Division 23: HVAC ductwork
Ductwork takeoff services for sheet metal and HVAC contractors
Bidmere measures duct runs by size, shape and gauge from the mechanical plans, counts fittings and air devices, and lists liner, wrap and hangers. Pricing uses your rates.
Fixed price in 2 business hours. Pay only after you accept.
- Fixed price and delivery date before any work starts
- Plan review is free, and no files are needed to get a quote
- You pay only after you accept the fixed price
- Single-trade estimates in 48 hours from complete documents
- Priced at your rates; your team sets the final number
Quick answer
A Bidmere ductwork takeoff measures each duct run by size, shape, pressure class and gauge, counts fittings, dampers and air devices, and lists liner, wrap and hangers from your mechanical plans and specifications. Takeoffs are from $149 and single-trade estimates from $195, ready in 48 hours.
Quick answer
Bidmere ductwork takeoff services give sheet metal and HVAC contractors a duct takeoff from the mechanical plans: linear feet by size and shape, gauge and pressure class from the specification, fittings and air devices by count, and liner, wrap and hangers. Takeoff-only work is from $149 and single-trade estimates are from $195, ready in 48 hours.
What does a ductwork takeoff measure?
| Item | Unit |
|---|---|
| Rectangular duct by size and gauge | LF, and LB or SF of sheet metal |
| Round and spiral duct by diameter | LF |
| Flexible duct | LF |
| Fittings: elbows, transitions, takeoffs, tees | EA by size |
| Dampers: volume, fire and smoke | EA by size |
| Air devices: diffusers, registers, grilles | EA by size and type |
| Duct liner and external wrap | SF |
| Hangers and supports | EA or LF |
Rectangular duct is often priced by sheet metal weight, so the takeoff carries the size, gauge and length behind each pound.
How to take off ductwork, step by step
- Read the specification for pressure classes, construction standard, sealing class, liner and insulation.
- Split the plans into systems: supply, return, exhaust, outside air.
- Measure each run by size and shape, segment by segment, from the floor plans and sections.
- Assign gauge and reinforcement from the construction standard the specification names, by size and pressure class.
- Count fittings, dampers and access doors along each run.
- Count air devices from the plans and the air device schedule.
- Take off liner and wrap by area, and hangers by spacing.
- Write down the open questions: sizes missing, conflicts between plan and schedule, and items shown by others.
Why gauge and pressure class matter
The same size duct can be built in different gauges depending on its pressure class and the construction standard the specification names, often the SMACNA HVAC Duct Construction Standards. Gauge sets the weight, and weight drives material and fabrication labor. That is why we take the gauge from the specification and the drawings rather than assume one.
Which ductwork scope gaps lose bids?
- Fire and smoke dampers: furnished by sheet metal, wired by electrical, tested by whom?
- Kitchen and fume exhaust duct with special construction
- Duct insulation: sheet metal or the insulation sub?
- Air devices: furnished and installed, or installed only?
- Roof curbs, louvers and penetrations
- Testing, adjusting and balancing
For the whole mechanical scope, see HVAC and mechanical estimating.
Have plans for this scope? Send them over. Fixed quote within 2 business hours. Plan review is free, and you pay only after you accept.
Get a fixed quoteWhat should you send for a duct takeoff?
- Mechanical plans, sections, details and schedules
- Division 23 specification sections for ductwork, insulation and air devices
- Addenda and any bid form
Single-trade estimates are from $195 and takeoff-only work from $149, ready in 48 hours after you accept a fixed quote. You get the fixed price and delivery date within 2 business hours, plan review is free, and you pay only after you accept.
Takeoff format
What a ductwork takeoff looks like
| System | Item | Size | Unit | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supply | Rectangular duct | By width x height | LF and LB | Gauge from the specification |
| Supply | Elbows and transitions | By size | EA | Counted per run |
| Return | Round duct | By diameter | LF | |
| Exhaust | Fire dampers | By size | EA | Coordinate wiring |
| All | Duct liner | SF | Where the specification calls for it |
Column layout of a duct takeoff; quantities come from your drawings.
Before you send plans
Common questions about handing off the work
Do you do fabrication drawings?
No. The takeoff is for bidding and buying.
Whose gauge table do you use?
The construction standard your specification names.
Who sets the price?
You do. We price at your rates per pound, per foot or per fitting.
Ductwork takeoff and estimate pricing
Ductwork takeoffs from Bidmere start at $149, and single-trade ductwork estimates at $195. The fixed quote for your job usually lands in these ranges:
| Job size | Takeoff only (quantities) | Single-trade estimate (quantities and pricing) |
|---|---|---|
| Small job: up to 10,000 SF | $149 to $295 | $195 to $395 |
| Mid-size job: 10,000 to 50,000 SF | $295 to $695 | $395 to $895 |
| Large job: over 50,000 SF, or several buildings | From $695 | From $895 |
Single-trade estimates are ready in 48 hours. Rush (24 hours) adds 30%. 25% off your first estimate. Every job gets a fixed quote within 2 business hours, and you pay only after you accept. Every estimate is delivered as an Excel estimate with live formulas, color-coded marked-up PDF plans, and a written list of assumptions, exclusions and open questions. See pricing for the full price list and scope conditions.
Monthly estimating plans
Bid HVAC every week? Put estimating on a monthly plan
A monthly plan suits contractors who price this work every week. Starter is $1,395 per month for up to 6 bids. Pro is $2,595 per month for up to 12 bids. Scale is $4,795 per month for up to 25 bids. Each bid follows the same process as a single order: your documents, your rates, your review and your final number. Ask about monthly estimating plans to compare the tiers.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
How much does a ductwork takeoff cost?
Takeoff-only work is from $149 and single-trade estimates with pricing are from $195. You get a fixed price and delivery date within 2 business hours, plan review is free, and you pay only after you accept. See pricing.
How long does a duct takeoff take?
Single-trade estimates are ready in 48 hours from your accepted quote and complete documents. Rush (24 hours) adds 30%.
Do you measure duct by weight?
Yes, where you price that way. Each run carries size, gauge and length, so the pounds of sheet metal can be totaled by gauge.
Do you include fittings and air devices?
Yes. Fittings, dampers and access doors along each run, and air devices from the plans and schedule, by size and type.
Can you do the piping too?
Yes, as part of an HVAC and mechanical estimate. Ask for the scope you need on the quote form.
Get a fixed quote
Share the project basics. You get a fixed price and delivery date within 2 business hours. Plan review is free, and you pay only after you accept.