Quantity Takeoff Services

A quantity takeoff measures and counts the materials or assemblies shown in an agreed drawing set. The output gives contractors a structured basis for supplier enquiries, purchasing review and estimating. BuildMetric supports civil and building-trade requests; the quote defines the actual package and deliverables.

A material takeoff and a quantity takeoff often describe the same drawing-based request. State the units and level of breakdown you need rather than ordering two overlapping services. Quantities do not automatically include material prices, labor hours, equipment costs or a final bid.

These are scope categories, not a promise that every item or specialist system is included. Identify base work, alternates, owner-supplied items and exclusions before measurement begins.

Send current plans, specifications, schedules, relevant details and addenda. Include the project address, requested trades and bid deadline. A drawing register helps identify which issue governs each measured item and prevents an outdated sheet from silently entering the schedule.

Scale, dimensions and units

Check the drawing scale and a known dimension before measuring. Record whether lengths are horizontal plan measurements or include specified vertical routing. Areas, volumes and counts serve different purposes; do not add unlike units together or treat a square-foot area as a complete assembly description.

Assemblies and boundaries

A wall area may require several board layers, insulation and framing. Pipe length does not establish every fitting, hanger or equipment connection. Use the specified details and agreed measurement rules to explain what each quantity represents. Keep unresolved details in a clarification register instead of inventing a dimension.

Keep the net measured quantity separate from any selected waste, lap, cutting, order or purchasing allowance. The appropriate basis depends on the material, installation details and contractor requirements. A standard allowance copied across all trades can obscure the actual scope.

Where a quantity is provisional, label its source and assumption. An allowance is not a measured drawing quantity. For an addendum, identify changed sheets and request additions, deductions or an updated schedule as needed. Confirm whether that revision is included in the original fee.

For guidance on the measuring process, read quantity takeoff basics. The guide explains the method; this service page defines what to request from BuildMetric.

Choose quantities only when you want to apply your own supplier quotes, labor assumptions or purchasing decisions. For a priced estimate, agree the material, labor and equipment basis separately, including pricing dates, freight, taxes and contractor-selected allowances where relevant.

The takeoff fee depends on drawing completeness, trade scope, project complexity, requested file formats and revision work. A delivery date is agreed after scope review. Provide your bid deadline, but do not assume a fixed fee or turnaround from the project area alone.

Review estimating fee factors and quote inclusions and the cost-basis checklist before requesting a priced package. A quantity schedule is neither a supplier quotation nor engineering approval.

The sample portfolio contains selected electrical, MEP, concrete and drywall workbook quantities. It retains recorded units and source references and omits commercial pricing. The excerpts demonstrate a presentation format; they do not establish the scope or accuracy of your future project.

Download the blank quantity takeoff schedule (CSV) to record drawing references, item descriptions, net quantities, units, allowances and scope notes. It is a blank schedule, not a completed client estimate or automatic calculator.

Agree whether your delivery needs an editable quantity schedule, marked drawing references, separate trade sheets, a revision comparison or other files. Include only the formats accepted in the project quote. Original confidential workbooks are not offered for download.

For civil quantities, review sitework, earthwork, excavation and underground utilities. A combined package needs clear responsibility for trenching, backfill and restoration.

For buildings, choose the relevant concrete, steel, drywall or other trade scope. For building systems, identify the mechanical, electrical and plumbing packages separately.

Prepare the current drawings and scope list with the pre-bid checklist, then request a takeoff quote. If the documents are incomplete, identify what is missing so the response can define a limited scope or the information still needed.