Residential takeoffs
Single-family plans priced by division, including slab, framing, roofing and finishes, matched to Midland County soil conditions.
SF · EA · LFMidland, TX
Construction estimating services in Midland, TX
Midland's 2025 residential permits dropped 12% to 1,317 units, all single-family, averaging $225,900 in permitted value. We produce CSI-organized takeoffs and estimates for builders, bidders and owners working in Midland County.
24–48 hours for most projectsTypical turnaround
Every CSI divisionSitework through MEP
Midland ZIP pricingLocal material and labor
Price confirmed firstBefore any work starts
Census BPS · Midland · 2025Real permit data
Midland new housing permits2025
New housing units1,317Change vs. 2024−12%Permitted construction value$298MAverage value per unit$225,900Rank among covered Texas cities#16
Single-family: 1,317 (100%)Multifamily: 0 (0%)
U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2025. Residential only.
What makes construction estimating in Midland, TX different?
Midland pricing turns on four local drivers: caliche and expansive clay soils that force over-excavation, Permian Basin labor rates that swing with oilfield activity, wind-driven uplift requirements on roofing, and long haul distances for imported fill and aggregates. Every takeoff we price for Midland starts with those conditions, not a national average.
- Midland permitted 1,317 new housing units in 2025, #16 among the Texas cities we cover.
- About 0% were in multifamily buildings; 100% were single-family.
- Permit volume was down 12% compared with 2024.
Midland sits on the Permian Basin, and that shapes what gets built here. Residential work dominates the permit pipeline — all 1,317 new privately-owned units permitted in 2025 were single-family, with no multifamily permits issued at all. That means most of the takeoffs we run for Midland are house plans, duplexes, and small commercial shells tied to oilfield service companies, not high-rise multifamily towers.
The ground is the other constant. Caliche layers and expansive clay soils across Midland County drive over-excavation, select fill import, and post-tension slab design decisions that change the concrete and sitework numbers significantly from one lot to the next. We price those items from ZIP-code-adjusted material and labor data, organized by CSI MasterFormat division, in Excel and PDF with marked-up plan sets. If you are bidding work in Midland or comparing it against Pasadena or McAllen, the Texas construction estimating page covers how we handle the rest of the state.
- Coverage
- Midland and nearby Texas communities
- Deliverable
- Excel estimate + marked-up PDF plans
- Pricing basis
- Midland ZIP-code material and labor costs
- Turnaround
- 24–48 hours for most projects
- Software
- Bluebeam Revu, PlanSwift, RSMeans data
01
For bidders. You need a bid that holds up against three or four local competitors. We break out sitework, concrete, framing and MEP by division so you can see exactly where your number sits before you submit.
02
For builders. You are building the same plan on different lots. We price each lot's soil conditions and utility runs separately, so your budget reflects the actual ground you are pouring on.
03
For owners. You need a check against a contractor's proposal. We produce an independent quantity takeoff and estimate you can compare line by line, with assumptions stated.
Midland by the numbers
Midland's residential construction pipeline
Select a bar to compare Midland with the largest Texas markets we cover.
1,317New housing units, 2025
1.8%Of all units in the Texas cities we cover
$298MPermitted residential value
0%In multifamily buildings
New housing units permitted in 2025. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey.
This city
Midland
1,317 new housing units in 2025 (-12.4% vs 2024).
1,317 single-family · 0 multifamily (0%).
Residential permits fell 12% in 2025
Midland issued 1,317 new privately-owned residential units in 2025, down from 1,504 in 2024 — a 12% decline. Every one of those units was single-family; multifamily permits were zero. The permitted value totaled $298M, or $225,900 per unit on average. Midland ranked 16th of 25 covered Texas cities by units and accounted for 1.8% of the 72,008 units permitted statewide. For bidders, that means the residential pipeline is thinner but still steady, and the absence of multifamily work pushes more contractors toward the same single-family and light commercial jobs. If you are pricing a subdivision phase in Midland, your competition is likely local and your margin depends on sitework accuracy.
