PLUMBING ESTIMATING & TAKEOFF SOFTWARE

Plumbing Estimating Software Built for Faster Takeoffs

Vega uses AI to detect plumbing fixtures from PDF plans, traces pipe runs from plumbing drawings, and turns the reviewed takeoff into an editable material and labor estimate.

With or without dedicated plumbing drawings — floor-plan-only estimates are budget-level.

vega · takeoff
B. Pantry53 sqftMudroom82 sqft1/2 Bath31 sqftOffice121 sqftKitchen193 sqftDining121 sqftLiving Room277 sqftEntry Corridor115 sqftPrimary Bed131 sqftPrimary Closet78 sqftPrimary Bath80 sqftFront Porch318 sqftBack Deck358 sqft

ROOM TAKEOFF

B. Pantry
53 sqft
Mudroom
82 sqft
1/2 Bath
31 sqft
Office
121 sqft
Kitchen
193 sqft
Dining
121 sqft
Living Room
277 sqft
Entry Corridor
115 sqft
Primary Bed
131 sqft
Primary Closet
78 sqft
Primary Bath
80 sqft
Front Porch
318 sqft
Back Deck
358 sqft
Conditioned1,282 sqft
AI-DETECTED FIXTURES
On the plan, editable
Upload the plan set
Plumbing plan + floor plans
AI detects fixtures & traces pipe
Toilets, sinks, runs by the foot
Priced plumbing estimate
Reviewable and editable
THE PLUMBING WORKFLOW

From PDF Plans to a Priced Plumbing Estimate in One Workflow

STEP 01

Upload the plans

Start with the plan set — a dedicated plumbing plan carries fixtures and pipe runs; the floor plans carry rooms and building context. No dedicated plumbing drawings? Vega can still build a starting estimate from the floor plans.

STEP 02

AI fixture detection

Vega analyzes the sheets with an AI vision reader and detects plumbing fixtures — toilets, sinks, tubs, showers, floor drains, hose bibbs, water heaters, and more — placing typed markers on the takeoff canvas.

STEP 03

Trace pipe runs

On plumbing plans, Vega traces pipe runs shown on the drawing — cold water, hot water, hot-water return, DWV, and gas — as editable polylines, measuring each run by the foot and deriving selected fittings from the geometry.

STEP 04

Review on the plan

Detected fixtures and traced pipe runs sit over the plan so you can see the takeoff. Add, move, delete, or retype any fixture. Draw or edit piping. Change system, material, or diameter before pricing.

STEP 05

Price materials & labor

Reviewed quantities feed Vega’s Plumbing estimator — fixtures, pipe, fittings, water heaters, equipment, and labor — priced from a 167-line plumbing item master with editable material and labor pricing.

STEP 06

Build the estimate

Carry the priced plumbing estimate into a proposal alongside the other trades — one project, one proposal — and export to PDF, Excel, or Word.

AI detects fixtures and traces pipe on the plumbing plan. Without dedicated plumbing drawings, Vega builds a budget-level estimate from the floor plans. Every quantity is reviewable on the plan and editable.

AI PLUMBING TAKEOFFS FROM PDF PLANS

AI Detects and Counts Plumbing Fixtures on Your Plans

Upload the plan set. Vega analyzes the sheets and detects plumbing fixtures directly from the drawing — on dedicated plumbing plans and on architectural floor plans. Detected fixtures appear as typed markers on the takeoff canvas, organized by type — so the counts are ready to review and price.

Bath fixtures
Toilets / water closets
Bathroom sinks (lavatories)
Bathtubs
Showers
Tub / shower combinations
Bidets
Kitchen & laundry
Kitchen sinks
Utility / laundry sinks
Washing machine boxes
Dishwasher connections
Ice-maker connections
Drains & access
Floor drains
Trench drains
Roof drains
Cleanouts
Hose bibbs
Equipment & gas
Water heaters (tank & tankless)
Sump pumps
Ejector pumps
Water softeners
Grease traps
Commercial fixtures
Urinals
Mop / service sinks
Floor sinks
Eyewash stations
Drinking fountains

Representative examples from 31 fixture types. Detected fixtures become editable typed markers on the canvas — the estimate counts the markers you reviewed.

PIPE TAKEOFF FROM PLUMBING PLANS

Trace Pipe Runs and Measure Them by the Foot

On plumbing plans, Vega traces pipe runs shown on the drawing — capturing run geometry, calculating linear footage, identifying the system, reading diameter when printed, reading material when identified, and deriving selected elbow and tee quantities from the traced geometry.

CW / CWS

Cold water

Domestic cold-water supply runs traced from the plumbing plan, measured by the foot.

