Site utilities estimating prices the water, sewer and storm package as its own scope, not as a lump-sum allowance inside a broader sitework number. We take off pipe runs by diameter and material from the utility plan, then match each run to its trench profile, structure schedule and detail sheet so excavation, pipe bedding and backfill quantities follow the pipe rather than a site-wide average. If you are bidding a subdivision, a commercial pad or a road widening, this is the estimate that tells you what the underground work actually costs before you carry a number you cannot support.
- Deliverable
- Excel estimate + marked-up PDF plans
- Organized by
- CSI MasterFormat section
- Turnaround
- 24–48 hours for most projects
- Pricing
- ZIP-code-adjusted material and labor pricing
- Software
- Bluebeam Revu, PlanSwift, RSMeans data
We work from the same construction documents you bid from: civil plans, utility profiles, grading and drainage sheets, the geotechnical report and the jurisdiction's standard details. Takeoff is organized by CSI MasterFormat Division 31 for trenching and backfill and Division 33 for water, sanitary and storm, with pavement replacement, traffic control and testing carried as separate line items so nothing hides in a unit price. Deliverables come back in Excel and PDF with marked-up plan sets, using ZIP-code-adjusted material and labor pricing. Most projects turn around in 24–48 hours, and rush is available.
Our site utilities takeoff separates wet utilities from dry utilities on the same sheet set. Storm sewer, sanitary sewer, water main and gas main runs are measured by station and depth; electrical duct bank, fiber optic conduit and street lighting are measured by run length, duct count and structure type. Because the two packages share trench, bedding and backfill, we show the shared quantities once and note where a combined trench changes the unit cost. That is the difference between a civil utilities estimating number and a sitework allowance.
If your scope also includes mass excavation or paving, those quantities belong in the <a href="/excavation-estimating-services/">excavation & earthwork estimating</a> and <a href="/asphalt-paving-estimating-services/">asphalt & paving estimating</a> packages. Use this page when the question is pipe, structures and trench.
What the site utilities takeoff covers
We measure the utility package from the plan and profile views, then convert pipe lengths into trench excavation, bedding and backfill using the trench detail and depth bands shown on the drawings. Structures are counted each and priced by depth range. The result is a line-item estimate you can bid from or compare against a subcontractor quote.
Water Main
Pipe by diameter and material, restrained joints, thrust blocks, gate valves, valve boxes and fire hydrant assemblies.
LF · EA · TONSanitary Sewer
Sewer main by diameter and material, slope breaks at manholes, drop connections and service stubs to the right-of-way.
LF · EAStorm Drain
Storm pipe by diameter and material, end sections, headwalls, flared end sections and outlet protection.
LF · EAManholes & Structures
Manholes by depth range and diameter with frame, cover and drop connection; inlets and catch basins by type.
EA · VFTrench Excavation
Trench excavation, bedding, haunching and backfill by depth band, with sheeting, shoring and dewatering separated.
CY · LFPavement Replacement
Pavement removal and replacement over utility trenches, including base course, curb and gutter restoration.
SY · LFTesting & Inspection
Hydrostatic and air testing, disinfection, CCTV inspection, deflection testing and bypass pumping as lump-sum items.
LS · EATraffic Control
Lane closures, signage, flaggers, arrow boards and temporary pavement markings carried as separate line items.
LS · DAYWhat every site utilities estimating takeoff includes
- Water main by diameter and material, including restrained joints and thrust blocks
- Sanitary sewer main by diameter and material, including slope breaks at manholes
- Storm drain pipe by diameter and material, including end sections and headwalls
- Manholes by depth range and diameter, with frame, cover and drop connection
- Inlets, catch basins and curb inlets by type, with grate and hood
- Fire hydrants and hydrant assemblies, including tee, valve and valve box
- Gate valves, butterfly valves and valve boxes by size
- Water and sewer service connections from main to right-of-way or building stub
- Trench excavation, bedding, haunching and backfill by depth band
- Pavement removal and replacement over utility trenches, including curb and gutter
- Testing, disinfection, CCTV inspection and bypass pumping as lump-sum items
- Traffic control, shoring and dewatering carried as separate line items
How our site utilities estimator works the package
- Set the pipe runsWe trace each water, sanitary and storm run on the plan view, record diameter, material and station limits, then cross-check the profile sheet for invert elevations and slope. Runs are broken at manholes, tees and service taps so quantities stay tied to the segment, not the whole line. For example, a water main might be split into segments between hydrant tees and valves, with each segment measured separately. This ensures that fittings and appurtenances are not double-counted and that pipe lengths match the profile.
