive of Midwest suppliers, but specialty items like structural steel, elevators and switchgear can have long lead times. We price materials at current market rates and note where escalation or a procurement allowance is prudent. Sales tax applies to materials in Ohio, and we include it in the estimate unless your project is exempt.
Ohio sales tax · Lead times · Material escalationDayton's mix of aging commercial stock, new residential infill, and industrial redevelopment means your takeoff has to account for both new construction and renovation conditions. Here is how local factors change quantities, units, and scope in five core trades.
Much of Dayton sits on glaciated soils with pockets of clay and silt, so your sitework takeoff needs a cut/fill analysis that separates topsoil strip from unsuitable subgrade. For a typical commercial pad, we measure stripping in square yards by depth, then calculate net cut or fill in cubic yards using the average-end-area method. If the geotech report calls for undercut, add a line for excavation below subgrade and granular backfill, measured in cubic yards. We also carry separate lines for erosion control (silt fence in linear feet, inlet protection by each) and temporary seeding in square yards. For projects near the Great Miami River corridor, expect a higher water table and add dewatering allowances by pump-days. Our sitework estimating services break these out so your bid reflects actual dirt conditions, not a generic allowance.
Wood-framed residential and light commercial projects in Dayton follow standard platform framing, but wind and snow loads vary by exposure. Your framing takeoff should measure wall area in square feet, then convert to linear feet of studs at 16 inches on center, adding plates, headers, and blocking. We count floor joists by linear feet and sheathing in sheets. For roofs, we calculate rafter length using the slope and overhang, then count sheathing panels and underlayment in squares. In older neighborhoods where you are adding a second story or a dormer, we include temporary shoring and framing modifications. Our framing estimating services detail every member so your lumber order matches the plans. Always confirm the adopted code edition for snow and wind requirements with the local building department.
Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing takeoffs in Dayton must account for basement or crawlspace routing, and for commercial work, the local amendments to the Ohio Mechanical Code. We count plumbing fixtures by each, then measure pipe runs in linear feet by diameter and material (PVC, copper, PEX). For HVAC, we calculate ductwork in pounds or linear feet, and equipment by each with curb and flashing. Electrical takeoff includes device counts, conduit and wire in linear feet, and panel schedules by ampere rating. In older buildings, add a contingency for replacing galvanized pipe or knob-and-tube wiring. Our MEP estimating services provide a full division 22/23/26 breakdown with fixture schedules and panel load calculations. Confirm local code editions with the building department before finalizing.
Dayton's freeze-thaw cycles and occasional expansive clay mean foundation walls and slab edges need air-entrained concrete and proper reinforcement. In a takeoff, we count continuous footings in linear feet, spread footings by each, and slab-on-grade in square feet with a thickness conversion to cubic yards. For a typical basement, we separate wall concrete (cubic yards), vertical rebar (pounds or linear feet), and horizontal rebar. We also include vapor barrier under slab in square feet and rigid insulation at exterior walls in square feet. If the project is in a neighborhood with older housing stock, such as Five Oaks or South Park, we add line items for underpinning or shoring when adjacent structures are within 10 feet. See our concrete estimating services for a full division 03 breakdown.
Dayton roofs take hail and wind, so material selection and fastening schedules matter. A roofing takeoff starts with the roof plan: measure field area in squares (100 square feet), then add waste factors — typically 10% for shingles, 5% for membrane. We count ridge, hip, and valley linear feet separately, plus drip edge and starter course. For low-slope commercial roofs, we measure tapered insulation by board feet and count drains, scuppers, and flashing details by each. If tear-off is required, add dumpster count and disposal fees. On older buildings, we include a line for deck repair or replacement in square feet, based on the number of deteriorated panels observed. Our roofing estimating services separate steep-slope and low-slope scopes so you can bid them to the right subcontractors.
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.
Need the full takeoff with pricing? Upload your plans.
| Section | Line item | Qty | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 03 30 00 | Footing concrete, 24"x12" continuous | 18.5 | CY |
| 03 30 00 | Slab-on-grade concrete, 4" thick | 1,240 | SF |
| 03 20 00 | Rebar, #4 vertical and horizontal | 2,850 | LB |
| 06 10 00 | Wall framing, 2x6 studs @ 16" o.c. | 3,120 | LF |
| 06 10 00 | Roof sheathing, 7/16" OSB | 2,400 | SF |
| 07 30 00 | Asphalt shingles, architectural | 26 | SQ |
| 22 10 00 | PEX water piping, 1/2" and 3/4" | 480 | LF |
| 26 05 00 | Romex wiring, 12/2 and 14/2 | 1,950 | LF |
This example shows how we calculate concrete volume for a continuous footing on a small addition. Dimensions are illustrative, but the method matches what you will see in our takeoffs.
