Divisions 22, 23 and 40 · Piping
Piping estimates built from isometrics, weld counts and test packages
Process piping is priced in inch-diameters of weld and the hours needed to fit, weld, support and test each spool. A takeoff in linear feet alone misses the real driver. Our estimators work from P&IDs, isometrics and plan views to measure pipe by material and schedule, count fittings, flanges, valves and field welds, then add supports, insulation, painting and hydrotesting under the governing ASME B31 code.
- 5.0 Google
- 4.9 Trustpilot
- 4.9 Clutch
“Change-order pricing came back the same day with quantities tied to the original contract set. The owner approved without a single question.”
Reviews
What contractors say after their first bid with us
What general contractors, subcontractors and developers say after bidding with our numbers.
“Change-order pricing came back the same day with quantities tied to the original contract set. The owner approved without a single question.”
Rob Castellano
Senior PM, Castellano Construction Management · Newark, NJ
Piping quantities we take off
Pipe is measured by service and material from the line list, then converted into fittings, joints and labor hours.
Carbon steel pipeLF
Schedule 40, 80 and XS pipe in sizes from 1/2 inch to 36 inch, black or galvanized
Stainless steel pipeLF
304L and 316L pipe and tube, sanitary tube and orbital-weld spools
Copper and brass pipingLF
Types K, L and M copper with brazed or press-fit joints for process water and gases
PVC, CPVC and HDPE pipeLF
Solvent-welded and fused plastic pipe for chemical, drain and process lines
Fittings and flangesEA
Elbows, tees, reducers, weld-neck flanges, gaskets and bolt sets by class
Valves and instrumentsEA
Gate, globe, ball, check and control valves, relief valves and in-line instruments
Welds and jointsEA / IN-DIA
Shop and field butt welds, socket welds, threaded and grooved joints in inch-diameters
Pipe supports and racksEA / LBS
Hangers, guides, anchors, shoes and structural pipe rack steel
Insulation and heat tracingLF
Mineral wool, cellular glass and foam insulation with jacketing and electric trace cable
Testing and flushingLS / LF
Hydrostatic and pneumatic tests, flushing, passivation and test-pack documentation
NDE and weld inspectionEA
Radiography, ultrasonic testing, PT and visual examination at specified percentages
Labor hours by joint typeHRS
Fabrication, erection, welding and testing hours by material and diameter
Overview
Estimating piping by material, schedule and joint
Piping estimating begins with the line list: service, material, schedule and pressure class for each line. Carbon steel, stainless steel, copper, PVC, CPVC, HDPE and lined pipe each follow different installation methods and productivity. We measure straight pipe in linear feet by nominal diameter, then count elbows, tees, reducers, caps, flanges, gaskets, bolts, unions and valves from isometrics or plan views.
Joints are the labor driver. A butt weld in 6 inch Schedule 40 carbon steel takes a defined number of hours, a socket weld on a 1 inch stainless line far fewer, and a threaded or solvent-welded joint less again. We convert fittings into joint counts and inch-diameters, apply productivity for the material and position, and add field welds, shop fabrication spools, welder certification, NDE and weld procedure requirements.
Supports, pipe racks, insulation, heat tracing, paint, hydrostatic or pneumatic testing, flushing and passivation round out the estimate. We keep these in separate lines so a contractor can adjust any element when scope changes.
Estimate types
What type of piping estimating can you get?
Match the estimate to where your project is. Every option is priced as a flat fee before work begins.
| Estimate type | Accuracy | Turnaround | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
Process piping hard bid Pipe, fittings, valves, supports, insulation, testing and labor by line and area, built from isometrics and the project line list. | ±6% | 72 hours | Industrial and process contractors |
Inch-diameter weld estimate Welding hours calculated by material, schedule and diameter with welder, fit-up, preheat and NDE support for shops that quote weld scope. | ±7% | 48 hours | Piping fabricators and welding shops |
Skid and pipe-rack package Prefabricated skid piping and pipe rack scope, with shop spool fabrication, shipping, field tie-ins and erection hours priced separately. | ±8% | 72 hours | Skid builders and EPC subcontractors |
Piping material take-off Pipe, fittings, flanges and valves by material and class in a bill of materials format ready for purchasing and vendor quotes. | Quantities only | 24-48 hours | Purchasing and in-house estimating |
Process
How our estimating process works
Four steps from upload to a bid-ready estimate, with a senior estimator signing off before anything leaves our desk.
