How to Do a Construction Takeoff
Learn the basic steps of completing a construction takeoff and how digital tools help speed up the process.
Read postSpeed Up Take-offs & Estimates To Win More Jobs
From Plans to
Proposal
in Minutes
Turn construction drawings into finished proposals — TakeCost helps you measure, calculate, and export client-ready documents in minutes.
Free Takeoffs Forever
No Credit Card Required
Measuring isn't the problem.
Rebuilding everything is.
Most tools help you measure. TakeCost connects measurement quantities,
pricing and proposals — so revisions don’t mean rework
The Problem With Your
Old Workflow
Measure the job
Then move quantities elsewhere.
→
Rebuild scope in Excel
Manual copy/paste invites mistakes.
→
Copy into a proposal
The same data rebuilt again.
→
That’s where time gets lost and mistakes happen.
Your New Workflow
With TakeCost
Measure directly in your project
Everything stays in one place.
Pricing stays linked to quantities
Update takeoff → pricing updates.
Proposal-ready output in minutes
Export clean summaries fast.
One connected workflow. No duplicate work.
Bid Faster & Win More Projects
Perform high-quality takeoffs and estimates efficiently, so you can bid on more work and grow your business.
Perform high-quality takeoffs and estimating efficiently, so you can bid on more work and grow your business.
Start for Free, Scale as You Grow
Access the full features at no cost, upgrade to only when you’re ready to take on more projects.
Easy to Learn and Use
Designed with simplicity in mind, it’s quick to pick up, even if you’re not a techie.
Dependable, Professional Results
Generate precise, professional quotes that build trust and protect your reputation – and your bottom line.
Maximize Your Time and Efficiency
Save time on every takeoff and quote, so you can bid and win more jobs.
Turn takeoffs into real
smart material assemblies
TakeCost doesn't just measure lines, areas, and counts. It converts your takeoff directly into usable construction quantities so you can move faster from plans to pricing.
Measure jobs scopes.
Instantly generate the materials.
Instead of measuring walls and rebuilding everything in spreadsheets, TakeCost converts your takeoff into the framing, boarding and insulation quantities estimators actually need.
1 Take-off
2 Add Smart Logic
3 Attach Cost
4 View Proposal
Wall Systems
Auto-calculates studs, plates, sheathing & more.
Roofing
Calculates block, mortar, grout, rebar & more.
Exterior Cladding
Auto-calculates bricks, mortar, wall ties & more.
Concrete
Auto-calculates concrete, rebar, formwork & more.
And Much More!
Auto-calculates concrete, rebar, formwork & more.
From plans to proposals in minutes
TakeCost simplifies your workflow from plans to pricing so you can move fast, quote accurately, and stay ahead.
Explore Our Features1
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Upload & Measure Your Plans
Drag in your drawings. Rotate, scale, and organize in seconds — everything ready for takeoff.
Turn Quantities into Pricing
Take off lengths, areas, and counts while quantities stay connected to materials and pricing inside your project.
Generate Clean, Client-Ready Estimates
Generate clean summaries with quantities, pricing, and margins — without rebuilding your work.
Built for construction teams who estimate
TakeCost keeps takeoff, pricing, and proposals connected — so teams spend less time rebuilding estimates.
Keep trades and
scope in sync
- Quantities stay connected to pricing
- Updates flow through instantly
Speed up estimating
across models
- Reuse scope across plan variations
- Adjust quantities in seconds
Measure quickly and
keep scope organized
- Measure directly on plans
- Keep scope organized automatically
Make drawing information measurable
- Turn plans into structured quantities
- Improve scope clarity across teams
Built for construction teams who estimate
TakeCost keeps takeoff, pricing, and proposals connected — so teams
spend less time rebuilding estimates.
Built for contractors
Browser-based
AI elevation tools
Real-time collaboration
Estimate builder
Automatic plan scaling
Mac compatible
✓
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$49/month ($588/yr)
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$440+/yr
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$1,595/yr
✓ Included
△ Limited/manual
× Not available
Select the plan that best meets your needs
Built By Contractors & Estimators
Core
Free
$0
Measure & send bids free, forever
This plan includes:
Full takeoff tools for area, length, and count
1 new takeoff file each month
Invite others to share and review together
Track opportunities & manage potential jobs
Unlimited proposals & revisions
AI assistant for quick help
Get Started
Best for contractors getting started with takeoffs and proposals
Accelerated
PRO
$49
/month
Estimate faster. Control pricing. Win more work.
