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How TakeoffBOT Compares

AI-Assisted Takeoff Tools for Millwork, Casework, Cabinetry and Joinery

A practical comparison for estimators

By TakeoffBot.ai Last updated January 26, 2026

Takeoff Landscape Overview

Click any tool to expand their strenghts and weaknesses.

1

TakeoffBot.ai

Made for Millwork
High AI

Best for

Commercial millwork, casework, multi-family cabinetry, and joinery packages where the important product information is in elevation.

Strengths

  • Purpose-built for Division 06 workflows with large product volumes
  • Organizes and pre-tags scope during PDF upload
  • Supercharges your estimator's productivity
  • Replaces your legacy PDF reader
  • Based on AWI & AWMAC catalogues

Limitations to expect

  • Estimators need to review and edit the output
  • Custom products need manual detection
  • Low quality drawings can reduce detection accuracy

14 day free trial

Region note: North America terminology is native. Teams bidding UK or Australia joinery packages should confirm classification mapping and metric handling during the trial.

Stack tip: Use it to draft scope, then validate high-risk sheets in Bluebeam, then export to Excel for pricing.

2

Bluebeam Revu

Traditional tool for PDF markup, measurement, revision comparison, collaboration
Medium AI

Best for

Markup, measurement, revision comparison, and document control on PDF drawing sets.

Strengths

  • Reliable for measurement and annotation across trades.
  • VisualSearch helps find repeating symbols or objects. Auto Align helps compare revisions faster.
  • Works across regions because it is PDF-centric.

Limitations to expect

  • Not millwork-specific. It will not understand that one schedule row drives multiple elevations.
  • Pattern search helps, but you still do manual scope interpretation and grouping.

Trial policy

14-day free trial.

Region note: A safe default tool across the USA, Canada, UK, and Australia.

Stack tip: Pair Bluebeam with an AI scope assistant, and keep Bluebeam as your validation and revision-control layer.

3

Togal.AI

AI detection of building elements in plan view for pricing in Excel
High AI

Best for

Teams looking for AI detection and labeling to reduce manual clicks on repetitive scopes.

Strengths

  • AI detection can speed up takeoffs when drawings are consistent and elements repeat.
  • Cloud collaboration can help multi-estimator teams.

Limitations to expect

  • Not focused on Division 06. Cabinetry and joinery details plus schedules may still require manual work.
  • You must review outputs carefully before pricing.

Trial policy

14-day free trial.

Region note: Works across regions, but validate symbol libraries and units for UK and Australia packages.

Stack tip: Use AI detection to accelerate measurement, then use a Division 06 checklist so schedule-driven scope is not missed.

4

Autodesk Takeoff

2D & 3D quantity Takeoff tool for users in the Autodesk ecosystem
Medium AI

Best for

Companies already standardized on Autodesk ACC who want integrated 2D takeoffs and 3D quantity workflows.

Strengths

  • Unified environment for takeoff packages and quantities.
  • Useful when project data is already organized in Autodesk ACC.

Limitations to expect

  • Not a Division 06 specialist. Cabinetry and joinery interpretation remains manual.
  • Works best when project organization and naming are disciplined.

Trial policy

30-day free trial.

Region note: A strong choice for enterprise teams globally. Fit is often driven by existing Autodesk adoption.

Stack tip: Add a Division 06 layer such as a checklist or AI scope assistant so schedules and elevations are not missed.

5

STACK

Cloud based takeoff and estimating workflows for general contractors
Medium AI

Best for

Shops that want cloud takeoff and estimating in one place with templates and collaboration.

Strengths

  • End-to-end bid workflow in a single platform.
  • Good for standard estimating processes with repeatable templates.

Limitations to expect

  • Cabinetry and millwork often require deeper customization to match how your shop prices.
  • Template upkeep is part of the cost.

Trial policy

Free plan with project-based limits.

Region note: Common in North America. Teams outside North America should confirm regional reporting expectations.

Stack tip: Works well if you commit to templates. Pair with a scope discovery step so you are not templating the wrong scope.

6

PlanSwift

Desktop based manual takeoff and estimating
Low AI

Best for

Estimators who prefer desktop workflows and are willing to invest in assemblies and templates.

Strengths

  • Powerful customization via assemblies, formulas, and Excel integration.
  • Can be very fast once templates are mature.

Limitations to expect

  • Setup cost is real. Bespoke cabinetry and joinery can require significant template work.
  • Collaboration is more manual than cloud-first tools.

Trial policy

14-day free trial.

Region note: Popular in the USA and present in the UK market. Confirm metric workflows and library structure if you are UK-based.

Stack tip: Use PlanSwift for measurement and assemblies, and keep a separate process for schedule-driven scope checks.

