Fast, reliable preliminary cost estimates and conceptual budgets for construction projects at every stage from a ballpark feasibility number to a detailed pre-bid estimate.
If you need a rough order of magnitude (ROM) budget at concept stage or a detailed design development estimate before finalising your construction documents, our certified estimators deliver reliable, defensible preliminary cost data at every pre-construction phase. Preliminary estimates are classified by the American Association of Cost Engineers (AACE) into five classes, from Class 5 (ROM, accuracy minus 50% to plus 100%) through Class 1 (bid-ready, accuracy minus 3% to plus 10%). DFE prepares all five AACE estimate classes for residential, commercial, and industrial projects, working from whatever level of design information you have available, including incomplete drawings and conceptual sketches.
These are the four pre-construction cost problems that derail projects before a single drawing is finished.
Without early cost data, developers and owners commit to projects that turn out to be financially unviable.
Architects design without cost feedback and the project lands 30 to 50% over budget before construction begins.
Lenders and investors require preliminary cost data before approving construction loans or equity commitments.
Without preliminary cost estimates at each design milestone, value engineering opportunities are missed until it is too late.
DFE Estimating solves all four – accurate preliminary estimates at every project phase, based on whatever design information you have available.
A clear, four-step process from whatever design information you have to a reliable preliminary cost estimate.
Send your conceptual sketches, schematic drawings, design development documents, or even a simple project brief. Our team can work with any level of available project information to begin the estimating process.
An experienced estimator reviews your submitted documents, determines the appropriate AACE estimate classification, and provides a transparent flat-fee proposal within 2 hours.
We leverage historical project cost data, RSMeans square-foot cost databases, and current local market conditions to develop a reliable preliminary construction cost estimate.
Receive a comprehensive preliminary cost report that includes the estimated project cost, expected accuracy range, clearly stated assumptions, and a list of items requiring further confirmation or refinement.
Nine reasons construction professionals trust DFE for pre-construction cost data.
From a 2-hour feasibility budget to a detailed pre-bid estimate — DFE covers every pre-construction estimating need.
Rough order of magnitude budgets prepared from a project brief or conceptual sketch — giving developers and owners a reliable cost range to assess project feasibility before committing to design.
AACE Class 4 estimates prepared from schematic design documents, providing architects and owners with a reliable cost range to confirm budget alignment before progressing to design development.
AACE Class 3 estimates prepared at each design development milestone, tracking project cost against budget, identifying scope changes, and supporting value engineering decisions before construction documents are completed.
Preliminary cost reports formatted specifically for construction loan applications, including total project cost, sq ft analysis, trade breakdown, and contingency allowances for lender and investor review.
Side-by-side cost comparisons of design alternatives, helping architects, owners, and developers identify the most cost-effective design choices before finalising construction documents and going to bid.
AACE Class 2 estimates prepared from near-complete construction documents, providing the most detailed and reliable pre-bid cost data for competitive tendering, budget finalisation, and construction loan drawdown.
Preliminary estimate services for every construction sector and building type across all 50 US states.
Reliable pre-construction cost data backed by 12 years of experience, AACE certification, and thousands of preliminary estimates delivered.
Pre-construction estimating
Estimates completed
All estimate classes
Standard delivery
Historical + current
Fully transparent
US nationwide
Always available
A preliminary estimate (also called a conceptual estimate or pre-construction estimate) is a cost forecast prepared before construction drawings are complete. It uses available project information — building type, size, location, and any available design documents — to estimate the probable cost of a project. Preliminary estimates are used by developers, owners, architects, and lenders to assess project feasibility, set initial budgets, explore design alternatives, and secure construction financing before detailed design is finalised.
The accuracy of a preliminary estimate depends on how much design information is available. The American Association of Cost Engineers (AACE) classifies estimates into five classes. Class 5 (ROM/ballpark, concept stage) has an accuracy range of minus 50% to plus 100%. Class 4 (schematic design) ranges from minus 30% to plus 50%. Class 3 (design development) ranges from minus 20% to plus 30%. Class 2 (near-complete CDs) achieves minus 10% to plus 20%. Class 1 (complete CDs) achieves minus 3% to plus 10%. DFE clearly states the applicable accuracy range on every preliminary estimate.
A preliminary estimate is produced before or during design, with limited information and a wider accuracy range. A final estimate (bid estimate or construction document estimate) is produced from complete construction documents and achieves the highest accuracy — typically within 3 to 10% of actual tender prices when produced by certified estimators. DFE provides both: preliminary estimates at any pre-construction phase, and complete bid-ready estimates from finished construction documents — often ordered as a pair by developers and their GCs.
Yes — this is one of our most frequently requested services. DFE Estimating works from whatever design information you have available: a project brief, conceptual sketches, schematic drawings, or partially complete design development documents. We document all assumptions made for incomplete scope areas, clearly state the applicable AACE accuracy class, and flag all items requiring design confirmation as the project progresses. We can often deliver a preliminary estimate within 24 hours of receiving your project information.
Preliminary estimate fees typically range from $150 to $1,000 depending on project type, size, and the level of design information available. Simple residential ROM estimates based on square footage start at $150 to $300. Commercial preliminary estimates at schematic or design development phase range from $400 to $1,000. DFE charges flat fees with no hidden charges. Contact us for a free quote — we respond within 2 hours of receiving your project information.
A ROM (rough order of magnitude) estimate is an AACE Class 5 preliminary estimate — the earliest and least detailed cost estimate in the AACE classification system. ROM estimates are typically based on building type, size, and location, with accuracy ranging from minus 50% to plus 100%. They are used for initial project feasibility decisions, early investor presentations, and pre-design budget setting — before any architectural drawings are started. DFE provides ROM estimates within 24 hours based on your project brief.
You need a preliminary estimate at any of these key decision points: before committing to a site or land purchase; before starting architectural design; before presenting a project to investors or lenders; at each major design milestone to confirm budget alignment; when evaluating design alternatives for value engineering; or before going to market for contractor bids. DFE produces preliminary estimates at every stage — from a 2-hour ROM estimate at concept stage through to a detailed pre-bid estimate from near-complete construction documents.
The American Association of Cost Engineers (AACE) classifies construction estimates into 5 classes based on project definition level. Class 5 (0–2% design completion) = ROM estimate, accuracy minus 50% to plus 100%. Class 4 (1–15% design) = schematic estimate, accuracy minus 30% to plus 50%. Class 3 (10–40% design) = design development estimate, accuracy minus 20% to plus 30%. Class 2 (30–75% design) = control estimate, accuracy minus 10% to plus 20%. Class 1 (65–100% design) = bid estimate, accuracy minus 3% to plus 10%. DFE prepares all five classes.
DFE Estimating is a trusted provider of construction estimating services, delivering accurate quantity takeoffs, material takeoffs, labor pricing, and bid-ready construction estimates for residential, commercial, and industrial projects. We help contractors save time, reduce estimating errors, and bid with confidence.
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