- Band the trench depthsUsing the profile, we split each run into depth bands — typically 0–5 ft, 5–10 ft and 10 ft and deeper. Each band gets its own excavation, bedding, backfill and shoring assumption, because a single average depth hides the dewatering and trench safety cost on the deep segments. For instance, a 10-ft deep sewer run may require shoring, while a 4-ft water main does not. We also note where the groundwater table sits so dewatering can be flagged.
- Count structures and appurtenancesManholes, inlets, catch basins, hydrants, valves and service connections are counted each from the structure schedule and plan callouts. Deep manholes get extra barrel sections and adjusting rings; hydrant assemblies get the tee, valve and valve box that the plan shows but the schedule may not. We also verify that the count matches the plan, noting any discrepancies. For example, if the plan shows 10 manholes but the schedule lists 8, we flag it for your review.
- Convert pipe to trench volumeFor each segment we apply the trench width and depth from the standard detail, subtract the pipe displacement, and separate bedding, initial backfill and final backfill. Imported select backfill or flowable fill is quantified only where the geotechnical report or detail requires it. We also account for compaction and waste factors. For instance, if the geotech report rejects native soil, we calculate the volume of imported material needed, typically 1.2 times the trench volume to account for compaction.
- Add pavement, testing and traffic controlPavement removal and replacement is measured over the trench limits, including curb, gutter and driveway aprons. Testing, disinfection, CCTV and bypass pumping are carried as lump sums. Traffic control, shoring and dewatering are listed separately so they can be priced or bought out. We also include erosion control measures tied to the disturbed area. For example, if the trench crosses a roadway, we measure the pavement repair area and note the required traffic control hours.
- Mark up the plan setEvery quantity is highlighted on the plan or profile sheet with a matching line in the Excel takeoff, so you can audit a run in minutes. The PDF marked-up set ships with the estimate, and the Excel file is organized by CSI division for direct entry into your bid. We also provide a summary sheet with totals by division. For instance, pipe lengths are color-coded by diameter, and structures are tagged with their schedule reference.
What we need from you
- Civil plansUtility plan, grading and drainage plan, and erosion control plan, at the latest revision.
- Utility profilesPipe profiles with invert elevations, slopes, trench details and structure depths.
- Standard detailsJurisdiction or project standard details for trench, bedding, manholes, inlets and pavement repair.
- Geotechnical reportBoring logs and recommendations for bedding, backfill, rock and dewatering.
- Structure scheduleManhole, inlet and catch basin schedule with type, depth range and rim elevation.
- Spec bookDivision 31 and 33 specifications, including testing, disinfection and CCTV requirements.
- Bid formYour bid form or schedule of values so line items match how you submit the number.
Sample takeoff format
A short excerpt from a mid-size subdivision utility takeoff. Quantities are illustrative and shown to demonstrate the format and level of detail.
| Section | Line item | Qty | Unit | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 33 11 00 | Water main, 8" PVC C900, restrained joints at bends | 1,250 | LF | C-201 |
| 33 11 00 | Fire hydrant assembly, 6" branch with tee, gate valve and box | 3 | EA | C-201 |
| 33 31 00 | Sanitary sewer, 8" PVC SDR-35, 0.5% slope | 980 | LF | C-301 |
| 33 31 00 | Manhole, 5 ft dia, 0–8 ft deep, precast with drop connection | 6 | EA | C-302 |
| 33 41 00 | Storm drain, 18" RCP, Class III, with end sections | 640 | LF | C-401 |
| 31 23 33 | Trench excavation and backfill, 0–5 ft depth band | 1,450 | CY | C-501 |
| 31 23 33 | Trench excavation and backfill, 5–10 ft depth band | 820 | CY | C-501 |
| 33 44 00 | Catch basin, 4 ft dia, with grate, frame and hood | 8 | EA | C-402 |
| 33 11 00 | Water service connection, 1" from main to meter box | 22 | EA | C-201 |
| 33 31 00 | Sewer service connection, 4" PVC from main to cleanout | 18 | EA | C-301 |
Units of measure in underground utilities estimating
Every quantity is tied to a unit you can check against the drawings. Pipe is measured along the run, trench volume is derived from the pipe length times the trench section shown on the detail.
