Add Negative Takeoffs

Background

Negative Takeoffs are essential for maintaining an accurate and updated estimate by accounting for specific changes, deductions, or exclusions. They are typically used for windows, doors, handling changes in scope and correcting errors. By using Negative Takeoffs, estimators ensure the final cost aligns precisely with the actual required materials and work.

Things to Consider

• Required User Permissions for the Bid Board tool.
• Required User Permissions for the Estimating tool.
• Required User Permissions for the Portfolio Planning tool.
• Before starting a takeoff, make sure that the plan scale is properly configured. See Set the Drawing Scale for Takeoffs.

Steps

1. Navigate to the Bid Board or Portfolio Planning tool and select the project.
   OR
   Navigate to the project's Estimating tool.
2. Click the Takeoffs tab.
3. Select the drawing and revision number.
   
4. Click Create New Takeoff Layer.
5. Enter a material name or click Browse Catalog to select an item from the Cost Catalog.
   Note: Always verify catalog materials against the client's specification and unit prices.
6. Select the Area / Volume Measurement Type.
7. Select Unit of Measurement and Color.
8. Click Create to initiate 'Drawing Mode'. 
9. Run Auto Area Takeoff to automatically detect areas in a floor plan.
   OR
10. To measure manually, click points on the drawing to outline the desired area.
    • To delete a point, press BACKSPACE or DELETE. To delete multiple points, press BACKSPACE repeatedly. To delete the entire measured area, press ESC.
    • Double-click to complete the measurement. The measured area will be highlighted in the selected color and appear under the takeoff name.
11. Click the selection tool  on the toolbar.
12. Click the takeoff just created.
13. Click Negative Area. 

See Also

• Set the Drawing Scale for Takeoffs
• Run Auto Count Takeoffs
• Run Automated Area Takeoffs
• Add an Estimate