Commercial MEP Estimating Services for Trade Contractors
Specialized quantity takeoffs and preconstruction cost estimating for commercial mechanical, plumbing, HVAC, sheet metal, and electrical contractors. We deliver granular line-item markups, verified material counts, and comprehensive bid-day scope reviews.
What JLG Estimating Does
We operate as a dedicated preconstruction estimating partner for commercial subcontractors, mechanical fabricators, and general contractors. We bridge the gap between complex engineering drawings and bid-day pricing.
Digital Quantity Takeoffs
Precision line-item quantification of all MEP components—pipe footages, fitting counts, duct poundage, conduit runs, and equipment tags—organized by system, floor, and cost code.
- System-by-system separation
- Color-coded blueprint markups
- Verified Bill of Quantities (BOQ)
Bid-Day Pricing & Scope Letters
Complete bid assembly support including material quote evaluation, customized labor hour allocations, and clear Assumptions & Clarifications scope letters.
- Subcontractor bid recaps
- Inclusions & exclusions review
- Addenda & scope gap mitigation
Design-Build & Conceptual Budgets
Early-phase mechanical cost modeling from architectural floor plans and schematic narratives when engineered MEP drawings are not yet developed.
- Schematic square-foot models
- Constructability & scope gap checks
- Value engineering options
Commercial MEP Trade Specialties
Our primary engineering preconstruction division specializes in commercial mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and air distribution systems, delivering precision line-item quantification for specialized trade contractors nationwide.
Commercial Plumbing
Complete CSI Division 22 takeoffs: domestic water (copper, PEX, CPVC), sanitary waste & vent (PVC DWV, cast iron no-hub), storm drainage, commercial fixtures, carriers, water heaters, and backflow preventers.
- Underground vs. above-ground piping split
- Itemized fixture & carrier counts
- Fitting counts, valves, strainers & hangers
Commercial HVAC
Comprehensive Division 23 mechanical equipment takeoffs: rooftop units (RTUs), chillers, cooling towers, boilers, AHUs, variable refrigerant flow (VRF) systems, exhaust fans, and split systems.
- Equipment schedules & capacity tags
- Terminal units, VAV boxes & dampers
- Equipment hookup piping coordination
Commercial Electrical
Complete CSI Division 26 power and lighting takeoffs: main service switchgear, distribution panelboards, transformers, conduit and feeder runs, branch wiring, LED architectural lighting, and controls.
- Switchgear, panels & motor controls
- Conduit linear feet & wire conductor sizes
- Commercial lighting fixture schedules
Ductwork Takeoffs
Granular sheet metal ductwork takeoffs calibrated for HVAC fabricators: rectangular, spiral, and round duct weight in pounds, gauge breakdowns, turning vanes, dampers, diffusers, and liner.
- Weight (lbs) by gauge and dimension
- Grilles, registers, diffusers & fire dampers
- Internal liner & exterior wrap insulation
Mechanical Piping
Specialized hydronic piping quantification: chilled water (CHW), heating hot water (HHW), condenser loops, steam and condensate, boiler rooms, and central plant mechanical piping.
- Linear feet by schedule & joint type
- Welded, grooved, and soldered labor units
- Inline valves, strainers & expansion joints
Turnkey MEP Package
Single-source coordinated mechanical, electrical, and plumbing packages for general contractors and full-service mechanical contracting firms.
- Cross-trade scope gap mitigation
- Unified mechanical & electrical schedules
- Priority bid day delivery & review
Trades We Estimate
In addition to our core commercial MEP division, JLG Estimating provides comprehensive quantity takeoffs and estimating support across major construction scopes. We deliver verified bills of quantities and customizable spreadsheets to keep your preconstruction team competitive on bid day.
Division 22Commercial Plumbing
Complete Division 22 takeoffs: underground & rough-in drainage, domestic water (copper/PEX/CPVC), natural gas loops, commercial fixtures, carriers, and backflow preventers.
