Measured takeoff
Flooring estimating software gives you a number. GridReader shows you the measurements behind it.
Most "flooring estimating software" leaves the measuring to you. You trace rooms by hand, scale the drawings, and type the quantities into a spreadsheet or pricing tool. GridReader measures every room from the drawing's own lines, checks each one against the area printed on the plan, and shows its work on the architect's drawing.
14-day trial · 20 pages · no card
What's the difference between a takeoff and an estimate?
A takeoff is the measured quantity of material a job needs, taken from the drawings: room by room, square foot by square foot. An estimate is a price built on top of those quantities. If the takeoff is wrong, every number after it is wrong too. GridReader starts with an accurate takeoff, then carries those same numbers into the quote, contract, and invoice.
Estimating vs measured takeoff at a glance
| Typical estimating workflow | GridReader measured takeoff | |
|---|---|---|
| Where quantities come from | Traced or scaled by hand, or typed in | Measured from the drawing's own lines |
| Repeated units | Counted and multiplied by hand | Measured once, multiplied by the unit table |
| Checking the numbers | Your own second pass, if there's time | Checked against the printed area on the plan, with anything off flagged and its source shown |
| Finishes per room | Matched by eye from the finish schedule | Read from the finish schedule or spec sheet, room by room |
| Seams and waste | A flat waste percentage | Cut plan on the actual roll width, with waste from the maker's data sheets |
| After the bid | Re-typed into a quoting, contract, and invoicing tool | One set of numbers from takeoff to quote, e-signed contract, and invoice |
| Scanned drawings | Usually measured by hand | Read too, with anything less certain marked first |
Why "measured, never estimated" matters on commercial and multi-family jobs
On a multi-family building, a mistake in one unit type is repeated across every unit of that type. A missed closet in a Type A unit across 36 units isn't one mistake, it's 36. GridReader measures each unit type once, multiplies it by the unit table, and checks the total against the plan, so you can bid the whole building knowing where the numbers came from.
Built by someone who measured by hand for 20 years
GridReader was built in Edmonton by Halil Tuna, a flooring installer with 20 years in the field. He started by measuring by hand and ended up paying for five separate subscriptions to measure, quote, invoice, schedule, and get paid. GridReader replaces them with one.
See the full five-tool stack comparison.
Frequently asked questions
Is GridReader flooring estimating software?
No. GridReader is flooring takeoff software: it measures every room from the blueprint's own lines instead of estimating, then builds your quote and invoice from those measured numbers.
How accurate is a GridReader takeoff?
Every room is checked against the area printed on the plan, and anything that doesn't match is flagged with the source it disagreed with, so you only review the rooms that need it.
Does GridReader work with scanned blueprints?
Yes. GridReader reads vector PDFs and scans, and marks anything it's less sure of so you can check it first.
Can I still price the job my own way?
Yes. Your products and rates go on every room, with supply and install, install only, supply only, or flat charges on any line.
Do I need separate software for quotes, contracts, and invoices?
No. The same measured numbers flow into the quote, the e-signed contract, change orders, progress invoices with holdback, and card or bank-debit payment.
Is GridReader built for Canadian flooring contractors?
Yes. It's built in Edmonton, quotes and invoices in CAD or USD, and splits GST, HST, PST, and QST on every invoice.
Stop scaling drawings at midnight.
Upload a set and see every room measured, on the real drawing.