Construction Estimating

Get the Fast and Accurate Construction Estimation Services

Construction estimating calculates material quantities, labor, and trade pricing before you commit money or submit a bid. For Canadian contractors, developers, and project owners, the quality of the estimate often determines whether you win or lose a project.

FEDES provides construction estimating services for Canadian projects of any scale or sector. From budget estimates to detailed bid-ready breakdowns, we deliver precise estimates that let you bid competitively and protect your margins.

We work with general contractors, subcontractors, developers, project owners, and design professionals across residential, commercial, industrial, and oil & gas sectors, covering every major trade and every stage of the pre-construction process.

24-48 Hours Turnaround Time
Strong customer base in Canada
98% Accuracy Rate
Professional Cost Estimators

Why Contractors Across Canada Trust FEDES Estimating Services

Fast Turnaround Without Sacrificing Accuracy

Tight bid deadlines don't wait, and neither do we. We deliver detailed, bid-ready estimates within 24 to 48 hours for most projects, so you never miss a submission window. Every estimate is carefully reviewed before delivery to ensure accuracy.

Expert Coverage Across Every Trade and Sector

From structural and MEP trades to civil, concrete, and oil & gas, our estimators are experienced across the full spectrum of construction. Whether you're bidding a custom home, a commercial fit-out, or an industrial facility, we bring the right expertise to every scope.

Estimates Built to Win Bids and Protect Margins

A good estimate isn't just about the numbers; it's about how those numbers are structured. We prepare clear, organized, and defensible cost breakdowns that help you price competitively, justify your bid to clients, and protect your profit on every project.

What’s Included in Our Construction Cost Estimating Services

Quantity Takeoffs & Material Lists

Accurate quantity takeoffs are the foundation of every reliable estimate. We measure and calculate material quantities directly from your drawings, whether digital or PDF, and deliver organized, trade-wise material lists that eliminate guesswork and reduce the risk of over-ordering or underbidding.

Detailed measurement from architectural, structural & MEP drawings
Organized by trade and the CSI division
Compatible with your preferred estimating software
Available for all project types and sectors

Preliminary, Conceptual & Budget Estimates

Not every project is ready for a full, detailed estimate. In the early stages, you need reliable budget numbers to assess feasibility, secure financing, or present to a client. We prepare conceptual and preliminary estimates based on available information, providing you with a realistic cost picture before the design is finalized.

Early-stage cost assessments based on sketches or schematic designs
Square footage and system-based pricing models
Useful for developer feasibility studies and owner budgets
Adjustable as the design progresses

Detailed Cost Estimating & Bid Preparation

When it's time to submit, you need more than rough numbers. Our detailed cost estimates break down every line item, materials, labor, equipment, and subcontractor costs into a clean, submission-ready format. Whether you're bidding to a private owner, a developer, or a public tender, we prepare estimates that reflect real-world Canadian market pricing.

Full material, labor, and equipment cost breakdown
Trade-wise and division-wise cost structure
Market-aligned pricing for Canadian projects
Formatted for direct use in bid submissions

Change Order & Variation Estimating

Scope changes are inevitable on any construction project, and unpriced changes are where contractors lose money. We prepare accurate change order estimates quickly so you can submit variations with confidence, recover your costs, and keep the project moving without delays.

Rapid turnaround on change order pricing
Clear documentation of added or modified scope
Labor, material, and impact cost inclusion
Structured for client and contract review

Value Engineering & Cost Optimization

When a project is over budget, the answer isn't always to reduce scope; it's to find smarter alternatives. Our value engineering support helps contractors and owners identify cost-saving opportunities without compromising design intent, quality, or performance.

Alternative material and system analysis
Cost-benefit comparison of design options
Targeted savings without sacrificing quality
Useful at both design and pre-construction stages

Trade-Specific Estimating

Different trades require different expertise, and generic estimates miss the detail that specialty contractors need. We offer dedicated estimating services for all major construction trades, delivering trade-level accuracy that reflects real scope, real quantities, and real pricing. Trades we cover:

Structural (Concrete, Steel, Masonry, Framing)
MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing)
Civil & Sitework
Interior Finishes (Drywall, Flooring, Painting, Roofing)
Specialty Trades (Fireproofing, Glazing, and more)

Sector-Specific Estimating

Construction costs vary significantly by sector. A residential estimate and a commercial estimate are not built the same way, and neither is an industrial or oil & gas estimate. We provide sector-specific estimating that reflects the unique requirements, codes, and cost structures of each project type. Sectors we serve:

Residential (Single-family, Multi-family, Custom Homes)
Commercial (Office, Retail, Mixed-Use, Institutional)
Industrial (Warehouses, Manufacturing, Processing Facilities)
Oil & Gas (Facilities, Pipelines, Plant Infrastructure)

Tools We Use

Our estimators work with industry-standard construction estimating and takeoff software to ensure precision, compatibility, and fast delivery across all project types.

