When does the 48–72 hour turnaround start?

The turnaround time begins once you upload your construction plans.

What if my plans change after ordering?

Design changes or addendums require a new takeoff order. Upload revised plans as a new project.

How can I contact support?

Email services@oste.ai with your Order ID and our team will assist you.

OSTE Help Center

Q: Can I download my files multiple times?

Yes. Completed takeoff files remain available in your account dashboard and can be downloaded anytime.

Home Help Center

Your Complete Construction Takeoff Guide

Welcome to the OSTE construction takeoff help guide – your complete resource for ordering services, uploading plans, and receiving accurate Excel and PDF deliverables within 48-72 hours.

How OSTE Works: From Order to Delivery

Ordering construction takeoff services from OSTE is designed for busy contractors and estimators who need fast, accurate quantities without the guesswork. Here’s how it works in four simple steps:

Select & Order

Choose your divisions
$89/division

Upload Plans

Send us your drawings
Up to 500MB

We Process

AI + estimator review
48-72 hours

Download Files

Get Excel + PDF
Organized by CSI

Step-by-Step: How to Order Construction Takeoff Services

This detailed guide walks you through every step of the ordering process, from selecting divisions on the pricing page to downloading your completed takeoff files.

Step 1: Start on the Pricing Page

What to do:
Navigate to the Pricing page to begin your order.

What you’ll see:
Contact information fields

Project selection area

Division drop-down menu

Step 2: Select Your Project and Divisions

Add your project:

1. Enter your Project Name

2. Click the Division drop-down menu

3. Select the divisions you need:

Division 08 – Openings (Doors, Frames, Hardware)

Division 10 – Specialties

(More divisions coming soon)

Pro tip: You can select multiple divisions for a single project to get comprehensive takeoffs organized by CSI structure.

Step 3: Fill in Contact Information

Complete all required fields:

Full Name

Email Address

Phone Number

Company Name (optional)

Billing Address

Why we need this: Contact information is required for billing and project communication. We’ll send your order confirmation and file delivery notifications to this email.

Step 4: Review Your Cart

On the right sidebar, review your cart showing:

Project name(s)

Division(s) selected

Pricing: $89 per division (flat rate)

Subtotal

Adding multiple projects:
Click “Add Another Project” to order takeoffs for multiple jobs at once. Each project can have different division selections.

Step 5: Proceed to Checkout

1. Verify your project names, divisions, and pricing

2. Click the “Checkout” button at the bottom of your cart

Step 6: Apply Coupon Code (Optional)

Have a discount code?

1. Enter your coupon code in the provided field

2. Click “Apply” to see your updated total

3. If you don’t have a coupon, proceed directly to payment

Step 7: Complete Payment

Payment options:
We accept all major credit cards for fast, secure processing:

American Express (AE), Visa, Mastercard (MC), Discover

To complete your order:

1. Enter your credit card details

2. Review the final total

3. Click “Complete Payment”

Step 8: Order Confirmation

After successful payment, you’ll receive:

On-screen confirmation:

Order ID (save this for reference)

Complete order summary

Project and division details

Payment confirmation

Email confirmations:
We’ll send two emails to your registered address:

1. Order Summary – All order details and Order ID

2. Transaction Receipt – Payment confirmation with transaction details

Step 9: Upload Your Project Plans

From the order confirmation page:

1. Click “Upload Project Plans”

2. Select your files (PDF, DWG, or png/jpeg)

3. Click “Upload”

File requirements:

Maximum file size: 500 MB per upload

Accepted formats: PDF, DWG, JPEG, PNG

You can upload multiple files for multi-sheet projects

Step 10: Set Up Your Account

Create your password:

1. Click “Go To Account” from the order summary

2. Set a secure password for future logins

3. Access your dashboard

Your dashboard includes:

Orders

Estimation Files

Account settings

Logout Option

Step 11: Download Your Takeoff Files

Delivery timeline:
Your files will be ready within 48-72 hours of plan upload.

