Material Take off Service
Detailed material takeoffs from blueprints and drawings with CSI division formats.
Ensuring precise material and labor requirements for every phase.
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Material Takeoff Services
We Don’t Just Count Materials We Calculate Your Competitive Edge.
At SEADs, our material takeoff services go beyond basic quantity listing. We deliver strategic, trade-ready takeoffs that help you bid smarter, build leaner, and avoid costly surprises on-site.
- Every quantity is double-checked and cross-verified to prevent overruns, errors, or unexpected material shortages.
- No generic lists we tailor every takeoff to your specific scope, trade, and design documentation.
- Receive clear material breakdowns grouped by trade, CSI division, or project phase — however you need it.
- Our takeoffs are organized and supplier-ready, eliminating unnecessary back-and-forth and accelerating procurement.
Why is Material Takeoff Important?
As a trusted takeoff specialist, Superior Estimates Architectural Designs (SEADs) has delivered accurate and detailed quantity takeoffs for a wide range of construction projects across multiple sectors, including:
- Saves Money and Time
- Helps with Accurate Cost Estimation
- Avoids Shortages or Overbuying
- Supports Better Planning & Scheduling
What is a Material Takeoff?
A Material Takeoff (MTO) is a detailed list of all the materials required to complete a construction project like a grocery list for building. It outlines exactly what’s needed based on the project’s blueprints, including quantities of bricks, cement, tiles, pipes, doors, windows, and more.
This process helps contractors and builders estimate costs accurately, plan procurement in advance, and avoid common mistakes like overbuying or running short. A well-prepared material takeoff saves both time and money, ensuring the right materials are on site at the right time keeping the construction process smooth and efficient.
In simple terms: if building a home is like cooking a large meal, a material takeoff is your shopping list without it, you’re likely to forget key ingredients or overspend on extras you don’t need.
Types of Material Takeoff
Material Takeoffs vary based on the project’s scope, required format, and level of detail. Here are the most common types:
✅ Preliminary Material Takeoff
✅ Detailed Material Takeoff
✅ Trade-Specific Material Takeoff
✅ Assembly-Based Takeoff
✅ Digital Takeoff (Using Software)
✅ Manual Takeoff
Frequently Asked Questions
A material takeoff includes a detailed list of all construction materials required for a project, including item names, quantities, dimensions, units, and sometimes pricing based directly on your drawings or scope.
Yes. We offer trade-specific takeoffs (e.g., drywall, electrical, plumbing, concrete) tailored to your role and scope in the project. This helps subcontractors and vendors get only the information they need.
Most takeoffs are delivered within 24–48 hours, depending on the size and complexity of the project. We also offer expedited services upon request.
We deliver takeoffs in Excel, PDF, or other formats based on your preference. The files are organized by trade, CSI division, or construction phase to support easy use in bidding and procurement.
Our Process
Drawing Review:
Our process begins with a thorough review of the plans and drawings provided by the client. Our expert estimators and material takeoff specialists meet to discuss the key features of the items and trades that need to be quantified and taken off.
Estimation:
We utilize certified software such as PlanSwift, BlueBeam, and OST (OnScreenTakeoff) for precise estimation. After carefully preparing the takeoff and pricing for the trades and significant line items, we deliver the estimate and takeoff sheet in either the client's template or our own template, typically in EXCEL format.
Pricing:
We organize the estimate using codes from the drawings or CSI codes. After determining the value for each relevant trade and code, we provide pricing based on zip code, and we can also incorporate local vendor pricing. We consider factors such as political impacts, labor wages, material logistics, inflation, and site constraints when determining the final pricing.