Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Daniel Wal
Build a More Complete Drywall Takeoff from the First Pass
In short Drywall contractors deal with partitions, ceilings, openings, accessories, and renovation work. Arguably, their takeoff needs are more complicated than many other trades, lots of flipping between plans, details, elevations, and schedules. Add to the takeoff complexity, the estimator must account for all the materials and labor required to complete a build out.
Stop Missing Measurements in Complex Landscape Plans - Advanced Auto Takeoff for Concrete (Clone)
In short Landscape plans pack multiple takeoff challenges into one set of drawings: from plant counts and area calculations to linear edges, irrigation elements, and site furnishings. Takeoff BOOST™’s Expanded Auto Takeoff coverage helps organize these measurement types into one structured review, so you spend less time hunting for measurements and more time estimating the full scope with confidence.
Get Repetitive Flooring Scope Organized Before You Price - Advanced Auto Takeoff for Flooring
In short Flooring takeoff goes beyond floor area. Finish schedules, room types, wall base, transitions, thresholds, stairs, underlayment, and waterproofing all influence what gets priced and where the work starts and stops. Takeoff BOOST™ Auto Takeoff gives estimators a faster, more organized way to establish the initial measurement set for review. This feature is current in beta testing and will be available for all ConstructConnect Takeoff users soon.
Turn Complex Plans into a Faster First Takeoff - Advanced Auto Takeoff for Concrete
In short Concrete scope is spread across foundation plans, structural drawings, sections, details, civil sheets, and reinforcing documents. Takeoff BOOST™'s Expanded Auto Takeoff coverage helps concrete estimators bring more of that work into one organized first pass. Auto Takeoff gives estimators a faster, more organized way to establish the initial measurement set for review. This feature is current in beta testing and will be available for all ConstructConnect Takeoff users soon.
Stop Starting Elevation Takeoff from a Blank Page - Auto Takeoff for Exterior Elevations
In short Exterior elevation takeoff brings finish areas, openings, trim, coping, and joints together across a set of drawings. Estimators typically start a project by scouring a plan set and facing a blank Conditions list. Takeoff BOOST™ Auto Takeoff gives estimators a faster, more organized way to establish the initial measurement set for review. This feature is current in beta testing and will be available for all ConstructConnect Takeoff users soon.
AI-Powered Takeoff and Estimating Software: A Contractor's Guide to the Top Players in 2026
Construction estimating is changing fast. A new generation of AI-powered takeoff tools (software that measures quantities directly from digital plans) promises to cut hours of manual work down to minutes. But with dozens of vendors competing for your attention, it can be hard to tell which tools actually deliver, and which are mostly marketing. This guide covers nine of the most talked-about platforms in the market right now, including two from our own portfolio.
Finish Takeoffs Faster with PlanSwift® AI
In Short: Takeoff Boost™ added to PlanSwift and includes a new set of AI-powered features, so you can finish takeoffs faster and spend less time on job setup. Stop spending hours on manual takeoff: Run Auto Takeoff to generate a full page of takeoff in under a minute. Start with these takeoffs; review and refine as needed, you’re always in control.
What Would You Do with 36 Extra Hours Each Week?
In Short: Taking off construction plans manually is time-consuming and error-prone, forcing many estimators to work nights and weekends just to keep up. Manual takeoff is a hidden growth cap: it limits how many bids you can pursue and increases the risk of costly errors. AI-powered tools like On-Screen Takeoff® with Takeoff Boost™ can reduce takeoff time by up to 95%, freeing as much as 36 hours per week for higher-value work.
3 Ways ConstructConnect Speeds Up Bidding & Building
In short: ConstructConnect streamlines the entire construction workflow by integrating project discovery, takeoff, estimating, and project management into a single, connected platform. Access North America’s largest project network—over 825,000 active projects—and move instantly from identifying a lead to estimating, eliminating manual data transfers and setup time.
Explore the New ConstructConnect Help System
We're excited to introduce the new ConstructConnect help system! Designed to make finding answers easier and faster, this upgraded system is packed with tools to help you get the most out of our products. Whether you're looking for user guides, FAQs, training materials, or the latest news, this new update has everything you need in one place. Here's a tour of the key features that make this help system your go-to resource.
6 Ways to Supercharge Your Estimating Workflow using Takeoff Boost™
Takeoff Boost™, an AI-assisted feature of ConstructConnect’s On-Screen Takeoff®, helps streamline your takeoff process. It analyzes a plan and identifies building elements such as walls, areas, and count objects like plumbing fixtures and doors. In less than a minute, Takeoff Boost generates takeoff results for an entire page, significantly reducing time spent on initial tasks and giving you hours back in your day.
ConstructConnect Improves Takeoff Boost™ (Again)
On March 4, 2025, ConstructConnect updated its AI-powered tool, Takeoff Boost™, making it even better at handling construction takeoffs: More Accurate Wall Takeoff Takeoff Boost now draws takeoff to the center of the walls to match the plans. This is good news for walls and framing subcontractors! . Before the update After the update Reduced Areas Outside Buildings Sometimes, Takeoff Boost drew areas outside of buildings.
Finish Your Estimating up to Ten Times Faster using Typical Takeoff
When it comes to construction estimating, time is money. The faster you can get your takeoffs and cost estimates out the door, the greater your chances are of winning more bids. ConstructConnect's On-Screen Takeoff® digital takeoff and estimating software includes several time-saving tools, including workflows that can simplify some of your more repetitive tasks. Our Typical Takeoff features can measure, count, or copy repeated items in your plans.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Daniel
Contact Daniel, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack