Performing model takeoff

To perform model takeoff:

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

   • On the ribbon, on the Takeoff tab, click .
   • In classic view, click Takeoff menu > Model Takeoff, or click on the toolbar.

2. Select a model to take off.

   In the Model Takeoff window, use one of the following methods to open a model in the Interview window.

   • Select a model and click [Interview].
   • Double-click on a model in the list.

   The source option indicates whether the Model Takeoff window lists models in the database or in the estimate.

   • To takeoff a new model, choose from the list of database models. Note that each time you select a database model, you are actually making a copy of it as an estimate model.
   • To view a model in progress or already generated to the spreadsheet, choose from the list of estimate models.

   Tip: If the database containing the selected model is not open, the model appears in read-only mode.

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

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:

   • Use the calculator to calculate numeric values.

     1. With your cursor in a numeric field, click .
     2. If appropriate, click [Clear] to delete the contents of the calculator.
     3. Enter your calculation in the window.
     4. To insert a math operator or function from a list, click [Functions].
     5. To open the Microsoft Windows calculator, click [Win Calc].
     6. Press Enter to display the result in the calculator.
     7. Click [OK] to pull the result into the model and close the calculator.

     Tips:  

     • You can copy a value from the Windows calculator (Win Calc) and paste it into the Estimating calculator.
     • To copy the value, select Copy from the Windows calculator's Edit menu.
     • From the Estimating calculator's text box, click the right mouse button and select Paste to paste the value into the text box.

   • Clear values or variables you have entered or changed. For more information, see:

     Clearing values

     Clearing variables

   • View an assembly attachment.

     Click next to the selected assembly and select View Assembly Attachment.

   • Customize the model for a particular estimate. For more information, see Customizing a model for your estimate.

7. When you are finished with the interview, click 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 taken off the model and provided the required input. However, 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.

10. Generate the model.

    For more information, see Generating a model to the spreadsheet