Contractors know that the job doesn’t start on-site—it starts with precise planning. At the heart of that planning process? Accurate construction takeoffs. Whether you’re bidding on a project, estimating materials, or planning labor, your takeoff is the foundation of your entire workflow.
Done well, they lay the groundwork for successful bids, accurate estimates, and profitable projects. Done poorly, they create a domino effect of budget overruns, missed deadlines, and reputational damage.
If you’re a contractor looking for a better way to manage construction takeoffs, let’s explore how to streamline your workflow without compromising accuracy.
Many contractors still rely on manual takeoff methods—pencil, paper, rulers, and highlighters. Some have moved to digital PDFs and spreadsheets, but that doesn’t mean their process is optimized.
Here’s what typically goes wrong:
In today’s fast-paced industry, these issues can easily sink your margins—or cost you the job entirely.
The key to a better takeoff process is combining automation, accuracy, and collaboration. Here’s how contractors are transforming their workflows:
Before you can start on your takeoff, you need to find compatible bids. To set your workflow up for success, start your process with a multi-scope bid scanner. This simple tool scans PDFs to see if the bid contains scope for your company. It also guides you to where in the PDF any applicable scope might be, saving your business time and helping you find more projects for the pipeline.
Once you find the projects you are most interested in bidding on, you will need an accurate takeoff. Manual takeoffs are time-intensive and costly. Software-generated takeoffs are prone to error. To streamline your takeoff process, you need a provider (like Takeoff Monkey). We use the latest technology to build your takeoffs, and we have two seasoned estimators oversee the process and double–check for errors to ensure accuracy. You simply need to send us your documents, and we will return a completed takeoff 48 hours later. It is that simple.
Once you have your takeoff, your team is ready to leverage it to build your bid. Find a takeoff provider that integrates directly with your preferred bidding software. Takeoff Monkey, for example, is compatible with all major systems on the market. If you have trouble, we can write a custom macro to help generate a file that easily integrates with your preferred bidding solutions.
Takeoff tools should work in harmony with your project management platforms and other tools. Integration enables seamless transitions from measurements to cost estimates and schedules—without needing to re-enter data. Look for tools that sync with:
Even the best takeoff software or solutions won’t help if your team doesn’t know how to use them effectively. Invest time in onboarding and ongoing training. While solutions like Takeoff Monkey require minimal effort, ensure your team knows how to send the materials, which materials to send, turnaround considerations, and how to access the completed materials.
When you optimize your takeoff workflow, the impact goes far beyond the estimating phase. Improving this foundational process sets your business up for success in every other area of work, including:
In an industry where every hour and every dollar counts, streamlining your takeoff process is no longer optional—it’s essential. The right solutions let you bid faster, plan better, and execute more confidently. If you’re ready to ditch the manual process and invest in better tools, focus on takeoff solutions that offer:
It is essential you find a takeoff solution that works for your business. Read more in our guide: Construction Takeoff Software: What Features Matter Most?
When you are ready to streamline the takeoff process to improve your business (and profits), Takeoff Monkey is here for you. Our team offers end-to-end takeoff support so you can focus on your business. Upload a project to get started today, or contact our experts and ask how you can get your first five sheets for free, no strings attached!
