Division 22 · Plumbing
Plumbing estimates that count every fitting, not just the fixtures
Fixtures are easy to count. The margin on a plumbing bid lives in the pipe runs, the fittings per joint, the hangers, the insulation and the hours it takes to rough-in above a hard ceiling. Our plumbing estimators measure every system on the drawings, apply fitting and hanger factors by pipe size, and price material and labor for the job's zip code so your number holds up on bid day and in the field.
- 5.0 Google
- 4.9 Trustpilot
- 4.9 Clutch
CSI divisions in this scope
- 22Plumbing
- Fire Suppression
- Utilities
Organized by MasterFormat so it drops into your cost codes
turnaround on most residential and TI plumbing sets
24–48 hours
Typical turnaround
22 · 21 · 33
CSI divisions
XLSX · PDF
You receive
Scope of takeoff
Plumbing quantities we take off
Measured by system, size and material from the plumbing plans, risers and schedules.
- 01
Plumbing fixtures and trimEA
Water closets, lavatories, sinks, showers, drinking fountains and carriers from the fixture schedule
Fixture schedule and floor plans
- 02
Domestic water pipingLF
Copper, PEX and CPVC by size, hot, cold and recirculation
Water riser and floor plan runs
- 03
Sanitary waste and ventLF
Cast iron, PVC and ABS by size, including vent stacks and cleanouts
Waste and vent riser diagrams
- 04
Storm drainageLF / EA
Roof drains, overflow drains, leaders and horizontal storm piping
Roof plan and storm riser
- 05
Fuel gas pipingLF
Black steel and CSST by size, regulators and shutoffs
Gas riser and appliance schedule
- 06
Fittings, valves and specialtiesEA
Elbows, tees, couplings, ball and check valves, backflow preventers, shock arrestors
Fitting factors by size and routing
- 07
Hangers, supports and sleevesEA
Clevis hangers, strut, riser clamps, fire-stop sleeves and escutcheons
Spacing per code and specification
- 08
Pipe insulationLF
Fiberglass and elastomeric insulation by diameter and thickness, with jacketing
Specification section and pipe schedule
- 09
Water heating and equipmentEA
Water heaters, boilers for domestic hot water, mixing valves, expansion tanks and pumps
Equipment schedules
- 10
Underground and site plumbingLF / EA
Building sewer, water service, grease interceptors and trenching allowances
Site utility and foundation plans
- 11
Medical gas and specialty systemsLF / EA
Medical gas piping, outlets, alarms and compressed air where specified
Medical gas drawings
- 12
Labor hours by phaseHRS
Underground, rough-in and trim-out hours by system
Productivity rates by condition
Overview
How a plumbing estimate is built
A plumbing estimate starts with the fixture schedule and works backward through every system that serves it.
Domestic cold and hot water are measured by run and size from the water riser and floor plans, sanitary and vent from the waste riser, storm drainage from roof drain layouts, and fuel gas from the gas riser and appliance schedule. Each run is recorded by material, so copper, PEX, cast iron, PVC and steel are quantified and priced separately.
From those linear feet we derive fittings, valves, hangers and supports using factors calibrated to the pipe size and the routing complexity on the drawings, rather than a flat percentage. Insulation is measured by pipe diameter and thickness per the specification, and equipment such as water heaters, backflow preventers, pumps and interceptors is taken from the schedules.
Labor is estimated by system and installation condition, with separate hours for underground, rough-in and trim, so you can see where the crew time goes and compare it against your own productivity. The workbook ties every quantity to a sheet number and the marked-up plans show each system in its own color.
Estimate types
What type of plumbing estimating can you get?
Match the estimate to where your project is. Every option is priced as a flat fee before work begins.
- 01
Preliminary estimate
A conceptual budget built from square footage, assemblies and historical cost data when drawings are schematic. It answers the go/no-go question before you invest in detailed takeoffs.
Best for Feasibility and early budgeting
Precision±15–20%Turnaround24 hours - 02
Detailed estimate
Line-by-line quantities measured from construction documents, priced with localized labor, material and equipment rates, and organized by CSI division with a full assumptions log.
Best for Hard bids and GMP contracts
Precision±5%Turnaround48–72 hours - 03
Bid estimate
A competitive, bid-day-ready number with overhead, profit, bonds and contingencies applied to your targets, plus a scope letter you can attach to the proposal.
Best for Competitive bidding
Precision±5%Turnaround24–48 hours - 04
Change-order estimate
Fast, defensible pricing for added or deleted scope mid-construction, documented against the original contract quantities so approvals move quickly.
Best for Scope changes during construction
Precision±3%TurnaroundSame day to 24 hours - 05
Design-build estimate
Rolling estimates at each design milestone, from concept through GMP, so value engineering happens while the design is still flexible.