What the numbers mean for your bid
At $225,900 average permitted value per unit, Midland homes sit in a range where slab, framing and roofing quantities drive most of the cost. A 12% drop in permits does not lower material prices — it increases competition for the work that remains. That makes takeoff accuracy more important, not less. If your sitework or concrete quantities are loose, you either lose the bid or win it at a loss. We see this most often on caliche over-excavation and post-tension slab pricing, where a 10% quantity error on a single lot can wipe out the margin on the whole house. Builders working Waco or Mesquite face similar pressure with different soil and labor conditions.
Services
Construction estimating services in Midland
We produce takeoffs and estimates for the project types that actually get built in Midland — single-family subdivisions, oilfield service buildings, and the sitework that comes first on both.
Sitework estimating
Caliche over-excavation, select fill import, grading and utility trenching quantities for Midland lots and subdivision phases.
CY · LF · TONConcrete estimating
Post-tension slab, foundation, driveway and flatwork quantities with formwork and reinforcement broken out separately.
CY · SF · LBFoundation estimating
Drilled piers, grade beams and post-tension slabs priced against expansive clay conditions common in Midland County.
CY · LF · EAFraming estimating
Wall, floor and roof framing takeoffs by member size and length, with waste factors typical for West Texas lumber supply.
BF · LF · EARoofing estimating
Shingle, metal and TPO systems priced with wind uplift fastening requirements for the Permian Basin's high-wind exposure.
SQ · LF · EAMEP estimating
Mechanical, electrical and plumbing quantities for residential and light commercial, including HVAC sizing for Midland's climate.
LF · EA · TONCommercial estimating
Tenant improvements, oilfield service shops and retail shells priced by CSI division with marked-up plan sets.
SF · LF · EAWho we provide estimates for
Who we produce Midland estimates for
General contractors
You are bidding Permian Basin service shops, tenant improvements and custom homes against three or four local competitors. We break the number into CSI divisions so you can see where your price sits before you submit.
Homebuilders
You run the same plan on multiple lots along the Loop 250 corridor and in northwest Midland, and each lot's caliche depth and utility run changes the dirt and slab cost. We price each lot separately.
Subcontractors
You bid concrete, framing, roofing or MEP packages to Midland builders. We give you a quantity takeoff in your division only, so you can mark up your own labor and equipment without paying for scope you do not install.
Oilfield and industrial owners
You are adding shop buildings, yard slabs, pipe racks or small process structures on acreage outside the city. We estimate the sitework, foundations and structural steel from your drawings and confirm what the adopted local code requires.
Commercial developers
You are underwriting retail, office or light industrial pads in Midland and need a check on the contractor's GMP. We produce an independent takeoff with assumptions stated so your lender and partners can review it.
Architects and engineers
You need a cost opinion at design milestones before the drawings are complete. We take your schematic set, flag the scope gaps, and return quantities organized by MasterFormat division for your own cost narrative.
Where we provide estimates
Midland areas and nearby communities we cover
We estimate from plans for projects across Midland County and the surrounding Permian Basin. Send the address or plat and we price the lot conditions that apply to it.
Central and north Midland
- Downtown Midland
- Old Midland
- Wilshire Park
- Grassland Estates
- North Park
- Loop 250 corridor
West and northwest Midland
- Westridge Park
- Green Tree
- Santa Rita
- West Midland
- Hogan Park area
South and east Midland
- South Midland
- Cotton Flat
- East Midland
- Airport area
Nearby Permian Basin communities
- Odessa
- Andrews
- Big Spring
- Stanton
- Gardendale
Property types
Types of Midland properties we estimate
All 1,317 new privately-owned units permitted by the city in 2025 were single-family, so house plans and the small commercial shells that support them are most of what we price here. The mix still includes oilfield-adjacent industrial work on acreage outside the city limits.
