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On-Screen Takeoff

On-Screen Takeoff

Overview

What is On-Screen Takeoff?

On-Screen Takeoff is a construction takeoff and estimating solution. It is intended to streamline takeoff, RFI, and bidding processes.

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Pricing

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What is On-Screen Takeoff?

On-Screen Takeoff is a construction takeoff and estimating solution. It is intended to streamline takeoff, RFI, and bidding processes.

Entry-level set up fee?

  • No setup fee

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  • Free Trial
  • Free/Freemium Version
  • Premium Consulting/Integration Services

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Alternatives Pricing

What is Bluebeam?

Bluebeam Revu is a PDF management, control, and editing tool. It enables collaboration and markup within shared documents across projects’ life cycles and has takeoff and bid creation capabilities.

What is PlanSwift, by ConstructConnect?

PlanSwift is a quantity takeoff software for construction estimating. It features a drag-and-drop interface and automatically calculates material and labor estimations in exportable formats. PlanSwift was acquired by ConstructConnect in the middle of 2018.

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Product Demos

Construction Software Demo: On-Screen Takeoff

YouTube
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Product Details

What is On-Screen Takeoff?

On-Screen Takeoff is a construction takeoff and estimating solution. It is intended to streamline bidding and RFI processes. On-Screen Takeoff includes core takeoff functionality, as well as automation features like auto-count and Intelligent Paste Logic. It also features bid management abilities like bid packaging, timestamping, bid changes, and API integration to interface with 3rd party estimating programs. The program also includes plan organization capabilities like plan sharing, importing, and warehousing and security.

On-Screen Takeoff Technical Details

Operating SystemsUnspecified
Mobile ApplicationNo

Frequently Asked Questions

On-Screen Takeoff is a construction takeoff and estimating solution. It is intended to streamline takeoff, RFI, and bidding processes.

Reviewers rate Support Rating highest, with a score of 8.2.

The most common users of On-Screen Takeoff are from Mid-sized Companies (51-1,000 employees).
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Reviews and Ratings

(39)

Community Insights

TrustRadius Insights are summaries of user sentiment data from TrustRadius reviews and, when necessary, 3rd-party data sources. Have feedback on this content? Let us know!

On-Screen Takeoff has become an indispensable tool for construction professionals in various departments. Estimators rely on the software to put together accurate and quick job estimates, utilizing its incredible capabilities for cross calculations, complex divisions of quantities, and back calculations from 2D plans. The software's customizable databases cater to the specific needs of different departments, effectively organizing takeoffs in retail, academic, and hospitality divisions. Additionally, project managers and engineers occasionally use On-Screen Takeoff to verify proposed quantities from trade partners, ensuring the accuracy of subcontractor values and budget estimations. By consolidating takeoffs in one location and providing an itemized printable list of quantities, the software keeps everything organized and saves significant time throughout the estimation process. With its extensive features and user-friendly interface, On-Screen Takeoff has proven to be the preeminent takeoff software for over 15 years and continues to be a key part of the estimating workflow.

Speed: Many users have noted that the software significantly increases the speed of the estimating process. Several reviewers have mentioned that it allows them to break down projects into manageable pieces, resulting in more efficient workflows.

Ease of Use: The ease of use of the software has been praised by numerous users. They appreciate that it enables widespread adoption throughout their organizations without the need for extensive training. This user-friendly nature has made it easy for both experienced and novice estimators to quickly learn and navigate the software.

Versatility: The versatility of the software is frequently highlighted by users. It has proven effective for a wide range of projects, from large-scale building takeoffs to smaller tasks like sidewalks. This adaptability makes it a valuable tool for estimators working on various types and sizes of construction projects.

Common Cons:

  1. Limited collaboration and real-time access: Some users have expressed frustration with the software's restriction of only one individual being allowed into a project at a given time, as well as the lack of multiple user access and real-time updating capabilities.
  2. Cumbersome file management and navigation: Several reviewers have found it inconvenient to switch between different sheets of the plan set, and have suggested adding features like a functionality to jump to another page or a 'recently viewed sheets' section for quick navigation. Additionally, some users have noted difficulties in uploading documents to the program and locating the backup database.
  3. Lack of advanced features and modern interface: While users generally find the basic functionality intuitive, they feel that more advanced features require additional training and digging. Furthermore, some reviewers believe that the software's user interface is dated and out of touch with current design trends.

