Division 06 10 00: Rough carpentry
Lumber takeoff and wood framing estimating services
Bidmere’s lumber takeoff counts every stud, plate, header, joist and sheet from your framing plans. You get an order-ready list by size and length, or a priced framing estimate at your rates.
Fixed price in 2 business hours. Pay only after you accept.
- Fixed price and delivery date before any work starts
- Plan review is free, and no files are needed to get a quote
- You pay only after you accept the fixed price
- Single-trade estimates in 48 hours from complete documents
- Priced at your rates; your team sets the final number
Quick answer
Bidmere’s lumber takeoff service gives framing contractors, builders and lumber dealers a wood framing takeoff from plans: studs, plates, headers, joists, beams, sheathing and hardware by size, length and wall. Takeoffs are priced from $149, and priced estimates are priced from $195. Single-trade work is ready in 48 hours.
What does a lumber takeoff cover?
A lumber takeoff covers the rough carpentry on your framing and structural plans. Bidmere organizes it by CSI section and building area.
- 06 11 00 Wood Framing: studs, plates, headers, blocking, joists and rafters
- 06 16 00 Sheathing: wall, floor and roof sheathing by type and thickness
- 06 17 33 Wood I-Joists and 06 17 53 Shop-Fabricated Wood Trusses
- 06 18 00 Glued-Laminated Construction: glulam beams and columns
- Engineered lumber such as LVL and LSL beams, plus framing hardware by type
Order a lumber takeoff for ordering and pricing, or a priced wood framing estimate with labor.
What does a wood framing takeoff measure, and in which units?
| Scope | Unit |
|---|---|
| Studs by size and length, including precuts | EA |
| Top and bottom plates by size, treated or not | LF |
| Headers and beams by size and ply | EA and LF |
| Floor joists, rafters and ceiling joists | EA by size and length |
| I-joists and engineered beams | EA and LF |
| Wall, floor and roof sheathing | SF and sheets |
| Blocking and bracing | LF |
| Hangers, straps, holdowns and anchors | EA by type |
| Trusses, if supplied under you | EA by type |
One board foot is 1 in. by 12 in. by 12 in. of nominal lumber, so a 2x6 at 10 ft is 10 BF. Dealers and framers price in different units, so we deliver both counts and board feet when you ask.
Framing takeoff: what a framer prices from it
A framing takeoff measures the framing system the way a framing contractor prices labor. A lumber takeoff lists the material to order. Most wood framing bids need both, and both come from the same measured walls and floors.
- Walls by type. Linear feet by stud size, spacing and height, so labor can be priced per foot or per square foot of wall.
- Openings. Doors and windows counted by size, because each one adds a header, kings, jacks and cripples.
- Floor and roof systems. Area by framing type: joists, I-joists, trusses or rafters, with sheathing area alongside.
- Shear walls and hardware. Shear wall length by schedule type, with holdowns, straps and anchors counted.
- Blocking and backing. Linear feet by purpose where the documents call for it.
Light-gauge metal stud framing on commercial interiors is measured under drywall and framing estimating. Wood framing takeoffs are priced from $149, and priced wood framing estimates with labor from $195.
How does a lumber estimator build the list?
A lumber estimator works wall by wall and floor by floor.
- Tag every wall by stud size, spacing, height and treated or untreated plate.
- Count studs by spacing, then add corners, intersections, kings, jacks and cripples at openings.
- Run plates: usually one bottom and two top plates per wall.
- List headers and beams from the header schedule and structural plans.
- Count joists, rafters and blocking from the framing plans.
- Measure sheathing by area, deduct openings by your rule, and convert to sheets.
- Count hardware from the shear wall and connection schedules.
Waste and cut-off allowances stay as a separate line you set.
Which framing plan conflicts change a lumber takeoff?
Wood framing information is split between architectural, structural and truss supplier sheets. These conflicts come up often:
- The shear wall schedule and the floor plan show different wall types.
- Header sizes on the plan differ from the header schedule.
- Holdown locations are shown on structural plans but not counted in a schedule.
- Stud spacing in the general notes differs from wall sections.
- Joist direction or size on the framing plan differs from the sections.
- Fire-retardant-treated lumber is required in some walls but not tagged.
- The truss layout from the supplier does not match the roof framing plan.
Each conflict is logged with the sheet and the members it affects.
Which wood framing scope gaps lose bids?
Framing touches nearly every trade. We flag the splits your team needs to assign:
- Trusses: supplied by the truss maker, set by you, and who carries the crane.
- Windows and exterior doors: installed by the framer or by others.
- Blocking for other trades: cabinets, grab bars, TVs and fixtures.
- Housewrap and flashing: framing scope or the siding contractor.
- Anchor bolts: set by concrete, or by you after the pour.
- Hardware: supplied with the lumber package or by the general contractor.
- Cold-formed steel areas: often by a separate framing contractor.
For exterior finish scope, see siding and stucco estimating. For trim and cabinets, see millwork estimating.
Have plans for this scope? Send them over. Fixed quote within 2 business hours. Plan review is free, and you pay only after you accept.
Get a fixed quoteWhat drives lumber and framing cost per square foot?
Lumber cost per square foot changes with design and with the market. The main drivers are:
- Lumber prices: commodity prices move, so a takeoff by size and length lets you re-price quickly.
- Wall height and spacing: taller walls and 16 in. spacing use more material than shorter walls at 24 in.
- Shear walls: heavier sheathing, nailing and holdowns add material and labor.
- Engineered lumber: LVL beams and I-joists cost more per foot but save labor.
- Complexity: many corners, jogs and openings add studs and cuts.
- Treated and fire-rated lumber where the code or specification requires it.
Because prices move, we price from your current dealer quote or rates, not a stored number.
