Quantity Takeoff · All Trades · All Project Types · All 50 States

Quantity
Takeoff
Services

Precise digital quantity takeoffs for every construction trade — concrete, framing, MEP, roofing, drywall, masonry, finishes, and more. Planswift and Bluebeam. All project types. 24–48 hour delivery. Starting at $150.

All Trades Covered
24–48h Delivery
From $150
NDA Protected
All 50 States
CES Quantity Takeoff · Live ● ACTIVE
Concrete
Framing
MEP
Finishes
Item DescriptionQuantityUnitStatus
Spread Footings 18"×36"84.6CY
✓ Done
Slab on Grade 4" thick312.4CY
✓ Done
Basement Walls 8"186.2CY
✓ Done
Rebar #5 @ 12" O.C.14.8Tons
✓ Done
Formwork SFCA4,820SF
↻ In Progress
Vapor Barrier 10 mil8,640SF
↻ In Progress
Items Complete
4 of 6
Planswift · BluebeamEst. 24h delivery
Concrete Takeoff
Framing Takeoff
MEP Takeoff
Roofing Takeoff
Drywall Takeoff
Masonry Takeoff
Finishes Takeoff
Sitework Takeoff
24–48h Delivery
From $150
Concrete Takeoff
Framing Takeoff
MEP Takeoff
Roofing Takeoff
Drywall Takeoff
Masonry Takeoff
Finishes Takeoff
Sitework Takeoff
24–48h Delivery
From $150
$150
Starting Price
Fixed quote before we start. No hourly billing.
24h
Rush Delivery
Standard 48h. Rush 24h for urgent deadlines.
12+
Trades Covered
Every CSI division from sitework to finishes.
NDA
Protected
Signed before we review any project drawings.
What Is a Quantity Takeoff

The Foundation of Every
Accurate Bid

Definition · Direct Answer
What Is a Quantity Takeoff?
A quantity takeoff (QTO) is the process of measuring and counting every material required for a construction project directly from architectural and structural drawings. A professional quantity takeoff produces a complete, trade-by-trade list of material quantities — concrete in cubic yards, framing lumber in board feet, roofing in squares, MEP piping in linear feet, drywall in square feet — organized by CSI division and ready for pricing. The quantity takeoff is the foundation of every accurate construction estimate. If the quantities are wrong, the estimate is wrong — regardless of how accurate the pricing is.

In construction, accuracy starts with quantities. A concrete contractor who measures 280 CY of foundation concrete when the drawings show 340 CY will underbid by the cost of 60 CY of concrete plus labor and formwork — potentially $15,000 to $25,000 on a mid-size project. A framing contractor who misses a structural steel header or underestimates sheathing quantities loses margin before the first nail is driven. Every bid error starts in the takeoff.

Professional quantity takeoff services from CES eliminate that risk. Our estimators perform every takeoff digitally using Planswift and Bluebeam Revu — the industry's two leading takeoff platforms — measuring every item directly on your drawings with calibrated digital tools. Every measurement is visible on the drawing and fully traceable. You can see exactly where every quantity came from. Nothing is estimated as a percentage of another item. Nothing is guessed.

📐
Quantity Takeoff — What It Is
  • Measures quantities — cubic yards, board feet, squares, LF, SF, EA
  • No pricing — pure quantity list organized by trade and CSI division
  • Used by contractors who want to apply their own unit prices
  • Foundation for material procurement and subcontractor scope sheets
  • Delivered as Excel workbook — add your pricing directly
  • Ideal when you have your own cost database or vendor relationships
  • Starting at $150 — faster and lower cost than full estimate
💰
Full Estimate — What It Adds
  • Includes all quantities — same digital takeoff as standalone QTO
  • Adds RSMeans pricing — labor rates, material costs, equipment by zip code
  • Produces a complete dollar amount ready for bid submission
  • Includes labor analysis — man-hours and crew rates by trade
  • Delivered as Excel + formatted PDF — add markup and submit
  • Ideal when you need a complete cost number, not just quantities
  • Starting at $200 — includes everything in QTO plus full pricing

Not sure which you need? Simple rule: if you want to add your own labor rates and material pricing, order a quantity takeoff. If you want a complete cost estimate ready to submit, order a full estimate. Many CES clients order quantity takeoffs for trades where they have strong supplier relationships and their own pricing, and full estimates for trades where they need market pricing validation.

Need a Quantity Takeoff? Submit Plans Now
Fixed quote in 2 hours. Complete digital takeoff in 24–48 hours. All trades, all project types, all 50 states. Starting at $150.
Fixed price  ·  NDA protected  ·  Planswift & Bluebeam  ·  All 50 states
Trades We Cover

Every Trade — Measured
From Your Drawings

CES performs quantity takeoffs for every construction trade across all CSI MasterFormat divisions. Every measurement is made directly from your drawings — nothing approximated, nothing templated from a previous project.

