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How Do I Start a Takeoff

Learn about the two ways to start a project in TakeCost: upload drawings for digital takeoffs or build an estimate manually without plans. Choose the workflow that best fits your project.

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Written by TakeCost

TakeCost offers two ways to start a project, depending on your workflow.

Whether you're measuring directly from plans or building an estimate from scratch, you can choose the approach that works best for your project

Option 1: Upload Drawings (Traditional Takeoff)

This is the most common workflow for construction estimating.

Best for:

  • PDF plans and blueprints

  • Digital takeoffs

  • Measuring quantities directly from drawings

  • Creating estimates from project plans

How it works:

  1. Create a new project.

  2. Upload your PDF drawings.

  3. Set or verify the scale.

  4. Use the measurement tools to create takeoffs.

  5. Add pricing, labour, and markup in the Estimate tab.

  6. Generate a proposal.

📌 This workflow is ideal when you have construction drawings available.

Option 2: Start from an Estimate

Build your estimate manually without uploading drawings.

Best for:

  • Budget estimates

  • Quick quotes

  • Change orders

  • Small projects without plans

  • Adding manual quantities

How it works:

  1. Create a new project.

  2. Start from an estimate.

  3. Add items manually using + Add Item.

  4. Enter quantities, costs, labour, and markup.

  5. Generate a proposal.

📌 This workflow is ideal when you don't have drawings or only need a quick estimate.

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