5 Critical Reasons Why Takeoffs Are Delaying Your Project Start Dates

Introduction

Why Takeoffs Are Delaying Your Project Start Dates is a growing concern for small contractors. As competition intensifies, delays don’t just frustrate—they cost you money. One of the biggest culprits behind shifting schedules is slow or inaccurate takeoffs.

In this post, we’ll show you five common reasons why takeoffs are delaying your project start dates, how that impacts your bottom line, and how outsourcing this step can keep your jobs (and revenue) moving forward.

What Are Construction Takeoffs?

Construction takeoffs are the foundation of your estimate. They calculate the quantities and specifications of materials needed for a project and typically fall into two categories:

• QTO (Quantity Takeoff): Unit counts, square footage, or linear footage

• MTO (Material Takeoff): Product specifications, grades, types

Without precise takeoffs, your entire project—from procurement to labor scheduling—gets pushed back. That’s why takeoffs are delaying your project start dates more often than you think.

5 Reasons Why Takeoffs Are Delaying Your Project Start Dates

1. No In-House Estimator

Most small contractors wear multiple hats. Estimating gets pushed aside when you’re managing crews, talking to clients, or ordering supplies. This lack of bandwidth causes takeoffs to be rushed or skipped—delaying your ability to submit bids or schedule work.

2. Outdated or Manual Methods

Still using rulers and PDF markups? You’re not alone. But manual takeoffs are slow and error-prone. Without tools like Bluebeam or PlanSwift, generating QTOs can eat up hours, delaying procurement and project kickoff.

3. Poor Drawing Quality

If architectural plans are unclear or inconsistent, estimators spend time clarifying details rather than moving the estimate forward. Missing dimensions or conflicting specs require time-consuming rework—and that’s why takeoffs are delaying your project start dates across trades.

4. Review Bottlenecks

Even a perfect takeoff can sit in limbo if there’s no process for internal or client review. If approvals are delayed, so is everything else: vendor orders, labor scheduling, and the start date itself.

5. Rework from Mistakes

Bad takeoffs mean wrong quantities. That means reordering materials mid-project, revising schedules, and submitting change orders. All of this stretches timelines—and adds unexpected costs.

What’s Included in a Complete Takeoff?

Quantity Takeoff (QTO)

• Area and volume calculations (e.g., square footage of flooring)

• Linear measurements for piping, drywall, etc.

• Unit counts for fixtures, panels, or assemblies

Material Takeoff (MTO)

• Itemized product types and grades

• Manufacturer details (if specified)

• Building code compliance and material substitutions

When done right, a takeoff becomes the blueprint for accurate procurement and scheduling. When done wrong—or late—it’s why takeoffs are delaying your project start dates week after week.

Who Suffers Most from Takeoff Delays?

General Contractors (GCs)

Late or incomplete takeoffs make it difficult to submit bids on time or lock in vendor pricing. That leads to lost jobs or reduced profit margins.

Trade Contractors

Electricians, roofers, plumbers, and HVAC contractors rely on fast takeoffs to order materials and plan labor. Any delay in estimating ripples into their ability to start or finish jobs on time.

Project Managers

Without an accurate takeoff, PMs can’t set a reliable schedule or coordinate with suppliers. This introduces chaos into an already complex pre-construction timeline.

The Real Cost of Takeoff Delays

Let’s be clear—this isn’t just about time. Here’s what you’re losing when takeoffs are late:

• Missed bidding windows

• Idle crews or subcontractors

• Late material deliveries

• Expired pricing

• Lower client confidence

That’s why takeoffs are delaying your project start dates in ways that hurt more than your calendar—they hurt your cash flow.

How Outsourcing Takeoffs Solves the Problem

At VASL, we specialize in takeoff and estimation services that help U.S. contractors save time, cut costs, and win more bids.

Our takeoff solutions include:

• 24–48 hour turnaround time

• Trade-specific estimators (e.g., electrical, roofing, HVAC)

• Digital takeoffs via Bluebeam, PlanSwift, and AutoCAD

• Deliverables in Excel, PDF, or your own template

• Integration with your preferred cost guides and vendor lists

By outsourcing to experts, you avoid costly errors and regain days or even weeks in your schedule.

Use Case: Takeoff Delays for a Roofing Subcontractor

Imagine you’re a roofer juggling three new project bids and two active sites. You don’t have time to create detailed takeoffs for every new job. If your takeoffs are delayed, so is your ability to order shingles, assign crews, or start on site.

With VASL, you send us the plans, and we:

• Identify all materials and quantities

• Format your takeoff for supplier pricing

• Deliver your takeoff within 48 hours

You submit the bid faster, win the job, and schedule your team without gaps.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve been wondering why takeoffs are delaying your project start dates, now you know the core issues—and how to fix them.

By outsourcing your QTOs and MTOs, you:

• Submit more accurate bids

• Avoid procurement delays

• Start jobs on schedule

• Keep your team moving

Whether you need one estimate a month or five a week, VASL provides reliable, fast, and trade-specific takeoffs that keep your pipeline flowing.

Reach out at saman@vasl.team
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Learn more: VASL Estimation Services