The Best Construction Takeoff Software
We’ve evaluated the top construction takeoff software for all project needs, from estimating materials for residential builds to managing takeoffs for commercial jobs. These solutions can help companies of all sizes lower material costs and drive profitability.
- Easy to use and modern interface
- Free version available
- Unlimited takeoffs in paid version
- Efficient communication
- 30-day free trial
- PDF markup tools
- User-friendly interface with low learning curve
- Integration with various file formats, including PDF, DWG, and DXF
- Direct integration with Excel for report creation
Construction takeoff software helps companies automate workflows to make accurate measurements and count items more efficiently. We’ve evaluated systems for all construction companies, including commercial contractors, civil and infrastructure, and specialty trades.
- STACK: Best for Civil and Earthwork
- Bluebeam Revu: Best for Team Collaboration
- PlanSwift: Best for Residential Builders
- eTakeoff: Best for AI-Assisted Takeoff
- McCormick: Best for the Trades
- WenDuct and WenPipe: Best for Mechanical and HVAC Takeoffs
- ArcSite: Best for Specialty Contractors
STACK - Best for Civil and Earthwork
STACK is a cloud-based takeoff and estimating platform used by general contractors and a wide range of trades. Unlike most building-focused takeoff tools, it includes dedicated sitework takeoff for excavation, grading, and underground utility contractors.
STACK’s sitework tools identify cut and fill areas on a plan and automate the volume calculations behind an earthwork bid, including cut/fill quantities and trench volumes. Estimators can calculate trench depths for utility runs and pull quantities for dirt, gravel, and piping from the same takeoff. Those quantities flow directly into STACK’s estimating module, where you can adjust costs, markup, tax, and overhead and turn the bid into a branded proposal without re-keying numbers into a spreadsheet.
Because STACK runs in the browser, a site estimator and a project manager can review and mark up the same plan set simultaneously. Its plan overlay tool highlights the differences between old and new plans, so when a revised grading or utility plan arrives, you can see what changed and update quantities without redoing the takeoff.
Heavy civil contractors who build 3D site models for GPS-guided equipment may still need a dedicated earthwork tool alongside it. Takeoff & Estimate starts at $299/user/month, and a free version is available.
Bluebeam Revu - Best for Team Collaboration
Bluebeam Revu is a PDF markup and measurement tool used by contractors, architects, and engineers to review and quantify drawings. Its takeoff tools are built around a shared set of drawings, which makes it a strong fit for estimating teams that split a bid across several people or offices.
The core of that is Studio Sessions, which lets estimators in the office and the field mark up and measure the same drawings at the same time. Every measurement lands in the Markups List, where it can be sorted, filtered by estimator or trade, and exported as a PDF, CSV, or XML report.
On the Complete plan, Quantity Link pushes measurement totals from multiple PDFs into Excel bid worksheets, and Dynamic Fill lets you “paint” over a region to measure an area in a few clicks instead of tracing it point by point.
Bluebeam is a markup tool first, so it doesn’t include the assemblies or cost database you get with STACK or PlanSwift; most teams pair it with Excel or a separate estimating program. Annual pricing starts at $260/user for Basics. Basics only measures length and area, so takeoff teams need Core for counts and volumes, and Complete for Dynamic Fill and Quantity Link.
If your team still runs a perpetual Revu 20 license, note that it reaches end of life on December 31, 2026 and loses access to Studio Sessions after that date.
PlanSwift - Best for Residential Builders
PlanSwift is best for residential estimators who want to reduce the time it takes to complete takeoffs. Your team can bundle every material, labor line, and equipment cost linked with a component into a single action.
Instead of having an estimator add drywall, studs, fasteners, and labor one by one to a wall takeoff, they can apply a prebuilt assembly from the Templates, Parts, and Inputs panel. Then, when an estimator traces the wall directly on the digital blueprint, PlanSwift auto-calculates all related materials and costs based on the dimensions.
From there, the properties window pops up so your team can fine-tune waste percentages, labor hours, or markups before confirming. Everything tied to that assembly flows into the estimating workflow, giving you a structured cost breakdown. This dramatically cuts down on the time it usually takes to produce a reliable bid.
However, PlanSwift is a Windows desktop application, and some users report lag on bigger takeoffs. PlanSwift is now sold as an annual subscription: Essential is $2,000/year for one seat, and Core is $3,000/year and adds the full Takeoff BOOST suite with Auto Takeoff.
eTakeoff - Best for AI-Assisted Takeoff
eTakeoff Dimension is a desktop takeoff tool commonly paired with Sage Estimating through its eTakeoff Bridge connector. Rather than relying on a single AI engine, eTakeoff offers its own patented SnapAI feature and an optional Togal.AI add-on.
