Answers to the questions contractors, subcontractors, and developers ask most before working with an estimating service. If you don't see your question here, call +1 (917) 718-0084 or submit your plans and we'll answer it directly. Customer satisfaction is our top priority. We work closely with our clients to make sure that their ideas come to life, and we keep communication lines open throughout the whole building process.
Construction estimating is the process of calculating the total cost of a building project, including materials, labor, equipment, and overhead, before construction begins. Estimators use drawings and specifications to produce a detailed cost breakdown contractors use for bidding, budgeting, and project planning.
A professional estimate includes material quantities and costs, labor hours and rates, equipment costs, a CSI MasterFormat-organized breakdown by division, and a summary sheet for bid assembly. ALM Estimating delivers all of this in Excel or PDF format. /cost-estimating-service/
CSI MasterFormat is the standard numbering system used across the US construction industry to organize project specifications and costs, covering everything from sitework (Division 31) to electrical (Division 26) and finishes (Division 09). ALM organizes every estimate by these divisions for easy bid assembly.
An estimate is a detailed cost breakdown built from drawings and specifications, itemized by trade and material. A quote is typically a single bottom-line price. ALM Estimating provides full itemized estimates so you can verify every line item before submitting your bid.
Most estimating firms take 5–10 business days. ALM Estimating delivers standard-scope estimates within 24 hours, and multi-trade or complex projects within 48 hours. We confirm your exact turnaround before we start any work.
Estimates are delivered as an Excel workbook with itemized quantities, unit costs, and totals by CSI division, plus a summary tab for bid submission. PDF format is available on request. Files are organized so they're ready to drop directly into your bid.
How much does a construction estimator cost? A: Outsourced construction estimating typically costs a flat fee based on project size and trade scope, often far less than an in-house estimator's salary and overhead. ALM Estimating offers transparent flat-rate pricing with no hidden fees, see exact rates on our https://almestimating.com/pricing/ page.
Pricing is based on project scope, size, and number of trades, not whether it's residential or commercial. A small residential project and a small commercial tenant improvement of similar complexity are priced similarly. See our /pricing/ page for exact rate ranges.
Yes. Contractors who send us recurring work receive preferred pricing. Contact us to discuss volume rates if you anticipate needing multiple estimates per month
For most contractors, yes. An in-house estimator costs salary, benefits, software licenses, and training, often $70,000–$120,000+ annually. Outsourcing converts that fixed cost into a per-project fee, which is typically far less for firms bidding fewer than 15–20 projects per year.
No. ALM Estimating works on projects of all sizes, from single-trade residential renovations to multi-million dollar commercial and industrial builds. Pricing scales with project complexity, not a minimum threshold.
Estimates are delivered as an Excel workbook with itemized quantities, unit costs, and totals by CSI division, plus a summary tab for bid submission. PDF format is available on request. Files are organized so they're ready to drop directly into your bid.
ALM covers every trade from Division 01 through Division 48 — MEP, concrete, masonry, drywall, painting, flooring, sitework, thermal and moisture protection, and more. Unlike firms that specialize in one or two trades, ALM is structured like a general contractor — one firm for your entire scope. /services/
Yes. If you only need quantity takeoffs and plan to price them yourself, we can deliver takeoffs alone at a reduced rate. Most clients request the full estimate with pricing included. /construction-takeoff-services/
Yes. We estimate Davis-Bacon and state prevailing wage projects, applying the correct wage determinations and labor classifications required for public sector bids.
Yes. We provide standalone MEP estimates, electrical-only estimates, or combined multi-trade packages depending on what you need. Many contractors request electrical separately for sub-bid submission. /mep-estimating-service/ /electrical-estimating-services/
Yes. ALM regularly estimates industrial facilities, warehouses, manufacturing plants, and process facilities, covering all CSI divisions relevant to heavy industrial construction. /industrial-construction-estimating/
Upload your drawings, specifications, and any addenda through our /contact-us/ page, or email them to info@almestimating.com. We accept PDF, DWG, and Revit files. We confirm scope and turnaround before starting work.
We flag any gaps, assumptions, or missing information directly in the estimate so you know exactly what was assumed and why. We can also estimate from incomplete drawing sets, common during early design phases, with clearly noted assumptions.
Yes. We treat every project as confidential and will sign an NDA on request before reviewing your drawings and specifications.
Yes. We track changes across bid revisions and addenda, updating affected quantities and costs without re-estimating the entire project from scratch.
We use industry-standard tools including PlanSwift, Bluebeam, FastDuct, FastPipe, and Accubid depending on the trade and project type. These tools let us pull precise quantities directly from your digital plans
In most cases, yes. Contact us directly with your deadline and we'll confirm whether expedited turnaround is possible for your specific scope. Call +1 (917) 718-0084 for urgent requests.
We review and revise on request. If a quantity or cost doesn't match your expectations, send us the specific line item and we'll re-verify it against the drawings and explain or correct the figure.
Yes. ALM Estimating is based in Arlington, VA but serves contractors, subcontractors, and developers across all 50 states. Location does not affect turnaround time or pricing.
Yes. For Davis-Bacon and state prevailing wage projects, we apply the correct wage determination for your project's specific county and trade classification
Yes. On request, we can note how your project's estimated costs compare to typical ranges in your specific state or metro market, based on current material and labor data for that region
Material and labor costs vary by regional market, which is reflected in the pricing we use for your estimate — but our service fee does not change based on your project's location. /texas/ /california/ /florida/ /new-york/
Yes, on a limited basis. Contact us directly to discuss international project scope, currency, and applicable cost standards before submitting drawings.
Call us at +1 (917) 718-0084 or email info@almestimating.com. Or upload your plans now and get a complete estimate back within 24 hours — /contact-us/