| Item | Unit | How it's measured |
|---|---|---|
| Water main 8" PVC C900 | LF | Measured along centerline from plan view, station to station |
| Sanitary sewer 8" PVC SDR-35 | LF | Measured along centerline, adjusted for slope breaks at manholes |
| Storm drain 18" RCP | LF | Measured along centerline from plan view, including end sections |
| Trench excavation 0–5 ft depth | CY | Pipe length times trench width times depth divided by 27 |
| Trench excavation 5–10 ft depth | CY | Same formula, separate depth band with shoring allowance |
| Manhole 5 ft dia, 0–8 ft deep | EA | Counted from structure schedule, priced by depth range |
| Fire hydrant assembly | EA | Counted from plan view, includes tee, valve and valve box |
| Pavement replacement over trench | SY | Trench length times pavement width divided by 9, plus curb and gutter |
| CCTV inspection and testing | LS | Lump sum per project, based on linear feet of pipe and number of runs |
Worked example: trench and pipe takeoff for one storm run
The dimensions below are illustrative. They show the arithmetic we run for a single storm drain segment between two structures, taken from a plan and profile sheet.
Given: 18-inch RCP storm drain, 240 LF centerline, average depth 7.5 ft, trench width 4.0 ft (pipe OD 1.75 ft plus 2 ft working room each side is typical, but we use the detail), native soil accepted by the geotech report, no rock, no pavement over the run.
Step 1 — Pipe quantity.
- Measured length: 240 LF
- Waste: none for RCP (cut lengths at structures, no continuous waste factor)
- Order quantity: 240 LF + structure allowance of 2 LF per end = 244 LF
Step 2 — Trench excavation volume.
- Volume = length × width × depth ÷ 27
- 240 × 4.0 × 7.5 = 7,200 CF
- 7,200 ÷ 27 = 266.7 CY
- We do not deduct pipe displacement here; it is small on an 18-inch pipe and is handled in the backfill step.
Step 3 — Bedding.
- Detail shows 6-inch bedding under the pipe and 12 inches over the haunch, measured as a 1.0 ft deep layer across the full trench width.
- 240 × 4.0 × 1.0 = 960 CF ÷ 27 = 35.6 CY
- Bedding is imported stone; carry it as a separate material line, not inside the excavation unit price.
Step 4 — Pipe displacement.
- Pipe OD 1.75 ft, inside a 1.0 ft bedding envelope.
- Displacement = π × (0.875)² × 240 = 577 CF ÷ 27 = 21.4 CY
- This is the volume the pipe occupies that backfill cannot.
Step 5 — Backfill volume.
- Excavation minus bedding minus displacement
- 266.7 − 35.6 − 21.4 = 209.7 CY of native backfill
- If the geotech report rejected this material, this line would become imported select backfill at a much higher unit cost.
Step 6 — Waste, as its own step.
- Bedding stone: typical 5–10% compaction and handling loss → 35.6 × 1.08 = 38.4 CY
- Imported backfill, if used: typical 10–15% → carry separately
- Native backfill: no waste factor, but note shrinkage if it is reused on site
Step 7 — Structures.
- Two structures on this run: one 4 ft dia catch basin at 6.5 ft deep, one 5 ft dia manhole at 8.0 ft deep.
- Counted each, priced by depth range, with frame, cover, grate and hood as separate lines if the schedule lists them separately.
Step 8 — Testing.
- CCTV inspection of 240 LF, carried as a lump sum or per-LF item.
That is one run. A subdivision with 40 runs is the same arithmetic repeated segment by segment, banded by depth, with pavement repair, traffic control and dewatering added where the plan and geotech report require them. The full format is shown in the sample takeoff table above and in our <a href="/sitework-estimating-services/">sitework estimating services</a> package.
What moves the site utilities cost estimating number
Relative impact on a typical estimate for this trade, based on estimator judgment. Select a bar for details.
Trench depth
Deep runs drive shoring, dewatering and bedding cost. Banding by depth rather than averaging is the single biggest accuracy lever in a utility estimate. For example, a 12-ft deep sewer trench may require a trench box or slide rail shoring, while a 4-ft water main does not. We band depths in 5-ft increments to capture these cost jumps.
Deep runs drive shoring, dewatering and bedding cost. Banding by depth rather than averaging is the single biggest accuracy lever in a utility estimate. For example, a 12-ft deep sewer trench may require a trench box or slide rail shoring, while a 4-ft water main does not. We band depths in 5-ft increments to capture these cost jumps.