Reviews

(1-15 of 15)
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On-Screen takeoff has been a standard for us and is an excellent fit.

Rating: 9 out of 10
May 12, 2022
Verified User
Vetted Review
Verified User
On-Screen Takeoff
15 years of experience
This has been our standard Takeoff software for over 15 years. It is a key part of our estimating workflow.
  • Easy to use
  • Excellent technical support
  • Flexible licensing
On-Screen Takeoff is a tried and true system. We currently create a database for each project, but the system does support a single database for multiple projects. We are a medium-sized business, so this suits us well. However, I'm not sure how well it scales to larger orgs.

On-Screen Takeoff saves time and provides quality output

Rating: 10 out of 10
May 09, 2022
Verified User
Vetted Review
Verified User
On-Screen Takeoff
8 years of experience
Our use of On-Screen Takeoff allows us to accurately and effectively put together estimates and cross check subcontractor values. With On-Screen Takeoff our pre-construction process can fill in holes that would otherwise be guesses. Not only can we dial in the quantity values, but we can then communicate these values to our subcontractors as needed. The ability to combine multiple takeoff functions into a single takeoff condition also speeds up the process enabling us to meet accelerated timeframes.
  • Quantity Takeoff
  • Organization
  • Visual representation of project
Estimating and pre-construction where quantities are required are the focus of On-Screen Takeoff. There is a fantastic color coding and legend available to embed in the sheets, enabling clear communication of scope and values to both owners and subcontractors. I feel the clarity provided in these takeoff sheets cannot be as well provided by other software.

Watch yourself work

Rating: 9 out of 10
February 25, 2020
KM
Vetted Review
Verified User
On-Screen Takeoff
20 years of experience
We utilize On-Screen Takeoff from start to finish on all projects.
  • Increases the speed of the estimating process
  • Allows us to break down the project into manageable pieces
  • I would recommend On-Screen Takeoff to any contractor that is not using it for estimating purposes. It helps the process in so many ways.
  • I guess if it was something straightforward, it might not be the most cost-effective solution. For what we do, it is indispensable.

On-Screen Takeoff - Is a great product for reading prints and preparing quotes

Rating: 10 out of 10
February 15, 2020
HV
Vetted Review
Verified User
On-Screen Takeoff
4 years of experience
I use it to read prints and prepare quotes for clients.
  • Read Prints
  • On Screen Measuring to verify plans
It is an excellent product for reading plans to prepare bids and validate field information.

On-Screen Takeoff is the standard to beat

Rating: 10 out of 10
January 23, 2020
Verified User
Vetted Review
Verified User
On-Screen Takeoff
6 years of experience
We use it to gather quantities from construction drawings to help compile a comprehensive estimate that includes current market pricing and quantities based off of those gathered.
  • It speeds up the bidding process of construction projects.
  • It simplifies our job as estimators and allows us to accurately compile large amounts of content as well as allowing us to navigate drawings easier.
Being able to quantify every detail of a construction project via the contract documents and drawings and compiling it all in one place to be used in an estimate or distributed to subcontractors is something you can't really put a value on.

Takeoff Super Software

Rating: 9 out of 10
January 21, 2020
cM
Vetted Review
Verified User
On-Screen Takeoff
2 years of experience
We largely use On-Screen Takeoff in our estimating department to put together our estimates for bid proposals, but we also have a number of others who use this software within the company. Our self performed concrete department uses it for their estimates and for planning their order quantities. We also have a number of project managers and project engineers that will use the software every now and then for verifying a proposed quantity or amount from a trade partner. Overall it is most heavily used in our estimating department but it has provided a lot of benefits throughout our organization.
  • The biggest thing for me is that it is so easy to use, which allows it to be used widely throughout our organization without a lot of intense training.
  • Another great thing is that it does not matter how big or little the scope of the take off may be, it works just as well for a whole 12 story building take off as it does for a stretch of sidewalk.
On-Screen Takeoff is well suited for the large majority of tasks that involve gathering quantities and amounts from plans and drawings. It is so versatile and flexible that it does not matter the project type or scale the software is going to make your takeoff production rates much higher than with most other software. I have found that there are a few cases that may not justify getting a license for the software since the scope and accuracy of the take offs required are so minimal and relaxed that another simple or free software may be a more economical choice.

