📋 Requirements
Before working with takeoffs, make sure:
You have access to a project
You have permissions to use the Takeoff module
Your plans (PDF files) are ready to upload
What Is the Takeoff Module?
The Takeoff module in Buildern allows you to upload project plans and perform accurate measurements directly on them. Using built-in tools, you can measure areas, lengths, counts, and volumes, and organize these measurements into categories for better structure.
All measurements are automatically linked to your estimates, allowing you to use calculated quantities when creating estimate items.
In simple terms, the Takeoff module helps you convert project drawings into precise quantities for cost estimation.
Access the Takeoff Module
To start working with takeoffs:
Open your project
Navigate to Takeoff from the left-side menu
You will see two main options:
Create Folder – organize plans into folders/subfolders
Add Plan – upload a new blueprint (PDF)
Create Folders
Folders help you keep your plans organized, especially for larger projects.
To create a folder:
Click Create Folder
Enter a folder name
Click Save
Once a folder is created, it will appear in the Takeoff page.
Clicking on the folder will open it, where you can:
Create additional subfolders
Upload plans within that folder
Each folder also includes a menu (three-dot icon) that allows you to:
Rename the folder
Move to another folder
Delete the folder
Upload and Manage Plans
You can add plans in two ways:
Upload from your computer
Select from Project Files
ℹ️ Note – Project Files act as a project-specific storage, similar to Google Drive or Dropbox.
After uploading, plans go through:
Uploading
Processing (Buildern reads pages and layers)
Once processed, your plans are ready for measurement.
Open and Navigate Plans
Once your plans are uploaded and processed, you can start working with them.
To open a plan:
Click on the plan from the list
The plan will open in the Takeoff workspace
You can also:
Open multiple plans using + Open Plan
Switch between plans using tabs
Zoom in/out and navigate across the drawing
💡 Tip – You can work with multiple plans at the same time by opening them in separate tabs.
Thanks for following along - more Buildern tips, features, and workflows are coming in the next articles.
Happy building!