Square & Level / Guides / Outsourcing your estimating

Outsourcing your construction estimating: what to send and what to expect

Outsourcing takeoffs lets you bid more jobs without hiring an estimator. It works best when you know what to send, what you will get back and how to check it. Here is the whole process.

1. Send the plans

Send PDF drawings and any specs, plus a short note on your scope. For the fastest, most complete takeoff, include:

The full sheet set for your trade (for example the E-series for electrical or M-series for HVAC)
Architectural floor plans and reflected ceiling plans
Schedules: door, finish, fixture, equipment or panel schedules
Specs or a finish list, if you have them
Your bid date and anything you know is excluded

Small jobs can start from a short description and a few photos or sketches.

2. Get a fixed quote

A good service tells you the price and delivery date before any work starts. We send a fixed quote within 2 hours. You approve it and pay, and the work begins.

3. Receive the takeoff

Standard delivery is 24–48 hours, with rush available. You should receive:

An editable Excel file with quantities by division and live formulas
Marked-up plan sheets so you can see exactly what was counted
Written assumptions and exclusions
Pricing, if you ordered a full estimate, using your rates or current market pricing

4. Check it and ask for changes

Spot-check a few lines against the marked-up plans: a wall run, a fixture count, a room area. If your scope is different from what was assumed, ask for a revision. One round of revisions is included with every job we deliver.

5. Put your numbers in and bid

Add your supplier pricing, labor rates and markup, or send them once and we build them into every takeoff. Then send the bid.

When it makes sense to outsource

You are turning down bids because nobody has time to count them.
Takeoffs happen at night or on weekends.
You bid steadily and want a predictable monthly cost instead of a full-time salary.
You want a second set of numbers to check your own estimate.

Need a takeoff this week? Send your plans and get a fixed quote in 2 hours. Single-trade takeoffs are $99, full estimates $249–$499, and monthly plans start at $299 for 4 takeoffs.

Send your plans See pricing

Common questions

What do I need to send for an outsourced takeoff?

PDF drawings for your trade, the architectural floor plans and reflected ceiling plans, schedules, specs if available, and your bid date.

How fast can I get a takeoff?

Square & Level sends a fixed quote within 2 hours and delivers in 24 to 48 hours, with rush available.

Can the takeoff include my own pricing?

Yes. Send your supplier pricing, labor rates and markup and they are built into the Excel file.