When the geotechnical report rejects native material, imported select backfill or flowable fill replaces it. That swing can exceed the pipe cost on a long run. For instance, if the on-site soil is expansive clay, you may need to import granular backfill, which can add significant cost per cubic yard. We quantify the volume based on the trench dimensions and the geotech recommendations.
Rock excavation and over-excavation below invert add drilling, blasting or hoe-ram time plus bedding stone to bring the trench back to grade. For example, if the geotech report indicates limestone at 6 ft depth, we flag the runs that will encounter rock and add a rock excavation line item. We also account for the additional bedding stone required to bring the trench back to grade.
Trenching through a paved road triggers full-depth removal and replacement, curb and gutter, driveway aprons and ADA ramps, often priced per square yard. For instance, a 200-ft trench across a 30-ft wide road requires 600 SY of pavement removal and replacement, plus curb and gutter repair. We measure these areas from the plan and include them as separate line items.
Casing pipe and carrier pipe at road, rail and stream crossings add bore pits, spoil handling and restrained joints that plan-view takeoff alone will miss. For example, a 100-ft bore under a highway requires a casing pipe, carrier pipe, and bore pits at each end. We identify crossings on the plan and carry them as separate line items with appropriate units.
Hydrostatic or exfiltration testing, chlorination, bacteriological sampling and CCTV inspection are required before acceptance and are easy to leave out of a unit price. For instance, a 2,000-ft sewer main requires CCTV inspection at a cost per linear foot, plus manhole vacuum testing. We list these as lump sums or per-linear-foot items so they are not overlooked.
Lane closures, flaggers and off-hours work required by the right-of-way permit add cost that scales with the length of the run in the roadway. For example, a 500-ft water main in a busy street may require flaggers for 8 hours a day for a week, plus lane closure permits. We estimate the duration based on production rates and include it as a separate line item.
Common scope gaps we catch in wet utilities estimating
These are the items that most often fall between the utility subcontractor's quote and the general contractor's bid. We flag each one on the plan set and carry it as its own line.
- Trench depth banding — pricing a single average depth hides the shoring, bedding and dewatering cost on the deep segments. We split every run by depth band from the profile.
- Unsuitable native material — the imported select backfill or flowable fill required when the geotech report rejects on-site soils. We read the boring logs and quantify it by trench segment.
- Rock excavation and over-excavation below pipe invert, plus the bedding stone to bring the trench back to grade. We check the geotech report and note where rock is likely.
- Restrained joint lengths at bends, tees and hydrant branches, and the thrust blocks or mechanical restraints that go with them. We count them from the plan and detail sheets.
- Manhole depth ranges and drop connections, including extra barrel sections and adjusting rings for deep structures. We price each manhole by its depth range, not a flat each.
- Pavement removal and full-depth replacement limits, including curb, gutter, driveway aprons and ADA ramps disturbed by the trench. We measure the repair area over the trench limits.
- Casing pipe and carrier pipe at road, rail and stream crossings, plus bore pits and spoil handling. We flag crossings on the plan and carry them as separate line items.
- Service connections beyond the count shown on the utility plan — stubs to future lots, fire lines and irrigation taps. We compare the plan count to the lot count and note the difference.
- Dewatering, wellpoint systems and discharge permitting for trenches below the water table. We check the geotech report for groundwater elevation and flag the runs below it.
- Traffic control, lane closures, flaggers and off-hours work required by the right-of-way permit. We carry them as separate line items so they can be priced or bought out.
- Testing, disinfection, CCTV, bypass pumping and third-party inspection fees required before acceptance. We list them as lump sums tied to the linear feet of pipe.
- Erosion control, silt fence, inlet protection and stabilization tied to the utility disturbance area, not the whole site. We measure the disturbed area from the utility plan.
Pipe materials compared on the same trench
We hold the trench depth band and backfill type constant so the pipe comparison stays clean. The table below is the axis we use when a plan allows alternates.
