Free Material Estimates & Takeoffs

How Our Estimation Process Works

Whether you are planning a backyard deck, a full home renovation, or a commercial build-out, our estimation process is designed to be simple and thorough. Here is how it works:

1. Submit your project information. Bring your blueprints, sketches, or measurements to our yard, email them to us, or describe the project to one of our estimators. The more detail you provide, the more precise the estimate.
2. Our team reviews and calculates. An experienced estimator reviews your plans, identifies every material needed, and calculates quantities with appropriate waste factors built in. We cross-reference against Chicago building code requirements to ensure your materials will pass inspection.
3. You receive an itemized material list. We deliver a comprehensive, line-by-line list of every material needed for the project, from structural lumber and sheathing to fasteners and flashing. Current pricing is included so you have a clear budget picture.
4. Ask questions and adjust. Our estimators walk you through the list, answer questions about material choices, and make adjustments if you want to upgrade, downgrade, or modify any aspect of the project.

What to Bring or Provide

We can work from almost any starting point, but having good project information leads to the most accurate estimate. Here is what helps most:

• Architectural blueprints or construction plans — the gold standard for accuracy. These include the dimensions, structural details, and specifications we need.
• A scaled sketch or drawing with key dimensions noted. This works well for decks, fences, pergolas, and other simpler structures.
• Property measurements — linear footage for fencing, square footage for decking or siding, room dimensions for framing or drywall.
• Photos of the project area can help our estimators understand the site conditions and any special requirements.
• A project description — even a verbal description of what you want to build gives our team a starting point to ask the right questions and develop an estimate.

Types of Projects We Estimate

Our estimating team has experience calculating materials for virtually every type of residential and light commercial construction project. Common project types include:

• Decks and porches: Framing lumber, decking boards, railing systems, posts, hardware, and fasteners. Estimates account for joist spacing, beam spans, and Chicago code requirements for guardrail height and structural connections.
• Fences: Posts, rails, pickets or panels, concrete for post setting, and hardware. We factor in gate openings, terrain changes, and City of Chicago fence height regulations.
• Framing packages: Studs, plates, headers, joists, rafters, sheathing, and structural hardware for new construction, additions, and gut rehabs. Our framing estimates are detailed enough to order from with confidence.
• Siding and exterior trim: Siding material, starter strips, J-channel, corner boards, soffit, fascia, and all associated trim and fasteners.
• Roofing: Shingles, underlayment, drip edge, flashing, ridge vent, and nails. We calculate based on roof area, slope, and the number of penetrations.
• Interior renovations: Drywall, insulation, interior trim, door packages, and finish materials for kitchens, bathrooms, basements, and whole-home renovations.
• Commercial build-outs: Retail spaces, office renovations, restaurant fit-outs, and other light commercial projects.

Benefits of a Professional Material Estimate

Many homeowners and even some contractors rely on rough guesses or online calculators to figure out how much material they need. Those approaches consistently lead to problems — either you overbuy and waste money on returns, or you come up short and lose a day of work waiting for additional material. A professional estimate from Chicago Lumber & Building Materials eliminates both risks:

• Avoid over-buying: Every board, sheet, and fastener is calculated to the actual project dimensions with an appropriate waste factor. You do not end up with a pile of unused material and a complicated return process.
• Prevent shortages: Our estimates include waste factors for cuts, angles, and defects that online calculators do not account for. Running out of material mid-project is the number one preventable delay in residential construction.
• Ensure code compliance: Our estimators know Chicago building codes and factor in requirements for joist spans, guardrail specs, fire blocking, energy code insulation values, and more. Your material list is built to pass inspection.
• Get an accurate budget: With itemized pricing on every line, you know exactly what materials will cost before you commit to starting the project. No surprises halfway through.

