5 Reasons Why You Should Consider AI Automated Electrical Takeoff Software

When you're bidding for electrical jobs, every second counts. But right now, you're spending nearly 50% of your time drawing polygons tied to your desk. If manual takeoffs are slowing you down, you're not alone – but you are behind. You're losing half your time – and potentially, half your projects. Time to switch gears!

In this article, you'll find out the top 5 reasons why you should use AI-based, fully automated electrical takeoff software.

Table of Contents

1. What is Electrical Takeoff?

2. Top 5 Reasons to Use AI Automated Electrical Takeoff Software

3. AI Automated Electrical Takeoff Software is Definitely the Way to Go

4. FAQs

What is Electrical Takeoff?

An electrical takeoff is a process followed by estimators to find out the exact list of the type of electrical materials, their quantity, and the placement for a project.

For example, an electrical takeoff for a project will list out materials like conduits, cable trays, electrical metering, etc., as well as their length, position, and coverage area.

Why is Electrical Takeoff Important?‍

It is vital information that guides electrical contractors on the material types, their amount, and the installation places. Electrical takeoffs also assist estimators in calculating the material, labor, equipment, and other project overrun costs. 

‍How has the Electrical Takeoff been Conducted so far?

The electrical takeoff process is constantly evolving. Here are some of the most popular ways in which estimators did/do takeoffs:‍

1. Pen & Paper‍

In this process, electrical estimators invest a lot of their time in electrical takeoffs.

Estimators would trace lines and polygons on a given plan and manually measure lengths, angles, & surface area of electrical materials for best fit. The biggest drawback of this process is that it is time-consuming and can be erroneous as it’s human-driven.

‍2. Manual Electrical Takeoff Software‍

This kind of software may reduce the probability of human errors and enhance team collaboration. But you still need to sit in front of the software to assist it in doing a takeoff. This can take a lot of your time.

‍3. AI-Based, Fully Automated Electrical Takeoff Software‍

AI-automated electrical takeoff software is powerful as it uses artificial intelligence to do end-to-end takeoffs for you. This means you don’t have to do anything during the takeoff process. Therefore, it’ll save a lot of your time, which you can use to do more revenue-building activities.

The benefits do not only stop here. In the next section, we’ll dive into the top 5 reasons to use AI-automated electrical takeoff software.

Top 5 Reasons to Use AI-Automated, Fully Automated Electrical Takeoff Software 

AI-automated electrical takeoff software will save a lot of your time on takeoffs and free your estimating bandwidth. Let’s see the similar benefits of such software in detail.

1. You will be able to QUICKLY do Takeoffs‍

Artificial Intelligence is the sole reason why AI-automated electrical takeoff software can quickly do an entire takeoff for you. You can also leverage some of the salient features of the software to save more time on takeoffs.

For example:

1. Processing multiple takeoffs parallelly - It means the software can simultaneously do more than one takeoff.
   
2. You don’t need to read numerous plan sheets, as the whole takeoff process is automated via this software. And it will do everything for you. 

It’ll read through all of your plan sheets, extract valuable information, and find out what’s relevant and what’s not. By leveraging such features of the software, you can save a lot of your time on electrical takeoffs.

‍2. You will Spend Less Time on Reworks‍

Reworking on projects always has an additional impact on your revenue. Now, if you are looking for a number, reworking almost constitutes 5% of total project costs! Not only that, but it also demands a lot of time and effort from your end.

The point is you can’t avoid reworking, but how the AI-automated electrical takeoff software is going to save you time? 

Before answering that, it’s essential to know, “how does a reworking process look like for an estimator. Usually, estimators sit and manually identify changes in a plan, and then they feed it to the manual electrical takeoff software. The whole process is time-consuming and can be erroneous. 

How will an AI-automated electrical takeoff software help in this scenario?

You only need to upload your addenda files to the software. It will do all the takeoffs and produce output in Excel, JPG, PDF, & sharable link format. For instance, the Excel format is really helpful as it displays the difference between the original and addenda versions. Thus, it’ll save a lot of your time while you rework a project.

‍3. You can do Takeoffs of all Electrical and Related Components with Easy-to-Read Visuals‍

In the manual electrical takeoff software, there is always a possibility of missing out on details in the midst of all clicking and dragging. But with AI automated electrical takeoff software, you only need to upload a plan, define a project scope, and the software will do the entire takeoff for you. It will then produce a color-coded takeoff output.

Each color represents a specific electrical material, which helps readers quickly understand the placement of electrical components.

4. You’ll have the Bandwidth to Send More Estimates‍

You might miss out on project opportunities due to a lack of estimating bandwidth. This is because your current electrical takeoff software is not letting you take more project calls.

How do we get over this issue?

You will get over this issue using AI-based automated electrical takeoff software. You’ll be able to send nearly 30% more estimates to the sales team. This means you’ll have more bandwidth to accept project calls.

5. You’ll have Several Easy Options to Share Takeoffs with Your Stakeholders‍

With AI-automated electrical takeoff software, you will be able to quickly share the takeoffs in PDF, Excel, JPG, & sharable link format with your stakeholders.

AI-Automated Electrical Takeoff Software is Definitely the Way to Go

AI-powered takeoffs are not only the present, but it’s the future. And if you are serious about increasing your productivity and profitability, then you should consider opting for AI-based, fully automated electrical takeoff software.

If you want to reach the newer and improved heights in doing takeoffs by saving 90% of your takeoff time and freeing estimating bandwidth, then sign up for Beam AI and see for yourself!

FAQs

How do you do electrical takeoffs?

Electrical takeoffs can be done by pen & paper, with manual electrical takeoff software or AI-automated electrical takeoff software. Out of these options, AI-automated software is popular as it saves nearly 90% of the estimator’s time on takeoffs.

Can AI do electrical takeoffs from blueprints?

Yes, of course! You’ll only need to upload a blueprint, define the project scope, and the AI will take care of your electrical takeoffs completely.

Can we revise an electrical takeoff?

A big time, yes! That’s the beauty of using electrical takeoff software. It will allow you to easily redo a takeoff in case of any change in the project. Whereas in manual takeoff, it is difficult to find any minute change and even more challenging to compare old & new versions.

Which is better electrical takeoff software, Beam AI, Bluebeam, or Planswift?

Beam AI is the #1 electrical takeoff software. Why? It is the only AI-based electrical takeoff software that fully automates takeoffs for you.