TakeCost

Overview

TakeCost is a construction takeoff and estimating app for contractors and design professionals who turn plans into priced scopes and bids. It is best suited to teams that want measurements, estimates, and proposals connected in one workflow.

Its strongest case is the path from drawing quantities to client-ready output; the main caveat is that the free plan permits just one new takeoff file each month.

Key features

Takeoffs and scopes

TakeCost measures areas, lengths, counts, and elevations on drawings, then Smart Scope Assemblies can translate measured geometry into quantities for systems such as walls, slabs, and framing. Custom assemblies add flexibility for teams with their own estimating structures. These are 2D measurements, so the product is aimed at plan-based takeoffs rather than a broader 3D modeling workflow.

Estimates and proposals

The estimate builder links quantities to material and labor costs, with markups and pricing adjustments. Users can generate proposals from estimates, revise them, and export or share bid documents. Keeping quantities and pricing connected should help when project changes affect the estimate, while spreadsheet and PDF markup exports give paid users ways to carry work into other workflows.

AI and file support

AI tools can auto-scale drawings, name sheets, suggest assemblies, validate estimates, and draft inclusions, exclusions, and scope notes. These functions may reduce repetitive setup, but TakeCost says it may use anonymized drawings and design data to improve AI features. It says it does not sell personal information; organizations with strict drawing-data policies should weigh that use before adopting the AI features.

Plans can be single-page or multi-page PDFs, JPGs, or PNGs, in Imperial or Metric units. The supported formats cover common drawing inputs, though the maker's About page describes integrations as future development rather than naming current connections to other apps.

Pricing

TakeCost is freemium, with a 14-day trial and paid service from $49/mo. The Core plan is free, billed Free. It includes full area, length, and count takeoff tools, unlimited proposals and revisions, and an AI assistant. Its cap of one new takeoff file per month makes it more suitable for occasional estimating or evaluation than ongoing bid volume; past projects remain accessible.

Accelerated costs $49 a month, billed $490/year, with a stated saving of $98 and two months free. It adds unlimited takeoffs, scope-based pricing, one-click proposals, spreadsheet and PDF markup exports, Smart Scopes, priority support, and AI automation features. The annual billing commitment is worth considering: it suits regular estimating work where unlimited takeoffs and the added scope and export tools justify paying upfront.

Enterprise has custom pricing. It is the option for organizations seeking an enterprise arrangement, but no seat count or feature package is defined here. Support across the service includes help desk tickets, live chat, email, and phone; priority support is included with Accelerated.

Platforms

TakeCost supports Android, iOS, macOS, web, and Windows, giving users options across mobile, desktop, and browser environments. Its plan inputs include PDF, JPG, and PNG files, and measurements work in Imperial and Metric units.

Who it's for

General contractors, builders, subcontractors, and architects or designers estimating construction work are the intended audience. TakeCost is a stronger fit for users who want measurement, costing, and proposal preparation linked together than for those who need established named integrations. The one-file monthly Core limit favors light use; frequent estimators will need Accelerated or custom-priced Enterprise.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Measurements connect to material and labor estimates and proposal outputs, keeping takeoff quantities tied to bid work.
• Pro: Smart Scope Assemblies and custom assemblies support translating geometry into construction quantities.
• Pro: PDF, JPG, and PNG support, both unit systems, and five platform options accommodate varied drawing and device workflows.
• Con: Core allows only one new takeoff file per month, a serious constraint for regular estimating.
• Con: Accelerated's displayed monthly price is paired with $490/year billing, so the annual term matters when budgeting.
• Con: Current app integrations are not named, and AI improvement may use anonymized drawing and design data.

Alternatives

Construction Takeoff Software is a useful category starting point for comparing more takeoff tools.

• usBIM.platform suits readers who want free online applications and 10 GB of cloud storage, with additional applications available through subscriptions.
• OpenTakeoff is the better fit for someone seeking free, open-source software with no account requirement, rather than TakeCost's integrated paid estimating workflow.
• Bidwright offers free desktop and self-hosted options for readers who prefer those deployment choices; its desktop app is single-user and leaves AI disabled until the user adds their own key.
• MeasureSquare is worth considering for retail flooring work involving in-store sales and on-site consultations; its Mobile Retail plan is $54 a month for 1 user, billed usd / Month.
• STACK may fit users who want a free tier capped at one active project per month, 300 plan pages, 50 measurements per project, and one viewer seat.
• On-Screen Takeoff and Quick Bid is an option for readers seeking a quote-based, demo-led paid product rather than a published per-month plan.
• CostX is another paid option with a free plan.
• Kreo BIM Takeoff may suit readers willing to pay $65 a month, billed annually, for its Pro plan with unlimited usage; its Enterprise plan is custom priced.

Verdict

TakeCost is a good fit for construction estimators who want drawing measurements to feed directly into costs and proposals, especially when Smart Scopes and unlimited takeoffs will see regular use. Choose Accelerated if that connected workflow earns its $490/year commitment; look elsewhere if you need more than one monthly takeoff without a paid plan, named current integrations, or tighter limits on AI data use.