Construction takeoffs in Australia: Everything you need to know.
With the growth of the construction industry, the demand for construction takeoff services is also increasing. Find out what you need to know.
Construction takeoffs are the process of estimating the materials, labor, and equipment required to complete a construction project. It is an essential part of the construction process, as it helps to ensure that projects are completed on time and within budget.
In Australia, the construction industry is expected to grow by 1.9% in 2022-23, with non-residential construction expected to grow by 3.3%. This growth is being driven by a number of factors, including population growth, urbanisation, and government investment in infrastructure.
With the growth of the construction industry, the demand for construction takeoff services is also increasing.
Benefits of construction takeoffs
There are a number of benefits to having a construction takeoff performed on a construction project, including:
- Improved accuracy
A construction takeoff can help to ensure that the cost of a construction project is accurately estimated. This can help to avoid overruns and unexpected costs. According to a recent study, construction takeoffs can improve the accuracy of cost estimates by up to 20%. - Better budgeting
A construction takeoff can help contractors to better budget for their projects. By knowing the estimated cost of materials, labor, and equipment, contractors can make informed decisions about how to allocate their resources. - Reduced risk
A construction takeoff can help to reduce the risk of project delays and cost overruns. By accurately estimating the cost and duration of a project, contractors can develop realistic schedules and timelines. - Increased competitiveness
A construction takeoff can help contractors to be more competitive when bidding on projects. By having an accurate estimate of the cost of a project, contractors can submit more competitive bids.
How construction takeoffs are performed
A construction takeoff is typically performed in three steps:
Quantity surveying
The quantity surveyor will review the construction drawings and specifications to identify all of the materials, labor, and equipment required to complete the project. This may involve visiting the project site to take measurements and to assess the conditions.
Examples of what the quantity surveyor might do during this step include:
- Counting the number of bricks required to build a wall
- Calculating the square footage of concrete required to pour a slab
- Determining the length of electrical conduit required to wire a building
- Estimating the number of hours of labor required to install windows
- Identifying the type and quantity of equipment required to excavate the foundation for a building
Estimation
The quantity surveyor will then estimate the cost of each item in the takeoff. This will involve considering the current market prices for materials and labor, as well as the specific requirements of the project.
Examples of what the quantity surveyor might do during this step include:
- Obtaining quotes from suppliers for materials and equipment
- Researching labor rates for different types of construction workers
- Factoring in the cost of transportation, storage, and waste
- Adjusting the estimates to account for the specific conditions of the project, such as the location of the project, the complexity of the design, and the availability of labor and materials
Summary
The quantity surveyor will then prepare a summary of the takeoff, which will outline the estimated cost of each item, as well as the total cost of the project. This summary will also include a breakdown of the costs by category, such as materials, labor, equipment, and subcontractors.
Example of a construction takeoff summary
| Category | Estimated cost |
|---|---|
| Materials | $100,000 |
| Labor | $50,000 |
| Equipment | $10,000 |
| Subcontractors | $20,000 |
| Total cost | $180,000 |
Popular software for construction takeoffs
According to a recent survey, 92% of Australian construction companies use construction takeoff software.
There are a number of software programs available that can be used to perform construction takeoffs. These programs can help to streamline the takeoff process and improve accuracy.
Some of the most popular construction takeoff software programs in Australia include:
- CostX
- Buildertrend
- MYOB Advanced Construction
- InEight
- Contractor Foreman
These programs offer a variety of features, such as:
- Automatic takeoff: The software can automatically takeoff materials from construction drawings. This can save a significant amount of time and reduce the risk of errors.
- Cost estimation: The software can generate cost estimates for each item in the takeoff. This can help contractors to better budget for their projects.
- Reporting: The software can generate a variety of reports, such as bill of quantities and cost reports. These reports can be used to communicate the project costs to clients and to track the progress of the project.
Choosing the right construction takeoff service for your project
When choosing a construction takeoff service in Australia, it is important to consider the following factors:
Experience
Choose a company with experience in performing construction takeoffs for projects similar to your own.
TASKT has many years of experience in the construction industry, and we have a proven track record of delivering accurate and reliable takeoffs for a wide range of projects, from small residential renovations to large commercial developments.
Qualifications
Make sure that the company has qualified quantity surveyors on staff.
At TASKT, our team of quantity surveyors are highly qualified and experienced, and they are members of professional associations such as the Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (AIQS). This ensures that you can be confident that our takeoffs are accurate and compliant with industry standards.
Software
Choose a company that uses the latest construction takeoff software.
We use the latest construction takeoff software programs, such as CostX, Buildertrend, and MYOB Advanced Construction, to ensure that our takeoffs are accurate and efficient. This allows us to provide our clients with the most up-to-date information on the cost of their projects.
Price
TASKT offers competitive pricing for our construction takeoff services. We are confident that we can provide you with the best value for money, and we will work with you to develop a pricing package that meets your specific needs and budget.
Why choose TASKT for your construction takeoffs?
There are a number of benefits to choosing TASKT’s construction takeoff services, including:
- Accuracy
Our team of experienced quantity surveyors will produce an accurate and comprehensive takeoff of your project, which will help you to avoid overruns and ensure that your project is completed on time and within budget. - Efficiency
We use the latest construction takeoff software to streamline the takeoff process, which allows us to provide our clients with their takeoffs quickly and efficiently. - Expertise
We have a deep understanding of the Australian construction industry, and we are familiar with the latest regulations and standards. This ensures that our takeoffs are accurate and compliant, and that they can be used to obtain accurate quotes from contractors. - Communication
We are committed to providing our clients with excellent communication throughout the takeoff process. We will keep you informed of our progress, and we will answer any questions you may have.
Conclusion
Construction takeoffs are an essential part of the construction process in Australia. By having a construction takeoff performed by a reliable and experienced company like TASKT on a project, contractors can improve accuracy, budgeting, reduce risk, increase competitiveness, and improve client satisfaction.
Contact us today to discuss your construction takeoff needs
If you are looking for a reliable and experienced construction takeoff service in Australia, please contact us today.
We would be happy to discuss your project and provide you with a free quote.
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If you are looking for a reliable and experienced partner who understands the industry and uses current local market data, TASKT is the perfect choice for you next project.
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