Trade Estimating Services by CSI Division
You have a plan set and need to know which trade estimate to order first, or whether a single trade takeoff can anchor a multi-trade bid. This hub maps each of our trade pages to the bid stage it fits — conceptual budget, design development, hard bid, or change order — and the exact deliverable you receive. We cover CSI MasterFormat divisions from Div 02 sitework through Div 33 utilities, with each page scoped to one division or sub-trade so quantities and units match how that trade actually bids. You get Excel and PDF output organized by division, with marked-up plan sets. Turnaround is 24–48 hours for most projects, and rush is available. Use the table and stage guide below to pick the right estimate instead of ordering a full takeoff you do not need yet.
What this group covers and how the trade pages differ
This hub spans CSI MasterFormat divisions from Div 02 sitework through Div 33 utilities. Each child page is scoped to a single division or sub-trade so quantities and units match how that trade bids. Div 03 concrete means formwork, rebar, and placement. Div 05 miscellaneous metals means embeds, lintels, stairs, and rails — not structural steel tonnage. That boundary matters because a concrete sub and a steel fabricator bid in different units and carry different scope.
Each page returns quantities in the trade's native unit: CY for concrete, tons for steel, LF for fencing and pipe, SF for roofing and finishes, EA for fixtures and sprinkler heads. Where trades overlap — concrete versus sitework, MEP versus fire protection — the page notes what is excluded so you do not double-count or miss a scope gap. For example, Div 31 sitework excludes building pad concrete, while Div 03 concrete excludes excavation and backfill.
Residential and light-commercial work often needs only two or three trade estimates. Heavy civil and industrial work typically needs the full division set. If you are unsure which division your scope falls under, start with the closest parent page and check its exclusions list against your bid form. You can also get an estimate and we will confirm the trade scope before starting.
Service | Use it when | What you receive
Use this table to match your bid stage and scope type to the right trade page. The deliverable is always Excel and PDF organized by CSI MasterFormat division, with marked-up plan sets. Trigger conditions name a real bid stage: conceptual budget, design development, hard bid, or change order. Units are listed so you can match the estimate to your bid form.
| Service | Use it when | What you receive | Native unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sitework Estimating | Conceptual budget for Div 31; clearing, grading, utilities, paving | Div 31 takeoff with cut/fill, pipe LF, paving SF, and marked-up site plan | CY, LF, SF |
| Concrete Estimating | Design development with footing and slab dimensions; Div 03 hard bid | Formwork SF, rebar tons, concrete CY by mix, and placement labor | CY, SF, tons |
| Structural Steel Estimating | Hard bid for Div 05 structural; tonnage by member and connections | Member-by-member tonnage, connection counts, and erection hours | tons, EA |
| MEP Estimating | Design development or hard bid for Div 22, 23, 26; mechanical, HVAC, plumbing, electrical | Equipment schedules, pipe LF, ductwork lbs, wiring LF, and fixture counts | LF, EA, lbs |
| Fire Protection & Sprinkler | Hard bid for Div 21; head counts, standpipe, NFPA scope | Head counts by hazard class, pipe LF by diameter, and standpipe risers | EA, LF |
| Interior & Exterior Finishes | Hard bid for Div 09; drywall, paint, flooring, ceilings | SF by assembly, LF of trim, and finish schedule cross-check | SF, LF |
| Demolition Estimating | Change order or selective demo scope; Div 02 demolition | Demo SF, LF of walls, and disposal tonnage with haul-off | SF, LF, tons |
How to choose the right service for your bid stage
At conceptual or schematic stage, order the parent-division estimate (Div 02, Div 03, Div 26, etc.) with allowances, not a full quantity takeoff. You need a number to hold, not a buyout package. Allowances should be stated as a line item with a unit basis so you can adjust later.
At design development with dimensions on drawings, order the trade-specific takeoff so quantities can be measured from the plan set rather than assumed. This is when you want formwork SF, rebar tons, and concrete CY by mix — not a lump sum.
