Which estimating scope fits your bid?
Choose by the decision you need to make. A drawing-based bid, a supplier quantity list and an early design budget need different deliverables.
| Service | Your decision | Output to confirm |
|---|---|---|
| Construction estimating services | Price a contractor bid from the issued drawing set. | Measured trade quantities plus the agreed material, labor and equipment rates; division summary, scope gaps and exclusions. |
| Quantity takeoff servicesThis page | Measure work that your team or supplier will price. | Counts, LF, SF, CY or weight by line item, with drawing references and separate allowances. Prices are outside the quantity-only scope. |
| Cost planning and estimate review | Test a design budget, compare options or review an existing estimate. | An estimate at the available design stage, with its rate basis, allowances, contingency and changes identified. |
For any scope, identify the drawing revision, buildings, trades, alternates and bid date. The proposal confirms the fee, delivery date and addendum coverage before work starts.
What does a quantity takeoff include for each trade?
Pick one trade or several. Each item below is measured or counted when it appears on your drawings, and every quantity is marked up so you can check it. Need pricing too? See construction estimating services.
Concrete (Division 03)
- Footings, grade beams, slabs and walls in cubic yards
- Rebar by bar size and weight
- Formwork contact area (SFCA)
- Vapor barrier, joints, finishes
Masonry & steel (Divisions 04–05)
- CMU and brick counts, mortar and grout
- Lintels and masonry reinforcing
- Structural steel by member and weight
- Joists, deck, stairs and railings
Lumber & framing (Division 06)
- Studs, plates and headers by size
- Engineered lumber, joists and trusses
- Sheathing and subfloor
- Framing hardware and connectors
Roofing & envelope (Division 07)
- Roof area in squares by system
- Underlayment, flashing and edge metal
- Insulation and air/vapor barriers
- Waterproofing and sealants
Drywall & finishes (Division 09)
- Gypsum board by type and thickness
- Metal studs and track by gauge
- Acoustic ceilings
- Paint, flooring and tile areas
Mechanical & plumbing (Divisions 22–23)
- Ductwork by weight, diffusers and equipment
- Piping by material and size
- Fixtures by schedule tag
- Insulation
Electrical (Divisions 26–28)
- Panels, switchgear and transformers
- Conduit and wire by size
- Lighting by fixture type and devices
- Low voltage and fire alarm
Sitework (Divisions 31–33)
- Cut/fill and excavation volumes
- Aggregate base and paving areas
- Curbs, sidewalks and site concrete
- Underground utilities by size
What will I receive, and which files can I send?
- Color-coded PDF markups of every measured sheet
- Editable Excel quantity sheet by CSI MasterFormat division
- Waste allowances listed as separate, editable lines
- List of drawings, revisions and specifications used
- Assumptions, exclusions and scope-gap notes for RFIs
You send: PDF drawing sets (vector preferred), scanned PDFs, CAD or Revit files on request, specifications and addenda, or a Dropbox / Google Drive / OneDrive link. Tell us the trades, the project ZIP code and your bid date.
You get back: an Excel (.xlsx) workbook and marked-up PDF drawings. Ask if you need another format.
Quote: a written quote confirming the scope, fee and delivery date after document review. Standard turnaround is most single-trade estimates are delivered in 24–48 hours after approval; multi-trade packages take longer, and the exact delivery date is confirmed in writing after document review.
Download Worked Quantity Takeoff Examples
Representative projects show quantity calculations and workbook structure. These worked examples are separate from the approved source excerpts above and are not client projects.
Concrete Takeoff Sample
Footings, stem walls, 5" slab-on-grade, rebar by bar size with laps, formwork SFCA, CY with waste
Electrical Takeoff Sample
Panel & circuit schedule, conduit LF by size, wire LF by gauge, devices, fixtures, labor units
Drywall & Framing Takeoff Sample
Metal stud partitions by type and height, board sheets, tape & mud, corner bead, ACT ceilings
Wood Framing Takeoff Sample
2-story house: plates, studs, headers, joists, trusses, sheathing, hardware, board feet, cut list
Which related trades and services should I look at?
What to send for a construction takeoff quote
Include your current plan revision, specifications, addenda, trade list, project ZIP code and bid deadline. Tell us whether you need quantities only or a priced estimate; these are different deliverables.
