Online construction quantity takeoff software
BuildLab is quantity takeoff software that runs in the browser: upload a DWG or DXF, get proposed quantities, have an engineer review them, then export the BOQ — nothing to install.
Three ways to do quantity takeoff
The common options for construction takeoff: an online tool like BuildLab, manual Excel, or traditional desktop software.
Takeoff time
- BuildLab (online)
- The system proposes quantities from DWG/DXF; an engineer reviews and locks them
- Manual Excel
- Measure and count by hand on the drawing, then type into Excel
- Desktop software
- Fast once mastered, but depends on install and license
Setup & hardware
- BuildLab (online)
- Runs in the browser, nothing to install
- Manual Excel
- Only needs Excel
- Desktop software
- Requires install, license and a capable machine
TCVN norms & prices
- BuildLab (online)
- Look up item codes, norms and provincial unit prices from official instruments in the same system
- Manual Excel
- Look up documents and enter them by hand
- Desktop software
- Norm sets bundled with the software version
BOQ export
- BuildLab (online)
- Export BOQ Excel/PDF from locked quantities
- Manual Excel
- Format and check formulas by hand
- Desktop software
- Export using the software's built-in templates
Storage & teamwork
- BuildLab (online)
- Projects stored in the cloud, accessible from any machine
- Manual Excel
- Excel files passed over email/USB, easy to fork versions
- Desktop software
- Files live on the machine that has the install
Online quantity takeoff software
Quantity takeoff in 3 steps
This is the live product flow — this page describes the process; there is no public CAD demo.
01
Create a project and upload drawings
Sign in, open a project, then upload DWG or DXF. PDFs and images can be stored but do not run the CAD processor.
02
The system proposes quantities
DXF is parsed directly; DWG is converted to DXF, then layers, entities and blocks are extracted to propose quantities.
03
Engineer reviews, then export BOQ
Edit proposals, lock each approved line, then move them into the BOQ and export Excel or PDF.
When an online tool is not enough
Messy drawings, nested blocks or unclear units produce missing or wrong proposals — an engineer still has to read the source drawing and review carefully.
PDFs and scans do not take off CAD quantities automatically. DWG goes through a conversion step before parsing, so results depend on conversion quality.
Related pages
System proposes, engineer reviews
The software proposes quantities from the drawing automatically; an engineer must review and lock them before they enter the BOQ. Automatic takeoff is not treated as 100% accurate.
Frequently asked questions
Does this takeoff software need installation?
No. BuildLab runs in the browser — a signed-in account is enough, no install or machine setup.
Does the software take off quantities with 100% accuracy?
No. The system proposes quantities from layers and entities; an engineer reviews, edits and locks them before they are used in the estimate.
How is it different from takeoff in Excel?
Excel means measuring and typing everything by hand. BuildLab proposes quantities from the CAD drawing first — the engineer only reviews — then exports a BOQ Excel from locked figures.
Is the software free?
There is a Free tier with a monthly DWG processing quota, and a Pro plan at 299,000 VND per 6 months without a quota. See the Pricing page for details.
Is a DWG file processed directly?
DWG is converted to DXF before layers and entities are read. A clean DXF skips the conversion step.
Try the quantity takeoff software
Create a Free account, open a project and upload a drawing to run takeoff — a monthly DWG quota is included.
