Question 1

How do I figure how much tile I need from blueprints?

Accepted Answer

Measure every tiled surface, add waste for the layout, then divide by the carton. Trace floors on the floor plan and walls on the interior elevations, each tile on its own layer. MetreMate gives you the square feet and trim linear feet off the plans, then you apply your waste and box coverage. Calibrate each sheet off a known dimension, like a dimensioned tub, so every number reads true.

Question 2

How much waste should I add for tile?

Accepted Answer

Base it on the layout. A common guide is 10 percent for straight lay, 15 percent for diagonal, and 15 to 20 percent for herringbone or chevron, with more for rooms full of cuts. So 100 sq ft of straight-lay floor becomes 100 x 1.10 = 110 to order. MetreMate gives you the square feet, then you choose the waste.

Question 3

How do I convert square feet to boxes of tile?

Accepted Answer

Add waste, divide by the coverage on the carton, and round up. Say you have 400 sq ft of herringbone. At 20 percent waste that is 400 x 1.20 = 480 sq ft. If the carton covers 9 sq ft (an example only), 480 / 9 = 53.3, so order 54 boxes. Always use the coverage printed on your actual carton.

Question 4

Can I measure shower walls from an interior elevation?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Interior elevations are often drawn at a larger scale than the floor plan, such as 1/2" = 1'-0" or 3/8" = 1'-0", so set the scale for each sheet with Manual Scale. Then trace each shower wall and tub surround with Area. Deduct the niche or window if that is how you price, and count niches and benches separately.

Question 5

How do I take off bullnose and edge trim?

Accepted Answer

Measure it in linear feet. Run Measure along every exposed tile edge on the plans and elevations: shower curbs, backsplash ends, outside corners and wainscot caps. Keep bullnose and metal edge profiles on separate layers so each gets its own line. MetreMate gives you the linear feet, then you apply your piece length and waste to get the order.

Question 6

Is there a free plan?

Accepted Answer

Yes. There is a free plan, and you do not need a credit card to start. MetreMate runs in any modern browser on a Windows or Mac computer, so there is nothing to install. Upload the plans for a bathroom or kitchen, take off the floors and walls, and compare with your last bid. A 7-day trial of the paid plans is also available.

Tile takeoffs by the square foot, floors and walls

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 tile contractors use MetreMate

Floors off the plan

Showers and backsplashes off the elevations

Boxes, trim and waste

More than measuring

Auto Scale

Manual Scaling

Auto Snap

Layers Manager

Print & Share

Project Organizer

Questions tile contractors ask

MetreMate works for every trade

Ready to bid faster, tile contractors?