- Underground vs Above-ground pipe linear feet
- Fixture counts & trim assemblies
- Hangers, valves, cleanouts & backflow devices
Division 23Commercial HVAC
Comprehensive Division 23 mechanical equipment quantification: RTUs, chillers, cooling towers, boilers, VRF multi-splits, exhaust fans, and complete equipment schedules.
- Equipment capacity schedules & tags
- Terminal units & VAV boxes
- Vibration isolators & curb mounts
Division 26Commercial Electrical
Division 26 electrical estimating: service entrance, switchgear, distribution panelboards, transformers, conduit & feeder runs, branch wiring, commercial LED lighting, and controls.
- Conduit & feeder footages by trade size
- Switchgear, panelboards & motor controls
- Commercial lighting fixtures & control devices
Divisions 21-28Turnkey Coordinated MEP
Fully coordinated mechanical, electrical, and plumbing preconstruction takeoffs. Cross-trade scope gap mitigation, equipment electrical coordination, and single-source MEP delivery.
- Unified MEP Bill of Quantities
- Inter-trade scope gap verification
- Subcontractor bid coordination workbooks
Division 03Concrete
Concrete takeoffs covering continuous & spread footings, grade beams, foundation walls, slab-on-grade (SOG), elevated slabs, rebar tonnage, wire mesh, and formwork contact area.
- Concrete volume in cubic yards by PSI mix
- Rebar weight in tons & reinforcing mesh
- Square footage of formwork contact area
Division 04Masonry
Comprehensive masonry takeoffs: concrete masonry units (CMU standard & architectural split-face), brick veneer square footage, mortar, grout fills, bond beams, and joint reinforcing.
- CMU block counts by thickness (4", 6", 8", 12")
- Face brick square footages & mortar volume
- Bond beam linear feet, rebar & grout fill volume
Division 05Structural Steel
Structural and miscellaneous steel quantification: wide-flange beams, columns, tube steel (HSS), open-web steel joists, corrugated metal decking, base plates, stairs, and railings.
- Steel weight in tons & hundredweight (CWT)
- Steel joists, metal roof & floor decking SQFT
- Miscellaneous metal stairs, ladders & handrails
Division 06Lumber & Framing
Commercial wood and heavy timber framing takeoffs: exterior & interior wall framing lumber, engineered floor joists, pre-engineered roof trusses, plywood/OSB sheathing, and hardware.
- Dimensional lumber board feet (BF)
- Engineered I-joists & roof truss counts
- Wall, floor & roof sheathing square footage
Division 07Waterproofing
Below-grade and building envelope moisture protection takeoffs: sheet & liquid-applied waterproofing membranes, vapor barriers, dimpled drainage boards, bentonite, and joint sealants.
- Waterproofing membrane square footage
- Drainage composite & insulation protection board
- Expansion joints, waterstops & perimeter flashing
Division 07Roofing
Commercial roofing takeoffs for low-slope and steep-slope assemblies: TPO, EPDM, PVC single-ply membranes, polyiso rigid insulation boards, tapered insulation systems, and coping metal.
- Roof area in squares (100 SQFT units)
- Rigid polyiso insulation board volume & R-value
- Parapet flashing, gravel stop & roof drain accessories
Division 08Doors & Windows
Commercial opening schedules: hollow metal doors and frames, commercial wood doors, aluminum storefront systems, glass curtain walls, glazing square footage, and hardware sets.
- Door schedule itemized counts by fire rating
- Aluminum storefront & curtain wall square feet
- Commercial architectural hardware sets
Division 09Drywall & Metal Studs
Division 09 interior wall assemblies: light-gauge cold-formed steel studs and track, regular & Type-X gypsum board, sound attenuation insulation (SAFB), corner beads, and Level 4/5 finishes.
- Linear feet of light-gauge steel stud framing
- Gypsum board square footage by type & thickness
- Acoustic batt insulation & suspended ceiling grid
Division 09Painting & Coatings
Commercial architectural coating takeoffs: interior drywall paint (primer + two finish coats), exterior elastomeric wall coatings, structural steel coatings, epoxy floor finishes, and door trim.
