Quantity survey method

A highly technical process used only by contractors and very experienced estimators to arrive at an estimate of cost for new construction which is sometimes referred to in the building trade as the price take-off method which involves a detailed estimate of the quantities of raw material, such as lumber, plaster, brick, cement, etc. to be used, as well as the their current prices and the costs of installation which are all added together to arrive at the believed replacement cost of a structure.