| Material and joint | Typical use | Bedding class / restraint | What changes in the takeoff |
|---|---|---|---|
| PVC SDR-35, gasketed | Sanitary sewer, gravity | Class I/II bedding, no restraint except at structures | Lightest pipe, but deflection and slope control drive the installation cost, not the material. |
| PVC SDR-26, gasketed | Sanitary sewer, deeper runs | Class I/II bedding, heavier wall | Higher unit cost than SDR-35; check the spec for depth limits before substituting. |
| PVC C900, gasketed | Water main, pressure | Class I/II bedding, restrained joints at bends and tees | Restraint lengths and thrust blocks are counted separately from pipe LF. |
| HDPE DR-11 / DR-17, fused | Water main, force mains, boring | Sand or select bedding, restrained by fusion | Fusion time and equipment add labor; bore pits and spoil handling are separate lines. |
| Ductile iron, push-on or mechanical | Water main, deep sewer, crossings | Class I/II bedding, restrained or mechanical joint | Heaviest pipe, so handling and bedding cost rise; restrained joint lengths must be counted. |
| RCP Class III, gasketed | Storm drain, gravity | Class I/II bedding, no restraint | Cut lengths at structures; end sections, headwalls and aprons are separate each items. |
| CMP and corrugated HDPE | Storm drain, culverts, end sections | Class I/II bedding, no restraint | Coating or lining may be specified; check the spec for abrasion and pH limits. |
Codes, standards and specifications that change the quantity
Model codes
The model codes that reach a utility takeoff are the International Building Code and International Residential Code for site work and utility separation, the International Plumbing Code or Uniform Plumbing Code where the utility ties to the building line, and NFPA 13 or NFPA 24 where a fire main and hydrants are involved. The provisions that change quantities are horizontal separation between water and sewer, vertical separation at crossings, minimum cover over pipe, and fire-flow requirements that set hydrant spacing and main size. Confirm the adopted code edition with the local building department before you price, because separation and cover requirements differ between editions and drive pipe depth, which drives trench volume.
Industry standards
ASTM standards govern the pipe and the test. ASTM D3034 covers PVC sewer pipe, ASTM D1785 and F949 cover PVC pressure pipe, ASTM F714 covers HDPE, and ASTM A746 covers ductile iron. ASTM C76 covers RCP. Bedding and backfill are governed by the project geotechnical report and by ASTM D2321 for flexible pipe installation, which sets the bedding classes and compaction requirements that become your CY quantities. AWWA standards (C900, C905, C110, C111) govern water pipe and fittings. Testing standards — hydrostatic, exfiltration, CCTV per NASSCO PACP — set the lump-sum line items you must carry before acceptance.
Specification sections
The sections an estimator must read are CSI Division 31: 31 10 00 Site Clearing, 31 23 16 Excavation and Fill, 31 23 23.13 Backfill, and 31 23 33 Trenching and Backfilling; and Division 33: 33 10 00 Water Utilities, 33 11 00 Water Utility Distribution Piping, 33 12 00 Water Utility Distribution Equipment, 33 30 00 Sanitary Sewerage Utilities, 33 31 00 Sanitary Utility Sewerage Piping, 33 34 00 Force Mains, 33 40 00 Storm Drainage Utilities, 33 41 00 Storm Utility Drainage Piping, 33 42 00 Culverts, 33 44 00 Storm Utility Drainage Structures, 33 46 00 Subdrainage, and 33 49 00 Storm Drainage Structures. Division 03 (concrete for structures), Division 22 (building plumbing) and Division 26 (power and controls at lift stations) appear only as they interface at the stub. What changes cost inside these sections: bedding class, compaction percentage, imported backfill requirements, restrained joint lengths, testing and disinfection procedures, and pavement repair limits.
Local amendments
Adopted editions and amendments vary by state and by jurisdiction. Some areas adopt the IPC, others the UPC; some require deeper cover over water main, some require tracer wire and some do not; some require CCTV on all new sewer, some only on repairs. Right-of-way permits add traffic control, off-hours work and pavement restoration requirements that are not in the model code at all. Confirm the adopted code edition, the standard details and the right-of-way permit conditions with the local building department and the utility owner before you finalize the estimate.
Who uses this site utilities estimate for contractors
General contractors
You need a utility number you can carry in a hard bid without burying risk in a lump sum. The line-item takeoff lets you compare subcontractor quotes apples to apples and see which scope each quote actually covers.
Site utilities subcontractors
You bid pipe, structures and trench work every week. A third-party takeoff gives you a second set of eyes on quantities before you commit to a number, and the marked-up plan set speeds your own review.
Developers and owners
You are testing a pro forma or comparing a contractor's utility allowance to a measured estimate. The takeoff shows what the underground package costs before vertical construction starts.
Civil engineers and architects
You need a cost check on a design before it goes to bid. The estimate ties quantities back to your plan and profile sheets so you can see where the cost is concentrated.
Estimators without utility depth
Your firm bids building work but not underground. We supply the Division 31 and 33 takeoff so you can bid the full site package without hiring a utility estimator.