- Interior wall & ceiling surface square footage
- Doors, frames & architectural trim counts
- Specialty high-performance industrial coatings
Division 09Flooring
Complete commercial flooring takeoffs: porcelain and ceramic tile, luxury vinyl tile (LVT), commercial broadloom & carpet tiles, sheet vinyl, polished concrete square footage, and base rubber.
- Flooring surface square footage by material tag
- Linear feet of cove base & transition strips
- Underlayment, crack isolation & floor prep square yards
Division 31-33Sitework / Earthwork
Civil and site development takeoffs: cut and fill earthwork volume calculations, rough & fine site grading, clearing & grubbing, utility trenching, retention basins, and asphalt/paving prep.
- Cut and fill balance in cubic yards
- Trench excavation & backfill volume for utilities
- Site paving base course & asphalt square yards
Divisions 01-33Full Project Estimating
Comprehensive multi-trade construction estimating packages for general contractors and developer-builders. Full MasterFormat CSI Division takeoff synthesis and complete bid reconciliation.
- Multi-trade MasterFormat Division synthesis
- Detailed general conditions & subcontractor recap
- Comprehensive bid-day proposal package
Commercial Sectors We Support
From commercial tenant improvements to large-scale institutional facilities, our estimating workflows accommodate diverse project types nationwide.
Healthcare & Medical
Hospitals, outpatient clinics, medical office buildings (MOBs), clean rooms, and surgical suites with medical gas networks.
Commercial & Retail
Multi-story office buildings, shopping centers, commercial tenant improvement (TI) buildouts, and retail chains.
Educational Facilities
K-12 schools, higher education laboratory buildings, dormitories, auditoriums, and campus central utility plants.
Industrial & Multi-Family
Distribution warehouses, light manufacturing plants, multi-family mixed-use developments, and hospitality hotels.
What Every JLG Estimating Deliverable Includes
We provide transparent, actionable deliverable packages that give your project managers and bid teams complete ownership of the data.
Color-Coded Marked-Up Plans
Full digital drawings with every pipe run, fitting, duct section, and fixture color-coded by system (e.g. domestic cold water vs. hot water vs. sanitary sewer).
- Verifiable visual proof of every takeoff line
- Assists field crews during layout
- Separated by floor level and phase
Itemized Excel Workbooks
Unlocked, dynamic Microsoft Excel spreadsheets containing complete material bills of quantities (BOQ) with customizable labor hour rates and supplier discount factors.
- Itemized quantities with dynamic formulas
- Organized by trade division and cost code
- Easily adjusted for your shop productivity
Assumptions & Scope Letter
A formal pre-bid document itemizing all inclusions, exclusions, drawing addenda reviewed, value engineering suggestions, and identified scope discrepancies.
- Protects against ambiguous drawing notes
- Ready to attach directly to your GC proposal
- Highlights addenda revisions and plan RFIs
Our 4-Step Estimating Workflow
A disciplined, collaborative workflow designed to align with strict contractor bid schedules and general contractor tender deadlines.
Plan Intake & Scope Review
You provide project drawings, specifications, and the GC’s Invitation to Bid. We confirm receipt, review addenda, and verify all sheets prior to takeoff kickoff.
Digital Quantification
Our senior estimators perform a computer-assisted takeoff, digitizing all piping, ductwork poundage, fittings, valves, accessories, and equipment schedules.
Pricing & Labor Factoring
Quantities are compiled into itemized worksheets. Material costs and labor hours are factored to your company standards, regional labor rates, and local market factors.
Bid Package Delivery
You receive the complete deliverable package: color-coded marked plans, editable Excel workbooks, and a formal Scope Letter with bid clarifications ready for bid day.
Why Contractors Rely on JLG Estimating Support
Commercial bidding requires intensive preconstruction hours. When bid volume peaks or estimating staff is occupied on active jobsites, outsourcing provides strategic agility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers to common questions about our commercial MEP estimating and takeoff services.