Excel quantity sheets
Each line item with a description, unit of measure, quantity, and the drawing sheet it came from. Organized by CSI MasterFormat division by default, or by your cost codes, phases, floors or areas if you prefer.
Takeoff Services
Construction Takeoff Services for Contractors, Subcontractors and Suppliers
Every bid starts with the same tedious job: going through the drawings sheet by sheet and turning lines, symbols and schedules into quantities you can price. It is slow, it can't be rushed without risk, and it usually lands on the same few people who are also running jobs.
Prime Estimation's construction takeoff services take that work off your desk. Send us your drawings and specifications, and we return organized material and quantity lists, tied back to marked-up plans, so you can get supplier pricing, check sub quotes and build your number with time to spare before the bid date.
We work with general contractors, trade contractors, builders, material suppliers and developers on residential, commercial and industrial projects across the United States.
We review the drawings and send the price and turnaround before any work begins.
Every CSI divisionSingle trade or full project
Net + order qtyWaste shown, never buried
Your templateCost codes, phases or floors
24 to 48 hoursTypical turnaround
The Basics
What a Construction Takeoff Covers, and Where the Estimate Begins
A takeoff answers “how much”
The measured list of everything that has to be bought and installed to build what is shown on the drawings: cubic yards of concrete, linear feet of footing, square feet of drywall, counts of doors, fixtures, devices and fittings, tons of steel.
An estimate answers “how much will it cost”
It takes those quantities and applies material prices, labor hours and rates, equipment, subcontractor pricing, general conditions, overhead and profit.
The distinction matters when you order the service:
- If you price your own work, a quantity takeoff is usually what you need. You keep control of your unit costs and margins, and we handle the measuring.
- If you want a number ready to review, a takeoff with pricing adds material and labor costs to the quantities. You can still adjust rates and markup before you submit. See our construction estimating services.
Getting the takeoff right is the part that does the most damage when it goes wrong. A wrong unit price is usually visible on review; a wall type that was never counted is not.
Deliverables
What You Get With Every Takeoff
You receive files you can work from directly, not just a total.
Color-coded marked-up plans (PDF)
Every measured area, run and count highlighted on the drawings, so anyone in your office can see what was included and where.
Assumptions, inclusions and exclusions
Written notes on how we interpreted unclear details, which items we counted, and what we deliberately left out, for example, items shown as “by owner” or “NIC”.
Summary sheet
Totals by trade or division, for a quick read before you get into the detail.
Pricing, if ordered
Material, labor and equipment costs added to the quantities, drawn from RSMeans, Craftsman and our own regional databases and adjusted to your project's ZIP code.
Your own spreadsheet layout
Send us your template and we'll fill it in, so the numbers drop straight into your estimating workflow.
See a sample estimate →Example of how line items are laid out
Illustrative format only, not from a client project.
| CSI | Item | Unit | Net qty | Waste | Order qty | Sheet ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 03 30 00 | Slab on grade, 4" thick (3,450 SF) | CY | 42.6 | 5% | 44.7 | S-101 |
| 03 20 00 | #4 rebar, continuous footing, 2 bars | LF | 1,180 | 10% laps & waste | 1,298 | S-201 |
| 09 21 16 | 5/8" Type X gypsum board, wall type W3, both sides | SF | 12,800 | 10% | 14,080 (294 sheets, 4×12) | A-501 |
| 08 14 16 | Flush wood door, 3'-0" × 7'-0", per door schedule | EA | 46 | 46 | A-601 |
Showing net and order quantities separately lets you see (and change) the waste allowance instead of trusting a figure that has it buried inside.
Takeoff Options
Order the Takeoff That Fits the Job
Quantities only, a single trade, a whole building, or quantities with pricing: each built to the same standard.
Material takeoffs
A list of the materials to purchase, with sizes, types and order quantities. Useful for subcontractors placing orders and for suppliers quoting a package. Material takeoff services →
Quantity takeoffs
Measured quantities of work by scope (areas, volumes, lengths and counts) organized for pricing. This is the standard input for a bid estimate. Quantity takeoff services →
Single-trade or full-project
Subcontractors typically need one scope measured in depth: just the drywall and framing, just the concrete, just the electrical. General contractors bidding a whole building may want every division measured so they can check sub coverage and find scope gaps between trades. We do both.
