Materials are one of the main cost components of a detailed estimate.
Basically, the cost of materials can be computed by multiplying the quantity required by its unit price. However, the process can present certain complications when factors such as waste, quantity discounts, and life cycle costing are considered. The term quantity take-off is commonly used in reference to the process of estimating material quantities. Historically, estimating material quantities has involved a manual process in which quantities are taken-off from project blueprints. Thus, the name quantity take-off.