Divisions 22, 23 and 26, coordinated
MEP estimating services with the trade gaps closed
One measured estimate for mechanical, electrical and plumbing, built from one plan set. Every item between the three trades is assigned before bid day.
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
Quick answer
MEP estimating services from Bidmere measure and price mechanical, electrical and plumbing scope together for general contractors and MEP subcontractors. You get a takeoff and cost summary for each trade, a scope matrix that assigns items between trades, and one question log. Multi-trade estimates are priced from $1,150, with a fixed quote in 2 business hours.
Why MEP estimating services work better as one coordinated estimate
Three separate trade estimates can each be right and still leave a hole in the bid. A coordinated MEP estimate measures all three trades from the same revision, then checks every item that sits between them.
The gaps that cost money are rarely inside a trade. They are equipment connections, control wiring, condensate, roof penetrations and fire alarm interfaces. Each trade assumes another trade has them. A coordinated estimate assigns each one to a trade, or lists it as an open item, before you bid.
Who uses an outside MEP estimator
An outside MEP estimator suits teams that need all three trades priced but do not have three estimators.
- General contractors carrying an MEP number on a hard bid, or checking sub bids against an independent count.
- Design-build and CM teams that need MEP budgets at schematic or design development stages.
- MEP subcontractors that self-perform two or three trades and bid them as one package.
- Mechanical contractors that carry plumbing, or electrical contractors that carry fire alarm and low voltage.
If you only need one trade, see electrical estimating, HVAC and mechanical estimating or plumbing estimating.
What MEP takeoff services include
You get one estimate split into three trade sections, plus the coordination work that ties them together.
You send
- Mechanical, plumbing and electrical plans, details and schedules
- Divisions 22, 23 and 26 specs, plus 21, 27 and 28 if in scope
- Architectural reflected ceiling plans and roof plans
- Civil utility plans for points of connection
- Addenda, and your rates or the rates you want applied
You get back
- Plumbing: fixtures, pipe by system and size, specialties and equipment
- Mechanical: duct by size or weight, air devices, equipment, piping, insulation
- Electrical: devices, fixtures, conduit and wire, gear and feeders
- Scope matrix: every interface item, assigned to a trade or flagged
- One question log across all three trades
- Cost summary by trade, with labor and material split
Delivery is an Excel estimate with live formulas, color-coded marked-up PDF plans, and a written list of assumptions, exclusions and open questions.
The MEP scope matrix: who furnishes, who installs, who wires
The scope matrix lists every item that crosses a trade line and records who furnishes, installs and connects it. Your documents decide each answer. Where they are silent, the item is flagged.
| Interface item | Common split to confirm |
|---|---|
| Starters, VFDs, disconnects | Furnished by 23 or 26, installed and wired by 26 |
| Temperature control wiring | Low voltage by controls, line voltage by 26 |
| Duct smoke detectors | Furnished by 28, installed by 23, wired by 28 |
| Fire and smoke dampers | Installed by 23, wired by 26 or 28 |
| Condensate drains | 23 or 22, and where they terminate |
| Gas piping to rooftop units | 22 or 23 |
| Water heater and pump power | 26 |
| Roof curbs and penetrations | Furnished by 23, flashed by 07 |
| Flow and tamper switches | Furnished by 21, wired by 28 |
| Housekeeping pads | 03 or the MEP trade |
| Firestopping at penetrations | Each trade or one firestopping sub |
| Access panels | Furnished by MEP, installed by 09 |
The split column shows common patterns only. Your specification and division of work decide the real answer.
MEP plan conflicts that only show up across sheets
Some conflicts are invisible inside one trade’s drawings. They appear only when the M, P and E sheets are read together.
- Mechanical schedules list one voltage or MCA, and the electrical schedule lists another.
- A rooftop unit on the mechanical roof plan has no disconnect on the electrical plan.
- Plumbing equipment, such as a booster pump or water heater, has no circuit.
- An exhaust fan shown on the mechanical plan is missing from the electrical plan.
- Fire dampers on the mechanical plan are not on the life safety plan.
- Ceiling space is too tight for the duct sizes shown under a beam.
Each item cites the sheets involved so your team can send an RFI or qualify the bid.
What drives an MEP estimate
On many commercial buildings, MEP is one of the largest cost groups. A few items move the total more than the rest.
- Major equipment. Rooftop units, chillers, boilers, switchgear and generators, usually priced by vendor quote.
