Quantities you can price, measured from your drawings by a team in Dubai. Buildesk provides material takeoff and quantity takeoff services for contractors across the UAE — concrete, reinforcement, blockwork, plaster, ceramic, electrical, plumbing and HVAC, itemised in the detail a UAE contractor actually prices from.
We do not buy materials, deal with suppliers, or take a commission on what you order. The quantities have no agenda.
Material takeoff for contractors without a technical office
Takeoff is slow, unglamorous and the foundation of everything downstream. Get it wrong and the estimate is wrong, the procurement is wrong, and the first variation claim has no basis. Most contractors know this and still end up doing it at 11pm before a submission.
We do it properly and hand you the working, so every figure can be checked.
Trades we take off
Concrete and Formwork
By grade and element — blinding, footings, pile caps, columns, walls, beams, slabs, stairs, tanks. Formwork as contact area, separated by element type.
Reinforcement
Tonnage by bar diameter, with laps and wastage shown as stated allowances. Extends to a full bar bending schedule where you need one — from the same measurement, so the two reconcile.
Blockwork
By square metre and by block count, split by thickness, type (hollow, solid, AAC, thermal) and location. Openings deducted; lintels, ties and cills separate.
Plaster and render
Internal and external by coat and location, with reveals, bands and drips taken separately.
Ceramic, porcelain and stone
Floor, wall, skirting and threshold by finish, with cutting and breakage wastage stated. Adhesive, grout and wet-area waterproofing itemised.
Electrical
Point counts — light points, switch points, socket outlets, data and TV points, isolators — plus DB schedules, circuit counts, cable runs by size and containment lengths by type.
Plumbing and drainage
Sanitary fixture counts by type, water pipe runs by diameter and material, soil and waste runs, floor drains, traps, valves and fittings.
HVAC
Equipment schedule by capacity, ductwork by area and gauge, insulation, grilles, diffusers, dampers, refrigerant and condensate piping.
Finishes and external works
Painting by system and area, false ceilings, doors and windows scheduled, aluminium and glazing, joinery, waterproofing, boundary walls, hardscape and landscaping.
How we measure: rules, wastage and exclusions
Three things determine whether a takeoff is usable, and almost nobody publishes their position on any of them.
Measurement rules. We measure to POMI by default, or to NRM2, SMM7 or CESMM4 where your tender specifies. The rule set determines whether deductions are taken, how openings are treated, and whether formwork is measured separately — all of which move the number materially.
Wastage. Shown as a stated allowance per trade, not buried inside a rate. You can then argue with the percentage, which you cannot do if it is invisible.
Exclusions. Every takeoff comes with a written register of what is not in it and what we assumed where drawings were unclear. This is the document that prevents disputes later.
What you receive
- Quantity schedule by trade, ordered to match your BOQ structure
- Marked-up drawings showing exactly what was measured
- Takeoff backup sheets — dimensions, multipliers, deductions, auditable line by line
- Assumptions and exclusions register
- Revision updates when drawings are reissued, with changes identified
Formats: Excel, PDF, DWG markups, and CostX where required.
Our process
- Drawing and revision check — we confirm what you have sent is current and complete before measuring
- Scope and trade breakdown — agreed with you, so nothing is assumed
- Measurement — trade by trade to the agreed standard
- Scope gap review — we tell you what the drawings do not cover, which is often more valuable than what they do
- Cross-check — second pass by someone who did not do the original takeoff
- Delivery and query support through your tender or procurement period
Software
PlanSwift, Bluebeam Revu, CostX and Excel, with AutoCAD and Revit for drawing work. We also measure directly from scaled PDF tender drawings.
Takeoff and bar bending schedule together
If your project needs both, take them from the same measurement. The reinforcement tonnage in your takeoff and the tonnage in your bar bending schedule will then agree — which is frequently not the case when the two are produced by different parties from different drawing revisions.
Turnaround and pricing
[To be completed with real turnaround bands and the pricing basis.]
Recent project
[To be completed with one real project: type, built-up area, trades measured, turnaround.]
Frequently asked questions
Do you buy materials or deal with suppliers?
No. We measure. You procure from whoever you choose. We take no commission from any supplier, which is why the quantities are neutral.
Can you work from PDF tender drawings?
Yes, provided they are scaled. DWG is faster and marginally more accurate.
What if drawings are revised mid-tender?
We update affected items and reissue with changes identified. Revision handling during the tender period is included.
Do you price, or only measure?
Measurement is the core service. Pricing is separate — either with your rates or on current UAE market rates.
Can you follow our BOQ format?
Yes. Send your template and the takeoff comes back ordered to match it, so it drops straight into your bill.
Do you cover all emirates?
Yes — Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and the Northern Emirates.
Send your drawings
Send the drawings, the trades you need measured, and the deadline.