PlanSwift
Bluebeam Revu
Autodesk Revit
AutoCAD
Tekla Structures
Navisworks
Oracle Primavera P6
Microsoft Project
ArchiCAD
Autodesk Civil 3D

Professionals We Proudly Support

Our estimating services for construction projects are built for the professionals who move Canadian projects forward, from first bid to final budget.

General Contractors

We help GCs prepare complete, trade-wise estimates for projects of any size, making subcontractor coordination, bid submission, and scope management more efficient and accurate.

Subcontractors

For specialty and trade contractors, we deliver precise, scope-specific estimates that reflect actual field conditions, helping you bid competitively and protect your margins on every job.

Developers

From early feasibility to full pre-construction budgeting, we support developers with scalable cost estimates that reduce financial risk and support better investment decisions.

Project Owners

We give owners clear, independent cost assessments so they can evaluate contractor bids, manage budgets, and make informed decisions throughout the project lifecycle.

Architects & Designers

We translate design drawings into real cost data, helping architects and designers align their vision with project budgets early, before costly revisions become necessary.

Construction Managers

We support construction managers with detailed estimates, change order pricing, and budget tracking tools that keep projects financially on track from start to finish.

WORK PROCESS

Get Bid-Ready Estimates in 4 Simple Steps

Our best construction estimating services are delivered fast! Here's how it works.

Submit Plans

Upload drawings & documents

Review Scope

Analyse drawings & requirements

Cost Estimate

Trade-wise pricing at market rates

Bid-Ready Delivery

Accurate estimates in 24-48 hrs, ready for confident submission

Get In Touch

See What Our Customers Say

Jamie K.

General Contractor, Ontario

"We were losing bids we should have won, turns out our numbers weren't the problem, our estimate structure was. FEDES cleaned everything up and gave us a format that actually makes sense to clients. We've been more consistent with wins ever since."

John J.

Project Developer, Toronto

"The turnaround speed is what got us first, but the accuracy is what kept us coming back. We sent over a complex commercial project expecting a week's wait. It came back in 48 hours, detailed and ready to go."

Marcus T.

Mechanical Subcontractor, Alberta

"As a subcontractor, I used to dread preparing change order estimates mid-project. Now I just send the revised drawings to FEDES and have a clean, documented variation ready for the GC the same day. It's changed how we operate."

Some Faq

Frequently Asked Questions

01 What do your Construction Estimating Services include?

Our construction estimating services for builders cover the full pre-construction cost planning process, including quantity takeoffs, material lists, labor cost calculations, equipment pricing, and trade-wise bid breakdowns. We work across all major trades and sectors to ensure every item in your project scope is properly accounted for before you submit your bid.

02 How accurate are your estimates?

We prioritize precision by analyzing drawings thoroughly and aligning all costs with current Canadian market rates. While final project costs can be affected by site conditions and market fluctuations, our estimates are structured to minimize pricing gaps and protect your margins.

03 How fast is your turnaround?

Most standard projects are delivered within 24 to 48 hours. Larger or more complex scopes may require additional time, which we confirm upfront so you can plan your bid schedule accordingly.

04 What file formats do you accept?

We work with PDF drawings, CAD files, Revit models, and most standard digital formats. If you have physical drawings or non-standard files, contact us, and we'll advise on the best way to proceed.

05 Can you estimate from preliminary or incomplete drawings?

Yes. We can prepare conceptual and budget-level estimates from schematic drawings, sketches, or partial documentation. As your design develops, we can update and refine the estimate to reflect the final scope.

06 Do you cover all construction trades?

Yes. We provide estimates for all major structural, MEP, civil, interior finish, and specialty trades. We also offer dedicated trade-specific estimating pages for the most common trades we serve.

07 Which sectors do you work in?

We serve the residential, commercial, industrial, and oil & gas sectors across Canada. Each sector has unique cost drivers, and our estimators are familiar with the specific requirements, codes, and pricing standards of each.

08 Can I use your estimates for owner or developer presentations?

Absolutely. Our reports are professionally formatted and organized by trade and cost division, making them easy to present to clients, lenders, or development partners — without requiring them to have construction knowledge.

09 Is outsourcing estimating better than hiring in-house?

For most contractors and growing firms, outsourcing delivers expert-level accuracy without the overhead of a full-time estimator. It gives you the flexibility to scale your bidding capacity up or down based on workload, without long-term payroll commitments.

10 How do I get started with FEDES?

Simply reach out through our contact page and share your project drawings and details. We'll review the scope, confirm a timeline, and get your estimate underway, so you can focus on winning the work.