Frequently Asked Questions
Got Questions? We Have Straight Answers.
Everything Texas contractors, builders and developers ask us before getting started, answered simply and honestly.
General
Texas Estimates is a Texas based construction estimating and takeoff company. We help contractors, subcontractors, builders and developers prepare accurate, bid ready cost estimates so they can submit stronger proposals and win more projects across Texas. We focus entirely on helping you bid fast, accurately and competitively.
regional construction costs better than any national firm. That deep local knowledge is what makes our estimates so accurate for Texas bids. While we primarily serve Texas contractors, contact us if you have a multi state project and we’ll discuss how we can help.
We work with general contractors, subcontractors, specialty trade contractors, home builders, real estate developers, architects, engineers and project owners across Texas, from Houston and Dallas to San Antonio, Austin, Fort Worth and beyond. Whether you’re bidding a small remodel or a large commercial project, we’re built for you.
Three things set us apart: Texas specific pricing built into every estimate, a 8 to 24 hour turnaround so you never miss a bid deadline and a team that’s focused entirely on helping you win, not just handing you a spreadsheet. We’re not a generic national firm. We’re your Texas estimating team and we treat every bid like it’s our own business on the line.
Bidding & Estimates
Most contractors lose bids because their numbers are either too high or too low. Our certified estimators use Texas specific labor rates and local material pricing by zip code to give you estimates that are competitive. Accurate numbers = stronger bids = more project wins.
Our Services
We handle residential, commercial, industrial and civil projects across all major Texas markets. This includes custom homes, multifamily buildings, office buildings, retail centers, warehouses, schools, medical facilities, restaurants, remodels, additions and infrastructure projects. If it gets built in Texas, we can estimate it.
Yes. We provide professional Xactimate estimating services for renovation, restoration, insurance claim and remodeling projects in Texas. Our estimators are experienced with Xactimate’s pricing database and can produce insurance grade estimates accepted by adjusters and carriers saving you time and disputes on every claim.
Yes. Preliminary estimating is one of our most requested services. We work from conceptual drawings, schematic designs, or even a project description to give you early stage budget numbers. This is especially useful for developers securing financing, architects managing client budgets and contractors deciding whether a project is worth pursuing before spending time on a full estimate.
We cover all major construction trades including concrete, framing, lumber, drywall, roofing, insulation, masonry, flooring, plumbing, HVAC, electrical, MEP, painting, sitework, excavation and more. We provide single trade takeoffs or full project multi trade takeoffs depending on your needs.
Absolutely. Our CPM (Critical Path Method) scheduling services use Primavera P6 and Microsoft Project to create detailed project timelines, sequence activities, allocate resources and identify schedule risks before they become costly delays. A solid CPM schedule strengthens your bid and keeps your project on track from day one.
Yes. Remodeling estimates are one of our specialties. We account for demolition costs, existing conditions, material replacements and Texas local labor rates to give you a realistic renovation budget. Whether it’s a kitchen remodel, a commercial office renovation, or a full rebuild, we’ll give you numbers you can confidently bid on.
Process and Delivery
Most estimates are delivered within 8 to 24 hours of receiving your plans. We know bid deadlines in Texas move fast, so if you have an urgent submission, let us know upfront and we’ll do everything we can to meet your timeline.
Our estimators use industry standard tools including Planswift, Bluebeam, Trimble, RS Means, Xactimate, FastPIPE and FastDUCT. For Texas specific pricing, we reference RS Means and our own pricing databases by zip code across Texas markets so your numbers reflect what things actually cost in your area.
Yes. Our team includes certified estimators holding credentials such as CPE (Certified Professional Estimator), CCP (Certified Cost Professional), LEED accreditation, RICS membership and AACE certification. Every estimate is reviewed for accuracy before delivery, not just prepared by one person and sent out.
To get started, we need your project plans or drawings (PDF format works perfectly), the project location or zip code in Texas and a general scope description. If you have specifications, addendums, or previous estimates, those are helpful too but they’re not required. We can start even if you only have partial plans.
You receive a detailed, organized estimate that includes itemized material quantities, labor costs, equipment costs, subcontractor allowances, overhead and profit margins. We also provide marked up blueprints showing exactly what was counted and measured, plus a summary cost breakdown you can share directly with clients or project owners.
Pricing
Our pricing depends on project size, complexity and the type of service you need. We offer competitive flat fee pricing with no hidden charges. Contact us with your project details and we’ll give you a fast quote. Most contractors find that our fee is a fraction of what they’d lose by submitting an inaccurate bid.
Yes, we offer a free consultation and can provide sample estimates so you can see our format and quality before committing. We’re confident in our work and want you to feel the same before we start. Reach out and we’ll walk you through everything with zero pressure.
Absolutely. Many of our clients use Texas Estimates as their dedicated outsourced estimating department. We handle their bids on a per project or retainer basis, acting as a fully integrated part of their team. This saves them the cost of a full time in house estimator while giving them expert level accuracy on every bid.
