Division 14: Conveying equipment
Elevator estimating services for elevator contractors and GCs
Bidmere reads the elevator specs and drawings, builds the unit schedule and lists the work other trades must provide, then prices the scope at your rates.
Fixed price in 2 business hours. Pay only after you accept.
- Fixed price agreed before any work starts
- Plan review is free
- You pay only after you accept the price and delivery date
- Single-trade estimates in 48 hours
- Your rates, your markup, your final number
Quick answer
Elevator estimating services from Bidmere help elevator subcontractors and general contractors price Division 14 scope from plans and specs. We build a unit-by-unit schedule of stops, travel, entrances and finishes, list the related work by other trades, and price it at your rates. Estimates are from $195 and ready in 48 hours.
Who uses elevator estimating services?
Elevator estimating support fits two kinds of contractor: the elevator sub pricing the units, and the GC pricing everything the elevator needs from other trades.
- Elevator and lift subcontractors who need the spec read, the unit schedule built and the labor and material priced at their rates
- General contractors who carry the elevator sub’s number and must price the pit, hoistway, power and life safety work around it
- Accessibility and lift contractors pricing LULA elevators, platform lifts and stair lifts on commercial jobs
Bidmere does not design elevators, select equipment or provide manufacturer pricing. Equipment cost comes from your supplier quotes or your own pricing. We organize the scope, count what the documents show and apply your numbers.
What does an elevator takeoff measure?
An elevator takeoff builds a schedule for each unit, because each one prices on its own. Most items are counted, and a few are measured by height.
| Item | Unit | Typical source |
|---|---|---|
| Elevator units by type: traction, MRL, hydraulic, LULA | EA | Spec section 14 20 00 family and plans |
| Stops and openings, front and rear | EA | Sections and hoistway plans |
| Travel distance | LF | Building sections |
| Rated capacity and speed | per unit | Specification |
| Hoistway entrances and frames by finish and fire rating | EA | Plans and spec |
| Cab finishes: walls, ceiling, flooring, handrails | per cab | Spec and interior elevations |
| Rail bracket supports and divider beams | EA, LF | Structural sheets |
| Pit ladders, sump pits and pit lighting | EA | Hoistway details |
| Machine room or controller space items | per unit | Plans and spec |
| Fire service and emergency features | per unit | Spec and fire alarm sheets |
The schedule shows each unit on one line, so you can price, compare and check sub proposals quickly.
Which elevator plan conflicts change a bid?
Elevator documents often disagree between the architectural, structural and spec sheets. These conflicts are listed as open questions:
- Pit depth or overhead clearance that differs between sections and hoistway details
- Number of stops or rear openings that differs between plans and the spec
- Machine room shown on plans for a unit specified as machine-room-less
- Entrance fire rating or finish missing from the door hardware schedule
- Capacity or cab size that differs between the spec and the hoistway plan
- Rail bracket support not shown on structural sheets
- Construction use of an elevator required by Division 01 but not priced
Each item notes the assumption used, so you can accept it or send an answer.
What drives elevator cost and elevator installation cost?
Elevator cost depends mainly on drive type, number of stops and finish level. Owners searching for an elevator cost often find wide ranges because these drivers vary so much.
- Drive type. Hydraulic, traction and machine-room-less traction units differ in equipment and installation.
- Stops and travel. More stops add entrances, rail length and labor.
- Capacity and speed. Higher capacity or faster cars need larger equipment.
- Entrances. Front and rear openings, finishes and fire-rated assemblies.
- Cab finishes. Standard panels versus custom stone, glass or wood.
- Building work. Pit, hoistway, power and life safety work by other trades.
- Code and local requirements. Seismic, fire service and inspection requirements vary by jurisdiction.
- Schedule. Construction use, phasing and lead times for equipment.
Bidmere does not publish elevator cost per unit. If you are an owner, ask your contractor or an elevator company for a project quote. If you are a contractor, we price your scope at your rates.
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 an elevator estimate?
