How to do a take-off per m² (method + example)

What is a take-off?

The take-off is the count of all the works on a site with their quantities. It's the backbone of the quote: each line item (demolition, masonry, tiling…) is listed with its quantity and unit.

The stake is simple: an underestimated quantity, and the margin evaporates. A rigorous take-off, and you price right.

The units that matter

• m² for areas (tiling, paint, plaster…)
• m³ for volumes (concrete, earthworks…)
• m (linear metre) for lengths (skirting, cornices, pipes…)
• piece/unit for countable elements (doors, sockets…)
• kg or tonne for weights (steel…); lump sum for a whole

The method in 5 steps

1. 1Take the dimensions from the plan (or on site): lengths, widths, heights.
2. 2Break the site into clear line items, from structure to finishes.
3. 3Compute the quantities: areas (L × w), volumes (L × w × h), lengths.
4. 4Add waste and offcuts (a percentage depending on the material).
5. 5Carry each quantity into the quote, with its unit and price.

Example: calculating an area

A room of 4 m × 5 m is 20 m² of floor. For tiling, you plan for offcuts (often ~10%): so you order about 22 m² to cover 20 m² for real.

For wall paint, you calculate the wall area instead (perimeter × height), deducting large openings where relevant.

Common pitfalls

• Forgetting offcuts and material waste
• Forgetting a line item (preparation, protection, waste removal)
• Confusing net area and area to order
• Using the wrong unit (billing per m² what counts per linear metre)

From take-off to quote

Each take-off line is multiplied by its unit price (the cost), then by a coefficient covering overheads and profit, to get the selling price. Hence the value of a well-kept price catalogue — so you don't start from scratch each time.