Earthwork Takeoff Simplified with Automation

Earthwork takeoff is the process of quantifying the volume of soil and materials for excavation or filling to prepare a construction site. This trade has traditionally been one of the most time-consuming and labor-intensive jobs to takeoff. From calculating cut-and-fill volumes to measuring contours, estimators spend hours to ensure 100% accuracy.

d more than 50% of their time on takeoffs, then when do they get bandwidth for other high-priority tasks? Not only is this time-consuming, but manual takeoffs can also lead to costly errors, as estimators spend hours reviewing sheets and repeating tasks under tight timelines.

This is where AI-based earthwork takeoff software is changing the game. By automatically processing uploaded plan sheets, identifying feature quantities, and standardizing data extraction, AI-based automation enables faster, more accurate, and easier-to-scale earthwork estimation.

However, before we delve into how AI is transforming preconstruction, let’s discuss the challenges estimators encounter in manual takeoff processes.

The Challenge Of Manual Earthwork Takeoffs

Earthwork takeoffs are especially challenging. Here are a few major challenges estimators face:

Manual Tracing: Going through large plan sets by hand and digitizing them is time-consuming and prone to human error.

Inconsistency: When takeoffs are manual across 100s of plan sheets, it's difficult for multiple stakeholders to collaborate on projects accurately.

How AI-Based Automation Can Improve Earthwork Takeoffs

Unlike traditional digital tools that only give you software to manually do takeoffs, AI-based earthwork takeoff software can not only automate repetitive tasks, but it can also do takeoffs for you and give bid-ready outputs.

Key benefits of AI-based earthwork takeoff software include:

Better Speed: When AI does takeoffs for you, it automatically cuts down the time spent on manual work. This way, you can push out more bids in less time.

Accuracy & Reduced Errors: Automated spec detection can minimize the risk of human errors. When no aspect of the takeoff is missed, then final quantities and estimates are accurate and competitive.

Better Collaboration: With all information centralized digitally, all major project stakeholders can review projects without missing details or wasting time searching for items or sheets.

Faster Revisions: If Addenda come in at the last minute, AI-based earthwork takeoff software can easily identify the changes and adjust accordingly. No time wasted.

For example, contractors who leverage AI-based takeoff solutions, such as Beam AI, have reported saving up to 90% of their time. Not only that, but it is also helping them bid 2x more jobs.

How Does AI-Based Earthwork Takeoff Software Benefit Contractors And Estimators?

The real-world benefits of adopting earthwork takeoff software with automation are clear:

Time Savings: Estimators spend more than 50% of their time doing takeoffs. AI-based takeoffs can cut this time by taking up the heavy lifting.

Better Accuracy: Automated spec detection ensures that virtually no features and quantities are missed.

Consistency: AI ensures every estimator works with the same interpretation of plans.

After using AI-based earthwork takeoff software, they are now saving over 6 hours on takeoffs and have seen a nearly $1 million revenue growth.

How did Beam AI help? Read the full case study here.

Before You Go

At the end of the day, earthwork takeoffs don’t need to feel like a never-ending math problem. With AI-based takeoffs handling the heavy lifting, estimators can now focus on other aspects of the bidding workflow, such as refining proposals, developing bidding strategies, communicating with vendors, and building lasting client relationships.