Quantity takeoff
Measured quantities organized by the agreed trade and system. Your team supplies or confirms pricing, production rates and final markups. Specify any drawing markups and workbook format you need.
Review quantity takeoff scope →Commercial Ductwork Takeoff & Sheet Metal Estimating Services
Granular HVAC sheet metal takeoffs, galvanized duct poundage summaries, spiral ducting, fitting counts, and fabrication labor calculations for commercial mechanical and ventilation contractors nationwide.
Project-based estimating fees. Confirm scope, fee and delivery after document review.
Send your bid documents
Request a ductwork estimate
Tell us the project location, trade scope and whether you need quantities only or a priced estimate. Add your bid deadline if you have one.
Useful documents for a scope review
- Duct plans, sections and air-device schedules
- Duct construction, material, insulation and liner specifications
- Fitting details, equipment connections and current addenda
Upload the available set, or include a shared drawings link in your message. Note missing documents and any items you want excluded.
What happens next?
We review the available documents and clarify the requested package. The proposal establishes deliverables, fee, revision scope and delivery milestones before estimating work starts.
Review estimating fees and scope questions or call (317) 751-5969.
Prepare a bid you can review
Ductwork Takeoff Package: What to Request
For sheet metal contractors and duct fabricators pricing a bid, the useful output is a traceable schedule your team can price and check. Specify the measurement basis your shop needs and keep straight duct, fittings and accessories separate before applying fabrication or installation inputs.
| Package | Quantity breakdown | Check before pricing |
|---|---|---|
| Straight duct | Length and dimensions by shape, material and system | Construction/pressure class and any area or weight conversion basis |
| Fittings and transitions | Elbows, offsets, reducers and transitions by type | Shop fabrication scope, connection method and separate allowances |
| Devices and insulation | Dampers, grilles, diffusers, liner and wrap | Purchased accessories, access doors, supports and testing boundaries |
A scope gap to check
Square feet of duct surface do not establish weight without the specified material and thickness. A length-only schedule also needs fitting and accessory scope before fabrication pricing.
Need material quantities for your own pricing? Choose a quantity-only takeoff. Need labor and cost inputs assembled with quantities? Review priced bid estimating. Identify the intended package in your enquiry so the proposal covers the work you need.
Ductwork measurement and unit guide → · Fees and revision scope · Send your project documents
Sheet Metal Fabrication Specialization
Detailed Duct Takeoffs for Mechanical Contractors
Sheet metal bidding requires exact weight calculations, fitting geometry factors, and clear separation between shop fabrication hours and field erection labor. JLG Estimating delivers digital takeoffs that translate architectural and mechanical blueprints into actionable sheet metal work orders.
We quantify supply air, return air, outside air, relief air, and exhaust duct networks. Every takeoff accounts for gauge transitions, unistrut hanger spacing, transverse joint connections (TDF/TDC, S&D), acoustic liner, and fire/smoke life-safety dampers.
Duct Poundage by Gauge
Detailed poundage takeoffs organized strictly by sheet metal gauge and pressure class:
- Rectangular galvanized ducting (18ga, 20ga, 22ga, 24ga, 26ga)
- Round spiral lockseam ductwork & flat oval ducting
- Low-pressure, medium-pressure & high-pressure systems
- Stainless steel & aluminum specialty exhaust ducting
Fittings & Transitions
Fitting counts digitized individually with appropriate fabrication complexity weighting:
- Radius elbows with turning vanes & square throat elbows
- Transitions, square-to-round adapters & offsets
- Conical taps, shoe taps, spin-ins with volume dampers
- End caps, access doors, flexible duct connectors
Insulation & Life Safety
Quantification of thermal performance, acoustic lining, and building code dampers:
- Internal acoustic fiberglass liner (1-inch and 2-inch thickness)
- External fiberglass duct wrap with FSK vapor barrier
- Dynamic fire dampers & motorized smoke dampers
- Trapeze unistrut hangers, threaded rod & seismic cables
Ductwork Estimating Deliverables
Structured Ductwork Takeoff Output Formats
Every ductwork takeoff is structured so your fabrication shop and field superintendents can immediately verify quantities.
