Free Type Items

What are free type items?

Free type items give you the same unit and linear takeoff functionality as the standard measurement tools, but with the added ability to assign the item to a category from the Ensign database structure (e.g. cables, containment, accessories, sockets and switches). This categorisation is important because when you export to the estimating module, the item is associated with the correct material group — so free-type cables appear alongside database cables, free-type containment appears alongside database containment, and so on.

This affects how your materials are grouped on the summary table in the estimating module. When you apply percentage markups to different material categories (e.g. 20% on sockets, 15% on containment), free type items are included in the correct category rather than being left in an uncategorised group.

When to use free type items

• When you need to take off an item that is not in the database but you know which material category it belongs to.
• When you want a quick takeoff without searching the full database, but still want the item to be categorised correctly for estimating.
• When you are working to a specification that uses non-standard products not yet added to the database or contractor's choice.
• When you want to capture an item with your own description, hours, and cost rather than using a pre-populated database entry.

Unit free type

The unit free type works identically to the standard unit takeoff — left-click to count, right-click to finalise — but you select a category before starting.

1. 1

   Click the Free Type button in the toolbar. The free type dialog opens.

2. 2

   Select the takeoff method as Unit.

3. 3

   Choose a category from the dropdown — for example, Accessories or Sockets and Switches. This determines where the item is grouped in the estimating module.

4. 4

   Enter a description — for example, Bespoke mounting bracket or Non-standard PIR sensor.

5. 5

   Optionally fill in product code, hours, and cost. You can leave these blank and complete them in the estimating module later.

6. 6

   Choose a colour and pixel size for the drawing markers.

7. 7

   Press Start.

8. 8

   Left-click on the drawing to place each count. Right-click to finalise.

Linear free type

The linear free type works identically to the standard linear takeoff — left-click at each corner, right-click to finalise — with the same category assignment.

1. 1

   Click the Free Type button and select the takeoff method as Linear.

2. 2

   Choose a category — for example, Cables or Containment.

3. 3

   Enter a description — for example, SWA cable to external light or Specialist trunking run.

4. 4

   Tick the Riser option if the run is vertical.

5. 5

   Choose a colour and pixel size.

6. 6

   Press Start.

7. 7

   Left-click at each corner of the route. Right-click to finalise.

How category assignment affects the estimate

The category you assign to a free type item determines where it appears in the estimating module's markup structure:

This means that when you apply different markup percentages to different material groups (e.g. 20% on sockets, 15% on containment), your free type items are automatically included in the correct group.

Free type vs other item types