A Comprehensive Guide on Quantity Takeoffs in Construction

Imagine starting a project, thinking everything is set, only to realize halfway through that you don’t have enough concrete or rebar material. Work stops, deadlines get pushed, and costs start piling up. That’s exactly what quantity takeoff (QTO) helps avoid. QTO is the process of figuring out how much material is needed, whether it’s concrete, steel, bricks, wiring, or piping, before construction even begins. This ensures materials are ready with you when needed, preventing delays and unnecessary waste.

In the past, quantity takeoffs were done manually using rulers and calculators, which took time and often led to mistakes. After this, estimators shifted their focus to on-screen digital software, which was better than manually doing takeoffs but required long hours of sitting in front of the screen drawing lines and polygons. 

Today,  AI-based software such as Beam AI takes off material quantities for you, saving you  90% of the time that can be spent on doing strategic tasks such as refining estimates, securing more projects, raising tender queries, and more. With a solid QTO, projects stay on track, materials are used wisely, and construction runs without costly surprises. Let’s move along the blog to understand quantity takeoffs and their importance in the construction industry in detail. 

What is quantity takeoff?

Quantity takeoff (QTO) is the process of identifying and measuring all materials required for a construction project. It involves extracting quantities like concrete volume, steel weight, brick count, piping lengths, and other essential materials directly from site plans.

A well-prepared QTO ensures better material procurement, minimizes waste, and prevents project delays by ensuring the right materials are available at the right time. It can be performed manually using traditional methods, digitally with specialized software, or with AI-based software such as Beam AI, which helps you get the takeoff in just 4 steps. With an accurate QTO, contractors can streamline workflows, optimize resource allocation, and improve overall project efficiency.

The importance of quantity takeoffs

Let’s talk about the importance of something that can make or break a construction project—Quantity Takeoffs (QTO). If you’ve ever seen a project stall because materials ran out too soon or watched money get wasted on excess material supplies, you already know how important this step is.

Here’s why takeoffs matter:

• It prevents material shortages: Nothing’s worse than stopping work because you ran out of key materials. A proper takeoff ensures you have everything when you exactly need it.
• It stops you from overordering: Buying too much isn’t just a waste of money, it also clutters the site and complicates storage areas.
• Helps keep costs under control: Knowing exactly what you need means better budgeting and fewer surprise expenses.

So, before you lay the first brick or pour the first batch of concrete, make sure your takeoff is rock solid. It’ll save you time, money, and a whole lot of headaches down the road!

Types of quantity takeoff

Quantity takeoffs can be performed using different methods depending on the tools and technology available. The three main types are:

Manual Takeoff

This traditional method involves reviewing site plans and manually calculating material quantities. Estimators use rulers, scaling tools, and calculators to measure dimensions and determine the required material for doing takeoffs. While this method allows for direct human intervention, it is time-consuming and prone to errors, especially in large projects.

Digital Takeoff

Digital takeoffs use specialized software to extract material quantities from digital site plans. These tools allow for calculations, scaling, and adjustments digitally. Digital takeoffs did digitize the process of taking off quantities, improving accuracy, but still requiring significant human input.. Since everything is done on-screen, estimators spend most of their time sitting in front of the screen, drawing and tracing site plans. This eats up half of their bid cycle, which could be better spent on doing high-value tasks.

AI-based takeoff

AI-based takeoff software changes the takeoff process drastically for estimators and contractors. By fully automating the takeoff process, it does the heavy lifting of taking off quantities. Yes! AI-based takeoff software like Beam AI does takeoffs for you & shares a takeoff validated by an experienced estimator to guarantee complete accuracy.

But that’s not it! To perform the takeoff accurately, the software auto-reads specs and notes across 100s of sheets to factor in all key details.  With takeoffs automated, estimators save more than 90% of their time, as all they need to do is review the takeoffs and plug the data into their estimating software to prepare estimates. This way, estimators can spend more time doing strategic tasks such as fine-tuning estimates, value engineering, procuring material costs, and raising tender queries.

Quantity takeoff vs. Material takeoff

If you’ve ever come across the terms quantity takeoff and material takeoff, you might have wondered—aren’t they the same thing? While they’re closely related, there’s a key difference between them. Let’s break it down for you.

Quantity Takeoff (QTO)

A quantity takeoff is all about measuring and quantifying. It focuses on determining how much of each component is needed for a project. This includes everything—concrete volume, steel weight, brick count, wiring length, and more. The goal is to extract precise quantities from site plans so contractors can prepare bids accordingly.

Material Takeoff (MTO)

Material takeoff, on the other hand, goes a step further. It doesn’t just list how much of something is needed—it also specifies what type of material is required. For example, instead of just stating 100 meters of pipes, a material takeoff would specify 100 meters of PVC pipes, 4-inch diameter. It includes details like material type, grade, and specifications, ensuring the right products are ordered.

Think of it this way: 

Quantity Takeoff = How much

Material Takeoff = How much + what kind. 

Both are essential for accurate cost estimation and smooth project execution.

Read More: The Difference Between Quantity Takeoff and Material Takeoff

How to do a quantity takeoff using Beam AI

With Beam AI, you can easily set up your quantity takeoffs in just 4 simple steps. This AI-based construction takeoff software fully automates the process, delivering accurate results within 1-3 days, depending on project complexity. Here’s how it works:

Upload your plans: Simply upload your PDF plan sets into Beam AI’s platform, no need for manual tracing or scaling.

Define the scope & hit submit: Specify your requirements and submit your request. Beam AI handles the rest!

AI takes off quantities: The AI scans and analyzes your site plans, extracting exact quantities automatically.

Expert validation for accuracy: Every AI-based takeoff is reviewed by an experienced estimator, ensuring 99.9% accuracy and eliminating costly miscalculations.

What is included in a quantity takeoff?

A quantity takeoff (QTO) is basically a breakdown of everything needed to get a construction project done—no surprises, no last-minute material shortages. Here’s what it typically covers: 

• Structural elements:  Concrete, steel reinforcement, bricks, blocks, and formwork.
• Architectural elements: Flooring, doors, windows, roofing, and paint.
• MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing): Pipes, wiring, HVAC systems, and fire safety equipment.
• Site work & extras: Excavation, landscaping, fasteners, and adhesives.

With a detailed takeoff, you know exactly what to order, helping you avoid wasted materials and unexpected costs. And if you want to make it even easier? AI tools like Beam AI can do it all for you, fast, accurate, and hassle-free.

Conclusion

Why waste days on manual takeoffs when you can get takeoffs with Beam AI in just 4 simple steps? Construction success starts with the right material quantities, and Beam AI makes sure you get them with speed and accuracy. 

No more guesswork, delays, or wasted resources, just accurate takeoffs done effortlessly. Since AI takes off quantities for you, you can focus on boosting the bid volume up to 30% while saving 90% of your time. 

Ready to upgrade your takeoff process? Book a personalized demo with our product expert today.