Construction Take-off Services

Construction Takeoff Services (QTO)

QTO Estimating offers construction takeoff services and material estimates to contractors for many years. Our estimates are detailed, well-referenced, and accurate. That's why contractors, home remodelers, suppliers, architects, and homeowners take benefit from the quantity takeoffs provided by us. We deal with all kinds of material and cost estimates for residential as well as commercial construction projects.

Moreover, the latest software like Planswift helps our estimators in preparing the most accurate and fast estimates for any kind of project. Our services are for everyone looking for material quantities or cost estimation of construction projects. Whether its a new construction or renovation of existing building or site, we can do the estimates hassle-free & provide you a detailed excel spreadsheet that can help you in tendering, ordering materials, and cost management of the project.

What is QTO?

"QTO" stands for quantity takeoff and it is basically a list of material quantities required to complete a construction project. The construction takeoff services are usually offered by professional estimators and can be outsourced from companies like QTO Estimating. Most of the companies hire full-time staff to do the task of measuring quantities and for the preparation of BOQs. But there are still many contractors and housebuilders who outsource material estimating services in order to reduce the load on in-house estimators.

What is a Construction Takeoff?

A construction takeoff is a complete list of raw materials required for a construction project. Sometimes it is also called a material takeoff (MTO) or quantity take-off (QTO). The words takeoff and take-off are used interchangeably by the construction professionals, but the meaning is the same (no difference). A construction material takeoff is the most important component of the whole estimating process and serves as a key component of the construction estimate. It is quite useful for both new constructions as well as renovation projects. The material take-off can be done manually by hand calculations, but things would become complex if the project is big. So nowadays, advanced software like PlanSwift, Bluebeam, on-screen takeoff, etc. are used by the estimators for the preparation of material take-offs.

What is Included in a Construction Takeoff?

A typical takeoff includes quantities of raw material required for construction like bricks, blocks, concrete, steel, lumber, paint etc. All the items are listed in an excel spreadsheet with units of measure and quantity provided for each line item. A wastage factor can also be applied to account for material waste during construction.

Why Material Takeoffs are Useful?

Construction material take-off lists are required for the preparation of detailed cost estimates of construction projects. The estimators use the material quantities, labor hours and unit rates, etc. to prepare a detailed cost estimate. So, an accurate take-off serves as a base for an accurate estimate. The take-off software these days can do the take-off and estimating job side by side. It is possible to input the unit costs in the software and then measure the material quantities. The software finally generates the cost estimate with a few clicks.

Why Outsource Take-off Services?

Preparation of material take-offs is a quite time-consuming job and sometimes it becomes frustrating when the person doing the take-off is not experienced and cannot handle big projects. At this point, it is always useful to get professional take-off services from companies like us.

We have a team of professional estimators who are capable of handling large-scale complex construction projects. So instead of spending hours on the take-off process, it is always beneficial to outsource takeoff services from QTO Estimating. Send us the project plans through email and we will get back to you with a quote in a couple of hours.