Performing model takeoff

Before you begin

Open the database that contains the model you want to take off. How?

To perform model takeoff:

  1. Open the Model Takeoff window in one of these ways:

    • On the ribbon, on the Takeoff tab, click An image of the Assembly Takeoff icon on the ribbon.
    • In classic view, click Takeoff menu > Model Takeoff, or click An image showing the Model Takeoff button in classic view on the toolbar.

  2. Select a model to take off.

    You can choose a new model from the database or an existing model from the estimate. How?

  3. In the Interview window, enter a reference that will distinguish this model from other models in the spreadsheet.
  4. Respond to each question. Some questions may have prefilled defaults, but you can override them by entering a different answer.
  5. Your answers are important because they feed values to the items and assemblies in the model and determine which ones are generated to the estimate.

  6. Scroll through the entire model to verify the default values, and enter any missing values, for the items and assemblies.

    As you complete the interview you can:

  7. When you are finished with the interview, click An image of the Scan button to find any incomplete items or assemblies, and values that are out of limits.
  8. When you are finished working with the model, click [OK] to save your changes.
  9. Click [Close]. In the Model Takeoff window, the status of the model should be Ready to Generate.

You have now taken off the model and provided the required input. But unlike item or assembly takeoff, nothing has been pulled into the spreadsheet. You need to generate the model to bring that information into the spreadsheet. How?

Tips:  

  • Click Image of the Display Options icon to open the Display Options window where you can define the fields and help notes that display for the model.
  • Click An image of a Paperclip, used to indicate that a note is attached to view or enter any notes about the model.
  • If your model contains fields with incomplete or incorrect information, Estimating marks these fields with a red exclamation mark (image\exclmark.gif). Hover your cursor over the exclamation mark to see error details.
  • If you take off a model by mistake, you can easily delete it. In the Model Takeoff window, select the estimate model and click [Delete]. Note that if you delete a model that has already been generated to the spreadsheet, Estimating deletes all items and assemblies associated with that model from the estimate.