AI for Plumbing Takeoff: Fixture Counts & Pipe Runs from PDF Drawings
Why Estimators Use AI Assistance
Save precious time
Reduce hours spent searching through plumbing drawings, riser diagrams, and schedules so you can concentrate on pricing and strategy.
Keep numbers traceable
Draft outputs point back to the source documents, making reviews and clarifications easier with your team and clients.
Stay flexible
Addenda and changes happen. It’s simpler to update and re-issue a takeoff when the groundwork is already prepared for you.
Upload PDFs and run a simple prompt. A draft takeoff is prepared and you are notified when processing is completed.
How It Works
- Upload your PDFs — Add the plumbing plan drawings, riser diagrams, legends, and any schedules or notes you want considered.
- Write your prompt — Tell Civils.ai what you need (for example: “Prepare a plumbing takeoff: fixture counts by type and level, pipe runs by service and size, note risers and branches.”).
- Click “Run” — The platform begins preparing a draft takeoff based on your uploaded drawings and schedules.
- QA review & adjust — Your QA team reviews the draft, fixes any issues, and confirms assumptions before release.
- Share with confidence — Release the reviewed drawing set and quantities to your stakeholders with clear references back to the source PDFs.
Upload PDFs
Drag & drop your drawing or document PDFs and select Extract CAD data. Works with scanned, historic and multi-sheet drawings.
Type out your prompt
Type what you need in natural language (e.g. “count plumbing fixtures by type & level; measure pipe runs by service—DHW, DCW, sanitary, vent—and nominal size; include risers & branches”). Hit Run and the AI performs the takeoff and our QA team reviews the results.
Get results, review & export
What the Draft Takeoff Can Cover
The goal is a clean starting point for pricing—prepared from your drawings and schedules—so your team spends more time refining and less time starting from scratch.
Typical items
- Fixture counts by type (WC, WHB, shower, floor drain, etc.) grouped by level/zone
- Pipe runs by service (DHW/DCW, sanitary, vent, storm) and nominal size
- Risers and branch connections; valves/fittings where tagged or scheduled
Clarity about sizing & services
Pipe sizes, materials and services are taken from your legends, riser diagrams and specifications. The system does not perform hydraulic sizing, gradient checks, or code compliance—only what is shown in your documents.
What to Expect (and What Not To)
Overview
What you can expect
- A prepared draft takeoff to help your bid
- Clear references back to the drawings and schedules
- Faster internal reviews and fewer back-and-forths
Limitations to note
- No hydraulic calculations or code checks are performed
- Only quantities visible in the documents—no inference of hidden services
- 3D coordination/elevation modelling and gradient simulation are not supported
- Pipework
- Ductwork
- Cable tray
- CHWS
- CHWR
- CHWP
FAQ
Is this suitable for busy bid periods?
Yes. It prepares a draft quickly so your team can review, adjust, and price with confidence instead of starting from a blank page.
Can we trust the numbers?
Use the draft as a starting point. Your QA team checks and fixes anything that needs attention before releasing numbers to stakeholders.
Where do the quantities come from?
From the PDFs you upload—plan drawings, riser diagrams and schedules. Everything stays traceable to the source pages for easy review.
What about elevations and multi-service stacks?
We read what’s shown on plan/elevation sheets and riser diagrams. We don’t build a full 3D model or simulate gradients/pressure—provide risers if you want vertical routing counted.
Prepare Stronger Plumbing Bids with Civils.ai
Upload your drawings and schedules, write a quick prompt, click run—then let your QA team review and release a clear, traceable takeoff.
Civils.ai is an assistive tool for bid preparation. Final quantities and assumptions should be reviewed and approved by qualified professionals.