Plumbing estimating
Fixture schedules, piping scope, and documented PWD utility boundaries.
Remote estimating support
Commercial MEP Estimating Support for Philadelphia Projects
JLG Estimating provides remote commercial MEP takeoff and bid estimating support for trade contractors pricing Philadelphia projects. Provide current MEP plans, specifications, addenda, and scope boundaries so the takeoff can be calibrated to your requested trades and bid deadline.
Local bid-set context
Information to confirm before a Philadelphia estimate
The City of Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) administers commercial plan review through its eCLIPSE portal, enforcing the Philadelphia Building Construction and Occupancy Code alongside Pennsylvania UCC standards. Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) regulates stormwater management and utility connections. For estimators, key intake factors include historic masonry core drilling, tight vertical shaft clearances, PWD grease interceptor standards, high-pressure steam distribution headers, and Center City commercial tenant acoustic constraints.
- Verify the project address and whether permit review is processed through the City of Philadelphia L&I eCLIPSE system.
- Confirm Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) water meter, backflow preventer, and commercial grease interceptor submittal requirements.
- Review drawings for historic building retrofit conditions, noting floor penetrations through masonry, existing shaft reuse, and piping offset clearances.
- Check utility gas service connection interfaces with Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) and meter room piping boundaries.
Jurisdiction note: The cited material describes City of Philadelphia L&I and PWD procedures. It does not establish jurisdiction for every metropolitan parcel or certify code compliance.
- City of Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections (checked 2026-09-30)
- Philadelphia Water Department Development Services (checked 2026-09-30)
Commercial MEP estimating
Related estimating scopes
Choose the trade scope that matches the bid package. JLG's estimating work is based on the supplied drawings, specifications, scope, and revisions; the project team remains responsible for design and code decisions.
HVAC estimating
Mechanical equipment, ductwork, and hydronic heating takeoffs.
Mechanical piping estimating
Chilled water, steam, and hydronic loop piping quantities.
Ductwork takeoffs
Sheet-metal quantities measured from architectural and mechanical drawings.
Related project-type resources
- Commercial tenant improvement estimating — A related scope resource for commercial building renovations and fit-outs.
Remote bid support
How to prepare a Philadelphia MEP estimate request
Estimating is performed from the project information supplied by the contractor. A clear package helps keep scope, revisions, and assumptions visible through the takeoff; it does not transfer design or code responsibility to the estimator.
Include with the request
- Project address, known permitting jurisdiction, bid deadline, and requested trade scopes.
- Current architectural and MEP drawings, specifications, schedules, bid instructions, and issued addenda.
- Scope boundaries and exclusions, including any site utility or fire-protection items that are outside the requested package.
- Any scope questions or document conflicts you want identified for clarification.
Review and delivery
- Check the received document list and revisions against the bid set.
- Measure the requested quantities from the applicable plans and schedules.
- Flag unclear scope, mismatched schedules, or addenda changes for review.
- Use the estimating methodology and sample deliverables pages to review the stated workflow and illustrative file structure.
Read the estimating methodology · See illustrative deliverable structure
Common questions
Philadelphia estimating FAQs
Does JLG certify compliance with Philadelphia L&I codes?
No. JLG provides quantity takeoffs based on supplied project drawings. Code compliance and permit applications remain with the design team and licensed contractors.
How do you handle historic building renovations in Philadelphia?
We measure pipe and duct runs based on the drawings, noting where field routing, tight shafts, or core drilling through heavy masonry may require specialty labor factoring.
What should be sent with a Philadelphia commercial estimate request?
Include current architectural, structural, and MEP drawings, specifications, equipment schedules, addenda, and your requested trade scope.
Have a commercial MEP bid set to review?
Send the project scope, current drawings, specifications, and addenda to discuss estimating support.
Contact JLG Estimating