TTD Takeoff Service

THE PROCESS

  1. All billing is done through PayPal. This allows you to pay with any credit/debit card. PayPal is the only method of payment I accept.
  2. Email your plans, in PDF or TIF format, with either written specs or a brief description, and what level and phases of takeoff (see options below) you need.
  3. I’ll email you an estimated time to complete, and either a flat rate price, or a time estimate, depending on the complexity of your project.
  4. Almost all single-family, 1- or 2-story houses are priced at my flat rates, which vary based on the number of floors, type of construction, and phases of construction to be included in the takeoff. Plans with excessive details, code requirements/engineering, overly complicated design, and all commercial or single-trade work are charged by the hour.
  5. While most takeoffs take less than a day, I must also consider my current backlog before committing to a completion date.
  6. Full payment for flat-rate jobs is due on receipt of my invoice, before I begin work on the takeoff. Hourly jobs are billed on completion, and the takeoff is emailed after payment is received. Large hourly jobs may require a deposit of 50% of the estimated time before work begins, with the remainder being billed on completion.
  7. Once I begin working on your project, I’ll email you with any questions that arise. Feel free to forward these questions to someone else (Owner, Engineer, etc.) if needed, and forward me the answers when you receive them. I will not call/email 3rd parties to track down answers. Delays in getting the needed information will delay completion of the takeoff.
  8. Once takeoffs are completed, I will invoice any remaining time (large hourly jobs with a deposit only).
  9. When PayPal notifies me that your final payment (if any) has cleared, I will send you the completed Material List in your choice of Excel or PDF format, along with notes of any issues or unanswered questions you may need to address with the Owner, Architect, or Engineer.
  10. You can then send out the material list to your vendors for bids, or transfer the quantities into your existing estimating or accounting system that already contains your unit pricing.

TAKEOFFS OFFERED

I offer two standard levels of residential new construction framing takeoffs, with options to add foundations, roofing and trim. Available takeoffs cover those items generally offered by a full-service lumberyard for the “shell” or “dry-in” phases of construction. I don’t offer mechanicals (electric, plumbing, HVAC), or “decorator” items (flooring, paint, cabinets, etc.) in these packages. Below you will find a brief summary for each level.

  1. Engineered Framing ($95 & up) – All framing materials, except engineered floor and roof members (trusses, I-joists, LVL’s).
  2. Stick Framing ($160 & up) – All framing materials.

Add Decks (Adds $10 for EACH porch or deck) – Adds deck posts, framing, decking boards, columns, and porch/deck rails.

Add Footings & Slabs (Adds $15) – Adds footing & garage/porch slab concrete, fill, vapor barrier, and reinforcement.

Add Masonry Foundation (Adds $20) – Adds block/brick, concrete, reinforcement, vents, access doors, sand, and mortar.

Add Piling Foundation (Adds $20) – Adds pilings, cross-bracing, and framing hardware.

Add Roofing (Adds $10) – Adds roofing, roof vents and flashing.

Add Siding (Adds $30) – Adds boxing, siding, porch ceilings, exterior trim, veneers, mortar, and sand.

Add Drywall (Adds $20) – Adds drywall (board count only), basic baseboard and window casing.

All other services (commercial, single trades, Excel work, etc.) are charged by the hour. My hourly rate is $60, with a 1/2 hour minimum charge for single jobs. Any additional time after the first 1/2 hour will be rounded to the nearest 1/4 hour.

SAMPLE TAKEOFF

Click on the link below for a PDF sample takeoff to see the Material List format used:

OTHER SERVICES

  • Commercial & Single Trade Takeoffs
  • Small Structure Takeoffs – Tiny Houses, Sheds, Decks, Garages, etc. using my Tiny House Estimator program. (The completed takeoff you receive includes a full working copy of the program!)
  • Custom Excel Programming – Improve/customize any existing Excel sheets you use in your business.