Construction Takeoff: How to Do a Quantity Takeoff (Step-by-Step + Checklist)

Quick Answer

A construction takeoff (quantity takeoff) is the process of measuring and counting the materials and labor quantities you need to build the job—before you price it. A clean takeoff turns plans into billable quantities (SF, LF, CY, EA, hours), so your estimate is based on scope and production—rather than “gut feel.”

What is a takeoff in construction?

A takeoff is where you translate drawings/specs into quantities you can price.

In practical contractor terms:

• Measure what’s in scope (SF/LF/CY/EA)
• Apply rules (waste, laps, overlaps, joints, coverage)
• Convert to purchasable units (sheets, bundles, gallons, yards)
• Tie quantities to labor (hours/crew-days) and equipment where needed

If your estimate is the “price,” the takeoff is the math and scope backbone.

When you should do a takeoff (and when you shouldn’t)

You should do a full takeoff when:

• You’re bidding fixed price (or GMP) and scope is defined
• Materials are a big cost driver (drywall, roofing, concrete, tile, framing, siding)
• Your subs need quantities (tile SF, baseboard LF, fixture counts)

You can do a lighter takeoff when:

• It’s a small service ticket with a known parts list
• You’re bidding T&M with a not-to-exceed (still measure the big buckets)

Takeoff vs estimate vs bid: what’s the difference?

• Takeoff: quantities (what it takes)
• Estimate: quantities + unit costs + labor + overhead/profit (what it costs you)
• Bid/proposal: estimate + terms + exclusions + schedule (what you present)

If you need a clean proposal format after your takeoff, use a template like our construction bid template.

The takeoff workflow (step-by-step)

Here’s a field-tested workflow that works whether you’re doing takeoffs in software or on paper.

1) Confirm scope + drawings

Before you measure anything, answer:

• What drawings/specs are included (and which revision)?
• What’s explicitly excluded?
• Who owns demo, disposal, protection, permits, engineering?
• What are the allowances (tile, fixtures, cabinets)?

Pro tip: Write a quick “scope snapshot” before you measure. If scope is fuzzy, your takeoff will be “accurate” but still wrong.

2) Set your takeoff units and conventions

Pick consistent units so you don’t mix:

• SF for walls/floors
• LF for trim/pipe/rail
• CY for concrete/excavation
• EA for fixtures, doors, outlets

Also set conventions like:

• Wall height assumption (8’ vs 9’)
• Rounding rules (nearest sheet, nearest bundle)
• Waste factor defaults by trade

3) Measure quantities (do it in a sequence)

Measure in a predictable order so you don’t forget things.

A simple sequence:

1. Demo & disposal quantities (SF, CY, dumpsters)
2. Framing & blocking (LF, EA)
3. Drywall (SF), corners (LF), ceilings (SF)
4. Flooring (SF) + transitions (EA/LF)
5. Paint (SF) + trim (LF)
6. Trim/doors/hardware (EA)
7. Specialty items (tile SF, waterproofing, niches, curbs)

4) Convert to buy quantities + add waste/overage

Your measured takeoff is not your purchase list.

Examples of common conversions:

• Drywall SF → sheets (32 SF for 4x8)
• Roofing SF → squares (100 SF)
• Concrete CF → cubic yards (27 CF)
• Paint SF → gallons (coverage depends on product + substrate)

Then apply:

• Waste factor (cuts, breakage)
• Overage for small orders (short-load fees, minimums)
• Job conditions (stairs, height, access, occupied space)

If you’re working concrete, the Concrete Calculator and Concrete Cost Per Yard tool can help you sanity-check volume and budget assumptions.

5) Tie quantities to labor using production rates

This is where good contractors separate themselves.

The method:

• Labor hours = quantity ÷ production rate
• Then adjust for conditions (access, height, complexity, working hours)

Example:

• If your drywall hang rate is 40 sheets/day for a 2-man crew on open framing, don’t use that same rate in a tight remodel with protection and patching.

If you need a clean labor roll-up, start with the Labor Cost Calculator and add your burden/overhead in your pricing model.

6) Cross-check and “scope audit”

Before you price:

• Compare to a rule-of-thumb baseline (does this SF/LF make sense?)
• Look for missing trades (trim? paint? protection? cleanup?)
• Confirm allowances and alternates

7) Lock the takeoff and version it

Save:

• The measured quantities
• The assumptions
• The drawing revision

If scope changes, you want to know exactly what changed (and what didn’t).

Takeoff checklist (copy/paste)

Use this as a final pass before pricing:

Plan set + scope

• Drawing revision verified
• Inclusions/exclusions documented
• Allowances listed (tile/fixtures/cabinets)
• Demo and disposal included

Measurements

• Floors SF + waste
• Walls SF (height verified)
• Ceilings SF
• Trim/rail LF
• Openings counted (doors/windows)
• Fixtures/rough-ins counted

Conversions + adders

• Waste factor applied by trade
• Minimum charges/short-load addressed
• Access/height/occupied-space factors applied
• Protection/cleanup included

Labor

• Production rates match job conditions
• Crew size + schedule assumptions make sense
• Subcontract scope matches your takeoff quantities

Common takeoff units (and what contractors usually miss)

