Changing a design on paper costs far less than changing it after construction documents are complete. A preliminary estimate shows early whether your scope fits your budget, so your architect can adjust layouts, systems, or finishes before redesign fees pile up.
Lenders, investors, and owners need a credible cost figure before they approve funding. Our conceptual estimates give you a defensible number for feasibility studies, pro formas, and loan applications, helping your project move from idea to approval with confidence.
A strong preliminary estimate becomes the benchmark your team measures against as the design grows. When you move into detailed construction cost estimating or quantity takeoff, every change can be tracked against that original baseline instead of starting from scratch.
We calculate gross floor area from your conceptual plans using ANSI/BOMA measurement standards, covering every level, mezzanine, and enclosed space. This figure drives your early cost per square foot and helps compare design options fairly. Owners and architects use it to confirm the building size matches the budget before design moves forward.
Our team measures total site area, buildable area, setbacks, and easements from your survey or site plan. Accurate land figures support zoning checks, lot coverage limits, and site development costs. This gives developers a clear picture of what the property can realistically hold.
We measure roof surfaces by type and slope, including flat membrane roofs, pitched shingle roofs, and metal systems. Our quantities account for overhangs, parapets, and slope factors that simple plan measurements often miss. You get a realistic early roofing budget that holds up when detailed pricing begins.
We quantify exterior wall areas by cladding type, such as brick, EIFS, curtain wall, fiber cement, and metal panels. Openings are deducted properly so your envelope numbers stay accurate. Since the building envelope is one of the largest cost drivers, this estimate helps your design team choose materials with the budget in mind.
We estimate early foundation quantities for spread footings, strip footings, slabs on grade, and pile or pier systems based on the building footprint and expected soil conditions. Concrete volumes, rebar weights, and formwork areas are prepared in a clear format. This helps you plan for one of the most unpredictable parts of any project.
Using site plans and topographic data, we calculate cut and fill volumes, excavation, backfill, and import or export quantities. Our sitework estimating approach helps you understand grading costs before a geotechnical report or final civil design is ready. It also prevents surprises tied to hauling and soil disposal.
We prepare conceptual framing quantities for wood, cold-formed steel, structural steel, and concrete systems. Our estimators apply typical member sizes and spacing to give you realistic tonnage, board footage, or concrete volumes. This lets your team compare structural systems early and pick the most cost-effective option.
We measure flooring, wall finishes, ceilings, and partitions by room type and finish level. Whether your project calls for basic, standard, or high-end finishes, we reflect that in the quantities and allowances. This helps owners set a finish budget that matches both the design intent and available funds.
We count and categorize doors, windows, and storefront openings by type, size, and material. Hardware allowances and frame types are included where your concept plans show enough detail. These counts feed directly into your envelope and interior budgets for a more complete early estimate.
For multifamily, hospitality, senior living, and mixed-use projects, we confirm unit counts, unit mix, and average unit sizes. This supports cost per unit analysis, which lenders and investors often use to judge feasibility. It also helps developers test different layouts to find the strongest return.
We measure parking lots, drive aisles, sidewalks, and curbs, along with stall counts and striping. Asphalt and concrete paving areas are separated for accurate pricing. This gives you a solid early budget for site work that is often underestimated at the concept stage.
We develop conceptual budgets for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems based on building type, size, and expected system quality. Costs are organized using CSI MasterFormat divisions for easy review. For deeper pricing later, our MEP estimation services build directly on these early figures.
Some projects cannot move forward without a trusted early number, whether it is for a bond vote, a loan approval, or an investor pitch. We support owners and design teams in industries where early cost accuracy decides whether a project gets built at all.
We help developers test office, retail, and mixed-use concepts against their pro formas before land purchase or design contracts. Our early figures support site selection, feasibility studies, and investor presentations.
We give owners a realistic budget before they hire a full design team, so they know what their money can build.
