March 5, 2025
Let’s be honest, mate - timber takeoffs are about as exciting as watching grass grow. Builders and chippies get into the game to build things, not spend hours measuring, calculating, and cross-referencing span tables like they’re sitting an HSC maths exam.
Every minute spent buried in paperwork is a minute you could be on-site, getting the job done. The worst part? One small mistake and you’ve either over-ordered timber (money down the drain) or under-ordered (delays and headaches). There has to be a better way, right? That’s where TimberTec steps in - the smart way to get takeoffs done without the hassle. Let’s break it down.
The Problem with Manual Takeoffs
Time Wasted on the Wrong Stuff
You wake up ready to smash through a build, but instead, you’re stuck in the shed with a calculator and a pile of plans. You spend hours measuring, tallying up beam lengths, and flipping between AS 1684 span tables, second-guessing yourself. Meanwhile, your crew is already cracking on with the job while you’re stuck in ‘admin mode’.
Errors Cost You Big Time
It’s easy to slip up. Maybe you miscount a stud, underestimate a beam span, or forget to factor in wastage. One small error and suddenly:
- You’re short on timber, and now everything’s delayed while you wait for another delivery.
- You’ve over-ordered, and now you’ve got a pile of timber sitting there unused (aka wasted money).
Read more: 5 Common Mistakes to Avoid in Manual Material Takeoffs
The Manual Process—Why Are We Still Doing This?
Step 1: Print the Plans (Or Struggle with a Tiny Screen)
If you don’t have an A1 printer, enjoy the trip to the print shop. Or, if you’re going digital, get ready to squint at measurements on your screen.
Step 2: Grab the Ruler and Highlighter
Now you’re sitting there with a straight edge, marking up every stud, joist, and beam. A coffee break sounds good right about now.
Step 3: Cross-Reference Span Tables
Welcome to the most mind-numbing part of the process—flipping back and forth between AS 1684 span tables, checking if your numbers stack up.
Step 4: Double-Check, Triple-Check, Pray You Got It Right
Before you send off your order, you go over everything again because, deep down, you don’t trust yourself. And honestly? Who would?
Related: How TimberTec Can Save Builders Time on Material Estimation
Enter TimberTec—A Better Way to Get It Done
Step 1: Upload Your Plans
No printing. No rulers. Just upload your pdf plans to TimberTec and let the system do the hard work.
Step 2: Click a Button
The software automatically reads your plans, applies the correct span tables based on your engineering, and calculates your timber beams and lintels—faster and more accurately than any manual method.
Step 3: Get an Instant Takeoff Report
Within minutes, you’ve got a full materials list ready to go—no errors, no wasted time, and no stress, that can be saves and flicked across to a supplier or builder.
External Resource: How Automation Improves Accuracy in Construction
What You Get with TimberTec
- Saves Time: Cut your takeoff process down by 80%.
- No More Errors: AI means no more dodgy calculations.
- Reduced Waste: Order exactly what you need, no more, no less.
- More Builds Completed: Spend time on-site, not behind a desk.
Read more: Real Deal for Aussie Chippies and Builders
Questions & Answers
Q1: How much faster is TimberTec compared to doing it manually?
A: A job that normally takes 3-4 hours can be done in minutes—no joke.
Q2: Is TimberTec easy to use?
A: Too easy. If you can upload a file, you can use TimberTec.
Q3: Does TimberTec work for all timber frame projects?
A: Yep—whether it’s a single-story house, a reno, or a multi-unit project, TimberTec handles it all.
Conclusion
Ditch the Ruler—It’s Time for TimberTec
If you’re still doing timber takeoffs manually, you’re wasting time, money, and energy. You’re better off on the tools, building homes, not stuck in the office crunching numbers.
TimberTec takes the boring, frustrating parts of timber estimation and does them for you—faster, smarter, and without the risk of costly errors. Want to spend more time on-site and less time doing paperwork? Give TimberTec a go and get back to what you do best—building bloody good Aussie homes.
Embrace the Tech with TimberTec.