What you’ll receive:

For each project, you get two deliverables:

1. Excel Takeoff File (.xlsx)

Detailed quantity takeoff – Organized by CSI division

Line-item breakdown with descriptions

Ready to import into your estimating software

2. PDF Markup File (.pdf)

Your plans with visual annotations

Shows exactly what was counted

Color-coded by division or item type

Includes notes on assumptions and exclusions

To download:

1. Go to “Estimation Files” in your dashboard

2. Find your project by Order ID

3. Click “Download” for Excel and PDF files

Step 12: Track Order Status

Check your order progress:

Navigate to “Order Details” to see:

Order status:
🔵 Processing – Estimators working on your takeoff
🟢 Completed – Files ready for download

Billing information

Project details

Step 13: Download Your Invoice

After order completion:

1. Go to your Account Dashboard

2. Navigate to “Order” or “Order History”

3. Find the completed order

4. Click “Invoice” or “E-Invoice”

Your Invoice includes:

Order ID and date

Itemized charges (projects and divisions)

Payment method and transaction ID

OSTE billing information for your accounting records

Frequently Asked Questions About Ordering

Do I need to create an account before ordering?

No. An account is automatically created when you place your first order. You’ll set your password after checkout to access your dashboard, track orders, and download files.

Can I save my cart and complete the order later?

Currently, carts are session-based. We recommend completing your order in one session. If you need to pause, you can always return to the pricing page and rebuild your selection-it only takes a few minutes.

I forgot my password. How do I reset it?

Click “Forgot Password” on the login page and follow the email instructions to reset. If you need assistance, contact our team at services@oste.ai.

When will I be charged?

Payment is processed immediately at checkout. Your card will be charged the full amount shown in your cart (including any coupon discounts applied).

Can I get a refund if I cancel my order?

Please refer to our Terms & Conditions page for our complete refund policy and cancellation terms.

Will I receive an invoice for accounting purposes?

A: Yes. After order completion, you can download a detailed invoice/receipt from your account dashboard under “Billing” or “Order History.” This includes all transaction details for your records.

Do you offer NET-30 or invoice-based payment terms?

A: Currently, we only accept credit card payment at checkout. For high-volume clients interested in invoice terms, please contact us at services@oste.ai to discuss options.

What if I upload the wrong plans by mistake?

A: Contact us immediately at services@oste.ai with your Order ID. If we haven’t started processing, we can swap the files. If processing has begun, you may need to place a new order.

Will I be notified when my takeoff is ready?

Yes. You’ll receive an email notification when your files are ready for download. You can also check your account dashboard anytime to see real-time order status.

What if I have questions during the ordering process?

A: Our team is here to help! Email us at services@oste.ai and we’ll respond within 24 hours (usually much faster during business hours).

Can I download my files multiple times?

Yes! Your completed takeoff files (Excel and PDF) remain accessible in your account dashboard indefinitely. You can download them as many times as needed.

Do my files expire or get deleted?

No. All completed takeoff files remain in your account permanently. You can access past projects anytime by logging into your dashboard.

Can I share my takeoff files with team members or subcontractors?

Yes. Once downloaded, you own the files and can share them as needed with your team, subs, or clients. The files are standard Excel and PDF formats.

What if there's an addendum or design change after I order?

Addendums or design revisions require a new takeoff order, as they represent different scope. Upload the revised plans as a new project and reference the original Order ID in the project name for our team’s context.

How do I know what was included vs. excluded in the count?

The PDF markup file shows exactly what was counted with visual annotations. The Excel file includes notes on assumptions and exclusions. If anything is unclear, our estimators document their interpretation based on the plans provided.

What happens if the plans are unclear or have conflicts?

Our estimators will note any ambiguities, conflicts between drawings and specs, or missing information in the deliverable. We’ll provide counts based on reasonable assumptions and clearly document them so you can clarify with your design team.

Can I get my takeoff faster than 48-72 hours?

A: Rush services may be available depending on our current workload. Contact us at services@oste.ai before ordering to inquire about expedited turnaround and associated fees.

Does the 48-72 hour clock start when I place the order or upload plans?

The turnaround time starts when you upload your project plans, not when you place the order. Make sure to upload plans immediately after checkout for fastest delivery.

Can I talk to the estimator working on my project?

For specific technical questions about your takeoff, email us at services@oste.ai with your Order ID. We’ll connect you with the right person or provide clarification directly.

Do you offer phone support?

Currently, support is handled via email for efficiency and documentation purposes. This ensures your questions and our responses are tracked with your Order ID. For urgent matters, email services@oste.ai with “URGENT” in the subject line.

Still Have Questions?

Can’t find what you’re looking for?

OSTE Help Center

Your Complete Construction Takeoff Guide