Composite decking boards
Solid and hollow capped boards, grooved or square-edge, with border and breaker lines
SFDeck plan area divided by effective board width
Division 06 · Plastics and Composites
Composite materials estimated to the manufacturer's installation rules, not just board count
Composite boards behave differently from lumber: they expand with temperature, need ventilation gaps, and void their warranty if clipped or fastened incorrectly. Our estimators quantify composite decking, cladding, fascia, trim and railing in square feet and linear feet, add the hidden clips, starter strips, sleepers and end-sealing that each manufacturer requires, and price installation labor accordingly.
Manufacturer install specsHidden clip countsWarranty-compliant details
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From upload to bid day
- 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.
Most estimates delivered in 24–48 hours
Bluebeam Revu
PlanSwift
RSMeans Data
STACK
Microsoft Excel
Scope of takeoff
Composite quantities we take off
Measured from architectural and landscape drawings with the manufacturer's installation guide applied to every item.
Scroll through all 12 line items
Overview
Why composite takeoffs are not lumber takeoffs
Composite estimating covers the manufactured boards, panels and profiles that replace wood in decking, cladding, fascia, soffits, trim and railing.
Board counts come from surface area divided by effective board width, but the effective width includes gap spacing, and lengths are chosen from 12, 16 and 20 foot stock to reduce end cuts.
Composites also demand a particular substructure. Joists spaced at 12 or 16 inches, rooftop systems on adjustable pedestals or sleepers, cladding on vertical furring for drainage and drying, and fasteners specified by the manufacturer. Many warranties require stainless or coated hardware, end-sealing of cut ends, and ventilation beneath ground-level decks.
We estimate both layers: the visible product with color, grain and capped surface selections, and the hidden accessories that determine performance. Labor reflects the slower, more precise installation, with allowances for clip systems, pre-drilling, picture frames and cut waste on diagonal patterns.
Estimate types
What type of wood & plastic composites 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
Composite decking package Boards, clips, fascia, stair treads and rail kits priced as a decking subcontract, with direct manufacturer or distributor quotes where available. | ±5% | 24 hours | Deck and exterior contractors |
Composite cladding takeoff Wall coverage in square feet with furring, fasteners, corner details and wall flashing for rainscreen-style installations. | ±6% | 48 hours | Envelope and siding contractors |
Rooftop and plaza deck estimate Pedestal, sleeper and board counts over membrane roofs with drain access panels, edge restraints and protection layers. | ±7% | 48 hours | Commercial roofing and amenity deck teams |
Trim and fascia material list PVC and cellular composite trim by profile and length, with fasteners, adhesives and joint treatments for site-built trim packages. | Quantities only | 24 hours | Siding and exterior trim crews |
Why LEEDS
Why contractors switch to LEEDS
An estimating desk that behaves like an extension of your team, not a software subscription.
Quantities follow the manufacturer's installation guide
so the warranty you sell is not undermined by the number you bid.
Hidden clip counts tied to board crossings per joist
not a flat percentage of decking cost.
Expansion gaps and temperature-based cut
Lengths accounted for in stock length selection.
Waste factors set by lay pattern and board
Length rather than a single default.
Rooftop pedestal and sleeper layouts quantified
Against drain locations, slopes and membrane protection.
Cladding furring, ventilation gaps and flashing
Captured as part of the takeoff, not left to field fix.
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.
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.
Clients
Who relies on our estimates
From single-trade subs to national developers, every client gets the same measured-twice standard.
General Contractors Subcontractors Architects & Engineers Home Builders & Remodelers
Reviews
What contractors say after their first bid with us
What general contractors, subcontractors and developers say after bidding with our numbers.
“Cubic yards, rebar tonnage, formwork contact area and block counts by size. Exactly how I think about a job. We have won four of the last five bids they priced.”
Jamal Reed
Owner, Reed Concrete & Masonry · Birmingham, AL
FAQ
Wood & Plastic Composites Estimating FAQs
How do you account for expansion gaps in composite decking?
We follow the manufacturer's expansion chart, which sets end gaps and side gaps based on installation temperature. Gaps affect effective board width and the number of boards per run, so they change both board counts and the number of clips required in the final takeoff.
Can you estimate for several composite brands at once?
Yes. We build the quantity model once, then price it against two or three manufacturers or distributors so you can compare material cost, clip systems and warranty terms. Differences in board width and length can change waste, so they are modeled brand by brand.
Do you include hidden fasteners and starter clips?
Always. Hidden clip systems are counted by board-to-joist crossings, with starter clips at the ends and perimeter, and stainless screws sized to the joist material. Face-screw installations are priced as an alternate when the specification allows them.
How do you estimate composite decking on a roof?
We lay out pedestals or sleepers against drains, slopes and parapets, size support spacing to the board span, and add protection mats and edge restraint. Labor is higher than ground-level decks because material hoisting and membrane protection slow production.
Are composite railings and trim part of the takeoff?
Railing runs, posts, brackets, cap rails and stair rails are measured in linear feet and counted as kits where the manufacturer sells them that way. Cellular PVC and composite trim is taken off by profile and length with fasteners and adhesive.
What is the typical turnaround on a composite estimate?
Residential decking is typically returned within 24 hours. Cladding facades, rooftop decks and multi-building packages take 48 hours, and we confirm the delivery date once we have seen the drawings and manufacturer selection.
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 wood & plastic composites estimating quote?
Upload your plans and get a fixed quote within 2 business hours. Most estimates are delivered in 24–48 hours.