- 1
Upload plans and scope
Send your drawings, specifications and bid invitation through the secure upload form. We confirm scope, deadline and a fixed price within two business hours.
Then step 2
- 2
Digital quantity takeoff
Estimators measure every item from calibrated plans in Bluebeam and PlanSwift, color-coding each layer so quantities can be traced back to the drawing.
Then step 3
- 3
Pricing and labor
Quantities are priced with location-adjusted material costs, crew productivity rates and equipment, then marked up to your overhead and profit targets.
Then step 4
- 4
Senior review and delivery
A second estimator audits quantities and pricing, documents assumptions and exclusions, and delivers your Excel workbook, PDF summary and marked-up plans.
Bid-ready
Why LEEDS
Why contractors switch to LEEDS
An estimating desk that behaves like an extension of your team, not a software subscription.
Estimators who read isometrics and P&IDs
And know the difference between Class 150 and Class 300 flanges.
Labor driven by inch-diameters and joint
Types instead of a single hours-per-foot figure.
Material grades and schedules matched to
The line list so stainless and carbon steel never share a price.
Field welds separated from shop welds
because prefabrication changes cost, schedule and weld quality.
Pipe supports and racks counted from spacing tables and drawings
not lumped into overhead.
Insulation, heat tracing and paint priced
From the service temperature and thickness table.
What's included in your estimate package
Every deliverable is formatted so it can go straight into a proposal, a purchase order or an owner report.
Estimate workbook
Marked-up plans
Material procurement list
Labor hours by task
Estimate workbook XLSX
Quantities, unit costs, labor hours and totals organized by CSI division, with subtotals, markups and a bid summary tab.
Marked-up plans PDF
Color-coded takeoff drawings showing exactly where every measured quantity came from.
Material procurement list XLSX
Consolidated material quantities with waste factors applied, ready to send to suppliers for quotes.
Labor hours by task XLSX
Crew-based labor hours and productivity rates so you can check the schedule against the estimate.
Assumptions and exclusions log PDF
Every clarification, allowance and exclusion documented so your proposal scope is defensible.
Bid summary sheet PDF
A proposal-ready one-page summary with overhead, profit, bonds and contingency applied.
Free quote
Get a fixed quote for this scope
Upload drawings or a plan link and tell us the bid date. A senior estimator confirms scope, price and delivery before any work starts.
- Scope confirmation and a fixed price within two business hours
- Most estimates delivered in 24–48 hours
- Unlimited revisions until bid day
- Plans stay confidential and are deleted on request
Prefer to talk? Call +1 (800) 555-0199 or email info@leedsestimating.com.
Nationwide
Priced for your zip code in all 50 states
Labor rates, material costs and code requirements are adjusted to the project location, not a national average.
FAQ
Piping Estimating FAQs
How is piping estimating different from plumbing estimating?
Plumbing estimating centers on fixtures, domestic water, sanitary and vent systems under plumbing code. Piping estimating covers process and industrial lines by material, schedule and pressure class under ASME B31, where welds, NDE and testing drive cost. Many projects need both, and we keep them separate.
What documents do you need for a piping takeoff?
P&IDs, isometrics or piping plans, the line list and the piping specification are ideal. We can also work from plan and section drawings and develop fitting counts using standard layouts, flagging assumptions where isometrics are not yet issued.
How do you calculate welding labor?
We convert fittings, flanges and branch connections into weld counts and inch-diameters, then apply productivity for the material, schedule, position and shop or field conditions. Preheat, post-weld heat treatment and welder qualification are added when the specification requires them.
Do you include supports, insulation and testing?
Yes. Supports and pipe racks are measured from spacing tables and drawings. Insulation and heat tracing follow the line list service temperatures, while hydrostatic or pneumatic testing, flushing and cleaning are priced for each test package.
Can you price both shop-fabricated spools and field-run piping?
We price shop spools with fabrication, shipping and field closure welds separately from stick-built field piping. That lets you compare approaches, see crane or lift needs, and decide how much to prefabricate based on cost and schedule.
How fast can you deliver a piping estimate?
Small building-service or utility piping packages are often finished in 24 to 48 hours. A full process area with isometrics, welds and testing typically takes 72 hours, and we confirm a date after reviewing the line list and documents.
Related
Related estimating services
Most projects need more than one trade. Bundle them into a single upload and we price the whole scope together.
Blog
Insights from the estimating desk
Practical guidance on bidding, takeoffs and protecting margin.
Ready for a piping estimating quote?
Upload your plans and get a fixed quote within 2 business hours. Most estimates are delivered in 24–48 hours.