Quantity takeoff services are for contractors and owners who need the raw measurements behind a price — or who plan to price the job themselves. We measure the drawings and specifications and return quantities only: no labor, no markup, no bid price. If you already have a number from a subcontractor and want to check it, or if you are preparing your own bid estimate, this is the service that gives you the counts. As a quantity takeoff company, we also handle single-trade packages, so you can order a rebar takeoff, drywall takeoff, electrical takeoff, plumbing takeoff, hvac takeoff, roofing takeoff or earthwork takeoff on its own.
- Deliverable
- Excel estimate + marked-up PDF plans
- Organized by
- CSI MasterFormat section
- Turnaround
- 24–48 hours for most projects
- Pricing
- ZIP-code-adjusted material and labor pricing
- Software
- Bluebeam Revu, PlanSwift, RSMeans data
Our takeoff is organized by CSI MasterFormat division, from 03 Concrete through 32 Exterior Improvements, so you can drop each section straight into your pricing spreadsheet. Every sheet lists the line item, its unit of measure, and the drawing sheet or detail reference we measured it from. Marked-up plan sets come with the Excel and PDF files so you can see exactly where each quantity came from. Division 05 metals, Division 26 electrical, Division 22 plumbing and Division 23 hvac each get their own tab, and roofing squares are reported separately from flat sheet areas.
Most projects turn around in 24–48 hours, with rush available. We use Bluebeam Revu, PlanSwift, and RSMeans data, and our pricing basis is ZIP-code-adjusted material and labor pricing — but for a quantities-only takeoff, the pricing data is background, not part of the deliverable. If you need a full price, see our Construction Cost Estimating Services. If you need the measured quantities only, you are in the right place. For a combined takeoff and estimate, start with Construction Takeoff Services.
Plan reading drives everything we send back. We log the sheet set revision and each addendum we receive, flag missing dimensions as an rfi item on the marked-up set, and run on-screen takeoff in Bluebeam Revu and PlanSwift so every measurement traces to a sheet. If you want the same crew working inside your own files, see Outsource Estimating Services or a Dedicated Construction Estimator; for drawing-only measurement, Blueprint Takeoff & Estimating covers it.
What a quantities-only material takeoff covers
A quantities-only takeoff measures what is drawn and specified, and stops there. We do not apply labor rates, equipment costs, overhead, or markup. The output is a division-organized quantity sheet you can price with your own rates, or hand to a pricing estimator. If you want us to price it, use our Blueprint Takeoff & Estimating service instead.
Concrete & Formwork
Cast-in-place concrete by mix and placement location, formwork contact area by element type, and reinforcing steel by bar size and spacing.
CY · SFCA · LBMasonry & Steel
Unit masonry by thickness and CMU type, structural steel by member shape, and miscellaneous metals by count and weight.
SF · LB · EACarpentry & Wood
Rough carpentry studs, plates, headers, joists, and sheathing, plus finish carpentry trim and paneling by linear and square footage.
LF · SF · EAThermal & Moisture
Insulation by R-value and location, air barrier and waterproofing by square footage, and roofing by material and slope.
SF · LF · SQDoors, Windows & Hardware
Doors, frames, and hardware sets counted each, windows and glazing by type and size, and storefront by square footage.
EA · SF · LFInterior Finishes
Gypsum board by type and thickness, flooring by material, ceiling systems by grid and tile, and paint by square footage.
SF · LF · EAPlumbing & HVAC
Plumbing pipe by material and diameter, HVAC ductwork by material and gauge, and equipment by count and capacity.
LF · LB · EAElectrical & Low Voltage
Electrical conduit by trade size, wire by AWG, devices and fixtures counted each, and low-voltage rough-in by linear feet.
