Awarded the First Job I Gave Them
“The service was excellent. I was awarded the first job I have to Astra. They are kind, professional, and thorough. I am very happy with the service”
Judd Stephenson
LCS Electric
MEP Estimating in Oakland, CA
Bay Area labor rates mean the small mistakes are not small anymore.
Speak with an Estimator NowGet Your Oakland Estimate Started
Tell us a little about your project. An estimator will get back to you fast.
No estimate is ever shared with another contractor. Every project is on a first come first serve basis.
The Oakland Problem
Oakland and the East Bay carry a broader mix than most Bay Area markets. Port and industrial work along the estuary. Institutional projects for the county and the school districts. Commercial and tenant improvement downtown and around Jack London Square. Medical work up Broadway. A steady stream of public jobs underneath all of it.
Here is the thing that catches contractors here. Bay Area labor rates apply, so the same estimating error that costs a little in the Valley costs real money in Alameda County. Then public work adds DIR registration and prevailing wage on top, with rates set by craft and by county.
We estimate work across the East Bay, from the port and the 880 industrial corridor to downtown Oakland office and TI jobs, with the correct county rates and the full mechanical and electrical scope counted before you commit.
The Four Trades We Estimate in Oakland
Pick your trade. Every one of these is a full estimate, taken off piece by piece, on your letterhead with your name on it.
- Electrical Estimating in Oakland
Panels, circuits, gear and fixtures counted line by line. Your C-10 work bids clean and you can job cost against it.
- Plumbing Estimating in Oakland
Water supply, drainage and waste counted piece by piece, built the way California inspectors read plans.
- HVAC Estimating in Oakland
Equipment, duct and controls with Title 24 priced in from the first line, so the energy code never shows up as a surprise at rough-in.
- Mechanical Estimating in Oakland
Piping, equipment setting and full mechanical packages for plants, campuses and public work.
Where We Work in Oakland
Areas We Also Serve Around Oakland
Our Oakland work covers the East Bay. We estimate for contractors bidding in Berkeley, Emeryville and Alameda, south along the 880 through San Leandro, Hayward, Union City and Fremont, and inland through Richmond, Walnut Creek and Concord. If the job is anywhere in Alameda or Contra Costa County, we have estimated work near it. For the full picture, see our California MEP estimating page.
Our Client Reviews
Great Experience
“We could not be happier with the decision to use your services. Our relationship over the past four plus years has continued to grow and I would recommend using Astra for your estimating. Astra is a part of our team and it has been a great experience for our company.“
Joe Nardini
Owner of Gilligan & Nardini Electrical Contractors
Could Not Be Happier
“Mark I could not be happier with you and your team. Since I started using your services my bid wins have doubled and I have won 2 out of 7 bids so far which have totaled $412,000.00 in revenue. It is difficult when bidding to general contractors on the open bid market, however your team makes it so easy because of their knowledge, professionalism and how helpful they always are. You guys are Johnny on the spot with whatever I need and can’t thank you enough. My last project I won will be the Best Job I have had all year long and will make some really good money on it. I wear all the hats in my business and using your estimating services removes several of those very heavy hats. I am more than satisfied and wished I would have tried you sooner.”
John McNulty
McNulty Electric, Inc.
Thorough and Accurate Every Time
“I've used Astra estimating on a few projects, and they've been great. Great communication, easy to work with, and they'll give you a thorough and accurate estimate. Will definitely be using them again.”
Benjamin Cooper
Cooper Electric
They Bring Us Results
“Mark has done a great job estimating our projects. If you are in a jam or need help with your estimating, then give them a call. We continue to use them because they bring us results.”
Kevin Skelton
President of KPS Plumbing Company
An Incredible Partner for Our Electrical Company
“Astra Estimating has been an incredible partner for our electrical company. We rely on them for larger projects that require detailed counts and accurate quoting, and they always deliver. Their team is extremely helpful, easy to work with, and consistently prompt with communication. They offer insight, solutions, and suggestions that genuinely help us approach each project more efficiently. Highly recommend Astra Estimating to any contractor looking for dependable, high-quality estimating support.”
Jeff Fino
Fino Electric
Well Within Range of Our Own Numbers
“Provided accurate HVAC estimation. We tested them on several projects and they were well within range of our own. I would highly recommend using them in future projects.”
