Mechanical takeoff
Takeoff for mechanical estimators.
Dense sheets, and the same run changes size three times before it reaches the box. Duct and pipe go by size, equipment by tag, and the two sit on top of each other.
On the M-series
What mechanical takeoff actually counts.
The scopes that come off the sheet, and the units they price in: LF, EA, SF.
| Scope | Unit | Why it is slow by hand |
|---|---|---|
| Duct runs by size | LF | Size changes mid-run, and each segment prices differently. |
| Duct surface area | SF | What the sheet metal is actually priced on. |
| Pipe by size and service | LF | Several services share one line weight on a busy sheet. |
| Diffusers, grilles and registers | EA | Counted by symbol, and the symbols repeat across floors. |
| Terminal units | EA | Tagged on the plan, sized on the schedule. |
| Equipment | EA | Roof and mechanical room units, by mark. |
In your own words
Ask for it the way you would say it.
Open your sheet in Bluebeam Revu. It checks the scale, does the measuring, and asks before it writes.
Count the diffusers on M-201.
Run the supply duct on this sheet and give me the LF by size.
Count the VAV boxes on this floor.
Read back what you tagged so I can square it against the schedule.
See mechanical run on a sheet.
Bring the scope you price most often. We will take it off in Bluebeam Revu on the call, with you watching the number.