| Duct Category | Unit of Measurement | Specification Standard | Excel Workbook Grouping |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rectangular Galvanized | Pounds (Lbs) & Sq. Footage | 2-in to 4-in w.g. Pressure Class | Tab 1: Rectangular Supply, Return, Exhaust |
| Round Spiral Lockseam | Linear Feet by Diameter | Single Wall & Double Wall Acoustic | Tab 2: Spiral Mains & Branch Runouts |
| Fittings & Transitions | Itemized Unit Piece Counts | TDC/TDF Flanged & Slip/Drive | Tab 3: Elbows, Transitions, Taps, Caps |
| Duct Liner & Wrap | Square Feet (Gross & Net) | 1-in / 1.5-in / 2-in FSK & Neoprene | Tab 4: Thermal & Acoustic Insulation |
| Air Devices (Diffusers/Grilles) | Itemized Unit Counts | Lay-In & Hard Ceiling Integration | Tab 5: Air Distribution Terminal Devices |
| Fire & Smoke Dampers | Unit Counts by Dimension | UL Rated 1.5 & 3-Hour Assemblies | Tab 6: Life Safety Accessories |
Technical Standards
SMACNA Standards & Pressure Class Takeoff Methodology
Accurate commercial sheet metal takeoff cannot rely on generic duct surface area. Sheet metal poundage and fabrication labor are directly governed by the specified static pressure classification and SMACNA gauge selection tables. We evaluate engineering specifications to align your takeoff with real fabrication costs:
1. Pressure Classes & Gauge Thickness
Low-pressure downstream ductwork (1/2-inch to 2-inch water gauge) typically utilizes 24-gauge or 26-gauge galvanized steel with slip-and-drive connections. Medium to high-pressure primary supply mains (3-inch to 6-inch water gauge) require heavier 20-gauge or 18-gauge sheet metal with reinforced TDC/TDF transverse flanging to resist deflection. We segregate poundage by pressure rating.
2. Fitting Complexity & Scrap Factors
Straight coil-line ductwork carries a much lower fabrication labor rate than multi-plane transitions, offset transitions, and radius elbows with turning vanes. Our takeoffs isolate straight duct footage from custom hand-laid fittings, applying realistic metal scrap allowances so your raw material procurement is exact.
3. Specialty Exhaust: Welded Grease & Fume Ducts
Kitchen grease and specialty exhaust systems are measured from their specified materials, construction details and approved system requirements. Cleanouts, access doors, joints and any fire-resistance enclosure or wrap are scheduled as documented. Gauge, access spacing and enclosure assemblies are project-specific requirements to confirm with the design team, not blanket takeoff assumptions.
Labor Separation
Shop Fabrication vs. Field Installation Demarcation
Estimating sheet metal requires clear separation between shop hours and field erection hours to properly apply shop burden vs jobsite labor crew rates:
Shop Labor Operations
Coil line decoiling, plasma cutting, longitudinal Pittsburgh lock forming, TDC roll forming, turning vane cutting, acoustic liner pinning, and sealant application. We provide clean poundage and fitting counts ready for your shop productivity factors.
Field Erection Labor Factors
Trapeze unistrut hanger installation, upper attachment concrete anchors, high-bay scissor lift handling, joint gasketing, damper installation, and acoustic flexible duct connections to terminal diffusers.
Duct Air Leakage Testing (DALT)
Project drawings or specifications may call for duct leakage testing or identify a leakage class for particular sections. A takeoff can note those requirements from the supplied documents; testing, engineering, and compliance certification are outside estimating scope.
Need Mechanical Equipment Included?
If your bid package includes rooftop air handlers, VRF condensers, chillers, or exhaust fans, review our complete commercial HVAC estimating services for full mechanical equipment coordination.
