How Technology is Revolutionizing Material Takeoff in Modern Construction

Have you thought about how construction teams accurately record the materials required for a project? Traditionally, the process of material takeoff, or MTO, was lagging and highly inefficient, sometimes resulting in human error. But today, the soaring capabilities of technology have made MTO speedy, precise, and straightforward for teams engaged in construction projects. Whether through Building Information Modeling (or BIM, or automated software systems, technology is elevating the way construction teams estimate and calculate material costs.  

This article seeks to illustrate the importance of material takeoff for modern construction projects while focusing on the changes brought about by contemporary technology.

What is Material Takeoff?

Material takeoffs (MTO) refer to estimating the required amounts of material for a construction project. Be it concrete, steel, or even wiring, determining the right value helps in budgeting and planning. A project’s estimate accuracy is critical, as it heavily affects spend thresholds and timelines. 

While working in construction, I soon discovered that material takeoff was a manual process involving blueprints, tedious hand calculations, and spreadsheets. Everything was in the blueprint at the office. The cost of missing even a single detail could skyrocket. It became evident over the years that there had to be a better approach.For a deeper dive into the basics, check out our detailed guide: What is a Material Takeoff.

Traditional Methods: Time-Consuming and Prone to Mistakes

Prior to the advent of digital tools, material takeoff was conducted manually. Estimators reviewed blueprints and computed the quantities of materials required, oftentimes spending hours or days merely strategizing. Regrettably, the method was inefficient and could be erroneous.

Some of the issues we faced included:

• Human errors: Miscalculations could lead to missing materials or overordering.
• Long hours: It could take a long time to update estimates when changes were made to the plans.
• Inefficiency: Adjusting material requirements whenever the project design changed was a hassle.

After experiencing these challenges firsthand, I realized how important it was for the industry to adopt technology that could speed up and simplify this process.

How Technology is Changing Material Takeoff

Currently, the situation is quite different. The implementation of tools such as Building Information Modeling (BIM), computerized takeoff software, and other tools provided in the cloud has enhanced the efficiency and accuracy of material takeoff. This is how it has changed:

1. Building Information Modeling (BIM)

BIM has changed the efficiency of material takeoff for the better. With BIM, it’s possible to design a three-dimensional model of a construction project; this model encompasses all the materials required for the project. It’s almost akin to possessing a virtual replica of the project that can be viewed from every perspective.

Here’s how it works:

• See materials in 3D: It helps you visualize exactly what you need and identify any problems early on.
• Real-time updates: Whenever the design changes, your material takeoff estimates change automatically.
• Collaboration made easy: Everyone on the team can access the same information, making it easier to stay on the same page.

From my experience, BIM has made it much easier to catch mistakes before they become a big issue, which ultimately saves time and money.

2. Automated Quantity Takeoff Software

Gone are the days of manually counting materials on blueprints. Software like PlanSwift and Bluebeam Revu automatically pulls material quantities from digital plans. This makes the process much faster and error-free.

The benefits of using this software include:

• Quick calculations: It speeds up the entire material takeoff process by extracting quantities directly from the drawings.
• Accuracy: Automated software reduces the chances of mistakes, making it easier to stay on budget.
• Cost estimates: You can easily calculate the total cost of materials while doing the takeoff.

I’ve seen this software in action, and it really does save hours of work, making it one of the most useful tools for any construction team.

3. Cloud-Based Collaboration Tools

As Procore and CoConstruct are cloud-based, construction teams can now share material takeoff data in real-time. This means that everyone on-site, in the office, or working remotely can access the most recent material information.

Here’s why this is important:

• Instant updates: Changes to material quantities are immediately visible to everyone on the team.
• Better communication: No need to worry about miscommunications, since everyone works from the same data.
• Track progress: You can easily track the inventory and progress of materials on the construction site.

In my experience, having access to real-time data makes a huge difference in how smoothly a project runs, especially when you need to make last-minute adjustments.

4. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML)

When it comes to material takeoff, AI and ML technologies provide great help. They analyze data from previous similar projects and try to estimate the type and quantity of the required materials.

Here’s what AI and ML can do:

• Learn from past projects: They can analyze data from completed projects to predict what materials might be needed.
• Adjust as you go: As the project changes, AI can adjust material estimates in real-time, helping you stay on track.

A report from the National Institute of Standards and Technology found that AI could improve material takeoff accuracy by up to 20%. That’s a big win for construction projects, and it’s an area that I’m excited to see develop further.

Why Technology Makes a Difference in Material Takeoff

Here’s why I believe adopting these technologies is crucial:

• Accuracy: With automation, the chance for mistakes is much lower, which means projects are less likely to run into delays or extra costs.
• Speed: Using digital tools speeds up the material takeoff process, giving teams more time to focus on other important tasks.
• Cost control: Accurate material estimates mean you won’t overorder materials, which helps save money.

For construction teams, using technology for material takeoff isn’t just a luxury—it’s essential for keeping projects on budget and on time.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Material Takeoff

As technology continues to improve, I expect even more advancements in material takeoff. Some of the exciting developments to look forward to include:

• Drones: Drones could be used to scan construction sites and gather material data, making takeoff even more accurate.
• Blockchain: Blockchain could provide a secure and transparent way to track materials from the supplier to the construction site.
• Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR): These technologies could allow estimators to see material needs in real time, right on the construction site.

The future of material takeoff is digital, and I’m excited to see how new technology will continue to improve the construction process.

Conclusion

Construction teams and how they perform material takeoff have experienced the most groundbreaking change with the introduction of BIM, automated software, and cloud collaboration tools. These technologies offer speed, precision, and productivity. Personally, I believe these tools have helped significantly avoid mistakes, timeliness, and budget constraints.

If you are still stuck in the past with outdated techniques for material takeoff, you need to change your perspective. In this rapidly changing world, adopting new technology is essential to remaining relevant and punctually delivering high-standard projects.