Manual vs. automated takeoffs: why contractors are making the switch

Electrical contractors are constantly looking for ways to gain an edge. One of the most significant opportunities for improvement lies in the takeoff process. Countfire was developed by ex estimators to truly automate this process.

The hidden cost of manual takeoffs

Consider this: the average estimator spends approximately 60% of their time on takeoffs. For a professional earning £60,000 annually, that's £36,000 spent just counting items on drawings. Multiply that across your estimating team, and the numbers become staggering.

But the real cost isn't just salary, it's opportunity cost. Whilst your team is manually counting symbols, your competitors are submitting more bids and winning more work.

What does your current process look like?

Manual process

• Still using coloured markers, highlighters and scale rulers
• Printing drawings and manually transferring counts to spreadsheets
• Using basic PDF tools to mark up drawings but still counting manually

Semi-automated

• Using basic ‘point & click’ takeoff software but still with significant manual intervention
• Digital tools for some projects but paper for complex ones
• Multiple disconnected systems requiring double-entry

Fully automated with Countfire

• Complete takeoffs up to 10x faster with one-click counting across all drawings in a project
• Ensure unmatched accuracy with automated checks and instant spec comparisons
• Work smarter with integrated workflows from takeoff to final estimate—anywhere, in the cloud

Cut estimating time by 90%: A side-by-side comparison of Manual vs Countfire

When is automation appropriate?

Automation is a no-brainer when:

1. You're buried in multi-page drawings with thousands of symbols to count
2. You're juggling multiple bids at once and deadlines are slipping
3. Manual errors are costing you time and money

In other words, if you're serious about growth and profitability, automation isn't just appropriate, it's essential.

"Before Countfire, we were counting fixtures one at a time, writing numbers on drawings, and manually transferring to Excel. Now we complete takeoffs in a quarter of the time with greater accuracy," says Chad Baumgartner, lighting associate at Graybar. 

The result? Their team now bids on 40% more projects with the same staff.

Ready to make the switch?

Claim your free trial here and see firsthand how Countfire transforms the takeoff and estimating process.

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