Single-family homes
Production and custom houses on infill lots and new plats across Midland County. We take off the post-tension slab, framing, roof, and MEP rough-in from the plan set and price each lot's soil and utility conditions separately.
Watch for: Slab thickness, beam depths, and select fill quantities.
Duplexes and small rentals
Two- and four-unit buildings on infill lots, often built by owner-investors. We separate the shared site work from the unit-by-unit finishes so you can see cost per door and compare it against the rent you expect.
Watch for: Shared utility trenches, fire separation, and parking counts.
Oilfield service shops
Pre-engineered metal buildings with office fronts, yard slabs, and equipment pads. We estimate the foundation, erection, and site work from the PEMB drawings and the civil set, then reconcile them against the supplier's quote.
Watch for: Anchor bolt layout, slab thickness, and yard drainage.
Retail and office shells
Small commercial buildings and tenant improvements along the Loop 250 corridor and in central Midland. We take off the shell and the tenant scope separately so you can price the base building and the fit-out on their own lines.
Watch for: Storefront glazing, demising walls, and MEP tie-ins.
Industrial and yard work
Pipe racks, compressor pads, tank foundations, and gravel yards on acreage outside the city limits. We estimate the earthwork, concrete, and structural steel from the drawings and note where the scope depends on the geotechnical report.
Watch for: Over-excavation depth, embed plates, and access roads.
Additions and remodels
Room additions, garage conversions, and interior renovations in older Midland neighborhoods. We take off the new work and flag the existing conditions that have to be verified in the field before the price is firm.
Watch for: Roof tie-in, foundation transition, and panel capacity.
Local factors
What changes a construction estimate in Midland
Two estimates for the same plan can land thousands apart depending on the lot, the adopted code, and the trade availability that week. These are the drivers we check before we price a Midland job.
Permitting and adopted codes
The City of Midland issues its own residential and commercial permits, and the adopted editions of the IBC, IRC, IECC, and NEC govern plan review. Wind and energy provisions can add bracing, hold-downs, and insulation beyond what a plan drawn for another market shows. We read the approved set and the review comments before we take off, and we tell you to confirm the current adopted edition with the local building department.
City of Midland building department · IBC · IRC · IECCCaliche and expansive clay
Midland County soils commonly include caliche layers and expansive clays that shrink and swell with moisture. That drives over-excavation, select fill import, moisture conditioning, and post-tension slab design. The geotechnical report sets the depth and the bearing pressure, and the same house plan can need a different foundation on two lots a mile apart. We price the slab and dirt from the soils report, not from a default detail.
Geotechnical report · select fill · post-tension slab · over-excavationHeat, wind, and hail
West Texas summers push attic temperatures and equipment sizing, and the region sees high wind and hail exposure. Roof coverings, fastening schedules, and HVAC tonnage can all move from a plan drawn for a milder climate. We check the roof assembly and the mechanical schedule against the exposure the drawings assume. Confirm the current wind and energy requirements with the local building department before you finalize.
Wind exposure · roof covering · HVAC sizing · hailLabor availability
Permian Basin construction demand pulls the same concrete, framing, and mechanical crews between residential, commercial, and oilfield work. When crews are stretched, labor rates and schedules move, and a bid that was tight in a slow month is thin in a busy one. We price labor by trade from ZIP-code-adjusted data and show the hours separately so you can adjust for your own crew and schedule.
Concrete crews · framing crews · mechanical trades · ZIP-code-adjusted laborSite work and drainage
Flat lots with poor natural fall need grading, swales, and sometimes storm drainage that a plan drawn for a sloped site never shows. Utility runs to the main, driveway approaches, and retaining at grade changes all add line items. We take off the civil sheet against the architectural sheet and flag where the site work is incomplete, because that is where most Midland bid surprises come from.
