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.
Receive Bid Package
Estimator receives drawings, specs, addenda, bid forms, and scope documents.
- Project name / location
- Bid due date
- Drawing set date
- Addenda included
- Trade scope
- Wage requirements / union / prevailing wage
- Alternates and allowances
Review Documents in Bluebeam
Open the full drawing set in Bluebeam to understand the full scope before takeoff.
- Architectural drawings
- Structural drawings
- Civil / site drawings
- MEP drawings if needed
- Specifications
- General notes
- Finish schedules
- Door / window schedules
- Details and sections
Organize Drawings
Structure the drawing set in Bluebeam so nothing in scope is missed.
- Split drawings by discipline
- Rename sheets properly
- Bookmark sheets
- Check drawing scale
- Compare revised drawings / addenda
- Highlight important notes
Create Scope Checklist
Build a checklist of every item to quantify. Example for concrete shown below.
- Footings
- Slabs
- Foundation walls
- Reinforcement
- Vapor barrier
- Excavation
- Formwork
- Concrete finishing
- Saw cutting
- Anchor bolts
Import Drawings into PlanSwift
Bring relevant PDF sheets into PlanSwift and prepare them for takeoff.
- Set correct scale
- Verify scale with known dimension
- Organize pages by trade / area
- Create folders / items for each scope
Perform Quantity Takeoff in PlanSwift
Measure quantities using PlanSwift tools, separated by floor, area, phase, building, material, and thickness/size.
- Linear: walls, curbs, footing length
- Area: slabs, flooring, drywall, paint
- Count: doors, windows, fixtures, equipment
- Volume: concrete, excavation, backfill
Cross-Check Takeoff in Bluebeam
Use Bluebeam to verify important areas and details against the PlanSwift takeoff.
- Mark completed sheets
- Review sections / details
- Check notes
- Compare revisions
- Spot-check PlanSwift quantities
Review Specifications
Read trade specs carefully. Specs often include scope not clearly shown on drawings.
- Material requirements
- Product standards
- Installation methods
- Warranty requirements
- Testing requirements
- Submittals
- Exclusions
- Approved manufacturers
Build the Estimate
Transfer quantities into the estimating sheet/software and price the work.
- Material cost
- Labor cost
- Equipment cost
- Subcontractor cost
- Waste factor
- Tax
- Freight / delivery
- Overhead
- Profit
- Contingency
Get Vendor / Subcontractor Quotes
Send RFQs to suppliers and subs, then plug the best pricing into the estimate.
- Concrete supplier
- Rebar supplier
- Masonry supplier
- Drywall subcontractor
- Flooring vendor
- Equipment rental
Apply Production Rates
Labor is calculated using production rates to determine hours and crew cost.
- SF installed per crew per day
- CY concrete poured per day
- LF wall installed per day
- Sheets of drywall hung per day
Prepare Clarifications & Exclusions
List what is included and excluded to protect the contractor from scope confusion.
- Permits
- Bonds
- Engineering
- Testing
- Overtime
- Utility relocation
- Rock excavation
- Hazardous material removal
Review Addenda
Before final submission, check whether any addenda changed the scope and update accordingly.
- Drawings
- Quantities
- Pricing
- Bid form
- Clarifications
Final Internal Review
Estimator or senior estimator runs a final QA pass over the bid.
- Quantities
- Unit prices
- Labor rates
- Scope gaps
- Addenda
- Alternates
- Inclusions / exclusions
- Bid deadline
- Bid form requirements
Submit Bid
Final bid is submitted via 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