Our Professional Metal Estimating Services

Tired of inaccurate estimates costing you bids? Our metal estimating services deliver precise takeoffs you can trust. We combine industry expertise with meticulous attention to detail to help contractors and fabricators bid confidently, control costs, and win more projects.

4k+ Clients

Licensed in 45+ U.S. States

Real Time Price Updates

Revision And Update Support

20+ Years in Business

Why Are We The Right Choice For Your Next Bid?

Our estimators hold the Certified Professional Estimator (CPE) credential, recognized nationwide, ensuring every takeoff meets rigorous industry standards. Our steel estimating services take time to understand your project’s unique demands, offering personalized support and reliable guidance that help you avoid costly errors and consistently win more profitable bids nationwide.

What You Get When You Partner With Us

Working with our metal estimating services means you get precise takeoffs, transparent pricing, and estimates aligned with AISC standards. We handle structural, miscellaneous, and ornamental metals with equal care, giving you accurate numbers, fewer surprises, and dependable support.

Achieve An Edge In A Competitive Market With Us

With rising material costs and tighter labor markets across the U.S., contractors can’t afford to rely on guesswork in estimating. Our steel estimation services track real-time pricing trends and regional labor rates to build estimates that hold up under pressure. That means fewer surprises, stronger margins, and a real advantage when competing for today’s toughest bids.

Let's Estimate Your Next Metal Project Together

Every project deserves a solid foundation of numbers. Our Design and Bids team digs into the fine details to determine material specs, labor hours, and project scope. So your bid stands out for accuracy, not assumptions, giving you a real advantage before the job even starts.

What Material Do We Estimate

Metal Estimating Solutions For Every Sector

No two projects are built the same, and no two estimates should be either. Whether you’re working on a high-rise commercial build or a specialized industrial facility, our steel takeoff services adapt to the unique demands, codes, and material requirements of your specific sector.

From large-scale commercial developments to residential renovations, we bring sector-specific knowledge to every takeoff. This ensures your estimates aren’t just accurate, but also relevant to the real challenges and standards of your industry, giving you a bid that’s built for your project’s exact scope.

Commercial Construction

Our steel estimating company delivers precise metal takeoffs for office buildings, retail, and mixed-use developments, helping contractors bid confidently on structural steel projects.

Institutional Facilities

Government buildings and public facilities demand strict code compliance. Our team delivers estimates that help our clients navigate regulations while staying competitive.

Healthcare Facilities

Our metal estimating services provide accurate, code-compliant estimates in accordance with strict safety standards, helping contractors and builders meet regulations while keeping projects on budget.

Residential Construction

From single-family homes to multi-family complexes, we provide accurate estimates for railings and structural components, helping builders manage costs effectively.

Manufacturing Facilities

Manufacturing projects require specialized structural and equipment-support metalwork. Our team provides precise metal takeoffs that account for load requirements and complex specifications.

Hospitality Facilities

Hotels and resorts require structural integrity and architectural appeal. We estimate structural steel alongside decorative metalwork, helping deliver functional, visually striking projects.

The Value We Bring To Every Project

Every project deserves more than numbers; it deserves insight. Here’s how our estimating expertise translates into real, measurable value for you.

Cost Certainty

Our steel cost estimators deliver precise cost breakdowns that eliminate guesswork, helping you set realistic budgets and avoid unexpected expenses throughout your project's lifecycle.

Time Savings

Our fast turnaround times mean you spend less time waiting and more time focused on winning new bids and efficiently managing your ongoing projects.

Risk Reduction

Accurate, code-compliant takeoffs minimize costly errors and change orders, protecting your reputation and reducing financial risk on every project you bid.

Competitive Bidding

Detailed, reliable estimates give you the confidence to bid competitively while maintaining healthy profit margins on every project you pursue.

Expert Guidance

Experienced estimators at Design and Bids offer insights beyond numbers, helping you make informed decisions about materials, labor, and project scope from day one.

Long-Term Partnership

Our metal estimating services build lasting relationships, not one-time transactions, so every future estimate is faster, more accurate, and backed by a team that already knows your business.

AISC 360-22

As an experienced steel estimating company, we align every estimate with AISC 360-22 to ensure accurate load calculations, connection design, and material specifications.

