Frequently Asked Questions - cometestimating.com.au

FAqs

We Are Since 4+ Years Of Experience Business

Question Categories

list of categories for the most common questions

Most questions about estimating fall into four areas: what we do, what to send us, how long it takes, and how pricing works. Choose a topic to jump straight to the answers, or get in touch if yours isn’t covered

About Our Services

The estimating and takeoff services we offer, and the types of projects they suit.

Submitting Your Project

What to send, which file formats work, and what to do if your drawings are still being finalized.

Turnaround & Delivery

What affects how long an estimate takes, and how you receive it once it’s complete.

Pricing & Payment

What influences the cost of an estimating service, and how to ask for a quote.

About Our Services

What does COMET Estimating actually do?

We prepare construction cost estimates and material takeoffs for contractors and subcontractors, working from your plans and specifications. We also offer estimating consulting, CAD drafting and bid support.

What types of projects do you estimate?

Residential, commercial, industrial and public bid projects, from houses and apartments to offices, warehouses and factories. We can also prepare early-stage preliminary estimates when the design isn’t finalized.

What’s the difference between a takeoff and an estimate?

A takeoff measures the quantities from the drawings: concrete volume, wall area, metres of pipe. An estimate prices those quantities, adding labour, subcontractors and any allowances your tender needs.

Do you cover my specific trade?

Most likely. We cover concrete, masonry, timber, roofing, finishes, structural steel, earthworks, landscaping, and mechanical, electrical and plumbing. If your trade isn’t listed, send us a message and we’ll confirm.

Do you cover projects anywhere in Australia?

Yes. We work from your drawings and documents, so the site doesn’t need to be near us. Include the site address when you submit, as location can affect pricing.

Can I request revisions if something’s off?

Yes. Review the estimate, tell us what needs changing, and we’ll update it. If the drawings have been revised, send the new set.

Pricing & Payment

How much does a single trade estimate cost?

It depends on the trade, the size of the drawing set and how complex the work is, so we quote each job individually. Send us your documents and we’ll give you a price before any work starts.

Are there any hidden fees?

No. Your quote sets out what’s included, so you know what you’re paying for before we begin. If the scope changes later, we’ll tell you before anything is added.

Do you offer a discount for new clients?

We currently offer new clients a discount on their first quote. Get in touch and we’ll tell you what’s available.

What payment methods do you accept?

You can pay us through major credit cards, bank transfer, or a range of other online payment options. Once your estimate is confirmed, we'll send over the payment details to get started.

Does project size affect pricing?

Usually, yes. A larger or more complex set of drawings takes longer to measure and price, and a project with many trades takes more work than a single-trade job. The number of drawing revisions can also have an effect.

Is there a charge for revisions?

Tell us what needs changing and we’ll update the estimate. If the drawings have changed since we issued it, send the new set so we can adjust it.

Turnaround & Delivery

How long does an estimate take?

Most estimates are delivered within 1 to 2 business days. Larger or more complex projects can take longer, and we’ll confirm the timeframe with your quote.

Does project size affect turnaround time?

Yes. A bigger drawing set, or one covering several trades, takes longer to measure and price than a single-trade job. Your quote will include an expected timeframe so you can plan around it.

Can you work with a tight bid deadline?

Tell us your deadline when you send the project and we’ll say upfront whether we can meet it. That’s far better than finding out halfway through.

When does the clock start on my turnaround?

Once we have the documents we need to begin. If something’s missing, we’ll tell you, and the timeframe runs from when it arrives.

What format will I receive my estimate in?

You can choose between Excel and PDF, whichever works best for how you bid.

What if my plans change after I receive the estimate?

Send us the revised drawings or addendum and we’ll update the estimate to reflect the change. We can also handle change orders where the scope or budget has shifted.

Submitting Your Project

How do I submit my project for an estimate?

Use our online form to upload your plans, specifications and any other project details.

What documents do I need to send?

The drawings and specifications are the main ones. Add anything that defines the scope, such as addenda, finishes schedules, tender documents or your own notes on what you want priced. The more complete the set, the more accurate the quantities.

What file formats can I send?

PDF drawings are the most common starting point. If your files are in another format, send us a message before you upload.

What if my plans are incomplete or still in progress?

Send what you have. We can prepare a preliminary estimate from early drawings to give you a budget figure, then update it as the design develops. We’ll tell you if anything missing limits what can be priced.

Do I need to tell you my bid deadline?

Yes, please include it when you submit. We can then tell you upfront whether it’s achievable and plan the work around it.

Is my project information kept confidential?

Your drawings and project details are used only to prepare your estimate.

Quality & Revisions

How do you make sure my estimate is accurate?

Our estimators measure quantities directly from your drawings and specifications, then price them using estimating software. The result is only as good as the documents behind it, so if something is unclear or missing, we’ll ask rather than guess.

Does your team review estimates before delivery?

Every estimate is prepared by our estimating team, and you’re welcome to review it and ask questions once it’s with you.

What does your accuracy guarantee cover?

COMET backs its estimates with a 100 percent accuracy guarantee and a risk free refund policy. If you want the exact terms of how it applies to your project, ask our team before you start and we'll walk you through it.

Can I request revisions?

Yes. Review the estimate, then tell us what needs changing: a misread item, a different breakdown, or an adjusted scope. We’ll update it.

What happens if my plans or scope change after I receive the estimat

Send the revised drawings, addendum or scope details and we’ll update the estimate to match, including change orders. Please confirm any extra cost with us when you send them.

Who do I contact if I have a question about my estimate?

Call or WhatsApp us on +61 4 6814 6929, Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm. You can also email us at info@cometestimating.com or use the contact form.