What Is a Construction Material Takeoff?

By

Tom Scalisi

Reviewed by 

Nicholas Dunbar

and Zoe Mullan

Last Updated Apr 10, 2026

By

Tom Scalisi

Reviewed By

Nicholas Dunbar

and Zoe Mullan

A construction material takeoff is the process that Quantity Surveyors (QS), estimators, and main contractors use to determine the exact quantity of materials needed for a specific project. Also known as a quantity takeoff, it is a critical step in producing an accurate project cost estimate.

Takeoffs & the Bill of Quantities

Before submitting a tender, QS professionals and estimators must extract accurate quantities to feed into a Bill of Quantities (BoQ). Contractors can perform a takeoff by hand or using software, but accuracy is essential – an inaccurate count means overpaying for materials and cutting into profit margins.

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How to Perform a Takeoff

The ultimate goal of a material takeoff is to produce a detailed list of the exact quantities of materials required for a project. The name comes from the original hand-counting process, in which a contractor would "take off" items one by one from a construction drawing and record them in a list.

Whether performed by hand or using software, the basic process follows three steps:

1. Consult the Tender Documents

   By referencing the drawings and specifications, QS professionals, estimators, and main contractors identify which materials the client has requested.

2. Itemise the Necessary Materials

   QS professionals, estimators, and main contractors compile a list of all items required for the project, or for their specific trade.

3. Count or Calculate Quantities

   Finally, QS professionals, estimators, and main contractors work systematically through the drawings, taking off each item and adding it to the quantities list.

In practice, whoever performs the takeoff ensures that every item required to complete the build appears in the list and carries a quantity. An electrician, for instance, would determine material requirements for conduit, wiring, sockets, switches, and more.

Qualification Methods

One of the more nuanced aspects of a takeoff is that different materials require different measurement methods. As a result, estimators must be familiar with the four main approaches:

1. Count

   Individual items such as wall studs, light fittings, sockets, air handling units, windows, and doors.

2. Area

   Flooring, plasterboard, sheathing, roofing, painted surfaces, and similar materials, calculated by square metre.

3. Volume

   Concrete, sand, gravel, and similar materials, calculated by cubic metre.

4. Length

   Timber, conduit, cable, and ductwork, typically listed by linear metre.

Accurate takeoffs are vital for commercial management, protecting the bottom line in a tight-margin environment by preventing cost overruns and enabling QS professionals, estimators, and contractors to tender with confidence.

RICS Standards (NRM)

Takeoffs typically follow RICS New Rules of Measurement (NRM2) to ensure a standardised Bill of Quantities across different tenders. However, adoption depends on contract type and client requirements, and some legacy contracts still reference SMM7 (Standard Method of Measurement, 7th edition).

MTO vs QTO

While both terms are often used loosely in practice, it is worth distinguishing between a Material Takeoff (MTO), which lists raw materials specifically, and a Quantity Takeoff (QTO), which quantifies all measurable items from the drawings. Labour and plant costs are typically calculated during the estimating stage rather than the takeoff itself.

Takeoffs vs Estimates

Although people sometimes use the terms interchangeably, a takeoff and an estimate are two distinct processes. A material takeoff focuses solely on establishing the quantity of materials required. From there, an estimate uses those quantities alongside current material prices to calculate the total project cost.

In practice, the two processes work in sequence:

• First, estimators perform a material takeoff to produce an accurate list of items and quantities.
• Second, estimators build the estimate by applying current material prices and calculating additional costs such as labour, plant, and travel.

That said, the growing use of takeoff software has brought the two processes closer together, with many platforms combining quantification and costing in a single workflow.

BIM & Automated Takeoffs

Extracting data directly from 3D BIM models automates the quantification process and aligns with ISO 19650 standards, significantly reducing the risk of human error. In turn, this approach is consistent with the information management principles of ISO 19650, which governs how data is structured and shared across the life cycle of a built asset.

Takeoff Software

Software has streamlined many aspects of the construction industry, and takeoffs are no exception. Estimating software with automated takeoff tools enables QS professionals, estimators, and main contractors to load construction drawings and measure, count, and itemise materials quickly and accurately.

Ultimately, while the takeoff is rarely the most visible part of a project, it is one of the most important. Contractors who base their estimates on inaccurate takeoffs develop a reputation for material and timeline overruns. Those who invest in a thorough, well-structured takeoff process are better placed to deliver on time and within budget.

By combining construction estimating software with accurate measurements, up-to-date plans, and a consistent checklist, estimators can produce reliable takeoffs that underpin competitive, credible tenders.

Written by

Tom Scalisi

Contributing Writer

60 articles

Tom Scalisi is a writer with over 15 years of experience in the trades. He is passionate about educating contractors and specialty contractors about the best practices in the industry. He has seen first-hand how education, communication, and preparation help construction professionals overcome challenges to build a strong career and thriving business in the industry.

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Reviewed by

Nicholas Dunbar

Content Manager | Procore

66 articles

Nick Dunbar oversees the creation and management of UK and Ireland educational content at Procore. Previously, he worked as a sustainability writer at the Building Research Establishment and served as a sustainability consultant within the built environment sector. Nick holds degrees in industrial sustainability and environmental sciences and lives in Camden, London.

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Zoe Mullan

27 articles

Zoe Mullan is an experienced content writer and editor with a background in marketing and communications in the e-learning sector. Zoe holds an MA in English Literature and History from the University of Glasgow and a PGDip in Journalism from the University of Strathclyde and lives in Northern Ireland.

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