Expert estimatingon your terms.
Three ways to work with us: run estimates yourself on the Axiom estimating platform, bring our estimators in alongside your team, or hand the whole thing over. Every option includes AI and manual takeoffs from PDF and IFC plan sets, CSI MasterFormat estimating, and side-by-side subcontractor bid leveling.
Trade contractor? Join the free subcontractor network.
The Software Platform
Run the whole preconstruction workflow in-house. Upload PDF or IFC plan sets and generate AI takeoffs, build CSI MasterFormat estimates from an industry-standard assembly library, and level subcontractor bids side-by-side — one workspace, no plugins, no spreadsheets.
- AI + manual takeoffs from PDF and IFC plan sets
- CSI MasterFormat estimating with assemblies and unit costs
- Side-by-side subcontractor bid leveling with automatic variance flags
- Subcontractor network and Invitation to Bid (ITB) workflow
- One-click proposal PDFs and GC sheets
The Hybrid Model
Already using our AI takeoff software? Companies leveraging our platform can also hire our estimating team for complex project phases, secondary reviews, or scope gap analysis. This hybrid approach ensures absolute accuracy when the stakes are highest — your team handles the day-to-day, and we step in for the critical moments that demand a seasoned second set of eyes.
- Secondary estimate reviews before bid submission
- Scope gap analysis across CSI divisions
- Expert support for complex or phased projects
The Done-For-You Model
For companies who prefer not to use the software internally, our team of seasoned estimators will handle the entire process from start to finish. From initial takeoff to final bid-leveling, we deliver highly accurate, bid-ready estimates so your team can focus on winning and executing the work — not crunching numbers.
- Full end-to-end estimate production
- Bid-ready deliverables with CSI structure
- No software training or onboarding required
What the estimating software actually does.
Drawings, takeoffs, estimates, bid leveling, and proposals working from one source of truth. Every screen below is the real product.
Watch the full product demo, then start a project on the plan that fits your team.
One leveled trade. Three deliverables.
Bid leveling in Axiom is not a spreadsheet you rebuild every job. Bids are normalized against your CSI estimate once, and the GC sheet, the leveling matrix, and the emails to each sub all read from that same source of truth.
- 01
Collect bids
Subs upload proposals or you drop the PDFs in. Every quote is parsed into scope, exclusions, alternates, and add/deducts — no retyping into a spreadsheet.
- 02
Normalize by CSI code
Bids land on the same MasterFormat structure as your estimate, so apples meet apples. Variance flags and silent scope gaps surface before award day.
- 03
Ship the sheet and the email
One click turns the leveled trade into a GC sheet PDF, a leveling matrix CSV, and a merged leveling email for every bidder — all from the same record.
| Subcontractor | Leveled total | Spread vs low | Scope matched | Scope gaps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vertex HVAC Low | $398,150 | Low bid | 9/13 | 4 |
| Northline Mechanical Rec | $412,800 | +$14,650 (+3.7%) | 12/13 | 1 |
| Copperfield Mech. | $441,600 | +$43,450 (+10.9%) | 11/13 | 2 |
Leveled total = the bid adjusted so every sub carries the same scope. Spread is the dollar and percent difference from the lowest leveled total. Scope matched counts the trade-wide scope list each sub actually priced.
Full sheet also carries scope, exclusions, qualifications, alternates, add/deducts, risk flags, and the award recommendation.
Hi Dana, Thanks for bidding 23 · Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning on Riverfront Clinic. We are leveling 3 bids for this trade and your proposal came in at $398,150 (low bid). Before we award, please confirm the following items are either included or intentionally excluded: - Test & balance (excluded, ~$9,000) - Duct insulation (not addressed, ~$4,200) - Roof curbs (not addressed, ~$3,100) - Seismic bracing (not addressed) Please respond by Friday 5pm so we can finalize the buyout. Thank you, Tyler Jones
Gaps, pricing, and the spread are merged straight from the leveled bid — you review and send from your own mail client.
The full feature list.
Everything the estimating software can do today, organized by workflow stage — from the first drawing upload to a signed proposal.
