How this works
Click any question to expand. We keep the language plain and the guidance practical—no fluff, no jargon. If you don’t see your exact situation, send us your plans and we’ll clarify scope, assumptions, and timelines up front.
- Focus: Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) for commercial, multifamily, and light industrial projects
- Services: Cost estimating, material takeoffs, budgeting, and quantity surveying from issued drawings
- Goal: Help you bid confidently, reduce risk, and keep projects on budget
How accurate are your takeoffs?
Our quantity takeoffs are built directly from the drawings and spec sections. For well-coordinated, current sets, typical quantity variance is in the 0–5% range for count-based items (fixtures, devices, valves) and 5–10% for measured linear/square items (conduit, duct, pipe, insulation). We flag any ambiguities, missing details, or scope conflicts so you can price risk appropriately.
Will you sign an NDA?
Yes. We routinely execute client NDAs and can use your template or ours. Uploaded plans are stored in secured cloud folders with access limited to your project team. We never share drawings, estimates, or contact information with third parties.
Which drawing formats do you accept?
We accept PDF (single or multi-sheet), DWG, and RVT. If you have image files (TIFF/JPG) or scans, we can still work with them, but vector PDFs or native CAD/BIM files speed things up and improve accuracy. Include spec sections and addenda if available, and zip large files for faster transfer.
What’s the typical turnaround?
It depends on scope and drawing completeness. As a guide: small TI or partial trade scopes: 1–3 business days; mid-size commercial (full M/E/P): 3–7 business days; large/multi-building or phased sets: 8–15 business days. Rush options are available—tell us your bid date and we’ll confirm a realistic schedule.
What do I receive at the end?
You’ll get an Excel workbook with system-, floor-, and area-level breakdowns; a labeled summary tab for fast quoting; an assumptions/clarifications log; and marked-up plans (Bluebeam or PlanSwift) showing traceable measurements and counts. On request, we’ll include alternates, VE options, and addenda tracking.
Do you include labor and overhead?
By default, we provide materials and measured quantities. We can add labor, equipment, and overhead using either your crew rates and production factors or widely used databases. We keep inputs transparent so you can adjust to market conditions.
How do you handle addenda and revisions?
We track deltas per addendum and update the estimate with a clear change log. Minor clarifications within 10 business days are typically included; substantial scope changes or re-designs are quoted as an update. We’ll confirm before proceeding so there are no surprises.
Can you use our assemblies and templates?
Absolutely. Share your preferred assemblies, cost codes, and Excel template, and we’ll align our deliverable to match. This makes it faster for your team to drop numbers straight into your bid workflow.
What if drawings are incomplete?
We proceed with a best-available approach: quantify what is shown, qualify what isn’t, and add allowances where appropriate. All assumptions are documented so you can communicate risk to stakeholders or request clarifications from the design team.
Which MEP scopes do you cover?
Mechanical (HVAC equipment, duct, pipe, insulation, controls takeoff), Electrical (power, lighting, feeders, branch, gear, devices; low-voltage on request), and Plumbing (domestic, sanitary, vent, gas, special waste, fixtures). Fire protection and specialty systems are available by request.
How do I get a quote?
Email plans to contact@robsansnstruction.com or use the Contact page. Include bid date, scope, alternates, and any target budget. We’ll review and send a fixed-fee quote and timeline the same day or next business day.