Creating Assemblies (changes/adjustments in progress)

Overview

Assemblies in zzTakeoff allow you to group multiple materials, labor items, and costs into a single reusable unit. Instead of adding individual items to every takeoff, assemblies let you apply a complete set of components at once, improving speed, accuracy, and consistency across projects.

Assemblies are commonly used for walls, windows, doors, flooring systems, glazing systems, or any repetitive construction component.

When to Use Assemblies

Use assemblies when you want to:

• Standardize material and labor calculations
• Save time on repetitive takeoffs
• Apply multiple cost items at once
• Maintain consistent estimating across projects
• Quickly build detailed estimates from takeoff quantities

How to Create an Assembly

Step 1: Open the Assemblies Section (Should be directing people to our Takeoff Tool Bar or the gray plus button in the Takeoffs Tab)

1. Go to the Estimate or Assemblies panel. (Should be: Select the appropriate Tool: Area, Linear, Segment, Point Count)
2. Click Create Assembly. (Should be: After Selecting the Takeoff Tool, Click the 'Measurement Type' Menu and Set the appropriate option (ex: Flat Area, Linear with Width, Sloped, etc)
3. Enter an assembly name, or name for this Takeoff

Example:

• Interior Wall Assembly
• Storefront System
• Curtain Wall Section

Step 2: Add Assembly Details

Enter basic information:

• Assembly Name (already named in above step)
• Description (Description comes with the items inside the assembly, the takeoff itself doesn't have an option for a description)
• Category (?)
• Unit of Measure (LF, SF, EA, etc.) (Should be directing to the Measurement menu, Select the main Measurement type for your Takeoff Item, you can select multiple measurements as needed, the top measurement is how the information will be displayed in the Takeoff Tab)

Click Save. (We don't have a Save button here, is this older info? Right now the option is Start Takeoff, or Cancel for this window )

Step 3: Add Items to the Assembly, Using the the Materials and Labor menu

1. Click Add Item
2. Choose from:

• Materials
• Labor
• Equipment
• Subcontractor
• Other

1. Enter:

• Item Name
• Quantity
• Unit
• Cost

1. Click Save

Repeat until all components are added.

Example Assembly

Storefront Assembly

Includes:

• Aluminum framing
• Glass panels
• Sealant
• Fasteners
• Anchors
• Labor for installation

(or, pulled from our Templates, we can use:)

Shingles Roofing

Includes:

• Roofing Shingles-Tab
• Underlayment Material-Tigerpaw
• Roofing Nails-10x 1 3/4"
• Labor for installation

When applied to a takeoff, zzTakeoff automatically calculates all associated materials and costs.

Editing an Assembly

To modify an assembly:

1. Open the Assemblies panel (should this be the templates tab? Takeoffs Tab?
2. Select the assembly (Double click or open the Properties of the Takeoff/Assembly)
3. Click Edit (I don't see an Edit button) Should also be Open the Properties of the item
4. Add, remove, or update items
5. Click Save

Changes update wherever the assembly is used. ( Changed for Future use only, these changes will not change past takeoffs properties)

Applying an Assembly to a Takeoff (?)

1. Create or select a takeoff
2. Choose Apply Assembly (I have never seen an 'Apply Assembly' option)
3. Select the assembly
4. Assign it to the takeoff
5. Save

The assembly will now calculate materials and costs based on the measured quantity.

Best Practices

Use Clear Naming

• Exterior Wall - 6" Metal Stud
• Curtain Wall - Standard
• Storefront - Ground Level

Keep Assemblies Organized in the Templates Tab using Folders

Group by:

• Trade
• System
• Project Type
• Material Category

Reuse Assemblies as Templates

Create standard assemblies that can be used across multiple projects.

Update Costs Regularly

Keep material and labor pricing current to ensure accurate estimates.

Tips

• Create assemblies before starting large takeoff projects
• Use subassemblies for complex systems
• Keep quantities proportional to the unit of measure
• Test assemblies on small takeoffs before full use