Services

Cost Estimating & Quantity Takeoffs

AACE-standard estimates and independent quantity takeoffs, from early feasibility through bid-ready documentation. Every output is reviewed by a certified estimator.

We Deliver Across the Full Estimate Class Spectrum

AACE International defines five estimate classes by design maturity and expected accuracy. We deliver the full spectrum, Class 5 (ROM) through Class 1 (Definitive), and support contractor and bid-scope estimates when needed.

5

Conceptual / ROM

0–2% design complete

±30–50%✓ We Deliver
4

Schematic

1–15% design complete

±15–30%✓ We Deliver
3

Budget / DD

10–40% design complete

±10–20%✓ We Deliver
2

Control / CD

30–70% design complete

±5–15%✓ We Deliver
1

Definitive

65–100% design complete

±5–10%✓ We Deliver

Get a Rough Cost Range in Minutes

Enter your project parameters to get a preliminary cost range. This is a planning tool, not a substitute for a formal estimate. Book a consultation to get a documented ROM with assumptions and contingency basis.

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ROM Estimate Calculator

Indicative cost range only · AACE Class 5 equivalent · For planning purposes

This estimate is for planning purposes only. Excludes soft costs, land, financing, FF&E, owner contingency, and escalation. Accuracy ±30–50% consistent with AACE Class 5. Book a consultation →

What Every Estimate Includes

We don't send you a spreadsheet and call it done. Every estimate comes with the documentation that makes it defensible.

Written Basis of Estimate

Every engagement includes a documented basis of estimate, what drawings and documents we used, what we assumed, what we excluded, and what would change the number if conditions differ.

Contingency Analysis

Contingency is set based on design maturity, site risk, and market conditions, not a flat percentage. We document the reasoning so stakeholders understand what the buffer covers and why.

Vendor-Verified Pricing

We work directly with trade subcontractors to verify pricing for key scopes, giving our estimates real market grounding beyond published cost databases.

CSI Division Breakdown

All detailed estimates are structured by CSI MasterFormat division so the numbers are traceable, comparable across projects, and easy to hand off to your project controls team.

Value Engineering Options

Where scope or budget tension exists, we identify VE opportunities with estimated cost impact, so the design team has real data to work with, not gut instinct.

Escalation & Risk Notes

We note current market conditions, material availability concerns, and any escalation factors we've applied, so the estimate is transparent about what could move the number.

Specialized Estimating for Complex Sectors

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Data Center & Mission Critical

Cost estimating for data center construction and fit-out, with specific expertise in low voltage (LV) systems, structured cabling, power distribution, UPS, PDU, BMS, and security infrastructure. We understand how MEP-heavy, high-density environments price out differently from standard commercial construction, and where scope gaps between trades are most costly.

LV EstimatingMEP-IntensiveMission CriticalData Center Fit-OutColocationEdge Computing
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Industrial & Infrastructure

Heavy civil, process facilities, and large-scale infrastructure projects where unit cost databases alone are insufficient and direct sub pricing relationships are essential.

Heavy CivilProcess FacilitiesSite WorkUtilities
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Institutional & Federal

Government facilities, federal programs, and institutional projects where AACE methodology, documentation rigor, and defensible contingency analysis are non-negotiable.

Federal FacilitiesEducationHealthcareCivic

Low Voltage & MEP Estimating for Data Centers

Data center and mission-critical construction cost estimating requires a fundamentally different approach than standard commercial work. MEP, low voltage, power, controls, and security scopes can drive a major share of total fit-out cost depending on project type, density, and tier requirements, and the scope boundaries between trades are where budget assumptions most commonly fail.

EstimaBuild has estimating experience on data center and mission critical projects, with specific expertise in low voltage systems cost estimating, including structured cabling, BMS, access control, CCTV, PDU, and UPS infrastructure. We understand current market pricing for LV scopes and the scope gaps between trades that most estimators miss.

What a Data Center Estimate Covers

  • Structural shell and core construction
  • Power distribution: switchgear, UPS, PDU, generators
  • Cooling: precision AC, CRAC/CRAH, chilled water systems
  • Low voltage: structured cabling, fiber, cable management
  • Security: access control, CCTV, intrusion detection
  • BMS / DCIM integration and controls infrastructure
  • Fire suppression (clean agent, pre-action)

See What an EstimaBuild Estimate Looks Like

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Sample Infrastructure Cost Estimate

A representative example of an EstimaBuild detailed cost estimate, showing our CSI division breakdown, quantity basis, unit rates, contingency analysis, and written basis of estimate. Download it to see the format and level of documentation you receive on every engagement.

Download Sample PDF →

Start With a Free 30-Minute Scope Review

Tell us about your project, what you have, what you need, and when. We'll tell you exactly what we can deliver and at what cost.

No commitment required · Response within 1 business day