Question 1

How accurate is a drywall takeoff from a PDF?

Accepted Answer

As accurate as the plan and your calibration. Set the scale off a known dimension rather than trusting the printed scale, because an 11 x 17 print of a 24 x 36 drawing is about 46 percent, not 50 percent. Auto-Snap locks onto corners and wall ends, so the linear feet and square feet you quote match the drawing, not a scale ruler reading.

Question 2

4x8 or 4x12: how do I convert square feet to sheets?

Accepted Answer

Divide the square footage by the sheet area. A 4x8 sheet covers 32 sq ft, a 4x10 covers 40 sq ft and a 4x12 covers 48 sq ft. So 1,600 sq ft of board is 1,600 / 32 = 50 sheets of 4x8, or 1,600 / 48 = 33.3, so 34 sheets of 4x12, before waste. MetreMate gives you the square footage, then you pick the sheet size.

Question 3

How much waste should we quote?

Accepted Answer

Usually 10 percent for simple rooms and 15 percent for rooms with many openings or sloped ceilings. MetreMate gives you the measured square footage, then you apply the waste. On the 50 sheet 4x8 example, 10 percent adds 5 sheets for a quote of 55, and 15 percent adds 7.5, so quote 58 sheets.

Question 4

How do I separate Type X from standard board?

Accepted Answer

Put them on separate layers. Measure the 5/8 in Type X walls, such as garages, separations and many commercial walls, on one layer and the 1/2 in standard interior walls on another. MetreMate keeps a total for each layer, so the quote lists each board type with its own square footage and sheet count instead of one mixed number.

Question 5

How do I measure track and corner bead?

Accepted Answer

Trace them in linear feet. Measure each steel stud wall once for its track length, then double it for top and bottom track, and trace outside corners for corner bead, each on its own layer. MetreMate gives you the linear feet, then you divide by the lengths you stock. For studs at 16 in O.C., divide wall length in inches by 16, add 1, then add for corners and openings.

Question 6

Is there a free plan?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Start on the free plan with no credit card, or try the paid features with a 7-day trial. MetreMate runs in any modern browser on a Windows or Mac computer, so your counter staff have nothing to install. Pro and Team plans are available when you need more, and Team is billed per seat so your whole inside sales team can work from the same plans.

Board counts by floor, straight from the plans

The slow way, or the smart way

Everything you can measure off the plan

Lengths in linear feet

Areas in sq ft

Perimeters

Counts

How drywall supply yards use MetreMate

Wall and ceiling square footage

Sheets by size and type

Stock list by floor (layers)

More than measuring

Auto Scale

Manual Scaling

Auto Snap

Layers Manager

Print & Share

Project Organizer

Questions drywall supply yards ask

MetreMate works for every supplier

Ready to quote faster, drywall supply yards?