Concrete Takeoff
CSI Division 03
Complete concrete quantity takeoff covering every element from foundations to structural framing. The most technically demanding takeoff — requires accurate measurement of complex 3D geometry from 2D drawings with correct unit conversions.
Units measured: Concrete in CY by element and mix design, rebar by bar size and weight (tons), formwork by SFCA and system type, vapor barrier by SF, curing by SF, joint sealants by LF.
Framing Takeoff
CSI Division 06
Structural lumber takeoff for every framing member in the project. Critical that every stud, joist, rafter, and header is counted individually by species, grade, and size — no lump-sum approximations that create procurement surprises and field shortages.
Units measured: Studs by size and spacing in LF, joists and rafters by size and span, headers by size and LF, sheathing by SF, LVL and engineered lumber by size and LF, truss count by type.
Roofing Takeoff
CSI Division 07
Roofing quantity takeoff accounting for roof pitch, area, and all related components. Roof area varies significantly with pitch — a 12/12 pitch roof covering the same plan area as a 3/12 pitch has 41 percent more actual roof surface. Every roofing takeoff requires pitch-adjusted calculations.
Units measured: Roofing in squares by pitch, ice and water shield by eave/valley LF, underlayment by square, ridge cap by LF, gutters and downspouts by LF, flashing by SF and LF.
MEP Takeoff
CSI Divisions 21–28
Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing quantity takeoffs — the three most complex trade takeoffs in construction. Each requires reading trade-specific drawings (mechanical, electrical, plumbing plans) and applying trade-specific measurement methods. MEP quantities are the most commonly underestimated in rushed takeoffs.
Units measured: Plumbing by fixture count and pipe LF by size, electrical by circuit count and wire LF, HVAC by equipment count and duct SF, conduit by size and LF.
Drywall Takeoff
CSI Division 09
Drywall quantity takeoff measuring every wall and ceiling surface individually. Ceiling areas — especially coffered, vaulted, and suspended ceiling systems — are frequently underestimated in quick takeoffs. CES measures every surface, accounts for waste factors, and quantifies all accessories.
Units measured: Drywall by SF and thickness, metal studs by LF and gauge, insulation by SF and R-value, corner bead by LF, finishing by SF and finish level, specialty boards (moisture, fire-rated) separately.
Masonry Takeoff
CSI Division 04
Masonry quantity takeoff for CMU block, brick veneer, stone, and architectural precast. Block count must account for coursing, bond pattern, corners, openings, and reinforcing cells — a block count that ignores these variables can be off by 10 to 15 percent, significantly affecting both material cost and labor.
Units measured: CMU block by size and type in count/SF, mortar by CY, grout by CY, reinforcing in LB, brick by count and SF, lintels by count and size, anchors and ties by count.
Flooring & Finishes Takeoff
CSI Division 09
Interior finish quantity takeoff covering all floor, wall, and ceiling finishes. Finish takeoffs require reading interior elevation drawings, finish schedules, and room schedules simultaneously — and correctly allocating each finish material to the right areas. The most common error is missing finish transitions and base conditions.
Units measured: Flooring by material and SF (hardwood, tile, carpet, LVP), base by LF, wall tile by SF, paint by SF of wall and ceiling, cabinetry by LF and type, countertops by SF and material.
Sitework Takeoff
CSI Division 02
Civil and sitework quantity takeoff from civil drawings and grading plans. Earthwork calculations require 3D volume analysis from 2D contour drawings — a complex calculation where errors of 20 to 30 percent are common in hand-calculated takeoffs. CES uses digital planimetric measurement for all sitework quantities.
Units measured: Cut and fill in CY, clearing and grubbing in AC, aggregate base in CY, curb and gutter in LF, pavement in SF by thickness, underground utilities in LF by size, storm drainage by LF and EA.
Structural Steel Takeoff
CSI Division 05
Structural steel and miscellaneous metals quantity takeoff from structural drawings. Steel takeoffs require identifying every beam, column, joist, deck, and connection from framing plans and schedules — then calculating weights in tons by shape and size. Mistakes in steel quantities are expensive: steel at $1.50–$2.00 per pound means a 5 percent quantity error on a large project equals a $50,000+ problem.
Units measured: Structural steel by shape, size, and weight (tons), decking by SF and gauge, joists by type and count, miscellaneous metals by LF and LB, bolts and connections by count.
How It Works

How CES Performs a
Digital Quantity Takeoff

Understanding the process helps you evaluate the quality of any takeoff you receive and communicate more effectively with your estimating team.