LF · EA · LBWhat every quantity takeoff takeoff includes
- Cast-in-place concrete by mix and placement location in CY
- Formwork contact area by element type in SFCA
- Reinforcing steel by bar size and spacing in LB
- Unit masonry by thickness and CMU type in SF of wall
- Structural steel by member shape in LB
- Rough carpentry: studs, plates, headers, joists, sheathing in LF and SF
- Insulation by R-value and location in SF
- Gypsum board by type and thickness in SF
- Doors, frames, and hardware sets counted in EA
- Plumbing pipe by material and diameter in LF
- HVAC ductwork by material and gauge in LB and LF
- Electrical conduit by trade size and wire by AWG in LF
How our quantity takeoff company reads your drawings
- Plan and spec reviewWe read the full set before measuring anything. We check the general notes, the fire-rated assembly schedule, and the specification sections that change quantities — for example, a 5/8-inch Type X board where the plan shows generic 1/2-inch gypsum. We flag conflicts between architectural and structural sheets before the takeoff starts.
- Scale and calibrateEach drawing is calibrated in Bluebeam Revu or PlanSwift, and we confirm the scale against a known dimension such as a column grid or a door width. If a sheet is not to scale, we measure from dimensions and note it. We set up separate layers for concrete, masonry, steel, and finishes so quantities do not double-count.
- Measure by assemblyWe measure in the order the work is built: excavation and backfill in CY, footings and foundation walls in CY with formwork in SFCA, then elevated slabs, then framing, then envelope, then interiors. Each measurement is tagged to a drawing sheet and detail number. Reinforcing is taken off by bar mark from the placing drawings, with lap splices added.
- Apply waste and lap factorsTheoretical quantities are adjusted for the factors that change what you buy: rebar lap splices and chairs, typical waste of 5–10 percent for tile and 10 percent for carpet, and 10 percent for lumber. We show the base quantity and the waste line separately so you can see what was added and remove it if your pricing already carries it.
- Division roll-up and QAQuantities are rolled up by CSI MasterFormat division and cross-checked against the drawing index. A second estimator reviews the sheet for missing scope — roof curbs, pipe insulation, blocking, seismic bracing — before the file is released. Marked-up plan sets are exported alongside the Excel and PDF.
- Final review and deliveryThe completed takeoff is reviewed against your unit of measure preferences and waste allowance instructions. We verify that every line has a drawing reference and that the summary tab totals match the division tabs. Files are delivered in Excel and PDF with marked-up plans, typically within 24–48 hours of receiving a complete set.
What to send us
- Full plan setArchitectural, structural, civil, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing sheets, including details and schedules.
- SpecificationsProject manual or spec sections, so we capture board types, pipe materials, and insulation R-values.
- Finish scheduleRoom-by-room finishes, so flooring, base, and wall finishes are counted by room, not by guess.
- Door and window scheduleType marks, sizes, and fire ratings, so openings are counted in EA by type.
- Structural drawingsFoundation plan, framing plan, and placing drawings for rebar and steel takeoff.
- Unit of measure preferenceTell us if you price formwork by contact area or by wall area, and if rebar is bought in LB or tons.
- Waste allowanceState the waste factor your pricing carries, so we do not add it twice.
Sample quantity takeoff format
The sheet is organized by CSI MasterFormat division. Each line carries a drawing reference so you can trace it back to the plan.
| Section | Line item | Qty | Unit | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 03 30 00 | Cast-in-place concrete, continuous footing 24" × 12" | 412 | LF | S-101 |
| 03 30 00 | Cast-in-place concrete, foundation wall 8" thick | 1,850 | SF | S-102 |
| 03 20 00 | Reinforcing steel, #5 bars at 12" o.c., footings | 6,800 | LB | S-201 |
| 04 20 00 | Concrete masonry units, 8" CMU, exterior walls | 4,200 | SF | A-201 |
| 05 12 00 | Structural steel, W12×26 beams | 3,120 | LB | S-301 |
| 06 10 00 | Wood framing, 2×6 studs at 16" o.c., interior walls | 2,450 | LF | A-301 |
| 07 21 00 | Batt insulation, R-13, exterior walls | 3,600 | SF | A-401 |
| 09 21 00 | Gypsum board, 5/8" Type X, corridor walls | 2,100 | SF | A-501 |
| 09 30 00 | Ceramic tile, floor, restrooms | 480 | SF | A-601 |
| 22 00 00 | PVC pipe, 4" diameter, underground sanitary | 320 | LF | P-101 |
Units of measure we report
The same element can be measured two ways. We report the unit your pricing method needs, and we note the convention on the sheet.