Trade	Typical takeoff units	Easy-to-miss items
Drywall	SF, sheets, LF corners	Patching, texture match, protection, waste on cut-up rooms
Paint	SF, gallons	Extra coats on new drywall, stain blocking, masking hours
Flooring	SF, boxes	Transitions, stairs, subfloor prep, demo/haul-off
Concrete	CY, SF forms	Base prep, reinforcement, pump, washout, curing/blankets
Roofing	squares, LF ridge/eave	Tear-off layers, steep/access, flashing, vents
Tile	SF, LF trim	Waterproofing, niches, layout waste, leveling

Worked example #1: drywall takeoff → sheets + labor hours

Scenario:

• 12’ x 15’ bedroom
• 8’ walls
• One 3’ x 7’ door
• Two 3’ x 4’ windows
• Hang + tape + texture (labor shown separately)

Step A — Measure wall SF

Perimeter = 2(12 + 15) = 54 LF Wall area = 54 LF × 8’ = 432 SF

Subtract openings:

• Door: 3×7 = 21 SF
• Windows: 2 × (3×4) = 24 SF Total openings = 45 SF

Net wall SF = 432 − 45 = 387 SF

Ceiling SF = 12×15 = 180 SF

Total drywall SF = 387 + 180 = 567 SF

Step B — Convert to sheets + waste

4×8 sheet = 32 SF Raw sheets = 567 ÷ 32 = 17.7 → 18 sheets Add 10% waste (cut-up room) = 18 × 1.10 = 19.8 → 20 sheets

Step C — Estimate hang labor (example production rate)

If your crew hangs ~40 sheets/day (2-man crew) in typical remodel conditions:

• Hang days = 20 sheets ÷ 40 sheets/day = 0.5 day

You’ll still add:

• Corner bead LF
• Tape/mud coats and dry time
• Texture/prime/paint coordination

This is why a takeoff that includes only “sheets” without a labor model still leaves money on the table.

Worked example #2: concrete slab takeoff → cubic yards + budget range

Scenario:

• 12’ × 20’ patio slab
• 4” thickness

Step A — Convert thickness to feet

4” = 4/12 = 0.333 ft

Step B — Compute cubic feet

Volume (CF) = 12 × 20 × 0.333 = 79.9 CF

Step C — Convert to cubic yards

CY = 79.9 ÷ 27 = 2.96 CY Round up for waste/spillage = 3.25 CY (common ordering approach)

Step D — Budget check (ranges, not fake precision)

Ready-mix pricing varies heavily by market and order size. A realistic planning range many contractors use:

• $150–$250 per CY for concrete material (often higher for small loads)
• Plus delivery/short-load fees where applicable
• Plus finishing labor and reinforcement, base, forms, etc.

For a small 3–3.5 CY pour, it’s common for the delivered material line item to land in the $600–$1,200 range depending on location and fees (not including labor and other scope).

Sanity-check your numbers with the Concrete Calculator and price assumptions with Concrete Cost Per Yard.

Production rates: the fastest way to blow a takeoff

Two contractors can take off the same quantities and get totally different costs because of production.

A few rules that keep you honest:

• Use different rates for new build vs remodel
• Separate install from prep (subfloor prep, wall prep, protection)
• Don’t ignore mobilization, setup, and cleanup on small jobs
• Track your real production rates from completed projects (even basic notes help)

Accuracy tips (the stuff that actually saves you money)

• Measure twice, price once: do a quick second pass on key scopes (roof squares, drywall SF, concrete CY)
• Color-code your takeoff: demo vs new work vs alternates
• Write assumptions in the takeoff file: wall height, waste %, exclusions
• Quantities first, pricing second: don’t “price while measuring” or you’ll miss scope
• Use internal tools for sanity checks: labor, material conversions, and templates

If you want a faster workflow, pair your takeoff with a repeatable pricing model (markup, burden, overhead). A quick check with the Contractor Markup Calculator prevents underbidding when costs move.

FAQs

What does “quantity takeoff” mean?

A quantity takeoff is the measured list of materials and work quantities needed for the job (SF, LF, CY, EA). It’s the measurement step that feeds your estimate.

Is a takeoff only for materials?

No. A real takeoff includes the quantities you need to estimate labor accurately (hours/crew-days) and often equipment and disposal as well.

What’s the biggest takeoff mistake on remodels?

Not accounting for job conditions: protection, tight access, patching, unknowns, and slower production. Remodel takeoffs need more “adders” than new construction.

How much waste should I add?

It depends on the trade and layout. Straight runs and open rooms might be 5–10%. Complex layouts (lots of cuts/angles) can be higher. The key is to standardize your default waste factors and adjust based on the plan.

How do I turn a takeoff into a bid?

After quantities, you price materials, labor, subs, equipment, then apply overhead and profit. Then you present the scope and numbers in a clean proposal format (including exclusions). Start with the Construction Bid Template.

For a deeper dive on the full estimating process after your takeoff is done, see how to estimate construction jobs. And for the cost estimating fundamentals that turn quantities into a profitable bid, our guide on cost estimating for contractors covers the complete framework.

Turn photos + notes into estimates faster

Takeoffs are where estimates get won or lost, but they take time. If you want a faster path from job info to an organized estimate, EstimationPro helps you turn photos, notes, and job conversations into a structured estimate you can refine and send.

Try EstimationPro free