Win More Bids With Accurate Commercial Estimates
At QTO Estimating, we have a team of commercial construction estimators having expertise in estimating commercial projects. When you need commercial estimating services or a detailed material takeoff for your next project, we can help. As a commercial building contractor, you deserve to work with the best. The QTO Estimating team will analyze your blueprints and quickly get started on providing a detailed spreadsheet containing all the materials and costs for your project.
Commercial estimating demands a vast knowledge of commercial construction and high accuracy too. A small mistake in estimating can lead to a loss of millions of dollars. QTO’s professional commercial estimators help you save time and we can do your estimates for a very nominal fee. No matter whether it’s a new construction, renovation, addition or restoration job, our expert quantity surveyors can help you in listing down each and every material required for your project. Moreover, we adopt a strict quality control and quality assurance procedure. Each of our project is reviewed by our senior managers before submission. Our managers have actual construction field experience and they know the key aspects of commercial estimating services.
- Shopping Centers & Malls
- General Stores
- Office buildings
- Restaurants & Hotels
- Warehouses
- Schools & Universities
- Hospitals & Clinics
- Theaters & Halls
- Senior Living Centers
- Industrial Buildings
- Powerplants
- Apartment Buildings
- Theaters
- Religious Buildings
- Self-Storage
- and many more….


Commercial Construction Estimating Services By QTO
Commercial Material Takeoffs
Our quantity surveyors are expert in doing commercial material takeoffs and prepare detailed BOQs for construction projects. The detailed quantity takeoffs are a must requirement if you want to place an accurate material order with your suppliers. A waste factor that could range between 5% to 10% is applied over the material quantity to account for the material wastage. Furthermore, by putting the material and labor costs in to the BOQ, QTO’s commercial takeoffs can be used for cost estimation and bid preparation.
Commercial Cost Estimates
In addition to material takeoffs, we also offer commercial cost estimating services to our customers. Based on the provided plans and specifications, we first of all take off all the materials and prepare a bill of quantity. The same BOQ serves as a base for the cost estimation of commercial project. We estimate the labor, equipment requirements and put the unit rates in the BOQ to get a budgeted cost estimate for commercial job. Furthermore, we also include miscellaneous costs such as mobilization fees, supervision charges, permits, overheads and profits etc. to get an accurate cost estimate for the project.
Commercial Bid Estimating
At QTO, we also offer commercial bid estimating services and here we handle all the bid review, preparation and submission tasks on your behalf. We review the RFP, addenda, plans, specifications etc. and prepare a detailed BOQ estimate as per the scope of works. Then we prepare a bid proposal sheet and submit it along with necessary documentation to your client for inclusion in the bidding process.
Our Commercial Estimating Service Includes
We prepare estimates as per the standard construction specification institute (CSI) divisions. Our services include detailed commercial takeoffs and estimating services for the following trades;
- Division 01 — General Requirements
- Division 02 — Existing Conditions
- Division 03 — Concrete
- Division 04 — Masonry
- Division 05 — Metals
- Division 06 — Wood, Plastics, and Composites
- Division 07 — Thermal and Moisture Protection
- Division 08 — Openings
- Division 09 — Finishes
- Division 10 — Specialties
- Division 11 — Equipment
- Division 12 — Furnishings
- Division 13 — Special Construction
- Division 14 — Conveying Equipment
- Division 15 — Plumbing + HVAC
- Division 16 — Electrical + Lighting
- Division 31 — Earthwork
- Division 32 — Exterior Improvements
Types of Commercial Estimates That We Offer
Commercial construction projects go-through various design and review stages and an estimate is required at each of the stage to assess the costs involved in a particular design. Moreover, for value engineering and cost control, it is very important to get a detailed cost estimate at any stage of commercial project. QTO Estimating is best choice for outsourcing commercial estimating services as we are expert in estimation of projects at any stage of the process. It includes;
Conceptual Design Estimates
A conceptual estimate is prepared at very early stage of commercial project when the available information is very limited. We make appropriate assumptions to estimate the incurred costs and expenses. This estimate helps the key stake-holders in determining the feasibility of project and help them in making the go or no-go decision. We take into consideration the factors such as project size, complexity and historical cost data of similar projects while preparing the conceptual design estimate of commercial project.
Schematic Design Estimates
As the project moves to the schematic design phase, we prepare a more refined estimate that considers the project layout, dimensions and major systems required for the commercial project. At this stage, we prepare a preliminary bill of quantity (BOQ) and also price the activities based on the unit rates for material and labor. We can also then compute the cost per square foot and compare it with similar projects to determine feasibility and apply value engineering. Usually the material types and quality are not yet determined at this stage so we account for extra cost factors too.