7

On-Screen Takeoff (OST)

Desktop based takeoff software for manual quantity measurement
Medium AI

Best for

Larger teams needing a standardized takeoff process and integrated estimating workflow.

Strengths

  • Structured workflow can scale across multiple estimators.
  • Often paired with AI-assisted modules to accelerate repetitive tasks.

Limitations to expect

  • Trade specialization varies by configuration. Division 06 still depends on your setup.
  • May be heavier than needed for smaller shops.

Trial policy

14-day free trial.

Region note: Strong presence in North America. Other regions should confirm local support and reporting needs.

Stack tip: If you adopt OST, codify a Division 06 checklist so you do not rely on generic takeoff categories for cabinetry scope.

8

RIB CostX

QS style 2D and 3D takeoff with live-linked estimating workbooks
Medium AI

Best for

Quantity surveyors and estimating teams who need strong takeoff plus estimating workbooks and professional reporting.

Strengths

  • 2D and 3D takeoff plus live-linked estimating workbooks.
  • Strong fit for QS-style outputs and BOQ-oriented workflows.

Limitations to expect

  • Less trade-specific. You still need a joinery scope interpretation layer.
  • May feel heavyweight if you only need fast Division 06 exports to Excel.

Trial policy

Demo-led evaluation (no self-serve trial period).

Region note: Often seen in the UK and Australia where report quality and audit trail are critical.

Stack tip: Use CostX for structured reporting and ensure schedules and elevations are explicitly checked for joinery scope.

9

Cubit Estimating

Low AI

Best for

Quantity takeoff and estimating software for complex projects with strong BIM integration

Strengths

  • Integrated estimating and takeoff can reduce tool switching.
  • Good fit for metric-first workflows and local market familiarity.

Limitations to expect

  • Not inherently AI millwork. Cabinetry and joinery interpretation remains on the estimator.
  • Template and price list upkeep still matters.

Trial policy

14-day free trial.

Region note: Strong Australian presence. Confirm fit if you are outside Australia or need North American style deliverables.

Stack tip: If you price in Excel, validate exports early. If you report like a QS, test BOQ outputs.

Recommended stacks by shop type

These are common combinations that work well in the field.

Small shop, part time estimator

Tools
  • Use Bluebeam for markup and measurement
  • Use Excel for pricing

Mid-size team, 3-10 estimators

Tools
  • Use TakeoffBOT for prequalification and scope discovery
  • Use TakeoffBOT for pricing and export to AutoCAD, or your preferred cabinet design software

UK and Australia workflows (reporting-heavy)

Tools
  • Use TakeoffBOT for prequalification and scope discovery
  • Use TakeoffBOT for pricing and export to your ERP

A practical workflow that works in most shops

If you want a low-risk upgrade path, keep your current workflow and add AI where it saves the most time.

  1. Use AI to draft scope across the whole PDF set including schedules.
  2. Validate the high-risk sheets first. Finish schedules, elevations, typical details, addenda.
  3. Use Bluebeam for markups, measurements, and revision comparisons.
  4. Export a traceable quantity list to Excel for pricing rules, alternates, and allowances.
  5. Baseline your revision, then treat addenda as a delta workflow.

The future of AI in millwork estimating

  • Tighter links between takeoff outputs and ERP or CNC workflows. Less re-keying, fewer handoffs.
  • More schedule-aware takeoffs. Tools that treat schedules as first-class inputs.
  • Better revision intelligence. Faster what-changed summaries for specialty scopes.

FAQ

What is AI-assisted takeoff software?

AI-assisted takeoff uses machine learning to find, label, or pre-measure items on drawings. It produces a draft takeoff that an estimator reviews before pricing.

Is AI takeoff accurate enough for millwork and cabinetry?

It can be accurate for first-pass scope discovery, but you should always review outputs. Millwork and joinery rely on schedules, notes, and bespoke details that still need human interpretation.

Will AI replace estimators?

No. The practical value is speed and consistency. AI reduces scope hunting time so estimators can focus on pricing, risk, and constructability.

What should exports include?

At minimum, item name, quantity, unit, and a location reference such as sheet, detail, or schedule. Traceable exports reduce rework and make addenda updates faster.

How should I test tools quickly?

Use one real past job. Time two tasks only: scope discovery and revision handling.

Do these tools work in the UK and Australia?

Yes, but validate terminology, units, and reporting expectations. QS-style reports differ from trade quantity lists.

What does ROM mean in estimating?

ROM means rough order of magnitude. It is an early budget estimate used for go or no-go decisions before full pricing.

About the author

Tom Morin is a commercial millwork estimator and co-founder of TakeoffBot.ai. He has priced Division 06 packages for public and private projects and focuses on workflows that keep estimator judgment in control.

Product pages referenced

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