Rebuilding a house costs $150 to $350 per square foot in 2026, or about $135,000 to $525,000 for most homes....
ACON ENGINEERING
Estimating
By Sector
Takeoff & Bidding
Structure
Wood & Finishes
MEP Systems
Construction costs across Chicago can change from one neighborhood to another, especially on projects involving union labor, occupied buildings, complex logistics, or municipal requirements. ACON Engineering develops detailed construction estimates that reflect the scope shown on your plans instead of relying on broad assumptions.
★★★★★ 4.9 from 312 reviews
● 9,800 plans estimated
● Reply within 4 business hours
● Built for GCs, subs, developers
A reliable construction estimate comes from the quality of the information behind it, not from software or templates. Every project has different drawings, specifications, site conditions, labor availability, and procurement requirements. Those variables must be reviewed before any pricing begins.
Our estimating process starts with a complete review of the drawing set to identify the project scope, missing information, constructability concerns, and trade coordination. Material quantities are measured directly from the plans, labor and equipment costs are priced using current Chicago market conditions, and every trade is organized into a structured cost breakdown.
Our estimating services cover budgeting, bidding, procurement, and preconstruction planning for projects of different sizes across Chicago and surrounding areas.
Our construction cost estimating services calculate material, labor, equipment and production costs using project drawings and Chicago pricing data. Each estimate is organized for budgeting, bid preparation, value engineering, and financial planning across residential, commercial, and industrial construction.
Our material takeoffs provide detailed quantity measurements for concrete, masonry, steel, drywall, finishes, roofing, MEP systems, and sitework. Every quantity is measured directly from project drawings, making purchasing, supplier quotations, scheduling, and inventory planning more organized throughout construction.
Our bid estimates combine quantity takeoffs, labor calculations, equipment costs, subcontractor pricing, overhead, and profit into a complete bidding package. Contractors can review trade costs, identify pricing gaps, compare supplier quotations, and prepare competitive bids before submission deadlines with greater accuracy and confidence throughout bidding.
Early budgeting supports smarter project decisions before construction documents are finalized. We prepare preliminary estimates using conceptual drawings, design progress, historical pricing, and local market conditions so owners and developers can evaluate feasibility before committing additional resources
Our value engineering services review construction assemblies, materials, and installation methods to identify practical opportunities for cost savings while maintaining project performance, durability, and code compliance. The objective is cost efficiency without creating unnecessary construction risks.
Before submitting a proposal, we review quantities, pricing, exclusions, allowances, subcontractor quotations, and scope coverage to reduce bidding errors. Detailed cost analysis also highlights pricing variations between trades, allowing contractors to refine their bid before submission.
Grading, excavation, cut and fill, drainage, utilities, paving and site improvements.
Foundations, slabs, footings, walls, columns, paving, with the rebar, formwork and finishing counted.
Wall, floor and roof framing, sheathing, trusses, blocking and millwork.
Roofing, flashing, insulation, waterproofing, siding and sealants.
Doors, frames, windows, storefronts, glazing and hardware.
Gypsum board, framing, paint, flooring, tile, ceilings and interior finishes.
HVAC equipment, ductwork, piping, supply and waste lines, fixtures and water heaters.
Panels, conduit, wiring, feeders, lighting, devices and low voltage.
Sprinkler systems, standpipes, fire stopping, suppression systems, fire alarms, hydrants and fireproofing.
Toilet partitions, signage, lockers, fireproofing, casework, countertops, appliances and building specialties.
Instead of receiving a single number, you'll get a complete estimating package prepared for bidding. All quantities, pricing, and supporting documents are organized so your team can review scopes, request supplier pricing, compare subcontractor quotes, and prepare proposals.
Get 3 redacted full sample sets covering takeoff, estimate, and schedule. No call required.
Our estimating process is built to keep measurements organized, pricing current, and communication straightforward from the first drawing review through the completed estimate.
Plans, specifications, structural details, schedules, and addenda are reviewed to identify the project scope, missing information, bid requirements, and trade coordination before measurement begins.
Each construction trade is measured directly from the drawings using digital takeoff software. Quantities are grouped by CSI divisions, providing suppliers and subcontractors with a structured scope for pricing.
Labor productivity, supplier quotations, equipment costs, material pricing, and Chicago construction market conditions are incorporated into the estimate to reflect current regional construction costs.
Before delivery, another estimator checks calculations, quantities, pricing logic, and project documentation to confirm the estimate is internally consistent and ready for budgeting or tender submission.
Our team combines PlanSwift, Bluebeam, RSMeans, Excel estimating systems, and current supplier pricing to prepare organized construction estimates that are easy to review, revise, and update as drawings change.
Our estimating process is designed to help contractors bid with fewer delays, clearer documentation, and consistent communication from the day drawings arrive until the completed estimate is delivered.
One estimator manages your project from start to finish, keeping communication consistent, answering scope questions quickly, tracking revisions, and delivering an estimate without information getting lost between multiple team members.