On-Screen Takeoff: Great for Conceptual Estimates!

Rating: 7 out of 10
February 07, 2019
Verified User
Vetted Review
Verified User
On-Screen Takeoff
1 year of experience
We use On-Screen Takeoff to gather quantities of material. Mostly everyone who is involved in the day-to-day process of putting together bids & creating RFIs uses it. It is very beneficial for conceptual estimating as well. The software does a phenomenal job of keeping everything organized from the space you are analyzing and different trades of work—keeping the quantities in an itemized printable list making it easy for anyone to comprehend.
  • Organization
  • Creating visuals for separation of spaces
  • User-friendliness
On-Screen Takeoff is great for less detailed drawings and conceptual estimate exercises. It can get hard to read markups on the drawings when there are a lot of different finishes, however. It is not that great for getting quantities for structural steel or structural concrete because there are not any weights in this software for different materials. It is very bad for collaboration among a project team of several members for the simple fact that the Takeoff file can only be saved to your computer. There is no live option for On-Screen which leaves room for mistakes and not looking at the most updated quantities.

Utilize On-Screen Takeoff so you can takeoff more time!

Rating: 10 out of 10
February 04, 2019
Verified User
Vetted Review
Verified User
On-Screen Takeoff
2 years of experience
We as general contractors use On-Screen Takeoff to gather quantities from drawings produced by architects. We can apply these quantities with unit costs in order to estimate a budget for the project. We are also able to compare these quantities with subcontractors to ensure that the budget is accurate.
  • Gathering quantities i.e. areas, counts, linear, etc.
  • Grouping these quantities as desired
  • Getting the quantities gathered in a timely fashion
Well suited to takeoff quantities needed from construction documents. Many short cuts and easy to learn program. It is even effective in creating visuals for communication, i.e. can label things, color code, have the takeoff numbers on the sheet in a legend, etc. It is less appropriate to try to format the outputs in a spread sheet - will need to export to excel. It is not the best tool for constructability reviews.

OST Is For Me

Rating: 8 out of 10
December 18, 2018
Verified User
Vetted Review
Verified User
On-Screen Takeoff
6 years of experience
Estimators and project managers use On-Screen Takeoff to get accurate counts to either order products that we directly purchase ourselves or to verify quantities that subcontractors provide us for ordering products or qualifying their bids. In instances where sub pricing is substantially different from bid to bid, doing takeoffs in-house is a great way to help level the sub's proposals.
  • User-friendly and easy to learn. You can sit down and figure out how to do simple takeoffs and counts with minimal training.
  • It is very accurate and it is great that you can do several calculations for each condition you make.
  • The colors and shapes provide a great visible audit trail.
  • The layering feature helps from keeping the screen too busy if you are doing several conditions on one page.
  • The worksheet tab keeps tallies of all the takeoffs from each page nicely.
Well suited if you order a lot of product for your projects because the visible audit trail makes counting easier. If you are a subcontractor and you set up assemblies to the conditions you will know exact quantities of materials for whatever condition you are measuring.

In a way it is almost too good because having too accurate of counts for bidding purposes can make your bid too high and you won't win the work!

