Section 1 - Classes of Units
Various classes of units (kits) may be defined. These classes are to provide a logical grouping of units (kits) in reports. For instance, in electrical residential estimating, service entrances might be one class; dryer circuits might be another, and receptacles, another. Therefore, in lists of units, all service entrance unites would be together, as would all receptacle units. Etc.

Section 2 - Unit (kit) definition
The content of he various units (kits) to be used during takeoffs are defined here. Inventory ID's are specified for the various materials; the descriptions and prices are drawn from inventory. Miscellaneous items and the labor hours and costs are specified also. The resulting bottom line value of the unit is shown with the option then to use management judgement to arrive at a bid price for the unit. The bid price will be the price used during takeoffs.

Some of the units are for items, which are normally installed more than one at a time - such as duplex receptacles. The unit definition allows specifying that it represents more than one item, so the unit price will be per item. For example, if ten duplex receptacles were normally installed together, then the duplex receptacle unit would be defined with the materials and labor to install all ten receptacles. The resulting bottom line unit price will be the total price as define divided by ten, giving a per receptacle price.

Units (kits) may be added, revised, or repriced as needed.

Section 3 - Takeoff setup
To expedite the actual takeoff, various standard takeoff outlines must be defined in advance to list the units normally used for certain types of jobs. The actual takeoff then consists of following the outline of suggested unit types, entering the specific units needed for this job and how many.

A list of standard notes may be defined for each use on each takeoff outline as needed, so that no retyping is necessary during the actual takeoff. In addition, any special notes may be typed just for the particular takeoff.

Section 4 - Takeoff
The actual takeoff consists of following the outline of suggested specified in section 3, entering the specific units needed for this job, and how many. The bid price of reach unit is obtained form the unit definition above. The units are automatically extended and totaled to provide the takeoff bottom line. The bottom line figure is then available for management revision for this particular job.

Section 5 - Proposal
When a takeoff is final, with all adjustments made, the system will produce a proposal, which may be given to the customer. This proposal prints on a professional proposal form using parts of the information contained in the takeoff.