How to count on a PDF
A count takeoff is how you tally the repeated items on a plan: receptacles, fixtures, diffusers, equipment, and the rest. Here is how to count them cleanly by type and get accurate subtotals for your bid.
Count takeoff, step by step
- Open the sheet. Go to the plan sheet with the items you need to count. Counting does not need the scale set, since you are tallying, not measuring.
- Pick the count tool. Choose the count tool and set a type or label for what you are tallying, such as duplex receptacle or supply diffuser.
- Click each item. Click each occurrence to drop a count marker. The subtotal for that type updates as you go, so you can see your tally build.
- Keep types separate. Use a separate count group for each type, so receptacles, fixtures, and equipment each roll up their own subtotal.
- Export. Send the counts to Excel or CSV, ready to price alongside your area and length quantities.
Tips for an accurate count
- Work legend by legend. Count one symbol type across the sheet before moving to the next, so you do not double-count.
- Use search to find symbols and schedules fast across the set.
- Cross-check against the schedule where the drawing lists expected quantities.
- Let AI help, in Pro. AI symbol detection, coming in the Pro app, finds and counts every instance of a symbol for you to review.
Count for your trade
Different trades count different things. See what to count for yours, from electrical devices to HVAC equipment and diffusers to plumbing fixtures, on the takeoff by trade page. Or see how to measure area and length.
Common questions
Do I need to set the scale to count?
No. Counting is tallying, not measuring, so it does not depend on the drawing's scale. You only need to set the scale for area and length measurements.
Can it count repeated symbols automatically?
In TRACEBUILD Lite you place counts by hand with the count tool. AI symbol detection, which finds and counts every instance of a symbol automatically, is coming in the Pro app.
Can I count by type?
Yes. Keep each type on its own count group so receptacles, fixtures, and equipment each roll up their own subtotal, and export cleanly to Excel.