Division 07 and 09: Siding, cladding and plaster
Siding estimating services and stucco takeoffs from your elevations
Bidmere measures wall area, openings, trim and accessories from your elevations and wall sections, then prices them at your rates. Siding, fiber cement, panels and three-coat or EIFS-style systems are measured by layer.
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
Siding estimating services from Bidmere give siding, stucco and exterior cladding contractors measured takeoffs and cost estimates from plans. We measure net wall area, openings, trim, corners, flashing and accessories, then price them at your rates. Single-trade estimates are from $195 and ready in 48 hours, with a fixed quote first.
What do siding estimating services deliver?
You get a measured siding or stucco takeoff and a cost estimate at your rates. Each quantity is tied to the elevation and revision you sent.
- Net wall area by elevation and by material, with openings deducted
- Trim, corners, J-channel, starter and casing by linear foot
- Soffit and fascia by area and length
- Weather barrier, flashing and sealant lines
- Stucco layers measured separately: lath, scratch, brown, finish
- Control joints, casing beads and weep screed by linear foot
- Assumptions, exclusions and open questions
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 does a siding takeoff measure?
A siding takeoff measures the area to be clad and every linear accessory that finishes it. Stucco adds layers and joints.
| Item | Unit | Typical basis |
|---|---|---|
| Lap, panel or shingle siding | SF | Net wall area, openings deducted per your rule |
| Fiber cement or metal panels | SF, EA | Panel layout where sheets are detailed |
| Outside and inside corners | LF | Measured by height at each corner |
| Window and door trim | LF | Perimeter of openings from schedules |
| Starter strip and J-channel | LF | Base of wall and at terminations |
| Soffit | SF | Overhang depth from sections |
| Fascia | LF | Eave and rake lengths |
| Weather-resistive barrier | SF | Gross area plus laps |
| Stucco lath and coats | SF | By system and layer |
| Control and expansion joints | LF | Per elevations or spec spacing |
| Casing bead and weep screed | LF | Openings and base of wall |
You tell us how to treat openings: deduct all, deduct over a set size, or no deduction. We state the rule on the estimate.
Which plan conflicts change a siding or stucco estimate?
Exterior elevations often disagree with sections and schedules. These conflicts change quantities and are listed as open questions:
- Material changes on elevations without a clear line between them
- Window sizes on the schedule that differ from the elevations
- Plate or parapet heights that differ between elevations and sections
- Control joint layout not shown, so spacing comes from the spec
- Stucco system named in the spec but not on the wall sections
- Soffit material or depth left out of the details
- Gable and dormer walls hidden on elevations at roof intersections
Each item gets the assumption we used, so you can accept it or send an answer.
Which exterior scope gaps lose siding bids?
Siding and stucco bids lose money on what sits around the cladding. We list each item as included, an allowance or excluded:
- Sheathing repair or replacement on remodel work
- Flashing at windows, decks, roof-to-wall and penetrations
- Lift or scaffold access on multi-story walls
- Sealant and backer rod at dissimilar materials
- Paint or finish coat on primed siding
- Tear-off and disposal of existing cladding
- Mockups, testing or inspections the spec requires
- Weather protection for stucco curing
A clear exclusion list keeps these from becoming your cost after award.
What drives siding cost per square foot and stucco cost per square foot?
Siding and stucco cost per square foot depends mostly on the system, the wall shape and access. Two buildings with the same wall area can price very differently.
The main drivers are:
- Material and system. Vinyl, fiber cement, wood, metal panel, one-coat stucco and three-coat stucco all differ in material and labor.
- Wall complexity. Many corners, bump-outs, gables and openings add trim and labor per square foot.
- Height and access. Upper floors need lifts or scaffold.
- Layers. Weather barrier, rainscreen, lath and coats each add a step.
- Remodel conditions. Tear-off, disposal and sheathing repair.
- Region and season. Local labor rates and curing conditions for stucco.
Because these vary so much, we do not publish a per square foot figure. Your estimate is priced from measured quantities at your own rates. For general cost benchmarks, see construction cost per square foot.
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 siding or stucco estimate?
Send every exterior elevation and the documents that define the system. Without sections, heights are scaled from elevations and listed as assumptions.
- All exterior elevations, including courtyard and rear walls
- Wall sections and exterior details
- Window and door schedules
- Roof plan, for eaves, rakes and roof-to-wall lines
- Specification sections for cladding, stucco, weather barrier and flashing
- Addenda issued to date
- Your labor rates, material pricing and opening deduction rule
The first form takes text only. We arrange document sharing after confirming the work.
