Exact construction estimates are fundamental to the success of any project. If an erring contractor parties with ranges farther from what was budgeted, such matters delay construction further or incur budget overruns, resulting in a loss of honor. One question must be prioritized: material take-off with measurement and quantities of materials needed for the production plan. With a good grasp of building takeoffs and estimates via Estimation Guru’s solutions, you can prepare better project plans and ultimately fulfill projects within existing budgets.
In this guide, we’ll break down the process of material takeoffs into easy-to-follow steps that will help you gain confidence in providing accurate construction estimates.
What Is a Material Takeoff?
Material takeoff refers to the extraction of all quantities and types of materials required to execute a construction project. These may range from lumber, concrete, steel, to finishes and fixtures. Material takeoff helps in determining the total amount of materials for accurate cost estimates.
The takeoff keeps contractors away from purchasing so much that it increases their cost, or just too little that it causes a project delay. When knowing for sure how many materials are needed, contractors can make a better decision toward streamlining the construction process.
Why Are Material Takeoffs Important?
Material takeoffs are essential because they form the foundation of a construction estimate. Without an accurate takeoff, the estimate will be flawed, which can lead to serious financial and operational consequences. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you master the process:
- Control costs: Proper computation of quantities minimizes the budget errors, thus minimizing the possibility of cost overrun.
- Better project management: The material list is clear and ensures the right amount of material is available at the right time, thereby steering clear of delays.
- Better competitiveness: Contractors who can deliver competitive bids with reliable cost estimates based on a complete and thorough material takeoff stand a better chance of winning bids and profitable projects.
Step-by-Step Procedure of Performing Material Takeoffs
By now, you understand the importance of material takeoffs, so let’s move to the stepwise procedure used in performing them. The following is a complete step-by-step guide for mastering the method:
Step 1: Study Project Plans and Blueprints
Before you jump into the material takeoff, scrutinizing the project plans and blueprints is essential. It is a step that cannot be whittled down because the plans include all measurements, dimensions, and specifications that you will require for your takeoff. Let alone any study of the scope of the project would eliminate your ability to inclusively account for every material need.
Note everything about room dimensions, wall heights, door and window locations, and ceiling treatments. Do not rush through this step because a thorough job here makes the subsequent step of estimation much easier.
Step 2: Organize and Categorize Materials
After you have the plans, begin making arrangements for the materials the project will need. Begin sorting the materials into categories based on their type or their location in the building. For example, materials can be sorted into the following categories:
Structural materials: steel, wood, concrete, etc.
Finishes: drywall, flooring, paint, etc.
Mechanical and electrical: plumbing, wiring, HVAC, etc.
By separating materials into categories, you’ll be able to cope with the takeoff more easily and with less intimidation. Having organized material lists will also help you keep track of quantities more easily as you progress through the takeoff.
Step 3: Measure and Quantify Materials
Now comes the most labor-intensive part of the material takeoff: quantifying and measuring the materials you require. That involves making measurements off the blueprints for the job and determining how much of a particular material you will require. To find out lumber to frame, you will need to measure the lengths of the walls, doors, and windows so that you will understand how much lumber you will require.
There are some procedures and tools that you can use in the process, like manual calculation, computer software tools, or even building information modeling (BIM). The majority of contractors now use specialized software to automate the process so that the takeoff is accelerated and errors are reduced. Computer programs can help you pull material quantities directly from the electronic plans, which assists in a faster and more efficient takeoff process.
Step 4: Double-Check Your Work
Material takeoffs must be accurate. Every measurement and quantity of materials must be re-verified for correctness. A cardinal sin at this time could trigger ordering too much or too little of the material, either of which can negatively affect the budget or timeline of the project.
At this moment, consider the waste factors, i.e., how many materials can actually go into waste during construction. The usual waste factor is around 10%, which could change for different materials and projects.
Step 5: Create a Material List
With the measurements completed and verified, you now develop your list of materials based on the quantities and specifications. The material list needs to be straightforward and well-organized so that suppliers and subcontractors will be able to understand it clearly.
The material list should enumerate all materials, providing at least the following details for each:
- Material types
- Required quantity
- Units of measurement
- Material specifications (grade of wood, kind of paint, etc.)
With this list, you can generate correct purchase orders and guarantee that the right materials are ready on-site when needed.
Step 6: Incorporate Labor and Delivery Costs
Material cost is only one variable. The equation caters to labor and transportation costs. For instance, the cost of transporting materials to the site, including offloading, handling, and meeting any special considerations, must be written in the quotes.
Depending on the materials, it may affect the labor charge. Some materials may require a bit of specialized labor for installation, and some materials may be easier to handle. Account for these little details while the estimate is being finalized.
Final Tips for Mastering Material Takeoffs
- Use Estimating Software: Invest in software or digital tools that can help automate material takeoffs. These software packages can help you calculate larger quantities with more accuracy and efficiency.
- Know Your Suppliers: Having good supply chain relationships will help you acquire your materials at the best possible price and with uniform delivery times.
- Be Thorough: Take time for every step. Speed is the biggest mistake that can make you regret it later.
- Stay Organized: Have all your takeoff documents, notes, and lists in a neat and organized manner so you can refer to them whenever necessary.
Conclusion
Taking materials with precision is pivotal for producing accurate construction estimates and guaranteeing projects will stay on schedule and within budget. The accuracy and efficiency gained from following these steps will reward the estimator and the client.
The inaccurate takeoff of materials will play a fool in such a construction project, but with insight and experience, one can sharpen estimating skills to provide tailor-made bids that are more accurate and better priced.