At hard bid with a full set, order every division that appears in your scope of work. Cross-check the exclusions list on each trade page against your bid form. If you are a subcontractor bidding one trade, order only your division — the hub pages list the exact inputs we need from you.
For a change order or addendum, order only the affected trade so the delta is clean and traceable to the revised sheets. If you need help deciding, get an estimate and we will confirm the trade scope before starting.
Our process from plans to estimate
You send the plan set (PDF), specifications, and any addenda. We confirm the trade scope and bid date before starting. We perform the takeoff in Bluebeam Revu and PlanSwift, marking up the sheets so every quantity traces back to a drawing.
Pricing is ZIP-code-adjusted material and labor using RSMeans data, so the labor rate reflects your market, not a national average. Deliverable is Excel and PDF organized by CSI MasterFormat division, with the marked-up plan set attached. Turnaround is 24–48 hours for most projects; rush available when your bid date is tight. You review the estimate and send back questions before you submit your bid.
We do not invent quantities. Every line item ties to a marked-up sheet, and we note assumptions where dimensions are missing. If you need a trade estimate for a specific division, get an estimate and we will confirm scope.
What you receive
- Excel and PDF estimate organized by CSI MasterFormat division
- Marked-up plan set with every quantity traced to a sheet
- ZIP-code-adjusted material and labor pricing using RSMeans data
- Exclusions list per trade to prevent double-counting
- Assumptions log for missing dimensions or unclear scope
- 24–48 hour turnaround for most projects; rush available
Related services
- Sitework Estimating Services
- Fencing Estimating Services
- Concrete Estimating Services
- Civil Estimating Services
- Demolition Estimating Services
- Structural Steel Estimating
- Miscellaneous Metals Estimating
- Masonry Estimating Services
- MEP Estimating Services
- Fire Protection & Sprinkler Estimating
- Interior & Exterior Finishes Estimating
- Metal Building & PEMB Estimating
- Openings Estimating Services
- Thermal & Moisture Protection Estimating
- Wood, Plastics & Composites Estimating
- Deck Estimating Services
- Fire Alarm & Low Voltage Estimating
- Garage Estimating Services
- Swimming Pool Estimating
- Solar & EV Charging Estimating
Frequently asked questions
Can I order just one trade estimate, or do I have to buy the full takeoff?
You can order a single trade estimate. Each page is scoped to one CSI division or sub-trade, so you get quantities in that trade's native unit without paying for divisions outside your scope. If you are a subcontractor bidding one trade, order only your division. If you need multiple trades, order each separately or ask us to bundle.
What is the difference between the concrete estimating service and the sitework estimating service?
Concrete covers Div 03: formwork, rebar, and concrete placement for footings, slabs, and walls. Sitework covers Div 31: clearing, grading, excavation, backfill, and utilities. The boundary is drawn at the trade level, so building pad concrete is in Div 03, while excavation and backfill for that pad is in Div 31. Each page lists exclusions.
Which estimate should I order at the conceptual design stage?
Order the parent-division estimate with allowances, not a full quantity takeoff. At conceptual stage you need a number to hold, not a buyout package. Use the parent page for Div 02, Div 03, Div 26, etc., and state allowances as line items with a unit basis so you can adjust later as drawings develop.
Do you price labor by ZIP code or use a national average?
We price labor by ZIP code using RSMeans data. That means the labor rate reflects your market rather than a national average. Material pricing is also ZIP-code-adjusted. This matters for trades with wide labor rate swings, such as concrete, steel erection, and MEP rough-in.
What files do you need from me to start a trade takeoff?
Send the plan set as PDF, the specifications, and any addenda. If you have a bid form or scope sheet, include it so we can cross-check exclusions. For change orders, send the revised sheets and the original estimate if available. We confirm trade scope and bid date before starting.
How fast can you turn around a trade estimate before my bid date?
Turnaround is 24–48 hours for most projects. Rush is available when your bid date is tight. The exact time depends on sheet count, number of divisions, and whether dimensions are clear. We confirm the schedule when we confirm scope, before starting the takeoff.
Need a trade estimate for your bid?
Send your plan set and we will confirm the trade scope and bid date before starting.
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