Civil-engineering-grade earthwork quantities—built for contractors
Dirtwork Calcs provides accurate cut/fill and sitework takeoff quantities with clear assumptions and contractor-ready summaries—so you can bid with confidence and execute with fewer surprises.
About Dirtwork Calcs
Engineering-Grade Precision for the Earthwork Industry
Dirtwork Calcs provides high-accuracy quantity analysis for earthwork and sitework scopes. Founded by Bret McMillan, P.E., our service is built for contractors who need more than just automated software outputs. We provide quantity takeoffs that are thoroughly reviewed through a professional engineering lens to ensure every detail of the construction documents is captured accurately.
The Professional Engineer Advantage
- PE-Led Analysis: Every project is managed and reviewed by a Licensed Professional Engineer (TX & VA). We ensure that your takeoff reflects exactly what the Engineer of Record has specified.
- Full-Lifecycle Perspective: Having worked from initial design through to field construction management, Bret understands how to translate complex 2D plans into the practical quantities you need to build.
- Technical Rigor: We don’t just “input data.” We verify that subgrade improvements, stripping depths, and material counts align with the project’s specific geotechnical and civil requirements.
- Trakware Excellence: We utilize Earthworks for Windows (Trakware) to deliver digitized, traceable calculations that are easy for your team to review and price.
Comprehensive Sitework Scopes
We specialize in the details that drive project costs, including:
- Mass Grading: Precise cut/fill, topsoil stripping, and respread.
- Structural Elements: Building pads, pavement subgrades, and remove/replace quantities.
- Utilities & Environment: Pipe trenching, bedding, backfill, and erosion control measures.
What you can expect
A Bidding Partner, Not Just a Data Service
We provide a straightforward process and deliverables your team can price with confidence. Every takeoff is organized to follow the project’s natural workflow, ensuring the transition from estimate to field execution is seamless.
- Organized to Fit Your Work: Quantities are grouped and categorized to match your specific bidding style—whether by pay items, phase of work, or area—making it easy to plug data directly into your spreadsheets.
- Clear Assumptions & Notes: We document exactly how subgrade adjustments, stripping depths, and material counts were derived based on the civil set and the geotech.
- Detailed Material Breakdowns: From pipe bedding and backfill to concrete and asphalt pad quantities, we provide the specific counts needed for accurate material quotes.
- Traceable Reporting: Our reports are designed for transparency, allowing your team to verify quantities against the Trakware-digitized maps.
- Responsive Technical Support: We provide clear communication through bid day to address any clarifications on our calculations or assumptions.
Quality-first deliverables
Earthwork quantities are only useful when they are dependable and clearly communicated. We emphasize accuracy, documentation, and practical organization so you can defend your numbers and reduce risk.
Cut/Fill
Mass grading quantities and balancing
Sitework
Trenching, stripping, ponds/ditches, and more
Clarity
Assumptions, notes, and contractor-ready summaries
Testimonials
A few words from people who know Bret’s work and character.
“Intellect has always been what I admire about Bret. He always analyzes problems and solves them as well as anyone I know. He has a love for his family that is strong. They come first for him and that is the most important thing in a man’s life.”
— Lynn R.
“Reliable – promising and delivering. Patient – realizing that things don’t always go according to plan and being able to go with the flow. Ability to see the big picture – knowing that doing something in one area may impact another, or how doing something now will affect an outcome later.”
— Tom C.
“One of Bret’s unique strengths is his ability to communicate—both speaking as well as listening. He listens to what’s being said and is very clear in what he says.”
— Gary P.
Ready for reliable earthwork quantities?
Send your plans and scope to bret.mcmillan@dirtworkcalcs.com or call 940-340-9507. We will confirm schedule, assumptions, and deliverables before we start.
What You Can Expect
A Bidding Partner, Not Just a Data Service
You get contractor-ready deliverables that are organized, transparent, and built to support real bid decisions—not just a spreadsheet of numbers.
Organized to Fit Your Work: Quantities grouped by scope and pay item so your team can price quickly.
Clear Assumptions & Notes: I document what was included, what was excluded, and how details were interpreted.
Detailed Material Breakdowns: Subgrade, topsoil, select fill, rock, and other materials separated so risk can be priced appropriately.
Traceable Reporting: Summaries and model logic that can be reviewed and defended if questions come up.
Responsive Technical Support: Direct access for clarifications, bid-day questions, and scope discussions.