How to do a quantity takeoff from a PDF plan
A reliable takeoff from a PDF comes down to four steps — provided you get the scale right, which is the number-one source of error.
Step 1 — Import the plan
Upload the PDF (or an image of the plan). A vector PDF exported from CAD gives the best results; a scan also works but is less precise on very small dimensions.
Step 2 — Confirm the scale
This is the critical step. FloorScan detects the scale automatically (vector dimensions, declared scale), and if confidence is low it asks for one reference: two points on a known dimension, or the total area. A scale that is 4% off skews the area by 8%.
Step 3 — Detect and review
The AI detects walls, doors, windows and rooms and computes surfaces. Review: add a missing door, fix a mis-split room in the mask editor. Five minutes of review prevent quantity errors.
Step 4 — Export the takeoff
Export to Excel for pricing, DXF (layers) for CAD, or PDF for the report. Surfaces, opening counts and linear metres are ready to feed your quote or bill of quantities.
Pitfalls to avoid
Never trust an unverified scale on a "not to scale" sheet. Beware multi-view sheets (the section may be at a different scale). And remember a takeoff reflects the plan, not necessarily the real as-built.
Import, verified scale, reviewed detection, export: a reliable PDF takeoff is fast when the scale is under control. That is exactly what FloorScan automates, flagging the doubtful cases.