Everything in Core, plus:
Unlimited takeoffs - Measure as many projects as you need. No monthly limits.
Scope-based pricing - Assign multiple material and labour costs to each scope.
1-click proposals - Generate client-ready bids directly from your takeoffs.
Export Speadsheets & PDF’s Markups
Structured Takeoff File - Organize takeoff by scope, unit, or model.
Smart Scopes - Draw once and generate full material quantities.
Priority support - Get help when you need it.
AI SPEED AUTOMATION FEATURES
Smart Suggestions - Helps identify the takeoff systems from the plans.
Auto scale & sheet naming - Automatically name and organize plan sheets.
Estimate check - Flags missing scope and pricing gaps.
Inclusions & exclusions - Generates clear scope coverage to protect bids.
Start 14-day free trial
Best for contractors who estimate often and need pricing control
Need more details before choosing a plan?
View Full PricingTrusted by contractors. Built by contractors.
Real proof from the field — recognition, press, and feedback from teams
using TakeCost to move faster and quote with confidence.
Accelerated
Estimate faster. Control pricing. Win more work.
2nd Place Winner of TCA’s 2025 Innovative Product Award
Construction innovation recognized by industry leaders.
"Easily the best takeoff software on the market right now. We became 2x faster and more efficient after adopting TakeCost."
"The estimating and proposal features in TakeCost have been a game-changer for our company. We can now quickly and confidently price projects."
Takeoff & Estimating Resources
Manual vs Digital Construction Takeoffs
Compare traditional takeoff workflows with modern browser-based tools and see where teams save the most time.
Read post
BOOK A DEMO
See how TakeCost fits your workflow.
In one short demo, we’ll show how takeoff, pricing, and proposal-ready outputs work together — without rebuilding everything in spreadsheets.
15-minute demo
Contractor-first
No fluff
Request a time
Pick a time that works best for you.
Start now and price
more projects with ease!
Upload your drawings now - No downloads required
Only upgrade if needed, with no commitments
Your files are saved in the cloud for easy access
Mobile Friendly
Free Takeoffs Forever
No Credit Card Required
Frequently asked questions
We have put together some commonly asked questions
What is TakeCost?
TakeCost is a digital takeoff and estimating tool built by contractors for contractors. Upload plans, measure materials, build estimates, and create proposals all in one place.
Is TakeCost free for life?
Yes! TakeCost will always offer a free plan. You can start 1 new project per month and keep access to all your past projects. We’re committed to helping new and small construction professionals grow without the pressure of a paid subscription.
Do I need to install anything to use TakeCost?
No downloads needed. TakeCost is 100% cloud-based—just log in from any browser and start measuring.
Can I share my projects with others?
Yes. You can invite team members to view or collaborate on projects, depending on your plan.
Can I book a demo?
Yes! You can book a 30-minute demo with our team using this link: https://calendly.com/takecost/demo
How secure is my data on TakeCost?
Your data is safe with us. We run free daily backups of all user data and follow strict internal security and privacy protocols. From encrypted storage to limited access controls, TakeCost is built to keep your project files and measurements protected at all times.
What file types does TakeCost support?
TakeCost supports multi-page and single-page PDF plans, plus common image files like JPG and PNG. If you’re uploading an image, just provide one known measurement to set the scale and you’re good to go. Perfect for scanned drawings, sketches, or marked-up site photos.
Can I switch between Imperial and Metric units?
Yes. TakeCost supports both Imperial and Metric units. You can switch anytime—your measurements and scale will automatically adjust to match.
What happens if I hit my free project limit?
Once you reach 2 new projects in a month, you can either upgrade to a paid plan or wait until the next month resets. All your past projects remain accessible.
How do I contact customer support?
You can reach our customer support team through the following channels:
- Submit a Support Ticket – Visit our Help Center and click “Submit a Ticket”. Provide details about your issue, and our team will respond promptly.
- Use Our Live Chat – Look for the chat icon on our website for real-time assistance from a support agent.
- Email Us – Send your inquiries to takecost@congic.com, and we’ll get back to you shortly.
- Call Us – Reach our support team directly at 1-866-377-1787 for immediate assistance.
We’re here to help with any questions or issues you may have!