Takeoff assemblies and an NRM2 bill of quantities in Excel - Takeoff Studio Pro

How it works

Step by step

Measure and pick an assembly

Select a markup, choose an assembly under Assemblies in the Selection tab and click Add. Four come with the app: Stud partition, Concrete slab, Block wall and Skirting.

Set the variables

Change the height, spacing or thickness right there, or click Edit for the full recipe: each item has a formula, a unit, waste and a rate.

Check the schedule

The items appear under their markup in the Schedule with quantities and costs, and go into the exports and Send to BOQ.

Make the NRM2 bill

In the Schedule tab choose NRM2 bill. Takeoff Studio picks a work section for each item from its name, tag and trade package - change any of them - and writes the Excel bill.

Price it in Excel

Amounts are Qty x Rate formulas, as are the section totals, the Collection and the Summary, so the bill recalculates as you type rates.

A legend of colours, names and quantities placed on a measured drawing in Takeoff Studio Pro

Help: Rooms, assemblies and NRM2 has every option in detail.

The four preset assemblies

What comes with the app

Metric values; change the variables to suit. Download them as a tool library from the downloads page.

Stud partition on a length along the wall line

Variables: Height = 2.4, Spacing = 0.6, SheetWidth = 1.2, SheetHeight = 2.4, Sides = 2

Item	Unit	Formula	Waste	Round up
12.5mm plasterboard sheets	nr	`Length * Height * Sides / (SheetWidth * SheetHeight)`	10%	Yes
Metal studs at centres	nr	`ceil(Length / Spacing) + 1`	0%
Head and floor track	m	`Length * 2`	5%
Drywall screws (approx. 30 per m2 per side)	nr	`Length * Height * Sides * 30`	10%	Yes
Joint tape	m	`Length * Height * Sides * 1.6`	10%
Labour	hr	`Length * Height * 0.45`	0%

Concrete slab on an area

Variables: Thickness = 0.15, MeshLap = 0.1

Item	Unit	Formula	Waste
In-situ concrete C32/40 in slab	m3	`Area * Thickness`	5%
A393 mesh reinforcement	m2	`Area * (1 + MeshLap)`	0%
1200 gauge DPM	m2	`Area`	10%
Edge formwork	m	`Perimeter`	0%

Block wall on a length along the wall line

Variables: Height = 2.4, BlocksPerM2 = 10

Item	Unit	Formula	Waste	Round up
100mm dense concrete blockwork	m2	`Length * Height`	0%
Blocks	nr	`Length * Height * BlocksPerM2`	5%	Yes
Mortar	m3	`Length * Height * 0.01`	10%
Wall ties / reinforcement every 3rd course	m	`Length * ceil(Height / 0.675)`	5%

Skirting on a length along the wall line

Variables: Doors = 0, DoorWidth = 0.9, BoardLength = 4.2

Item	Unit	Formula	Waste	Round up
MDF skirting board	m	`max(0, Length - Doors * DoorWidth)`	10%
Skirting lengths	nr	`max(0, Length - Doors * DoorWidth) / BoardLength`	10%	Yes
Decoration to skirting	m	`max(0, Length - Doors * DoorWidth)`	0%

Frequently asked questions

What can a formula use?

Qty, Length, Area, Perimeter, Count, Height, Depth, Volume and your own variables, with + - * / ^, brackets and ceil, floor, round, min, max, abs, sqrt and if. For example ceil(Length / Spacing) + 1 studs.

How is waste added?

Waste % is added after the formula, then Round up makes it a whole number if you tick it. Formulas work on one unit of the markup; Times multiplies the results.

Which NRM2 work sections does it use?

Sections 2 to 41 in NRM2 order - 11 In-situ concrete works, 14 Masonry, 20 Proprietary linings and partitions, 28 Floor, wall, ceiling and roof finishings, 29 Decoration and so on - with units m, m2, m3, nr and t. Items it can't place go in an Other items section for you to assign.

Can I reuse my own assemblies?

Yes. Save an assembly to the project library, or save the markup as a tool to keep its assemblies in your tool library and share it with your team. The four preset assemblies are on the downloads page as a tool library.

Do I need Takeoff Studio Pro?

Yes, assemblies and the NRM2 bill are part of Takeoff Studio Pro (£24.99 a month or £199.99 a year, first month free). There's also a free NRM2 bill template for Excel on the downloads page.