- Quantity takeoff: measured counts, areas, lengths or volumes, with drawing references and agreed waste allowances.
- Priced estimate: quantities plus documented labor, material and equipment pricing assumptions, when included in the written scope.
- Scope boundaries: unclear drawing notes and exclusions are identified for review; engineering design, stamped calculations and permit approval are not included.
Need pricing added? Review construction cost estimating or full construction estimating services. Send project details for a written quote.
For process-area or plant work, check the industrial takeoff document requirements. A P&ID alone does not establish installed route lengths; identify the layouts, isometrics, line lists and agreed work-package boundaries.
Sample Multi-Trade Quantity Takeoff Schedule
Itemized material piece-counts with individual waste allowances and construction notes:
Worked estimating example. Quantities show the stated scope and format; this is not a client project or a project-specific price quote.
| CSI Scope Description | Takeoff Qty | Unit | Waste Allowance | Estimator Audit Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division 09 21 16 - 5/8in Type X Drywall Panels (4x12) | 48,200 | SF | 10% Cut Off | Measured to underside of structural deck with deflection tracks |
| Division 06 11 00 - 2x6 SPF Framing Studs (16in OC) | 6,850 | EA | 8% Scrap | Includes double top plates, sole plates, and door opening headers |
| Division 03 30 00 - Cast-in-Place Concrete Slab (4000 PSI) | 840 | CY | 7% Pump Loss | 6-inch slab on 15-mil vapor barrier with 6x6 WWR mesh |
| Division 26 05 33 - 3/4in EMT Branch Conduit | 14,500 | LF | 10% Offcut | Includes all junction boxes, couplings, and one-hole straps |
Blueprint takeoff services: quantities you can check and price
Construction material takeoff services start with the issued drawings and a defined measurement scope. Send the drawing index, specifications, schedules and addenda together. Tell us which trades and buildings are included and whether repeated units, floors or phases need separate quantities.
Keep the measured net quantity separate from any agreed waste or ordering allowance. For example, a flooring area measured from a plan is different from the purchasing quantity after an approved pattern allowance. State the units and measurement rules so the contractor or supplier can apply rates consistently.
At handover, review the document issue, quantity units, drawing references, assumptions and exclusions. Blueprint takeoffs support purchasing and bidding decisions; a quantity-only package does not include a priced labor, material and equipment estimate unless that work is explicitly agreed.
Add project cost estimating Review available sample deliverables
Scope and deliverables
Checkable Material Quantity Takeoffs
A quantity takeoff is the foundation of every bid. If the quantities are wrong, the price is wrong, however good the unit costs are. F&K Estimatings provides digital quantity takeoff services that show exactly what was measured and where.
Our estimators measure on screen in PlanSwift and Bluebeam Revu to map out every linear foot, square foot, cubic yard, and individual fixture. Every measurement is visually verified on dedicated drawing layers.
Whether you need a single-trade takeoff for drywall, framing lumber, or concrete, or a multi-division quantity survey for a commercial development, we deliver checkable Excel schedules, with the project delivery date confirmed after drawing review. See takeoff pricing.
Scope, price, and delivery are confirmed after reviewing the project documents and requested deliverables.
Deliverables for your agreed scope
Marked-Up Drawing Sheets
Color-coded PDF markups for the measured scope, with drawing references so your team can check quantities.
Editable Quantity Workbook
Material counts, lengths, areas and volumes organized by the agreed trade breakdown. Apply your own supplier prices and crew rates.
Measurement Basis and Allowances
Units, drawing revisions, waste and ordering allowances identified separately. Labor, material and equipment pricing is a separate agreed scope.
Scope Clarifications
Assumptions, exclusions and missing drawing information recorded for the agreed takeoff. Addenda coverage is confirmed in the quote.
Contractors and builders we serve
Trade Subcontractors
Requiring precise material piece-counts and cut schedules to submit competitive tenders.
General Contractors
Validating self-perform scopes and cross-checking sub-tier bids for omissions.
Material Suppliers & Vendors
Generating material takeoffs to prepare bulk supply quotes for contractors.
