What Vic Air's HVAC Estimation Service for Commercial Contractors Includes

Our HVAC estimation service for commercial contractors is built around four core outputs, each aimed at getting an accurate, defensible number in front of your client faster, without you needing to hire your own HVAC estimator:

Ducting takeoffs.

A full ducting takeoff service covering duct runs, transitions, plenums, and fittings, sized from your drawings rather than estimated on-site.

Commercial ducting design.

Our engineers work through the mechanical services specification to produce a ducting design that meets project intent, not just a generic system.

Material specification.

A detailed material specification and bill of materials, so your quote reflects the exact components the job needs, not a rough allowance.

Lead times.

Realistic lead time advice against your build program, so you know before you quote whether stock and fabrication capacity can meet the deadline.

How to Prepare a Project Brief for a Fast, Accurate Commercial HVAC Quote

The single biggest factor in how quickly we can turn around a commercial HVAC quote is the quality of the project brief we receive. A complete brief lets our team move straight to the takeoff instead of chasing missing information.

1. Drawings and plans.

Scaled PDF plans, plus elevations or sections for commercial jobs where ceiling void or riser space is tight.

2. Mechanical specification.

The mechanical services specification or schedule, so we can quote to spec rather than guess intent.

3. Scope of work.

Confirmation of what's in and out of scope, including any staged or staged-trade delivery constraints.

4. Timeline.

The tender due date or required delivery window, so lead times are built into the quote from the start.

Supply-Only vs Supply-and-Fabrication Quotes: What's the Difference

Contractors quoting commercial projects generally choose between two quote types, and the right one depends on how standard (or not) the ducting run is.

Most commercial jobs end up needing a mix of both: standard components where the run is straightforward, and in-house sheet metal ductwork where the layout is not. Our estimation team flags which parts of a job need fabrication before the quote goes out, so there are no surprises at rough-in.

How Estimation Supports Every Commercial Vertical We Serve

The same estimation and design service sits behind every commercial vertical Vic Air supplies, from schools to hospitals. Each sector has its own compliance and design demands, but the quoting process starts the same way: drawings in, accurate takeoff out.

Education.

Ducting design for classroom wings, gymnasiums, and staged school and TAFE builds, priced around AS 1668.2 and term deadlines.

Aged care.

Zoning and infection-control-ready ducting for retirement living and aged care builds running 24/7.

Apartments.

Riser ducting and apartment-by-apartment zoning for multi-residential towers.

Healthcare.

Ducting for hospital, day surgery, and medical centre projects, covering infection control ventilation and isolation room requirements.

Whichever vertical your project sits in, the same commercial HVAC ducting supplier hub and HVAC estimation service team support the quote from first drawing to final delivery.

Our load estimation approach is informed by AIRAH's DA09 (Air Conditioning Load Estimation and Psychrometrics), the industry reference manual for Australian air conditioning load calculations.

HVAC Estimation Service FAQs

Q. How does a commercial HVAC ducting estimate work?

A commercial HVAC ducting estimate starts with your drawings and mechanical specification. Vic Air's engineers complete a ducting takeoff, specify materials, and confirm lead times against your build program, then return a quote and materials list you can build your bid from. The process is the same across supply-only and supply-and-fabrication jobs.

Q. How long does a commercial HVAC quote take to turn around?

Turnaround depends on project complexity and current fabrication capacity, but Vic Air's estimation team prioritises fast, accurate quoting for tender-stage work. Getting your plans and mechanical specification to us as soon as the tender pack lands gives the most time to return a considered quote.

Q. Does Vic Air provide air conditioning design Melbourne-wide, and across regional Victoria?

Yes. Vic Air's HVAC design and estimation team also services regional Victoria and southern NSW from our Keilor Park, Dandenong South, and Shepparton branches, covering commercial and domestic projects alike.

Q. What does a ducting takeoff service actually include?

A ducting takeoff service covers every duct run, transition, plenum, and fitting sized from your drawings, along with a complete bill of materials. It replaces on-site guesswork with a defensible, itemised list your quote can be built from.

Q. Should I ask for a supply-only or supply-and-fabrication quote?

It depends on the layout. Supply-only suits standard runs that match off-the-shelf sizing. Supply-and-fabrication suits non-standard layouts, such as isolation rooms, risers, or retrofits, where ducting needs to be custom-made in-house.