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  • How It Works
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Author Estimation

CSI MasterFormat estimates for US general contractors and specialty subcontractors. RSMeans-backed. 48-hour delivery. GA · NC · VA · TN · SC · OH.

RSMeans · PlanSwift · Bluebeam · CSI MasterFormat 2020
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  • How It Works
  • Samples
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  • Upload Plans
We Estimate
  • Commercial TI
  • Finishes — Div 09
  • MEP Allowances
  • Warehouse / Industrial
  • Multi-Family
  • Conceptual / Class D
Contact
  • info@authorestimation.com
  • +1 (307) 443-4667
  • Mon–Fri · 8AM–6PM

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Ready to send plans? →
Upload Plans

Start Your Estimate

Send drawings and scope. We confirm turnaround and flat fee same business day. No invoice until you approve scope.

Email
info@authorestimation.com
Phone / Text
+1 (307) 443-4667
Turnaround
48–72 hours from scope confirmation
Response Time
Same business day · Mon–Fri 8AM–6PM
Step 1 of 3 — Contact
Step 2 of 3 — Project
One trade free — proof of work
We'll complete one CSI division from your drawings so you can verify format and accuracy. If it fits, move forward with the full takeoff + estimate.
Step 3 of 3 — Drawings & Submit

📎 Drag and drop PDF / DWG files
or email to info@authorestimation.com

Tip: attach drawings here to submit. If files are too large, attach a ZIP or write "Will email plans" in notes.
Next: We confirm scope, turnaround, and flat fee same business day. No invoice until you approve.
What Happens Next

Three Steps from Plans to Deliverable

01

Submit Plans

Upload drawings and scope. Takes under 5 minutes — no 10-field form.

02

Scope Confirmed

Senior estimator confirms divisions, CCI, and flat fee. Same business day.

03

Estimate Delivered

CSI-tabbed Excel workbook + PDF summary. 48–72 hours from scope lock.

Why Author Estimation

Built for Contractors Who Bid to Win

We deliver more than estimates — we deliver certainty. Here's what sets us apart.

Precision Estimates

CSI-formatted, RSMeans-backed estimates with detailed takeoffs.

48-Hour Turnaround

Same-business-day scope confirmation. Deliverable in 48–72 hours.

GC & Sub Experience

Estimators with real field and GC office backgrounds — not just spreadsheets.

Transparent Pricing

Flat-fee quotes confirmed before work starts. No invoice until you approve scope.

Support

Common Questions

Everything you need to know before sending plans.

We prefer flattened PDFs or DWG files. For large projects, a secure Dropbox, Google Drive, or Procore link works best — paste it into the form above.

Yes. We operate under strict confidentiality. Send your standard NDA to our email before sharing any plans and we'll turn it around same business day.

After you submit plans we review scope and send a flat-fee proposal. You only receive an invoice after you approve the proposal and we begin work — no surprise charges.

Every estimate includes one free revision round for minor scope changes, quantity corrections, or drawing addendums. Major structural redesigns are billed at an hourly rate.

Both. We serve general contractors, specialty subs, and developers. The deliverable format is the same — CSI-coded Excel workbook with a PDF summary.

Currently Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, South Carolina, and Ohio — each with the correct RSMeans City Cost Index applied. More states coming soon.