Estimating SUNY Construction Projects in New York City

The State University of New York (SUNY) system manages one of the largest networks of public college and university campuses in the United States. With over 60 institutions, SUNY regularly issues capital construction, renovation, and maintenance projects across New York State—especially in high-density areas like New York City.
Estimating these projects accurately requires more than just quantity takeoff. It requires a strategic understanding of public procurement guidelines, CSI formatting, prevailing wages, and digital tools. That’s where True Bid Data brings unmatched clarity and confidence to your SUNY estimates.

SUNY Construction: What’s Unique for Estimators?

SUNY projects—whether they’re for a student dormitory upgrade, lab renovation, or new academic building—are typically funded and managed under the oversight of DASNY, the State University Construction Fund (SUCF), or even OGS.
These projects have the following common features:

Strict CSI division-based estimating format
Requirements for detailed BOQs
Demand for compliance with NYS and local prevailing wage schedules
Thorough documentation of general conditions, allowances, and phases
Often include addenda, rebid adjustments, and phased scopes

Unlike private commercial jobs, SUNY estimates need to be bulletproof in both quantities and cost justification. That means clean takeoff files, backup data, and price breakdowns that can be audited easily.

Types of Estimating Tasks in SUNY Projects

At True Bid Data, we handle SUNY project estimating from early design phase to bid-ready submission. Some common scopes include:

Civil & Structural

Foundation excavation and concrete takeoff
Steel quantity extraction and structural steel estimating
Masonry and facebrick scope development
Groundworks and siteworks estimates

Architectural

Drywall takeoff, roofing estimates, and flooring
Joinery takeoff, windows, doors, and ceilings
Painting and coatings

MEP Systems

Plumbing takeoff
Electrical estimating including conduit, wiring, panels
HVAC estimating with equipment and ductwork quantification
Fire protection and sprinkler layouts

All scopes are linked to construction drawings, specifications, and addenda. Where possible, we automate PDF plan takeoff using advanced software—ensuring speed without compromising accuracy.

Applying Prevailing Wages and Union Labor

SUNY projects located in New York City require prevailing wage compliance and often union labor rates. Each trade—plumbing, HVAC, electrical, etc.—must include proper unit labor analysis broken down by task.
Our estimates incorporate:

NYC union rates updated as per DOL schedules
Fringe benefits, overtime factors, and shift premiums
Clear material cost breakdown separate from labor and equipment
Transparent overhead costs and markups

We use unit price estimating best practices to build transparent cost models that pass SUNY and SUCF reviews.

General Conditions and Prelims for SUNY Bids

All SUNY-related bids must include realistic general conditions such as:

Project management
Site supervision
Insurance
Mobilization and temporary facilities
Safety compliance

We also calculate prelims such as schedule acceleration, night work, and LEED documentation if applicable—ensuring you don’t underbid.

Digital Estimating Tools We Use

We use leading tools for SUNY estimates, including:

PlanSwift for automated takeoff
Bluebeam for drawing markup and annotation
RSMeans and local vendor quotes for material rates
CSI-aligned BOQ and Excel templates ready for submission

Our format matches DASNY and SUNY bid requirements, making your estimate presentation-ready.

Why Estimating SUNY Projects with True Bid Data Makes Sense

Contractors in New York City or elsewhere in the state trust True Bid Data for public-sector estimating because we understand:

How SUNY, DASNY, OGS, and NYCHA operate
The paperwork and audit trail needed for public bids
How to turn takeoff data into bidding strategy
What owners and procurement boards expect during bid review

Work with True Bid Data on Your Next SUNY Bid
If you’re bidding on a SUNY project in New York City or statewide, don’t leave your numbers to chance. True Bid Data ensures your scope is covered, your costs are justified, and your documents meet public bid standards.
Visit True Bid Data to get started with your SUNY estimate—delivered fast, formatted right, and built for bid success.