Developers use our estimates to test feasibility, strengthen pro formas, and present credible numbers to lenders and investors.
We help architects keep designs within the client's budget by pricing options during conceptual and schematic design.
Contractors rely on our early budgets for preconstruction services, design-build pursuits, and negotiated projects before full drawings exist.
We support CM teams with independent cost checks and baseline budgets that guide value engineering from the start.
Banks and equity partners use our estimates to review loan requests and confirm project costs align with proposed returns.
Getting an early cost figure from our team is simple and fast, even if your project is still a rough sketch. Here is how the process works from start to finish.
Upload your concept drawings, site plan, sketches, or even a written project description through our quote form or email.
Our team reviews your scope and sends a clear quote with pricing and turnaround time, usually within a few hours.
Once you approve, our estimators build your preliminary estimate using current market data and verified local labor and material rates.
You receive a detailed report in Excel and PDF format, and our lead estimator stays available to walk you through the numbers.
Browse real samples of our takeoffs, cost estimates, and drafting work to see the level of detail you can expect on your own project.
Our pricing depends on project size, building type, and the level of detail in your drawings. A simple single-building concept costs less than a large mixed-use development with multiple phases. We always send a free, fixed quote before any work begins, so you know the exact cost upfront with no hidden charges.
Most preliminary estimates are delivered within 24 to 48 hours after quote approval. Larger or more complex projects, such as hospitals or multi-building campuses, may take a few extra days. If you have an urgent deadline for a bid, board meeting, or loan submission, let us know, and we will do our best to prioritize your project.
You do not need a full set of construction documents. We can work from conceptual sketches, schematic drawings, site plans, massing models, or even a written project description with basic details like building type, size, and location. The more information you share, the tighter the estimate will be, but we can still give reliable figures at a very early stage.
Accuracy depends on how developed your design is. Under AACE International guidelines, a Class 5 conceptual estimate can range from about 20% to 50% below and 30% to 100% above final cost, while a Class 4 estimate is tighter. Our estimators narrow that range by using current RSMeans data, local labor and material pricing, and experience from similar completed projects, and we clearly state the assumptions behind every number.
Yes. Many of our clients submit our estimates to lenders, equity partners, and investment committees. Our reports are organized in CSI MasterFormat divisions with clear summaries, cost per square foot, and cost per unit figures, which makes them easy for financial reviewers to understand and trust.
A preliminary estimate is prepared during conceptual or schematic design, when drawings are limited, and it focuses on overall budget, major systems, and key quantities. A detailed estimate comes later, when construction documents are complete, and prices every material and labor item line by line. Once your drawings are ready, our construction cost estimating team can build a detailed estimate directly from your preliminary baseline.
Yes. We prepare preliminary estimates for projects in all 50 states. Our estimators adjust labor rates, material costs, and location factors based on your project's city and region, so the budget reflects real local market conditions rather than national averages.
Yes, and this is one of the most valuable ways to use our service. We can compare different structural systems, building sizes, envelope materials, or finish levels side by side. This helps owners and architects see the cost impact of each choice and select the option that best fits the budget.
You will receive your estimate in both Excel and PDF formats. The report includes a cost summary, division-by-division breakdown, key quantities, cost per square foot, and a list of assumptions and exclusions. The Excel file stays editable, so your team can update numbers as the design moves forward.
Yes. General contractors often use our preliminary estimates for design-build pursuits, negotiated work, and preconstruction proposals when full drawings are not yet available. Our early budgets help contractors submit competitive yet realistic numbers and reduce the risk of underpricing a job.
Yes. Designs often change during early stages, and we can revise your preliminary estimate to reflect new layouts, sizes, or materials. Minor updates are handled quickly, and for larger revisions we send a clear quote before starting, so you always stay in control of costs.
Absolutely. We treat every drawing, site plan, and financial detail as confidential. We are happy to sign a non-disclosure agreement before you share any project files, which is common for developers working on land acquisitions or unannounced projects.
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