- Wiring method and pipe material. EMT or MC cable, copper or PEX, cast iron or PVC.
- Controls scope. Full DDC with integration versus standalone controls.
- Building height and ceiling space. Tight plenums slow every trade.
- Phasing and occupied work. Shutdowns and after-hours work.
- Wage requirements on public work.
Each assumption is visible 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 quoteHow an MEP estimate order works
You get a fixed price and delivery date before any work starts.
- Describe the job. Building type, size, trades in scope, bid date and a plans link if you have one.
- Get a fixed quote within 2 business hours, with the delivery date stated.
- Accept, then share documents through a secure exchange.
- Receive the estimate with three trade sections, the scope matrix and one question log.
What the MEP estimate does not include
The estimate measures and prices MEP work as designed. Design, coordination drawings and field work stay with others.
- MEP design, load calculations or code review
- BIM coordination models or clash detection
- Shop drawings or fabrication drawings
- Site visits and field verification
- Signing or submitting your bid
Sample takeoff
What a takeoff looks like
| Trade and item | Quantity | Unit | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| P: Plumbing fixtures, all types | 64 | EA | Schedule P-601 |
| P: Domestic water piping, copper | 2,950 | LF | P-201, P-501 |
| P: Sanitary waste and vent | 2,280 | LF | Below and above slab |
| M: Rectangular duct, low pressure | 14,600 | LB | SMACNA gauges |
| M: Rooftop units | 4 | EA | Vendor quote carried |
| M: VAV boxes with reheat | 26 | EA | Schedule M-602 |
| E: Light fixtures, all types | 412 | EA | Schedule E-601 |
| E: Devices, receptacles and switches | 688 | EA | E-201, E-301 |
| E: Branch conduit, EMT | 11,200 | LF | Routing assumed, see log |
| Interface: RTU disconnects | 4 | EA | Furnished and installed by 26, per matrix |
Fictional example: summary lines from an MEP estimate for an invented 20,000 SF one-story clinic. Not a customer project.
Before you send plans
Common questions about handing off the work
Can I see each trade on its own?
Yes. Each trade has its own takeoff and cost summary, so you can compare it with sub bids line by line.
Whose rates are used?
Yours, or rates you approve. Labor and material are split for each trade, and every unit is visible.
Who owns the final MEP number?
Your team. You review, set markup, sign and submit. Bidmere does not sign or submit bids.
Monthly estimating plans
Bid every week? Put your MEP 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 MEP estimating services cost?
Bidmere multi-trade estimates are priced from $1,150. The fixed price depends on building size, sheet count, systems in scope and deadline. You get the price within 2 business hours after a free plan review, and you pay only after you accept the price and delivery date. See pricing for details.
How long does an MEP estimate take?
An MEP estimate covers three trades, so the delivery date is set in your fixed quote based on size and scope. Single-trade estimates are ready in 48 hours. Rush: 24-hour rush for 30% more, subject to capacity. Tell us the bid date when you request a quote.
What does an MEP estimator need from me?
Send the mechanical, plumbing and electrical plans and schedules, Divisions 22, 23 and 26 specs, reflected ceiling and roof plans, civil utility plans and all addenda. Add your rates for a priced estimate. To get a quote, a short description and a plans link are enough.
Why not order three separate trade estimates?
You can. A coordinated MEP estimate adds the scope matrix and one question log, so items between trades are assigned instead of missed. It also measures all three trades from the same revision. If you only bid one trade, a single-trade estimate is simpler and faster.
Do MEP takeoff services include fire protection and low voltage?
They can. Fire sprinkler (Division 21), structured cabling (Division 27) and fire alarm or security (Division 28) are added when the documents show them and you include them in scope. They are priced as separate sections so you can carry them or send them to subs.
Can I get MEP quantities without pricing?
Yes. An MEP takeoff gives you quantities for all three trades with the scope matrix and question log, and no pricing applied. Your team prices it with its own labor units and material costs. Takeoffs are quoted to scope. See quantity takeoff services for how takeoff-only orders work.
Can you check MEP sub bids?
Yes. An independent MEP estimate gives you a count to compare sub bids against, line by line. The scope matrix also shows which interface items each sub included or excluded. For full bid leveling across many trades, see bid leveling.
How are addenda handled on an MEP estimate?
The estimate names the revision and addenda it reflects for all three trades. If an addendum arrives after that baseline, its effect is reviewed as an agreed revision under your accepted quote. The scope matrix is updated too, because addenda often move items between trades.
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.