Grading · swales · storm drainage · utility runsMaterials and haul distance
Ready-mix, aggregate, and select fill are heavy and move by truck, so haul distance from the plant or pit shows up in the unit price. Midland sits far enough from the major Texas metros that some specialty materials carry a freight premium and a longer lead time. We price from local ZIP-code data and list the items where freight or lead time should be confirmed with the supplier before you buy out the job.
Ready-mix concrete · aggregate · select fill · freight premiumMidland estimating guide
How Midland conditions show up in a takeoff, trade by trade
Midland's mix of caliche, expansive clay, wind-driven rain, and hail changes quantities and waste factors in ways a generic takeoff misses. Here is how each trade's line items shift when you price work in Midland County.
Earthwork and sitework
Caliche is the first quantity that moves. Rock excavation is bid by cubic yard, not by the hour, so a takeoff that assumes common earth will underrun badly. We separate unclassified excavation from caliche ripping and haul-off, because haul distance to a permitted disposal site drives the unit cost more than the digging itself. Structural fill is measured in compacted cubic yards, and we apply typical shrinkage factors of 15 to 25 percent when converting bank to compacted volume. Drainage is next: with flat grades and clay subgrade, you need to price swales, area inlets, and storm pipe separately rather than burying them in a lump sum. See our sitework estimating services for how we structure those line items.
Framing and carpentry
Midland framing takeoffs are driven by wind and hail requirements rather than snow. That means more anchor bolts, hold-downs, and continuous load path hardware than a typical Texas takeoff. We count studs by length and spacing, plates by linear foot, and sheathing by sheet with a typical 5 to 10 percent waste factor for cuts and damage. Roof trusses are priced per truss from the supplier layout, not by square foot. Blocking for roof-mounted equipment and mechanical units is a common miss. Our framing estimating services page shows the format we use for wall, floor, and roof assemblies.
Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing
Midland's heat load pushes HVAC tonnage and duct sizing higher than a milder climate, so equipment selection affects the takeoff before you ever count fittings. We take off refrigerant line by linear foot, ductwork by pound and by square foot of surface area, and diffusers by each. On the electrical side, service entrance, panel schedules, and branch circuit counts come from the drawings, not from a square-foot allowance. Plumbing is counted by fixture and by linear foot of pipe per material type. MEP estimating services explains how we separate divisions 22, 23, and 26 so nothing lands in the wrong trade.
Concrete and foundations
Expansive clay means post-tensioned slabs and drilled piers are common on Midland residential and light commercial work, and the takeoff has to reflect that. We count pier quantity by diameter and depth, measure grade beams by linear foot, and price the slab by square foot of surface area with a separate line for thickened edges. Rebar is taken off by bar size and total weight in pounds, not by the ton, so the supplier quote can be checked line by line. Vapor retarder, base course, and curing compound are separate line items. Concrete estimating services covers the full division 03 breakdown we deliver.
Roofing
Hail is the single biggest driver of Midland roofing scope. We take off roof area by slope and material, then add ridge, hip, valley, and eave lengths separately, because those trim pieces carry their own labor rate. Underlayment is measured in squares with a typical 10 percent overlap allowance. Flashing at walls, penetrations, and pipe boots is counted by each, not by allowance. On commercial work, roof drains, scuppers, and tapered insulation are separate line items. If you are pricing a re-roof after a storm, we can break out tear-off and disposal by square so the insurance scope and your bid line up. Roofing estimating services has the full breakdown.
Scope gaps we see on Midland bids
- Caliche excavation left in the general conditions instead of a measured rock quantity, so the first change order is the dirt.
- Pier depth and diameter taken from a typical detail rather than the geotechnical report, which undercounts concrete and rebar.
- Wind and hail hardware — anchor bolts, hold-downs, and continuous load path — omitted because the framing takeoff stopped at studs and plates.
- Roof tear-off and disposal not separated from new roofing, which hides the cost of hauling shingles to a permitted landfill.
- Ductwork and refrigerant line priced as a square-foot allowance, which misses equipment tonnage and long runs in attic spaces.
- Final grade, swales, and storm inlets left to the site contractor without a measured drainage quantity in the bid.
