In the past, the only way to complete a takeoff was with paper plans and manual calculations. In the present, takeoff software’s power can help transform how you do business.
- Embrace Technology
A construction plan highlights designs, the required products, and the project’s scale, and it might even include callouts. The first step, however, is the takeoff. Takeoff is where you determine the measurements and essentially serves as the project’s shopping list. It’s all of the labour the project requires and the necessary equipment and materials. It transforms an idea into a building – at least, it plays a major role in aiding the process. You can’t bid on a project without completing a takeoff. Takeoff software provides you with accuracy and consistency.
Whether you run a small construction business or you are looking to expand, getting on board with technology is an important step in the process. It doesn’t just ensure accuracy, it is also a big saver of time and money.
- Measurements & Beyond
Once you have your measurements, you can use any formula or calculation the software has built-in. You can adjust the unit of measurement and instantly find out precisely how much concrete is necessary to pour the foundation. It takes seconds to determine window header sizes, and you can easily toggle between measurements for final pricing information.
As long as you can upload large files, takeoff software doesn’t limit the page size of your plans. So, you can easily upload anything you’re working on. You can click any shape to create the area you want to measure. You can also easily work out linear measurements, in any shape and size, with as many points as necessary. It’s ideal if you are measuring lengths for installation, pipe, wire, or perimeters. You might need a simple item count, and you can do that with takeoff software too, whether you’re counting windows, studs, doors or electrical outlets.
As a cloud-based service, you can easily access the necessary information from anywhere if you have a strong connection. It also means that once your project begins, you constantly communicate with everyone involved, which simplifies the process. It’s also a great way to show clients or investors exactly how a project advances.
- Final Thoughts
If a manual takeoff requires four hours of work, that limits you to submitting two bids a day and ten a week, at best. That means securing one job weekly, assuming 10% of bids are won. Takeoff software will do the four-hour takeoff in one, which means eight bids a day and as many as fifty a week, resulting in five jobs per week. You can’t afford to ignore technology.
When creating takeoffs and estimates that deliver projects, the first step is to consider what platform is right for you. While many solutions are available, you need to find one compatible with any other platforms you rely on. Regardless of your choice, takeoff software is a guaranteed return on investment that will save you time and increase the likelihood of successful bids, thus boosting your bottom line. With fewer human errors in less than half the time, your project managers can focus on getting the job done at the highest level.