HW / HWS

Hot water

Hot-water supply runs traced and measured, with hot-water return riding the same system.

W / S / V

DWV — sanitary & vent

Waste, sanitary, and vent runs traced as one drainage system, measured by the foot.

G / NG / LP

Gas

Natural gas and LP piping traced from the plumbing plan, measured by the foot.

Measured from traced runs

Run geometry captured as editable polylines
Linear footage calculated from traced vertices
System identified — cold, hot, DWV, gas
Diameter read when printed on the drawing
Material read when identified on the drawing

Selected fittings derived from geometry

Elbows and tees counted from traced run corners
90° and 45° elbows split by turn angle
Branch counts read or typed — never derived from crossings
Each run carries system, material, and diameter
All quantities editable on the canvas before pricing

Vega traces pipe runs where they are drawn on the plumbing plan. It does not calculate pipe sizes, trace riser diagrams, detect valves from the drawing, or perform plumbing engineering.

REVIEW ON THE PLAN

See the Plumbing Takeoff Directly on the Plan

Detected fixtures and traced pipe runs are placed over the plan so estimators can visually review the AI-generated takeoff. Review and edit AI-detected plumbing takeoffs directly on the plan — add fixtures the AI missed, remove false positives, move markers to their correct positions, change fixture types, and draw or edit piping before pricing.

See the takeoff on the plan

Detected fixtures and traced pipe runs are placed over the plan image at their detected positions, so you can visually review the AI-generated takeoff instead of trusting a black-box number.

Add, move, delete, retype fixtures

Every fixture marker is editable. Add a fixture the AI missed, move one that landed wrong, delete a false positive, or retype a symbol the reader misclassified — the counts update immediately.

Draw or edit pipe runs

Trace pipe runs shown on the plumbing plan, edit their vertices, change the system, set the diameter, or assign the material. Branch counts are read or typed — never derived from geometry alone.

System, material & diameter

Each pipe run carries its system (cold, hot, DWV, gas), material (PEX, copper, CPVC, PVC, cast iron), and diameter — all reviewable and editable on the canvas before pricing.

Edit any price or quantity

Fixture counts, pipe lengths, installed prices, labor multipliers, and allowances are all editable. Changes cascade through every total; clearing overrides restores the defaults.

Include, exclude, or add lines

Remove a line you do not want to bid, add a custom item for a specialty fixture, and adjust the final estimate — the AI starts the takeoff, you stay in control.

Plumbing BreakdownILLUSTRATIVE

Fixtures

—

Counted by type

Pipe runs

—

Traced by the foot

Fittings

—

From run corners

ITEMQTYUNIT
Toilets (water closets)
—EA
Bathroom sinks (lavatories)
—EA
Tubs / showers
—EA
PEX pipe — cold water
—LF
PEX pipe — hot water
—LF
PVC DWV — waste & vent
—LF
Water heater (tankless, gas)
—EA
Labor (crew hours)
—HR
Every line editable \u2014 overrides saved, defaults preserved

Illustrative breakdown \u2014 quantities and prices shown as placeholders, not actual Vega output.

NO DEDICATED PLUMBING PLANS?

Vega Can Still Build a Starting Estimate

Most residential plan sets do not include dedicated plumbing drawings. When they are unavailable, Vega can use the architectural floor plans to identify rooms, detect plumbing fixtures that are actually shown, and build budget-level allowances for the rest. The two routes are not the same precision — and the estimate says so on every line.

WITH DEDICATED PLUMBING DRAWINGS

Measured takeoff

Fixtures counted off the plumbing plan
Pipe runs traced and measured by the foot
Fittings derived from traced run geometry
Pipe diameter read when printed on the drawing
Pipe material read when identified on the drawing
Full material + labor estimate from reviewed takeoff

FLOOR PLANS ONLY

Budget-level estimate

Rooms identified from the floor plans
Fixtures detected where the architect drew them
Remaining fixtures estimated from room types
Pipe quantities estimated using per-fixture allowances
Every line labeled as a budget-level allowance
Starting point — not a measured takeoff

Build a budget-level plumbing estimate even when dedicated plumbing drawings are not available. Every line on the floor-plan route is labeled as an allowance — a starting point for the estimator, not a measured takeoff.

USE MORE THAN JUST THE SYMBOLS

Vega Reads Plumbing Notes and Legends From Your Plan Sheets

Plumbing plans carry keyed notes, legends, and fixture schedules in their text layer. Vega reads that text from the PDF and uses it to help interpret fixture tags, piping systems, materials, and other drawing information — so a bare tag on the plan is read in the context of the notes that define it.