Send the spec sections and the sheets that show the hoistway. The spec usually carries most of the scope.
- Division 14 specification sections, with every addendum
- Floor plans and building sections through the hoistway
- Hoistway and pit details, and structural sheets for rail supports
- Electrical and fire alarm sheets for elevator power and recall
- Door and hardware schedules for entrances
- Interior elevations or finish schedules for cabs
- Supplier quotes, labor rates and pricing you want applied
The first form takes text only. We arrange document sharing after confirming the work.
Sample takeoff
What a takeoff looks like
| Item | Quantity | Unit | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passenger elevators, MRL traction | 2 | EA | 3,500 lb capacity per spec |
| Service elevator, MRL traction | 1 | EA | 4,500 lb capacity, rear opening at level 1 |
| Stops, passenger units | 10 | EA | 5 stops each |
| Stops, service unit | 6 | EA | 5 front stops plus 1 rear opening |
| Travel per unit | 56 | LF | From building section A-301 |
| Hoistway entrances, stainless | 10 | EA | Passenger units |
| Hoistway entrances, painted | 6 | EA | Service unit |
| Sump pits | 3 | EA | Concrete by others, see open question 1 |
Fictional example: elevator unit schedule for a five-story office building. Not a customer project or pricing recommendation.
Before you send plans
Common questions about handing off the work
Will I lose control of my number?
No. Quantities are priced with your rates. You set markup and the final bid price.
Do you provide equipment pricing?
No. Equipment pricing comes from your supplier or your own costs. We apply it to the schedule.
Can a GC use this to check the elevator sub?
Yes. The unit schedule and related-work list help you compare proposals on the same scope.
Who is responsible for the final bid?
Your company. Your team reviews, signs and submits. Bidmere never signs or submits a bid.
Elevators takeoff and estimate pricing
Elevators takeoffs from Bidmere start at $149, and single-trade elevators 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 elevator every week? Use a monthly estimating plan
If elevator bids land on your desk every week, a monthly plan works like an outsourced estimating department. 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 plan uses your rates and templates and runs on your bid calendar.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
How much do elevator estimating services cost?
Single-trade elevator estimates are from $195, and takeoff-only work is from $149. Projects with many units or phases get a fixed quote to scope. You get the price within 2 business hours after a free plan review, and you pay only after you accept.
How fast is an elevator estimate?
Single-trade estimates are ready in 48 hours from an accepted quote and complete documents. Tell us your bid date when you request a quote. We confirm the delivery date in the fixed quote, before you accept and before any payment.
How much does an elevator cost?
Elevator cost depends on drive type, stops, capacity, entrances, cab finishes and the building work around the hoistway. Bidmere does not publish unit prices. Owners should ask a contractor or elevator company for a project quote. Contractors can send us the documents and we price the scope at their rates.
What do I need to send for an elevator bid?
The Division 14 spec sections, plans and sections through the hoistway, hoistway and pit details, structural sheets for rail supports, and electrical and fire alarm sheets. Add door schedules, cab finish details, and your supplier quotes and labor rates. Missing items become written assumptions you can accept or correct.
Do you price the work other trades do for the elevator?
Yes, if it is in scope. For GCs, we list and price the pit, hoistway, power, fire alarm, sprinkler, ventilation and phone line work the documents require. For elevator subs, we list it as by others so your exclusions are clear on the proposal.
Who sets the prices in the estimate?
You do. We apply your supplier quotes, labor rates and markup structure to the unit schedule. You review every line and set the final bid price. If a price is missing, we list that line as open rather than guessing.
Is elevator estimating software a better option?
Software helps an experienced estimator work faster, but someone still has to read the spec and build the schedule. If your team has the hours, software may be enough. If bids are stacking up, outsourcing the takeoff and pricing frees your estimator for supplier and design questions.
Are my documents and pricing confidential?
Yes. The first inquiry form takes text only, so do not paste supplier pricing into it. After we confirm the work, we arrange secure document sharing. Your documents and rates are used only for your estimate and are not shared.
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.