Home Builders & Developers
Estimating lumber packs, foundation concrete, and finish packages for tract or custom homes.
Insurance Adjusters
Checking replacement material quantities on property damage claims.
Quantity Takeoff: quantities, checks and quote requirements
A quantity takeoff measures and counts what is on the drawings, without pricing, so you can apply your own costs, supplier quotes or crew rates.
Measurement and reporting basis
- Count EA; length LF; area SF; volume CY
- Base quantity and separately stated waste or laps
- Drawing sheet, assembly and revision references
Documents to include
- Drawings for the trades you need measured
- Specifications or finish schedules
- Your preferred units and spreadsheet layout, if any
Also identify the current revision, addenda, project ZIP code, requested trades and bid deadline.
A scope check before pricing
Confirm sheet scale and revision, measure by assembly, and retain the drawing reference for each quantity. A quantities-only workbook does not imply labor or supplier prices are included.
Scope limits: Engineering design, field verification and automatic pricing are excluded from a quantities-only scope.
Worked estimating example
Separate the base measurement from an allowance
A 1,000 SF measured assembly with a specified 10% ordering allowance becomes 1,100 SF. The extra 100 SF is an allowance, not additional measured drawing area.
- What the estimate should record
- Retain separate base, allowance and adjusted columns. Keep quantities-only outputs separate from supplier prices and installation labor.
- Resolve before pricing
- Which items need an allowance, and does the supplied workbook already include it?
Material takeoff services: choose quantities, ordering lists or a priced estimate
Construction takeoff services measure what is shown in the bid documents. Blueprint takeoff services also require the current sheet issue, readable scale and drawing references so quantities can be traced back to the plans. When comparing material takeoff consultants, specify whether you need net measured quantities, quantities adjusted for ordering, or a cost estimate using agreed rates.
Quantity-only takeoff
Requested output: Item descriptions, net quantities, measurement units and drawing references.
Confirm in your quote: Trades, zones, assemblies, opening deductions and measurement rules.
Material ordering breakdown
Requested output: Net quantities with separate allowances and agreed pack or stock-length rounding.
Confirm in your quote: Supplier pack sizes, stock lengths, lap rules and contractor waste inputs.
Priced material and labor estimate
Requested output: The agreed quantities extended using stated material and labor inputs.
Confirm in your quote: Rate source, pricing date, location, taxes and items quoted by suppliers.
Do not compare a quantity-only takeoff with a full priced estimate by fee alone. Confirm both firms are quoting the same drawing issue, trade boundaries and deliverables.
Request this estimating scopeUS project coverage for quantity takeoff
For US projects, include the ZIP code and the location-sensitive inputs below.
- Send the issued drawing revisions, measurement conventions and project address; quantities follow those documents rather than a regional cost-per-square-foot average.
- Identify local specification or addendum changes affecting assemblies, and state whether waste and purchasing quantities are required alongside net measurements.
The proposal records the pricing date, cost sources and unconfirmed allowances. Explore US service area information or send your project details for a scope quote.
Use the document checklist above to request quantities only, a priced estimate or a review of an existing bid.
Request a quantity takeoff scope quoteScope coverage for your bid package
CSI Division 03 - Concrete Takeoffs
Cubic yardage for footings, grade beams, slabs-on-grade, structural columns, and rebar tonnage schedules.
CSI Division 06 - Lumber & Framing
Board footage for dimensional lumber, engineered timber, roof trusses, shear walls, and plywood subflooring.
CSI Division 09 - Finishes & Drywall
Square footage for drywall sheets, metal framing studs, insulation, acoustic ceilings, paint, and tile.
CSI Division 22 & 23 - Mechanical & Plumbing
Linear footage of water/sanitary piping, sheet metal ductwork weight (lbs), diffusers, and HVAC equipment.
CSI Division 26 - Electrical Takeoffs
Conduit runs, wire footage, device counts, light fixtures, panels, switchgear, and low-voltage drops.
CSI Division 31 & 32 - Earthwork & Sitework
Cut/fill earthwork volumes, subbase stone, asphalt paving area, concrete curbs, and underground utility piping.
From document review to your deliverables
- 01
Share the current bid set
Send issued drawings, specifications, addenda, location and deadline. Identify the trade packages and outputs you need.
