The four kinds of quantity
- Count. Items you count one by one: fixtures, doors, backstops.
- Length. Items you measure in feet: pipe, conduit, base, wall pads.
- Area. Items you measure in square feet: tile, paint, roofing.
- Volume. Items you measure in cubic yards: concrete, excavation, fill.
Quantity takeoff and material takeoff
People use both names for the same work. A material takeoff lists materials only. A quantity takeoff can also include labor units and equipment. On most bids the two names mean the same list.
What a quantity takeoff does not include
It does not include prices. Unit costs, labor rates, overhead and profit are added in the estimate.
Guides · Updated 11 Nov 2026