Takeoffs with pricing
Quantities plus material, labor and equipment costs, laid out so you can adjust rates, overhead and profit before you submit. This is where takeoff and estimating meet. Bid estimating services →
Preliminary and budget takeoffs
For owners, developers and architects working from schematic or design-development drawings, we measure what the drawings show and note where quantities are based on assumptions, so you can test a budget before the design is finished.
Not sure which to order?
Send the drawings and tell us how you'll use the numbers. We'll recommend the right option in your quote.
Get a Recommendation →
Scope
Trades and CSI Divisions We Measure
We take off quantities across the CSI divisions, either as standalone trade takeoffs or as part of a full-project package.
Site, Structure & Envelope
From the ground up to a closed-in building.
- Sitework and earthworkCut and fill, grading, trenching, utilities, paving, landscaping, irrigationDiv 31 to 33→
- ConcreteFootings, foundations, slabs, walls, columns, beams, rebar, formworkDiv 03→
- MasonryCMU, brick, stone, grout, reinforcement, mortarDiv 04→
- MetalsStructural steel, joists, deck, miscellaneous metals, railingsDiv 05→
- Wood and framingLumber, sheathing, trusses, engineered wood, trim and millworkDiv 06→
- Thermal and moisture protectionRoofing, insulation, waterproofing, damp-proofing, firestoppingDiv 07→
- OpeningsDoors, frames, hardware, windows, storefrontsDiv 08→
Finishes & MEP
Interior trades and the building systems behind the walls.
- Drywall and ceilingsBoard, framing, ceiling systemsDiv 09→
- Flooring and tileFlooring, tile and baseDiv 09→
- Painting and wall coveringsPaint, coatings and wall coveringsDiv 09→
- Mechanical / HVACDuctwork, fittings, dampers, diffusers, equipment, pipingDiv 23→
- PlumbingPipe, fittings, fixtures, valves, equipmentDiv 22→
- Electrical and low voltageConduit, wire, devices, fixtures, panels, gear, telecomDiv 26 to 27→
Don't see your scope? Ask. If it's drawn, it can usually be measured.
Who We Work With
Who Uses Our Takeoffs
General contractors
Use full-project takeoffs to check that sub bids cover the whole scope, to carry trades they self-perform, and to put a number on scopes where no sub bid comes in.
Subcontractors
Use trade takeoffs to bid more jobs without adding staff, especially in busy months when several bid dates land in the same week.
Material suppliers and vendors
Use material lists to quote contractor packages quickly and accurately.
Home builders and remodelers
Use takeoffs to order materials for a house or addition and to keep repeat plans consistent.
Developers, architects and lenders
Use quantity takeoffs and budget numbers to test feasibility, compare against contractor pricing, or review a draw request.
Bid date coming up?
Send the set with your bid date and we'll tell you up front whether we can deliver with time to review.
Upload your plans →
Project Types
Residential, Commercial and Industrial Projects
Residential
Custom homes, production and modular homes, townhouses, additions, remodels, multifamily and apartment buildings.
Commercial
Offices, retail and tenant improvements, restaurants, hotels, schools, warehouses, healthcare and mixed-use buildings.
Industrial
Manufacturing plants, processing facilities, distribution centers, and plant upgrades or expansions.
Civil and Site
Site development, paving, utilities and drainage.
Process
Send Your Documents →
How Our Construction Takeoff Process Works
Quote first, measure second, and delivered with room to review before your bid.
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01
Send Your Documents
Upload drawings, specifications and addenda through the quote form, email them, or share a Google Drive folder or plan room link for large sets. Tell us the scope you need measured and your bid date.
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02
Get a Quote First
We review the set and send you a price and turnaround time. Nothing is started until you approve it.
