How Contractors Review & Audit a Civil Sitework Takeoff

Open the color cut/fill heatmap PDF markup. Verify that the 3D surface boundary matches the project Limit of Disturbance (LOD) or property boundary.

• Common Error: The modeler extended the surface beyond the site boundary into off-site easements, creating phantom cut or fill quantities that the contractor is not contracted to perform.
• Check: Look for the boundary polygon outline on the takeoff overlay. Does it match Sheet C100/C200 LOD lines?

Check the stripping depth applied across the site. A 4-inch vs. 6-inch assumption changes earthwork significantly:

• Was topsoil stripped under the building pad and parking lot, but left undisturbed in conservation areas?
• Is there enough stripped topsoil on-site to satisfy the required 4"–6" landscape respread, or will you need to pay for imported organic loam?

This is the single most frequent cause of dirt quantity discrepancies between estimators. Finished grade is NOT subgrade.

• Heavy Duty Asphalt Section: 3" asphalt + 8" crushed base = 11-inch subgrade offset below finished surface.
• Building Slab Section: 6" concrete + 4" capillary crushed stone + 10-mil vapor barrier = 10-inch offset.
• Audit Check: Did the estimator deduct these section depths before generating final subgrade cut/fill? If they compared raw finished surface contours directly against existing ground, the cut is drastically underestimated and fill is dangerously inflated.

OSHA safety standards require trench protection beyond 5 feet in depth. Review how utility pipe footages are binned:

• Are gravity sewer pipes broken down into depth brackets (e.g., 0–6 ft, 6–10 ft, 10–14 ft, 14 ft+)?
• Compare utility invert elevations against geotechnical boring refusal depths. Any trench deeper than rock refusal requires pneumatic hammering or hydraulic rock ripping line items.
• Verify pipe bedding stone volume (typically 4" to 6" beneath barrel and up to springline or 12" over crown) is explicitly separated from common backfill.

Cross-check the soil expansion and shrinkage multipliers applied in the summary spreadsheet against the geotechnical report:

• Are truck hauling quantities calculated in Loose Cubic Yards (LCY) using the proper swell percentage (+20% to +40%)?
• Is structural fill embankment calculated in Compacted Cubic Yards (CCY) with compaction shrinkage accounted for?
• Use our Earthwork Volume Calculator to spot-check the math.

Review the drawing log sheet on the takeoff report:

• Does the takeoff list the latest addendum drawing revisions (e.g., "C200 Rev 3 dated 10/14")?
• If an addendum raised finished floor elevation (FFE) by 6 inches, does the delta report show the corresponding increase in fill required?

Every professional takeoff report must contain a written narrative of estimating assumptions. Scan for:

• Are utility service connections assumed at the property line or to the main in the street?
• Is rock excavation classified or unclassified?
• Is off-site disposal tipping fees included or excluded?