Powerful and Efficient

Rating: 10 out of 10
December 11, 2018
AG
Vetted Review
Verified User
On-Screen Takeoff
3 years of experience
On-Screen Takeoff is the preeminent takeoff software. On-Screen Takeoff has incredible capabilities for cross calculations, complex divisions of quantities and back calculations from 2D plans. With On-Screen Takeoff's database abilities, we are able to save ourselves dozens of man-hours every bid by having our conditions pre-organized, pre-created, and with automatic layers built in. To take your estimates to the next level, On-Screen Takeoff is a must.
  • Takeoff
  • Calculating by area
  • Calculating by bid package
On-Screen Takeoff shines for any situation where you want higher consistency and accuracy from your estimates. Between their features such as zones, areas, typical groups, style sets and databases, On-Screen Takeoff allows your estimating team to fly. If you're willing to put in the upfront time to educate and build your workflows, On-Screen Takeoff gives companies the ability to assemble estimates and perform hand-offs seamlessly.

On-Screen Take Off benifits Project Managers Too

Rating: 10 out of 10
May 24, 2018
TH
Vetted Review
Verified User
On-Screen Takeoff
1 year of experience
On-Screen Takeoff is used by our estimating team to bid work and our project manager team to price up changes on existing projects.
  • Overlaying drawings help with finding changes
  • Take off multiple floors at the same time
  • Accurate and quick takeoffs
For myself I only use it for big changes on a project which has multiple drawing changes.

Future of Construction Takeoff

Rating: 8 out of 10
March 20, 2017
Verified User
Vetted Review
Verified User
On-Screen Takeoff
6 years of experience
It is mainly being used by just the estimating department. We use On-Screen to do takeoffs to verify our subcontractors' quantities when they send their proposals in. We also use OST to print out some of our takeoffs which are then shown to the owner in the preconstruction phase of negotiated projects.
  • Very easy to create conditions and to access that condition again and again throughout your project.
  • Navigating the drawings and controls are very easy to use.
  • Copying and pasting of takeoffs is very easy and a function that I use very frequently.
I think most of the reasoning was just provided on the previous pros and cons questions. On-Screen Takeoff (OST) is well suited for doing either quick takeoffs or getting into an elaborate, detailed takeoff. All though the viewing tools are quick and easy, I would still very much prefer using BlueBeam for looking through an overall set of drawings. With all of the hyperlink and bookmark functions of BlueBeam, OST doesn't compare and I rarely use OST unless I'm actually doing a takeoff.

OST for Precision

Rating: 9 out of 10
August 02, 2016
Verified User
Vetted Review
Verified User
On-Screen Takeoff
5 years of experience
OST is currently being used by the estimators in our metal decking department and other departments within the company. It's a great program that helps us estimate jobs accurately and quickly. Most importantly we're able to edit our take-offs, which is common industry practice, in a very organized manner. We've used to quantify square feet, linear footage, and quantities for various line items. The best part is that we can customize our databases to our department's needs.
  • Not only does OST allow you to do square foot take-offs, but you can also set the areas taken off to include dimensional lines within the sq. ft. area, which is very helpful for our scope of work.
  • Setting slopes, to LF or SF, is very easily done without having to add factors for slope manually.
  • You're able to assign different areas within a single sheet of take-off.

OST is well suited when it comes to repetitive areas because you don't need to duplicate the sheets over and over again. All you simply need to do is assign the sheet to repeat x amount of times and the program will multiply each line item take off x amount of times.


On-Screen Takeoff Review

Rating: 10 out of 10
August 02, 2016
Verified User
Vetted Review
Verified User
On-Screen Takeoff
2 years of experience
On-Screen Takeoff is used by Estimators to perform take-offs on projects ranging from the retail, academic, and hospitality divisions. It is also used by Project Managers / Assistant Project Managers for quick take-offs, but they aren't as well versed in the program as estimators are. On-Screen consolidates take-offs in one location and constantly saves your work.
  • On-Screen saves automatically. It's great not to worry about when you last saved a document or potentially losing all your work if your computer crashes / freezes.
  • On-Screen allows you to create layers so that you can hide / show certain take offs. It's helpful when you're performing take-offs for multiple trades (drywall, electrical, lighting, flooring, etc) and have the ability to quickly turn the layers off and on.
  • On-Screen can export your take-offs to an excel file.
On-Screen takeoff helps when estimators put together pricing for bids & budgets on a whole project - whether the project is large or small.
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