Prepare Your Taking Off Template and Schedule.

Taking off using computer software requires careful planning.

These are the steps to be taken before any taking off is done;
1. Check all the drawings, especially the number and sequence or version number.
2. Check that the date is the correct date: whether it is the latest, or the specific date when a drawing is referred to.
3. Prepare the overall ELEMENTAL breakdown, or if it is based on trade the TRADE breakdown.
3. Prepare taking off list. Proper taking off list should refer to the drawings and consider the construction sequence and the SMM requirements.
4. Make sure correct units are used in the taking off list.
5. Prepare a taking off template in EXCEL (if taking off is done using spreadsheet software).
6. Plan the schedule. Identify input and output for the schedule.
7. Tabulate carefully the data need to be gathered/ quantity for taking off/ other relevant information.
8. Plan the formula and computation proper to the schedule