Check it against the spec
Open your spec section and walk it paragraph by paragraph. For each required item, find the line in the takeoff. An item in the spec with no line needs a decision. Either you count it, exclude it or ask a question.
Check it against the schedules
Many trades have a schedule on the drawings. A fixture schedule, a door schedule and an equipment schedule are examples. Count from the plan and count from the schedule. When the two differ, find out why before you price.
Check it with a second count
- Recount the highest-cost lines. A small error there moves the bid most.
- Have another person spot-check a few sheets.
- Count a different way. If you counted by sheet, check by room or by type.
- Check that every sheet in the index is marked done.
Check it against experience
Step back and look at the totals. Compare them to a past job of the same type. A school gym with far fewer backstops than the last three is worth a second look. The number may be right, but you should know why it is different.
Check the paperwork
- Confirm the drawing date on the set you used.
- Confirm each addendum is applied and listed.
- Confirm the alternates are separate.
- Confirm the units on each line.
- Confirm the totals carried into the estimate match the takeoff.
Each line should point to where it came from: a sheet number, a detail or a spec paragraph. A checker can then verify a line in a minute. A takeoff with no sources can only be redone, not checked.
Takeoff Tool links every line to its sheet or spec text and grades each line Certain, Maybe or Not sure. A person reviews every line that is not Certain.
Bidding and estimating · Updated 11 Nov 2026