AISC 341/358

For seismic-prone regions, we reference AISC's seismic provisions, ensuring estimates account for moment frame connections and earthquake-resistant design.

ASCE 7-22

Our estimates incorporate ASCE 7-22 load requirements, including wind, seismic, and structural loading criteria, to ensure accurate metal takeoffs.

What Standards Guide Our Estimates?

Codes exist to protect safety, quality, and consistency, and our metal estimating services take them seriously. We follow current AISC, ASTM, and IBC standards for every estimate, ensuring your project meets regulatory requirements while providing accurate, dependable numbers you can build on.

ASTM Material Standards

We reference relevant ASTM standards for steel grades and material properties to ensure every estimate matches your project's exact requirements.

AWS D1.1

For welded steel connections, we apply AWS D1.1 requirements to ensure welding specifications meet current structural integrity standards.

IBC 2024

Our metal takeoff and estimating services stay current with the latest IBC edition and confirm the exact code version adopted in your project's jurisdiction, since adoption timelines vary by state.

Our Client’s Success Stories

Numbers tell one story, but results tell another. Here’s how accurate estimating has helped our clients win bids, control costs, and grow their businesses.

Andrew Collins

Structural Steel Contractor

Their team delivered precise metal takeoffs, material quantities, and labor calculations. Their technical expertise helped us control costs, strengthen our bid, and confidently pursue competitive projects.

Rachel Thompson

Construction Project Manager

We appreciated your detailed metal estimating approach and quick turnaround. Accurate pricing for fabrication, installation, and materials helped our team improve budgeting and reduce costly estimating uncertainties.

Daniel Harris

General Contractor

Their estimators expertly reviewed drawings, specifications, and metal requirements. The comprehensive estimate improved our cost planning, supported procurement decisions, and helped us submit a stronger project proposal.

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From Blueprint To Bid: Our Process

Documents Review

Our metal estimating process begins with a careful review of your blueprints and specifications to identify material requirements, scope details, and factors that inform an accurate estimate.

Detailed Takeoff

Our estimators perform a thorough material takeoff, calculating quantities, labor hours, and costs with precision to ensure nothing gets overlooked.

Final Estimate Delivery

We compile a detailed, easy-to-understand report with transparent pricing and clear breakdowns, giving you a reliable estimate ready for submission.

Projects That Prove Our Ability

Every estimate we make tells a story of precision under pressure. Explore how our metal estimating services have helped contractors turn complex projects into winning, profitable bids.

Structural Steel Commercial Complex

Dallas, TXWe provided structural steel takeoffs and cost estimates, helping contractors accurately budget for materials, labor, fabrication, and installation.

Industrial Metal Fabrication Facility

Houston, TX Our detailed estimates covered fabrication materials, welding, labor, and installation, supporting accurate bidding, procurement planning, and cost control.

High-Rise Metal Framing Project

New York, NYOur metals takeoff services delivered precise metal framing quantities and pricing, helping the project team develop reliable budgets and competitive construction proposals.

Commercial Sheet Metal Project

Chicago, IL Our team estimated sheet metal materials, fabrication, and labor, enabling contractors to reduce uncertainties and prepare accurate, profitable bids.

Software

Frequently Asked Questions

What are metal estimating services, and why does my project need them?

Metal estimating is the process of calculating material quantities, labor, and costs for structural and miscellaneous metalwork. It ensures your bid is accurate, competitive, and free of costly surprises down the line.

What information do you need from me to start an estimate?

We typically need project blueprints, specifications, and scope details in PDF, CAD, or BIM format. The more detail you provide, the more precise your estimate will be.

Can you handle rush estimates for tight bid deadlines?

Yes, we offer expedited turnaround options for time-sensitive bids. Just let us know your deadline, and we’ll prioritize your project accordingly.

Do you account for material price fluctuations in your estimates?

We accept PDF blueprints, CAD drawings, and BIM model files for drywall estimating projects. You should just upload your project details through our portal. Our estimators will audit the documents you provided, identify scope gaps, and prepare a detailed cost estimate ready for your bid submission.

Are there any hidden fees in your estimating services?

No hidden fees ever. Our pricing is transparent from the start, so you know exactly what you’re paying for before we begin.