What is a quantity take-off?

A quantity take-off is the measurement of the quantities of materials and work needed for a project, taken from the drawings and the specification. The estimator measures every element on the drawings, such as square metres of brickwork, cubic metres of concrete, linear metres of skirting or the number of windows, and lists them. That list is the basis for the estimate, the tender price and later the orders. In Dutch this is called ‘uittrekken’.

Take-off and bill of quantities

In the UK, quantities for larger projects are often measured by a quantity surveyor and set out in a bill of quantities, following standard measurement rules such as the RICS New Rules of Measurement (NRM2). In the Netherlands the take-off usually follows the structure of the specification, often based on STABU. Other markets use their own conventions, so always check which rules a contract refers to.

Method

1. Structure: work in a fixed order, such as the sections of the specification or the building sequence.
2. Measure: take the dimensions for each item from the drawing and calculate length, area, volume or number.
3. Choose one unit: m, m², m³, number or kg per item.
4. Compile: collect all items in one schedule, with references to drawing and specification clause.
5. Price: multiply quantities by unit rates and labour outputs to build the estimate.

Take-offs are increasingly digital, measured on PDFs or pulled from a BIM model; the result is only as good as the model.

Application

• Contractors: pricing a tender or quote.
• Clients and consultants: cost planning and comparing bids.
• Site teams: order lists for bricks, tiles, insulation or a bar bending schedule.
• Self-builders and DIYers: ordering materials and setting a budget.

Tips and points of attention

• Net or gross: agree whether openings such as windows and doors are deducted, and apply it consistently.
• Waste separately: add cutting waste as a separate allowance, not hidden in the dimensions.
• Mark up drawings: colour in what you have measured to avoid double counting and missed items.
• Use written dimensions: do not scale off a printed PDF; prints are rarely exactly to scale.
• Second check: have a colleague recheck the largest items.

Related terms

• Construction cost
• Tendering
• Building specification
• STABU
• Specifications expert
• Bar bending schedule

Want to learn more about construction terms? Visit our knowledge base at fredsdiyplans.com.