FAQ-Frequently Asked Questions

 1.  Why should my company use Ground Tech for site take-offs?

Our goal at Ground Tech is to help your company grow and be profitable.  We do this by helping streamline your bidding process, which enables you to bid more projects with more accurate numbers so that you can spend your time doing what produces profit for your company...moving dirt.  Our services allow you to spend less time with the bidding process without having to purchase software and hire/train additional personnel.  This saves you overhead and payroll.  Our quick turnaround times allow you to bid projects that you would have passed on because of your time constraints, and our accuracy enables you to estimate cost on projects with confidence.  The fee for our services is a small price to pay for peace of mind that your successful bids will produce profits for your company.

 2.  Does GTI need plan prints or electronic files?

You can deliver them to our office, mail the prints, or email electronic files to us.  This is entirely up to you!  For electronic files, we can use AutoCAD drawing files (.dwg) or plotfiles (.plt), Adobe Acrobat files (.pdf), or Image files (.tif).  Most print shops can scan your plans to .pdf or .tif format.

 3.  How do I get the prints/files to GTI?

Prints can be mailed via US Mail, UPS, FedEx, DHL...For out of state customers, the fast/easy way is to get the prints scanned and email them to us.  Electronic files can be emailed as attachments to sitetakeoff@yahoo.com.  Emails can be up to 10MB.

 4.  What other information does GTI need?

For a dirt takeoff, we need a project specification form filled out and the Grading sheet of the plans with the existing and proposed topographical lines.  If there is demolition on the site, we need the Demo or Existing Conditions sheet of the plans.  If there is rock on the site, we will also need Soils Report and Boring Logs.  For a complete site takeoff, we will need the full set of civil plans.  Typically, we don't need the General Specifications.

 5.  What is the typical turnaround time on a project?

This depends on the size of the project and the amount of work involved.  The turnaround time takes into account from the time the project comes in, gets on the schedule, takeoff work is done, and the project goes out the door.  We are always willing to try to help you make your deadlines.  The times listed below are to give you an idea of how much time is typically needed:

-Dirt takeoff on a project less than 3 acres, normal turnaround time is 48 hours:  actual time spent on takeoff is 1.5-6 hours.

-Dirt takeoff on a project 3 to 50 acres, normal turnaround time is 72 hours:  actual time spent on takeoff is 3-10 hours.

-Complete takeoff on sites less than 2 acres, normal turnaround time is 48 hours:  actual time spent on takeoff is 3-10 hours.

We will be glad to review the plans and quote a firm price for our services on your project.

 6.  What information will GTI provide me?

For a dirt takeoff, we will provide a cut/fill report (sample), a plan with cut/fill shading (sample), and a 3D color print (sample) of the site.  These are printed out on 8 1/2 x 11 paper.  This information can be faxed to a color fax or scanned and emailed as attachments back to you.  For a complete takeoff (erosion, demo, storm, sanitary, and fire/water) we will also provide you with an Excel line item spreadsheet (sample) for the project in addition to the Agtek report and prints.

 7.  What about accuracy?

Of course, this depends on the plans/information that we receive from you.  Some of our customers have checked the accuracy of the numbers that we generated from manually digitized plans and the margin of error was +/-3%.  If we work form AutoCAD files, the accuracy is even better.  We suggest that you always confirm that the grading plan provided to us is accurate in scale to the actual existing field conditions.

 8.  Does GTI also price projects?

We do not apply pricing to the takeoffs that we prepare for you.  We provide the reports to simplify your bidding process.  We cannot take into account the wide variations in labor cost, equipment overhead, and compliance issues that may be encountered across the country. 

 9.  How does GTI charge to do takeoffs and what are the rates?

We charge by the hour.  For the Dirt Takeoffs, we charge $80.00 per hour.  For Utility Takeoffs, we charge $60.00 per hour.  We can review the plans and quote a price for a project if requested.

10.  How do I set up an account with GTI and pay for the takeoff work?

We require Payment in Advance on the first project and then after that you will become a regular client with a 30 day account.  This account must be kept in good standing.  We reserve the right to limit the amount of outstanding invoices based on past payment history.  For out of state customers, we require payment by credit card.  We accept Visa, MC, AMEX, and Discover.

11.  How long has GTI been in business and how much experience do you have in construction?

Ground Tech was started in 2001 by John Dickman in the basement of his home.  He moved to a storefront in 2002 and Chris Stone joined in 2003.  GTI moved to a new and greatly improved location in 2004.  With the current staff, we have a combined 30+ years in the construction industry.  GTI has completed over 5,000 projects and counting.  Our clients include grading contractors, general contractors, and land developers.