Andrew Radder
A Professional Estimating Service
“Astra has been a great help to our company. They can turn around projects fast and the estimates are very detailed and accurate. I would recommend Astra to any contractor who is looking for a professional estimating service. We continue to use Astra on an as needed basis and have been extremely pleased with their work. Try them out and I am sure you will find that it is well worth it.”
Lou Tadiello
Two Seasons Heating & Cooling
Helped Us Win an $8 Million Project
“Astra helped us get a project for over 8 Million dollars. I would definitely recommend them!”
Robert Nickerson
N&T Mechanical Contractors
An Extension of Our Team
“Prompt, thorough, and a great asset and extension of our team.”
Joshua Farley
Redline Electric
A Great Partner Since 2017
“Very knowledgeable in electrical estimating & easy to work with. Great partner providing great results. Very detailed and great communication throughout the estimating process.”
T.
Astra client since 2017
Over $1.15 Million Won in Three Years
“From the very first job, we have always made money with the jobs that you have estimated for us.”
“At the beginning I was skeptical. I didn't think it would work... I can honestly say, from the very first job, we have always made money with the jobs that you have estimated for us... When we were trying to bid jobs in-house, we were probably twenty to one. So winning one in four makes it well worthwhile... I can take what would have been twenty, thirty, forty hours and turn it into a two to three hour review and submit a bid... There is no way I could hire a mechanical estimator, a plumbing estimator, and an HVAC or electrical estimator and be able to afford it at the stage we are right now... There is no way that we could be where we are today without what you guys have done. And now I would not be without it.”
- $1.15M+ Won in 3 Years
- 1-in-4.2 Win Ratio
- 10-Year Astra Client
Art Graves
Clearwater Construction (Livonia, Michigan)
Measurable Results
“Mark, I have never in my life made so much money on a single job like the one you and your team estimated and won for my company. I will make over $1,000,000 by the end of this project… I have been using Mark and his team of estimators for over seven years now and I would recommend them to any company that is in need of an estimator. If you want measurable results that will help your company grow and win more bids effectively while also staying profitable, then I would highly recommend using them for any of your estimating needs. Give Mark and his team of estimators a try, you will be overjoyed with the results!”
Dirk Walton
Owner of Kal Electric
More Than a Decade of Success
“I have used Astra for more than a decade from small projects to large with success. They do a great job in communicating with us thru the take off and bid process. There take offs have been as accurate as our own staff and they are accessible beyond the bidding stage to support any needs we have during the project. It is nice to have support beyond our own expertise that can bring options for success as their combined staff covers many years of experience and variety's of work .”
Dirk Walton
Owner of Kal Electric
Support From Start to the Winning Bid
“Astra Estimating is a great company for your electrical estimating needs! We have used them on several projects. They are prompt, communicate well, and offer support from start to the winning bid!! I Definitely recommend them!”
Arlin Nightingale
Lectra Tech
Eight Years and Counting
“Astra has been a great resource. They are very efficient and have quick turnaround time for us.”
Nick Berni
Gulu Electrical Contractors
Won a Project on our First Bid with Astra
“Mark, we contacted you and your team because we could not handle all the bids internally in-house. Since we started working with you we have bid 4 projects and currently working on the 5th. We have won 2, lost 1 and still we are in the running for 4th project. The very first project you bid for us we won and it totaled over $1,250,000 of new revenue for our company. The second project we bid with you and your team we won and it totaled $600,000 in new revenue. Currently your services have generated over $1,850,000 of new revenue for our company and the project we are still in the running for will be over $2,300,000. I have to say we could not be happier with you and your team of professionals, you have met and sometimes go far beyond any of our expectations. I highly recommend using your services to anyone needing help with estimating or getting out more bids.”
Gary Gulu
Owner of Gulu Electrical Contractors
Recommended
“Reccommended.”
Joseph Brown
Procharged Electric LLC
Accurate and On Time
“Very accurate and on time, estimator call and go over everything and easy to get a hold of about job when in progress Thanks”
Pete McAllister
McAllister Electrical Services
An 80 to 90 Percent Win Rate
“Some of the best estimators I've ever had the pleasure to work with, I have an 80 to 90% win right and all the projects they have been for me have come in under budget. Great people.”
