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How to Takeoff a House in 15 Minutes!


TTD Instant Estimator


Yes, I'm serious. You can get a very accurate material takeoff for a typical house in about 15 minutes, without expensive hardware or software, and without learning a whole new system! I've put all the tricks I've learned over the last 19 years in one Excel workbook that will give you the most results with the least effort!

 

Overview

 

While I want all of the takeoff work my clients can give me, I'll be the first to admit that there are times that a full-blown takeoff is overkill, and an unnecessary expense for my clients. That's why I built The Takeoff Doctor (TTD) Instant Estimator program.

 

Some of the advantages of my program include:

  • Single Excel workbook.
  • Simple to learn & use.
  • Very affordable.
  • Fully customizable.
  • Free program upgrades for life.
  • Unlimited # of installations.
  • Gives "better-than-ballpark" material list & pricing.
  • Covers all structural and main finish phases of construction.

What it does

  • Gives realistic budget numbers for the structural and main finish materials of one to three story single family residences.
  • Requires the bare minimum user input to acheive an accurate takeoff.
  • Gives a much more accurate first estimate than simple square foot pricing, without a much larger time investment.
  • Separates serious potential clients from the "tire-kickers".
  • Can bring those clients with "champagne tastes, but beer budgets" back to earth.
  • Allows you to focus your attention on the jobs most likely to increase your profits.

Included Phases

  • Footings - any size, with or without rebar
  • Foundation - slabs, crawlspace, basement, pilings, poured or block walls
  • Framing - any mix of stick-framed and engineered systems
  • Roofing - shingles and/or metal, vents, flashing, etc.
  • Boxing & Siding - any combination of fiber cement, wood, vinyl, brick, stone and stucco
  • Decking, Rails & Columns - any mix of wood or synthetic
  • Insulation - floor, walls, & ceiling
  • Drywall - any size/thickness, garage and each floor broken out
  • Basic Interior Trim - base, casing, crown, shoe, door & cased opening counts
  • Flooring - any combination of tile/stone, hardwood, carpet, vinyl, etc.

What it doesn't do

  • No separate costbook or item database to maintain. All pricing can be kept in the actual job file.
  • Labor costs/items, but these can easily be added.
  • Site-related expenses, such as clearing, grading, driveways and walkways, etc., but these can be added.
  • Trades, but plumbing, HVAC, and electric can be added as items or allowances.
  • Phases that custom builders generally handle with allowances are not included, but again, can be added any way you like.

If you already have an estimating or accounting program, TTD Instant Estimator is an ideal way to do a quick and accurate takeoff of the most time-consuming items to calculate. If you are looking for an affordable estimating/accounting program, I highly recommend Bid4Build. It can be used along with TTD Instant Estimator to greatly simplify the bidding/accounting process. See the link at the bottom of the page to check out the Bid4Build program.

 

How it works

 

You enter some basic square foot, linear foot, count, and specification information, along with the related item pricing.

 

All quantity calculations are handled in the background, using tried and proven formulas created by myself and other industry professionals. The result is an item takeoff and total material cost for the covered phases of the job.

 

Individual quantities/lengths of structural members (joists, rafters, etc.) are not part of the output of this program. To allow for speed and simplicity of takeoff, these items are given as a LF total.

 

Once your plan has been engineered and you are far enough along in the sales process to need exact individual quantities/lengths, please contact me to discuss your takeoff needs.

 

The tabs

 

The following sections give a brief overview of what can be found on each tab of the program. More detailed instructions can be found on each tab. If you have a question that is not answered here, don't hesitate to email me for help.

 

Specs tab

 

Here you enter basic counts from your plans, such as number of windows, outside corners, and linear feet of interior walls. Also, the basic structure of the project can be set here, including foundation type, roofing material, and the different types of siding and flooring.

 

Measurements tab

 

This is where the program collects your basic square foot and linear foot measurements for different parts of the house, like heated and garage space. There are a lot of boxes here, but most are automatic totals. Your input is only required in the light blue cells, and the rest will instantly adjust as needed.

 

Takeoff tab

 

Enter your item pricing for the basic items listed. There is also a notes column to better explain what is priced. Adding a note to the "Lap Siding", for example, will clarify whether you priced 4" or 7" exposure fiber cement siding, for future reference.


Pricing can be changed at any time. This allows you to "ballpark" options, just by changing a few numbers.


I have included sample costs, but these should be used as a guideline for inputting your own prices. The accuracy of the Grand Total is directly tied to the accuracy of the material pricing you enter here.

 

Assumptions tab

 

There is a list on this tab of the major assumptions of the program. To keep this program small, simple, and user-friendly, certain aspects of the building must be assumed to meet a certain standard, and building options must be limited.

 

Technical Info

 

Unlike most Excel-based programs (UDA, EstimatorPro, etc.) you are allowed to make any changes Excel will let you make. As an advanced Excel user, I know the frustration of not being able to make the changes you need to an off-the-shelf program, because it has been "dumbed-down" to "protect" you. There is none of that with my program. It's your responsibility to not make any changes that you don't fully understand, and to always keep a clean backup of your work.


If you find you really need a function that the program doesn't provide, and you don't know how to add it, contact me. It may be something I can add to a future version of the program, or create for your company by making changes for a flat hourly rate.


Also, unlike most other estimating programs, there is no limit to the number of installations available to buyers. As long as you paid for the program, use it on 1 computer or 100. It doesn't matter to me. In fact, the more people you make aware of my services, the better!


You can save this file with your own pricing and item descriptions, to avoid re-entering the same info for every job. You can also set up different templates for differnet building styles, like slabs and crawlspaces, or any other conditions you run into a lot.


TTD Instant Estimator, like all Excel files, can be set up to accept input from digitizers, measuring devices like ScaleMaster, or takeoff software, such as On-Screen Takeoff. In fact, I use OST myself, and have a database already set up to export to TTD Instant Estimator. If you're interested in adding this option, just let me know, and I can save you an hour of OST setup time, for only $10.


Updates to the program will be made as needed, and are always FREE to paying clients. I will maintain a list of all buyers, and notify you by email when updates are available.

Screen Shots


Click on the links below for sample screen shots from The Takeoff Doctor Instant Estimator program:

Like What You See?


I will be selling TTD Instant Estimator for $49 if downloaded, or $59 if you prefer to have a CD mailed to you.

 

BUT, to introduce my program, I'm taking $20 off either price, for a limited time.

 

For that price, you can't afford not to try it, can you?

 

Unlike many others, once you pay for TTD Instant Estimator, you own it for life! No limit on the number of installations! No charge for future upgrades! No "protected" areas of the program that you can't customize!


You can order below through PayPal, or email me at jeremy@thetakeoffdoctor.com if you have any questions, or would prefer to pay by check. After making payment through PayPal, you will be directed to the download location. When given the option to open or save the file, save it to your desktop, or any other location you prefer.

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