Every estimate includes organized quantity takeoffs, marked up drawings, trade by trade pricing, assumptions, inclusions, and exclusions, making reviews easier for contractors, suppliers, project managers, and clients before bid submission.
Bid deadlines leave little room for delays. Our workflow is scheduled around agreed delivery dates, helping your team review pricing, request revisions, and finalize submissions without unnecessary last minute pressure.
Drawing revisions and addenda are common during bidding. We update quantities, pricing, and scope changes promptly, helping contractors maintain current estimates instead of rebuilding the project from the beginning.
Our estimators prepare quantity takeoffs and pricing across all CSI divisions, allowing contractors to receive one coordinated estimate instead of combining multiple spreadsheets prepared by different estimating providers.
Every quotation is prepared after reviewing your drawings, project scope, and required deliverables, giving you transparent pricing that reflects the estimating work involved without unnecessary services or hidden charges.
Our calculator provides a preliminary estimating fee based on your project's size and scope. Final pricing is confirmed after reviewing the drawings, specifications, and trade requirements.
Choose the building type that best matches your project, including residential, commercial, industrial, healthcare, education, hospitality, retail, warehouse, or mixed-use developments.
Provide the approximate square footage or estimated construction value. Larger projects generally require additional measurements, trade coordination, and more detailed quantity takeoffs.
Select a complete construction estimate or individual trade packages such as concrete, structural steel, MEP, earthwork, finishes, roofing, drywall, or sitework to receive a closer preliminary estimate.
$1,250
Turnaround · 3 business days
Final fee depends on plan complexity. No charge until you approve.
The rates match how you work. Pay a flat fee per project, or set up ongoing support, with no hidden costs. Get a single construction takeoff, or keep an estimator on call for your whole pipeline.
For a contractor who needs one construction estimate for a specific bid.
From $750
For firms bidding several construction projects a month.
$2,495 / mo
For large teams that bid heavy volume and need a dedicated estimator.
Custom
Builders, developers, and subs across the United States.
ACON Engineering is great to work with. The team is hardworking, professional, and takes pride in their work. They respond quickly, communicate clearly, and keep every project moving smoothly from start to finish.
Acon Engineering is a trustworthy and professional firm. They consistently deliver on time and are excellent to work with throughout the process. Their estimates are clear, organized, and supported by detailed documentation.
It was a pleasure working with them. The team was professional, responsive, and easy to communicate with throughout the project. Their service was reliable, efficient, and delivered exactly what was promised.
Our estimates are prepared from the latest drawings, specifications, and project documents using professional takeoff software and current Chicago labor and material pricing. Every estimate is reviewed before delivery to reduce omissions and improve consistency across all CSI divisions.
Yes. Budget estimates can be prepared during conceptual, schematic, or design development stages. As the design progresses, the estimate can be updated with revised quantities and pricing to reflect the latest project information.
We prepare estimates for residential, commercial, industrial, institutional, healthcare, education, retail, hospitality, warehouse, mixed-use, and public infrastructure projects. Our team also supports renovations, additions, tenant improvements, and new construction.
PDF drawings are sufficient for most projects. If available, we also review specifications, addenda, structural drawings, MEP plans, finish schedules, and any supporting documents that define the project scope more clearly.
Yes. Contractors often request estimates for individual CSI divisions such as concrete, drywall, structural steel, roofing, earthwork, finishes, plumbing, HVAC, electrical, or sitework instead of complete project pricing.
If drawings change during bidding, we revise the affected quantities and pricing instead of rebuilding the estimate from the beginning. This helps contractors keep bids aligned with the latest project documents.
Yes. Depending on the scope requested, estimates can include material quantities, labor costs, equipment pricing, subcontractor scopes, production rates, project assumptions, inclusions, exclusions, and bid summaries.
Upload your drawings, specifications, or bid documents, and our estimators will review the scope before preparing a detailed quotation. Estimates customized to your project requirements, delivery schedule, and bidding objectives.
Long form playbooks our clients use to sharpen pricing, win more jobs, and protect margin.
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ACON Engineering provides construction estimating services across the United States, supporting contractors, subcontractors, builders, developers, and construction firms nationwide. We proudly serve clients throughout the country, including the following markets:
States: California • Texas • Florida • New York • Pennsylvania • Illinois • Georgia • New Jersey • Arizona • Colorado • Michigan • Tennessee • North Carolina • Virginia • Washington • Massachusetts • Ohio • Minnesota • Louisiana • Missouri • Wisconsin • Nevada • South Carolina • Iowa • New Mexico • Wyoming
Major Cities: New York City, NY • Los Angeles, CA • Chicago, IL • Houston, TX • Dallas, TX • Austin, TX • San Francisco, CA • San Diego, CA • San Antonio, TX • Fort Worth, TX • Miami, FL • Orlando, FL • Atlanta, GA • Seattle, WA • Boston, MA • Washington, DC • Las Vegas, NV • Phoenix, AZ • Denver, CO • Raleigh, NC • Nashville, TN • Columbus, OH • Sacramento, CA • Sarasota, FL • Wichita, KS