By floor or level
first-floor walls, second-floor deck, roof
Lumber Takeoff
Lumber Takeoff Services for Builders, Framers & Lumber Yards
A good lumber list saves money twice. Order too little and the crew waits for a second delivery. Order too much and you're paying for (and storing, and eventually throwing out) lumber you didn't need.
Our lumber takeoff services turn your plans into a counted, sized list of every framing member and sheet good on the job, organized so you or your supplier can price and deliver it without rework.
Order-ready listsBy size, length and sheet
Excel + PDFWith marked-up drawings
ZIP-code pricedLocal material and labor rates
24 to 48 hoursTypical turnaround
What's in Our Lumber Takeoff
We work through the structure the way it gets built:
Sill and floor framing
- Pressure-treated sill plates and sill gasket
- Beams, girders, and posts
- Floor joists or I-joists, rim board, and blocking
- Subfloor sheathing
Wall framing
- Bottom and top plates (including double top plates)
- Studs by height: precut and long-length
- King studs, jack studs, and cripples
- Headers by size and opening
- Corners, partition backing, and fire blocking
- Wall sheathing, including shear wall sheathing where specified
Roof framing
- Rafters, ridge boards, hips and valleys, and ceiling joists for stick-framed roofs
- Trusses noted by type and count (when the truss package is supplied by others)
- Fascia and sub-fascia, blocking, and roof sheathing
Decks, porches, and exterior structures (when shown)
- Posts, beams, joists, decking, and stair stringers
Connectors and fasteners (optional)
- Hangers, straps, hold-downs, and anchor bolts called out on structural drawings
Organized for Ordering
A list is only useful if it matches how you buy and deliver. We can organize the lumber takeoff:
By framing phase
so deliveries can be staged as framing progresses
By species, grade, and treatment
SPF, Douglas fir, Southern yellow pine, pressure-treated
By size and length
piece counts per size and length, with board feet where useful
Tell us how your crew or your yard prefers to see it.
Engineered Lumber and Trusses
Most new homes use some engineered lumber, and it's where costly ordering mistakes happen.
LVL, PSL, and glulam beams
are listed with size, length, and ply count from the structural drawings.
I-joists
are listed by depth and series, with rim board, web stiffeners, and blocking panels where shown.
Trusses
are usually designed and priced by a truss manufacturer. When the plans show a truss roof, we list truss types and quantities for reference and take off everything the truss package doesn't include: gable framing, overbuilds, bracing, and sheathing.
If your yard or manufacturer has a layout already, send it and we'll match the takeoff to it.
The Assumptions That Change the Count
Two estimators can take off the same plans and get different numbers. Usually it's not the math; it's the assumptions. We state ours:
Stud spacing
16 inches or 24 inches on center, per the plans or your preference
Corners and intersections
three-stud corners, California corners, or ladder blocking
Openings
how many studs are added per window and door
Waste factor
applied by material type, not one blanket percentage
Sheathing layout
full sheets counted to account for openings and cuts
Blocking
for cabinets, grab bars, and fire blocking per code
If your crew frames differently, tell us once and we'll match it on future takeoffs.
Who Uses Lumber Takeoffs
Home builders
pricing a new model or confirming a supplier's quote.
Framing contractors
who need material quantities before pricing labor. Framing estimating →
Lumber yards and building material dealers
turning customer plans into quotes faster.
Remodelers
pricing additions and renovations.
Owner-builders
who want to know what to order before talking to a supplier.
Checklist
What to Send
- Architectural floor plans, elevations, and sections
- Structural drawings, including framing plans and beam schedules
- Truss layout, if available
- Specifications or general notes (species, grade, sheathing type)
- Your framing preferences, if they differ from the plans
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
- A lumber list by phase or level, with sizes, lengths, and piece counts
- Sheathing counts by type and thickness
- Engineered lumber list with sizes
- Marked-up plans showing what was counted
- Excel and PDF files ready to send to a supplier
Add pricing if you'd like a material cost estimate with local lumber prices.
Process
How It Works
-
01
Send your plans and any framing preferences
Send your plans and any framing preferences
-
02
Receive a quote and delivery date
Receive a quote and delivery date
-
03
Approve, and we complete the takeoff
Approve, and we complete the takeoff
-
04
Review the list
Send changes or revised plans and we'll update it.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a lumber takeoff?
A lumber takeoff is a list of every piece of lumber and sheet good needed to frame a building, counted and sized from the plans. Builders and suppliers use it to price and order material.
Does the takeoff include trusses?
When trusses are supplied by a manufacturer, we list the truss types and quantities for reference and take off all other roof framing and sheathing. For stick-framed roofs, every member is included.
How do you handle waste?
We apply waste by material type and show the factor, so you can adjust it to match your crew.
Can you include labor costs?
A lumber takeoff covers materials. If you need labor and a complete framing bid, see our framing estimating service. Framing estimating → Single-trade takeoffs typically run $250 to $600.
Do you do takeoffs for lumber yards?
Yes. Yards and dealers send customer plans and receive an order-ready list they can price.
How long does a lumber takeoff take?
For a typical home, usually quicker than a full estimate. We confirm the delivery date with the quote. Most estimates are delivered in 24 to 48 hours, and single-trade takeoffs often within 24 hours.
Ready to Get Started?
Order the Right Lumber the First Time
Send your plans. We'll quote the takeoff and confirm when it'll be ready.