Calculating the value of quantity takeoff services for the building industry varies

according to project conditions and company experience. As a professional in

the building industry, anybody might come closer to this term. This term is in

the industry for a long time and is an important part of the industry. Quantity

takeoffs are determined by quantity surveyor services. A person may end up

making or breaking the project in this step. Furthermore, it can underestimate

or overestimate the project cost. You need highly professional skills to

calculate the quantity takeoff. Building companies define Quantity

takeoffs with associated terms. It includes estimation services, material

takeoff services, and quantity takeoffs.  The key to completing any

project lies in determining realistic cost values with accuracy using quantity

takeoff. Different quantity surveyors use methods and terminologies according to experience for quantity takeoffs.

In this article, you will get guidance on correct and accurate quantity takeoff terminologies

and methods. Furthermore, you can do this by using different techniques according to industry requirements.

What is Quantity Takeoff Services?

Some dictionaries define quantity takeoff services as the estimation of quantities

for the project from documents such as plans and drawings. Certainly, it is recorded in the bills of material for the project.  

In practice, the building industry uses quantity takeoff services to describe the

process of estimation. This process includes a review of a set of plans during

pre-construction to “take off ” measurements from plans. Measurements are then

used for forecasting costs. Architectural drawings, engineering drawings, and other models provide a list of items.

Moreover, quantity takeoff services are common in the industry. Anybody can experience

some confusion over its use. For example, you may assume that it is only a cost

estimate for the bills of material. You may also refer to this to forecasting material quantities from plans. But it includes both labor and material.

Interchangeable names associated with quantity takeoffs are also used. They refer to different

things. These terms include material takeoff, construction takeoff, material estimate, and material count. Everybody must distinguish different terms to avoid misunderstanding.

How to do quantity takeoffs

This process is essential for estimating. The quantity surveyor or the builder

should be able to estimate materials. Moreover, you should methodically

approach this process. Various other expenses such as overheads, shifts, and

market costs should also be considered. Everybody should count all physical

materials except tools and equipment in this process. For example, a person may

use concrete, electrical cables, lights, bricks, etc. Quantity and type both should be indicated in quantity takeoff services.

You should focus on counting numbers for specific individual items. Certainly, this will

include numbers and product types. Different items require different measurements

and units. Flooring and roofing will require measurement of surface area as

as well as the quantity required. Finally, some materials require volume measurements to accurately estimate them.

Things to Look for in Quantity Takeoff Services

For calculating the quantity takeoff, you put some information related to the

project. Professionals use mathematical equations and resolve numbers. Then you

ultimately arrive at a figure which is an estimate. Quantity surveyor services should ponder over these points to perform the task accurately:

Unit: You should make sure that the units used for measurements are also used In markets. This will ease the procedure to acquire resources.

Weight: The weight of the material should be calculated to determine the costs to handle them.

Length: Actual and estimated length should be proper and in appropriate units.

Surface and volume: A person must distinguish between surface and volume as the design move from 2D to 3D. Length*width*height is the correct formula for volume.

Methods to Calculate the Value of Quantity Takeoff Services

There are two most used methods for calculating the surveyor quantity takeoff. Technology

is the main difference between these two methods. Building Information Modeling

(BIM) raised the technological bar with complicated systems and tools. Professionals

have reduced excessive usage of materials and issues such as low productivity

by using computer-aided designs. Certainly, digitalization has improved the

estimation and takeoff procedure. But human operators and interpreters are also

important in this method. Therefore, professionals use two methods for quantity takeoff services.

i.                   Manual Takeoffs

This is used to calculate takeoff manually. Physical plans as well as blueprints for

accurately detailing and describing the material. Human error and time

consumption are disadvantages of this system. Skill and experience of estimator matter in determining the costs. Attention to detail and practical knowledge help in this method.

ii.                   Digital Takeoffs

In this method, digital tools and computerization are used.  This is relatively

new in the industry. It was first devised in the 80s and 90s. You can form

Computerized building models. Large and complex projects are integrated and

digital takeoffs are obtained. This method is superior to manual methods, especially for large and complex projects.

Quantity takeoffs can be complex but it should use methods appropriately to solve them. Anybody should have only a single purpose-accuracy. Manual takeoff is far better than digital if you have an accurate estimate.

Conclusion

Quantity takeoff services are an important and complicated process. Experienced and

knowledgeable engineers can produce accurate data so they can manage a project.

This will help us avoid estimation worries. You need professional quantity

surveyor services to determine accurate costs. Surveyors offer services to

small as well as large and complex projects with years of experience. This increases quantity takeoffs for increasing bidding accuracy and work efficiency.

Quantity takeoff services are important in the building industry. For a successful bid

to best resources and cost management, all involve accurate estimates. There

are some inaccuracies in both methods but the user should know in and out of

the process to get the best results. Digital surveyor quantity services can

help to minimize errors but at the cost of knowledge to use them and trained staff.

Certainly, everybody recommends using digital methods to solve complex

problems. Furthermore, large companies are already getting benefits from computerization and technology.