A Construction Takeoff is an important stage in calculating the expenses of a project. Companies have developed takeoff software to simplify and improve this process for modern contractors. Blueprints are used by contractors and project managers to calculate the quantity and size of materials and supplies required for a project. Cost estimates, project proposals, and supplier order forms are all based on this information.
Contractors, on the other hand, may find that creating takeoff data—pulling this specific information from project plans—is a time-consuming operation. Traditionally, quantity takeoff was done by hand, with printed plans, rulers, calculators, and pencils.
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Understanding Construction Takeoff or Quantity Takeoff Tool
Contractors and estimators study project drawings and “take off,” or extract, the project’s quantity and material requirements. This information regarding the necessary materials and suppliers is then utilized to determine project costs. Contractors must refer to the plan’s measurements and annotations in order to extract these facts from the project’s plans and blueprints and then utilize those numbers to determine the varying quantities of various supplies and materials. The following are some examples of takeoff items:
- studs, joints, light fittings, or beams counted
- Cable, wiring, trim, plumbing, or rebar lengths
- Flooring, grass, or drywall areas
- a large quantity of landscaping materials such as soil, sand, and rocks
Top 10 Recommended Construction Takeoff Software
PlanSwift
PlanSwift may be simply adapted to fit your needs and trade. Simply assemble common materials, waste, and even labor into assemblages. Then drag those assemblies onto the takeoff items for fast and precise cost estimations! After 12 years of supplying cutting-edge takeoff and estimating tools, PlanSwift® joined ConstructConnect in 2018.
ConstructConnect is a fast-growing industry leader in North America for preconstruction project data, contractor networks, and software. ConstructConnect has the industry’s broadest network, the most comprehensive project data, and the most advanced takeoff and estimating tools. ConstructConnect has over 1.1 million registered users and reports on over 600,000 projects in the United States and Canada, with over 100,000 users of its takeoff and estimating tools. ConstructConnect employs over 1,000 people in 13 sites across the United States and Canada.
PriMus IFC
Construction estimating software PriMus-IFC is ideal for businesses of all sizes. Standard formats for IFC BIM models, automatic measurements from BIM models, automatic updates to the bill of quantities (BoQ), and more are all included in the software. It can be installed on-premises and works with Windows operating systems. The program’s internal viewer allows users to open and view IFC models. Individual IFC entities are selected, and related quantity take-offs for the overall project are prepared. Work kinds, materials, and rates can be assigned to entities, and the quantity take-off procedure will extract individual measurements from each entity automatically. The project cost is immediately updated whenever the measurements are modified.
On-Screen Takeoff
PriMus-IFC is compatible with Edificius, Revit, ArchiCAD, Allplan, AutoCAD, Vectorworks, and other software programs. Users may get project numbers and costs instantly from 3D CAD or BIM models using integrated BoQ capabilities, IFC file viewing, and price list management. Data can be exported to PriMus, Word, and Excel by users. On-Screen Takeoff aids in the proper generation and completion of additional bids. When establishing a new bid, a bid wizard walks new users through all of the dialogue boxes. Digitizer integration, file integration (CAD, PDF, etc.), and 2D takeoff are all supported by the application. The estimating software features an electronic quote system, trade-specific cost databases, and accounting connectivity. The system is tablet-compatible, allowing for on-the-go access to project data for cost and labor management.
Contractors can manage cost estimates and budgets from numerous programs with the On-Screen Takeoff solution, which integrates seamlessly with apps like Quick Bid, Excel, and other accounting applications. Planview, a simple, limited version of On-Screen Takeoff, is also available from On Center Software. RFI communication, construction planning, and automatic summaries are among the other capabilities.
MeasureSquare
For commercial and multi-family contractors, retailers, housebuilders, and installers, MeasureSquare offers a complete suite of measure estimating software solutions across several trades, including Flooring, Tiling, and Granite/Stone. The final line: more winning bids, more precise cost estimates, simpler processes, and improved conversion rates. Measure Square’s takeoff and estimating software is fully integrated with the MeasureSquare Cloud, allowing for seamless cooperation between the office, field, and customer. By connecting a digital laser meter for quick and accurate measurements.
Measure Square’s native mobile app helps customers plan flooring tasks with tools for measuring on the move. Users can choose products and make quotations for clients on the fly, as well as record images and customer signatures. Contractors may use their tablet device to create, update, and distribute correct product/seam diagrams and cut sheets to installers, as well as share, print, and email them on the move. Users may sync all of their projects across all of their devices. Users can start a project on their phones and finish it on their computers with Measure Square’s Windows Platform.
Cubit
Cubit Estimating is estimating and takeoff software for contractors, subcontractors, estimators, and quantity surveyors in the construction industry. It allows you to greatly reduce the time it takes to estimate and improve the accuracy of your quantity takeoff costs. Cubit Estimating’s primary feature is the ability to examine both your takeoff and estimate in one view – a method known as Natural Estimating that is unique to the system and helps you save time and money during your estimating process. Use intelligent takeoff tools to enhance the efficiency and correctness of your takeoff by importing plans from a variety of file types, including CAD, PDF, BIM, and DFX. 3D visualization, the ability to interact with and takeoff from BIM models, the capacity to save numerous Price Lists, a unique Change Order workflow, and more are all essential features.
