Journal

Field notes.

Essays, guides, and product notes on pre-construction and how trade contractors actually bid. Most pieces come straight out of the bids we’re running this week — a working estimator’s desk, written down.

10 · Apr 20, 2026

Guide

Best takeoff software for tile contractors in 2026.

A tile-first evaluation of the leading takeoff platforms — on wall vs. floor scope, Schluter and heat-wire runs, waste factors, and the PDF that wins the bid.

By Cedrus Takeoffs · Read

09 · Apr 18, 2026

Guide

How to build accurate construction estimates: the five pillars.

Guesswork, orphan numbers, and rolled-up markups erode margin. Here are the five disciplines that make a construction estimate actually land.

By Cedrus Takeoffs · Read

08 · Apr 16, 2026

Guide

Best software for tile bids in 2026: an end-to-end buyer's guide.

Takeoff, assemblies, subcontractor work orders, and the PDF the client signs — how the leading tile-bid platforms compare across the full workflow.

By Cedrus Takeoffs · Read

07 · Apr 15, 2026

Guide

Best construction takeoff software in 2026: a buyer's guide.

How modern takeoff platforms compare on speed, accuracy, collaboration, and price — and how to pick the right one for your trade.

By Cedrus Takeoffs · Read

06 · Apr 12, 2026

Guide

How to do a construction takeoff: a step-by-step guide for every trade.

The eight-step workflow every estimator should run — from plan upload to priced estimate — regardless of trade.

By Cedrus Takeoffs · Read

05 · Apr 10, 2026

Guide

What is a construction takeoff? A complete guide.

What a takeoff is, why it matters, and why contractors are moving from scale rulers to software.

By Cedrus Takeoffs · Read

04 · Apr 8, 2026

Industry

Assembly-based vs. line-item estimating: which wins on profit and speed.

Two estimating models, two different business outcomes. A frank comparison with real numbers.

By Cedrus Takeoffs · Read

03 · Apr 5, 2026

Tips

Five tips for more accurate tile estimation.

Waste factors, wall-vs-floor pricing, and the add-ons that protect your margins on every bid.

By Cedrus Takeoffs · Read

02 · Apr 2, 2026

Industry

Pre-construction software: how takeoffs, estimates, plans, and bids fit together.

Five tools, one data model. Why the future of pre-construction is a connected suite — not another point solution.

By Cedrus Takeoffs · Read

01 · Mar 28, 2026

Industry

Digital vs. manual takeoffs: why contractors are switching.

A frank comparison of speed, accuracy, and cost between scale-ruler workflows and digital tools.

By Cedrus Takeoffs · Read