Earthworks
Stripping, bulk and detailed excavation, cut and fill, backfill and disposal.
Civil Estimating
Civil EstimatingServices
Organised quantities and cost estimates for civil and infrastructure works — prepared from your drawings, specifications and scope so you can price and plan with confidence.
Need this ongoing? Get a dedicated estimator
Service 15
Typical inputs
Civil drawingsLong / cross sectionsSurvey / LandXMLGeotech reportsSpecifications
Outputs
Quantity takeoffBOQCut / fill reportCost estimate
Formats
ExcelPDFYour template
How we measure civil works
See a Civil Takeoff in 3D
A road section is measured the way it is priced — chainages and widths from the plans, the pavement layer by layer, then kerbs, footpaths, stormwater and line marking — so every quantity traces back to the drawings.
- Chainages along the centreline fix the length — CH 0+100 to 0+120 — and the typical cross section gives every width.
- The road is boxed out to formation, the subgrade trimmed and compacted, and the sub-base measured as area times depth.
- Base course and asphalt follow layer by layer — the base in cubic metres, the wearing course by area and in tonnes.
- Kerb and channel is run down both sides in linear metres, and footpaths are measured by area to the drawn widths.
- Pipes are measured pit to pit by diameter in the trench under the verge, and every pit is counted by type.
- Line marking is measured by line type, and every quantity is set out in the BOQ, ready to price.
| Item | Qty | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Subgrade prep trim & compact | 158 | m² |
| Sub-base 250 mm crushed rock | 39.5 | m³ |
| Base course 150 mm crushed rock | 21.0 | m³ |
| Asphalt AC14 50 mm · 16.8 t | 140 | m² |
| Kerb & channel both sides | 40 | lm |
| Footpath 1.5 m · 100 mm concrete | 60 | m² |
| Stormwater pipe 375 RCP | 20 | lm |
| Pits kerb inlet | 2 | nr |
| Line marking 100 mm · centre & edge | 49 | lm |
| Delivered as a formula-linked Excel takeoff and BOQ with marked-up PDF drawings | ||
Illustrative 20 m road section — sample figures, not a quotation.
Scope
What’s Included
The scope is confirmed with you before work starts, so you know exactly what will be measured and priced.
Roads & pavements
Subgrade preparation, sub-base and base course by layer, surfacing, kerbs, footpaths and line marking.
Stormwater & drainage
Pipes by diameter and depth band, pits by type, headwalls, culverts, trenching, bedding and backfill.
Utilities & services
Water and sewer mains, power and communications conduits, trenches, pits and crossings shown on the drawings.
Civil concrete
Retaining walls, footings, kerbs, channels, slabs and structures.
Site preparation
Clearing and grubbing, demolition, temporary works and erosion and sediment control.
Materials & labour
Quantities by material with labour and plant allowances where requested.
Preliminaries
Site establishment and general items when required for your estimate.
Deliverables
What You Receive
- 01
Formula-linked Excel takeoff with drawing references
- 02
Bill of Quantities structured by work section, or set out to match the tender’s schedule of quantities
- 03
Cut/fill summary and site balance for the earthworks
- 04
Cost estimate with material, labour and plant breakdown (when pricing is requested)
- 05
Assumptions, exclusions and clarifications
- 06
Marked-up PDF drawings showing what was measured
Ideal for
Who It’s For
- Civil contractors
- Earthworks and drainage contractors
- Road and infrastructure contractors
- Developers and subdivision projects
- Engineering consultants needing quantity support
Dedicated estimator available
Need civil estimating every week? Get your own dedicated estimator.
Pricing civil and infrastructure work on a regular basis? Add a dedicated estimator to your team who learns your packages (earthworks, roads, drainage and utilities) and supports every tender.
- The same estimator on every project
- Works in your templates and formats
- Learns your rates, trades and standards
- Support arranged around your pipeline
How it works
Simple From Start to Finish
Send drawings
Share drawings, scope and deadline.
Scope review
We confirm deliverables and timeframe.
Takeoff & estimate
Quantities measured and organised.
Review & delivery
Checked, then delivered in your format.
We prepare quantities and estimates for earthworks, roads and pavements, drainage, utilities, concrete structures and related site works. Share your scope and we will confirm how we can support it.
Yes. Cut and fill is calculated between the existing surface (survey or LandXML) and the design levels, using surface-to-surface, cross-section or grid methods depending on the information supplied. Strip depths, bulking and compaction factors are stated as assumptions, and results are reported as a cut/fill summary and site balance.
Both options are available. We can provide measured quantities only, or apply rates to produce a cost estimate — using your own rates where you prefer.
The one your contract calls for. Where the tender includes a schedule of quantities or a BOQ template, we measure to it. Otherwise we can follow ASMM in Australia, NRM2 in the UK, CSI MasterFormat in the USA, MasterFormat or the CIQS method in Canada, or NZS 4202 in New Zealand. Units (metric or imperial) and currency are agreed at the start.
Standard estimates are typically delivered within 48 hours. Larger civil packages, such as long road corridors, staged subdivisions or extensive drainage networks, take longer. We confirm the delivery date after reviewing your drawings and scope, before work begins.
Related
Related Services
Get support with civil estimating
Send your drawings and scope. We will review the project and confirm deliverables and timing before any work begins.