new
Draw, upload plans, or start from scratch with on-screen takeoffs. Get dimensions for accurate cost estimations easily and measure digitally, saving time and reducing mistakes on every construction project.
Start using Bolster's Takeoff tool with the tutorial below, allowing you to digitally measure and price jobs accurately and quickly.
On average, Bolster's estimating tools help users estimate 84% faster, and turn around quotes in minutes.
"The software has done exactly what I got it for, which was to not spend four hours a weekend writing estimates. With a bathroom - done before I leave the customer's home. Kitchen? 80% done before I leave."
Bolster gives you all the tools you need to help you scale your construction business.
Save time, win more jobs, increase profit, and get paid faster with Bolster.
Get startedBefore a project goes live, accurate takeoff is what turns drawings into dependable numbers. The takeoff process is a critical part of the preconstruction phase, where you translate plans into quantities, costs, and a scope clients can say yes to. Accurate takeoffs improve project efficiency, minimize scope errors, and reduce overall costs. Do it slowly or inconsistently and you lose momentum (or margin). Do it quickly and correctly and you bid with confidence.
Bolster, as a company known for innovation and reliability in the industry, makes that fast-and-right balance practical. Our takeoff tool is built for residential contractors and specialty trades who want precise measurements that flow directly into assemblies and quotes—without bouncing between apps or re-entering data.
Bolster’s takeoff tool simplifies measuring and linking dimensions from plans and imagery directly into assemblies and quotes, so the quantities you draw become the costs you present—cleanly and consistently. Automatic calculations of material and labor costs are performed as you measure, ensuring quick and accurate cost estimations.
Rather than treating each room or scope as a one-off, you set root-level dimensions once (like total floor area or ceiling height) and let them cascade into sub-assemblies such as bathrooms or kitchens. Material quantities are managed and estimated within these sub-assemblies, streamlining the process. You can still keep unique, local inputs where it makes sense (e.g., vanity sizes or kitchen-specific flooring). The result: fewer duplicate entries and a lot less rework.
Bolster stands out as a leading estimating software for construction professionals, offering efficient calculations and material management for accurate project estimates.
Bolster’s construction takeoff software stands out by delivering the accuracy, speed, and reliability that today’s contractors, builders, and estimators demand. With automated quantity takeoff and precise measurements, Bolster transforms the takeoff process into a streamlined, error-resistant workflow. Construction professionals can generate accurate estimates with confidence, knowing that every dimension and count is calculated directly from the plans—eliminating the guesswork and reducing human error.
The software’s intuitive interface allows construction teams to quickly measure, link, and verify all the materials and quantities needed for their projects. By automating repetitive tasks and integrating assemblies, Bolster ensures that accurate cost estimates are just a few clicks away. This efficiency not only saves time but also empowers teams to focus on what matters most: winning bids and delivering successful construction projects. Whether you’re a general contractor or a specialty trade, Bolster’s takeoff software helps you streamline your processes, improve accuracy, and bid on more projects with less effort.
Load your assemblies on the right; red dots show where a dimension needs an input or a quick check. Add layers for PDFs, photos, or even satellite imagery by address. Create measurement layers for length, area, or counts, and use handy hotkeys (like Command+N to add a new layer), plus markup, comments, measuring tools, and a customizable grid to keep everything tidy. This workflow supports detailed construction quantity takeoff for accurate project planning.
Upload a drawing and set scale by selecting a known dimension—Bolster recalibrates the entire plan so every subsequent measurement is accurate. From there, draw once and link that single layer to multiple dimensions (e.g., exterior wall perimeter, framing length, and floor area), so your effort pays off across your assemblies. Closed shapes handle areas (floor plans, sod lawns, deck footprints), open lines handle linear measurements (fence runs).
Common workflows feel natural: tally windows and doors, separate interior vs. exterior wall lengths, map kitchen cabinet runs, backsplash, and counters, or define bathroom vanities and drawer counts. For decks, Bolster can auto-calculate joists and beams based on the area you draw. Fencing and landscaping are equally straightforward with perimeter and area layers. The software streamlines quantity takeoffs for various project types, making the process faster and more accurate.
You can show/hide, duplicate, delete, or re-order layers, adjust transparency, and even use Ghost mode to overlay floor plans on satellite images for real-world alignment.
AI-driven tools can automate and improve the construction quantity takeoff process by scanning plans and extracting quantities, which enhances speed, accuracy, and efficiency compared to manual methods.
Everything auto-saves, and when you’ve bundled layers and assembly links just the way you like them, save that workflow into your catalog so you can reuse it on the next estimate—consistency, by design. You can also export your measurements and project data to Excel for further analysis and reporting, improving workflow efficiency. These features help reduce takeoff time and streamline your estimating process.
Collaboration is built in: comment on drawings, assign tasks, resolve items, add markups, and use Canvas View to zoom out for the big picture. Your team stays aligned without exporting files or stitching together email threads.
Comprehensive training resources are available to help users get started quickly and make the most of all features.
Bolster’s cloud-based digital tool is designed to keep construction teams, general contractors, and subcontractors on the same page throughout the entire quantity takeoff process. By centralizing all project data and measurements in one platform, Bolster makes it easy for teams to measure, verify, and communicate quantities with accuracy and confidence. The result is a significant reduction in errors and miscommunication, as everyone works from the same set of digital blueprints and up-to-date information.
With built-in tools for commenting, markup, and task assignment, Bolster streamlines the bidding process and ensures that verification is successful—waiting for no one. Construction professionals can focus on high-value estimating and project management tasks, rather than getting bogged down by manual data entry or chasing down updates. By improving collaboration and communication, Bolster helps teams deliver more accurate bids, reduce costly mistakes, and keep projects moving forward efficiently.
General contractors can link high-level project dimensions once and push them through kitchens, baths, decks, and exterior scopes. Trades can focus on what matters: flooring square footage, cabinet runs, fence perimeters, fixture counts, or deck framing. You capture the specifics that drive cost—fast—and keep the door open for options and upgrades when clients want them.
Prefer to see it first? The Academy has short, step-by-step walkthroughs that mirror real jobs—from scaling plans and measuring areas to calculating deck joists and measuring interior runs.
Whether you're managing budgets, tracking progress, or coordinating teams, these templates provide a structured, reliable framework to keep your projects on track. Upgrade your workflow and experience the power of automation in construction management.
Bolster’s advanced takeoff software gives construction companies the power to bid faster, more accurately, and on more jobs than ever before. The automated quantity takeoff process enables estimators to complete takeoffs in a fraction of the time, freeing up resources to pursue additional projects and stay competitive in a fast-paced market. With cloud collaboration and integrated solutions, construction teams can work together seamlessly, reducing errors and streamlining every step of the estimating and bidding process.
By improving efficiency and reducing the risk of costly mistakes, Bolster helps contractors win more bids and grow their business. The ability to accurately measure, count, and export all the materials needed for each project means you can confidently take on more work, knowing your estimates are solid and your processes are optimized. With Bolster, construction professionals can unlock new opportunities, increase revenue, and build a reputation for accuracy and reliability in every bid.
Construction takeoff is the foundation of every accurate estimate. Bolster turns that foundation into a repeatable, collaborative workflow—so you can move from plan to price quickly, keep your team in sync, and bid with confidence on more of the right projects. If you’re ready to reclaim time without sacrificing precision, start your next estimate with Bolster’s takeoff tool and let your drawings do the heavy lifting.
