A quantity takeoff and a priced estimate serve different purposes. A lower fee may cover less work, while a larger package may include services your team already handles.
Give Each Company the Same Project Brief
Send the current drawing set, specifications, available addenda, project location, included trades, and your required delivery date. Identify alternates, exclusions, and any reporting format your team needs.
State whether you need measured quantities for your own pricing or an estimate that also includes agreed cost inputs. If you are unsure, compare quantity takeoffs, material takeoffs, and cost estimates before requesting quotations.
Ask each provider to identify the documents and revisions covered by its proposal.
Compare the Scope Before the Fee
Use these questions when reviewing proposals:
| Compare | Ask the provider |
|---|---|
| Trade coverage | Which trades, systems and areas are included or excluded? |
| Quantities | Will quantities be separated by item, unit, area or another agreed breakdown? |
| Cost inputs | Does the fee include pricing? What material, labor and equipment inputs will be used? |
| Deliverables | Which spreadsheets, reports, marked drawings and scope notes are included? |
| Schedule | When will delivery occur, and what information is needed before work starts? |
| Revisions | How are errors, new addenda and expanded scope handled? |
For a priced estimate, clarify how project location, supplier quotations, contractor-provided rates, and other agreed inputs will be addressed. An unexplained total gives your team less information to review.
Review a Relevant Sample
Request a sample that resembles your trade and reporting needs. Look beyond its appearance: can you follow the quantities, units, trade breakdowns, and information supporting the totals?
Vantage’s sample estimate library includes historical portfolio documents. Select “General Contractor / Multi-Trade” to compare a detailed residential estimate with its cost summary.
Use samples to assess reporting format and organization. Their project-specific quantities and historical prices should not become the basis of another bid.
Recognize When Two Quotes Cover Different Work
Consider this illustrative electrical example:
One proposal covers lighting and device quantities for your team to price. Another covers a broader agreed electrical scope and includes material and labor pricing.
These are different assignments. Before choosing between them, ask both providers to quote the scope you actually need. Confirm items such as feeders, panels, equipment connections, and exclusions wherever they apply to your documents. For trade-specific scope details, explore our electrical estimating services.
The estimating service fee is also separate from the construction costs shown in the completed estimate. Vantage’s pricing page explains how its estimating fees are scoped.
Agree on Review and Revision Responsibilities
Ask who will handle scope questions, what checks occur before delivery, and how assumptions or missing information will be recorded.
Confirm a delivery date that leaves your team time to review the work. Establish how later drawings, addenda, repricing and additional breakdowns affect the fee and schedule.
Your team still needs to review the estimate against its supplier quotations, operating costs and final bid requirements.
Request a Quote for Your Actual Scope
Compare providers against the same brief, inspect relevant work and confirm the deliverables in writing.
Explore Vantage’s construction estimating services, or send your plans for review with your project location, required trades, and bid deadline. We will review the documents and confirm the proposed scope, fee, and turnaround.