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How to do an Estimate?

Learn how to create an estimate in TakeCost with or without a takeoff. This article explains how to upload drawings and send quantities to the worksheet, or build an estimate manually by adding line items, labour, and markup.

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Written by TakeCost

You can create an estimate in TakeCost with or without a takeoff, depending on your workflow.

Option 1: Start with a takeoff (from drawings)

  • Upload your drawings

  • Open the drawing and set or verify the scale

  • Use the Area, Linear, or Count tools to measure

Your quantities are calculated automatically as you draw.

When you're ready:

  • Click View Quantities

  • Select Send to Worksheet

Your measurements will appear as line items in your estimate.

Option 2: Start directly in the worksheet (no takeoff)

If you don’t have drawings or prefer to estimate manually:

  • Go to the Worksheet

  • Click + Line Item

  • Add your materials, labour, or subcontractor costs

  • Apply markup to calculate profit

Managing Your Estimate

The Worksheet is where you build and manage your estimate.

Here you can:

  • Add, edit, or remove line items

  • Update quantities and pricing

  • Apply markup to individual line items

  • See totals update automatically as you make changes

  • Organize large estimates using Tags

Organizing Your Estimate with Tags

As your estimate grows, Tags help keep related items organized.

You can assign a tag to any cost item or scope, then sort your Worksheet by tag to group similar work together.

To add a tag:

  1. Open or create a cost item.

  2. Enter a name in the Tags field.

  3. Save the item.

Once multiple items have been tagged, you can sort your estimate by Tag to quickly organize related work.

This is ideal for organizing estimates by trade, project phase, building area, floor, or any workflow that makes sense for your business.

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