FAQ
Pinch Estimating is a project dispatch service operated by Tool Tackle LLC. General contractors, subcontractors, developers, and architects submit their plans through our intake portal. We review the scope, send a flat-fee quote and Stripe payment link, and once paid, dispatch the project to a vetted freelance estimator.
All projects must be submitted through the 'Upload Plans & Request Pricing' page — we do not accept project submissions by email. Fill in your contact info, the service you need, trades, project details, and upload your plans (PDF, ZIP, XLSX, DWG, DOC, images). An admin reviews it — usually within 1 business day — and emails you a flat-fee quote with a Stripe payment link.
All major trades — concrete, framing, drywall, flooring, roofing, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, sitework, masonry, painting, and more. We handle commercial, residential, ground-up, renovation, and tenant improvement work.
Our network covers PlanSwift, Bluebeam Revu, STACK, ProEst, JobTread, HeavyBid, Buildertrend, Excel-based templates, and more. When you submit a project, we do our best to match you with an estimator already proficient in your preferred stack. If one isn't available in your stack, don't worry — you'll still get a quality estimate from one of our freelancers working in a similar stack.
Standard turnaround is 3–7 business days from when payment is received. Rush 24-hour and 48-hour options are available — choose your turnaround need on the intake form and we will quote accordingly.
Every project is quoted as a flat fee based on scope, sheet count, trades, and turnaround. You see the price and turnaround before any work begins — no packages, retainers, or hidden fees.
After we review your submission, you receive an email with the flat-fee price, turnaround, and a secure Stripe payment link. Click the link to pay by card or supported wallet. As soon as Stripe confirms payment, the project moves to In Progress and your estimator starts work.
Estimator payouts are handled separately from client billing. U.S.-based freelancers are paid through our standard U.S. payment methods (currently Found). Freelancers located outside the United States are paid securely through Wise (https://wise.com/). Currency conversion and international transfer processing may apply depending on the contractor's country. Before any payment is released for completed project work, a signed Form W-9 (or Form W-8BEN for non-U.S. contractors) must be on file in the estimator's profile.
Every estimator goes through a profile review covering trade experience, software proficiency, sample work, location, and availability before they are eligible to receive project offers. Profile changes after approval require admin re-review.
Yes. If you want continuity, tell us and we will route future projects to the same estimator when they have availability.
Yes — we are happy to sign mutual NDAs before sharing project documents. Note your NDA requirement in the project notes when you submit through the Upload Plans & Request Pricing portal and we will coordinate before review.
Upload your plans through the 'Upload Plans & Request Pricing' page with your scope and bid date. We will respond with a price, turnaround, and Stripe payment link.
Click 'Apply' in the header to create an estimator profile. Once approved, you will start receiving trade-matched project offers.