But it’s a good idea to develop your concrete takeoff methodically by going through the list in the order below: Concrete Takeoff Workflowġ) COLUMN FOOTINGS: hand excavated area, forms, concreteġ2) SLABS ON CORRUGATED FORMWORK: corrugated formwork, edge forms, finish area, concreteĢ) WALL FOOTINGS: hand excavated area, forms, 2 by 4 keys, concrete.ġ3) STAIRS ON FILL: sand fill, form risers, finish tread and riser, concreteģ) FOUNDATION WALLS: forms (in 4-foot heights), 2 by 4 keys, slab seat bearing, and concreteġ4) SHORED STAIRS: form risers, stair bottom, finish tread and riser, concreteġ5) STAIR LANDINGS: forms, finish, concreteĥ) BUILDING SLABS ON FILL: sand fill, edge forms, expansion joints, finish area, and concreteġ7) MISC CONCRETE IN BUILDING: forms, finish, concreteġ8) EXTERIOR SIDEWALKS: sand fill, edge forms, expansion joints, finish, concreteġ9) EXTERIOR PAVING: sand fill, edge forms, expansion joints, finish, concreteĢ0) EXTERIOR STRAIT CURBS: hand excavated area, forms, finish, concreteġ0) SHORTENED FLAT SLABS: slab forms, edge forms, finish area, concreteĢ1) EXTERIOR CURB & GUTTER: hand excavated area, forms, finish, concreteġ1) METAL PAN SLABS: slab forms, edge forms, finish area, concreteĪgain this is an exhaustive list and because every project’s different, you’ll need to skip any area in this list not pertinent to your project. However, not all projects require all 21 areas and most require only a few. In general, there are approximately 21 areas of concrete work that need to be estimated before starting a concrete project. Once you’ve calculated these aspects, you need to add profit margin onto the figures, which is vital to keep your company operating and profitable. Overhead can include insurance, office staff, vehicles, software, rent, and similar costs that you’ll need to pay whether you have active projects to work or not. Overhead costs can include a wide range of expenses that you need to keep the doors open at your business, but are not directly related to the project. Materials can cover items that will be measured in terms of length, area, and volume, with concrete typically being the main component measured by volume, typically by cubic yards. Labor covers the amount of time it will take to place and finish the concrete, from setting up forms to finishing up the last of the work. 4 Essential StepsĬoncrete takeoffs are typically based on several specific areas: labor, materials, overhead, and profitability. Below we provide the 4 essential steps to completing an accurate concrete takeoff.
Concrete quantity takeoff example how to#
If you’re unfamiliar with how to prepare a quantity takeoff, check out our post to brush up on the basics of estimating for construction projects.īecause the takeoff is essential to your estimating process, it’s critical that the several steps required to complete a concrete takeoff be handled carefully and methodically. This means that you’ll need to review the plans carefully so that you can calculate the labor and materials needed to complete the project. Regularly securing projects for your business involves estimating projects that often include a concrete estimate as part of the bid. With this in mind, we’ve developed our new guide on how to develop a concrete takeoff. Therefore, to ensure your takeoff is the most accurate, you need to understand how to complete the entire takeoff process end-to-end quickly and efficiently. If you order concrete based on inaccurate takeoff numbers, your order is likely to be inaccurate, increasing the likelihood of wasted material or delays while waiting for additional material to be delivered. Alternatively, underestimating how much concrete is needed may result in the lowest bid that enables your firm to win the project, while you lose profitability. From simple slabs poured in place to extensive multi-story structures that seem to touch the sky, knowing how to calculate an accurate concrete takeoff is essential to your company‘s ability to complete a profitable project.īut why is developing a detailed and accurate concrete estimate so difficult? For starters, if you over-estimate the quantities of concrete you need, your bid may have an inflated price, which means you’ll lose your bid. Concrete’s high compressive strength makes it ideal for bearing heavy loads and transferring weight throughout the structure. Indeed, so essential is concrete to the construction industry that it provides the basis for over 53,000 contracting companies. With annual production in the area of 4.1 billion metric tons, cement is a big deal–used in everything from foundations, structures, pre-cast and cast-in-place panels to stucco, paving, and so many other aspects of construction.
Considerations When Performing Concrete Takeoff.