Division 23: HVAC
Mechanical estimating services and HVAC takeoffs for HVAC subs
Send your M-sheets and schedules. Get ductwork by size or weight, air devices, equipment and piping measured, then priced with the rates your shop approves.
Fixed price in 2 business hours. Pay only after you accept.
- Fixed price 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 final number
- Supply ductwork130 LF
- Supply diffusers1Callout 1: 6 in the open office18 EA
- Return grilles8 EA
- VAV terminal units2Callout 2: 3 boxes along the corridor trunk3 EA
- Restroom exhaust fan3Callout 3: 1 in the restroom1 EA
Quick answer
Mechanical estimating services from Bidmere turn HVAC plans into a measured takeoff and cost summary for mechanical, HVAC and sheet metal contractors. You get duct by size or pounds, air devices, equipment, piping and insulation, priced at your rates, plus a question log. Estimates are priced from $195 and single-trade work is ready in 48 hours.
What HVAC estimating services include
You get a measured and priced mechanical number organized the way your shop prices it. Every quantity cites its sheet and revision.
You send
- Mechanical plans, sections, details and roof plans
- Equipment, air device and terminal unit schedules
- Division 23 specification sections
- Controls drawings or a written controls scope split
- Addenda, and your labor, material and fabrication rates
You get back
- Ductwork by size and length, or by gauge and pounds
- Fittings counted or carried as an allowance, as you direct
- Air devices, terminal units and equipment by tag
- Hydronic and refrigerant piping by size and material
- Duct and pipe insulation by system
- A cost summary with labor, material and equipment split
- A question log of conflicts and scope splits
Delivery is an Excel estimate with live formulas, color-coded marked-up PDF plans, and a written list of assumptions, exclusions and open questions.
What an HVAC takeoff measures, by CSI section
An HVAC takeoff measures the air side, the water side and the equipment that ties them together. Most Division 23 scope falls into these MasterFormat sections.
| Scope item | Typical CSI section | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Metal ducts, rectangular and round | 23 31 13 | LF or LB |
| Duct accessories: dampers, access doors | 23 33 00 | EA |
| HVAC fans | 23 34 00 | EA |
| VAV boxes and air terminal units | 23 36 00 | EA |
| Diffusers, registers and grilles | 23 37 13 | EA |
| Hydronic piping | 23 21 13 | LF |
| Refrigerant piping | 23 23 00 | LF |
| Duct insulation | 23 07 13 | SF |
| HVAC piping insulation | 23 07 19 | LF |
| Controls | 23 09 00 | EA or lump sum |
| Testing, adjusting and balancing | 23 05 93 | Lump sum |
| Rooftop units and air handlers | 23 74 00, 23 73 00 | EA |
Section numbers follow your project manual when the engineer numbers them differently.
Ductwork and sheet metal takeoff: by length or by weight
Sheet metal shops price duct one of two ways, and the takeoff follows yours.
- By length. Duct by size and shape in linear feet, with fittings counted by type. Common for round duct and simple systems.
- By weight. Rectangular duct converted to pounds of sheet metal using the gauge for each size and pressure class. Common for fabrication shops that price per pound.
Weight takeoffs need the duct construction standard the spec calls for, usually SMACNA, and the pressure class for each system. If the spec does not state a pressure class, it is listed as an open question. Duct liner, wrap and seal class are measured as separate lines because they change labor.
Mechanical plan conflicts that cause bid misses
Most HVAC bid misses start with documents that disagree. These are the conflicts the question log flags most:
- An air device on the plan has no tag on the schedule, or the CFM differs.
- Branch duct sizes are missing, so sizes must be assumed.
- Equipment schedules list a different unit weight or size than the structural or roof plan supports.
- Electrical data on the mechanical schedule does not match the electrical equipment schedule.
- The spec calls for lined duct, while plan notes call for external wrap.
- A sequence of operations calls for points the controls drawings do not show.
- Piping is shown single-line with no sizes on branch runs.
Each item cites the sheets involved, so your team can send an RFI or qualify the bid.
Scope gaps between mechanical and adjacent trades
Mechanical bids are often lost on items that sit between trades. Check each of these before bid day:
- Roof curbs and supports. Furnished by the unit vendor, mechanical, or steel? Installed and flashed by roofing?
- Starters, VFDs and disconnects. Mechanical furnishes, electrical installs, or the reverse?
