What is a Take Off in Construction? Understanding Contractor Lingo

Construction takeoff is a make-or-break step in any construction project, yet it’s one of the least understood terms in the building process.

Whether you’re doing a DIY project building a deck or a contractor planning taking on a large project, understanding this crucial term can help you avoid costly mistakes and unnecessary delays.

So what is a takeoff in construction? In this article, we’ll clear the mystery behind this contractor lingo—explaining what it’s about and how to do it right.

What is a Take Off in Construction?

Also known as project take off, construction takeoff is the process of determining the required quantity of materials, labor, and equipment based on project drawings and plans, and specifications.

The important documents needed for accurate takeoffs are site plans, floor plans, elevations, landscape plans, and mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) plans.

Reminder: takeoff is not the project’s financial breakdown, so it doesn’t indicate material costs.

If this is the case, then why is takeoff important in construction? Construction take offs serve as the backbone for accurate cost estimation and project planning, which translates to better resource management and smoother workflow.

Plus, it helps contractors make smart bids and strategic purchasing decisions, giving them an edge over the competition.

What are the Types of Construction Takeoff?

Explore how takeoff can make a difference in your project. Here are the two key types to know:

Quantity Takeoff

Quantity takeoff quantifies the materials, labor, and equipment required for completing the project. Here are the types of information you can get from QTO:

• Types and quantities of materials
• Numbers of workers needed
• Type and number of equipment and machinery
• Expected equipment and labor hours
• Quantities of resources needed for each construction task and phase (i.e. linear meters of piping to be laid, cubic meters of earth to be excavated, etc.)

QTO sets the foundation for accurate construction cost estimation and also assists in project scheduling, so it’s used during the planning and budgeting stage.

Material Takeoff

Material takeoff lists down the type and number of materials the project requires.

Think of it like a detailed shopping list containing the quality, grades and sizes, brands and manufacturers of all required construction materials, including:

• Raw materials: wood, metals, concrete, clay, nails, screws, etc.
• Manufactured fixtures: electrical and plumbing systems
• Interior and exterior finishes: paint, flooring, etc.

MTO is often used by construction companies for inventory management and ordering during the procurement phase. It helps prevent reordering and shortages and ensures that all materials meet project specifications.

In DIY builds, it can be used to assess project feasibility.

How to do a Construction Takeoff? 3 Important Methods

There are three common ways for how to estimate construction materials. Here’s what you need to know to make the right choice:

1. Manual Takeoff Method

This traditional method involves using a scale ruler or measuring tape to manually gather measurements and calculate required material quantities.

It’s a low-cost yet time-consuming, labor-intensive and error-prone approach. Because of this, it’s ideal for small-scale projects like DIY builds or simple renovations.

2. Software-based Takeoff Method

For this method, the manual construction takeoff software calculates the quantities of resources needed. However, the measurement and information still must be manually gathered and entered into the software.

While it saves time, it still requires human review, so it’s best used for moderately complex projects.

3. Artificial Intelligence (AI)-Powered Takeoff Method

The most advanced option, cloud-based AI-powered takeoff uses artificial intelligence to automatically extract measurements from plans and calculate material quantities. It’s the quickest and most accurate method, yet also the most expensive. Thus, it’s recommended for large-scale and complex construction jobs.

Create an Accurate Construction Takeoff with My Site Plan

Common takeoff mistakes (i.e. missing details, inaccurate measurements, and incomplete material lists) can throw a construction project off track. These simple errors may cause costly delays and wasted resources.

The solution? To ensure accuracy in takeoffs, use high-quality construction plans. Well-detailed construction plans provide precise measurements vital for accurately estimating the required quantities of project resources.

Don’t let these avoidable errors derail your project. Create an accurate construction takeoff by getting a reliable site plan or floor plan from MySitePlan today. Reach out to know more about how we can help you avoid these pitfalls.

Construction Takeoff FAQs

What is the difference between a takeoff and an estimate?

Takeoff is the starting point for estimates and bids. It quantifies the materials and resources needed for the project while an estimate shows the materials’ prices and calculates the project’s total cost based on the quantities indicated in the takeoff.

Who is responsible for doing a construction takeoff?

Quantity surveyors, estimators, or construction managers perform the takeoffs in larger construction companies. In small companies, the contractor or subcontractor do the takeoffs themselves.

How long does a construction takeoff take?

Manual takeoffs usually take a few days to months depending on the project size complexity while digital takeoffs may range from 1 day (AI software) up to 1 week (manual software).