Construction Cost Estimation
Bid-ready cost models that reflect current market rates, labour, and contingency.
Learn moreConstruction cost estimating
Estimates precise enough to win the bid
Qostara turns drawings into bid-ready quantity takeoffs and cost models — so general contractors and specialty trades bid with confidence, not guesswork.
- 3–5 day turnaround
- CSI-formatted reports
- Addendum support included
Social proof
Trusted by contractors who bid to win
Takeoff volume from GCs and specialty trades across commercial, healthcare, and industrial pursuits.
10,000+
Projects completed
Commercial, healthcare & industrial
98.4%
Avg. takeoff accuracy
Measured vs awarded cost
+22%
Win-rate lift
Median after 90 days
4 days
Typical turnaround
Most commercial packages
- FFForge & Field
- ASApex Structures
- LDLumen Design-Build
- HLHarborline
- NRNorthridge
- HEHale Electric
Services
Estimating services built for the bid calendar
From first look at the drawings to the sealed bid package — one partner for every stage of preconstruction.
Material Takeoff
Digitised material counts that leave nothing on the floor of the drawing set.
Learn moreQuantity Surveying
Independent quantity survey for owners, developers, and design-build teams.
Learn moreBid Preparation
Proposal packages that put your numbers next to a clear narrative of scope.
Learn moreDesign-Build Estimates
Estimates that evolve with the design instead of fighting it at every stage.
Learn moreLabor Cost Analysis
Crew-level productivity models so labour hours stop being a guess.
Learn more
Why Qostara
The estimating partner that treats accuracy as the product
We take fewer jobs than the big outsourcing shops — so every takeoff can survive a peer review and a superintendent's scrutiny.
Highly Accurate Estimates
Dual review on every takeoff. Average variance under two percent against awarded jobs.
Fast Turnaround
Most commercial packages return in 3–5 business days. Rush windows available.
Certified Estimators
AACE and ASPE-credentialed leads on every account, not just the sales call.
Latest Pricing Database
Regional cost libraries refreshed weekly across labour, materials, and equipment.
Dedicated Support
One named estimator for your account. Same person from kickoff through award.
Cost Saving Strategies
Value-engineering options flagged before you bid, not after you lose the job.
How it works
Six steps from drawings to a sealed bid
A clear process, a named estimator, and a deliverable your supers can actually use on site.
01 Submit Drawings
Upload plans, specs, and addenda. PDF, DWG, and Revit are all welcome.
02 Project Review
A senior estimator scopes the set, flags missing sheets, and confirms the bid date.
03 Detailed Quantity Takeoff
Every trade is measured layer by layer with colour-coded source references.
04 Pricing Analysis
Current regional rates, subcontractor quotes, and productivity factors are applied.
05 Final Estimate
You receive a CSI-formatted cost report, Excel export, and mark-up PDFs.
06 Delivery & Support
We walk the numbers with your team and revise for addenda until the bid is sealed.
Trades we cover
Every trade on the drawing set — measured and priced
Specialty estimators for concrete, steel, MEP, finishes, and site work. No generalists guessing at your scope.
- ConcreteFormwork, rebar, cast-in-place, and precast — counted by pour and by member.
- ElectricalDevices, feeders, fixtures, and gear — from rough-in through final trim.
- MechanicalPiping, equipment, and hydronics with complete accessory schedules.
- SteelStructural and misc. metals with connection details and shop-drawing checks.
- DrywallPartitions, shaft walls, ceilings, and specialty assemblies by linear foot.
- PaintingInterior and exterior coatings with substrate prep and mil thickness.
- RoofingMembrane, metal, and steep-slope systems including flashings and insulation.
- MasonryCMU, brick, stone, and veneer with reinforcement and accessory counts.
- FlooringVCT, LVT, tile, carpet, and specialty floors with underlayment allowances.
- HVACDuctwork, equipment, controls, and insulation with airflow verification.
- PlumbingDomestic water, DWV, fixtures, and specialties with fixture-unit checks.
- LandscapingHardscape, planting, irrigation, and site furnishings for the civil set.
Featured projects
Recent work across sectors and scales
A sample of jobs where Qostara's takeoffs and cost models helped contractors bid — and win.
- Industrial / Tilt-up2025
Harborline Logistics Hub
- Budget
- $48M
- Location
- Oakland, CA
- Healthcare2024
Northridge Medical Pavilion
- Budget
- $112M
- Location
- Austin, TX
- Multifamily2025
Riverbend Residences
- Budget
- $76M
- Location
- Denver, CO
- Infrastructure2024
Pacific Span Pedestrian Bridge
- Budget
- $19M
- Location
- Portland, OR
Testimonials
What estimators and GCs say about Qostara
Real feedback from the people who stake their bid calendars on our numbers.
“Qostara turned a 400-sheet healthcare set around in four days and caught two missing fire-rated assemblies our previous estimator had missed. We won the job.”
EVElena VargasChief Estimator · Forge & Field GC “The takeoffs arrive colour-coded to the sheet. My supers can open the PDF and see exactly where every quantity came from. That alone cut our bid reviews in half.”
MCMarcus ChenVP Preconstruction · Apex Structures “We used Qostara for three design-build pursuits last year and awarded two. Their progressive cost model kept the design team honest without slowing anyone down.”
PNPriya NairProject Director · Lumen Design-Build “Clear communication, no fluff in the report, and they stayed available through addendum five. That is rare for an outsourced estimating partner.”
JHJonah HaleOwner · Hale Electric Co.
By the numbers
The results of treating estimating as a craft
Aggregated across active accounts that have bid with Qostara for at least one year.
10,000+
Projects
98%
Accuracy
500+
Happy clients
25+
Estimators
FAQ
Questions, answered
Everything teams ask before they send the first set of drawings. Still unsure? We reply within one business day.
Ready when you are
Ready to win more bids?
Upload your drawings and we will scope a free preliminary review within one business day — no commitment required.