Subcontractor Bid Estimating Services
Turnkey bid estimates, scope reviews, addenda tracking, and bid-day recaps designed to help commercial subcontractors bid with confidence.
Transforming Drawing Sets into Competitive, Defensible Bids
Winning commercial mechanical, plumbing, and HVAC projects requires far more than rough square-foot allowances or basic material takeoffs. A winning bid demands rigorous document review, complete trade scope isolation, and clear contractual qualifications.
JLG Estimating provides specialized commercial bid estimating services designed to support mechanical contractors during competitive bidding seasons. We dissect contract drawings, review front-end project manuals, integrate your company's specific crew labor productivity, and deliver a comprehensive bid recap ready for executive sign-off.
Built for Demanding Bid Deadlines
Whether bidding as a prime mechanical contractor or submitting a specialized sub-tier bid for plumbing, sheet metal, or piping, our systematic process ensures no critical scope item is overlooked on bid morning.
What Our Commercial Bid Estimating Package Covers
From initial plan discovery through final bid recap, we handle each analytical phase of the estimating cycle.
1. Plans & Specs Review
Deep-dive audit of architectural, structural, civil, and MEP drawings alongside Division 20–23 specifications.
- ✓ General conditions & schedule constraints
- ✓ Trade jurisdictional boundary review
- ✓ Phasing and sequence requirements
- ✓ Pre-bid RFI submission recommendations
2. Detailed Quantity Takeoffs
Meticulous measurement of all piping, ductwork, fittings, fixtures, and terminal devices across all drawing sheets.
- ✓ Plan-verified linear footages & counts
- ✓ Color-coded PDF markups for verification
- ✓ Bill of Materials (BOM) Excel export
- ✓ Explore Takeoff Methodology →
3. Labor Hour Quantification
Realistic field and shop labor hour modeling reflecting job conditions, elevation heights, and crew sizes.
- ✓ Difficulty factors (elevated, retrofit, tight chases)
- ✓ Shop fabrication vs. field erection split
- ✓ Union or open-shop wage structure alignment
- ✓ Non-working foreman & safety allocations
4. Vendor & Sub Quote Tabulation
Structured comparison sheets organizing major vendor proposals for mechanical equipment and specialty sub-tiers.
- ✓ RTU, chiller, boiler, and pump schedule quotes
- ✓ Insulation, insulation jacketing & firestopping
- ✓ Test and balance (TAB) & commissioning
- ✓ Temperature controls / BMS quote evaluation
5. Scope Letter Qualifications
Drafting explicit contractual qualifications and scope boundaries to safeguard your company from unexpected change orders.
- ✓ Detailed list of included systems & equipment
- ✓ Clear exclusion of cross-trade scope (power, roofing)
- ✓ Specific project document & addenda references
- ✓ Price escalation and validity period parameters
6. Executive Bid Recap Summary
A consolidated executive workbook that lets your executive management test markups, contingencies, and profit targets.
- ✓ Direct material, labor, sub, and equipment totals
- ✓ Adjustable overhead, insurance, and bond cells
- ✓ Margin sensitivity and final bid number calculation
- ✓ Bid-day phone alignment consultation
Eliminating Common MEP Bidding Blindspots
Commercial bidding failures rarely come from arithmetic errors—they come from overlooked scope grey areas between trades.
| Scope Boundary Item | Typical Risk in Commercial Bids | How JLG Estimating Resolves It |
|---|---|---|
| HVAC Equipment Starters & Disconnects | Mechanical contractor assumes Electrical provides; Electrical assumes Mechanical provides. | We review Electrical Division 26 and Mechanical Division 23 specs to verify who supplies and installs disconnect switches and VFDs, noting exact assignments in your bid letter. |
| Condensate Drain Lines & Traps | HVAC assumes Plumbing runs the drain; Plumbing assumes HVAC pipes to the nearest hub drain. | We trace and quantify condensate lines through terminal floor sinks, clarifying in the scope sheet where mechanical scope ends and plumbing begins. |
| Roof Curbs, Flashings & Penetrations | Roofer assumes mechanical sets curbs; mechanical assumes roofer flashes penetrations. | We itemize factory curbs and call out flashing requirements as an explicit inclusion or GC/Roofing exclusion. |
| BMS / Temperature Controls Wiring | Controls quotes exclude line-voltage power wiring, causing unexpected field change orders. | We separate low-voltage DDC controls from 120V power circuits and clearly tabulate BMS vendor scope versus in-house wiring. |
| Seismic Restraints & Hanger Engineering | Contractors overlook mandatory seismic bracing calculations required by local building codes. | We flag seismic requirements identified in structural and MEP general notes, ensuring engineered hanger packages are budgeted. |
Have an Important Commercial Bid on Your Calendar?
Send us your bid package documents. We will evaluate drawing complexity and provide a transparent, flat-fee estimating quote to support your bid submission.
How We Support You Through Bid Day
A successful bid requires active coordination up until the submission bell.
Pre-Bid Package Delivery
We deliver the preliminary takeoff and draft workbook 48 to 72 hours prior to bid day, giving your team time to review quantities and review supplier status.
Addenda Reconciliation
When architects issue last-minute revisions, we isolate scope deltas and adjust workbooks immediately so you don't bid outdated drawings.
Vendor Quote Integration
On bid morning, as supplier quotes arrive, we plug quotes into the recap sheet to ensure equipment packages are fully vetted against specifications.
Final Recap Review
We join your lead estimator for a final phone review, confirming margin markups, bond rates, and scope letter qualifications before submission.
Ready to Prepare Your Next Commercial Bid?
Get structured bid documents, defensible labor modeling, and disciplined scope clarity. Submit your project documents today for a confidential proposal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions regarding our subcontractor bid estimating & bid-day support.