SCI_Design Posted February 11, 2022 Share Posted February 11, 2022 Does anyone out there actually use the materials list to estimate their takeoffs? And if so, are you able to get an accurate estimate that makes it worth your time to use rather than doing by hand? Just seems to be real finnicky but if in the long run can save us time and money then it will be worth it to us to invest more time into materials list training. Thanks in advance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robdyck Posted February 11, 2022 Share Posted February 11, 2022 I have a few customers that use them. As for accuracy...it's simply input - output. Chief's material list is as accurate as the model I create. Is it finnicky? Yeah, it's playing with spreadsheets...everyone's favorite!! A soul sucking way to spend your time, but it is a great tool that in the right hands can be very powerful, and get's better and simpler the more you use it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCI_Design Posted February 11, 2022 Author Share Posted February 11, 2022 Is there ways you have had to adjust when creating your model from the start, that you may have not had to worry about before the materials list was a function? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lbuttery Posted February 12, 2022 Share Posted February 12, 2022 I hear that Planswift makes a good companion for Chief https://www.planswift.com/ Lew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrisb222 Posted February 12, 2022 Share Posted February 12, 2022 15 hours ago, SCI_Design said: Is there ways you have had to adjust when creating your model from the start, that you may have not had to worry about before the materials list was a function? Chief is set up with a generic 4'x8' drywall material out of the box. I made different types of drywall materials for use on specialized wall types: 54" 12' for 9'H walls, 48" 12' for 8'H and garage walls, and 4'x12'x5/8" for ceilings (the thickness is set in the room structure but the material has 5/8" in the name so it lists separately from 1/2"). Also have a special interior wall type that has 54" on one side and 48" on the other, for the house-garage common walls, and two standard exterior walls, one with 54" for main floor exterior walls and one with 48" for garage and second floor exterior walls. A generic "drywall" material is useless in the material list, if the plan calls for different types of drywall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joey_martin Posted February 12, 2022 Share Posted February 12, 2022 My builders use the ML all the time, especially for roofing, siding, flooring and trim, paint, drywall..... The framing can be tricky, but the local lumber yard they use will do that take off for ordering anyway, everything else they order from the list and add a % for waste. It is very accurate, as long as your model is accurate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robdyck Posted February 12, 2022 Share Posted February 12, 2022 2 minutes ago, joey_martin said: My builders use the ML all the time, especially for roofing, siding, flooring and trim, paint, drywall..... The framing can be tricky, My customers want the exact opposite! Fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joey_martin Posted February 12, 2022 Share Posted February 12, 2022 1 minute ago, robdyck said: My customers want the exact opposite! Fun. I think it's because my local guys all use the same local lumber yard and he doesn't trust anyone or anything but himself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robdyck Posted February 12, 2022 Share Posted February 12, 2022 Around here, builders do hardly any take-offs. Almost all contractors do supply-install and material suppliers do their own take-offs as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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