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 Midland project
- Read the full setArchitectural, structural, civil and MEP drawings, the geotechnical report and every addendum.
- Check Midland 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 MidlandMaterial 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: single-family residence, Midland, TX
| Section | Line item | Qty | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 03 30 00 | Post-tensioned slab, 4 in. | 2,140 | SF |
| 03 30 00 | Drilled piers, 12 in. dia. | 28 | EA |
| 05 12 00 | Structural steel beams and columns | 1,850 | LB |
| 06 10 00 | Wall framing, 2x4 studs at 16 in. o.c. | 3,420 | LF |
| 06 10 00 | Roof trusses, per supplier layout | 42 | EA |
| 07 30 00 | Asphalt shingles, 30-year | 31 | SQ |
| 08 11 00 | Exterior door frames, hollow metal | 6 | EA |
| 09 29 00 | Gypsum board, 1/2 in., walls and ceilings | 6,850 | SF |
Worked example: slab-on-grade concrete for a Midland single-family home
This example sizes a post-tensioned slab for a 2,140 square foot single-family house in Midland. Dimensions are illustrative; use your own plan dimensions and confirm the geotechnical report before pricing piers.
Step 1 — Slab area. The house footprint measures 52 ft by 41.2 ft, which gives 2,142.4 SF. We round to 2,140 SF of slab surface.
Step 2 — Concrete volume. A 4-inch slab is 0.333 ft thick. 2,140 SF × 0.333 ft = 712.6 CF. Divide by 27 to convert to cubic yards: 712.6 ÷ 27 = 26.4 CY. Add a typical 5 percent waste for spillage and uneven subgrade: 26.4 × 1.05 = 27.7 CY, ordered as 28 CY.
Step 3 — Thickened edges. The perimeter is 2 × (52 + 41.2) = 186.4 LF. A 12 in. × 12 in. thickened edge adds 1.0 SF of cross-section, so 186.4 LF × 1.0 SF = 186.4 CF, or 6.9 CY. With 5 percent waste: 7.2 CY.
Step 4 — Drilled piers. Assume 28 piers at 12 in. diameter and 10 ft deep. Volume per pier = π × (0.5 ft)² × 10 ft = 7.85 CF. 28 × 7.85 = 219.8 CF, or 8.1 CY. Add 10 percent waste for over-excavation in clay: 8.9 CY.
Step 5 — Total concrete. 28 + 7.2 + 8.9 = 44.1 CY. Order 45 CY.
| Step | Calculation | Quantity | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slab area | 52 ft × 41.2 ft | 2,140 | SF |
| Slab volume | 2,140 × 0.333 ÷ 27 × 1.05 | 27.7 | CY |
| Thickened edge | 186.4 LF × 1.0 SF ÷ 27 × 1.05 | 7.2 | CY |
| Drilled piers | 28 × 7.85 CF ÷ 27 × 1.10 | 8.9 | CY |
| Total | 27.7 + 7.2 + 8.9 | 44.1 | CY |
Rebar and post-tensioning are taken off separately by bar size and weight. Vapor retarder is measured at the slab area plus a typical 10 percent lap. If you want this level of detail on your Midland plans, send them through our concrete estimating services page.
FAQ
Midland construction estimating questions
How does Midland's soil affect a foundation takeoff?
Expansive clay and caliche are common in Midland County, so most residential and light commercial foundations are post-tensioned slabs on drilled piers rather than simple spread footings. That means your takeoff needs pier count by diameter and depth, grade beam linear footage, and a separate slab area with thickened edges. Rebar is taken off by bar size and weight, not by allowance. Confirm the geotechnical report before you finalize pier depths, because a typical detail will undercount concrete and steel.
What wind and hail requirements show up in Midland framing and roofing takeoffs?