SnapAI works on vector PDFs, the format most architects and engineers now issue drawings in. Instead of generating a full takeoff on its own, it predicts your next click, snapping to corners and recognizing connected lines so you can trace an entire wall run or perimeter without zooming in to find each endpoint.
If the vector data on a sheet is incomplete, you can switch takeoff modes mid-measurement without starting over. eTakeoff claims SnapAI cuts takeoff time nearly in half. Because the estimator still controls every measurement, there’s no batch of AI results to audit and correct afterward, a common frustration with fully automated takeoff on MEP and civil sheets.
eTakeoff Dimension costs $795/user/year for Advanced and $1,495/user/year for Premier, which includes SnapAI. The Togal.AI add-on, which auto-measures rooms and spaces on architectural floor plans, adds $1,800/user/year. SnapAI depends on clean vector data, so it does little for scanned or raster plan sets. Teams that need browser-based access or Mac support are better served by a cloud tool like STACK.
McCormick - Best for the Trades
McCormick Estimating and Digital Takeoff is a software developed specifically for trade contractors. Its standout feature for the trades is its tool for automatic assemblies. This feature allows users to group commonly used items into pre-built assemblies. Electrical contractors can create an assembly for a conduit run, which may include wire, fittings, and labor costs. Plumbers can create assemblies for pipe runs, including elbows, joints, and valves.
Using these pre-built assemblies greatly reduces the time it takes to complete a takeoff and improves the accuracy of estimates. It also allows users to standardize their projects and, once set up, ensure that no item or cost is left out.
While McCormick offers a great system, other trades might find use with another system. We go more in-depth for each trade to ensure you find the right takeoff tool for your construction company below: Trade Specific Tools
WenDuct and WenPipe - Best for Mechanical and HVAC Takeoffs
WenDuct and WenPipe are standout solutions tailored specifically for mechanical and HVAC contractors. These tools provide functionality for both digital takeoffs and estimating, with a strong focus on ductwork, piping systems, and mechanical assemblies. Users can quickly perform onscreen takeoffs using scaled PDF plans, and the software will automatically calculate material quantities, labor hours, and costs based on the user’s specifications or the included labor database.
What makes WenDuct and WenPipe best for mechanical contractors is their deep library of industry-standard fittings, hangers, valves, and insulation types. Estimators can build precise assemblies based on real-world installations or standard installations they work on. The built-in labor tables help estimators understand the true costs of labor and completing a job while also ensuring each project will be profitable.
While the WenDuct and WenPipes interface is a bit dated compared to more modern systems like STACK, its comprehensive databases are built specifically for the industry, making it stand out compared to more general takeoff solutions.
ArcSite - Best for Specialty Contractors
ArcSite is best for specialties like flooring, fencing, roofing, concrete, and waterproofing contractors. Its mobile-friendly drawing and markup tool allows estimators to get instant takeoff calculations while in the field. Users can create precise floor plans using tablets or any mobile device without leaving the job site.
ArcSite is unique for its ability to generate takeoff and estimates while the drawings are still being created. While drawing or modifying plans, the software will automatically update and generate takeoff quantities for materials, measurements, and labor. Gone are the days of waiting a day or 2 to provide your customer with an accurate estimate; ArcSite lets specialty contractors respond quickly and accurately to new opportunities.
What is Construction Takeoff Software?
Construction takeoff software uses blueprints and other construction plans to measure, count, and quantify the materials or components for a particular construction project. It will quantify construction materials like lumber, concrete, and steel and measure components like light fixtures, pipes, windows, and cabling.
Traditionally, contractors would have to manually count or measure those materials and perform complex math to determine the area and dimensions of construction drawings. Now, with the help of technology, contractors can take complex drawings and plans and quickly quantify how much material is required for a job.
Each contractor will have varying takeoff needs depending on their industry. A home builder may quantify the amount of lumber, drywall, or installation on a project, while an earthworks estimator would calculate the amount of gravel to fill a hole or the amount of cut and fill to level and grade a job.
Takeoff vs. Estimate
Often, takeoff software is used in conjunction with construction estimating software. However, not all estimating software includes takeoff capabilities. So, what is the difference between construction estimating and takeoff software?