- 02
Agree the written scope
Confirm included work, exclusions, estimating fee and delivery date before work starts.
- 03
Measure and review
Organize the agreed quantities or review findings. Record assumptions, missing information and scope clarifications.
- 04
Receive the agreed package
Review the deliverables against the written scope. Raise questions and identify any later drawing revisions separately.
Software and reporting standards
Measured quantities follow the agreed scope and are organized by applicable CSI MasterFormat divisions. Pricing sources and assumptions are identified separately when a priced estimate is requested.
| Software / tool | Purpose | Reporting basis |
|---|---|---|
| PlanSwift Pro | Digitized linear, count, and area takeoff quantification | Industry Benchmark |
| Bluebeam Revu | Vector drawing markup, multi-discipline overlay & RFI logging | CSI MasterFormat |
| Client Rates / Supplier Quotes | Project-specific pricing basis when a priced estimate is requested | Assumptions Stated |
Estimating fees and delivery
Most single-trade estimates are delivered in 24–48 hours; larger packages take longer and the written quote confirms the date Exact fee and date are confirmed in the written quote.
| Scope / project type | Typical delivery | Typical fee |
|---|---|---|
| Single-trade material takeoff | Typically 24–48 hours after approval | $150–$1,000 typical |
| Multi-trade takeoff (commercial package) | Typically 3–5 business days after approval | $150–$1,000 typical |
| Industrial & heavy civil takeoff | Typically 4–7 business days after approval | $1,000–$5,000+ typical |
| Ongoing estimating support | Priority queue agreed in writing | $1,800/mo typical |
These are estimating-service fees. Drawings, scope and requested delivery determine the written proposal.
Frequently asked questions
Can I outsource a material takeoff for a subcontractor bid?
Yes. Send the issued drawings, specifications, addenda and the trade you are bidding. Identify your measurement units, alternates and supplier package boundaries. The agreed takeoff provides material quantities and drawing references for your pricing team; material prices, labor costs and a complete bid total require a separately agreed priced estimate.
Can a multi-trade takeoff be delivered as a bill of quantities?
Request an editable bill of quantities organized by the trades, buildings, areas or cost codes your bid needs. Agree the item descriptions, units, drawing references and treatment of waste before measurement. State whether the bill is unpriced or whether you also need rates and extensions; a quantity-only bill does not include construction pricing.
What is the difference between a quantity takeoff and a cost estimate?
A quantity takeoff measures the materials needed (linear feet of conduit, square feet of drywall, cubic yards of concrete). A cost estimate starts from the takeoff and adds labor, material and equipment pricing, overhead and markup. Order quantities only if you price the job yourself.
How much does a quantity takeoff cost?
The fee depends on the drawing set, trades and quantity breakdown you need. We review single-trade, multi-trade and civil takeoffs individually and confirm the scope, fee and delivery date in a written quote.
How fast can I get a material quantity takeoff?
Single-trade takeoff delivery is confirmed after review of the drawing set, requested quantities and bid deadline. The delivery date is written into the quote.
Do you include material waste factors?
Yes. Waste allowances are listed as separate line items (for example, a percentage for concrete pumping, drywall cut-off or framing lumber) so you can change them to match your crew and suppliers.
What formats do you deliver the takeoff in?
An editable Excel (.xlsx) quantity sheet organized by CSI MasterFormat, plus color-coded PDF drawing markups so you can check every measurement visually.
What should I send to get a takeoff quote?
The drawing set as PDF (or a download link), specifications and addenda, the trades you need, and your bid date. You will receive a written quote confirming the scope, fee and delivery date after document review.
What happens if a quantity is missed or wrong?
Every item is marked up on the drawings, so gaps are easy to spot. If something shown on the documents we used is missing or mismeasured, tell us and we will review it and send a corrected sheet. Changes from addenda or new drawings are quoted separately unless included in the written quote.
Can you do trade-specific takeoffs such as drywall, MEP or concrete?
Yes. Identify the trade package, systems and drawing issue. We confirm the included quantities, deliverables, fee and delivery date in a project-specific proposal.
Coordinate related trades
Large or confidential drawing sets? Arrange a suitable transfer method in the bid room.