Midland sits in a high-wind and hail region, so framing takeoffs carry more anchor bolts, hold-downs, and continuous load path hardware than a typical Texas job. Roofing takeoffs need impact-rated shingles or the specified class, plus separate counts for ridge, hip, valley, and penetration flashing. Underlayment is measured in squares with a typical 10 percent overlap allowance. Confirm the adopted code edition and any local amendments with the City of Midland building department before you lock the scope.
Where does the permit data on this page come from?
The permit figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau Building Permits Survey for 2025, which counts new privately-owned residential units permitted by the city itself. Midland issued 1,317 units in 2025, down from 1,504 in 2024, a 12 percent decrease. All 1,317 were single-family; multifamily was zero. The permitted value was $298 million, averaging $225,900 per unit. The survey covers residential only, so it does not reflect commercial or industrial permit activity.
Do you cover projects outside Midland city limits?
Yes. We price work across Midland County and the surrounding region, including Odessa, Andrews, Big Spring, and Stanton. If your project is in a smaller jurisdiction, tell us the city and county so we can flag any local amendments to the adopted codes. We also cover other Texas markets such as Pasadena, McAllen, Mesquite, and Waco. The takeoff format is the same regardless of location.
What do you need from us to start a Midland takeoff?
Send the plan set, specifications, and any addenda in PDF. If you have a geotechnical report, include it, because pier depths and slab design depend on it. A scope letter or bid form helps us match your line item structure. We return Excel and PDF organized by CSI MasterFormat division with marked-up plan sets showing what we measured. Most projects turn around in 24 to 48 hours, and rush service is available.
How do you handle caliche in an earthwork takeoff?
We separate unclassified excavation from caliche ripping and haul-off, because rock excavation is priced by cubic yard and carries a different labor and equipment rate than common earth. Structural fill is measured in compacted cubic yards, and we apply typical shrinkage factors of 15 to 25 percent when converting bank volume to compacted volume. Haul distance to a permitted disposal site is a cost driver, so we note it as a line item rather than burying it in general conditions.
Can you price a re-roof or storm-damage scope in Midland?
Yes. We break out tear-off and disposal by square, then take off new roofing by slope and material with separate counts for ridge, hip, valley, and penetration flashing. Underlayment is measured in squares with a typical 10 percent overlap allowance. On commercial work, roof drains, scuppers, and tapered insulation are separate line items. That structure lets you compare your bid directly against an insurance scope. Roofing estimating services covers the full division 07 format.
How is MEP priced differently in Midland than in a milder climate?
Midland's summer heat load pushes HVAC tonnage and duct sizing higher, so equipment selection affects the takeoff before you count a single fitting. We take off refrigerant line by linear foot, ductwork by pound and by square foot of surface area, and diffusers by each. Electrical service entrance, panel schedules, and branch circuit counts come from the drawings rather than a square-foot allowance. Plumbing is counted by fixture and by linear foot per material type. MEP estimating services explains how we separate divisions 22, 23, and 26.
Do you provide commercial and industrial takeoffs for Midland projects?
Yes. Midland's commercial and industrial work includes warehouse, office, retail, and oilfield-support facilities. Those projects need division-by-division takeoffs for structural steel, metal building systems, concrete, and MEP, plus sitework for parking, drainage, and utilities. We price from the drawings and specifications, not from square-foot averages, so you can see the quantity behind every line. Commercial estimating services and industrial estimating services show the formats we deliver.
What is the turnaround for a Midland estimate?
Most projects return in 24 to 48 hours from the time we receive a complete plan set. Larger commercial or industrial packages may take longer, and we will tell you the schedule up front. Rush service is available if you have a bid deadline. Deliverables are Excel and PDF organized by CSI MasterFormat division, with marked-up plan sets showing what we measured. Pricing uses ZIP-code-adjusted material and labor data so the numbers reflect the Midland market.
Other Texas cities we cover
Popular services in Midland
Send your Midland project plans for a quote
Send your Midland plan set and specifications, and we will return a division-by-division takeoff in Excel and PDF within 24 to 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.