CSI Division 23 · MEP
HVAC Estimating
Equipment from the schedule and ductwork by the pound with fittings counted, because fittings carry the fabrication hours — plus controls, insulation and balancing.
- LB
- sheet metal by gauge
- EA
- equipment, boxes, diffusers
- LF
- round duct, piping, linesets
- CFM
- air volume by zone
Scope
What we measure.
Measured from
Mechanical plans, equipment schedules, duct details and the controls sequence
- 01Rooftop Units
- 02Ductwork · Galvanized
- 03Diffusers & Grilles
- 04VAV Boxes
- 05Duct Insulation
Where bids go wrong
What other HVAC estimates miss.
Ductwork by weight and gauge, with fittings counted — fittings carry the fabrication hours.
Curbs, hangers, vibration isolation and structural support for rooftop equipment.
Controls, wiring and integration boundaries between the mechanical and electrical scopes.
Test, adjust and balance, and the commissioning the specification requires before handover.
Sample takeoff
How HVAC line items come back.
Every quantity is traceable to the sheet it came from, in the units the trade buys in.
- Quantities traced to the sheet they came from
- Waste and productivity carried as visible lines
- Formulas intact — edit any rate
| CSI | Line item | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 23 74 00 | Rooftop units | 3 EA |
| 23 31 13 | Ductwork — galv. | 4,860 LB |
| 23 37 13 | Diffusers & grilles | 68 EA |
| 23 36 00 | VAV boxes | 18 EA |
| 23 07 13 | Duct insulation | 2,140 SF |
FAQ
HVAC Estimating, answered.
Talk to an estimator
Not a salesperson. Same-day answers on working days.
+1 518 974 7222[email protected]Do you measure ductwork by weight?
Yes. Duct is measured by gauge and converted to pounds, with fittings counted, because fittings carry the fabrication hours.
Are controls and balancing included?
Yes. Controls, test-and-balance and commissioning are measured as separate lines when the specification requires them.
Can you use our cost book and labor rates?
Yes, and we prefer it. Your historical costs reflect your crews and your suppliers better than any published average. Send the template and we work inside it.
How does pricing work?
Pricing is per project and quoted before any work starts — no retainer, no minimum volume and no subscription.
Do you sign NDAs?
Yes. Drawings, specifications and pricing are treated as confidential by default, and we sign your NDA on request before any documents change hands.
Start a quote
Need HVAC numbers for your next bid?
Pick your project type and send the drawings. We confirm the fee and delivery date within the hour on working days.