Conceptual Estimating Services in Ohio
- From programs, sketches & schematics
- UniFormat systems-based pricing
- Clear AACE Class 4–5 ranges
- Updated as design develops
Send Your Plans for a Fixed-Price Quote
- Upload plans, specs & addenda
- Approve your fixed quote
- Receive your estimate in 24–48 hrs
What Is a Conceptual Estimate?
A conceptual estimate — also called an order-of-magnitude or ROM estimate — forecasts the cost of a project when design is roughly 0–15% complete. Instead of measuring every stud and outlet, the estimator prices building systems and parameters: gross floor area, number of stories, structural system, envelope type, mechanical approach and site requirements.
Conceptual estimates are usually organized by UniFormat, the systems-based format that groups costs into substructure, shell, interiors, services, equipment and sitework. That structure lets owners compare options — steel versus wood, two stories versus three — long before detailed drawings exist.
Because early design leaves many unknowns, a conceptual estimate is a range, not a single price. We state the AACE class, the assumptions behind each system and the contingency carried, then update the number as design moves into construction budgeting and detailed estimating.
How accurate is a conceptual estimate?
What Our Conceptual Estimates Include
- Program & area analysis (gross / net SF)
- UniFormat system-by-system costs
- Structural & envelope system assumptions
- MEP cost by building type & load
- Site development allowances
- Design & estimating contingency
- Escalation to the construction midpoint
- Option comparisons (system A vs. B)
- Soft-cost allowances on request
- Basis-of-estimate narrative
What you receive
- UniFormat summary & detail
- Cost per SF and per unit
- Option comparison table
- Contingency & escalation schedule
- Basis-of-estimate narrative
- Assumptions & exclusions list
When a Conceptual Estimate Pays Off
Site Selection
Compare development costs across candidate sites before committing to land.
Feasibility & Pro Formas
Feed realistic construction costs into investment models and go/no-go decisions.
Financing & Grants
Support loan applications, incentive requests and grant budgets with documented costs.
Design Direction
Test structural, envelope and MEP options during schematic design.
Board & Bond Approvals
Give boards, councils and school districts a defensible budget before design spending.
Capital Planning
Prioritize multi-year capital programs across several facilities.
Conceptual Costs Grounded in Ohio Data
Early estimates live or die on their benchmarks. A cost per square foot drawn from a national database can miss Ohio’s labor rates, winter construction costs and the difference between building in Central Ohio’s busy market and a smaller metro. We calibrate our conceptual models with Ohio project data and current pricing.
Public owners in Ohio often need early budgets for levies, bond issues and capital requests. School districts working with the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission, counties planning justice or administrative buildings and municipalities planning fire stations all need numbers that hold up as design proceeds. Our conceptual estimates are structured to support those decisions.
Private developers use the same estimates to compare sites in New Albany, Mason or Dublin, model escalation, and decide whether a project can support its rents before investing in full design.
Ohio factors we price in
- Ohio-calibrated cost benchmarks
- Escalation to the construction midpoint
- Winter construction allowances
- Public budget & levy support
- Site & utility allowances by region
- Prevailing wage scenarios
What Drives Conceptual Cost Ranges?
| Cost factor | Why it changes the estimate | How we price it |
|---|---|---|
| Program & size | Area and efficiency (net-to-gross) set the scale of almost every other cost. | Program analyzed by space type with efficiency factors stated. |
| Building type | Labs, healthcare and commercial kitchens cost far more per square foot than storage or office space. | Systems priced by building type and use, not a single blended rate. |
| Structural & envelope | System choices can swing cost significantly before drawings exist. | Assumed systems listed; alternatives priced on request. |
| Site conditions | Unknown soils, utilities and grading are major early risks. | Allowances by site type, with ranges noted until data is available. |
| Escalation & timing | Costs move between estimate and bid, especially on long design schedules. | Escalation applied to the projected construction midpoint. |
Conceptual Estimating Guide for Owners and Developers
Inputs that drive a conceptual estimate
Using UniFormat to compare options
Contingency at the conceptual stage
When to move to the next estimate
Estimate Classes and Expected Accuracy
| Estimate type | AACE class | Design maturity | Typical use | Expected accuracy range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conceptual / order of magnitude | Class 5 | 0–2% | Screening, early feasibility | −20% to −50% / +30% to +100% |
| Feasibility budget | Class 4 | 1–15% | Feasibility, budget authorization | −15% to −30% / +20% to +50% |
| Design-development budget | Class 3 | 10–40% | Budget approval, funding | −10% to −20% / +10% to +30% |
| Detailed control estimate | Class 2 | 30–75% | Cost control, bid check | −5% to −15% / +5% to +20% |
| Bid / definitive estimate | Class 1 | 65–100% | Bids, contracts, change orders | −3% to −10% / +3% to +15% |
Ranges per AACE International Recommended Practice 18R-97 (process industries); building projects follow the parallel RP 56R-08.
How the Estimating Process Works
Send Your Plans
Fixed Quote
Takeoff & Pricing
Quality Review
Delivery & Support
Related Estimating Services in Ohio
Related services
Related trade estimates
Popular Ohio service areas
Conceptual Estimating FAQs
What do you need to prepare a conceptual estimate?
Whatever exists: a space program, sketches, massing studies, a site plan or schematic drawings, plus location, building type and target schedule. The more we have, the tighter the range.
How is a conceptual estimate different from a detailed estimate?
A conceptual estimate prices building systems early in design; a detailed estimate measures and prices every component from construction documents. Conceptual estimates are faster but carry wider ranges.
Can you compare design options?
Yes. Comparing structural systems, number of stories, envelope types or MEP approaches is one of the most valuable uses of a conceptual estimate.
Do you include soft costs?
On request. We can add allowances for design fees, permits, testing, furniture and equipment and financing to give owners a total project budget.
How do you handle escalation?
We escalate costs from today to the projected midpoint of construction using current market trends and state the rate used, so you can adjust it if your schedule changes.
Will you update the estimate as design progresses?
Yes. Many owners have us update the estimate at each design milestone through our preconstruction services.
Can a conceptual estimate support a levy or bond issue?
Yes. Many public owners use conceptual estimates for early funding decisions. We include clear assumptions and contingency so the budget holds up as design advances.
What is the difference between a ROM and a conceptual estimate?
The terms are often used interchangeably. Both describe early, range-based estimates prepared before detailed design.