Ductwork
- Rectangular duct
- Round and spiral duct
- Flat oval duct
- Flexible duct and connectors
- Exhaust, return, outside air, and supply systems
- Kitchen grease and specialty exhaust duct
Duct Takeoff
Duct Takeoff Services for Sheet Metal & HVAC Contractors
Sheet metal is priced by the pound, and labor is driven by the fittings. A ductwork takeoff that only gives you linear feet of duct leaves out most of what you need to bid the job.
Our duct takeoff services measure ductwork the way sheet metal contractors actually price it: duct weight by gauge, fittings by type and size, accessories, air devices, insulation, and hangers: organized by system so you can check every run against the drawings.
By size and gaugeFittings counted piece by piece
Excel + PDFWith marked-up drawings
ZIP-code pricedLocal material and labor rates
24 to 48 hoursTypical turnaround
What We Take Off
Fittings
Elbows, offsets, transitions, tees, wyes, taps and takeoffs, end caps, and reducers: counted by type and size.
Accessories
- Volume dampers, fire dampers, smoke dampers, and combination fire/smoke dampers
- Backdraft and motorized dampers
- Access doors
- Turning vanes
- Flexible connections at equipment
Air Devices
Supply diffusers, return and exhaust grilles, registers, and louvers: by type, size, and count, matched to the air device schedule.
Insulation and Liner
External duct wrap and internal duct liner by area, with thickness and type from the specifications. Insulation estimating →
Supports
Hangers, trapeze supports, and seismic bracing where the drawings or specs call for it.
Measured the Way Sheet Metal Is Priced
Rectangular duct gauge depends on duct size, static pressure class, and reinforcement: following the duct construction standards (typically SMACNA) referenced in the specifications. A 24-inch duct at low pressure and the same size at higher pressure may be different gauges with different reinforcement.
Our takeoff reports:
Weight of sheet metal by gauge
, so you can price material by the pound
Surface area
of duct, used for insulation and liner
Lengths by size
, for round and spiral duct priced per foot
Pressure class
by system, as identified in the specs and drawings
Material type
galvanized, stainless, aluminum, or black iron where specified
Why Fittings Matter More Than Footage
A straight run of duct goes up quickly. Fittings take far more labor to fabricate and install. Two systems with the same footage can carry very different labor if one has many elbows, transitions, and branch takeoffs.
That's why we count fittings separately by type and size. Whether you price labor with fitting equivalents, labor units per piece, or your own production rates, you have the counts you need.
Bid Takeoff vs. Fabrication Takeoff
Bid takeoff
Quantities to price the job: weight by gauge, fittings, accessories, air devices, and insulation. This is what most contractors need before bid day.
Fabrication-level detail
Piece-by-piece quantities closer to what the shop will build. This requires coordinated drawings and usually comes after award.
Tell us which one you need when you send the job.
Organized by System
Every takeoff is broken down so it's easy to check and to split into crews or phases:
- By system: supply, return, exhaust, outside air
- By floor or area
- By pressure class or material type
- Summary totals for the whole project
Marked-up drawings are color-coded so you can see which runs were counted.
Who Uses Duct Takeoffs
Sheet metal contractors
bidding commercial and industrial ductwork
HVAC and mechanical contractors
pricing the air side of a mechanical bid Mechanical estimating →
Duct fabricators
quoting fabricated duct packages
General contractors
checking HVAC subcontractor bids MEP estimating →
Checklist
What to Send
- Mechanical (HVAC) floor plans, sections, and details
- Duct construction and air distribution specifications
- Equipment and air device schedules
- Addenda
- Any scope split notes (e.g., who supplies dampers or air devices)
Send Your Files
Upload the drawings through our quote form, share a Google Drive or plan-room link, or email them. Large sets travel best as a shared folder.
Upload Your Plans →Or email info@primeestimation.com.
Excel + PDFWith marked-up drawings
Deliverables
What You Receive
- Duct quantities by system, size, gauge, and weight
- Fitting counts by type and size
- Accessory and air device counts
- Insulation and liner areas
- Hanger counts
- Marked-up drawings
- Excel and PDF files
Process
How It Works
-
01
Send the mechanical drawings and specifications
Send the mechanical drawings and specifications
-
02
Get a quote and delivery date
Get a quote and delivery date
-
03
Approve, and we complete the takeoff, with questions if scope splits are unclear
Approve, and we complete the takeoff, with questions if scope splits are unclear
-
04
Review, and send addenda for updates before bid day
Review, and send addenda for updates before bid day
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a duct takeoff?
A duct takeoff is a measured list of all ductwork, fittings, accessories, air devices, insulation, and supports on an HVAC project. Sheet metal and mechanical contractors use it to price material and labor.
Do you calculate sheet metal weight by gauge?
Yes. Rectangular duct is reported by gauge and weight based on size and pressure class from the specifications.
Do you include air devices and dampers?
Yes, counted by type and size against the schedules on the drawings.
Can you price the takeoff?
We can add material and labor pricing for the project's location, or deliver quantities only for your own pricing. Single-trade takeoffs typically run $250 to $600.
Do you take off residential duct systems?
Residential systems are typically simpler (mostly flex and round duct) and we can price them as well.
Ready to Get Started?
Get the Duct Quantities You Actually Bid From
Send your mechanical set. We'll quote the takeoff and confirm the delivery date.