The commercial plumbing estimating guide.
This is the long-form pillar guide for senior commercial plumbing estimators — a from-the-trade walkthrough of how to go from a PDF blueprint to a winning bid package. We cover takeoff method, materials pricing, MCAA labor calc, AIA G702/G703 SOV format, code awareness, and submission strategy.
Read straight through if you're onboarding a new estimator, or jump to the section you need.
Section 1 — Takeoff
How to read a commercial plumbing drawing set: schedules, risers, and keyed notes.
Section 2 — Materials
Building a price book that doesn't go stale. Regional cost data and supplier RFQs.
Section 3 — Labor
MCAA productivity rates, journeyman/apprentice mix, and phase-based labor calc.
Section 4 — Schedule of Values
AIA G702/G703 format, milestone setup, and progress billing.
Section 5 — Code
IPC, UPC, and FBC-P essentials. Fixture units, vent sizing, backflow assemblies.
Section 6 — Submission
What GCs actually want in a bid package, and how to win on completeness.
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