List the tubes, concrete and parts you need.
⚙️Calculation Parameters
📊Calculated Output
How Sonotube Material Takeoff Generator Works?
To build a takeoff, the Sonotube Material Takeoff Generator lists every material a pier job needs, with quantities derived from the tube sizes. The process takes 4 steps.
Enter the pier schedule
Type each tube size, depth and count.
Select materials
Tick forms, concrete, rebar, gravel, anchors, post bases and water.
Set rules
Enter rebar bars per pier, gravel depth, waste margin and bag size.
Generate the list
The tool produces a line-item takeoff with quantities in imperial and metric units.
Sonotube Material Takeoff Generator Formula
The Sonotube Material Takeoff Generator derives each line from the pier geometry.
Forms
Linear ft = Σ nᵢ × LᵢLᵢ is the form length per pier.
Rebar
Bars = n × bars per pier; length = H − 2 × coverCover is commonly 2 in to 3 in.
Gravel
V = n × π × (D_hole ÷ 24)² × (t ÷ 12)t is gravel depth and D_hole the hole width.
Worked example: 8 piers at 10 in × 48 in
- Concrete = 8 × 2.182 = 17.45 ft³ → 32 bags with 10%
- Rebar = 4 bars × 8 piers = 32 bars at 44 in (48 in − 2 × 2 in cover)
- Gravel = 8 × 16 in hole × 4 in = 3.72 ft³
Sonotube Material Takeoff Generator Conversion Table
The takeoff conversion table shows a sample material list for 8 deck piers at 10 in × 48 in (25 cm × 122 cm).
| Item | Quantity | Imperial | Metric / weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sonotube forms 10 in × 4 ft | 8 forms | 8 × 4 ft | 32 linear ft (9.75 m) |
| Concrete (net) | 17.45 ft³ | 0.646 yd³ | 0.494 m³ |
| Concrete 80 lb bags (+10%) | 32 bags | 2,560 lb | 1,161 kg |
| #4 rebar (4 bars × 44 in per pier) | 32 bars | 117 ft | 35.8 m |
| Gravel base 4 in under each tube | 3.72 ft³ | 0.138 yd³ | 372 lb |
| Post bases / anchors | 8 pcs | — | — |
| Mixing water | 24 gal | 91 L | — |
Gravel weight assumes about 100 lb per ft³ (1,600 kg/m³). Rebar size and count follow the project design.
What is Sonotube Material Takeoff Generator?
A Sonotube Material Takeoff Generator is a takeoff tool that produces a complete bill of materials for a Sonotube pier job: forms, concrete, rebar, gravel, hardware and water.
A pier job needs more than concrete. Missing rebar or anchors stops a pour as fast as missing bags. The generator builds every line from the same pier schedule, so a change in tube size updates the concrete, the gravel and the rebar lengths together.
The output reads like a lumberyard order, with item, quantity and unit on each line.
What are the uses of Sonotube Material Takeoff Generator?
There are 4 main uses of the Sonotube Material Takeoff Generator.
Supplier orders
Contractors send one list to the lumberyard.
Permit packages
Builders attach a material list to permit documents.
Job costing
Estimators price every line item.
Delivery checks
Crews check deliveries against the takeoff.
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