What’s Included in a Material Estimate

Every estimate we produce goes far beyond a simple material list. Here is exactly what you receive at no charge:

• Complete material list with quantities: Every item is listed with exact quantities -- linear feet of lumber, number of sheets of plywood, pounds of fasteners, rolls of flashing, tubes of adhesive, and anything else the project requires.
• Product specifications and grades: We specify the exact grade (#2 SPF, Select Structural, etc.), treatment level (UC3B, UC4A), species, and dimensions for each line item so there is no ambiguity about what to order.
• Current pricing: Every line item includes today’s pricing from our inventory. Contractor account holders see their volume-discounted pricing automatically applied. Pricing is valid for 30 days from the date of the estimate.
• Delivery cost estimate: Based on the total order value and your job-site location, we include an estimated delivery cost so you can budget accurately. Orders over $500 within Zone 1 qualify for free delivery.
• Waste factor: We build in an appropriate waste factor for each material type, typically 10-15%. Framing waste runs about 10% (cuts and defects). Decking and siding run 12-15% (end cuts, angled sections, pattern matching). Finish trim runs 15-20% (color matching, grain selection).
• Alternative material options with price comparison: Where practical alternatives exist, we include them. For example, if your plan calls for cedar decking, we will also list the price for pressure-treated and composite alternatives so you can compare options and make an informed decision without requesting multiple estimates.

Sample Estimate: 14×20 Pressure-Treated Deck

To illustrate the level of detail in our estimates, here is a representative breakdown for a typical 14-foot by 20-foot pressure-treated deck with stairs and railing, built to Chicago code:

Estimated total material cost: $2,900 - $3,910. This includes the 10-12% waste factor on lumber and decking. Actual pricing depends on current lumber market conditions and any contractor discounts applied. Delivery to a Zone 1 location would be free on this order size.

Sample Estimate: 150 Linear Feet of Cedar Privacy Fence

A 6-foot-tall cedar dog-ear privacy fence running 150 linear feet is one of the most common projects we estimate. Here is a representative material breakdown:

Estimated total material cost: $2,460 - $3,630. Cedar pricing varies with market conditions. For a budget alternative, pressure-treated pine brings the material cost to approximately $1,200 - $1,800 for the same fence dimensions. See our Chicago Fence Guide for complete material comparisons.

How to Prepare for Your Estimate Appointment

The more prepared you are when you request an estimate, the faster and more accurate the result. Here is what to bring or have ready:

• Measurements or sketches: Even a rough sketch with key dimensions (length, width, height) gives our team a solid starting point. For decks, include the height above grade. For fences, note the total linear footage and any grade changes.
• Photos of the project area: Snap several photos showing the space, existing conditions, and any obstacles (slopes, trees, utilities). Photos help our estimators understand site-specific factors that affect material choices.
• Architect or contractor plans: If you have professional blueprints or construction drawings, bring them (or email PDF copies). These allow us to produce the most precise estimate possible and catch details that sketches may miss.
• HOA requirements: If your property is governed by a homeowners association, bring a copy of the relevant architectural guidelines. Material restrictions, color requirements, and height limits affect what we specify in the estimate.
• Permit approval (if applicable): If you have already obtained your building permit, bring the approved plans. These are the definitive specifications we will estimate against, and they may specify materials or grades that differ from initial design plans.
• Timeline expectations: Let us know when you plan to start construction. Material lead times vary -- most stock items are available immediately, but specialty orders, custom milling, and large quantities may require 1-2 weeks of advance ordering.

Turnaround Time

We know you are eager to get started. Simple projects like a standard deck or fence estimate are often completed the same day, sometimes while you wait at the counter. Larger projects — full framing packages, multi-room renovations, or projects with complex architectural details — typically require 1 to 3 business days. We will let you know the expected turnaround when you submit your plans, and we always try to beat it.

Blueprint Review Service

Building something from professional architectural plans? Bring them in and our team will conduct a thorough blueprint review. We look at every page — structural, architectural, and detail sheets — to build a comprehensive material package that covers the entire project. This service is especially valuable for gut renovations and new construction in Chicago, where projects often involve structural steel, masonry interfaces, and complex framing conditions that require careful material planning.

For contractors bidding on new projects, our blueprint review gives you accurate material costs you can use in your bid with confidence. We can often turn around a full material takeoff within 48 hours for standard residential projects.

Ready to get started? Email your plans, or bring them to our West Grand Avenue yard. Our estimation service is always free, no strings attached.