Construction takeoff is an important step that can help a project stay within budget. It requires an understanding of all materials needed and how to calculate their costs.
Traditionally, builders used physical building plans or blueprints to perform material takeoffs by hand. This is a time-consuming data management process and can be prone to errors.
Project Documents
A construction takeoff is a detailed list of the precise types and quantities of materials needed to complete a project. It is a necessary step in the estimation process prior to purchasing, creating an estimate, or submitting a bid for projects.
Using the right tools for the job helps estimators perform accurate and speedy takeoffs. Digital takeoff software helps contractors reduce rework, streamline processes, and save time by automating tasks. It also provides a single point of access for estimators to work with project documents, drawings, and models, and makes it easier to manage changes when new documents are added or updated.
Before beginning a material count, estimators should carefully review the project plans and blueprints. This helps them identify the correct items to include in their material count, determine the amount of each required item, and understand any specifications documented in the blueprints.
Once all the required items are identified, they can then be listed in the takeoff material list with details such as their description, measurement, and needing quantity. They can then be assigned a price during the takeoff process, taking into account any expected increases in material prices.
This can be done manually or digitally, with the former requiring physical copies of the blueprints to be reviewed in detail and the latter making use of a cloud-based takeoff solution. The use of a digital solution offers estimators the advantage of being able to take off on both 2D and 3D drawings with one tool, and also includes features such as machine learning and symbol detection to help minimize manual processing.
Measurements
Whether working on an electrical takeoff or a concrete takeoff, estimators need to identify and understand the project’s dimensions and measurements. This will help them perform the calculations needed to determine materials and their quantities. The first step in this process is to get a hold of the relevant project documents, such as drawings and blueprints. These will contain standardized symbols that will denote different components, such as switches and convenience receptacles. Then, they will measure the dimensions of each component to quantify and estimate their cost.
For instance, when performing a material takeoff for an electrical project, contractors will count the number of receptacles and switches, as well as the length of wires, conduit, and ductwork. Likewise, for a concrete takeoff, the contractors will need to measure the size of the slabs and footings to determine the quantity and type of concrete required.
A digital construction takeoff software program is an important tool for estimating professionals to have at their disposal. It enables them to digitize blueprints, perform a takeoff once, and replicate those quantity results for recurring spaces—like hotel rooms with the same layout—more quickly and accurately than ever before. This helps reduce errors and create more competitive bids for projects by delivering accurate information on materials and pricing in real-time. It also allows for better collaboration and communication between team members in the field.
Quantities
A key component of construction takeoff is determining the quantities needed for each project item. This is typically done using a variety of calculations, but it depends on the type of materials involved. For raw materials, contractors must consider their dimensions to calculate accurately, while manufactured fixtures—such as drywall and flooring—are simply counted.
The quantities are used to create a material list, which is then incorporated into the cost estimate to determine pricing. Contractors need this precise data to ensure they’re purchasing enough materials for the job, but not so much that they end up spending more than they need to.
Ideally, the takeoff should be done with all available project documents—including drawings, blueprints, specifications, sketches and other files—on hand. This will allow the estimator to carefully review each one to get a full understanding of what they’re looking at before getting started.
The traditional method of completing a construction takeoff involves reviewing the physical blueprints, interpreting floor plan symbols, counting items, and doing manual calculations. However, utilizing takeoff software can simplify the process for estimators by automating complex calculations and eliminating human error. Plus, it allows teams to work in 2D and 3D simultaneously for faster, more accurate takeoffs. This helps them save time and resources so they can focus on higher-level estimating tasks. It’s also a great way to reduce the risk of costly mistakes and speed up project completion times.
Pricing
Construction takeoff is a process of quantifying the work items on a drawing using a set of rules. The resulting list of work items and their quantities can then be used to calculate cost estimates. This allows estimators to create an estimate based on actual materials, labor hours, tax, waste percentage and other variables that may affect the overall project costs.
The takeoff process will also include any raw material that is needed to complete the project, such as concrete, timber or sand. It should also include prefabricated items, like bricks, lengths of electrical cable or light fixtures. The list of materials will be categorized, so for example, the takeoff might contain sections for “flooring” and “drywall.” Each of these categories would include different types of flooring, such as tile or hardwood, and each could have subcategories, such as kitchen cabinet handles or backsplash tile.
Typically, a contractor will use the quantity takeoff to produce a schedule of materials for the job. From here, they can reference the material figures to valid pricing structures (like trade market values) to calculate their estimated costs for the project. This can help reduce the risk of going over budget on a project, allowing builders to deliver projects at competitive prices for clients while still making a profit. Digital takeoffs can make the entire process much easier and more accurate for contractors.