Material Takeoff (MTO): Calculating exact quantities of materials needed from drawings.
Complete Example: 1-Storey Building
Building: 10m × 8m × 3m height | Walls: 230mm brick
| Item | Calculation | Quantity | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Excavation (1.5m deep) | (10+2)×(8+2)×1.5 | 180 | m³ |
| RCC Foundation | (10+8)×2×1×0.6 | 21.6 | m³ |
| Brick Masonry | 36m perimeter × 3m × 0.23m thick | 24.84 m³ | ≈11,400 bricks |
| Plaster (10mm) | Perimeter × height × 0.01 | 10.8 | m³ |
| Flooring | 10 × 8 | 80 | m² |
Wastage Allowances (Critical!)
• Cement: 5% (lumpiness, spillage)
• Bricks: 8-10% (breakage, cutting)
• Sand: 5% (settling, loss)
• Aggregates: 3% (dust, separation)
• Steel: 10% (cutting, waste)
• Tiles: 5-8% (breakage, cutting)
MTO Best Practices:
- Always refer to detailed drawings, never assume
- Always add wastage percentages
- Use consistent units throughout
- Double-check all calculations
- Document assumptions clearly
