What to look for in takeoff software
All of these tools measure lengths, areas and counts on scaled drawings. The differences are in how measurements become quantities, how they connect to pricing, how easily a second person can check the work, and how well the tool handles revisions. For a business, compatibility with your estimating workbook, your clients’ file formats and your team’s skills often matters more than any single feature.
PlanSwift
PlanSwift is a Windows-based on-screen takeoff tool known for its drag-and-drop assemblies. A measured wall can carry studs, plates, drywall, insulation and paint, each calculated from the same measurement. That makes it fast for trades with many components per measurement, and its outputs export readily to Excel for pricing.
Bluebeam Revu
Bluebeam Revu is first a PDF markup tool, widely used across design and construction, with strong measurement features built in. Measurements are saved as markups that can be grouped, totaled and exported, and collaboration sessions let several people work on the same set. Teams that already review drawings in Bluebeam often measure there too, which keeps markups and quantities in one place.
On-Screen Takeoff
On-Screen Takeoff has long been used by US contractors and subcontractors for area, linear and count takeoffs. Its conditions organize measurements by item, and it pairs with companion estimating software for pricing. Many established estimating departments have years of templates built around it, which is a practical reason it remains common.
CostX
CostX is widely used by quantity surveyors, particularly in the UK, Australia and Asia. It measures 2D drawings and 3D BIM models, and links measurements to workbooks so that revised drawings update the quantities and the bill. That live link between measurement and bill suits consultants who issue and revise BOQs frequently.
Revit model quantities
When a project has a coordinated Revit model, schedules can produce quantities for walls, floors, doors, structural members and more directly from the model. This is fast and consistent, but only as reliable as the modeling: elements modeled for appearance rather than construction, missing layers or overlapping objects all distort the quantities. Good practice is to extract model quantities, then check the critical items against the drawings.
How to choose for your business
Start from your workflow, not the feature list. If your team already reviews drawings in Bluebeam, measuring there avoids switching tools. If you are a subcontractor with many repeated assemblies, a tool built around assemblies will save the most time. If you are a consultant issuing bills that change with every design revision, a tool that links measurement to the bill will pay for itself. Try the shortlist on a real past project, compare the time taken and the ease of checking, and involve whoever will review the takeoffs, not only the person who will do them.
Accuracy depends on the estimator, not the tool
Every tool measures what it is told to measure. Wrong scales, missed sheets, duplicated areas and misread details produce wrong quantities in any software. Good practice is the same everywhere: verify the scale on every sheet, color-code by trade or item, keep measurements saved against the drawing, and have a second estimator check the high-value items before the takeoff is issued.
Frequently asked questions
Which takeoff software is best for subcontractors?
Subcontractors often choose PlanSwift or On-Screen Takeoff for speed in a single trade, or Bluebeam if their team already works in PDFs.
Can takeoffs be done directly from BIM models?
Yes, in tools such as Revit and CostX, but model quantities should be checked against the drawings for the critical items.
Does MASONORA use my software?
We work in PlanSwift, Bluebeam Revu, On-Screen Takeoff, Revit and Excel, and can deliver markups in the format your team uses.
Need this done for your project?
See our quantity takeoff and bill of quantities service. Send your drawings and we will confirm scope, fee and delivery date within 24 hours.
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