Bid Areas and Zones may seem the same, but there are key differences.

Bid Areas

Bid Areas are specific locations/regions/pages within a single project like buildings, floors, levels, wings, phases or zones. Area names generally refer to the contract drawings (Building 1, Floor 2, for example).

Takeoff objects get allocated to Bid Areas for breaking out on the Takeoff Tab.

Zones

Zones are a special type of Condition used to group takeoff for viewing or pricing. Zones can be set up by floor, wing, phase, or any other manner that suits you.

Differences - Examples

For example, to break the takeoff by Area, you select the whole object when you do takeoff.

Here we have assigned the VCT Tile in the Kitchen/Dining Room to Bid Area Floor 1. Notice the entire takeoff object belongs to Building 1.

Note

A takeoff object can be assigned to one and only one Bid Area.

On-Screen Takeoff Image Tab showing a piece of area takeoff assigned to the bid area named building one

When we go to the Takeoff Tab and Group by Area we see the VCT Tile allocated to "Floor 1" Area.

On-Screen Takeoff Takeoff Tab showing that area takeoff assigned to the bid area named building one

Below we have made a Zone and drew a zone around some of the VCT Tile in the Kitchen/Dining Room.

On-Screen Takeoff Image Tab broken by area showing a piece of area takeoff allocated to a zone named zone one

When we go to the Takeoff Tab and Group by Zone, notice now the VCT Tile is broken up into two Zones - "Phase 1" and "Unassigned".

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On-Screen Takeoff Takeoff Tab broken by Zone showing a area takeoff allocated to the zone named zone one

Note

A Zone can bisect a single piece of takeoff.

Limitations of Zones

Zones cannot overlap
Zones cannot be drawn within another Zone
Zones are defined exactly as they are drawn

It is possible to group the Takeoff Tab by both Zones and Bid Areas, shown below, but it can get a little confusing, especially when you use Typical Takeoff also.

On-Screen Takeoff Image Tab broken by Area and Zone