- Control wiring. Low-voltage wiring by the controls contractor, line voltage by electrical.
- Duct smoke detectors. Furnished by fire alarm, installed in duct by sheet metal.
- Condensate piping. Mechanical or plumbing, and where it terminates.
- Equipment pads and housekeeping pads. Concrete or mechanical.
- Fire and smoke dampers. Furnished and installed by sheet metal, wired by electrical or fire alarm.
- Test and balance. Carried by mechanical or hired by the owner.
- Crane and rigging. For rooftop equipment.
What drives an HVAC estimate up or down
Equipment and sheet metal labor drive most mechanical estimates. The installation conditions decide how much labor the duct and piping take.
- Equipment quotes. Rooftop units, air handlers and chillers are usually priced by vendor quote and carry lead time risk.
- Duct pressure class and seal class. Higher classes mean heavier gauge and more sealing labor.
- Duct material. Galvanized, stainless and aluminum price very differently.
- Installation height. Exposed duct in high bays needs lifts and more labor.
- Piping material and joining method. Welded steel, grooved and pressed copper carry different labor.
- Controls scope. A full DDC system versus standalone thermostats.
Every assumption is written out so your team can change it.
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 quoteMechanical estimating services vs an in-house estimator or software
HVAC estimating software helps an estimator you already have. A mechanical estimating company supplies the estimator hours as well.
Software pays off when your estimators have open hours. An outside mechanical estimator makes sense when bids stack up or a job is larger than usual. Bidmere works from your documents, so location does not matter. See the estimating software vs service guide.
What the mechanical estimate does not include
The estimate measures and prices the work as designed. Design and field work stay with others.
- Load calculations, equipment sizing or selection
- Mechanical design or code review
- Shop drawings or duct fabrication drawings
- Site visits and field verification of existing systems
- Signing or submitting your bid
HVAC takeoff software, estimate templates and when to hire an HVAC estimator
HVAC takeoff software measures duct and pipe faster, but it needs a trained HVAC estimator to run it. Widely used mechanical estimating software includes Trimble AutoBid Mechanical and AutoBid SheetMetal and the FastEST suite. FastDUCT covers sheet metal and FastPIPE covers HVAC piping and plumbing. Neither vendor listed prices on the pages we checked in November 2026. Both point you to a demo or a pricing page.
What software does not do:
- Match the equipment schedule to the plans and catch missing units.
- Decide where your scope stops at controls, electrical and roofing.
- Write the question log, assumptions and exclusions.
HVAC estimate template. The free construction estimate template works for mechanical work. Group lines by Division 23. Enter duct in LB or LF, piping in LF, and equipment and diffusers in EA. Put vendor equipment quotes in the material column and the balancing and controls subs in the subcontract column.
HVAC cost per square foot. Bidmere does not publish a figure. System type, equipment, duct pressure class, building use and local labor rates move it widely. Use sourced construction cost per square foot ranges for early budgets only.
When to hire an HVAC estimator or outsource. An in-house estimator pays off at steady bid volume. When bids stack up, Bidmere measures the plans and prices them at your rates, from $195. See estimating software vs service.
Sample takeoff
What a takeoff looks like
| Item | Quantity | Unit | Sheet and basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rectangular galvanized duct, low pressure | 8,420 | LB | M-101, M-102, SMACNA gauge by size |
| Round spiral duct, 8 to 14 in. | 640 | LF | M-101, M-102 |
| Supply diffuser, 24 x 24 lay-in | 64 | EA | Schedule M-601 |
| Return grille, 24 x 24 | 28 | EA | Schedule M-601 |
| VAV box with reheat coil | 12 | EA | Schedule M-602 |
| Rooftop unit, 25 ton | 2 | EA | M-401, structural S-401 |
| Fire damper, 1-1/2 hr | 9 | EA | M-101, life safety G-101 |
| Hydronic heating water piping, 1 to 2 in. | 1,180 | LF | M-201, to VAV reheat coils |
| Duct wrap, 2 in. fiberglass | 5,960 | SF | Supply duct in unconditioned space |
| Controls, DDC points | 96 | EA | Points list M-701 |
Fictional example: part of an HVAC takeoff for an invented one-story school addition. Not a customer project.
Before you send plans
Common questions about handing off the work
Will the duct weight match how my shop figures it?