01
Drawing Review & Setup
Estimator reviews all drawing sheets — architectural, structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and civil — to understand project scope before measuring anything. Each drawing is calibrated in Planswift or Bluebeam to verify scale accuracy. Missing sheets are flagged before takeoff begins.
Planswift · Bluebeam · Scale Verification
02
Digital Measurement
Every quantity measured directly on your drawings using calibrated digital tools. Linear measurements, area calculations, and counts are all performed digitally — not manually with a scale ruler. Every measurement leaves a visible markup on the drawing so you can verify exactly what was counted and where.
Digital Tools · Traceable · Verified
03
Unit Conversion & Organization
Raw measurements converted to bid-ready units — linear feet of concrete wall converted to CY using wall thickness and height, roof plan area converted to actual surface area adjusted for pitch, duct area converted to LF by size. All quantities organized by CSI division and trade for easy review.
CY · BF · SF · LF · EA · Tons
04
Quality Review & Delivery
Every CES takeoff reviewed by a second estimator before delivery. Quantities checked for completeness — every sheet covered, every trade item measured. Delivered as an editable Excel workbook with all quantities organized by CSI division and a summary sheet. Ready to add your pricing directly.
Dual Review · Excel · PDF · 24–48h
What You Receive

Complete Takeoff Package —
Ready to Price

Complete Quantity List
Every material measured from your drawings — concrete in CY, framing in BF, roofing in squares, MEP in LF/EA, finishes in SF. Nothing estimated as a percentage. Every item individually measured and listed.
CSI Division Organization
All quantities organized by CSI MasterFormat division — the format every GC, lender, and owner expects. Add your pricing directly to the spreadsheet and submit without reformatting.
Editable Excel Workbook
Complete Excel workbook with all quantities organized by trade. Add your unit prices, labor rates, and equipment costs directly. Formatted for immediate bid use — no additional formatting required.
Marked-Up Drawings
Bluebeam PDF with all measurements visible on the drawings. Every quantity is traceable back to the drawing location — you can verify exactly what was counted and where. Full transparency on every measurement.
Unlimited Revisions
Drawings change? GC issues addenda? Send us the update and we revise the takeoff at no additional charge. Through as many rounds as needed until the takeoff accurately reflects your current drawings.
Sample Takeoff — Concrete Division 03
Item Qty Unit
Footing 18"×36" Cont.84.6CY
Grade Beam 12"×24"22.4CY
SOG 4" — 3,500 psi312.4CY
Basement Wall 8" — 4,000 psi186.2CY
Rebar #5 Horiz.8.4Tons
Rebar #4 Vert.6.4Tons
Formwork — Snap Tie4,820SFCA
Vapor Barrier 10 mil8,640SF
Wire Mesh 6×6 W1.49,200SF
Division 03 Items Total
14 Line Items
Time Saved

Hours Saved Per Takeoff —
In-House vs CES

The real cost of in-house takeoffs is not just the time — it is the opportunity cost of the estimator's hours and the risk of errors made under time pressure. Here is how long a professional in-house takeoff takes vs a CES outsourced takeoff:

Hours Required — In-House Manual Takeoff by Trade
Industry average for experienced in-house estimator on a 20,000 SF commercial project. CES delivers all of these within 24–48 hours total.
MEP — Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing16–28 hours
Most complex — 3 separate drawing sets
Structural Steel & Framing10–18 hours
Complex steel schedules + weight calculations
Concrete — All Elements8–14 hours
3D geometry from 2D drawings + rebar schedules
Interior Finishes & Flooring6–12 hours
Multiple drawing sheets + finish schedules
Drywall & Metal Framing5–10 hours
Wall and ceiling area measurement — every surface
Roofing — All Components4–7 hours
Pitch corrections + all accessories
Sitework & Earthwork4–8 hours
Cut/fill volume calculations from contour drawings

Total for a full commercial project: 40 to 90 hours of skilled estimator time. At $45–$65 per hour for a qualified estimator, that is $1,800 to $5,850 worth of labor per project — before software costs. CES delivers the complete takeoff package for a fraction of that cost, in 24 to 48 hours, with a second estimator review included.

Simple Pricing

Quantity Takeoff
Pricing — Fixed & Clear

Every quote is fixed before we start. No hourly billing. No scope creep. No surprises.

Single Trade
Trade Takeoff
$150
Starting price · Fixed quote
  • One trade — concrete, framing, roofing, MEP, drywall, etc.
  • Complete quantities for the selected trade
  • CSI-organized Excel workbook
  • Marked-up Bluebeam PDF
  • Unlimited revisions included
  • 24-hour delivery available
  • NDA signed before review
Get Quote →
Commercial Project
Full Project Takeoff
$300
Starting price · All divisions
  • All CSI divisions covered
  • Complete multi-trade quantities
  • CSI-organized Excel + PDF
  • Marked-up drawings all trades
  • Unlimited revisions included
  • 48-hour standard delivery
  • NDA signed before review
Get Quote →

All prices are starting ranges. Final price depends on project size and scope complexity — we confirm your fixed price within 2 hours of receiving your drawings. WhatsApp us now for an instant quote.

