What is quantity takeoff for electrical drawings?
From drawings to quantity takeoff data for estimating, project changes, and production
Quantity takeoff is a central part of installation projects and is used to create supporting data for estimates, bids, project memos, variations, and production. By analysing drawings and structuring quantities, the project gains better control over materials, labour, and costs.
What does quantity takeoff involve?
Quantity takeoff converts information from drawings and project documents into structured data that can be used throughout the project. In electrical installation, this often includes:
• Counting symbols and components
• Measuring cabling and containment
• Identifying materials and luminaires
• Managing installation methods that affect labour and estimating
• Structuring quantities for estimating systems
• Creating supporting data for estimates, project memos, and production
Why is quantity takeoff important?
Quantity takeoff often forms the basis of the entire estimating process. If quantities are missing or incorrect, this can affect material costs, labour, and project profitability. Clear quantity data helps companies to:
• Submit better bids
• Produce more reliable estimates
• Gain a clearer overview of the project
• Reduce the risk of omissions
• Work more systematically with project memos and variations
In many projects, installation methods also have a direct impact on the estimate, as different methods can result in major differences in labour time and installation cost. Structuring installation methods is therefore an important part of accurate quantity data.
Quantity data is also often reused after a bid has been won, for example in project management, production estimates, and project follow-up.
Quantity takeoff is used throughout the project
Many people associate quantity takeoff with the tendering phase, but the data is often used throughout the entire project lifecycle. If the quantities have already been established for estimating and tendering, the information can be reused later in the project without taking off the same drawings again from scratch.
Bids and estimating
Create quantity data for estimates and cost calculations.
Project memos and variations
Use the quantities to manage changes, additional work, and revised drawings.
Handover to project management
Let project managers and production teams continue working with the same data created during the estimating phase.
Production estimates
In design-and-build projects, quantity data can be reused when construction documents become available.
Project follow-up
Create better structure and traceability throughout the project.
How is quantity takeoff traditionally performed?
Traditionally, quantity takeoff is performed manually by estimators, project managers, or contractors who review drawings, count symbols, measure cabling, and compile quantities themselves. The work is usually carried out in one of two ways:
1. Printed drawings
Drawings are printed in large format, and components, cables, and routes are marked manually with pens and highlighters.
2. Digital quantity takeoff in PDF readers
Drawings are reviewed digitally in tools such as Bluebeam, where users manually mark, measure, and structure information directly in the PDF.
Both methods can be time-consuming, especially on large projects or when drawings are revised several times during the project.
How does AI-powered quantity takeoff work?
With AI-powered quantity takeoff, the software analyses the drawing automatically and helps the user identify symbols, measure lengths, and structure quantities. Many projects still rely on manual workflows using printed drawings or PDF readers such as Bluebeam. AI-powered quantity takeoff reduces repetitive work by automatically identifying symbols, measuring lengths, and structuring information from the drawing.
AI-powered quantity takeoff is not only about counting components. In modern estimating workflows, quantities often need to be combined with information about installation methods, references, and structure to create useful data for both materials and labour.
Instead of doing everything manually, the user receives an initial result to review, adjust, and quality-assure before it is used for estimating or project work. Once the quantities are structured in the system, the information can also be reused later in the project without starting over.
What can AI help with?
Automatic symbol counting
Stiimo helps you identify and count symbols such as luminaires, outlets, switches, detectors, and other components.
Cable measurement
Measure cabling directly from the drawing and compile the lengths with clear traceability.
Containment and routing
Quantify containment, cable ladders, trays, and routes that affect materials, labour, and estimating.
Document analysis
Use project documents such as technical specifications and luminaire schedules for better visibility and context.
Quantity summary
Compile quantities into structured data that can be reviewed, filtered, and exported.
Who works with quantity takeoff?
Quantity takeoff is used by several roles in the installation and construction industries, including:
• Estimators
• Electrical contractors
• Project managers
• Production managers
• Electrical consultants
• Contractors
• Design managers
Quantity takeoff is not just about speed
The aim of modern quantity takeoff is not only to work faster. Good quantity data is also about structure, traceability, and better control throughout the project lifecycle. Installation methods, labour costs, and estimating structure are often just as important as the quantities in the drawing. AI is therefore often combined with manual review and quality assurance before quantities are used for estimating, project memos, or production.
Learn more about how Stiimo is used in practice
Stiimo helps companies go from PDF drawings to structured quantity data with the help of AI.
For estimators
For electrical contractors
For electrical consultants
Stiimo and Bidcon
Stiimo and Wikells
Automated quantity takeoff for electrical drawings
Contact us & book a demo
Would you like to see how Stiimo works in practice? Fill in the form or book a time directly in the calendar for a personal walkthrough.
Frequently asked questions about quantity takeoff for electrical drawings
Quantity takeoff means identifying and structuring quantities from drawings and project documents for estimating, project work, and production.
Quantity takeoff for electrical drawings involves counting symbols, measuring cabling, and creating structured quantity data from electrical drawings.
No. Quantity data is often reused for project memos, variations, project management, and production estimates.
If the quantities have already been created, the project team can continue working with the same data without taking off the drawings again from scratch.
Installation methods describe how the installation is to be carried out and often affect both labour time and cost in the estimate. It is therefore important that quantity data can be structured together with information about installation methods.
AI analyses the drawing and helps identify symbols, measure lengths, and structure quantities faster.
No. AI is used as a tool to make the work more efficient, but the user always reviews and quality-assures the results.
AI-powered quantity takeoff is primarily used for electrical and installation drawings in PDF format.
An installation industry where we don’t leave things to chance
We want to give estimators, designers, and contractors a new standard for how estimating and quantity takeoff are performed. With AI, we free up time, reduce errors, and create better conditions for profitable projects.
