Know Why Masonry Takeoff Software is Crucial in Construction Industry

If you’re an estimator, you know the struggle—complex site plans, tight project deadlines, and the constant pressure to deliver accurate estimates. 

Quantifying materials such as clay bricks, concrete blocks, natural stone, or even artificial alternatives shouldn't involve tedious manual processes. It’s time-consuming, prone to manual errors, and often drains out most of your bandwidth. In fact, over 50% of the time in the bidding cycle goes into performing these time-intensive manual takeoffs and when your masonry takeoffs aren’t on the spot, it can lead to material shortages, unexpected cost runs, and project delays. 

That’s where Beam AI comes in. It automates your masonry takeoffs, allowing you to set up your takeoff in just three simple steps and let the software do the rest. With Beam AI’s advanced AI-based software, you can save 90% of the time spent on manual takeoffs–time that can be used to focus on refining estimates, value engineering, and coordinating with GCs, suppliers, and customers. 

Unlike your current digital takeoff software that consumes more than half of the bidding cycle doing manual takeoffs, Beam AI helps you win more bids. By automating the takeoff process, you can send out 30% more bids and ultimately bid faster. 

In this blog, let’s dive into how Beam AI is revolutionizing the way you handle masonry takeoffs and why it’s a game changer for the construction industry. 

What is Masonry Takeoff Software? 

A masonry takeoff involves quantifying the materials required for masonry work, including bricks, blocks, mortar, and reinforcement. It also encompasses associated tasks such as estimating labor and scaffolding requirements. 

Let’s understand this with an example. A contractor is hired to build a residential building. He carefully studies the architectural drawings, noting the dimensions of the exterior and interior walls, the number of windows and doors, and any decorative brick features.

Now, the estimator needs to calculate the number of bricks required to cover the exterior walls. They must also factor in the mortar needed for joints, reinforcement for structural stability, and adjustments for windows and doors. While doing this manually, it takes extensive input from an estimator, spending hours measuring dimensions, calculating quantities, and preparing the list of materials.

Most digital takeoff software widely used in the construction industry, while useful, require extensive manual input—tracing lines on plans, clicking endlessly, and leaving little room for strategic work. 

By automating the quantification of materials—whether it's bricks, blocks, or mortar joints—Beam AI enables estimators to save time and focus on strategic tasks that contributes to overall business growth. 

Let’s understand why masonry takeoff is important in the construction industry in detail.

Why is AI-based Masonry Takeoff Software Important in Construction Industry? 

Masonry takeoffs are crucial in the construction industry for a few key reasons:

1. Accurate Material Estimation: With AI doing takeoffs, extracting bricks, blocks, or mortar off plans, you get ready-to-use quantities which reduces waste and cost too.
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2. Efficient Project Planning: By providing a clear breakdown of material quantities, masonry takeoffs streamline budgeting and labor planning, keeping the project on track and within budget.
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3. Better Communication: With detailed takeoffs, all stakeholders, from contractors to suppliers are on the same page regarding material needs and project scope, enhancing collaboration and reducing the chances of miscommunication.

Reasons Why Beam AI is Your Go-to Masonry Takeoff Partner

Beam AI stands out with its ability to set up masonry takeoffs for you in just 2 minutes. You do not need to sit through 100s of sheets– AI will automatically track and detect all the changes such as notes, and specs, and instantly reflect them in takeoff calculations.  Let's discuss this in detail below.

1. Completely Automated Takeoffs done for you

With fully automated masonry takeoffs, you no longer need to manually analyze site plans. Instead, you simply upload the plans, define the project scope, and submit. The AI automatically extracts material quantities, including bricks, mortar, reinforcement, and scaffolding, while factoring in any specifications or notes provided. An experienced estimator will validate the takeoff before it’s finalized and reaches you. You no longer have to spend hours stuck in front of a screen.  Your estimators can spend this time collaborating with GCs and suppliers, refining estimates, and value engineering.

2. Advanced Editing Toolbar

The toolbar is equipped with diverse features such as edit, add elements, rotate, split, create openings, and more. Need to divide sections, adjust measurements, or incorporate openings for windows and doors? Beam AI enables seamless modifications directly within your takeoffs, streamlining workflows and minimizing errors. 

Moreover, you can add missing elements to your takeoff as well such as corner beads, mortar, bricks,  etc. If there is a change in project scope and you want to reclassify items, you can easily add them to different zones or categories as per the project requirements. 

3. Ability to Group Multiple Quantities

Beam AI simplifies your masonry takeoff process by allowing you to categorize and organize quantities using tags. These tags enable you to sort, filter, and group measurements based on categories such as phase, material type, or trade. 

For example, you can tag measurements for bricks, blocks, mortar, and reinforcement by specific construction stages or zones. You can even assign multiple tags to a single measurement for better organization across your takeoff.

Once tags are assigned, the "Detailed Report" section lets you filter and customize the data to create a clear and precise report tailored to your project needs. 

4. Automatically Track Changes Across Addenda 

Beam AI automatically tracks and updates revisions from addenda, ensuring your masonry takeoff calculations are accurate. The AI-based software detects changes, recalculates quantities, and keeps your data up to date. Resubmitting your takeoff is quick and easy with three simple methods, as shown in the image below.

5. Seamless Collaboration 

Traditionally, once your takeoff is complete, you have to re-enter the data into your estimating software—adding extra time and effort.

Beam AI simplifies this with its seamless export feature. Generate custom Excel outputs that integrate directly into your estimating software—no reformatting needed.

For client presentations, export data quickly in PDF format. Plus, with sharable links, teammates and subcontractors can access the data inputs in real time, keeping everyone aligned.

Set up Masonry Takeoff in 3 Steps with Beam AI

Setting up a masonry takeoff with Beam AI is quick and easy. Here’s how you can do it in three simple steps:

1. Upload Your Plan: Start by uploading the site plan in PDF format to Beam AI. 
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2. Select and Define your scope: You can define specific quantities and categories you need to be taken off, ensuring accuracy in your takeoff.
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3. Hit Submit & Let AI do the rest: Hit the submit button, and let Beam AI analyze the plans and scope. Once the AI completes its takeoff analysis, an experienced estimator will validate it, and you'll receive your detailed takeoff accordingly.

Final Thoughts

Accurate masonry takeoffs are more than just numbers—they're the cornerstone of a successful construction project. Beam AI automates the takeoff process, tracking changes in real time to ensure your masonry takeoffs are always accurate and up-to-date. For estimators and contractors, this means faster turnaround times, fewer errors, and more time to focus on refining estimates and coordinating with suppliers—moving projects forward seamlessly.

By saving 90% of the time spent on manual takeoffs, Beam AI empowers your team to bid on 30% more jobs.

Ready to transform your masonry takeoffs? Let Beam AI help you bid faster and win more.  Book a personalized demo with us to get your first AI takeoff.