FAQ

Quantity Takeoff
Questions Answered

What is a quantity takeoff?+
A quantity takeoff (QTO) is the process of measuring and counting every material required for a construction project from the architectural and structural drawings. The takeoff produces a complete list of quantities — concrete in cubic yards, framing lumber in board feet, roofing in squares, MEP in linear feet, drywall in square feet — organized by trade and ready for pricing. The quantity takeoff is the foundation of every accurate construction estimate. Without accurate quantities, even the most precise pricing produces an inaccurate bid.
What's the difference between a takeoff and an estimate?+
A quantity takeoff measures and lists material quantities — how much of each material is needed. An estimate takes those quantities and applies pricing — labor rates, material costs, equipment — to produce a dollar amount. A takeoff is a subset of an estimate. CES provides both: standalone takeoffs for contractors who want to apply their own pricing, and complete estimates that include quantities plus full RSMeans zip-code pricing.
What software do you use for takeoffs?+
CES uses Planswift and Bluebeam Revu for all digital quantity takeoffs — the two industry-standard takeoff platforms. Planswift for assembly-based takeoffs with digital measurement tools. Bluebeam for PDF markup, measurement, and quantity extraction. Every measurement is performed digitally on your drawings and is fully traceable — you can see exactly where every quantity came from in the marked-up PDF we deliver with every takeoff.
How long does a quantity takeoff take?+
CES delivers complete quantity takeoffs within 24 to 48 hours. Single-trade takeoffs (concrete only, roofing only, framing only) for smaller projects typically deliver in 24 hours. Full multi-trade takeoffs for large commercial projects take up to 48 hours. Rush 24-hour delivery is available for all takeoffs at a 20 percent premium. We confirm your exact delivery time when providing your fixed quote.
Can I use your takeoff to order materials?+
Yes — a CES quantity takeoff is accurate enough to use directly for material procurement. Our takeoffs include appropriate waste factors for each material type (typically 5 to 10 percent depending on the material and application) and clearly document all assumptions. The quantities are organized by material type, size, and specification — the exact information suppliers need to provide accurate quotes. Many contractors use our takeoffs for both bidding and procurement planning.
Do you work from incomplete or preliminary drawings?+
Yes. CES performs takeoffs from drawings at any stage — schematic design, design development, and full construction documents. For early-stage drawings, we clearly document which quantities are measured from actual drawings versus estimated from assumptions, and what additional information will be needed as the design develops. Early-stage takeoffs are useful for preliminary budget development, feasibility studies, and design team cost guidance.
Are my drawings and project details confidential?+
Absolutely. We sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement before reviewing any drawings — every project, every client, without exception. Your blueprints, project details, bid strategy, and client information are never shared with any third party under any circumstances. If you are competing against other contractors for the same project, your drawings and quantities are completely protected.
Do you cover all 50 US states?+
Yes — every US state and territory. Quantity takeoffs measure physical quantities from drawings — the measurements themselves do not vary by location. What varies by location is pricing. If you need both quantities and pricing, our full estimate service adds RSMeans zip-code pricing for your specific project location to the takeoff quantities. If you only need quantities and will apply your own local pricing, a standalone takeoff works for any US location.
CES
Construction Estimating Services — Quantity Takeoff Team
Est. 2009 · 15+ Years · All Trades · Planswift & Bluebeam Certified · All 50 US States
CES has performed professional digital quantity takeoffs for contractors, subcontractors, developers, and lenders across all 50 US states since 2009. Our takeoff team uses Planswift and Bluebeam Revu for every project — the two industry-standard platforms that produce fully traceable, drawing-referenced quantity lists. Every CES takeoff goes through a mandatory two-stage quality review before delivery. We cover every trade from Division 01 through Division 48, every project type from residential ADUs to 500,000 SF industrial facilities, and every drawing stage from schematic design through construction documents.
AACE InternationalASPE Standards CSI MasterFormatPlanswift Certified Bluebeam CertifiedRSMeans Data
All technical content reviewed by senior CES estimator. Trade measurement methods, CSI division references, and unit descriptions verified against current industry standards. Last updated April 2026.
TAKEOFF
Get Started Today

Send Your Plans.
Get Your Quantities Back.

Submit your drawings and receive a complete, accurate quantity takeoff within 24–48 hours. Every trade. Every project type. Fixed pricing. NDA protected. Starting at $150.

24–48h DeliveryFixed Price NDA ProtectedPlanswift & Bluebeam Unlimited RevisionsFrom $150