Code compliance, in the takeoff.
The scope that blows up bids usually hides in the code, not the drawing. Most takeoff tools don't look there. Pilars does.
Why it matters
A code change can quietly double a quantity — GFCI expansion under NEC 2023, sprinkler spacing under NFPA 13, glazing U-factor under IECC, ADA clearances. Most takeoff software measures what's drawn and stops there, leaving code-driven scope to be caught (or missed) by the estimator under deadline. Pilars checks every takeoff against IBC, NEC, IPC, IMC, ADA and NFPA and flags the issues before the bid goes out — turning compliance from a post-award surprise into a line item you priced.
How Pilars does it
As Pilars extracts quantities, it cross-references the relevant codes for each trade and surfaces compliance flags alongside the affected quantities, sourced to the sheet — so the estimator sees the code-driven scope while there's still time to price it.
Everything Pilars does
Reads the whole set + spec book
Pilars reads every sheet and the specification book together, resolving references across sheets and schedules — not just one floor plan in isolation.
Trade-specific models
Counts devices, fixtures and equipment and traces runs across 48 CSI divisions — real trade takeoff, not generic area measurement.
Code-compliance flagging
Every takeoff is checked against IBC, NEC, IPC, IMC, ADA and NFPA, so compliance risk surfaces before the bid goes out.
Confidence score on every line
Each quantity carries a confidence score sourced to the exact sheet, so review is fast, targeted and defensible to the GC.
Cross-sheet reasoning
Resolves door, window and fixture schedules and one-line references the way a senior estimator would — catching scope the plan alone hides.
Cloud, with clean exports
Nothing to install. Export bid-ready quantities to Excel, Sage, WinEst and your estimating tool of choice.
Why estimating teams choose Pilars
- 8x faster bidding — a multi-hour takeoff becomes a short review of confidence-scored quantities.
- 94% takeoff coverage on the first pass, so estimators refine rather than rebuild.
- Bid 2–3x more jobs without hiring — and for subs, win rate rises with bid volume.
- $100 per trade, per plan — no per-seat licenses, unlimited projects.
- Quantities sourced to the sheet with a confidence score — defensible to owners and GCs.
Frequently asked questions
Which codes does Pilars check against?
IBC, NEC, IPC, IMC, ADA and NFPA, with trade-appropriate checks — for example NEC for electrical, IPC for plumbing, NFPA 13 for fire sprinkler.
Does code checking replace the AHJ or a code review?
No — it's an estimating aid that surfaces likely code-driven scope so it's priced. Final code compliance is still confirmed through design and the authority having jurisdiction.
How does code compliance affect the bid number?
Significantly — e.g., NEC 2023 GFCI expansion can roughly double receptacle device cost in affected areas. Catching it pre-bid prevents margin erosion and change-order fights.
Do other takeoff tools check code?
Most do not — they measure geometry. Code-aware takeoff is a key differentiator for Pilars.
Is code checking available for every trade?
Code checks apply across the trades Pilars supports, mapped to the relevant standards for each.
How much does Pilars cost?
Pilars is $100 per trade, per plan, with no per-seat licenses and unlimited projects — so a shared estimating team scales without seat creep.
Which trades does Pilars support?
Electrical, plumbing, HVAC, concrete and rebar, drywall, doors and windows, finishes, flooring, structural steel, roofing and millwork — trade-specific models across 48 CSI divisions.
Does Pilars replace estimators?
No. Pilars automates the extraction and validation — the counting, measuring, reconciliation and code checks — while the estimator owns pricing, scope judgment and risk. It removes the bottleneck, it doesn't remove the expert.
Does Pilars read specifications, not just drawings?
Yes. Pilars reads the spec book alongside the drawings and resolves references across sheets and schedules, so scope that lives in the specs is captured in the takeoff.