Need help creating custom formulas for takeoff

General
1

so im currently creating many recipes for formulas/materials we implement into our homes. for the majority Ive been able to do so but I am stuck on a few that im not sure can be implemented into the plus spec takeoff feature.

1.) rafters, joist, beams, and LVL sizes
most of all of these are ordered in increments of 3’ so the smallest we can order is only 6’ long and the largest is 33’. is there a way i can set up plus spec so it can tell me to the nearest size what needs to be ordered? i dont have the “advanced framing” option under general to do this for some reason.

2.) framing labor draw
okay this one might be very complex so i dont blame plus spec if its not able to do this. ill attach an image to illustrate what im talking about but basically to some it up we have two draws from framing labor and these two different draws are charged differently based on two important factors which are the heated square feet of the house and if the house will be trussed or stick. is there any way I can do this through a recipe?
Screenshot 2025-08-19 144802

3.) roof labor
again this can also be complex because or roofers charges differently based on the different pitches a roof can have. see image attached

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4.) brick angle irons/lintels
i believe this should be an easy one just can seem to find the way to format it within the takeoff. our angle irons are also ordered in specific sizes but are influenced by the overall width of the window plus 1 foot times 12 inches. this would give us what lintel size we will need for any opening on a brick wall whether that be doors, windows or garage doors. see image below for formula and table of the sizes we are accustom to order

Screenshot 2025-08-19 145613
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okay these last 4 ill be honest are very very complex so again I wouldn’t be surprised if its not possible to do an takeoff on these but here we go

4.)plumbing and electrical
so plumbings formula is pretty straight forward all you do is multiply of many plumbing fixtures you have times $600 for labor to install plus a charge of $175 for gas drop and if we have a pot filler installed above the range then include the price of the pot filler. the very last thing you have to add though is the sewer cost if its sewer and not septic then the price for it will need to be added.

electrical is a little different and has more factors at play. the obvious prices the electrician charges us for are different prices for different outlets and lights as well as the overall heated square feet in which he charges is 50 cents per square feet. the last thing that will also be added is the labor base per city. our homes are built in different cities and because of this the electrician charges differently based on what city we send them to.

now based on that basic break down can their takeoff be done in plus spec?

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2

Hi PrimeDesignHomes,

Rafter/Joist/Beam Sizes
The advanced framing feature allows you to do what you’re trying to achieve (plus more), but it’s odd that the option is missing as it should be there for the version you have (i.e. PlusDesignBuild). Below is a screenshot of my dialog showing the option. Can you please confirm this is the option that’s missing?

Takeoff Adv Frame

Framing Labor
A suggestion that may work for what you need is to create a material for each framing labour item in the :floor_tool: Floor Tool & draw the areas in the model. Then in the takeoff, create & link labour items to each material created.

Alternatively, you can also create the materials in the :custom_estimation_tool: Custom Estimation Tool & apply them to faces in the model.

Tip: Use the Edit Tag & BOQ Category feature to adjust the material info & how/where it appears in the model & takeoff.

Roof Labour
I would recommend creating a different material for each pitch range, then create & link a labour recipe with each material created. Once set up, all you should then need to do is select the corresponding roofing material for the pitch & the takeoff should be correrct. The section below explains the steps I’d recommend to achieve this.

Summary
  1. Create a different material for each pitch range (for easier referencing, make sure to name it according - i.e. ‘Roof Shingles (12/12)’, ‘Roof Shingles (7/12 or less)’, etc).
    Note: A different material will need to be created for each variation of the roof material (i.e. colour &/or profile)
  2. Draw a roof in the model for each of the created materials (i.e. if there are 6 labour rates, draw 6 roofs with those material applied).
  3. Generate a takeoff & navigate to the correct page (i.e. Roofing > 21_ROOF).
  4. In the Associate Labour To Tasks table, create a recipe for each labour item needed.
  5. Link each of the labour items with the corresponding material created in Step 1, then Save Changes.
  6. It should now be all done & everything linked up correctly.

Note: If you need to add wastages, create the recipes in the other table & factor the wastage in the Equation/Multiplier fields.

Brick Angle Lintels
Currently the size of brick lintels is worked out by the overall width of the opening plus 300mm, however I will take this back tot he dev team to see what can be done.

Plumbing & Electrical
I’m not sure whether the items you’ve mentioned here can currently be done, however I’ll take it back to the dev team for further discussion.

3

perfect thanks this is exactly what I need :smile: