What is Construction Takeoff, and Why is it Important to Win Bids?

Construction takeoff is the most integral yet the least understood term in the industry. As a contractor, engineer, builder, designer or another stakeholder, you must know about this term, which actually decides whether you win or lose the bid. Let’s understand this term in detail!

Table Of Content

What Is Construction Takeoff in Construction?

The term construction takeoff refers to the method experts use to list and determine the required quantities of supplies. Whether required in small quantities or abundant quantities, the evaluation covers all supplies according to the construction project scope.

What Are the Types of Construction Takeoffs?

There are two types of construction takeoffs.

1. Quantity Takeoffs

Quantity takeoffs particularly play with the quantities of material, labor, equipment, and other supplies, providing the following information.

1. Type and the quantity of required material
2. Total number of laborers needed
3. Labor hours
4. Equipment and machinery required, along with numbers
5. Equipment rental hours

2. Material Takeoffs

Unlike quantity takeoff, material takeoff only lists and quantifies the required construction materials. It considers the quality of the materials, size, brand, and make to ensure the efficiency of the building project. The materials that are considered during the material takeoff assessment include:

1. Raw materials
2. Manufactured fixtures
3. Interior and exterior finishes

What is Included in Construction Takeoffs?

In construction, project managers deal with many supplies, according to the project nature. Here are the components that are considered during the quantity takeoff assessment.

1. Materials

It deals with the listing and quantification of construction materials required for the project. These materials can include:

• Lumber
• Concrete
• Bricks
• Rebar
• Metal/steel
• Insulations and so on…

Understanding the project scope determines the exact material list and quantities.

For example, when renovating an office building, we need to factor in drywall, paint, flooring, concrete, wood, windows, glazing, ceiling tiles, electrical wires, etc. Similarly, the materials change with the change in the construction project scope.

1. Labor

Second, comes the labor needs. Labor takeoff deals with the required number of laborers and their total working hours.

For example, excavating 2000 square feet of land requires 3-4 workers who will work 2-4 days to complete the project. However, for a roofing project, you need to hire 3-5 laborers for the 3-7 required working days.

1. Equipment

Construction equipment, like excavators, dump trucks, bulldozers, wheel loaders, etc., can cover 5-10% of the total project cost. Therefore, you must make decisions according to your needs. Equipment takeoffs determine the requirements of these types of equipment, along with hours of use or rental days.

1. Subcontractors

As an experienced contractor in the construction sector, you must know how essential subcontractor services are in any construction project. Subcontractor takeoffs deal with the labor and materials requirements for specific construction activities, such as plumbing, roofing, flooring, and waterproofing.

It also covers getting quotes from subcontractors and identification of necessary permits required for the particular installation. Furthermore, subcontractor takeoffs include site inspection for the project scope understanding and ensuring compliance with building codes.

How to Evaluate Construction Takeoffs?

1. Review the Construction Project Scope

Understand the project scope using initial construction drawings or blueprints. You will have 3D drawings to determine the materials required for construction.

1. List & Count Required Materials

While scanning the construction drawings, you will list and count the materials required for a particular construction.

Pro Tip: Prefer digital takeoff methods for unmatched accuracy!

1. Measure the Elements of the Construction Project

Now, use innovative measuring tools, such as a tap, laser distance, measuring wheel, angle locator, etc., to get the dimensions of the areas under construction. The most common unit you can use is square footage.

1. Determine Supplies Quantities

Ultimately, you have all the data to quantify the supplies needed for construction. Complete the assessment and move towards the construction cost estimation.

How Is Construction Takeoff Beneficial?

You have explored much about construction takeoffs. Now, you must be thinking about its benefits. If so, move with the flow of this article!

• Ensure Accuracy in Numbers

Whether you deal with simple constructions or complex ones, you can ensure accuracy and precision in numbers with construction takeoffs. The evaluation provides a detailed list of required supplies with the exact numbers or requirements after the detailed project scope analysis, supporting perfect project planning.

• Budget Optimization

Comprehensive construction estimation is essential to ensure your win, too. You can accomplish it by benefiting from building takeoffs. Not only cost calculation but construction takeoffs also help contractors optimize budgets and maximize their earnings. You can increase your profit margin by at least 8-15% with accurate construction takeoffs.

• Time Optimization

Contractors who submit bids late are directly disqualified from the list. However, those who make submissions early increase their winning chances. It means time optimization is essential when you work as a contractor. Construction takeoffs support this factor. Using construction takeoff software enables you to finalize and submit the proposal before the deadline, increasing your chance of winning the contract.

• Support Effective Communication

Using the detailed construction takeoff sheet, you can also ensure effective communication and project coordination. The evaluation provides transparent data on building requirements, helping all stakeholders align the plans for perfect outcomes.

• Bid Optimization

Contractors and subcontractors submit a proposal to win the bid/project. The proposal you submit must contain comprehensive data with accurate measurements for success. Building takeoff lays the foundation for accurate financial decisions, which further leads to perfect construction bid management and optimization.

Pro Tip: Use bid generation software to ensure the quality of your proposals!

• Better Procurement Planning

Comprehensive construction takeoffs help you to ensure perfect procurement planning for your targeted project. The assessment helps you order the exact quantities of materials in advance to ensure excellent project resource management. Ultimately, you remove all chances of delays that can happen due to labor shortages or the unavailability of the required equipment.

Who Provides Construction Takeoff Services?

Dealing with building takeoffs and budget estimation is a time-consuming task. But, as a contractor, you are already packed up with bundles of duties. Therefore, you must prefer construction takeoff services from estimators.

They are well-equipped experts with expertise and industry knowledge who offer services to determine your project requirements while ensuring accuracy and precision. With their assistance, you can save time and energy to focus on your core duties. Above all, their assistance helps you win the project.

Get Highly Affordable and Success-generating Construction Takeoff Services from Quantity Takeoffs!

If you are searching for reliable estimators offering success-generating construction takeoff services in the US, choose Quantity Takeoffs for outstanding outcomes! Our years of experience and unmatched expertise enable our clients to bid and win projects effortlessly. Contact our team and benefit from our assistance!

FAQs

=> What is the difference between construction estimates and takeoffs?

Construction estimates refer to the budget of the supplies, while construction takeoffs list and determine the quantities of materials, labor and equipment.

=> What construction takeoff software estimators use?

Estimators use multiple software programs for construction takeoffs, including Bluebeam, PlanSwift, FastDUCT, FastPIPE, RS Means, Trimble, and Xactimate.

=> How much do estimators charge for construction takeoff software in the US?

Estimators’ charges vary from company to company. However, Quantity Takeoffs offers highly affordable services.