Construction Takeoff:
A construction takeoff, refers to the counts and measures of material and components required to complete a construction project. Often called Quantity Takeoff or Material Takeoff
Construction Estimating:
A construction estimate, is a detailed projection of the costs required to complete a construction project, including all costs for materials, labor, equipment, and other indirect expenses.
If you are more interested in construction estimating software, check out our best construction estimating software page.
So, for a contractor to produce an accurate estimate, an estimator must perform a takeoff to determine the quantity of material and the costs associated with that material.
Not all takeoff solutions include estimating capabilities and only address counting and extracting quantity data from construction blueprints. But many modern products do include estimating and are sold as a 2-for-1 takeoff and estimating solution.
Key Features
Some of the common features of construction takeoff software include:
| Functionality | Description |
|---|---|
| Counts | Count items on digital plans, typically using point-click methods |
| Linear Measurement | Identify and measure linear items on the plans, pulling the lengths of various materials. Items could be wiring, piping, trim, or anything measured in units of length |
| Area Measurement | Identifies and calculates the area and the amount of material needed for enclosed figures. Items could be square footage of windows, drywall, or tiling |
| Volume Measurement | Calculates volumes from project plans; volume is not always visually represented on 2D plans but rather indicated on annotations |
| Predefined Assemblies | Groups a set of of components typically assembled together on a structure. Allows estimators to select the assembly rather than every individual item. For example, light fixtures |
| Plan Overlays | Ability to create layered takeoffs and annotations. Allowing estimators to filter views based on materials to stay more organized |
| Material and Quantity Reports | Lists the materials with counts, lengths, and volumes after a completed takeoff. Can be exported to CSV or Excel files or sent directly to an estimating software |
More advanced and less common takeoff features include:
| Auto-count | Uses optical character recognition to automatically count how many times an item is found in a drawing or plan |
| Advanced Volume and Surface Measurements | Indicates variations in the shape of surfaces bound to item volume. Typically used by earthwork or concrete contractors. Most trades may not use this feature |
| Stored and Custom Assemblies | Allows users to define custom assemblies to speed up takeoffs. Typically used when contractors have set assemblies or materials used very often |
| Collaborative Takeoffs and Edits | Syncs edits across takeoff variations, allowing for multiple users to work on the same takeoff at once. Typically found only in cloud-based solutions |
| AI-Assisted Takeoff | Uses AI to speed up measuring, either by predicting and snapping to the lines an estimator traces or by automatically detecting and measuring rooms, spaces, and objects on a plan. Results still need an estimator's review, especially on MEP and civil drawings |
Trade Specific Tools
Many construction takeoff systems have solutions tailored to a specific trade or industry. The functionality of each takeoff tool will vary depending on what features are most used. Check out which takeoff software is best for your industry.
Plumbing Contractors
FastPIPE by FastEST is a takeoff software specifically designed for plumbing contractors. It has tools for automatic fitting generation and includes a plumbing cost database.
Electrical Contractors
For electrical contractors, McCormick lets estimators build assemblies for conduit runs that bundle wire, fittings, and labor, so a single traced run carries every material and labor cost with it.
Mechanical and HVAC Contractors
WenDuct and WenPipe provide estimating and takeoff software for the HVAC industry. It has material and labor databases along with automatic pricing updates from major North American suppliers.
Drywall, Walls, and Ceilings Contractors
On-Screen Takeoff handles both estimating and takeoff automation for 13 trades, including walls and ceilings. Its auto-count scans a sheet for matching symbols, its overlay compares two drawing versions with removals in red and additions in blue, and its AI-powered Takeoff Boost completes a first pass of the takeoff for the estimator to review.
Pricing Guide
Construction takeoff software is mostly sold as an annual or monthly subscription priced per user. One-time perpetual licenses have become rare; PlanSwift, for example, now sells only annual plans, and Bluebeam stopped selling perpetual Revu licenses in 2023.
Pricing varies widely depending on how much the tool does beyond measuring:
| Type of tool | Example | Starting price |
|---|---|---|
| PDF markup with measurement tools | Bluebeam Revu | $260 to $440/user/year |
| Desktop takeoff | eTakeoff Dimension | $795 to $1,495/user/year |
| Desktop takeoff and estimating | PlanSwift | $2,000 to $3,000/user/year |
| Cloud takeoff and estimating | STACK | From $299/user/month (free version available) |
| AI add-ons | Togal.AI for eTakeoff | $1,800/user/year on top of the base license |
Some vendors, including On-Screen Takeoff, don’t publish pricing and require a quote. Systems that include more advanced features or integrate with Construction Estimating and Project Management tools can raise the cost of ownership.