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03
We Measure and Build It
Our estimators work digitally on the drawings in PlanSwift, Bluebeam Revu and On-Screen Takeoff, marking everything they measure. Unclear details (site conditions, prevailing wage requirements, phasing) are noted as assumptions or sent to you as questions rather than guessed.
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04
Review Before Delivery
A second estimator checks the quantities against the drawings and specifications for missed items and unit errors before anything is sent to you.
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05
Files With Room to Spare
We aim to deliver early enough for you to review and collect supplier and sub pricing, where possible, at least two days before your bid date. After your review we can make revisions, add supplier quotes you've received, and help you finalize pricing.
Checklist
What to Send for an Accurate Takeoff
The more complete the set, the fewer assumptions we have to make. If you can, include:
- The full drawing set: architectural, structural, civil, MEP, not just the sheets for your trade (schedules and details are often elsewhere)
- Project specifications, or at least the sections for your scope
- All addenda issued so far
- The bid invitation, bid form, or scope letter describing what you're responsible for
- Your preferred format or template, cost codes, and how you want items grouped
- Any known alternates, phasing, or areas excluded from your scope
- For priced takeoffs: project location, and whether you want us to use your material or labor rates
File Types We Work From
PDF drawings are fine. If you have CAD files or a plan room link, send those too. Large sets travel best as a shared folder link.
Upload Your Plans →Or email them to info@primeestimation.com.
Quality
What Makes a Takeoff Usable on Bid Day
Two takeoffs of the same drawings can come out with different totals and both look tidy. The useful one is the one you can trust and defend. These are the details we pay attention to:
- Scope boundaries. Most money on a bid is lost in gaps and overlaps between trades: blocking that neither framing nor drywall picked up, sleeves that fall between plumbing and concrete, equipment pads drawn on the mechanical sheets but not the structural. We note where the line between scopes sits so you're not caught by it later.
- Specifications, not just drawings. A wall type on the plan might say “W3”, but the spec can call for a different board, an extra layer, or a moisture-resistant product in certain rooms. The takeoff should follow both.
- Addenda. A late addendum can change a slab thickness, a door schedule or a fixture count. We take off against the latest documents you send and can update the takeoff when another addendum is issued.
- Waste and units. Concrete, drywall, rebar laps, tile and lumber all carry different waste allowances, and materials are bought in units that don't match the drawn quantity: sheets, sticks, rolls, boxes. We show net and order quantities separately so the allowance is visible.
- Written assumptions. If a detail is unclear, the takeoff says so. An assumption you can see is something you can correct; a silent guess isn't.
Your Review
How to Check an Outsourced Takeoff
You should never have to accept quantities on faith. A quick review that takes 20 to 30 minutes:
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1
Open the markups next to the spreadsheet
Pick three or four line items and find them on the drawings. Every item should be traceable to a sheet.
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2
Look for unmarked areas
On the marked-up PDF, anything in your scope that isn't highlighted wasn't counted.
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3
Run one rough check per major item
Slab area × thickness ÷ 27 for cubic yards; wall length × height for board area. If the takeoff is far off a rough check, ask why.
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4
Read the exclusions and assumptions
Make sure nothing you're responsible for is listed as excluded.
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5
Confirm the addenda
Check that the latest addendum number is noted.
If something doesn't line up, send us the question. That's what the review step is for.
Comparison
Outsourcing Takeoffs vs Doing Them In-House
Both approaches work. The right one depends on how many bids you run and how evenly they come in.
| In-house estimator | Outsourced takeoff services | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost structure | Fixed salary and benefits whether or not you're bidding | Paid per project, so the cost follows your bid volume |
| Software | You buy and maintain takeoff software licenses | Included in the service |
| Busy periods | Limited to one person's hours; something gets skipped when bids stack up | Send more projects when more bids come in |
| Knowledge of your pricing | Strong: they know your crews and history | You keep your own unit costs; we provide the quantities |
| Best for | Steady, high bid volume in a narrow scope | Variable bid volume, extra capacity, unfamiliar trades or large sets |
Many contractors use both: their own estimator prices the work, and an outside team handles the measuring on busy weeks or on scopes outside their usual work. See our freelance construction estimating services.