Is a lumber estimator calculator enough for a framing bid?
An online lumber calculator is fine for a deck or a single wall. A framing bid needs every wall type, header and shear wall on the plans counted the same way your crew builds it.
If you want to start the quantities yourself, use the free material takeoff template. For full plan sets, send the drawings for a fixed quote.
What should you send for a lumber takeoff?
- Floor plans, elevations, building sections and wall sections
- Structural framing plans, shear wall schedule, header schedule and general notes
- Truss or I-joist layouts, if available
- Specification sections for rough carpentry and sheathing
- Addenda, your bid form and your lumber prices or labor rates
Start with a short description on the quote form. We arrange document sharing after confirming the work.
You receive an Excel estimate with live formulas, color-coded marked-up PDF plans, and a written list of assumptions, exclusions and open questions: an order list by size and length, quantities by wall and floor, and the open questions behind the count.
Sample takeoff
What a takeoff looks like
| Item | Quantity | Unit | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2x6 studs, 104-5/8 in. precut | 420 | EA | 420 LF of exterior wall |
| 2x6 plates | 1,260 | LF | One bottom, two top |
| 2x4 studs, 104-5/8 in. precut | 680 | EA | 680 LF of interior wall |
| 2x4 plates | 2,040 | LF | One bottom, two top |
| Headers, 2-ply 2x10 | 32 | EA | Per header schedule |
| 11-7/8 in. I-joists, 16 ft | 96 | EA | Floor framing plan S-201 |
| 7/16 in. wall sheathing | 104 | Sheets | 3,300 SF net, 4x8 sheets |
| 23/32 in. T&G floor sheathing | 75 | Sheets | 2,400 SF |
| Holdowns | 24 | EA | Two types on S-301 |
| Waste and cut-off allowance | Set by you | % | Separate line |
Fictional example: lumber takeoff for one floor of a three-story wood-frame apartment building, 9 ft walls. Not a customer project or pricing recommendation.
Before you send plans
Common questions about handing off the work
Will you use my stud counting rules?
Yes. Tell us your rules for corners and openings, and they are written into the assumptions.
Can a lumber dealer use the list?
Yes. Quantities come by size and length, ready for a quote request.
Will I lose control of my number?
No. You set lumber prices, labor rates and markup.
Who submits the bid?
Your company. Your team reviews, signs and submits. Bidmere never signs or submits.
Lumber and framing takeoff and estimate pricing
Lumber and framing takeoffs from Bidmere start at $149, and single-trade lumber and framing estimates at $195. The fixed quote for your job usually lands in these ranges:
| Job size | Takeoff only (quantities) | Single-trade estimate (quantities and pricing) |
|---|---|---|
| Small job: up to 10,000 SF | $149 to $295 | $195 to $395 |
| Mid-size job: 10,000 to 50,000 SF | $295 to $695 | $395 to $895 |
| Large job: over 50,000 SF, or several buildings | From $695 | From $895 |
Single-trade estimates are ready in 48 hours. Rush (24 hours) adds 30%. 25% off your first estimate. Every job gets a fixed quote within 2 business hours, and you pay only after you accept. Every estimate is delivered as an Excel estimate with live formulas, color-coded marked-up PDF plans, and a written list of assumptions, exclusions and open questions. See pricing for the full price list and scope conditions.
Monthly estimating plans
Bid framing every week? Put estimating on a monthly plan
A monthly plan suits contractors who price framing work every week. It gives you a steady estimating desk without a new hire. Starter is $1,395 per month for up to 6 bids. Pro is $2,595 per month for up to 12 bids. Scale is $4,795 per month for up to 25 bids. Each bid follows the same process as a single order: your documents, your rates, your review and your final number. Ask about monthly estimating plans to compare the tiers.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
How much does a lumber takeoff cost?
Lumber takeoffs are priced from $149, and priced wood framing estimates are priced from $195. Large multifamily buildings and multi-building sites are quoted to scope. You get a fixed price and delivery date within 2 business hours, plan review is free, and you pay only after you accept. See pricing for scope conditions.
Do you offer lumber estimating services with labor pricing?
Yes. A priced wood framing estimate adds your labor rates, equipment and markup to the lumber takeoff. Labor can be priced per square foot of floor, per linear foot of wall or by crew day, whichever matches how your company bids. Open questions and scope splits are listed with the estimate.
How do you count studs at openings and corners?
Studs are counted at the stated spacing, then corners, intersections, king studs, jack studs and cripples are added by your rules. If you do not have rules, we use common framing practice and write the method into the assumptions, so your crew lead can check it before you order.
Can lumber dealers use your takeoffs to quote builders?
Yes. Dealers can order a lumber takeoff organized by size and length, ready to price against current stock. Quantities can be grouped by building, floor or phase to match how the builder buys. Pricing stays with the dealer, and the list notes any items the plans leave unclear.
Is lumber takeoff software better than a service?
Software helps an estimator who runs framing takeoffs every week. It still needs someone to read the shear wall and header schedules. A service fits when bid volume swings or your estimator is in the field. Many framers and dealers use software in-house and send overflow out.
Do you include trusses in a lumber takeoff?
Trusses are usually designed and priced by the truss supplier. We count truss types and quantities from the layout if one is provided and note setting and bracing as scope lines. Without a layout, trusses go on the open questions list rather than being guessed.
How fast can I get a lumber takeoff?
Qualifying single-trade work is ready in 48 hours from your accepted quote and complete documents. Large buildings get a delivery date in the fixed quote. Tell us your bid or order date in the request, and rush work is quoted when capacity allows.
Get a fixed quote
Share the project basics. You get a fixed price and delivery date within 2 business hours. Plan review is free, and you pay only after you accept.