Assume a rectangular addition 24 feet by 16 feet with a continuous footing 24 inches wide and 12 inches deep. The total linear feet of footing is the perimeter: 2 × (24 + 16) = 80 LF. Convert width and depth to feet: 24 inches = 2.0 ft, 12 inches = 1.0 ft. Volume = 80 LF × 2.0 ft × 1.0 ft = 160 cubic feet. Convert to cubic yards: 160 ÷ 27 = 5.93 CY. Add a typical waste factor of 5% for spillage and over-excavation: 5.93 × 1.05 = 6.23 CY. Round up to 6.5 CY for ordering.
For rebar, assume two continuous #4 bars: 80 LF × 2 = 160 LF. Add 10% for laps and waste: 176 LF. Convert to pounds: #4 rebar weighs 0.668 lb/ft, so 176 × 0.668 = 117.6 lb, round to 118 lb.
| Step | Calculation | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Footing perimeter | 2 × (24 + 16) | 80 LF |
| Cross-section area | 2.0 ft × 1.0 ft | 2.0 SF |
| Volume | 80 LF × 2.0 SF | 160 CF |
| Volume in CY | 160 ÷ 27 | 5.93 CY |
| With 5% waste | 5.93 × 1.05 | 6.23 CY |
| Rebar length | 80 LF × 2 bars × 1.10 | 176 LF |
| Rebar weight | 176 LF × 0.668 lb/ft | 118 LB |
This level of detail prevents over-ordering and keeps your concrete supplier schedule realistic. For a full division 03 takeoff, we also include formwork in square feet of contact area, anchor bolts by each, and gravel base in cubic yards. Always confirm footing dimensions and reinforcement with the structural drawings and local code.
We handle a mix of residential infill, multi-family renovations, and light commercial upfits. Dayton's housing stock includes many pre-1950 homes, so renovation takeoffs often require allowances for unknown conditions like outdated wiring or undersized framing. For new construction, we see a steady flow of single-family homes and small apartment buildings, especially near the university and hospital corridors. Our residential estimating services and commercial estimating services cover both sides.
We review the geotechnical report and adjust earthwork quantities for over-excavation and backfill. In areas with expansive clay, we add a line for granular fill under footings and slabs. If no geotech is available, we note the assumption and recommend a contingency. For sites near the Great Miami River, we include dewatering and erosion control measures. These details are critical because soil conditions directly affect your foundation and sitework costs.
Yes. We regularly estimate renovations in historic districts like Oregon and South Park. These projects often require matching existing materials, such as dimensional lumber or plaster, and may involve structural upgrades. We measure existing conditions from your plans or site photos, then add line items for selective demolition, shoring, and custom millwork. We also flag any scope that may trigger historic preservation review, so you can plan for additional approvals.
We use Bluebeam Revu for plan markup, PlanSwift for quantity extraction, and RSMeans data for ZIP-code-adjusted pricing. This combination lets us produce detailed Excel and PDF takeoffs organized by CSI MasterFormat division. We also provide marked-up plan sets so you can see exactly where each quantity came from. For Dayton projects, we adjust material and labor rates using the local ZIP code to reflect the market.
We follow the adopted Ohio Building Code, which references the International Building Code. Snow load and wind speed maps in the code give the design values, but the adopted edition can change. We use the hazard maps from the code edition you provide, and we note any assumptions on the takeoff. For framing and roofing, we calculate member sizes and fastening schedules based on those loads. Always confirm the current code edition with the local building department.
Yes. We cover Dayton and the surrounding region, including Cincinnati, Toledo, Akron, Parma, Canton, and Youngstown. Our pricing is ZIP-code-adjusted, so we can provide accurate material and labor costs for any of these areas. If your project is in a smaller town, we can still estimate it using the nearest ZIP code data. Just send us the plans and the project address.
Most projects are completed within 24 to 48 hours. Rush service is available for an additional fee. Turnaround depends on the size and complexity of the project, and whether we need to request additional information. For large multi-family or commercial projects, we may provide a preliminary takeoff first, then a detailed final estimate. We keep you updated on progress throughout.
Yes. We apply typical waste factors by material: 5–10% for concrete, 10% for framing lumber, 10% for roofing shingles, and 5% for drywall. These factors are shown separately in the takeoff so you can adjust them based on your crew's experience and site conditions. Waste factors are not a substitute for accurate quantities; they account for cutting, breakage, and minor over-excavation.
The permit data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau's Building Permits Survey for 2025, which counts new privately-owned residential units permitted by the city of Dayton. It includes single-family and multifamily units but excludes commercial and industrial permits. The survey shows 174 total units in 2025, down 33% from 260 in 2024. This data helps us understand local construction volume, but it is not a complete picture of all construction activity.
You can upload your plans and specifications through our get an estimate page. We accept PDF, CAD, and image files. If you have a geotechnical report or a specific scope of work, include that as well. We will review the documents and send you a quote with a firm price and turnaround time. For large projects, we may schedule a call to clarify scope before starting.
Upload your plans and specifications, and we will return a detailed takeoff within 24–48 hours.