Quantity Takeoff and CSI MasterFormat

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A Quantity Takeoff (QTO) is the systematic measurement of all materials, labor items, and work quantities from construction drawings and specifications. It is the foundation of bottom-up estimating (Class 2 and Class 1).

Rule: Quantities come from drawings. Prices come from market data and quotes. Never mix the two activities — measure first, price second.

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CSI MasterFormat — Manufacturing Plant Division Overview

Division	Title	Relevance to Manufacturing Plant
00	Procurement & Contracting Requirements	Bid forms, contract terms, schedule of values
01	General Requirements	Project management, temp facilities, quality, submittals
02	Existing Conditions	Demolition, existing utilities, hazmat survey
03	Concrete	Slabs, foundations, equipment pads, trenches
04	Masonry	Block walls; limited in modern plants
05	Metals	Structural steel, metal deck, stairs, handrails, mezzanines
06	Wood, Plastics, Composites	Framing, blocking, composite panels
07	Thermal & Moisture Protection	Roofing, insulation, air barriers
08	Openings	Doors, windows, dock levelers, overhead doors
09	Finishes	Flooring, ceilings, wall finishes
10	Specialties	Fire extinguishers, signage, dock equipment
11	Equipment	Fixed non-process equipment: loading dock, industrial shelving
12	Furnishings	Office furniture, lab casework
13	Special Construction	Clean rooms, blast-resistant, cold storage
14	Conveying Equipment	Elevators, dock lifts, overhead cranes
21	Fire Suppression	Sprinkler systems, foam suppression
22	Plumbing	Sanitary, domestic water, floor drains, process wash-down
23	HVAC	Building HVAC; process temperature/humidity control
25	Integrated Automation	BAS, building automation system
26	Electrical	Power distribution, lighting, emergency power, MCCs
27	Communications	Data, telecom, PA/intercom
28	Electronic Safety & Security	Fire alarm, access control, CCTV
31	Earthwork	Grading, excavation, compaction, dewatering
32	Exterior Improvements	Paving, curbs, landscaping
33	Utilities	Underground piping: gas, water, storm/sanitary
40	Process Interconnections	Process piping: headers, distribution, utility tie-ins
41	Material Processing & Handling Equipment	Conveyors, hoppers, feeders, palletizers
42	Process Heating, Cooling, Drying	Steam, chillers, dryers, ovens
43	Process Gas & Liquid Handling	Compressed air, process gas, fluid storage
44	Pollution & Waste Control	Industrial waste treatment, scrubbers
45	Industry-Specific Manufacturing Equipment	Line-specific process equipment (filling, packaging, blending)

Critical note: Divisions 40–45 (Process Equipment Subgroup) are where the biggest cost concentrations exist on manufacturing plant projects. A commercial estimator moving into industrial work needs to build knowledge of process equipment costs, installation factors, and process utility sizing.

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Step-by-Step QTO Process

Step 1: Set Up the Takeoff Structure

1. Create a spreadsheet or use estimating software (PlanSwift, Bluebeam, Sage Estimating)
2. Set up rows by CSI division and section codes
3. Define units of measure (UOM) for each item:
   • Concrete: CY for pours; SF for slabs
   • Structural steel: Tons
   • Masonry: SF of wall area
   • Roofing: Squares (1 square = 100 SF)
   • Piping: LF by size and material
   • Electrical conduit: LF by size
   • Wire/cable: LF by gauge and type
   • Equipment: Each (EA)

Step 2: Review All Drawings Before Measuring

Read the full drawing set once before taking any dimensions. Look for:

• Drawing notes that describe work not shown graphically
• Specifications referenced in drawing notes
• Conflicts between architectural and structural drawings
• Areas where the design is incomplete (note for BOE exclusion or assumption)

Step 3: Perform the Takeoff — By Division

Division 03: Concrete

• Slab on grade: Measure SF × thickness → convert to CY (SF × inches/12 ÷ 27)
• Foundations: Each isolated footing as CY (L × W × D ÷ 27)
• Equipment pads: each from equipment layout drawing
• Trenches: Measure LF and cross-section for floor drainage trenches (food plants have many)
• Rebar: Use ratio from spec — typical industrial slab: 60–80 lbs/CY

Division 05: Structural Steel

• From structural framing plan, count all W-shape columns and beams by size and length
• Convert to weight: AISC section weight tables (lbs/LF × LF = total lbs → tons)
• Add misc metals: stairs, railings, mezzanine frames, equipment support steel
• Metal deck: measure SF of roof and floor deck area
• Check figure: typical clear-span industrial bay = 5–8 lbs/SF. For 35,000 SF: 35,000 × 6.5 = ~228,000 lbs = ~114 tons

Division 07: Roofing and Insulation

• Total roof area in squares (SF ÷ 100); note slope (affects labor)
• Wall insulation: LF of exterior wall perimeter × height = SF
• Vapor/air barriers: same as wall area

Division 08: Openings

• Count all doors (personnel, fire, overhead)
• Overhead doors: measure opening size (W × H); note type (sectional, roll-up, insulated)
• Dock levelers: count from dock plan; note capacity and type

Divisions 21/22/23/26: MEP Systems At Class 3, best priced from sub quotes. At Class 2, perform own takeoff as a check:

• Fire suppression: SF of coverage area; specify head type and spacing
• Plumbing: count fixtures; measure LF of process drain piping
• HVAC: tons of cooling from mechanical engineer’s load schedule; ductwork SF
• Electrical: KVA from load schedule; conduit and wire from panel schedules and one-line

Divisions 40–45: Process Scope

• Process piping (Div 40): count all P&ID pipe segments by size, material, service; convert to LF
• Process equipment (Div 41, 42, 43, 45): count from equipment list; confirm each item’s installation scope (vendor-installed vs. contractor-installed)

Step 4: Apply Waste and Overage Factors

• Concrete: +5–8% for form overpour and waste
• Steel: +3–5% for connections, clips, and field cuts
• Lumber/framing: +10–15%
• Roofing: +5–10% for cuts and laps

Step 5: Organize and Summarize

• Sum quantities by CSI division
• Cross-check against a prior similar project or benchmark
• Note any items you couldn’t quantify — these become allowances or exclusions in the BOE

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Common Takeoff Mistakes

1. Using architectural SF vs. structural SF — they’re often different; use whichever the spec refers to
2. Forgetting the Z dimension — three-dimensional structures (trenches, pits, tanks) need L × W × D
3. Measuring net vs. gross — for concrete, measure gross slab area and deduct large openings
4. Missing spec-referenced work — a drawing note says “see spec section 03 30 00” — if you don’t read it, you’ll miss reinforcement requirements
5. Ignoring addenda — always check if drawing addenda supersede original sheets; re-takeoff affected items