| Item | Unit | How it's measured |
|---|---|---|
| Concrete | CY | Volume placed, by mix design and placement location. |
| Formwork | SFCA | Contact area of formwork against concrete, by element. |
| Reinforcing steel | LB | Theoretical bar weight plus lap splices and dowels. |
| Unit masonry | SF | Wall face area, by CMU thickness and type. |
| Structural steel | LB | Member weight by shape, from the member schedule. |
| Rough carpentry | LF / BF | Studs and plates in LF; lumber in board feet. |
| Gypsum board | SF | Wall and ceiling area, by board type and thickness. |
| Roofing | SQ | Roof area in squares, 100 SF per square. |
| Pipe and conduit | LF | Length by material and diameter or trade size. |
| Ductwork | LB / LF | Weight by gauge and length by size and fitting count. |
| Doors and windows | EA | Counted by type, size, and fire rating. |
| Excavation and fill | CY | Volume by cut, fill, and haul-off location. |
Worked example: rebar takeoff of a concrete foundation wall
This is an illustrative takeoff of a single foundation wall. Dimensions are illustrative; use your own drawings.
Given: A continuous foundation wall, 8 inches thick, 10 feet high, 120 feet long, with a 24-inch-wide by 12-inch-deep continuous footing under it. Wall has one 3'×3' opening. Rebar: #5 vertical bars at 16" o.c., #5 horizontal bars at 12" o.c. each face. Waste factor for concrete: 5%. Formwork: contact area, both sides.
Steps:
- Footing volume – Cross-section: 24" × 12" = 2 ft × 1 ft = 2 SF. Length: 120 LF. Volume = 2 SF × 120 LF = 240 CF. Convert to CY: 240 ÷ 27 = 8.89 CY. Add 5% waste: 8.89 × 1.05 = 9.33 CY.
- Wall volume – Thickness: 8" = 0.667 ft. Height: 10 ft. Length: 120 LF. Gross volume = 0.667 × 10 × 120 = 800 CF. Deduct opening: 3'×3'×0.667 = 6 CF. Net = 794 CF. Convert: 794 ÷ 27 = 29.41 CY. Add 5% waste: 29.41 × 1.05 = 30.88 CY.
- Formwork – Both sides: 2 × 10 ft × 120 LF = 2,400 SF. Deduct opening: 2 × 3'×3' = 18 SF. Net = 2,382 SF. No waste on formwork (reused).
- Reinforcing steel – Vertical bars: spacing 16" o.c. = 1.333 ft. Number of bars = 120 ÷ 1.333 = 90 bars. Each bar height = 10 ft minus cover (assume 3" top and bottom) = 9.5 ft. Total vertical length = 90 × 9.5 = 855 LF. Horizontal bars: spacing 12" o.c. = 1 ft. Number of rows = 10 ft ÷ 1 ft = 10 rows. Each face: 10 rows × 120 LF = 1,200 LF. Two faces: 2,400 LF. Total rebar length = 855 + 2,400 = 3,255 LF. Convert to weight: #5 bar = 1.043 lb/ft. Weight = 3,255 × 1.043 = 3,395 LB. Add 10% for laps and dowels: 3,395 × 1.10 = 3,735 LB.
- Summary – Footing concrete: 9.33 CY. Wall concrete: 30.88 CY. Formwork: 2,382 SFCA. Rebar: 3,735 LB.
