Hollow metal frames
knock-down and welded, by gauge, profile, and anchoring
Division 08, Openings
Openings Estimating Services for Doors, Frames, Hardware & Glazing
On most commercial projects, every door is its own small assembly: a frame of a certain type and gauge, a door of a certain material and rating, a hardware set with a dozen components, maybe a vision lite or a card reader. Multiply by a few hundred openings and the door schedule becomes one of the most detailed (and most error-prone) parts of the bid.
Our openings estimating services cover CSI Division 08: doors, frames, hardware, windows, storefront, curtain wall, and specialty doors, taken off from the schedules and checked against the plans.
Division 08Doors, frames, hardware, glazing
Excel + PDFWith marked-up drawings
ZIP-code pricedLocal material and labor rates
24 to 48 hoursTypical turnaround
Doors and Frames
Hollow metal doors
by gauge, core, and lite kit
Wood doors
flush and stile-and-rail, by species, finish, and core
Aluminum doors
within storefront systems
FRP and specialty doors
for wet or corrosive areas
We count each from the door schedule and check the plans for openings that aren't on the schedule: it happens more often than you'd think.
Hardware Is Where the Money Is
Hardware is typically specified as numbered sets assigned to each door. A single set may include hinges, a lockset, closer, stops, silencers, kick plates, a threshold, weatherstripping, and more. Multiply by the openings using each set and the hardware value adds up quickly.
We:
- Count doors by hardware set
- Break each set into individual components
- Identify electrified hardware (electric strikes, mag locks, power transfer hinges, exit devices with request-to-exit) and note the interface with security and electrical trades Electrical estimating →
- Flag sets that are specified but not assigned, or doors with no set
Fire Ratings Change the Price
Fire-rated openings need labeled doors and frames, rated hardware, rated glazing in vision lites, and closers. A 90-minute door in a stair enclosure costs more than an unrated office door of the same size. We take ratings from the door schedule and life safety plans and price accordingly.
Windows, Storefront & Curtain Wall
Windows
Vinyl, aluminum, wood, and fiberglass windows by size, type, and count from the window schedule, with flashing and installation accessories.
Storefront
Aluminum storefront framing measured by elevation: frame length, mullions, glass area, doors, and entrances.
Curtain Wall
Unitized and stick-built curtain wall measured by area and by mullion length, with glazing type, spandrel panels, and anchors.
Glazing
Insulating glass, laminated, tempered, and fire-rated glass, by area and type.
Interfaces with the air barrier and flashing are noted so they aren't left out. Thermal and moisture protection →
Specialty Doors
- Overhead sectional and coiling doors
- Fire-rated coiling doors and counter shutters
- Access doors and panels
- Automatic entrances and revolving doors
Furnish, Install, or Both?
Division 08 scope often splits. A distributor furnishes doors, frames, and hardware; the GC or a carpentry sub installs them. A glazing contractor furnishes and installs storefront, but someone else installs the windows. We price the scope you carry and note the rest. Finish carpentry →
Who Uses Openings Estimating
- Door, frame, and hardware distributors
- Glazing and storefront contractors
- Window installers
- General contractors pricing Division 08
- Carpentry contractors pricing door installation
Checklist
What to Send
- Floor plans and door schedule
- Hardware specification with hardware sets
- Window and storefront elevations and schedules
- Life safety plans showing rated walls
- Division 08 specifications
Send Your Files
Upload the drawings through our quote form, share a Google Drive or plan-room link, or email them. Large sets travel best as a shared folder.
Upload Your Plans →Or email info@primeestimation.com.
Excel + PDFWith marked-up drawings
Deliverables
What You Receive
- Door and frame counts by type, size, material, and rating
- Hardware component counts by set
- Window, storefront, and curtain wall quantities
- Glazing areas by type
- Labor and material pricing
- Discrepancy list (unscheduled openings, missing sets)
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What is openings estimating?
It's the estimate for CSI Division 08: doors, frames, hardware, windows, storefront, curtain wall, glazing, and specialty doors.
Do you break hardware sets into components?
Yes. Each set is broken down and multiplied by the number of doors assigned to it.
Do you estimate curtain wall?
Yes, by area and mullion length, with glazing types.
Do you include door installation labor?
If it's in your scope, yes.
Ready to Get Started?
Get Every Opening (and Every Hinge) Counted
Send your door schedule, hardware spec, and elevations. We'll quote the estimate and delivery date.