Perform a Sitework and Excavation Takeoff

A. Finished-Takeoff Specification

Quantity: one completed sitework cost-code section containing disturbed-area measurements, clearing and stripping quantities, cut-and-fill volumes, building and trench excavation volumes, structural fill, common fill, select fill, aggregate, topsoil, haul-out and import loads, temporary access and erosion-control quantities, final grading and restoration quantities where assigned, equipment identification, and a reconciliation record.

B. Takeoff Zone Schedule (Component Schedule)

Zone	Quantity Basis	Source	Contents	Purpose
Building pad	Area / volume	Steps 6, 12	Footing, wall, slab, crawlspace, basement, overdig	Establishes building excavation quantity
Driveway and walks	Area / volume	Steps 10, 14, 15	Subgrade cut/fill, base aggregate	Establishes hardscape sitework quantity
Patios	Area / volume	Steps 10, 14, 15	Subgrade cut/fill, base aggregate	Establishes hardscape sitework quantity
Utilities	Length / volume	Step 13	Trench length, width, depth, bedding, backfill	Establishes utility trench excavation quantity
Drainage	Length / volume	Step 13	Trench length, width, depth, bedding, backfill	Establishes drainage trench excavation quantity
Landscaping	Area	Step 22	Final grading, topsoil, seed, sod, mulch	Establishes restoration quantity where assigned
Stockpiles	Volume	Steps 9, 18, 19	Topsoil reuse, structural-fill staging, import/export	Tracks material balance across the site

C. Volume and Fill-Type Schedule

Fill / Excavation Type	Calculation Basis	Conversion
Topsoil strip	Stripped area × approved depth	In-place volume to stockpile or export volume
Building excavation	Footing, wall, slab, crawlspace, basement, overdig geometry	In-place (bank) volume to loose volume for haul-out
Utility/drainage trench	Length × width × depth, less bedding and pipe volume	In-place volume to loose volume for haul-out or backfill
Structural fill	Compacted volume required under structure or pavement	Compacted volume to loose (purchase) volume using approved compaction factor
Common fill	Compacted volume required for general grading	Compacted volume to loose (purchase) volume using approved compaction factor
Aggregate base	Area × approved compacted depth	Compacted volume to purchase weight or volume per supplier basis

D. Preparation — Documents, Datum, and Zones

1. Review site, grading, utility, foundation, drainage, landscape, erosion-control, and geotechnical information. Confirm each document is the current revision per the Chapter 2 document register.
2. Confirm datum, existing and proposed contours, benchmark, finished-floor elevation, and scale. Record these on the site reference and datum record before measuring any zone.
3. Identify property, easement, utility, septic, well, tree-protection, and no-disturbance limits. Mark these boundaries on the working takeoff document so no measured zone crosses them.
4. Define inclusions and exclusions for demolition, clearing, stripping, excavation, trenching, grading, hauling, and restoration. Cross-reference the Chapter 2 scope map and carry forward any unresolved clarification.
5. Create takeoff zones for building pad, driveway, walks, patios, utilities, drainage, landscaping, and stockpiles. Use the zones listed in Section B.

E. Area, Stripping, and Cut/Fill Calculation

1. Measure total disturbed area and record sources. Enter the source document, page or sheet reference, and scale used for each zone.
2. Measure clearing and grubbing areas by vegetation and access condition. Separate light, moderate, and heavy clearing where the documents distinguish them.
3. Measure topsoil stripping area and apply the approved depth. Use the depth stated in the documents or geotechnical report; do not assume a depth.
4. Calculate stripped volume and identify reuse, stockpile, export, or disposal. Record the destination for every cubic yard of stripped topsoil.
5. Measure cut and fill using the approved grid, surface, section, or average-end-area method. Use the single method selected in the Common Field Fundamentals section.
6. Document shrink, swell, compaction, moisture, and unsuitable-soil assumptions. Cite the geotechnical report section and date for each value used.

F. Excavation, Trenching, and Fill Quantities

1. Calculate building excavation by footing, wall, slab, crawlspace, basement, and overdig geometry. Reference the approved foundation plan and section details.
2. Calculate utility and drainage trenches by length, width, depth, bedding, and backfill zone. Separate trench excavation from bedding and backfill material.
3. Calculate structural fill, common fill, select fill, aggregate, and topsoil separately. Do not combine fill types into a single quantity line.
4. Convert compacted volume to purchase quantity using the approved basis. Apply the compaction factor documented in Step 6 and record the resulting purchase unit.
5. Identify geotextile, stabilization, dewatering, shoring, testing, and trench-protection scope. Record each as its own line with its own basis.
6. Identify rock, groundwater, contamination, buried debris, and unsuitable soil as risks or unit-price items. Follow the Critical Control Cue and Geotechnical Cue above.

G. Hauling, Access, and Restoration

1. Calculate haul-out volume and load count using approved truck capacities. Convert loose (haul) volume into load count using the truck-capacity reference.
2. Calculate import loads for fill, aggregate, and topsoil. Use the same truck-capacity reference and purchase-unit conversions.
3. Include loading, travel, queue, disposal, tipping, washout, and return assumptions. Record the source and date for each assumption.
4. Measure temporary access, stabilized entrance, tracking control, fencing, signage, and erosion-control devices. Use the erosion-control plan as the controlling document.
5. Measure final grading, topsoil, seed, sod, mulch, and landscape restoration where assigned. Confirm assignment against the Chapter 2 scope map before including this quantity.
6. Identify equipment, attachments, mobilization, standby, fuel, operators, and minimum rentals. Record equipment type, source, and rate basis without inventing a rental rate.
7. Include survey, layout, testing, permits, utility locating, and traffic control. Record each as its own workbook line.

H. Pricing, Reconciliation, and Review

1. Price materials, hauling, disposal, equipment, labor, and subcontract work from dated sources. Record the source, date, and expiration for each price entered.
2. Reconcile cut, fill, stockpile, import, and export quantities. Confirm the site material balance closes; investigate and document any unresolved variance.
3. Review access, weather, working room, neighboring property, and schedule effects. Record any assumption affecting productivity or sequencing.
4. Prepare the takeoff summary with quantities, assumptions, risks, pricing sources, and exclusions. Use the sitework cost-code section of the Chapter 1 workbook as the summary location.
5. Complete an independent volume and haul review. Have a second method or reviewer confirm the cut, fill, and haul totals before the takeoff is closed out.