This example shows how we separate waste and laps. Your pricing may already include these; we note them separately so you can adjust. For instance, if your concrete supplier charges a short-load fee for 9.33 CY, you may round to 9.5 CY. Similarly, if your rebar fabricator includes laps in the quoted weight, you can deduct the 10% lap allowance. We also flag items like formwork that are reused and therefore do not require a waste factor. Always confirm the unit of measure for formwork: some contractors price by contact area (SFCA), others by wall area (SF). In this example, the formwork quantity is 2,382 SFCA. If you price by wall area, the quantity would be 10 ft × 120 LF = 1,200 SF, less the opening (9 SF) = 1,191 SF. The difference is significant, so we confirm your convention before starting. This takeoff is for quantities only; no pricing is included. If you need pricing, see our Construction Cost Estimating Services. For a combined takeoff and pricing, see our Blueprint Takeoff & Estimating service.
What changes the effort and the number
Relative impact on a typical estimate for this trade, based on estimator judgment. Select a bar for details.
Drawing completeness
A set with dimensioned plans and schedules takes fewer assumptions than a design-development set with generic notes. Missing dimensions mean we scale from the drawing and flag the assumption on the sheet. The more complete the documents, the fewer clarifications you will need to resolve before pricing.
A set with dimensioned plans and schedules takes fewer assumptions than a design-development set with generic notes. Missing dimensions mean we scale from the drawing and flag the assumption on the sheet. The more complete the documents, the fewer clarifications you will need to resolve before pricing.
A rectangular warehouse measures faster than a building with stepped elevations, cantilevers, and multiple roof levels. Complex geometry increases the count of unique details and the time to trace each one. Each irregular corner or penetration adds measurement time and potential for error.
A takeoff for architectural and structural sheets only is smaller than one that includes mechanical, electrical, and plumbing. Each trade adds its own units and its own drawing sheets. Plumbing alone may require measuring pipe by diameter, fittings, hangers, and insulation separately.
A budget-level takeoff groups items by assembly. A bid-level takeoff breaks out each pipe diameter, each board type, and each door type, which takes longer but prices more accurately. The more line items you need, the more time we spend measuring and tagging each one.
A project manual with detailed section numbers lets us match quantities to the exact product specified. A set with only general notes forces us to measure to a typical assembly and note the assumption. Detailed specs reduce the risk of substitution errors and change orders later.
If your pricing already carries a waste factor, we report theoretical quantities only. If not, we add the factor as a separate line. Getting this wrong is a common source of double-counting. We confirm your convention before starting to avoid inflating or deflating the quantities.
Vector PDFs from BIM models measure faster and more accurately than scanned paper drawings. Scanned or low-resolution sheets may require manual scaling and careful verification. We note any limitations and adjust our methods to maintain accuracy.
Common scope gaps we catch
These are the items that most often get missed or double-counted on a quantity takeoff. We check each one before the sheet is released.
- Formwork measured as contact area but priced by wall or slab area. The two conventions give different numbers. We ask which one your pricing uses and note it on the sheet.
- Reinforcing lap splices, dowels, and chairs add 5–10 percent to theoretical bar weight. They hide in the placing drawings, not the foundation plan. We take off by bar mark and add laps.
- Blocking, nailers, and backing for casework, handrails, and wall-mounted equipment. These appear in the architectural details, not the floor plan. We scan the detail sheets for each condition.
- Fire-rated assemblies requiring specific board types and thicknesses. The plan may show generic drywall. We read the fire-rated assembly schedule and measure to the specified board.
- Roof penetrations, curbs, and flashing lengths that do not appear on the architectural floor plan. They are on the roof plan and details. We measure each curb and flashing run separately.
- Pipe insulation and hanger spacing that change the linear-foot count for plumbing and HVAC. Insulation is measured by pipe diameter and length, and hangers by spacing. We count both.
- Seismic bracing, expansion joints, and control joints in masonry and concrete walls. These are specified in the structural general notes. We add them as separate line items.
- Attic stock, waste, and breakage factors. Typical waste runs 5–10 percent for tile and 10 percent for carpet, but confirm the allowance the GC is carrying. We show waste as a separate line.
- Site retaining walls, stairs, and handrails that fall between divisions 03 and 05. They are often drawn on civil sheets but specified in structural. We assign them to the correct division.
- Temporary weather protection and housekeeping items sometimes included in a takeoff by mistake. We leave them out unless you ask for them, and note the exclusion.