Best for Evolving design packages
Precision±10%Turnaround48 hours - 06
Quantity takeoff only
Measured quantities by division, with marked-up plans and material lists, for contractors who prefer to apply their own labor rates and pricing.
Best for Self-performing contractors
PrecisionQuantities onlyTurnaround24 hours
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
98%
takeoff accuracy on awarded projects
Why LEEDS
Why contractors switch to LEEDS
An estimating desk that behaves like an extension of your team, not a software subscription.
Estimators who have run plumbing crews and, know the difference between a clean rough-in and a hard-ceiling nightmare.
Fittings and hangers derived from factors, calibrated by pipe size and routing, not a flat percentage of pipe cost.
Separate labor hours for underground, rough-in and trim so you can check the estimate against your crew's productivity.
Material priced by zip code against current copper, cast iron and PVC supplier quotes.
Fixture counts reconciled between the schedule, floor plans and specification sections so nothing is double-counted or missed.
Storm, gas, medical gas and fire protection, broken out as alternates when the bid form requires it.
Deliverables
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.
- XLSX
Estimate workbook
Quantities, unit costs, labor hours and totals organized by CSI division, with subtotals, markups and a bid summary tab.
- PDF
Marked-up plans
Color-coded takeoff drawings showing exactly where every measured quantity came from.
- XLSX
Material procurement list
Consolidated material quantities with waste factors applied, ready to send to suppliers for quotes.
- XLSX
Labor hours by task
Crew-based labor hours and productivity rates so you can check the schedule against the estimate.
- PDF
Assumptions and exclusions log
Every clarification, allowance and exclusion documented so your proposal scope is defensible.
- PDF
Bid summary sheet
A proposal-ready one-page summary with overhead, profit, bonds and contingency applied.
Tools
Estimating software and cost data we work in
Deliverables fit the tools your team already uses.
Bluebeam Revu
Calibrated PDF markup and measurement
PlanSwift
Digital takeoff and assemblies
RSMeans Data
Localized unit cost database
Trimble Accubid
MEP estimating and pricing
Microsoft Excel
Deliverables formatted to your template
Reviews
What contractors say after their first bid with us
What general contractors, subcontractors and developers say after bidding with our numbers.
“The conduit and wire takeoff matched what my foreman pulled from the drawings almost to the foot. Labor hours were realistic for our crews. It is the first outsourced estimate I did not have to redo.”
Dana Okafor
Owner, Okafor Electric · Houston, TX
“Duct takeoff by gauge and size, equipment schedules, hangers, insulation. They understand sheet metal. Turnaround was 36 hours on a 90,000 square foot clinic.”
Tom Beaulieu
President, Beaulieu Mechanical · Minneapolis, MN
“I used to lose a whole weekend to takeoffs. Now I upload on Friday and have board counts, mud and tape, and paint gallons by Monday morning.”
Elena Vasquez
Owner, Vasquez Drywall & Paint · San Antonio, TX
FAQ
Plumbing Estimating FAQs
Straight answers on scope, turnaround, pricing and deliverables.
How do you quantify fittings and hangers on a plumbing takeoff?
We apply fitting and hanger factors calibrated by pipe size, material and the routing complexity visible on the drawings, then list them by type and size in the bill of materials. On projects with isometrics or detailed risers we count fittings directly.
Can you separate labor by underground, rough-in and trim?
Yes. Labor hours are estimated by system and phase so you can schedule crews, compare against your productivity history and bill the schedule of values accurately.
Do you price plumbing fixtures from the schedule or allowances?
When the fixture schedule specifies manufacturers and models we price those fixtures from current distributor quotes. When the schedule is incomplete we apply allowances by fixture type, flag them in the assumptions log, and update when selections are made.
Are storm, gas and medical gas included in a plumbing estimate?
They are included whenever they appear on the plumbing drawings and broken out on separate workbook tabs so you can bid them as base scope or alternates to match the bid form.
What drawings do you need for a plumbing takeoff?
Plumbing floor plans, water and waste risers, fixture and equipment schedules and the Division 22 specification are ideal. For residential and remodel work we regularly estimate from architectural plans alone and document the assumptions.
How fast can I get a plumbing estimate back?
Residential and tenant improvement sets are usually delivered within 24 hours, multifamily and commercial buildings within 48 hours. Rush delivery is available when your bid date requires it.
Related
Related estimating services
Most projects need more than one trade. Bundle them into a single upload and we price the whole scope together.
Ready for a plumbing estimating quote?
Upload your plans and get a fixed quote within 2 business hours. Most estimates are delivered in 24–48 hours.