Why Construction Items and Assemblies Matter for Your Bids

When it comes to estimating, the details matter. Whether pricing a small building renovation or a large-scale project, having the right construction items and assemblies in your estimating toolkit can make all the difference.

Specialty estimators understand that trade-specific items and assemblies are not only helpful but essential for creating accurate, efficient and competitive bids.

Technology also plays a crucial role in ensuring estimating components are installed at the correct elevation, angle, and alignment.

A survey by Leica Geosystems and Construction Dive of 150 MEP contractors found that the most sought-after features in digital construction technologies include minimizing human error (62%), reliable and fast technical support (54%), more accurate and precise designs (41%) and user-friendly training (41%).

As we move into a new year filled with opportunities, let’s explore what items and assemblies are, why they’re crucial, and how leveraging trade-specific software can benefit specialty estimators.

Key Takeaways for Specialty Construction Estimators:

• Utilizing trade-specific items and assemblies provides access to accurate material costs, streamline workflows with pre-built assemblies and ensure compliance with industry standards and best practices.
• Regularly reviewing and updating your item and assembly database is essential, including incorporating new materials, adjusting for labor cost fluctuations and integrating with advanced technologies that streamline the takeoff process.
• Leveraging construction estimating and takeoff software empowers cost estimators with customizable databases, material availability analysis to mitigate supply chain disruptions and creating detailed reports for improved project analysis.

What Are Construction Items and Assemblies?

Together, items and assemblies form the foundation of any accurate construction estimate, helping you stay on budget and improve your construction bids.

Items

In construction estimating, an item refers to a single component or material required for a project, such as a length of conduit, a light fixture or a plumbing fitting.

Items are the building blocks of your estimate, providing the granular details needed to calculate costs accurately.

Assemblies

Assemblies are groups of items combined into a single unit for estimating purposes.

For example, a conduit assembly might include the conduit itself, fittings, hangers and labor to install it.

Assemblies simplify the estimating process by bundling related components together, saving time and reducing the risk of missing key elements.

Why is it Important to Have Trade-Specific Items and Assemblies?

While generic estimating software might work for broad applications, trade-specific items and assemblies tailored to your specialty offers unique advantages:

Precision

Trade-specific databases include the exact materials and components you’re likely to use on the job.

An electrical item might be a length of conduit or a light fixture, while a plumbing assembly could include a sink installation bundle consisting of the sink itself, associated fittings, valves and the labor to install it. Mechanical trades might utilize assemblies such as an HVAC duct installation, which includes duct segments, hangers, insulation and associated labor costs.

This ensures your estimates reflect real-world costs and requirements.

Efficiency

Preloaded assemblies eliminate the need to manually combine items every time you estimate a task.

For instance, an electrician can select a “Panel Installation” assembly that already includes the panel, breakers, wire, labor and accessories.

Relevance

Specialty databases keep you aligned with industry standards and best practices, ensuring your estimates are both accurate and competitive.

When Is It Time to Reevaluate Your Items and Assemblies?

As the construction industry continues to evolve, staying up to date with the latest materials, labor rates, and technology is crucial for maintaining a competitive edge.

Here are a few reasons why now is the perfect time to review your items and assemblies:

New Materials

Innovations in construction materials can impact your estimates.

For example, sustainable materials or energy-efficient components may become more prevalent in 2025, requiring updates to your database.

Labor Trends

Labor costs can fluctuate due to regional demand or economic factors. Like, mechanical trades might utilize assemblies such as an HVAC duct installation, which includes duct segments, hangers, insulation and associated labor costs.

Ensuring your assemblies account for accurate labor rates helps avoid underbidding or overpricing.

Technology Integration

Many specialty estimators are adopting advanced estimating tools that simplify the construction takeoff process, allowing for seamless updates to items and assemblies.

This ensures your estimates are always based on the latest information.

How Does a Database Work in Construction Estimating Software?

When working with items and assemblies, choosing the right tools and strategies is critical.

Estimating and takeoff software for the construction industry offers specialty estimators the advanced tools they need to manage items and assemblies with ease.

Here’s how:

Customizable Databases

Choose estimating and takeoff software that allows you to customize items and assemblies to reflect your unique business needs.

For example, a water heater installation assembly, which includes the heater, connection pipes, insulation and necessary labor for a seamless setup.

Estimating and takeoff software offer these types of trade-specific databases that let you tailor your estimates with ease.

Material Availability

Supply chain issues remain a factor in many regions. Working with updated assemblies that account for alternative materials suppliers can help mitigate delays.

With a tool like construction estimating software, you can take control of your material costs, create more accurate bids and win more projects.

Automation and Accuracy

Digital estimating tools can automatically apply updated prices to your items and assemblies, which can simplify the construction estimating process, save you time and ensure accuracy.

Digital takeoff software allows you to quickly quantify materials, match them to items and assemblies and generate accurate bids.

Reporting Features

Look for software that generates detailed reports, breaking down items and assemblies by cost, labor and material quantities.

This transparency helps you communicate effectively with clients and stakeholders.

Most construction estimating and takeoff software will include automated price updates from trusted suppliers, ensuring your estimates remain competitive.

See Why McCormick is Right for You!

The new year is an opportunity to refine your estimating processes and set yourself up for success.

By focusing on trade-specific items and assemblies, you can streamline your workflows and assembly takeoff process, improve accuracy and increase profitability.

There’s no one-size-fits-all way to manage items and assemblies. But if you’re in the mechanical, electrical or plumbing trade, using McCormick takeoff and estimating software can significantly streamline your processes.

With customizable items and assemblies to match your specific trade and project requirements, automated pricing updates and digital takeoff capabilities and detailed reports to analyze project costs, we have you covered.

Learn more about McCormick’s trade-specific solutions by talking to a specialist today!