Takeoffs
- AI-powered takeoffs from PDF and IFC plan sets that extract CSI-coded quantities
- Manual measurement tools — linear, area, count, with sticky heights & ortho lock
- IFC 3D model auto-quantification for walls, doors, windows, and slabs
- Per-sheet calibration, scale lock, and rotate-all for full plan sets
- Industry-standard condition library (Div 02–50) tied to 6-digit CSI codes
- Deduct mode for openings and voids with automatic net calculations
- Autosave & session restore so drafts survive refreshes
- Reconciliation exports (CSV) and unit-integrity checks per page
Estimating
- Estimate by CSI MasterFormat divisions and 6-digit sub-CSI roll-ups
- Industry-standard assembly library (Div 02–28) with 140+ kits
- Editable unit costs with regional labor and material factors
- Bulk editing, line-item consolidation, and cascading cost updates
- General conditions split into Labor and Requirements sections
- Project schedules set in weeks or months
- Recalculate button for one-click estimate math refresh
- Editable insurance (1%) and fee (3%) defaults at company and project level
Bid leveling
- Side-by-side subcontractor bid comparison normalized by CSI code
- Automatic variance flags and spread-vs-low calculations before award day
- Acronym recognition and unit standardization across bids
- Templated leveling emails sent to each subcontractor
- AI risk detection for scope gaps and missing divisions
- Award tracking with bidder transaction history
Vendors & ITB
- Shared subcontractor network searchable by CSI code, region, and trade
- Private bid lists with per-GC ratings, notes, and history
- Invitation to Bid packages with due dates, RFI cutoffs, and scope notes
- Secure bid-room links with view, download, and submission tracking
- Addenda issuance with automatic acknowledgement reset and re-notification
- Sub proposal uploads parsed by AI and fed straight into Bid Leveling
Proposals & deliverables
- Branded proposal PDFs with company logos on cover sheets
- GC sheets by trade role generated from estimate data
- Scope narratives pulled from the same source as the takeoff
- PDF, TSV, and CSV export for every estimate
- Contract value definitions including fees and insurance
Documents & drawings
- Version-controlled plan sets, specs, RFIs, and addenda
- No file size caps and no lost revisions
- Drawing revision tracking with item-level deltas
- Archived AI takeoff drawings stored in the document vault
Platform & data
- Multi-tenant company isolation with row-level security
- Bring your own Gemini API key or use Axiom's AI
- Regional market benchmark data sourced from public datasets
- Historical pricing updated weekly by location
- Admin notifications for new signups
- PWA installable with branded splash screen
Targeted consulting across the entire project lifecycle.
Beyond software and full-service estimates, our team provides specialized expertise where it moves the needle most.
Subcontractor network & ITB questions, answered
How the vendor directory, private bid lists, and Invitation to Bid workflow fit into your preconstruction process.
What is the Axiom subcontractor network?
A shared directory of trade contractors and vendors that general contractors can search by CSI code, trade, and region. Subs control a public profile with trade categories and service areas, while private contact details are only visible to GCs they have a relationship with or who have received an ITB.
Can subcontractors keep their contact information private?
Yes. Vendor profiles expose only the information the subcontractor chooses to share publicly. Phone numbers, emails, and detailed company notes stay restricted to invited GCs and existing connections.
How do GCs build a private bid list?
GCs can save vendors to a company-specific bid list, add internal ratings, attach notes from past projects, and combine private contacts with searches of the shared network to assemble the right roster for each job.
How does an Invitation to Bid (ITB) package work?
GCs create a bid package from an estimate or project, attach drawings, specs, and scope notes, set a due date and RFI cutoff, and invite selected subcontractors. Each invitee receives a secure bid-room link to view documents, ask questions, and submit a proposal.
What do subcontractors see in the bid room?
Invitees see the project name, scope summary, due date, attached documents, and any addenda. They can download files, acknowledge addenda, and upload their proposal directly into Axiom for parsing and bid leveling.
How are addenda and acknowledgements handled?
When an addendum is issued, Axiom resets acknowledgements and automatically re-notifies invited subs. GCs can track who has viewed, downloaded, and acknowledged each addendum before bid day.
Do uploaded subcontractor proposals go straight into Bid Leveling?
Yes. When a sub uploads a proposal, Axiom parses the document for CSI-coded line items, quantities, and units, then feeds the normalized data directly into the side-by-side bid leveling comparison.
Can Axiom manage the ITB process for us?
Yes. Under our Invitation to Bid Management consulting service, Axiom builds your bid list, issues ITB packages, tracks subcontractor responses, and normalizes submissions so your team can focus on award day.
Want to see the workflow in action? Explore the subcontractor network or ask us about managed ITB services.
Not sure which model fits?
Send us the project and we'll recommend the right mix — software, hybrid, or done-for-you.
Let's talk about your next bid.
Software questions, outsourced estimating, or a one-off review — reach out and a real estimator gets back to you.