Quantity Take-Off and Bill of Quantities Preparation (CM-060) Training Course

Quantity Take-Off and Bill of Quantities Preparation

Accurate measurement of quantities is the foundation of construction cost estimating, tendering, cost control and payment. Errors in take-off lead to underpriced tenders…

5 daysClassroom or online

49Upcoming dates

12Cities

£2,250Fees from

Course overview

Introduction

Accurate measurement of quantities is the foundation of construction cost estimating, tendering, cost control and payment. Errors in take-off lead to underpriced tenders, overpayments, disputes over variations and unreliable budgets. Bills of quantities, when prepared well, give all tenderers a common basis for pricing and make valuation of changes far easier.

This Quantity Take-Off and Bill of Quantities Preparation training course teaches participants how to measure construction work systematically and prepare clear, well-structured bills. Participants learn about measurement principles and standard methods, reading drawings and specifications, measuring substructure, frame, envelope, finishes and services, using digital take-off tools and building information models, and writing item descriptions and preambles.

The course is practical throughout, with participants measuring real-world style drawings and building a bill for a sample project.

Course Objectives

By the end of this training course, participants will be able to:

Explain the purpose of quantity take-off and bills of quantities
Apply standard measurement principles and rules
Read and interpret construction drawings and specifications
Measure substructure, frame and envelope elements accurately
Measure finishes, fittings and building services
Use digital take-off tools and model-based quantities
Write clear item descriptions, preliminaries and preambles
Check bills for accuracy, completeness and consistency

Target Audience

This training course is suitable for a wide range of professionals, including:

Quantity surveyors and trainee quantity surveyors
Cost estimators
Contractors' tendering staff
Cost consultants
Engineers moving into commercial roles
Procurement staff in construction

Training Methodology

The course is hands-on. Participants measure from drawings for a sample building, starting with substructure and working through to finishes and services, using both manual and digital techniques. They then compile and check a bill of quantities, receiving feedback on accuracy and presentation.

Target Competencies

Drawing interpretation
Measurement accuracy
Standard method application
Digital take-off
Bill compilation
Quantity checking

Course outline

1Day One: Measurement Principles

Role of quantities in estimating, tendering and cost control
Bills of quantities and alternative pricing documents
Standard methods of measurement in overview
Units of measurement, rounding and conventions
Reading drawings, scales and specifications
Organising take-off with dimension sheets and spreadsheets
Exercise: interpreting drawings for a sample project

2Day Two: Substructure and Frame

Measuring excavation, disposal and earthworks
Measuring foundations and ground slabs
Measuring concrete, formwork and reinforcement
Measuring structural steelwork and connections
Measuring masonry walls and openings
Dealing with incomplete or unclear information
Workshop: measuring substructure and frame

3Day Three: Envelope, Finishes and Fittings

Measuring roofs and roof coverings
Measuring windows, doors and cladding
Measuring internal partitions and ceilings
Measuring floor, wall and ceiling finishes
Measuring fittings, furnishings and equipment
Measuring external works and landscaping
Exercise: measuring envelope and finishes

4Day Four: Services and Digital Take-Off

Measuring mechanical services installations
Measuring electrical services installations
Provisional sums, prime cost and contingencies
Digital take-off software and on-screen measurement
Extracting quantities from building information models
Validating model quantities against drawings
Workshop: digital take-off of a floor plan

5Day Five: Bill Preparation and Checking

Structuring a bill by element or work section
Writing clear and consistent item descriptions
Preliminaries, preambles and general conditions
Checking quantities for errors and omissions
Using bills for valuing variations and payments
Final bill compilation exercise with feedback
Personal action plan for measurement skills

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Quantity Take-Off and Bill of Quantities Preparation course?

The course runs over 5 days of classroom training, usually Monday to Friday.

When is the next Quantity Take-Off and Bill of Quantities Preparation course?

The next public date is 7 - 11 Dec 2026 in London. There are 49 upcoming dates in total.

Where is this course held?

Upcoming sessions run in London, Barcelona, Frankfurt, Cape Town, Dubai, Geneva, Istanbul, Kuala Lumpur, Munich, Paris, Vienna, Amsterdam.

Can I take Quantity Take-Off and Bill of Quantities Preparation online?

Yes. Every date can also be joined live online in a virtual classroom with the trainer, for £1,280 per participant. Choose "Live online" in the dates table when you register.

How much does the course cost?

Fees start from £2,250 per delegate, depending on the city. Fees include tuition and course materials.

Do participants receive a certificate?

Yes. Delegates who complete the course receive a London Leadership Management Innovation certificate of completion.

Can this course be delivered in-house for our team?

Yes. LLMI can tailor and deliver this course privately for your organisation at your premises or in one of our training cities.

Course information last updated 14 November 2026.

Quantity Take-Off and Bill of Quantities Preparation

Course overview

Introduction

Course Objectives

Target Audience

Training Methodology

Target Competencies

Course outline

Dates and fees

Frequently asked questions

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