SMACNA-Aware HVAC Takeoff Software
DuctIQ is HVAC takeoff software that understands the fabrication side of a mechanical bid. When a drawing does not call out a steel gauge, DuctIQ falls back to the SMACNA minimum for the duct size and labels it as such — so your shop drawings carry a defensible gauge instead of a blank.
It reads the mechanical drawing, measures the duct, counts the fittings, and produces fabrication-ready shop drawings with the callouts a sheet metal shop expects.
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Why SMACNA awareness matters in takeoff
Gauge drives material cost and fabrication. On many drawings the gauge is not spelled out for every run, which leaves the estimator or detailer to apply the standard schedule by hand — and a wrong gauge on a shop ticket is a real, expensive mistake.
DuctIQ closes that gap. When a gauge is given, it uses it. When it is not, it applies the SMACNA minimum gauge for the size and marks it clearly as a minimum, so the number is both useful and honest.
From plan to fabrication spec
The takeoff carries through to the shop. Each fitting drawing shows gauge, material, and seam/connection alongside the cut dimensions, in the A×B / C×D convention shops use. The estimator gets quantities to bid; the detailer and shop get fittings they can build from.
- Duct measured in linear feet by size and system.
- Fittings counted and dimensioned for fabrication.
- Gauge taken from the drawing when specified.
- SMACNA minimum gauge applied and labelled when it is not.
- Material and seam/connection shown on each fitting.
Honest by design
A takeoff tool that quietly invents a gauge is dangerous. DuctIQ is built to be explicit: a derived gauge is always labelled as a SMACNA minimum, never presented as a verified specification. That keeps the responsibility — and the final call — with the estimator and detailer.
Run your first takeoff free
Upload a mechanical PDF and get a reviewable ductwork, fittings, and equipment takeoff you can export to Excel. No credit card to try your first drawing.
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Frequently asked questions
Does DuctIQ apply the full SMACNA standard?
DuctIQ applies SMACNA minimum gauge by duct size as a clearly-labelled fallback when a drawing does not specify a gauge. It is a takeoff and shop-drawing aid, not a substitute for a detailer's review against the project's pressure class and specification.
What happens when the drawing does specify a gauge?
The specified gauge is used as-is. The SMACNA minimum only appears when no gauge is given, and it is always labelled as a minimum.
Does it show material and seam too?
Yes. Each fitting drawing carries material and seam/connection alongside the gauge and cut dimensions.
Can a detailer override the gauge?
Yes. The derived gauge is a labelled starting point for review, not a locked value — the detailer remains in control of the final spec.
Is this useful for estimating as well as detailing?
Yes. The same takeoff gives the estimator reviewable duct and fitting quantities to price, and gives the shop fabrication-ready detail.