Accurate and fast quantity takeoffs (list of materials) are the first step in bidding for jobs in the construction industry. This comprehensive guide will provide you with all the information and resources necessary to do just that.
Select and use the right takeoff software
Whatever your trade / type of construction job, the right takeoff software can help you estimate quantities quickly and accurately. Some of the most popular and effective takeoff software are Bluebeam, Planswift and On Screen takeoff.
Please refer to this blog on how to select the best construction takeoff programs for you.
Modify and customize the takeoff software
Your estimators will be typically taking off similar materials and projects. There are various ways you can modify the boilerplate software program to save time and reduce errors.
Create a custom software template
This is easiest and biggest win when doing takeoffs. One of your estimators can simple create the most commonly used conditions and materials used in your takeoffs and save those as a custom template. This feature is available with all takeoff software.
This custom template can then be used as a starting point for all future takeoffs. Overtime the template can be modified and improved as well.
Advanced software customization
Many software have the ability to do make additional or custom calculations. If your estimators are not capable of doing this, you can even hire freelancers who specialize in creating these advanced customizations.
Create a custom excel template
Once you do the takeoff in the software program, then the next step is exporting all the takeoff quantities to excel. However, there will still be a lot of work in further calculations like adding waste, converting area / counts to number of boxes, applying prices, calculating labor costs, adding margins etc.
A lot of this can be done more easily and quickly by using a specific format and formulas. You can again hire an expert online who will work with one of your estimators. It will be a one time cost that will pay dividends forever.
Create a checklist
A checklist will help your estimators avoid errors and be more accurate. See my blog on how to create a takeoff checklist.
Adjust Takeoff based on expected real world conditions
You need to calculate quantities keeping real world conditions in mind. See my blog on adjusting quantity takeoffs for the real world.
Get Feedback from completed / ongoing projects
It is important to track quantity and labor costs from projects and then compare them to what was calculated in the quantity takeoff and bid. The estimators can then use this feedback to improve future takeoffs for real world conditions.
Please see my blog on using historical job costing to improve future takeoffs.