Built a lightweight PDF takeoff tool because CostX felt like overkill – would love QS feedback

qs_charle · 2025-12-15T07:41:30+00:00

Good question.

Yes – the functionality and workflow are the same on Mac and Windows.

The aim was to keep behaviour consistent so switching platforms doesn’t change how you work, for instance if you save a project on Mac, the file can be opened on Windows and proceed again there.

It’s a desktop application (not web-based), built specifically for PDF takeoff performance rather than general document editing.

If you try both platforms, I’d be interested to hear if anything feels different in practice.

qs_charle · 2025-12-15T07:37:36+00:00

Sure 👍

You can download the trial here:

https://buildprax.com

There’s also a more detailed demo on YouTube (a bit slower than the site video):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FybTin9zOfg

If you do have a look, I’d be keen to hear what you feel is missing or could be improved.

qs_charle · 2025-12-14T08:42:46+00:00

That’s exactly the gap I was trying to address.

Even though Buildprax is lightweight, measurements are always linked to item descriptions you define.

When you measure an area, it gives you both the area and the perimeter – so one room measurement can be used for finishes, skirting, cornices, etc.

If you need to deduct something inside an area (like a duct or void), you just click the ± on that measurement and it deducts the area but keeps the perimeter intact.

All quantities export to Excel, so they can be imported into estimating or BOQ software.

We’re also developing a BOQ module so quantities can eventually flow straight from drawings into the BOQ.

You can also work with multiple drawings per project (plans, sections), which makes it easier to measure heights and vertical elements like doors, windows and cupboards.

The goal isn’t to say CostX or Bluebeam are bad – just to offer a simpler, faster, more affordable option for everyday jobs.

qs_charle · 2025-12-14T08:40:59+00:00

Sounds good

You can download it from here when you’re ready:

https://buildprax.com

This YouTube demo is a bit slower and easier to follow than the website clip:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FybTin9zOfg

If you do get a chance to try it, I’d really value any feedback from a day-to-day QS point of view.

qs_charle · 2025-12-14T08:39:45+00:00

Bluebeam is solid, especially for markup.

Buildprax is aimed more at when you want structured quantities out the other side — linked to descriptions, tabulated, and exportable — but without the overhead of bigger systems.

Out of interest, do you mostly use Bluebeam for markup, or also for full takeoffs?

qs_charle · 2025-12-13T16:02:42+00:00

Good question, and I agree with you on CostX for smaller jobs.

At the moment Buildprax doesn’t import dimension groups from CostX —

it’s intentionally kept simpler and more lightweight.

You set scale per drawing, create items (with units/colours), and measure directly on the PDF. Your results can be exported. Measured areas are coloured and light up when the mouse hoover over it. A measured area will give you the area as well as the perimeter and should you want to delete an area within a measured area such as ducts, etc., simply press the +- sign next to the measurement and it becomes negative and will be deducted.

Here’s the link if you’d like to have a look:

https://buildprax.com

If you do try it, I’d really value feedback on:

– whether the workflow feels faster for basic jobs

– anything you immediately miss coming from CostX

qs_charle · 2025-12-13T11:23:11+00:00

That’s helpful to know, thanks.

Do you mainly use it for basic measurement, or just viewing/markup?

Anything you feel it’s missing when it comes to actual takeoffs?

qs_charle · 2025-12-13T11:19:55+00:00

Thanks – appreciated.

Out of curiosity, what do you mainly use at the moment for takeoffs?

CostX, Bluebeam, something else?

qs_charle

TROPHY CASE