Detailed, line-item cost estimates and material takeoffs from professional estimators — delivered in 24 to 48 hours, formatted the way you bid.
Serving general contractors, subcontractors, developers and builders across all 50 states.
Prime Estimation turns your drawings into a priced, bid-ready estimate. You send plans, specifications and scope documents; our estimators perform a digital quantity takeoff, apply current ZIP-code-level material and labor pricing, and return an itemized breakdown organised by CSI MasterFormat division — usually within 24 to 48 hours.
We work with general contractors bidding full commercial packages, subcontractors pricing a single trade, developers testing feasibility before design is complete, and builders who need a second set of eyes on a number before it goes out the door.
A fully loaded in-house estimator — salary, benefits, software, overhead — runs well into six figures a year. That cost is fixed whether you're bidding four jobs a month or fourteen. Outsourcing converts it into a variable cost: you pay per estimate, scale up during bid season, and scale to zero when you're quiet.
But cost isn't usually why contractors call us. Capacity is. When three bid deadlines land in the same week, something gets rushed — and a rushed takeoff is how margin disappears. We absorb the volume so your team keeps its judgment on scope decisions, subcontractor strategy and the client relationship.
More About Prime EstimationYou pay per project, only when you have work to bid — no salary, benefits or takeoff software licence to carry.
Three deadlines in one week? We take the takeoff so your team keeps its judgment on scope and strategy.
All 50 divisions, itemised quantities, and material/labor pricing organised the way you bid.
Every estimate is checked by a second estimator before it goes out. Any large variance triggers a full re-check.
Linear feet, square feet, cubic yards and counts, measured directly from your drawings.
Adjusted to your project's location, sourced from RSMeans and our maintained cost databases.
Reflecting local market conditions, including prevailing wage and Davis-Bacon where applicable.
Broken out separately so you can see exactly what's driving the number.
Clearly separated line items you can adjust to fit your bid strategy.
Every clarification, every scope gap we flagged, every allowance we carried — written down.
Excel, PDF, or dropped straight into your own bid template.
Our process ensures you get an accurate, defensible estimate without the hassle — and it's the same process whether it's your first project with us or your fiftieth.
Ambiguities, missing details and conflicts between drawings and specs are flagged and sent back as questions — not silently assumed.
Using PlanSwift, Bluebeam Revu and On-Screen Takeoff, we measure every item digitally by MasterFormat division.
Material and labor costs from RSMeans and our maintained databases, adjusted to your project's ZIP code.
A second estimator audits quantities, formulas and totals before you receive the finished file in your format.
Scope changed? Addendum issued? We update the affected line items — revisions are included, not re-billed.
Software & Cost Data We Work With
Plus FastDUCT and FastPIPE, Craftsman, and our own maintained regional cost databases. We accept PDFs, CAD files and BIM models — you don't need to own any of this software, that's the point.
You know exactly who you're contracting with, and repeat clients work with the same estimator every time.
Prime Estimation LLC is registered in Texas with an office in Plano — not an anonymous marketplace.
Numbers are signed off by people who've worked in the trades they're pricing, not just software operators.
Every estimate is priced to your ZIP code — national averages are how contractors lose bids they should have won.
They learn your bid format, your markups and your preferences over time.
Scope changes are part of the job, not a change order on our invoice.
Your drawings, pricing and client information stay confidential. NDAs on request.
We estimate across the full MasterFormat structure — all 50 divisions. If your trade isn't listed, ask — we've almost certainly priced it.
Quantities, formwork, rebar schedules and pour sequencing priced to your market.
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Block, brick and stone takeoffs with labor and material pricing by course and course type.
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Power, lighting and low-voltage takeoffs with panel and circuit-level detail.
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Fixture counts, piping runs and system takeoffs for residential and commercial scopes.
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Duct, equipment and controls takeoffs, including FastDUCT/FastPIPE workflows.
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Coordinated mechanical, electrical and plumbing packages for full commercial bids.
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Accuracy depends on how complete your documents are. That's not a hedge — it's how cost estimating works. We classify every estimate against the AACE International system so you know exactly what tolerance you're working with.
| Class | Design Complete | Accuracy Range | Used For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class 5 | 0–2% | −30% to +50% | Screening & concept viability |
| Class 4 | 1–15% | −20% to +30% | Feasibility & early budgeting |
| Class 3 | 10–40% | −15% to +20% | Budget authorisation |
| Class 2 | 30–70% | −10% to +15% | Bid preparation & cost control |
| Class 1 | 50–100% | −5% to +10% | Final check estimates & bid validation |
Retail, office fit-outs, restaurants, warehouses, mixed-use and tenant improvements — each with its own code requirements and pricing structure.
Single-family custom homes, multi-family, apartments, townhouses, additions and remodels.
Manufacturing facilities, processing plants, warehousing and heavy equipment installations.
Correctional, military support, education and healthcare — including prevailing wage and Davis-Bacon compliance.
Who We Work With
We provide construction estimating services nationwide, and pricing is adjusted to local market conditions in every case.
Browse Service AreasA look at recent federal, institutional and commercial work we've priced.
"I became worry less when I hired these people. These people have given me the results that I wanted. Exact estimation and cost prediction enabled me to say that Prime is matchless in its work."
"I love the accuracy that Prime has provided me. I would love to recommend the company for estimation to new customers."
"Prime Estimation is the company that has given me satisfaction. Their style of work is efficient and effective, and I'm impressed by the team's quick response and accuracy."
Pricing depends on drawing count, number of divisions and document completeness — not the contract value of the project. Send your plans and you'll get a fixed quote with a delivery time before any work starts.
One trade, one division — ideal for subs pricing a single scope.
Multiple trades on a residential project, from single-family to multi-family.
Complete commercial packages across every division you're bidding.
A set monthly volume with your dedicated estimator first in line.
See the full rate card on our Pricing page.
Upload your drawings and get a fixed quote with a delivery time — usually within a few hours. No obligation, no software to buy.