Tell us your gauge table, pressure classes and fitting method at scope review. The takeoff follows your basis and shows it.
Who prices the equipment?
You do. Equipment can be carried from your vendor quotes or as stated allowances you approve.
Who is responsible for the final mechanical bid?
Your team reviews, sets markup, signs and submits. Bidmere does not sign or submit bids.
HVAC and mechanical takeoff and estimate pricing
HVAC and mechanical takeoffs from Bidmere start at $149, and single-trade HVAC and mechanical 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 every week? Put your mechanical estimating on a monthly plan
If your team bids every week, a monthly plan is simpler than ordering one estimate at a time. You send bids as they come in, and each one is measured and priced the same way.
- Starter: $1,395 per month for up to 6 bids
- Pro: $2,595 per month for up to 12 bids
- Scale: $4,795 per month for up to 25 bids
Each plan uses your rates, your cost codes and your proposal format, so your numbers stay consistent from bid to bid. See monthly outsourced estimating plans for what each plan covers.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
How much do mechanical estimating services cost?
Bidmere single-trade HVAC estimates are priced from $195 for a qualifying project, with 25% off your first estimate. The fixed price depends on sheet count, systems in scope and deadline. You get it within 2 business hours after a free plan review, and you pay only after you accept. See pricing.
How fast can I get an HVAC estimate?
A qualifying single-trade HVAC estimate is ready in 48 hours from your accepted quote and complete documents. Larger or multi-system projects get a delivery date in the fixed quote. Rush: 24-hour rush for 30% more, subject to capacity. Tell us the bid date when you ask for a quote.
What do I need to send for an HVAC takeoff?
Send the mechanical plans, sections, details and roof plans, all equipment and air device schedules, Division 23 specs, controls drawings and all addenda. Add your labor, material and fabrication rates for a priced estimate. To get a quote, a short description and a plans link are enough.
Do you measure duct by length or by weight?
Either. Tell us how your shop prices sheet metal. Duct can be measured by size in linear feet with fittings counted, or converted to pounds using the gauge for each size and pressure class. The method is written into the assumptions so your team can check it.
Who sets the rates in the estimate?
You do. The estimate uses the labor units or rates, material costs and fabrication rates you approve, with labor, material and equipment shown separately. Equipment is carried from your vendor quotes or stated allowances. Bidmere never sets your markup or final bid number.
Is equipment sizing or selection included?
No. The estimate counts and prices the equipment the schedules list. Sizing, substitutions and performance questions belong to your team and the design engineer. If a schedule and a plan disagree on a unit, the conflict goes on the question log for an RFI.
Can I order an HVAC takeoff only?
Yes. A mechanical takeoff lists duct by size or weight, air devices, terminal units, equipment, piping and insulation, with no pricing. It suits contractors who price their own work and only need the quantities. Takeoffs are priced from $149; see quantity takeoff services.
How are addenda and revised schedules handled?
The estimate names the plan revision and addenda it reflects. If an addendum arrives after that baseline, its effect is reviewed as an agreed revision under your accepted quote. Revised equipment and air device schedules are reconciled before any quantity is shown as current.
Should I hire an HVAC estimator or outsource mechanical estimates?
Hire an HVAC estimator when you bid every week and can keep one busy year round. Outsource when bid volume swings, when a job is larger than usual, or when your estimator also runs projects. Bidmere measures the duct, piping and equipment from your plans and prices them at your rates. You get a fixed quote within 2 business hours and pay only after you accept.
What is HVAC cost per square foot on a commercial job?
It varies too much for one number. System type, equipment, duct pressure class, building use, ceiling height and local labor rates all move HVAC cost per square foot. Bidmere does not publish a figure. For a bid, send the plans and we price a measured takeoff at your rates. For early budgets, see the sourced ranges in our construction cost per square foot guide.
How do I compare mechanical estimating companies?
Mechanical estimating companies range from freelance HVAC estimators to firms with their own sheet metal estimators and remote services like Bidmere. Ask each one whether it measures duct by length or by weight the way your shop prices it, uses your labor units and rates, carries equipment from your vendor quotes, gives a fixed price and delivery date before work starts, and returns a question log with the takeoff. Bidmere prices single-trade HVAC estimates from $195, ready in 48 hours, with a fixed quote within 2 business hours. For HVAC, plumbing and electrical together, see MEP estimating.
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.