Byron Westerfield
Westerfield Electric
More Bids Out of the Office
“Astra is very easy to deal with and is always in constant communication with their customer. They have definitely helped us out with the bigger projects so we can get done the smaller ones and get more bids out of the office. Definitely recommend them.”
Kevin Shrader
Shrader Electric
Great Addition to my Company
“We have bid three projects to date and have won all three totaling over $675,087.00 in revenue for my company. I have nothing but great things to say about you and your services. Your team is always professional, always fair and a great addition to my company as a second look on my projects to help me gauge where my bids should be. I highly recommend your services and I have more jobs I will be sending your way to help me bid.”
Joe Dowd
Dowd's Mechanical Heating & Air Conditioning Inc
56% Win Rate with Astra
“Before I started using your Estimating Services our win verses loss averages were not very good. We would only win about 1 in every 20 commercial project estimates in the competitive open bid market. We are now at a 56% win average from using Astra Estimating Services which is far better than the disappointing 5% we were previously getting from estimating on our own. We have been using your company for a little over a year now and we do not estimate a lot of bids simply because we don’t need to. Since we started using your company, we have won 5 jobs and only lost 9 plus we are still waiting to hear on 3 additional projects which we believe we have a good shot at winning. With the 5 projects Astra has already won, the results totaled $819,781.41 and we could not be happier with our decision to use your estimating services. If anyone is on the fence about using Astra Estimating Services, please have them personally call me so I can tell them first hand your estimating services works and it will be one of the best decisions they could make for their company.”
Rich Girard
Owner of Girard Electric
Art Graves, Clearwater Construction: 10 Years with Astra
Electrical, plumbing, and HVAC contractor. $1.15M+ won in three years.
Oakland MEP Estimating FAQs
Do Bay Area labor rates change how you estimate an Oakland job?
Yes. Alameda County rates are high enough that a missed item costs real money, so the right rate goes in from the first line rather than a statewide average.
Do you estimate port and industrial work?
Yes. The port and the 880 industrial corridor carry heavy power and piping scope that ordinary commercial estimating misses. We count it first.
Do you handle prevailing wage and public jobs?
Yes. Contractors bidding public work must be registered with the Department of Industrial Relations, and certified payroll applies. Rates are set by craft and by county, so Alameda County rates go into your estimate.
How do I know if a job is worth bidding?
That is half of what we do. If your breakeven is a certain number and the market history on that project type comes in below it, we will call you and tell you not to bid. The next job, where the market allows more, is the one worth your time. Call (330) 633-7300.
Will another contractor see my numbers?
No. No estimate is ever shared with another contractor, and every project is first come, first serve.
Get Your Oakland Project Priced
Tell us a little about your project. An estimator will get back to you fast.
No estimate is ever shared with another contractor. Every project is on a first come first serve basis.
Speak with an Estimator (330) 633-7300
Talk to an Estimator About Your Next Oakland Bid
Here is what happens when you call. You send us the plans. We quote you the hours to complete the estimate. Nothing starts until you approve that number, and you can pass on the job and pick a different one. Then we take it off piece by piece and go win it for you. Call (330) 633-7300 and talk to an estimator about your next Oakland bid.
CONTACT US
For immediate help call:
(330)-633-7300
No estimate is ever shared with another contractor. Every project is first come, first serve.
Schedule a Free Estimating Strategy Session
Ten minutes on the phone. Real answers about your bids. Pick your time below and we call you.
- 40+ Years of Experience
- Nationwide Estimating
- Rated 5 out of 5
Schedule a Call
Step 1 of 4
Need to talk right now?
The 10 Min Estimator Phone Meeting
I will answer any questions you have and quickly go over how our service works. I will call at the number you provided at the scheduled time.
- Pick your time in the scheduler.
- An estimator calls you at that number.
- Ten minutes. Your questions, straight answers, and a plan for your next bid.
Estimators, Not Salespeople
We are a professional estimating services company located in Tallmadge, Ohio. Over the past 25+ years we have worked with large and small Electric, Plumbing and HVAC Contractors Nationwide.
We are not your average estimating company. The clients we work with understand implementing successful strategies do not happen over night. Long term solutions require time, professional instruction and a client open to discovering new solutions that get real results.
Rather Talk Right Now?
CONTACT US
For immediate help call:
(330)-633-7300
No estimate is ever shared with another contractor.
Every project is on a first come first serve basis.