How to do a concrete takeoff

Read the spec first

Start with 03 30 00 Cast-in-Place Concrete. Read the mix classes, the finishes and the curing rules. Read 03 20 00 Concrete Reinforcing and 03 10 00 Concrete Forming and Accessories. Then read the structural general notes and the soils report. The soils report can change the footing depths.

Sheets and schedules that carry the count

• The foundation plan and the footing schedule.
• The slab plans. They give thickness, reinforcing and joints.
• The column and pier schedules.
• The structural details and the wall sections.
• The civil sheets, for site concrete such as curbs, walks and paving.
• The architectural plans, for housekeeping pads, curbs and slab depressions.

Steps in order

1. List every concrete element: footings, piers, walls, slabs and site concrete.
2. Take each footing size from the schedule. Measure its length or count it on the plan.
3. Work out the volume of each element. Keep each mix class apart.
4. Work out the form contact area for walls, edges and piers.
5. Measure rebar by bar size and length. Convert it to weight.
6. Measure the slab area for finishing, curing and vapor barrier.
7. Measure control joints and expansion joints by length.
8. Count anchor bolts, embeds, dowels and sleeves.

Count, length, area or volume

• Count: spread footings, piers, anchor bolts, embeds and equipment pads.
• Length: continuous footings, curbs, joints, waterstop and rebar.
• Area: slabs, formwork, finishing, curing and vapor barrier.
• Volume: all concrete, in cubic yards.

Conflicts to find, and what to exclude

• The footing schedule gives one size. A detail shows a different size.
• The slab plan shows one thickness. A general note states another.
• The spec and the structural notes give different rebar grades or lap lengths.
• The soils report recommends deeper footings than the drawings show.
• Site concrete appears in the civil set under a different spec section.

State who supplies anchor bolts and embeds, and who sets them. Qualify pumping, hot and cold weather protection and testing. Exclude excavation and dewatering unless the bid form includes them. State if site concrete is in your number.

Trade takeoffs · Updated 11 Nov 2026