FAQ’s

Construction Estimating & Quantity Take-off FAQs

Find answers about our construction estimating, quantity takeoff, BOQ, and tender-support services. If your question is not covered below, send us your drawings and project requirements for a tailored response.

What is the difference between a quantity takeoff, a BOQ, and a construction estimate?

A quantity takeoff measures the labor and materials required for a project directly from the drawings. A Bill of Quantities (BOQ) organizes those measured items into a structured document for pricing, procurement, or tendering. A construction estimate applies costs to the quantities and may include materials, labor, equipment, subcontractors, overhead, profit, allowances, and contingency.

What information do you need to prepare an estimate?

For the most reliable result, please provide:

  • Architectural drawings
  • Structural and MEP drawings, where applicable
  • Project specifications
  • Scope of work
  • Project location or ZIP/postcode
  • Tender documents and addenda, if applicable
  • Your preferred output format
  • Any supplier quotations or company-specific labor rates you want us to use

If information is missing, we will identify it before beginning or clearly document the assumptions used.

What types of projects can BRAND BOA estimate?

Depending on the drawings and requested scope, the takeoff may cover:

  • Sitework and excavation
  • Concrete and foundations
  • Masonry
  • Structural steel
  • Carpentry and framing
  • Roofing
  • Insulation
  • Drywall and ceilings
  • Flooring and finishes
  • Doors and windows
  • Painting
  • Plumbing
  • Electrical
  • HVAC
  • External works

The included trades will be confirmed in your quotation before work begins.

How much does a construction estimate or quantity take-off cost?

Every project is priced individually. The fee depends on the project size, drawing quality, number of trades, complexity, required level of detail, and whether you need quantities only or a fully priced estimate. Once we review your documents, we will send you a clear fixed quotation for our service before starting.

How long will my estimate take?

Our standard turnaround is seven working days after we receive the complete drawing package, confirm the scope, and receive the required payment. Large, highly detailed, or multi-phase projects may take longer. Your expected delivery date will be confirmed before work begins.

Can you provide an urgent or rush estimate?

Rush delivery may be available depending on the size of the project and our current workload. Send us your drawings and tender deadline as early as possible so we can confirm whether the required delivery date is achievable. An additional charge may apply to urgent work.

How do you calculate location-specific construction costs?

Construction prices vary by city, state, region, availability, taxes, transportation costs, labor conditions, and market demand. We use the project location and the most relevant available pricing information to develop a location-adjusted estimate. Where possible, clients can also provide current supplier or subcontractor quotations for inclusion.

Are your prices guaranteed?

No construction estimate can guarantee the final amount charged by contractors or suppliers. Our estimate is a professional forecast based on the documents, scope, assumptions, location, and pricing information available at the time. Actual costs may change because of design revisions, site conditions, market fluctuations, contractor productivity, procurement decisions, or changes in scope.

Can you prepare an estimate from preliminary or incomplete drawings?

Yes. We can prepare a conceptual or preliminary estimate for feasibility studies and early budgeting. Where information is incomplete, we will use reasonable assumptions, allowances, or provisional quantities and identify them clearly in the report. The estimate can then be updated when more detailed drawings become available.

Can you prepare a tender BOQ for contractors?

Yes. We prepare structured tender BOQs that help contractors measure the scope, apply their own rates, and submit organized bids. The BOQ can be divided by trade, construction element, work section, or another agreed tender format. We can also review an existing BOQ against the drawings to identify possible omissions or quantity discrepancies.

Can you provide a quantity-only take-off without prices?

Yes. You may request a quantity-only take-off for procurement, supplier enquiries, subcontractor comparisons, or internal pricing. This gives your team a structured material and work-item schedule while allowing you to apply your own labor, supplier, overhead, and profit rates.

What is included in the final deliverable?

Depending on the service selected, your package may include:

  • Itemized quantity take-off
  • Bill of Quantities
  • Trade-by-trade breakdown
  • Labor and material cost breakdown
  • Equipment or plant allowances
  • Marked-up drawings
  • Measurement sheets
  • Assumptions and exclusions
  • Pricing summary
  • Tender pricing schedule

The precise deliverables will be listed in your proposal.

Which file formats can you provide?

Reports are normally delivered in PDF format. Excel or CSV files can also be supplied when an editable pricing schedule or quantity list is required. If you have a company template or tender format, send it with your documents so we can confirm whether it can be used.

How do you check the accuracy of a take-off?

We follow a systematic measurement process that includes verifying drawing scales, reviewing plans against elevations and sections, checking relevant schedules and specifications, and organizing quantities by trade. The completed take-off is reviewed for possible omissions, duplicate measurements, drawing conflicts, and unusual quantities before issue.

Do you include material waste in the take-off?

Waste can be included where requested and appropriate. The percentage depends on the material, installation method, design complexity, and project conditions. To maintain transparency, net drawing quantities and additional waste allowances can be shown separately in the report.

What software do you use?

We use professional digital take-off, construction management, and estimating tools, including PlanSwift, Procore, and Microsoft Excel. The workflow is selected according to the drawing format, project scope, measurement requirements, and final reporting structure. Software supports the process, but every output still requires construction knowledge and professional review.

Can you update an estimate when the drawings change?

Yes. We can revise the take-off or estimate when updated drawings, specifications, or tender addenda are issued. Minor amendments may require only selected items to be updated, while extensive design changes may require a new measurement. We will confirm any additional fee and turnaround time after reviewing the revisions.

Do you perform site visits?

Our standard service is completed remotely using the drawings and documents supplied by the client. If existing conditions may significantly affect the quantities or costs, photographs, surveys, inspection reports, or verified site measurements should be provided. Any requirement for a physical site visit must be discussed separately.

Is my project information kept confidential?

Yes. Project drawings, specifications, prices, and client information are treated as confidential and used only to prepare the requested service. If your organization requires a non-disclosure agreement, please send it for review before sharing restricted documents.

How do I get started?

Send us your drawings, project location, scope of work, required service, preferred file format, and deadline through our contact form. We will review the documents, clarify any missing information, and provide a quotation describing the scope, fee, deliverables, and expected completion date.