Open the database that contains the model you want to take off.

To perform model takeoff:

1. Open the Model Takeoff window in one of these ways:

• On the ribbon, on the Takeoff tab, click .
• In classic view, click Takeoff menu > Model Takeoff, or click on the toolbar.

2. Select a model to take off.

You can choose a new model from the database or an existing model from the estimate.

In the Model Takeoff window, use one of the following methods to open a model in the Interview window.

• Select a model and click [Interview].
• Double-click on a model in the list.

The source option indicates whether the Model Takeoff window lists models in the database or in the estimate.

• To takeoff a new model, choose from the list of database models. Note that each time you select a database model, you are actually making a copy of it as an estimate model.
• To view a model in progress or already generated to the spreadsheet, choose from the list of estimate models.

Tip: If the database containing the selected model is not open, the model appears in read-only mode.

3. In the Interview window, enter a reference that will distinguish this model from other models in the spreadsheet.
4. Respond to each question. Some questions may have prefilled defaults, but you can override them by entering a different answer.
5. Your answers are important because they feed values to the items and assemblies in the model and determine which ones are generated to the estimate.
6. Scroll through the entire model to verify the default values, and enter any missing values, for the items and assemblies.

As you complete the interview you can:

• Use the calculator to calculate numeric values.
• Clear values or variables you have entered or changed.
• View an assembly attachment.
• Customize the model for a particular estimate.

7. When you are finished with the interview, click to find any incomplete items or assemblies, and values that are out of limits.
8. When you are finished working with the model, click [OK] to save your changes.
9. Click [Close]. In the Model Takeoff window, the status of the model should be Ready to Generate.

You have now taken off the model and provided the required input. But unlike item or assembly takeoff, nothing has been pulled into the spreadsheet. You need to generate the model to bring that information into the spreadsheet.

Tips:

• Click icon to open the Display Options window where you can define the fields and help notes that display for the model.
• Click to view or enter any notes about the model.
• If your model contains fields with incomplete or incorrect information, Estimating marks these fields with a red exclamation mark (!). Hover your cursor over the exclamation mark to see error details.
• If you take off a model by mistake, you can easily delete it. In the Model Takeoff window, select the estimate model and click [Delete]. Note that if you delete a model that has already been generated to the spreadsheet, Estimating deletes all items and assemblies associated with that model from the estimate.