What does a takeoff in construction mean?
To “take off” quantities is to measure them off the drawings. The result, the takeoff, lists each item with its quantity, unit and the sheet it came from. It is the first step of pricing: you cannot price work until you know how much of it there is.
It is usually written as one word, takeoff, for the noun, and “take off” for the verb.
Material takeoff vs quantity takeoff
- Material takeoff (MTO): what to buy, in purchase units, with waste and package sizes. Example: 27 sheets of 4x8 OSB.
- Quantity takeoff: how much work to price, in measurement units. Example: 768 SF of wall sheathing.
Both start from the same measurements. The material takeoff template shows how one turns into the other.
Which units does a takeoff use?
| Unit | Used for | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| SF (square feet) | Areas | Drywall, flooring, roofing, paint |
| LF (linear feet) | Lengths | Base, curb, conduit, pipe, trim |
| EA (each) | Counts | Doors, fixtures, devices, footings |
| CY (cubic yards) | Volumes | Concrete, excavation, fill |
| SQ (roofing squares) | Roof area, 100 SF per square | Shingles, membrane |
| LS (lump sum) | Items priced as a whole | Mobilization |
Measurement rules matter as much as units: whether openings are deducted, whether waste is included, and how the owner measures for payment on unit price work.
For a quick check before a full estimate, try the free concrete calculator or roofing estimator.
How to do a takeoff, step by step
- Confirm you have the current drawings, specifications and every addendum.
- Read the specs for your trade so you know what to measure.
- Set measurement rules: units, deductions, waste, rounding.
- Check the drawing scale on each sheet before measuring.
- Measure by area, floor or system, and record the sheet for each line.
- Count items from plans, schedules and details, and reconcile them.
- Check totals against a quick sanity check, such as SF of drywall vs floor area.
- List anything unclear as a question, not a guess.
Short on time? Bidmere can do this for you. Trade estimates from $195, ready in 48 hours. See construction takeoff services or get a fixed quote.
For a quick check before a full estimate, try the free rebar calculator, CMU block calculator or asphalt calculator.
Fictional example: a small drywall takeoff
Fictional example, for illustration only. A 120 LF corridor wall, 10 ft high, both sides, with four 3x7 door openings.
- Gross area: 120 x 10 x 2 = 2,400 SF.
- Openings: 4 x 3 x 7 x 2 sides = 168 SF.
- Net board: 2,232 SF (if your rule deducts openings).
- Metal studs at 16 in on center: about 91 studs, plus extras at openings.
- Top and bottom track: 240 LF.
Waste and purchase units are added later, in the material takeoff.
For a quick check before a full estimate, try the free drywall calculator.
Should you do a takeoff by hand or with software?
Hand takeoffs on paper with a scale still work for small jobs. On-screen takeoff software is faster on large PDF plan sets and makes revisions easier to track. Either way, the measurement rules and checking matter more than the tool. If the question is whether to buy software or outsource the work, see estimating software vs service.
Takeoff vs estimate vs bid
| Takeoff | Estimate | Bid | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Answers | How much? | What will it cost? | What will we charge? |
| Contains | Quantities, units, sheet references | Quantities plus labor, material, equipment, subs | Estimate plus markup, terms, forms |
| Who uses it | Estimator, purchaser | Estimator, PM | Owner or GC |
| Binding? | No | No | Usually, once submitted |
Bidmere delivers each: takeoff-only work as quantity takeoff services, priced estimates at your rates, and bid packages your team signs.
Takeoff mistakes that cost bids
- Measuring from a superseded sheet after an addendum.
- Wrong scale, often on details or enlarged plans.
- Missing scope shown only in sections, details or the specifications.
- Double counting where two sheets show the same area.
- Mixing waste into measured quantities so nobody can tell which is which.
- Inconsistent deduction rules between estimators on the same job.
Can someone else do the takeoff for you?
Yes. Bidmere measures quantities from your plans by trade, area and sheet, with the measurement rules written out, and delivers an Excel estimate with live formulas, color-coded marked-up PDF plans, and a written list of assumptions, exclusions and open questions. Takeoffs are priced from $149; priced single-trade estimates from $195 in 48 hours. You get a fixed quote within 2 business hours and pay only after you accept.
Frequently asked questions
What does MTO stand for in construction?
MTO stands for material takeoff: a list of the materials needed to build what the drawings show, with quantities in purchase units, usually including waste and package sizes. It is used for purchasing and for pricing material in the estimate.
Should waste be included in a takeoff?
Keep measured quantity and waste separate. The quantity takeoff should show what the drawings show; waste is added as a separate factor in the material takeoff or estimate. That way whoever prices or buys can see both, and waste can change without remeasuring.
Can I get a takeoff without pricing?
Yes. A takeoff-only deliverable lists quantities by trade, area and sheet without costs, so your team prices it. Bidmere takeoffs are priced from $149. If you also want pricing at your rates, a single-trade estimate is priced from $195 and is ready in 48 hours.
What do you need to do a takeoff?
The current drawings at a known scale, the specifications for the trades being measured, and every addendum. Schedules for doors, finishes and fixtures help counts. Tell the estimator your measurement rules, such as whether to deduct openings, so the takeoff matches how you price.
How long does a takeoff take?
It depends on the trade, the plan set size and the detail needed. A single trade on a small building can take hours; a full multi-trade takeoff of a large project takes days. Bidmere gives a fixed delivery date with the quote, within 2 business hours.
Is it takeoff or take off?
Both, used differently. Takeoff, one word, is the noun: the list of measured quantities. Take off, two words, is the verb: you take off quantities from the drawings. Some writers hyphenate it as take-off. In estimating offices, takeoff as one word is the most common spelling.
What is the difference between a takeoff and an estimate?
A takeoff measures how much work there is. An estimate prices that work by adding labor, material, equipment and subcontract costs. The bid then adds markup, terms and the owner’s forms. You need an accurate takeoff before any estimate can be trusted.