Take-Off & Estimations

The difference between a takeoff and an estimate is something else that can be confusing to those new to the construction industry.  The concept is pretty simple once you know it, but it can still trip some people up.  A takeoff is simply determining the amount of all the materials needed for a job.  That’s it!  Takeoffs don’t have any material costs associated with them and don’t include extra costs that an estimate does.

 In contrast, an estimate takes the takeoff a few steps further.  Estimates apply costs to all the materials determined by the takeoff and adds in other costs the contractor will face.  These extra costs include things like travel costs, tax, applying a waste factor, labor costs, and any other extra costs you’ll face.