Keyed notes & legends

Plumbing notes and legends read from the PDF text layer are used to help interpret fixture tags and piping systems on the sheet.

Fixture tag context

A bare fixture tag is read alongside the notes block that defines it, so a symbol the reader sees is understood in context.

Pipe system & material

Notes that name a pipe material or system help the reader classify runs it sees on the drawing.

Vega reads notes and legends from the PDF text layer to help interpret the takeoff. It does not extract structured plumbing schedules or specification books.

TAKEOFF TO ESTIMATE

Turn the Plumbing Takeoff Into an Editable Estimate

Reviewed quantities feed Vega\u2019s Plumbing estimator. Build priced estimates using Vega\u2019s Plumbing Item Master — a 167-line priced catalog covering fixtures, pipe, fittings, water heaters, and equipment — with editable material and labor pricing.

Fixtures

Toilets, sinks, tubs, showers, urinals, and more — counted by type, subtype, and style from the reviewed markers

Fixture trim

Stops, supply lines, P-traps, closet flanges, shower drains, tub waste & overflow — priced per fixture

Water piping

PEX, copper, CPVC by size — cold, hot, and hot-water return — measured from traced runs

DWV piping

PVC, ABS, cast iron — waste, sanitary, and vent — measured from traced runs

Gas piping

Black iron and CSST gas runs, plus gas connections to fixtures and equipment

Selected fittings

Elbows and tees derived from traced pipe-run corners — 90° and 45° split by turn angle

Water heaters

Tank, tankless, and heat-pump water heaters — by type and fuel, counted from markers

Labor

Crew labor from trade-scoped rates with editable multipliers — or labor share from installed pricing

Markup & overhead

Organization-level overhead and profit, editable per estimate

167-line Plumbing Item Master covering fixtures, trim, water piping, DWV, gas, fittings, water heaters, equipment, and labor. Material and labor pricing is editable per estimate. Valves are priced from rules, not detected from the drawing.

FROM FIXTURE COUNTS TO MATERIAL QUANTITIES

Measured Where You Have Drawings. Estimated Where You Do Not.

With plumbing drawings, Vega turns traced runs and fixture counts into useful material quantities. Without them, quantities are estimated from allowances. The estimate distinguishes the two — so you know which numbers came off the plan and which are a starting point.

Measured / detected

Fixture quantities — counted from markers
Pipe LF — measured from traced runs
Pipe diameter — read when printed
Selected fittings — derived from run corners
Water heaters — counted from markers
Equipment — counted from markers

Estimated / allowance

Fixtures not shown — estimated from room types
Pipe LF without a plumbing plan — per-fixture allowance
Rough-in materials — from fixture counts
Trim materials — from fixture counts
Selected valves — priced from rules
Labor — crew rates or labor share

Every line carries its source. Measured quantities come off the plan; allowance quantities are labeled as estimates. The estimator decides which to trust and which to override.

LABOR & PRICING

Build Labor and Pricing Into the Same Workflow

Plumbing estimates include material and labor in the same workflow. Pricing is editable. Labor is editable. Custom estimate lines can be added, lines can be included or excluded, and markup and overhead are applied — so the final number is yours.

Editable material pricing

Override any fixture, pipe, fitting, or equipment price — the material total and line provenance follow.

Editable labor

Adjust crew labor rates, labor multipliers, or the labor share — the labor total recomputes with every change.

Custom estimate lines

Add a custom item for a specialty fixture or fitting that is not in the catalog, and price it yourself.

Include / exclude scope

Remove a line you do not want to bid, or keep a line you are still deciding on — the estimate follows your scope.

Markup & overhead

Organization-level overhead and profit are applied and editable per estimate, so the final price reflects your numbers.

Priced, not just counted

The takeoff becomes a priced estimate — material + labor + markup — ready to carry into a proposal.

Build priced plumbing estimates with editable material and labor costs. Pricing reflects national market data with a regional multiplier — edit any price to match your actuals.

AI BUILDS THE STARTING POINT. THE ESTIMATOR STAYS IN CONTROL.

AI Builds the Starting Point. The Estimator Stays in Control.

AI output is reviewable. Vega assists the estimator — it does not replace professional judgment. Every quantity, price, and line is editable, and the final estimate is yours.

Review detected fixtures

See every fixture marker on the plan, check its type, and correct anything the AI got wrong before pricing.

Move, add, or delete fixtures

Add a fixture the AI missed, remove a false positive, or move a marker to its real position on the plan.

Redraw piping

Draw or edit pipe runs, adjust vertices, and trace runs the reader missed or got wrong.

