Commercial Building Quantity Takeoff: Sample
See how a multi-trade commercial takeoff can be organized for review. This hypothetical sample follows a two-story office building through concrete, steel, envelope, interior and finish quantities.
Project Overview
This sample is a hypothetical two-story office building with an assumed footprint of approximately 12,000 square feet. It shows how a commercial quantity takeoff can be organized by trade. It does not describe a real building, property or client.
The example covers selected building trades, using assumed dimensions and example units. A real takeoff depends on the drawings, specifications and scope provided for each project.
Scope of Work
This hypothetical sample illustrates the kinds of categories a commercial takeoff can cover. Actual scope depends on the drawings and specifications for each project.
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Concrete and foundations
Example category for footing and slab-on-grade concrete volumes.
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Structural framing
Example category for structural steel members and estimated weights.
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Exterior walls and finishes
Example category for wall areas, glazing and exterior finish quantities.
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Interior partitions
Example category for partition lengths and gypsum board areas.
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Doors and glazing
Example category for door counts and glazing areas, normally matched to schedules.
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Flooring and ceilings
Example category for finish areas grouped by material.
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Roofing
Example category for roof membrane area and related allowances.
Sample Quantity Takeoff
The rows below show how quantities can be listed with a description, an example quantity, a unit and a note. Every figure is assumed for this hypothetical building.
Illustrative Sample Data
| Trade | Description | Quantity | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Area Calculations | Slab on grade, 5 in. thick (net) | 185 | CY | 12,000 SF × 5 in.; excludes waste |
| Area Calculations | Continuous footings, 24 in. × 12 in. | 34 | CY | Assumed 460 LF perimeter; interior footings not included |
| Framing | Structural steel framing | 120 | TON | Placeholder at an assumed 10 lb/SF; depends on structural design |
| Framing | Low-slope roof membrane | 12,500 | SF | Footprint plus assumed allowance for laps and upturns |
| Drywall | Exterior wall area, gross | 11,960 | SF | 460 LF × assumed 26 ft height; before openings |
| Drywall | Exterior glazing | 1,800 | SF | About 15% of gross wall area (assumed) |
| Flooring | Exterior wall finish, net | 10,160 | SF | Gross wall area less glazing; doors not deducted |
| Flooring | Metal stud partitions, 10 ft high | 1,500 | LF | Assumed layout; depends on floor plans |
| Flooring | Gypsum board, both faces of partitions | 30,000 | SF | 1,500 LF × 10 ft × 2 faces; excludes ceilings |
| Finishes | Acoustic ceiling tile | 21,500 | SF | About 90% of gross floor area (assumed) |
| Finishes | Floor finishes, carpet tile and porcelain tile | 20,200 | SF | Assumed 16,000 SF carpet tile plus 4,200 SF porcelain tile |
| Finishes | Interior doors | 48 | EA | Illustrative count; depends on the door schedule |
Illustrative sample data only. Quantities are assumed and rounded for demonstration. They are not measurements of a real property, a bid, or a professional estimate. Actual quantities depend on the plans provided.
How Quantities Are Organized & Reviewed
We begin by reviewing the floor plans, wall sections and finish schedule to confirm scale, ceiling heights and the scope being measured. Areas are calculated room by room, then wall lengths, openings and finish types are measured and grouped by trade.
Wall board is cross-checked against wall length and height, and flooring totals are reconciled with the conditioned floor area, so areas are neither counted twice nor missed. Assumptions, exclusions and unclear plan items are recorded in a short notes list, so the summary is easy to review and trace back to the drawings.
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Review the drawings
Confirm scale, ceiling heights, the finish schedule and the scope being measured.
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Measure room by room
Calculate areas, then wall lengths, openings and finish types.
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Check assumptions
Cross-check wall board against wall length and height, and flooring against floor area.
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Prepare the summary
Group results by trade and record assumptions, exclusions and open plan questions.
Sample Deliverables
Examples of deliverables that can be prepared for a residential takeoff. Actual deliverables depend on the service and scope agreed for each project.
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Room-by-room area summary
Areas for each room and level.
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Quantities grouped by trade
Framing, drywall, flooring and finishes in one view.
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Finish quantities by material type
Flooring and paint areas separated by material.
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Notes on assumptions and exclusions
Assumptions and open plan questions listed clearly.
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Spreadsheet-ready data
Organized for budgeting and bid preparation.
Important Sample Disclaimer
This page is an illustrative demonstration of our estimating approach. The project details, quantities, and examples shown are not measurements of a real property or a completed client project. Actual scope, quantities, pricing, assumptions, and deliverables depend on the plans and requirements provided for each project.
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