Pricing and Turnaround
Flat Per-Project Pricing, Quoted Before You Commit
We price takeoffs per project rather than hourly, and quote each job after reviewing the drawings. You see the price and the delivery time before you commit.
Single-trade takeoff
Often within 24 hoursOne scope measured in depth: drywall, concrete, electrical, lumber.
Typical fee $250 to $600
Multi-trade takeoff
24 to 48 hoursSeveral divisions taken off to the same assumptions, so nothing is double-counted.
Quoted per project
Full-project package
Confirmed in your quoteEvery division on a large or dense set, with a delivery date agreed up front.
Quoted per project
Monthly retainer
Priority queueA set volume of takeoffs each month with the same dedicated estimator.
From $1,500/mo
What affects the price and timing:
- Number of trades or divisions: one trade versus a full building
- Project size and number of sheets
- Drawing quality and complexity: clear, dimensioned plans move faster than incomplete or hand-marked sets
- Level of detail: quantities only, or quantities with material and labor pricing
- Required format: our template or yours
- Deadline: how soon you need it relative to the bid date
Why Prime Estimation
Why Contractors Send Their Plans to Prime Estimation
We provide construction takeoff services for projects anywhere in the U.S. Because the work is done digitally from your drawings, location doesn't limit what we can measure, and when a takeoff includes pricing, we apply material and labor costs for the project's ZIP code rather than a national average.
Quote first, work second
A price and turnaround after we've looked at your actual drawings: no surprises on the invoice.
Traceable quantities
Every line item ties back to a marked-up drawing, so your team can check it.
Your format, your codes
Delivered in your template and grouped the way you price.
Across trades
From earthwork to finishes to MEP, one team can measure a single scope or the whole building.
Experience across project types
More than 1,500 projects priced across federal, institutional, commercial, industrial and residential work.
Support after delivery
Questions, revisions and addenda updates are handled by the team that did the work.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What contractors ask before outsourcing their first takeoff.
What are construction takeoff services?
Construction takeoff services are outsourced measuring and counting of the materials and work shown on construction drawings. An estimator reviews the plans and specifications and produces quantity lists (volumes, areas, lengths and counts) that contractors use to price bids and order materials.
What's the difference between a takeoff and a cost estimate?
A takeoff gives you quantities. An estimate turns those quantities into a cost by adding material prices, labor, equipment, overhead and profit. You can order quantities only, or a takeoff with pricing.
How much do construction takeoff services cost?
It depends on the number of trades, the size of the drawing set, its complexity and the level of detail. Single-trade takeoffs typically run $250 to $600. We quote each project on a flat per-project basis after reviewing the drawings, so you know the price before work begins.
How long does a takeoff take?
Most takeoffs are delivered within 24 to 48 hours, and single-trade takeoffs are often back within 24 hours. Large sets take longer. You get a delivery time with your quote, and we aim to finish early enough for you to review the takeoff before your bid date.
What file formats will I receive?
Excel spreadsheets with the quantities and line-item detail, plus color-coded PDF drawings showing what was measured. We can also fill in your own estimating template.
Can you do a takeoff for just one trade?
Yes. Subcontractors and suppliers often order a single scope (drywall, concrete, electrical, lumber) and general contractors often order full-project takeoffs.
What if an addendum is issued after I receive the takeoff?
Send it to us and we'll update the affected quantities on the same takeoff, so you're not re-checking the whole set yourself.
Can you work from incomplete or preliminary drawings?
Yes. We measure what's shown and document the assumptions where information is missing, so you can see which numbers are firm and which are placeholders.
Do you include waste in the quantities?
Yes, and we show it separately. Net quantities and order quantities are both listed, so you can adjust the waste allowance to suit your crews and suppliers.
Ready to Get Started?
Get a Quote on Your Next Takeoff
Have a bid coming up? Send us the drawings, specs and addenda along with your bid date. We'll review the set and come back with a price and turnaround time, then you decide.
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