The Fastest Route From Drawings to Accurate Material Lists
AI takeoff software is a digital tool that automatically scans your PDF or CAD drawings, recognises every wall, window, pipe and outlet, and totals the exact quantities you need for pricing. In other words, it turns hours of manual measuring into minutes of point-and-click work—freeing you to focus on profit and client relationships.
Why Traditional Take-offs Waste Time
• Manual on-screen take-offs average 25–40 minutes per sheet, not counting data entry into spreadsheets.
• Missed or double-counted items force costly change-orders later.
• Estimators lose evenings marking up drawings instead of reviewing vendor quotes or sharpening margins.
How AI Takeoff Works (Step-by-Step)
• Upload plans Drag-and-drop your PDFs or DWGs into the cloud workspace.
Auto-detect scale The software reads title-block information or prompts you for one reference length.
• Quantity engine Counts and linear measurements feed into itemised material lines—e.g., 1 436 ft² drywall, 312 LF copper tube.
• Pricing layer Link the quantities to your cost database or live commodity feeds.
Export & share Send the bill of quantities straight to Excel, your estimating package, or a share link for collaborators.
Accuracy vs. Human Take-offs
• Benchmarked tests on mixed-trade residential jobs show AI variance of ±3 % versus ±8 % for manual counts.
• AI never gets tired or distracted, so accuracy is consistent from sheet 1 to sheet 50.
• You can still override lines—perfect for unique details AI might miss.
Answers to Common Objections
“Will AI miss unique structural elements?”
Unusual objects can be added to a custom library; once trained they’re auto-recognised on future projects.
“Does the client accept AI-generated quantities?”
Yes. AI generates the same tables you already send—just faster. You still sign off before submission.
“Is my data secure in the cloud?”
Serious vendors follow SOC 2 or ISO 27001 standards, encrypt files in transit and at rest, and allow instant project deletion.
Ready to see your first AI take-off in action? Start a free 7-day CountBricks trial now—no credit card required. You’ll cut your next bid prep time before the coffee even gets cold.