Change pipe system & material

Reassign a run to the right system, set its material, and correct its diameter before pricing.

Edit quantities & pricing

Override any fixture count, pipe length, or price — the estimate recomputes with every change.

Add custom lines & control scope

Add a custom item, include or exclude a line, and adjust the final estimate to match your bid.

WHO IT'S FOR

Built for the People Who Price the Plumbing

PLUMBING SUBCONTRACTORS

From the plan to a plumbing bid

Focus on the fixture count, the pipe runs, and the equipment scope — and carry it into a trade-specific bid without rebuilding the takeoff from scratch.

AI fixture detection on the plumbing plan
Pipe runs traced and measured
167-line priced item master

GENERAL CONTRACTORS & ESTIMATORS

Carry plumbing alongside the other trades

Estimate plumbing alongside framing, drywall, electrical, and mechanical — one project, one proposal — instead of rebuilding each scope in a separate tool.

Multi-trade estimate in one workflow
One proposal from many trades
Reviewable, editable results

Built for residential plumbing estimating and adaptable to many multifamily and commercial takeoff workflows. Vega does not perform plumbing engineering, pipe sizing, or code compliance.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What is plumbing estimating software?

Plumbing estimating software helps contractors turn construction plans into plumbing quantities — fixture counts by type, pipe lengths by system, fitting counts, and equipment — and then into material and labor pricing and a reviewable estimate. Vega is built around that workflow for plumbing contractors and estimators.

Can Vega perform plumbing takeoffs from PDF plans?

Yes. Upload a PDF plan set and Vega analyzes the plumbing sheets with an AI vision reader, detecting fixtures and tracing pipe runs. The floor plans provide rooms and building context. You review the takeoff directly on the plan and carry the reviewed quantities into a priced estimate.

Can Vega automatically count plumbing fixtures?

Yes. Vega’s AI vision reader detects and counts plumbing fixtures by type — toilets, sinks, tubs, showers, floor drains, hose bibbs, water heaters, urinals, and more. Each detected fixture becomes an editable typed marker on the canvas, and the estimate counts the final markers you reviewed rather than the raw AI output.

Can Vega trace plumbing pipe runs?

Yes — on plumbing plans. Vega traces pipe runs shown on the drawing for cold water, hot water, hot-water return, DWV (sanitary and vent), and gas. Each run is measured by the foot and carries its system, material, and diameter. Selected fittings — elbows and tees — are derived from the traced run geometry. Vega does not trace riser diagrams, vertical piping, or isometric views.

Can Vega estimate plumbing without dedicated plumbing drawings?

Yes, but at a budget level. When dedicated plumbing drawings are unavailable, Vega can use the architectural floor plans to identify rooms and detect plumbing fixtures that are actually shown. For fixtures not drawn, Vega estimates requirements from room types — bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, mechanical rooms — and estimates pipe quantities using per-fixture allowances. Every line on this route is labeled as a budget-level allowance, not a measured takeoff.

Can I edit the AI-generated plumbing takeoff?

Yes. Every detected fixture marker and traced pipe run is placed over the plan and is fully editable — add, move, delete, or retype any fixture. You can draw or edit pipe runs, change the system, set the diameter, assign the material, edit quantities and pricing, include or exclude estimate lines, and add custom items. The AI starts the takeoff; you stay in control of the final numbers.

Does Vega calculate pipe sizes?

No. Vega reads pipe diameters when they are printed on the drawing, but it does not calculate, design, or engineer pipe sizes. Pipe sizing requires a licensed plumbing engineer or designer. Vega is an estimating tool — it helps you quantify and price the work, not design or engineer the plumbing system.

Can Vega estimate plumbing labor and materials?

Yes. Reviewed quantities feed Vega’s Plumbing estimator, which prices fixtures, pipe, fittings, water heaters, equipment, and labor from a 167-line plumbing item master. Material and labor pricing is editable, and the estimate carries editable labor multipliers. The result is a priced plumbing estimate you can edit and carry into a proposal.

Does Vega perform plumbing engineering or code compliance?

No. Vega is plumbing estimating and takeoff software. It helps you count fixtures, quantify pipe, and price the work — it does not perform plumbing engineering, pipe sizing, system design, UPC or IPC compliance checking, or code review. A licensed plumbing engineer or designer must perform engineering and code compliance. Vega is a tool for the estimator pricing the work, not for the engineer designing it.

Related resources

GET STARTED

Upload the Plans. Build the Plumbing Estimate.

See how Vega turns a plumbing plan into detected fixtures, traced pipe runs, and a reviewable plumbing estimate you can edit and send.

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Reviewable, editable results