Explore HVAC Estimating →Need Turnkey Bid Assembly?
Ensure your ductwork bid includes customized labor burden hours and a clear scope letter protecting against plan discrepancies. Explore our commercial bid estimating services.
Explore Bid Estimating →State-Specific Preconstruction
Priority Regional Ductwork Takeoff Services
SMACNA sheet metal poundage, fabrication linear footages, and life safety damper takeoffs.
Texas Ductwork Takeoff Services
SMACNA galvanized duct poundage, spiral duct for creative tech spaces, welded grease duct, and IECC 2021 air leakage testing.
Texas Ductwork Scope →Florida Ductwork Takeoff Services
Coastal aluminum and 316 stainless ductwork, vapor-sealed FSK insulation, and Miami-Dade NOA hurricane wind dampers.
Florida Ductwork Scope →Sheet Metal Preconstruction
Ductwork Drawing Intake & Deliverables Architecture
Precision sheet metal takeoffs require granular weight calculations, fitting geometry factors, and clear separation between shop fabrication hours and field erection labor.
Sheet Metal Drawing Intake Checklist
- ✓M-Series Ductwork Plan Sheets (PDF): Low-pressure supply, return, exhaust, outside air, and relief duct layouts with elevation details.
- ✓Reflected Ceiling Plans (RCP): Ceiling grid alignments, diffuser coordination, light fixture clearances, and structural beam drops.
- ✓SMACNA Construction Standards & Specs: Pressure classes (1/2" to 10" w.g.), gauge schedules (18ga to 26ga), and longitudinal/transverse seam specifications.
- ✓Air Device & Damper Schedules: Diffusers, grilles, registers, fire dampers, combination fire/smoke dampers, and VAV terminal units.
Deliverable Package Architecture
Delivered in unlocked Microsoft Excel workbooks and color-coded Bluebeam Revu markups. Explore our Estimating Methodology and Sample Deliverables Guide:
- Tab 1 — Sheet Metal Weight Summary: Total poundage categorized by gauge (18ga to 26ga) and material (galvanized, stainless, aluminum).
- Tab 2 — Rectangular Duct & Fittings: Straight duct LF, elbows, transitions, offsets, and square-to-round adapters.
- Tab 3 — Spiral & Oval Ducting: Spiral pipe footage, gore elbows, conical tees, saddle taps, and couplings.
- Tab 4 — Air Distribution Specialties: VAV terminal boxes, sound attenuators, fire dampers, and dynamic actuators.
- Tab 5 — Acoustic Lining: Internal fiberglass duct liner square footage categorized by 1" and 2" thickness.
- Tab 6 — Shop vs. Field Labor: Separate shop fabrication hours (shearing, forming, seaming) and field erection labor.
Trade Interconnects
Related Mechanical & Preconstruction Services
Combine sheet metal takeoffs with coordinated equipment, piping, and buyout solutions:
Commercial HVAC
Rooftop units, air handling units, chillers, and complete mechanical equipment schedules.
Mechanical Piping
Central plant hydronic loops, dual-temperature piping, and weld-inch counts.
Quantity Takeoffs
Unlocked Excel bill of quantities and Bluebeam markup layers for shop buyout.
Bid Estimating
Bid-day vendor quote leveling, recap summaries, and tender proposal letters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions regarding our commercial ductwork takeoff services.
Choose your estimating scope
Quantity Takeoff or Priced Estimate?
The right package depends on who will price the quantities and prepare the final bid. Confirm the included work in your project proposal.
Ductwork scope to confirm before pricing
- Identify duct material, dimensions, construction/pressure class and whether quantities are needed by area, length or weight.
- Separate fittings, air devices, supports, liner, wrap and dampers from straight duct quantities.
- Confirm purchased duct versus shop fabrication, the required shop/field labor split and project-specific testing scope.
Need to review the output first? See the takeoff workbook fields and deliverables and estimating methodology, then send your project details.