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 drawings should be associated with a corresponding name and description on the quantity takeoff sheet. I'd like to turn your attention to sheet number S2 in the drawings provided for this class.
For quick reference, you can look at the pad footing schedule. You'll see this pad footing schedule starting at footing A and continuing through footing 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.
We're currently working on 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 both the takeoff and the estimate itself. It all starts in the drawings, and referencing sheet S2 immediately draws your attention to the source of the footing information.
Notice on the VDCI music and guest quantity takeoff sheet that we're utilizing MasterFormat for our concrete, and in the description, we've identified whether it's Type B, C, or D accordingly. That's the migration of the pad footing schedule into the quantity takeoff, which includes both the description and the MasterFormat code number directly in the estimate. I wanted to ensure that everything is related and easy for someone else to follow.
When you look at the estimate itself, you might ask, "Where is footing B from?" You can actually see it in your takeoff and in the drawings themselves on the pad footing schedule. It can work in both directions. You can go from the footing schedule all the way 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 Type B footings 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 number, 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.
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 within 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 fully rely on the construction document set for your estimate.
You must also have an understanding of the construction process and the additional cost elements required.
