Guides

Construction takeoff guides

Learn how to take off a set of drawings, step by step. Practical guides to setting scale, measuring areas and lengths, counting, and quantifying any PDF plan set for your bid. You can follow along in your browser.

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How to do a construction takeoff

The full process, start to finish

How to set the scale on a PDF

Calibrate so measurements are accurate

How to measure area and length

Area, length, and count tools to scale

More guides

How to count on a PDF

Tally items by type with subtotals

How to export a takeoff to Excel

Send quantities to your estimate

Takeoff vs estimating

How the two steps differ

How to read construction plans

Sheets, scale, schedules, symbols

How to mark up a PDF

Clouds, callouts, symbols, and measure

How to calculate square footage

Measure, deduct, and total by room

Construction plan symbols

What the marks mean and how to count

How to bid a construction job

Plans to takeoff to a priced bid

Then quantify your trade

Once you have the basics, jump to your trade for what to measure, detect, and count, from electrical and HVAC to concrete, drywall, and roofing. Browse construction takeoff software by trade.