14 Articles

Estimating & Takeoffs

Improve your estimating accuracy and efficiency. From material takeoffs to labor hour estimation, learn techniques and AI tools that help you bid competitively while protecting margins.

Questions This Topic Covers

1

How can AI help with material takeoffs?

2

How do I estimate labor hours accurately?

3

What pricing strategies win competitive bids?

4

How do I handle alternates and allowances?

5

How do I use historical data to improve estimates?

Articles

MEPPreconstruction+2

Bid Review SOP: Standardize Quality Across Estimators

Create a standard operating procedure for bid reviews that ensures consistent quality regardless of which estimator handles the project.

Oct 21, 20255 min read
Read
EstimatingLabor Hours+2

Labor Hour Estimation: Building Accurate Productivity Factors

Learn how to develop reliable labor productivity factors from historical data and adjust them for project-specific conditions.

Oct 15, 20256 min read
Read
MEPPreconstruction+2

Comparing Revisions: A Practical Guide to Addendum Control

Master the process of comparing document revisions across addenda to catch scope changes before they become expensive surprises.

Oct 14, 20256 min read
Read
EstimatingTakeoffs+3

Using AI to Speed Up Material Takeoffs

Learn practical techniques for using AI to accelerate quantity takeoffs while maintaining accuracy and catching what automated tools miss.

Oct 8, 20256 min read
Read
MEPPreconstruction+2

Estimating from Addenda: What Changed and Why It Matters

Learn how to efficiently process addenda and update your estimates without missing critical changes that affect your bid.

Oct 7, 20255 min read
Read
EstimatingPricing+3

Pricing Strategy: When to Be Aggressive vs. Conservative

Learn how to adjust your pricing strategy based on project characteristics, competitive landscape, and your company's current needs.

Oct 1, 20256 min read
Read
MEPPreconstruction+2

Inclusions vs Exclusions: The Subcontractor Playbook + Templates

A complete guide to writing clear inclusions and exclusions lists that protect your scope and prevent disputes on construction projects.

Sep 30, 20256 min read
Read
EstimatingMEP+2

Historical Data: Mining Past Projects for Better Estimates

Learn how to systematically capture, organize, and analyze data from completed projects to improve future estimating accuracy.

Sep 24, 20256 min read
Read
MEPPreconstruction+2

Clarifications That Win Jobs (and Protect Margin)

Learn how to write bid clarifications that differentiate your proposal, protect your margin, and show GCs you understand the project.

Sep 23, 20255 min read
Read
MEPPreconstruction+2

Alternates, Allowances, Unit Prices: How AI Helps You Price With Confidence

Master the pricing of alternates, allowances, and unit prices in construction bids with practical strategies and AI-assisted analysis.

Sep 16, 20255 min read
Read
MEPPreconstruction+2

The Gotchas Checklist: Hidden Requirements AI Should Flag Every Time

A checklist of commonly missed requirements in bid documents that AI can help you catch before they become expensive surprises.

Sep 9, 20255 min read
Read
MEPPreconstruction+2

How to Build a Scope Sheet From Specs + Drawings in Under an Hour

A practical workflow for extracting scope items from specs and drawings to create a complete scope sheet faster than manual methods.

Sep 2, 20255 min read
Read
MEPPreconstruction+3

The 10-Minute Bid Package Triage Using AI

Learn how to quickly assess bid packages and decide which opportunities are worth your team's time using a structured AI-assisted triage process.

Aug 22, 20255 min read
Read
MEPPreconstruction+2

Turn an ITB Into a Bid Checklist (Without Missing a Deadline)

Extract every requirement from an invitation to bid and build a complete checklist so nothing falls through the cracks on bid day.

Aug 15, 20255 min read
Read

Need Help Implementing AI for Estimating & Takeoffs?

Our fractional AI engineers specialize in construction technology. Let us help you implement practical AI solutions.

Schedule a Consultation