Estimate Builder
Build accurate estimates with materials, labor, equipment, and margin.
Before you start
Make sure you have measurements saved. The estimate builder uses the latest area from the measurement panel.
Step-by-step
- Open the project.
- In Estimate Builder, confirm the area (sqft).
- Choose project type and asphalt type.
- Set thickness in inches.
- Add or remove add-ons.
- Add custom items as needed.
- Set margin percent.
- Click Save estimate.
Field definitions
Area (sqft)
Pulled from the measurement panel. You can override it, but only do this if you re-measured.
Thickness (inches)
Typical starting points:
- Driveway: 2.5 to 4 inches
- Parking lot: 3 to 5 inches
- Heavy traffic: 4 to 6 inches
If you are unsure, use 4 inches and note assumptions.
Project type
Controls the default material assumptions. Options:
- New asphalt
- Overlay
- Sealcoat
- Patching
Asphalt type
- HMA: standard hot mix, baseline pricing.
- WMA: warm mix, slightly lower cost in the system.
- RAP: recycled asphalt, lower cost and lower density.
Include base
Toggle base layer on or off.
- Use base for new asphalt and heavy traffic.
- Often skip base for overlays.
Add-ons
Each add-on is priced by area or linear feet:
- Tack coat: bonding layer for overlays.
- Sealcoat: protective surface treatment.
- Striping: estimated by linear feet (auto-calculated).
- Crack fill: surface preparation for repairs.
Custom items
Use custom items for anything not in the default list:
- Mobilization fee
- Saw cutting
- Drainage work
- Permit fees
- Dump fees
Each custom item requires:
- Label
- Category (materials, labor, equipment)
- Quantity
- Unit
- Unit cost
Margin percent
Margin applies to the subtotal of line items.
- 10 to 20 percent: low risk or competitive bids.
- 20 to 30 percent: standard residential work.
- 30+ percent: high risk or small jobs.
Saving and versioning
Each time you save, SurfaceIQ creates a new version. The latest version appears at the top of the estimate list.
Troubleshooting
- If you see "Using default pricing", your region pricing is not set yet.
- If totals look too low, verify thickness and base layer.
- If totals look too high, check area units and asphalt type.