Explore the intricate relationship between your project's takeoff items and your estimate, using the VDCI music and guest quantity takeoff sheet as a case study. Learn how to create clear and related takeoffs and estimates, and understand the value of referencing sheet numbers, quantity takeoff descriptions, and master format codes in your estimates.
Key Insights
- Takeoff items must be associated with a corresponding name and description on the quantity takeoff sheet, with reference to specific sheet numbers in the drawings for clarity and precision.
- The VDCI music and guest quantity takeoff sheet uses a master format for concrete, with descriptions identifying the specific types. This method ensures that all elements are related and easy for others to follow, fostering a clear understanding of the relationship between drawings, takeoffs, and estimates.
- While not typically required, including columns such as PDF Drawing Set, PDF Page, Sheet and Drawing Number in the Quantity Takeoff, and QTO Reference in the Estimate can be beneficial for referencing where takeoff elements originated and where estimate line items are located on the QTO. This practice can enhance traceability and comprehensibility in the estimation process.
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Associating your takeoff items to your estimate. Items to be quantified in the drawing should be associated with a corresponding name and description of the quantity takeoff sheet. What I'd like to do is turn your attention to your sheet number S2 in the drawings provided for this class.
So for quick reference, you can look at the pad footing schedule. You'll see this pad footing schedule starting at footing A all the way down to J. The area that we're working in right now is only using a portion of those. This particular footing schedule was provided for the entire building.
All we're doing now is doing an addition. These are the only three footings that we'll be using for this portion of the project, therefore they're clearly identified in the takeoff as well as the estimate itself. It all starts in the drawings and by referencing sheet S2 immediately brings your attention to where the source of the information on the footings came from.
So notice on the VDCI music and guest quantity takeoff sheet, notice that we're utilizing a master format for our concrete and then in the description we've actually identified whether it's type B, C, or D accordingly. So that's the migration of the pad footing schedule into the quantity takeoff where it actually has both the description and the master format code number right into the estimate. I wanted to make sure that everything is related and it's easy for somebody to follow.
When you look at the estimate itself you say well gee where's that footing B from? You can actually see it in your takeoff and you can actually see it in the drawings itself on the pad footing schedule. It can work in both directions. You can go from the footing schedule all the way on into the estimate.
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You can relate all of those items and especially if the takeoff is color-coded you could easily identify where all the footing type B's are because they may be scattered throughout the entire project. Your takeoffs and estimates should be created so that others can understand the relationship between the drawings, the takeoff, and the estimate. To the right side of your quantity takeoff and estimate you'll see some additional columns.
PDF drawing set, PDF page, sheet and drawing number in the quantity takeoff, and QTO reference in the estimate. These columns are not typically required when you build an estimate. These columns have been included in this course for your reference only.
With that said this could be a good habit for you to get into when you start estimating so that you can remember where your takeoff elements came from and where your estimate line items are located on the QTO. Just know that some digital estimating software has some of this tracking built in but it's the responsibility of the estimator to know where each and every line item can be found on the plans. You must be able to explain why you have included a line item in an estimate or quantity takeoff.
You will also notice that I've included some elements that are not explicitly shown on the plans. You can see that the QTO for item 93 cannot be referenced directly on the plans. You cannot always rely fully on the construction document set for your estimate.
You must also have an understanding of the construction process and the additional cost elements required.