Unit-of-measure conventions by material
The same material can be reported in different units depending on how you buy or price it. We confirm your convention before starting.
| Material | Common takeoff unit | Alternative unit | What to confirm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cast-in-place concrete | CY (volume placed) | SF of wall or slab area | Whether formwork is priced by contact area or by wall area. |
| Reinforcing steel | LB (theoretical weight) | Tons | If laps and dowels are included in the base weight or added separately. |
| Formwork | SFCA (contact area) | SF of wall area | Which convention your pricing uses; the numbers differ. |
| Unit masonry | SF of wall face | Number of CMU blocks | If you buy by the block, we can convert using nominal dimensions. |
| Structural steel | LB by member shape | Tons | Whether connections and miscellaneous steel are included. |
| Gypsum board | SF by type and thickness | Number of sheets | Sheet size (4'×8', 4'×12') affects waste and handling. |
| Roofing | SQ (100 SF) | SF | Whether insulation and cover board are separate line items. |
| Pipe and conduit | LF by diameter or trade size | Number of fittings | If you price by length, we count fittings separately. |
| Ductwork | LB by gauge and LF by size | Number of fittings | Whether hangers and insulation are included in the duct weight. |
| Doors and windows | EA by type and size | SF of opening | If hardware sets are counted per door or as a separate line. |
Codes and standards that affect quantities
Building codes and standards drive quantities in ways that are not always obvious on the drawings. The adopted edition varies by jurisdiction, so confirm with your local building department which edition applies to your project.
The International Building Code (IBC) and International Residential Code (IRC) set requirements for fire-rated assemblies, structural loads, and egress that change wall thicknesses, board types, and reinforcement. For example, a two-hour rated wall may require two layers of 5/8-inch Type X gypsum board on each side, which doubles the drywall quantity compared to a non-rated wall. The fire-rated assembly schedule in the specifications will list the specific UL or GA file number, and we measure to that assembly.
The International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) dictates insulation R-values and window U-factors, which affect the square footage of insulation and the type of glazing. A higher R-value may require thicker cavity insulation or continuous exterior insulation, adding line items.
The National Electrical Code (NEC) sets conduit fill and wire sizing, which changes the trade size of conduit and the AWG of wire. For a given circuit, a larger conduit may be required, increasing the linear feet of conduit and the number of fittings.
The International Plumbing Code (IPC) or Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) governs pipe materials, sizes, and venting. A change from PVC to cast iron, for instance, changes the weight and the hanger spacing, affecting the takeoff.
NFPA 13 for fire sprinklers specifies pipe sizes, hanger spacing, and head coverage. The number of sprinkler heads and the linear feet of pipe depend on the hazard classification and the ceiling height.
CSI MasterFormat divisions organize the takeoff: Division 03 for concrete, 04 for masonry, 05 for metals, 06 for wood, 07 for thermal and moisture protection, 08 for openings, 09 for finishes, 22 for plumbing, 23 for HVAC, 26 for electrical, 31 for earthwork, and 32 for exterior improvements. We tag each line to the relevant section number, such as 03 30 00 for cast-in-place concrete or 09 21 00 for gypsum board assemblies. Always verify the adopted code editions and any local amendments with the authority having jurisdiction.
Who uses outsourced takeoff services
General contractors
You price the job with your own rates and need reliable counts to plug into your spreadsheet. A division-organized quantity sheet lets you apply labor and material rates line by line without re-measuring the plans.
Subcontractors
You bid one trade and need quantities for your scope only. We can deliver just your division — concrete, masonry, drywall, or mechanical — so you are not paying for measurements you will not use.
Owners and developers
You want a second set of numbers to check a contractor's price or to understand where the cost is going. A quantities-only takeoff shows the measured scope without anyone's markup attached.
Architects
You need a quantity check during design to see if the project is staying within the intended scope. We measure your drawings and return counts you can compare against the cost model.
Estimators
You are overloaded and need the measuring done so you can focus on pricing. We return the sheet in your format, with drawing references, so you can audit any line quickly.