The Strategic Decision

Every site development and grading contractor faces the same critical choice: How do we generate the most accurate, timely, and cost-effective earthwork takeoffs?

The traditional option is hiring and maintaining an in-house estimator. The modern, strategic choice is outsourcing to a specialized firm like Dirtwork Calcs.

While hiring in-house seems like control, it often leads to hidden costs and bottlenecks. Here is a clear comparison showing why outsourcing offers a superior return on investment (ROI). 

The Hidden Costs of In-House Estimating

1. Salary & Benefits

This includes Full-time salary, health insurance, retirement contributions, PTO. You pay this whether you have one project or ten.

2. Technology

Purchasing and maintaining 3D grading software, large-format plotters, and powerful computers. Software licenses are recurring, expensive, and require constant updates. Equipment wears out and needs to be replaced.

3. Training & Expertise

Paying for industry certifications, continuous software training, and market-specific knowledge. A new hire takes months to train and fully integrate, delaying your ability to bid new projects.

4. Downtime

Paying a full salary during slow seasons or when waiting for bid results. You pay for labor that isn't generating revenue.

The Strategic Benefits of Outsourcing Takeoffs

Outsourcing converts fixed costs (salaries, software) into flexible, project-specific expenses.

1. Immediate Access to Expert Technology and Talent

When you outsource to Dirtwork Calcs, you instantly gain access to top-tier expertise without the training time or capital investment.

• No Overhead, Just Results: You pay only for the earthwork takeoff services you use. We absorb all the costs of the latest 3D modeling software, GPS technology, and aerial mapping analysis.

• Specialized Focus: Our team does nothing but grading estimates. This singular focus ensures superior accuracy, minimizing the costly errors that manual or inexperienced in-house estimators often make.

2. Scalability and Speed

Outsourcing allows your estimating capacity to instantly scale up or down based on your bidding volume, not your payroll.

• Rapid Turnaround: When a huge project drops on your desk, an in-house estimator gets overwhelmed. An outsourced team can dedicate multiple experts to meet tight deadlines, increasing your bid-to-win ratio.

• Focus on Core Business: By removing the time-sink of calculations, your internal project managers and leadership can focus on what generates revenue: building relationships, managing field crews, and running the business.

3. Reduced Risk and Increased Bid Accuracy

Accuracy is the foundation of profitability. Outsourced professionals rely on advanced digital methods that dramatically reduce the risk of financial surprises.

• Verifiable Data: We deliver a transparent, digitally-backed grading estimate that provides a clear audit trail. This reduces liability and prevents costly change orders down the line.

• Competitive Edge: Precise takeoffs prevent over-bidding (losing the job) and under-bidding (losing money). Outsourcing ensures your bids are consistently accurate and competitive.

Conclusion: Stop Hiring Estimators, Start Buying Certainty.

The question isn't whether you can afford to hire an in-house estimator. The question is whether you can afford the fixed cost that comes with them.

Dirtwork Calcs offers a superior alternative: Earthwork Takeoffs delivered by experts, powered by the best technology, and structured as a variable, project-based cost.

Ready to boost your bid volume and accuracy?

📞 Contact us today for a free consultation: 940.340.9507