Takeoff in projects involves identifying quantities that an estimator requires for determining the estimate for a project. The takeoff can be carried out by the estimator or a quantity surveyor to determine the quantities of work that will be included in the overall scope. Four types of measurements are used to measure the full scope of work, including count, length, area, and volume.

Once you have completed the takeoff, it is recommended that you visit the project site to better understand the site conditions and note any items that need risk pricing that is not clear from the bid document, such as unforeseen items, i.e. existing services or obstructions. Estimates are used for multiple reasons by the owners, builders, subcontractors, and architects, from estimating whether the design is appropriate for its intended purpose considering the cost to ensuring a project is in alignment with the owner’s budget.

For more information on forecasting techniques, you may refer to ‘Construction Cost Estimates And Takeoffs For Your Project 101’ on our blog.

ADDMORE Services follow the guidelines of the American Society of Professional Estimators (ASPE), where the least reliable estimate is level 1 and the most accurate and reliable is level 5. The names of these levels are known as:

Level 1 – Order of Magnitude
Level 2 – Feasibility
Level 3 – Preliminary
Level 4 – Substantive
Level 5 – Definitive

These levels are calculated by common methods:

Level 1: Analogous, parametric, expert judgement, and factoring.
Level 2: Parametric and factoring.
Level 3: Bottom-up – unit cost assembly level.
Level 4: Bottom-up – unit cost detailed.
Level 5: Bottom-up – unit cost detailed.

There is a simplified system of construction estimate classification by accuracy and phase.

Design Estimates – prepared during the project’s pre-design and design phases. It commences with an order of magnitude to evaluate if the project is viable.

Bid Estimates – prepared by contractors in efforts to win the project and are level 4 in terms of detail.

Control Estimates – one of the most accurate as they include tender estimates, contract estimates, and project control estimates that are all at level 5 detail which are definitive estimates.

The control estimate is prepared after an owner signs an agreement and before construction begins. It is a baseline by which the actual construction costs are assessed and controlled.