15 steps. Senior estimators. Bid-ready.
From bid package. To submitted bid.
A repeatable, senior-estimator workflow. Bluebeam for review, PlanSwift for takeoffs, specs cross-checked, pricing built up line by line, and a peer QA pass before submission.
- 15steps in every estimate
- 1HRfixed-fee quote response
- 24–48HRturnaround on any CSI division
- 50states covered
Every bid follows the same fifteen steps.
Five phases, one senior-estimator team. Nothing is priced until the scope is understood, and nothing is submitted until it has been reviewed.
- Steps 01–04
Intake
Bid package received, drawings reviewed and organized, scope checklist built.
- Steps 05–07
Takeoff
Sheets scaled in PlanSwift, quantities measured, cross-checked in Bluebeam.
- Steps 08–11
Pricing
Specs reviewed, estimate built line by line, vendor quotes and production rates applied.
- Steps 12–14
Review
Clarifications and exclusions written, addenda checked, final internal QA pass.
- Step 15
Submit
Final bid submitted through the required channel, on time.
Understand the scope before the takeoff.
The full drawing set is opened, organized and read in Bluebeam first, so every item in scope is on a checklist before a single quantity is measured.
Step 01: drawings, specs, addenda, bid forms and scope documents received.Receive bid package
Drawings, specs, addenda, bid forms and scope documents.
Project name and location · Bid due date · Drawing set date · Addenda · Trade scope · Wage requirements · Alternates and allowancesReview documents in Bluebeam
Open the full drawing set to understand the whole scope before takeoff.
Architectural · Structural · Civil / site · MEP · Specifications · General notes · Finish, door and window schedules · Details and sectionsOrganize drawings
Structure the set in Bluebeam so nothing in scope is missed.
Split by discipline · Rename and bookmark sheets · Check drawing scale · Compare revisions and addenda · Highlight important notesCreate scope checklist
A checklist of every item to quantify, for example concrete:
Footings · Slabs · Foundation walls · Reinforcement · Vapor barrier · Excavation · Formwork · Finishing · Saw cutting · Anchor boltsPrecision starts with the scale.
Relevant PDF sheets are imported into PlanSwift and prepared for takeoff. Quantities are measured and separated by floor, area, phase, building, material and thickness or size.
- Set correct scale
- Verify with a known dimension
- Organize pages by trade / area
- Folders for each scope
Every quantity, measured four ways.
Step 06: PlanSwift linear, area, count and volume tools, kept separate so every line can be priced and traced back to the sheet.
Linear
Walls, curbs and footing lengths.
Area
Slabs, flooring, drywall and paint.
Count
Doors, windows, fixtures and equipment.
Volume
Concrete, excavation and backfill.
Step 07: completed sheets are marked, sections, details and notes reviewed, revisions compared and PlanSwift quantities spot-checked.
Specs read. Every line priced.
Trade specs often include scope that isn't clearly shown on the drawings, so they are read before quantities are transferred into the estimate.
- 08Review specifications: materials, product standards, installation methods, warranty, testing, submittals, exclusions and approved manufacturers.
- 09Build the estimate: quantities transferred into the estimating sheet and priced line by line.
- 10Vendor and sub quotes: RFQs sent to suppliers and subs, best pricing plugged in.
- 11Production rates: labor hours and crew cost calculated from real output rates.
The final check.
Before anything is submitted, the bid is protected against scope confusion, updated for every addendum, and reviewed by a senior estimator.
Clarifications & exclusions
Permits, bonds, engineering, testing, overtime, utility relocation, rock and hazmat.
Addenda review
Drawings, quantities, pricing, bid form and clarifications updated.
Final internal review
Quantities, unit prices, labor rates, scope gaps and alternates.
Bid requirements
Inclusions, exclusions, bid deadline and bid form requirements.
Fifteen steps, one accountable team.
The same senior estimators carry your project from bid package to submission, for GCs, subcontractors and developers in all 50 states.
- Simple workflow
- Bid package received
- Review in Bluebeam
- Import to PlanSwift
- Takeoff quantities
- Review specs
- Price labor / material
- Get quotes
- Add O&P
- Final review
- Submit bid
Submitted on time, the way the GC asked.
The final bid goes out through the required channel with total price, scope, inclusions, exclusions, alternates, schedule assumptions and validity period.
- GC bid portal
- Online platform
- Sealed bid
- Excel / PDF proposal
- Total price
- Scope
- Inclusions
- Exclusions
- Alternates
- Schedule assumptions
- Validity period
- Bid form requirements
Have plans ready? Start a project.
Send your bid package and get a fixed-fee quote within the hour.