Blinds takeoff from the window schedule.
Window treatment bids depend on every opening's size and type, plus the motorization, blackout and fabric requirements in the spec. Drawings get you an accurate count and a good size estimate for the bid. Ordering always waits for field measurements, because shades are made to the inch.
Send one plan set. See what the AI extracts and what it flags for review. No obligation.
- Openings by size
- Shade types and fabric
- Motorization and power
- Pockets and coordination
What gets quantified
| Item | Unit | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Openings by size and type | Each | Window schedule, elevations, storefront and curtain wall elevations |
| Shade type by room | Each, by room | Spec (Division 12 24 00 window shades or 12 21 00 blinds), finish schedule |
| Fabric (openness, blackout, dual) | By shade | Spec, room use |
| Motorized units | Each, plus controls | Spec, electrical and low-voltage drawings |
| Ceiling pockets and fascia | LF | RCPs, ceiling details |
| Mounting | Inside, outside, ceiling, jamb | Details, field conditions |
From drawings to a bid
- List every glazed opening from the window schedule and from storefront and curtain wall elevations; curtain wall bays often aren't on the window schedule.
- Group by size band for pricing (most manufacturers price by width × height brackets) and by shade type.
- Assign shade type and fabric by room from the spec: solar shades with a specified openness factor in offices, blackout in conference rooms and patient rooms, dual shades where both are needed.
- Decide manual vs. motorized per the spec, and group motorized shades into bands that share a motor (some systems couple several shades on one motor).
- Count pockets and fascia from the RCP. Recessed pockets are often built by the ceiling contractor; confirm.
- Qualify sizes: state that final sizes come from field measurement before fabrication.
One floor
Illustrative.
Conference rooms: 6 openings 6'-0" × 8'-0" → motorized dual (solar + blackout) = 12 motors
Perimeter pocket: 140 lf recessed (ceiling contractor builds; shade contractor supplies closure)
Low-voltage control: 3 wall keypads, 1 interface to lighting control (per spec)
Power: 6 motor circuits or Class 2 power supplies per electrical drawings
Power and controls
Motorized shades need power at each motor or a low-voltage power supply panel, and often control wiring to keypads or an integration with lighting or building controls. Coordinate with the electrical contractor on who provides circuits, junction boxes, low-voltage cable and programming. That split belongs in your proposal. Commissioning (setting limits and groups, integration testing) takes time on site.
Fabric and cords
- Fabric flammability: commercial specs commonly require shade fabrics that pass NFPA 701 flame propagation testing. Confirm the fabric's test certificate.
- Cord safety: under the ANSI/WCMA A100.1-2018 standard, stock window coverings must be cordless, have inaccessible cords or cords 8 inches or shorter; the standard also restricts corded custom products. CPSC has proposed a mandatory rule for custom window coverings. Many commercial specs require cordless or motorized products in children's and healthcare spaces.
- Accessibility: where manual operating controls must be accessible, keep them within ADA reach ranges.
Why drawings aren't for ordering
Window rough openings and finished openings differ from drawing dimensions. Mullions, sill heights and jamb depths affect inside mounts. Carry a field measure trip (or two on phased jobs) and the time to reconcile measured sizes against your bid, and qualify that pricing is by size band, adjusted to measured sizes.
Common misses
- Curtain wall and storefront openings missing from the window schedule.
- Blackout side channels and sill angles where full blackout is specified.
- Pockets assumed by the ceiling contractor and not built.
- Motor power and controls split unclear.
- Shades over doors and transoms.
- Attic stock or spare fabric required by the spec.
From plan set to reviewed quantities.
AI-powered, human-approved. Each stage records what ran, what changed and who approved it.
Start with your bid package
Drawings, specs and addenda together: exterior elevations, window and door schedules, glazing details and the Division 08 spec sections.
AI proposes quantities
Counts, lengths and areas come back with the source sheet and location attached to every row.
Estimator review
Low-confidence items surface first. Your estimator accepts, corrects or rejects each one.
Map to your assemblies
Approved quantities map to your items, assemblies and estimating assumptions.
Price reviewed rows
Labor units, material pricing and supplier quotes apply only to rows that passed review.
Hand off with evidence
Reviewed quantities move on to your estimate, catalog or quote workflow with the source trail still attached.
Supported files and tasks depend on your trade and implementation. Confirm them in the free sample run.
The AI drafts. Your estimator decides.
Speed is easy to promise. Defensible numbers are the job, so RenderDraw keeps the estimator in control of every quantity that gets priced.
- Source on every row. Each quantity keeps its source sheet, location and reviewer decision.
- Lowest confidence first. The review queue shows the drawing tile with the detection highlighted and the extracted value.
- Uncertain items flagged, not hidden. Anything the AI can't confirm goes to the estimator rather than being guessed.
- Nothing priced before approval. Rows move on to pricing only after they are accepted.
Questions estimators ask.
How do you take off blinds and shades?
List every glazed opening from schedules and elevations, group by size band and shade type, assign fabric and operation by room, count motors, pockets and controls, and qualify that final sizes come from field measurement.
Can I order shades from drawing dimensions?
No. Use drawings for the bid and field measurements for fabrication.
What fabric standard applies to commercial shades?
Commercial specs commonly require shade fabrics to pass NFPA 701 flame propagation testing.
What are the cord safety rules for blinds?
ANSI/WCMA A100.1-2018 requires stock window coverings to be cordless or have inaccessible or short cords, and restricts corded custom products.
Who provides power for motorized shades?
It varies. Coordinate with the electrical contractor on circuits, boxes, low-voltage cable and programming, and write the split into your proposal.
Can RenderDraw count openings for window treatments?
RenderDraw's AI takeoff proposes opening counts and sizes from schedules and elevations with the source sheet on each row, for your estimator to review. Get a free sample takeoff.
See what the AI reads on your own drawings.
Send one representative glazing plan set. RenderDraw reviews it and follows up with what the AI extracted and what it flagged for review. Your files remain private while the request is assessed, and there is no obligation.
- Upload exterior elevations, window and door schedules, glazing details and the Division 08 spec sections.
- RenderDraw reviews the set and the scope you want tested.
- We follow up with extracted quantities, flagged items and next steps.
Where these numbers come from
We checked this guide against the standards, manufacturer documents and industry references below (last reviewed November 2026). Figures marked as rules of thumb are typical ranges, not requirements; your project documents, local code and your own cost history govern.