Structure & Site
Structural Estimating Services in New Zealand
Structural quantities measured straight from the engineer's drawings and schedules, across concrete, steel and engineered timber.
Structural drawings are dense. Beam schedules, column schedules, connection details, foundation plans and general notes all carry information that affects quantity, and the information is often split across many sheets. A structural estimate depends on reading all of it together.
We take off the structural package as a whole: foundations, ground beams, columns, beams, slabs and walls in concrete; structural steel members and connections; engineered timber such as LVL, glulam and CLT; and the hold-downs, brackets and fixings that tie it together. Each element is measured from the engineer's documentation, not inferred from the architecturals.
This service suits builders and subcontractors who need the structure priced separately, and developers who want to compare structural options, such as steel against concrete, before committing.
Scope
What we measure in a structural takeoff
| Item | Unit | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Foundations | m³ / t | Pad, strip and raft foundations, piles and ground beams, with reinforcing. |
| Suspended slabs | m² / m³ | In-situ, precast or composite floor systems including topping. |
| Concrete columns and walls | m³ / m² | Concrete volume with formwork area by face. |
| Structural steel | t / no. | Members by section from schedules, plus a connection allowance. |
| Engineered timber | m³ / lm | LVL, glulam and CLT members by size and grade. |
| Connections and fixings | no. | Base plates, cleats, hold-downs and proprietary connectors. |
| Bracing elements | no. / lm | Steel braces, moment frames and structural walls. |
Deliverables
What you receive
Structural estimates include a member schedule for steel and engineered timber, which fabricators and suppliers can price directly.
| Itemised quantity sheet | Excel + PDF |
| Marked-up plans | Colour-coded PDF |
| Material and labour schedule | Excel |
| Assumptions and exclusions list |
Who it is for
Built for the people who price the work
- Builders
- Get the structure priced separately while you measure finishes in-house.
- Subcontractors
- Quote a structural steel or precast package against a complete member list.
- Developers
- Compare steel and concrete frame options for a mid-rise building.
- Architects
- Understand the cost of a long-span or cantilevered design decision.
Process
How a structural estimate runs
STEP 01
Upload plans
Upload the structural drawings, specification and the architectural set for context.
STEP 02
Scope confirmation
We confirm which structural elements to include and how to handle connection design if it is by others.
STEP 03
Takeoff and review
Elements are measured from schedules and plans, then reconciled so no member is counted twice across sheets.
STEP 04
Delivery
You receive the workbook, member schedules, PDF summary and marked-up structural sheets.
New Zealand context
Standards and practice
New Zealand structures are designed for seismic loads under NZS 1170.5, which is why connections, ductile detailing and bracing elements often carry more cost here than in less seismic countries. We measure the detailing shown rather than applying generic allowances.
Concrete structures are typically designed to NZS 3101 and steel to NZS 3404. Where the engineer specifies a construction category or special inspection requirements, we note it in the estimate because it affects the price you will receive.
We measure and price to the drawings. Design compliance and building consent remain with your designer and building consent authority.
Cost drivers
What drives the cost of structural work
01
Seismic demand
Higher seismic demand means more bracing, heavier connections and closer reinforcing. The same building can carry very different structure in different parts of the country.
02
Ground conditions
Soft ground or liquefaction risk can call for piles, rafts or ground improvement. Foundations are often where structural costs vary most between similar buildings.
03
Connection detail
In steel and timber structures, connections can be a significant share of the fabrication cost. Fully detailed connections give a more reliable estimate than a percentage allowance.
04
Spans and transfers
Long spans, cantilevers and transfer beams concentrate load and add material. We highlight these elements in the estimate so their cost is visible.
Where structural estimates go wrong
Structural estimates go wrong when connections are ignored or treated as an afterthought. In seismic design, connections can be heavy and complex, and fabricators price them accordingly.
Another risk is measuring from architectural drawings that do not yet reflect the engineer's design. Member sizes, foundation depths and bracing locations change between stages, so we always measure from the latest structural issue and note its revision.
FAQ
Structural Estimating questions
Do you need the engineer's drawings, or can you estimate from architecturals?
We can make allowances from architectural drawings, but a reliable structural estimate needs the engineer's drawings and schedules.
How do you allow for steel connections?
Where connections are fully detailed we measure them. Where they are by the fabricator, we apply a stated percentage allowance that you can adjust.
Can you compare structural systems?
Yes. We can price alternative frames, such as steel against concrete or timber, at concept stage.
Do you estimate CLT and mass timber?
Yes. We measure panels and members by volume and size, with connection hardware counted separately.
Do you include temporary works?
Propping and temporary works are usually by the contractor. We can include allowances if you want them in the estimate.
Related services
- Steel Estimating
Structural steel quantities by member and section, with tonnage, connections, coatings and erection items measured.
- Concrete Estimating
Concrete volumes in m³, formwork in m² and reinforcing in tonnes, measured element by element from your structural drawings.
- Reinforcement and Rebar Estimating
Reinforcing steel quantities by bar diameter, shape and element, plus mesh, laps, chairs and accessories, in tonnes and counts.
- Framing Estimating
Stud-by-stud framing quantities for walls, floors and roofs, with lintels, bracing elements and fixings taken from your NZS 3604 or engineered drawings.
Get a quote
Send your plans for a structural estimate
Upload your drawings and we will reply with a fixed fee and turnaround before any work starts. No obligation.
- — PDF, DWG and ZIP accepted
- — Fees in NZD, excluding GST
- — Prefer email? Use the link in the footer