Ask ten contractors in Quebec City what a building costs and you’ll get ten answers. That’s normal: the number depends on who’s available, when you build and what’s under the ground. For a bid, a budget or a bank loan, the estimate is where it all starts. Here’s how we approach it for projects in Quebec City and the Capitale-Nationale.
Why the estimate must reflect the Quebec City market
Same plans, different city, different price. The quantities don’t move, but the rates do. How many electricians are free this month? How far is the nearest ready-mix plant? Is the region swamped with work? So we start from the real quantities on your drawings, then price them with suppliers and subcontractors who actually work around here.
Factors that drive construction costs in Quebec City
Winter and the freeze-thaw cycle
Building in January means enclosures, heating, protecting the concrete and crews that move slower. In spring, load restrictions during the thaw can hold up heavy deliveries. You need the schedule before you can put a price on the job.
The construction sector
Wages in Quebec are set by collective agreements, and they’re not the same for residential, ICI (institutional-commercial-industrial) or civil and roadwork. Put the job in the wrong sector and the whole labour cost is off.
Soil and site conditions
For excavation, sewer and water mains, rock and groundwater can make or break the budget. We read the geotechnical report and the specs closely, and we price those risks out in the open instead of burying them.
Subcontractor availability
When a few big projects run at the same time, some trades get hard to find and their prices climb. You need enough quotes to compare, and for the trades it covers, you have to follow the BSDQ (Bureau des soumissions déposées du Québec) rules.
The steps of a reliable construction estimate
- Read everything. Drawings, specs and every addendum, to pin down the scope, the exclusions and the special requirements.
- Do the takeoff. Every item, division by division, in 2D or 3D. Our quantity takeoff service is available on its own if you already have estimators.
- Get prices. From suppliers and subs in the region, through the BSDQ when it applies.
- Add the indirect costs. General conditions, administration, insurance, bonds, profit and contingencies.
- Close the bid. Put it together, check it again and submit before the deadline.
The mistakes we see most: labour priced too low, no contingency, old prices and drawings read too fast.
Working with an independent estimating firm
An outside estimator lets you go after more tenders without hiring, and gives you a second set of eyes on your costs. Gestion Edem Inc. estimates commercial, multi-residential, institutional and civil projects across Quebec, including the Capitale-Nationale, like the Beaupré sports and recreation complex. See our construction estimating service and our estimated projects.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to estimate a construction project in Quebec City?
It depends on the size of the project and the state of the documents. We send you our quote within 48 hours, free, and in it we confirm when the estimate will be ready, based on your closing date.
Is an estimate prepared for Montreal valid in Quebec City?
Not as is. The quantities are the same, but prices, subcontractor availability and freight change from one region to the next. The estimate has to be adjusted to where the project will be built.
What documents do you need for an estimate?
The drawings, the specifications and the addenda. PDF, DWG or BIM files are all fine.
Does Gestion Edem only work in the Quebec City region?
No. We work all over Quebec, on commercial, multi-residential, institutional and civil projects.
