WEBVTT 00:00.000 --> 00:05.000 So now let's talk about validation and methods for checking for errors. 00:05.000 --> 00:10.000 So by starting to validate the actual scale on your drawings where you do your takeoff, 00:10.000 --> 00:14.680 your quantity takeoff, make sure the scales are correct because if your quantities are 00:14.680 --> 00:19.000 off, if your scale is off, the whole estimate will be off. 00:19.000 --> 00:22.680 Let's start this by verifying that all drawing scales are correct. 00:22.680 --> 00:25.560 Test any noted scales to a known dimension. 00:25.560 --> 00:29.640 And typically what I do is I use the largest dimension available. 00:29.640 --> 00:33.080 Because it might only be the height of a doorway that you know is eight foot, then that's 00:33.080 --> 00:34.080 suitable enough. 00:34.080 --> 00:38.680 But if you actually have a dimension from column to column that'd be even greater because 00:38.680 --> 00:44.400 that's looking like 25 or 30 feet or so, it makes your adjustment much more accurate 00:44.400 --> 00:46.320 when calculating that. 00:46.320 --> 00:49.560 Accuracy improves when the longest dimensions are tested. 00:49.560 --> 00:55.200 All digital takeoff software programs are just as vulnerable to reduced size drawings. 00:55.200 --> 01:00.120 To remedy this, they have the advantage of calibrating the actual scale. 01:00.120 --> 01:05.360 If you're doing the takeoff manually, you may have to use a different scale altogether. 01:05.360 --> 01:10.520 For example, if it says that it's quarter inch and the scale correction is half inch, you'll 01:10.520 --> 01:16.440 have to use a different size scale to measure those dimensions or objects on your drawings. 01:16.440 --> 01:20.040 So as you're checking the scale on your drawings and making sure that your takeoff was done 01:20.040 --> 01:24.680 accordingly, go ahead and double check everything else that's associated with actual cost 01:24.680 --> 01:28.880 or counts would have you, and that would include your door schedules, might include your 01:28.880 --> 01:29.880 wall types. 01:29.880 --> 01:33.920 Anything as a double check always benefits the entire project. 01:33.920 --> 01:36.840 After a while, you'll see that you might have four or five items that you'll always 01:36.840 --> 01:41.480 check which would include your scale and make sure that you test these on a regular basis. 01:41.480 --> 01:47.080 The more you estimate, the more you'll identify some costs that might be out of whack. 01:47.080 --> 01:51.560 As an example, as you're using a wrong scale, perhaps your scale is half of what it should 01:51.560 --> 01:57.440 be, you should be able to get a gut feeling as to the quantities are not matching up. 01:57.440 --> 01:59.640 They don't seem right. 01:59.640 --> 02:03.640 Another good example is when you identify your drawings, it'll probably tell you how 02:03.640 --> 02:07.160 large the site or how large the building area is. 02:07.160 --> 02:10.800 If you do a double check on all your building areas or all your site areas, it should 02:10.800 --> 02:14.040 marry up or match up to what's actually shown on the drawings. 02:14.040 --> 02:18.600 These double checks are great to validate your estimates to yourself and the management 02:18.600 --> 02:18.920 team.