Siding takeoff software and siding estimate templates
Siding takeoff software measures wall area and openings. Someone still has to read the elevations, wall sections and spec for the system and the trim.
Tools siding contractors commonly use:
- STACK siding software calculates wall, gable and soffit square footage, with window and door openings taken out.
- Hover turns phone photos into a scaled 3D model with siding areas, elevations and openings. It suits existing homes and remodels, not buildings that only exist on paper.
What software does not do:
- Catch elevations that disagree with wall sections
- Read the spec for weather barrier, rainscreen and flashing
- Split trim, sealants and opening flashing with other trades
- Count stucco control joints and accessories from the details
A siding estimate template works for small jobs. The free construction estimate template fits siding if each system and elevation gets its own row. Use SF or squares for siding and soffit, LF for trim, corners and starter, and EA for openings and mounting blocks. For stucco, use SF or SY by coat system. Keep waste on its own row.
On a full plan set, measuring every elevation takes the time. Bidmere measures from your documents and prices at your rates. Compare the options in estimating software vs service.
Sample takeoff
What a takeoff looks like
| Item | Quantity | Unit | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fiber cement lap siding | 1,840 | SF | Net area, openings over 20 SF deducted |
| Outside corners | 96 | LF | 4 corners at 24 ft |
| Window and door trim | 412 | LF | From window schedule, 14 openings |
| Starter strip | 118 | LF | Base of wall |
| Soffit | 236 | SF | 24 in. overhang |
| Fascia | 118 | LF | Eave only on this elevation |
| Weather-resistive barrier | 2,260 | SF | Gross area plus laps |
| Head flashing | 14 | EA | One per opening |
Fictional example: siding and trim takeoff for one elevation of a two-story 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.
Will you know my opening deduction rule?
You tell us at setup. We apply it and state it on every estimate.
Can you price waste?
Yes. We carry your waste factors by material and show them separately from net quantities.
Who is responsible for the final bid?
Your company. Your team reviews, signs and submits. Bidmere never signs or submits a bid.
Siding and stucco takeoff and estimate pricing
Siding and stucco takeoffs from Bidmere start at $149, and single-trade siding and stucco 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 siding and stucco every week? Use a monthly estimating plan
If siding and stucco 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 siding estimating services cost?
Single-trade siding or stucco estimates are from $195, and takeoff-only work is from $149. You get a fixed price within 2 business hours after a free plan review. You pay only after you accept the price and delivery date. Large or multi-building projects are quoted to scope.
How fast is a siding takeoff?
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. If the deadline is tight, a rush option (24-hour rush for 30% more) may be available when capacity allows, confirmed before you accept.
Do you offer stucco estimating services?
Yes. Stucco is measured by system and by layer: lath, scratch, brown and finish coats, plus control joints, casing bead and weep screed. EIFS and one-coat systems are measured the same way, using the layers named in the specification and details.
What do I need to send for a siding estimate?
All exterior elevations, wall sections and details, window and door schedules, the roof plan and the cladding specification sections. Add every addendum and your labor rates, material pricing and opening deduction rule. Missing items are listed as assumptions, so you can see what the takeoff relied on before you price it.
Who sets the prices in the estimate?
You do. We price measured quantities with your labor rates and material pricing, and carry the waste factors you give us. You set markup and the final bid price. If a rate is missing, we list that line as open rather than guessing.
Is a siding estimator the same as siding software?
No. A siding estimator in software or online calculators gives rough area totals you enter yourself. Bidmere measures each elevation from the plans and prices the result at your rates, with trim, accessories and open questions included. See our estimating software vs service guide.
How are addenda handled?
Send each addendum as it is issued. We update the quantities for revised elevations and details and note what changed. The accepted quote explains how revisions are priced, so you know the cost before the update starts. Each update names the sheets and revision dates used.
Are my plans and rates confidential?
Yes. The first inquiry form takes text only, so do not paste private rates 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 with others.
Is there a siding estimate template I can use?
Yes. The free construction estimate template works for siding. Give each system and elevation its own row, with SF or squares for siding, LF for trim and corners, and EA for openings. For a full plan set, Bidmere measures every elevation and prices it at your rates, with a fixed quote within 2 business hours.
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.