How to bid multifamily cabinets and countertops by unit type.
On apartment, condo and builder jobs one wrong count repeats on every floor. This is a plain method for bidding repeating unit types, from the unit mix to the POs.
To bid a multifamily cabinet and countertop job, take off each unit type once, including boxes, LF, tops, edges, splash and cutouts, then multiply each type by its count in the unit mix. Price common areas and one-time items once, not per unit. Keep the same unit schedule for the shop drawings and the POs after award.
The method in five steps
1. Get the unit mix, plans and finish schedule
Ask the GC for the full plan set, the unit mix (how many of each unit type), the finish schedule, the scope for your trade and every addendum issued so far.
2. Take off each unit type once
Work one unit type at a time.
- Cabinets: boxes and LF by cabinet type, fillers, panels and trim
- Tops: SF by material, edge LF, splash, cutouts and seams
3. Multiply by unit count
Multiply each unit type's quantities by its count in the unit mix. Keep the per unit numbers visible so anyone can check the math.
4. Add common areas and one-time items once
Clubhouses, leasing offices, amenity kitchens and other one-time rooms get their own lines, priced once, not per unit.
5. Check totals against the unit mix
Add up the unit counts in your takeoff and compare them with the unit mix on the plans. If the totals do not match, find the gap before the bid goes out.
Worked example
Example only. Made-up unit types and quantities, no prices, not a real project.
| Unit type | Units in the mix | Base cabinets per unit | Total base cabinets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plan A | 24 | 8 | 192 |
| Plan B | 16 | 10 | 160 |
| Plan C | 8 | 12 | 96 |
| Common areas (once) | 1 | 14 | 14 |
| Total | 462 |
The same layout works for every line in the takeoff: upper cabinets, LF, top SF, edge LF, splash and cutouts. One row per unit type, one row for common areas.
Where multifamily bids go wrong
- Mirrored units counted as a different type, or not counted at all. A mirrored unit has the same quantities; note it as the same type so the count stays right.
- Common areas missed, or multiplied by the unit count.
- Addenda that change the unit mix after the takeoff was built.
- Material changes by floor or building, such as a different top on upper floors.
After award: one unit schedule drives drawings and POs
Keep the same unit schedule after the job is awarded. The cabinet shop drawings and countertop shop drawings are drawn from it, and the purchase orders are built from the approved drawings. When the schedule changes, it changes in one place.
What a multifamily bid costs at Axentra Solutions
Bids are priced by size and come back in 24 to 48 hours. Small multifamily is a $500 bid. Multifamily or multi-trade is $800. Larger or intricate jobs are from $1,200, quoted per project.
| Bid size | Price | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Small | $350 | 1 trade, residential, up to about 15 sheets |
| Medium | $500 | 1 to 2 trades, up to about 40 sheets, or small multifamily |
| Large | $800 | Multi-trade, multifamily, or commercial |
| Extra large or intricate | from $1,200 | Quoted per project |
See the services: cabinet estimating services and countertop estimating services.
Questions on this guide.
How do you bid multifamily cabinets?
By unit type, multiplied by count, with common areas priced once.
What do I need from the GC?
Plans, unit mix, finish schedule, scope and all addenda.
How are common areas handled?
As their own lines, priced once.
What does a multifamily bid cost at Axentra Solutions?
$500 for small multifamily, $800 for multifamily or multi-trade, from $1,200 for larger or intricate jobs.
How fast?
24 to 48 hours.
Can one team do cabinets and countertops on the same job?
Yes.
Send the unit mix. We take it from there.
Schedule a Consultation. Tell us your trade and your bid volume, and we confirm the bid size and price before we start.
Have a job out to bid? Send the plans when you book.