Cubit Estimating allows you to create a variety of professional reports that can be exported in a variety of formats, including Excel and PDF. Buildertrend, Xero, and Cubit Select are among the business applications that the system integrates with. Cubit Estimating is a monthly subscription service developed by MiTek that includes technical support.
SureCountTakeOFF
SureCount by ConEst is an on-premise construction takeoff system for electrical contractors of all sizes, including commercial, industrial, and residential. Other construction and specialist contractors in several trades, such as plumbing, mechanical, HVAC, and fire/sprinkler safety installation businesses, can use the system as well.
SureCount has a function called “auto count,” which allows users to count the number of times and where symbols appear in a graphic and use that information in the estimation process. Users can also use the product to draw a line on the chart to measure lengths and distances.
Users can group elements of the drawing and classify them as areas with SureCount’s area customization tool. It allows users to manage itemized and alternate pricing estimations. With modifications in drawings, the overlay functionality highlights areas of the drawing, dimensions, and pricing tables.
SureCount integrates with a variety of products, including CAD, IntelliBid, and JobTrac. Online, phone, and email support are all available.
Etakeoff Dimension
Electronic Quantity Takeoff is our specialization at eTakeoff. Thousands of contractors in every trade use eTakeoff on a daily basis to increase their production by up to 15 times over paper takeoff! eTakeoff features advanced Assembly capabilities and even a patented symbol search capability (Auto-count), but it is also one of the most user-friendly Takeoff tools available. eTakeoff received an Industry Award from Software Advice for being “one of the finest designed construction takeoff UIs on the market.” McGraw Hill used eTakeoff for its Construction Dodge Plan Rooms because of the productivity gains and ease of use. We encourage you to download eTakeoff and see for yourself why our users have dubbed it “the best flight simulator ever.” The option to export your team’s internal takeoffs by division and then send them to your external team members is the E-best takeoff feature. This works well for all types of finishes, including masonry, roofing, and glazing. The finest thing is that costs are also integrated directly into the program.
QuoteSoft REP takeoff
QuoteSoft is a cloud-based estimating software solution that lets you work on numerous plans while keeping track of your costs and time. QuoteSoft estimating software enables you to bid on more jobs and better manage your projects. Quotesoft REP, QuoteSoft Pipe, and QuoteSoft Duct were created to assist you to meet these obstacles and growing your business. Finally, a custom-tailored, knowledge-based, intuitive PDF and paper estimating tool that enhances estimating performance and optimizes bids.
Commercial and industrial duct, HVAC, and piping contractors, as well as manufacturers’ representatives, will benefit from QuoteSoft estimating software. From HVAC and ductwork to pipe, plumbing, and refrigeration, QuoteSoft assists contractors in preparing bids and running estimates. To add labor tables, the solution contains a pre-built customizable material database. QuoteSoft Mobile Takeoff is another feature of the system, which allows customers to add lists of pipe, ductwork, and other accessories via their mobile device. On the back end, the data appears in real-time, eliminating the need for faxing, call-ins, or other error-prone methods of delivering data to the office.
Quote Software also sells a variety of digitizers and stands that work in tandem with the software.
Kreo 2D Take off
Kreo 2D Takeoff is a cloud-based construction takeoff software that is quick and simple to use, saving you time and effort.
With Kreo, you can automate typical processes and combine your favorite productivity tools to speed up measurements and generate takeoffs in a familiar Excel-like interface. If you’re seeking a software solution for quantity takeoff and are wary of using a pen and paper and a scale ruler, give Kreo a try. To your project, add PDF or CAD drawings.
- Employees from your company are invited.
- To retrieve all measures from the Drawing in one click, use Kreo’s Auto Measure function.
- With Kreo’s Auto Count feature and extremely useful manual tools, you can complete all of the required quantities.
- Create a timetable using Kreo’s online spreadsheet.
Use the Auto Measure function to automatically determine areas such as rooms, flats, NIA, GIA, GEA, and features such as walls, doors, windows, and balconies.
Use manual tools to calculate your own takeoffs: polygon, polyline, rectangle 2 points, rectangle 3 points. Polygon and polylines offset, as well as Boolean operations, are provided.
Use the Auto Count tool to create an amount by searching for geometry or text on the drawing. Measurement data and equations are kept in sync so you can be more productive, especially when making last-minute plan modifications.
TakeOFFlive
Takeoff Live is a takeoff and estimating application for companies of all sizes. Within a single suite, it includes project estimating, audit management, plan design, and vendor quotation management. The software is accessible on-premise and runs on both Windows and Mac OS X.
Users can upload plan files in a variety of forms, including PDF, TIFF, and pictures, to Takeoff Live. Users can estimate areas and linear distances in both metric and imperial standards once they’ve uploaded their data. Users can also free-hand trace areas and linear distances, then add height to the traced areas to calculate volumes. Takeoff Live is available in three distinct pricing levels, each with a different set of features. A necessary annual fee is also charged by the vendor for license renewal. Customers can get guides, email assistance, and a knowledge base from the provider.
Conclusion
To construct a complete project proposal, general contractors frequently need to collect bids from their subcontractors. Using a Quantity Takeoff tool that allows contractors and subcontractors to collaborate in the same environment can assist guarantee that everyone is on the same page and saving time.
Still cannot find the right takeoff software for your construction business? You can check out other options available at SaaSworthy. Here we have a list of enough software that you can choose from and do right by your contractors.
