Construction takeoff software generates accurate estimates faster

8 minute read

The ultimate guide to construction takeoff software

If you dread doing a construction takeoff, you’re not alone. The construction takeoff process when done manually with paper plans and a scale ruler is time-consuming and frustrating. It’s a process that often requires repetitive work while still resulting in inaccuracies. Because construction takeoffs are a necessary part of the construction industry, having a takeoff process that is efficient and accurate, is essential.

Seasoned construction professionals understand the difficulty of creating a construction takeoff by hand—measuring, calculating, triple-checking numbers, only to have to repeat the process with every change to the RFQ. Using Excel can help, but you won’t catch all mistakes, and it’s not scalable. The key to success in the construction industry is processes that can help your business save time, win more work and more profit, at scale.

Worse yet, a construction takeoff isn’t a task you can direct charge. Hiring a dedicated estimator is costly, and the volume of work may not be enough to keep them busy. This all means it’s often you, stuck without estimating software, manually laboring over writing bids after hours and off the clock.

What is construction takeoff software? 

Construction takeoff software is an estimating software solution that eliminates manual work and inefficiencies while boosting your company’s chances of winning bids and building profit long-term. Adding a construction takeoff software solution to your residential construction business removes headaches by automating much of the process on-screen — measuring in a few mouse clicks and pricing jobs in one step—helping you get back to the roles of the job you enjoy or to the free time you lack.

The top benefits of takeoff software

The best construction takeoff software can streamline your estimating process, setting your residential construction business up for success. Today, takeoff software solutions, like Buildxact, make estimates quicker and more accurate, ultimately paying off when it comes to your bottom line. The best takeoff software always pays for itself, and Buildxact does just that. Once you do an on-screen takeoff, you won’t want to do one manually every again. An on screen takeoff using estimating software lets you work diligently and efficiently. The best part is that if you make a mistake, digital takeoff solutions help you move forward with the construction project.

Here are the top six benefits to use construction takeoff software for your residential construction business:

Faster and simpler approach to construction estimating

Bidding for jobs is hard enough. Add in the time and hassle of a quantity takeoff, and you risk missing out on a project before the client has an opportunity to view your quote. Construction takeoff software will help you speed up a quantity takeoff and help you achieve accurate estimates of material costs every time. Takeoff and estimating will never be the same once you start using our cloud-based solution for project management, construction estimating and takeoffs.

Buildxact’s automated construction estimating features and intuitive functionality mean you can do takeoffs 80% faster versus manual processes, even for users who don’t consider themselves tech-savvy.  Cloud based software solutions should help your business grow and become more efficient. Because custom home builders typically don’t operate with the same resources or staff numbers big construction companies have, construction takeoff software is a gamechanger for them.

Simply upload the project plans, scale the plans, and begin measuring on-screen. Takeoffs automatically link to material pricing, combining measuring and estimating into one step.

“Using Buildxact has allowed me to have a more precise estimate for project costs, and I’m able to get takeoffs over to our material supplier,” said Jeremy De Paz, project manager at Waterloo City Construction in Austin, Texas. “My salesman at my preferred supplier loves it because I send them the takeoffs, and he just has to review them.”

Estimating software increases cost estimate accuracy and efficiency

Takeoff and estimating software eliminates repetitive estimating work in several ways, like simple templates to use over and over and dealer material pricing lists that can be uploaded once and referenced across multiple projects.

Throughout the process, checklist-style estimates ensure no items are missed, helping to avoid inaccurate bids.

Win more work 

Once you’ve completed an estimate, takeoff software like Buildxact turns it into an eye-catching, professional quote 5x faster than if done manually. You also can add specifications with photos, which helps further set your company apart from other bidders.

Grows with your business 

Takeoff software is an excellent tool on its own. But to get the most value, it should integrate with a complete, easy-to-use project management software for every step from takeoffs to the final invoice. It includes scheduling directly from the estimate, cost tracking, and accounting.

Access takeoffs anywhere, anytime 

Most takeoff software is cloud-based software – all you need is a browser and an internet connection to access your bids and projects anywhere, anytime. Cloud-based software also allows you to avoid organizing files, updating file permissions, emailing and attaching files to other team members, and other challenges that come with document management and sharing in a manual process.

Jumpstart your projects 

Once you win the job using estimating takeoff software, the information from the estimate carries over, making it easy to get the project moving, to begin scheduling work, to send order reminder emails and SMSs, to track costs, to purchase materials and more.

Key features to look for in takeoff software 

Takeoff software features support the new to most experienced estimator in the residential construction business. Automating and digitizing blueprints has never been more accessible with takeoff software like Buildxact, enabling residential builders like you to be up and running in a matter of minutes.

Here are the top four features builders like you choose takeoff software to take their business to the next level:

Takeoff and measure once

Takeoff estimate software allows you to upload a PDF of your plan, measure with a few clicks, and estimate a job in one step. Takeoffs are automatically linked to the material costs, saving you time when estimating for a future project.

“The biggest benefit is that the information is saved and that when I type it back in, it’s going to pull it back up again,” said Dustin Ballew, owner of Blue Bexar Construction in San Antonio, Texas. “I don’t have to rethink all those numbers again, and I don’t have to dig through pages to find it.”

Dealer pricing built-in

Access to your dealer’s price list with takeoff software, saves you time by reducing the need for emails and phone calls to check the price of multiple items and ordering materials.

Formula-based process

Takeoff software uses a processes that programs your calculations, saving you time and reducing errors. Buildxact’s process is called recipes or assemblies. Recipes allow you to offer accurate estimates to your customers and send a list to your suppliers, faster.

For example, you can group items for a complete door opening assembly, including door, lockset, number of hinges, and the labor to install it. It makes ordering materials easier as it figures your quantities out for you automatically.

RFQ Management 

With takeoff software, once you have calibrated your plans, made corrections, and added in recipes, you can send and manage RFQs to your supplier and subcontractor using the email or SMS feature. It’s that simple.

Simple, intuitive takeoff tools

For builders concerned about the learning curve required for takeoff software, rest assured that not only is Buildxact intuitive, minimal training is needed to start using the software effectively. But when you do need a hand, a training and support network is available. Buildxact offers tech support accessible via phone or chat and FAQs all of which will get you up to speed and help you maximize your user experience.

Ready to learn more? 

Try our  14-day risk-free trial, or book a one-on-one demo with one of our expert team members today.