Electrical  - A Quick Takeoff How To

 

 

Get ready by confirming your project's scale. Once that's set, you can jump into measuring and totaling up fixtures.

Step 1: Identify the quad receptacles to count. On your plan, spot the quad outlets within the dotted outline that marks the kitchen. Every kitchen receptacle must be GFI as per the plan.

The kitchen section of the plan is shown, emphasizing the area needing GFI outlets.

 

Step 2: Start counting the quad GFIs. On the toolbar, select Count to begin defining your measurement.

Clicking Count in the toolbar to launch the measurement setup.

Step 3: Name your measurement, pick a color and symbol, and set up the tool.

Naming the measurement as 'Quad GFI receptacle.'

Selecting a distinct color and choosing a symbol that will be stamped for each counted item.

Selecting a distinct color.

Choosing a symbol.

 

Step 4: Click Set to finish the setup, then place a stamp on every matching fixture. Each click will add a tally in the results panel.

Ready to count by clicking 'Set'.

First quad GFCI is stamped onto the plan — a tally appears in the panel. Results panel updates with each count, showing your tally in real time.

Step 5: To count more types (duplex or other GFIs), use the library for efficiency. Create or use an existing measurement setup to quickly switch.

Switching to the library tab to manage saved measurement tools.

Creating a folder in the library for measurements like 'Power Receptacles.'

Right clicking to name the new library folder to organize measurement types.

 

Right-clicking to rename the folder for clarity.

The new folder 'Power Receptacles' is ready for saving measurements.

 

Right-clicking on a completed measurement in the results panel.

 

Selecting the library folder where the measurement will be saved.

 

Measurement 'Quad GFI' is now saved for future use, making future takeoffs faster.

Step 6: Use saved measurements from your library. Click the plus symbol next to the desired measurement, confirm properties, and continue counting.

Plus symbol in the library—click to activate saved measurement setup.

Accept previously set properties for quick deployment.

Ready to use the standard GFI measurement tool on the plan.

Counting proceeds with standard GFI receptacles, just as with quads.

Counting in progress—GFI stamps accumulate in the plan area.

Step 7: When switching between tools (such as between GFI and Quad), use the Continue switch in the results panel, and mark accordingly.

Placing a stamp for each standard GFI receptacle.

Click Measurements to return to Measurement view.

Continue switch flips on to enable marking Quads.

Ready to record additional quads as you encounter them.

Marking a Quad with active tool, results instantaneously updated.

Switching back to standard GFI counting.

Selected measurement remains active until tool is turned off.

 

Counting continues—progress is visible on both the plan and results panel.

 

Results panel and plan both display active counts.

 

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Now transition to measuring wire lengths for panels and drops.

Step 1: Identify the panel (for example, Panel A) and the fixture (like A23) to measure distance between.

A23 fixture is highlighted, corresponding to Panel "A"—the start point for measurement.

Step 2: On the toolbar, select Linear and then Line.

Selection of Line tool for quick linear measurements.

Naming the measurement.

Click Set to begin.

Step 3: Hover over the panel marker, click once to start, click to change direction, double-click at the endpoint.

Start the measurement by clicking on the Panel "A" marker.

Changing direction with a single click—flexibility in routing wire.

Double-click at the fixture's location to finish the run.

 

Step 4: The tool calculates and displays the total linear footage.

Plan shows measurement path—result is 40.37 linear feet for this run.

 

Step 5: For additional fixtures (like multiple A23s), continue from the results panel and draw the next branch. Each segment's length is added to the total.

Continue tool in the results panel allows you to add more runs.

Click to start additional run.

Draw segment to next fixture, repeat as needed.

Double-click at endpoint to finish branch.

 

Total combined distance for all branch measurements appears on the panel.

Step 6: Repeat until every fixture and circuit is counted and measured.

Final results tally all branches—this run totals 46.89 linear feet, seen in results panel.

PlanHub streamlines counts and measurements, letting you quickly build accurate electrical takeoffs. Use libraries for speed, and switch easily between tools for complex plans.