Design Development Estimates
At this stage we have the detailed construction plans, specifications, material types and quality information available. So, a detailed commercial cost estimate is prepared based on the provided blueprints and information. We prepare quantity takeoffs for various trades such as civil works, masonry works, carpentry works, finishing works, MEP works etc. Then a detailed trade-wise cost estimate is prepared by considering each and every detail provided in the design documentation.
Construction Documentation Estimates
The final construction plans as approved by the involved stake-holders are used to prepare the most accurate commercial construction cost estimate. All the direct and indirect costs are estimated and considered in this estimate. We include the labor, material, equipment costs along with the permits, supervision fees, subcontractors pricing etc. in the construction documentation-based estimate.
Bidding Estimates
Commercial bid estimates by QTO Estimating are used by contractors and builders to participate in the bidding activities. We prepare detailed bidding take-offs and cost estimates based on your plans and scope of works. Taking into consideration each and every cost aspect, we ensure that the bid estimate is accurate and aligns with the project requirements. This helps you in winning more bids with our commercial estimating services.
Commercial Construction Estimating Softwares
We use advance digital takeoff estimating softwares to estimate accurately the materials and costs involved in a commercial project. Some notable estimating softwares include;
- Planswift
- Bluebeam
- Estimator360
- Clear Estimates
- BuildXact
- Sage Estimating
- Stack
- Houzzpro
Benefits for Commercial Contractors
We have industry trained commercial estimators having expertise and knowledge required for estimating commercial construction projects. We ensure that the estimates we prepare are accurate, complete and aligns with the specified requirements. By outsourcing estimating to QTO, you get a lot of benefits including;
- Fast & Accurate Estimates
- Cost & Time Savings
- 24/7 Support Available
- Free Revisions
How to Get Started?
1. Upload Plans:
Click on the upload plans or Get Estimate button and provide the required information such as name, email, phone number, project scope etc. Then upload the plans to our dropbox or send them via email to us.
2. Pay Invoice:
Our estimating manager will review the plans, scope of works and will send you an invoice that to be paid online via any credit card.
3. Receive Estimate:
Our commercial estimating team will start working on your project soon after the confirmation of payment. You will receive the final estimate in excel spreadsheet along with PDF marked plans.
Our Service Areas
We proudly offer commercial construction estimation services all over the USA. Major states in which we offer services include Oregon, Ohio, Alabama, Virginia, Nevada, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Arizona, Minnesota, Delaware, Rhode Island, Colorado, Iowa, Georgia, Connecticut, North Dakota, South Dakota, New Hampshire, Nebraska, Vermont, Maryland, Wyoming, Oklahoma, Kansas, Massachusetts, New Mexico, Hawaii, Kentucky, Louisiana, Washington.
At QTO Estimating, we serve commercial building contractors and building professionals that engage in both civil and private construction projects. By providing you with accurate material takeoffs and commercial cost estimates, you can do your job more effectively. Our clients specialize in a wide range of construction projects like offices, retail centers, religious buildings, hospitals, hotels and more. To learn more about the commercial construction estimating services we can provide, contact us today!
If you’re preparing to bid on a civil construction project, we can help you prepare a complete construction cost estimate or material takeoff. When it comes to securing that contract, you rely on accurate material & cost projections to make the right bid. You can have faith in our experienced team to make sure you have all the information you need to bid appropriately.
Your material takeoff spreadsheet will come with a mix of both required materials and labor needs. By quantifying the required materials you need with both speed and accuracy, you can experience higher cost savings and less loss. Some of the areas your material takeoff will contain are:
- Sitework
- Concrete
- Masonry
- Structural Steel
- Carpentry & Framing
- Painting
- Thermal Insulation
- Plumbing
- And much more…
For a complete list of areas, your takeoff will address, reach out to our team of expert specialists to discuss the details.
Our commercial construction estimating services follow a process that guarantees both accuracy & reliability. Take a look below to see how we do things at QTO Estimating.
Analysis
We’ll take a look at your schematics, blueprints, and conceptual documentation to dive deep into every nook and cranny contained within. With laser-like attention to detail will make sure every beam and board is taken into consideration.
Material Takeoff
By taking every piece of your documentation into consideration, we’ll put together an ultra-precise material takeoff to begin preparing a professional cost estimate for your bid.
Construction Cost Estimate
Through a combination of both software and manual estimation services, we’ll quickly put together an accurate cost estimate to help you win bids faster than ever before.
We take pride in doing things the right way. With so many years of experience and industry insight, we’ll help you avoid time-consuming & costly errors on your material takeoffs. When it comes to providing you with a comprehensive list of materials to complete your project, accuracy is critical. Just like anything else in life, the more you do, the better you get. Based on the sheer volume of commercial takeoffs we do in a month, you can be certain that we’ll get yours done right, the first time.
Let’s get started on preparing your takeoff and construction cost estimate today.